Episode 24: Reunion
Several days had passed since the day I defeated the werewolves.
“Bebyuu!”
“Sura Sura.”
Today, like every other day, I’m fighting Demon Beasts, diligently raising my 〖Level〗.
I dodged a Tiger Beast’s fangs with 〖Blink〗, and as we passed each other, I landed a powerful slash with a 〖Cross Counter〗.
The tiger was heavily slashed on its shoulder, and it hurriedly jumped back.
Anticipating its movement, I followed up with a 〖Slash〗. Having already landed about ten light attacks, a 〖Combo〗 also activated.
I succeeded in splitting the tiger’s head open.
“(Oh, did my 〖Level〗 go up?)”
Upon checking, I was at 〖Level 47〗.
I could feel that 〖Evolution〗 was just around the corner.
“(I’m getting used to the new 〖Skills〗 too.)”
The reason my 〖Level〗 increase is modest is partly because the required 〖Experience Points〗 have increased, but the biggest factor is that I’ve been taking my time with each battle.
I’ve been focusing on training my 〖Skills〗.
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Skills
Blink, Cross Counter, Provocation → Challenge (NEW)
Devotion → Focus (NEW), Leap → Air Jump (NEW)
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〖Blink〗 is an advanced 〖Skill〗 of 〖Evasion〗, and 〖Cross Counter〗 is a 〖Skill〗 that increases the power of an attack when using the opponent’s momentum.
Both of them bloomed during the Werewolf fight.
While the simple and easy-to-use 〖Blink〗 was fine, I had trouble with 〖Cross Counter〗. Or rather, I am having trouble. It’s an ongoing process.
I can brute force my way through against 〖Lesser Beasts〗, but against 〖Greater Beasts〗 and above, I need to carefully observe the opponent’s movements and predict their actions.
Some of my other existing 〖Skills〗 have also been upgraded.
It seems that upgrading increases their effects, and 〖Blink〗 has gained a constant increase in dynamic visual acuity, while 〖Focus〗 has gained a new ability to resist mental status ailments.
〖Air Jump〗 is amazing, allowing me to jump in mid-air.
Currently, I can only do four air jumps in a minute, but as I become more proficient, the number of times I can use it should increase.
“(Thanks for the meal.)”
I devoured the tiger and continued through the forest.
I advanced a little further and climbed a tree using 〖Climbing〗. I didn’t forget to use 〖Stealth〗 either.
“(…………)”
I held my breath on the tree.
I extended a part of my body to peek at the situation beyond the tree.
““…………””
A group of three humans were walking through the forest.
I waited patiently for them to pass.
Even before meeting the old man, I had occasionally seen humans.
However, recently, it feels like the number of humans appearing around here has increased.
There’s a high possibility that the old man leaked information about me (an experience point monster).
“(…Alright, they’re gone.)”
I slid down the tree. Apparently, 〖Climbing〗 activates even when descending.
“(Hmm, they’re not decreasing at all. Should I just move somewhere else?)”
I thought about that as I walked in a different direction from the adventurers who had come earlier.
Maybe the humans will disappear in a couple of weeks, but there’s no sign of that happening yet.
I was planning to enter an area with a higher concentration of 〖Mana〗 after one more 〖Evolution〗, but maybe I should move my hunting grounds before that.
The forest is vast. Since humans are gathering around here, the number of them in other places should be reduced.
“(Alright, if that’s decided, let’s move right away.)”
Thanks to my 〖Sense of Direction〗, I know which way the human town is.
I’ll avoid going that way, but I’ll move in a direction where the 〖Mana〗 doesn’t get too thin.
Susu susu susu.
Susu susu susu.
From tree to tree. From bush to bush.
I moved while obscuring my line of sight.
My body color is already conspicuous in the forest.
Just flattening my body isn’t enough. I have to be as careful as possible.
“(Phew, I’ve come quite far.)”
I had been moving while transformed for a long time, and I was getting tired, so I took a break.
There was a hollow that was just the right size for my body, so I hid inside it.
As I was relaxing there, I was suddenly called out to.
“…Could you be the Slime-san from back then?”
“Sura!?”
I hadn’t let my guard down.
I had extended a part of my body from the edge of the hollow and was checking my surroundings.
Despite that, I couldn’t help but jump at the sudden voice.
I came out of the hollow and looked around, but I couldn’t find the source of the voice.
“I knew it was you. I’m over here.”
As she spoke, a girl emerged from behind a tree. She had light blue hair, carried a wooden basket, and wore leather armor.
It was the girl who had given me herbs when I was hit by a crayfish.
『Oh, it was you. It’s been a while, I was happy back then.』
“…Eh?”
This time, the girl was surprised. It seemed she was shaken by the voice suddenly echoing in her head.
I couldn’t use 〖Telepathy〗 when we met before, so it’s no wonder.
I explained to the confused girl that I was communicating my thoughts with a 〖Skill〗.
Then, as if she understood, she nodded.
“…So, I wasn’t just hearing things back then…”
She said.
“By the way, can other Demon Beasts talk like that?”
『I wonder. At least, I’ve never met a Demon Beast that can talk like me. Oh, but Slimes are different. They can talk even without 〖Telepathy〗.』
“Hee, so Slime-san can talk.”
『Well, most of them can only communicate roughly, and it’s a bit different from what humans call “talking.”』
I was able to “talk” to a certain extent with Sura-ta, a rare species, but he was too much of a musclehead to have a proper conversation.
“You know a lot about humans. Did you live with them in the past?”
『Something like that.』
She seems like a good kid, and she’s being friendly, so I’m getting a little too chatty, but I don’t intend to talk about my past life.
I don’t know if there are other reincarnated people in this world, but if I were to make a bad impression, it might increase the reasons for me to be targeted.
Being an experience point monster is already enough of a reason to be targeted.
『Speaking of which, don’t you have to defeat me? Other humans are targeting me.』
“Eh? No, no, I wouldn’t do that! I can’t defeat Demon Beasts with my strength… Besides, Slime-san doesn’t attack me, so you’re not a bad Demon Beast, right?”
『That’s true… But, why did you help me when we met before? You didn’t know if I was good or bad, right?』
“It’s just… I couldn’t leave you alone. You were injured.”
『Is that the reason? If it were any other Demon Beast, they wouldn’t hesitate to attack you right after eating the herb. Don’t ever try to help a Demon Beast again… I think I said that before, didn’t I?』
“Hehe, that’s right. You said it, or rather, it was conveyed? I’ll keep it in mind.”
As we were talking, the girl suddenly turned in a different direction.
I felt like she had reacted like this before.
『What’s wrong?』
“Someone’s being attacked… I’m sorry, Slime-san. I have to go. Please be careful not to get hunted by other people.”
『Huh? Wait—』
Leaving those words behind, the girl ran off somewhere.