“（Whew, 〖Evolution〗 complete, huh?)”
I held my body up to the sunset sky, looking through it.
A refreshing blue, reminiscent of a soda bottle, filled my vision.
It was a vividness far removed from the gray I once was.
My body had grown a little larger, but its shape hadn’t changed.
Well, I am a slime, so that’s to be expected.
That’s about it for the changes in appearance.
Now, let’s see how much stronger I’ve become. Time to check my 〖Status〗.
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Race: Jewel Slime
Beast Rank: Lesser Beast
Soul Accumulation Value (Level): 11
Stats
Life: 25/30
Mana: 10/10
Power: 6
Toughness: 311
Resist: 35
Speed: 6
Skills
Dissolving Liquid, Self-Regeneration, Sense of Direction
Cover, Throwing, Escape
Climbing, Provoke, Crush
Block, Stockpile (NEW), Perfect Defense (NEW)
Fleeing Instinct (NEW), Alluring Radiance (NEW)
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My 〖Toughness〗 has gone up like crazy again… It was just over 250 before 〖Evolution〗.
Thanks to that, my 〖Resist〗, which should be high, looks insignificant.
Well, if I believe the description, it’s still pretty high.
More importantly, there’s the issue of 〖Power〗 and 〖Speed〗.
Why haven’t they changed since before 〖Evolution〗?!
Well, it was me who chose the Jewel Slime for its emphasis on defense…
But still, I didn’t expect them to stay the same.
I thought the importance of 〖Power〗 was low, but it wouldn’t have hurt for it to go up a little, would it…?
“（…Haa, guess I’ll check my 〖Skills〗 then.）”
I pulled myself together and focused on the next item.
The details of each 〖Skill〗 floated into my mind.
~Skill Details~
Stockpile: Increases the amount of nutrition that can be stored.
Perfect Defense: Constantly corrects 〖Resist〗 based on base 〖Toughness〗, and corrects 〖Toughness〗 based on base 〖Resist〗.
Fleeing Instinct: Makes it easier to learn 〖Escape-type Skills〗. Constantly corrects the effects of 〖Escape-type Skills〗.
Alluring Radiance: Targets creatures that are visually recognizing the 〖Skill〗 holder, and can draw out the intention to attack the 〖Skill〗 holder. When the 〖Skill〗 holder is killed, the 〖Soul Shard (Experience)〗 that the killer can plunder is greatly increased.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
First, 〖Stockpile〗 is probably a 〖Skill〗 I got when I ate that Wolf earlier.
It’s not that powerful, but I’ll appreciate it when I can’t find food for days.
〖Perfect Defense〗 is a pure enhancement ability.
I don’t know exactly how much it increases, but if it’s enhanced by referring to my excessive 〖Toughness〗, then my 〖Resist〗 should also increase considerably.
〖Fleeing Instinct〗 is also a good 〖Skill〗.
If 〖Escape〗 becomes stronger, it can compensate for my low 〖Speed〗.
But then there’s the last one, 〖Alluring Radiance〗.
This one is a problem.
No matter how many times I look at it, it seems to say that it increases the 〖Experience Points〗 the opponent gets.
“（Ehh… Is there really such a ridiculous 〖Skill〗…?）”
The common understanding among slimes was that 〖Skills〗 are powers that make you stronger.
But increasing the opponent’s acquired 〖Experience Points〗 doesn’t help at all.
This makes me just a bonus monster.
“（Eh, is that what I am…? My defense is also unusually high, so am I perhaps a bonus like that metal guy…?）”
A depressing prediction came to mind, but I tried to ignore it.
Let’s get back to the review of 〖Alluring Radiance〗.
The first half of this 〖Skill〗, the attraction effect, might be useful in some cases, but since I have 〖Provoke〗, I probably won’t use it that much…
Well, let’s just think of it as better that it can be switched on and off and doesn’t become an indiscriminate attraction.
“（Haa, that’s about it.）”
I finished checking everything.
There was about one problem child, but well, my defense is quite substantial, especially my resistance to status ailments has been reinforced to an extent that is incomparable to before, so let’s call it good.
“（I’m a little tired, I’ll go to sleep soon.）”
Even slimes need sleep.
In my sleeping place in the gap of a tree root, I slowly fell asleep.
“（Morning!）”
The next morning, I woke up with the sunrise and jumped out of bed energetically.
I landed with a thud, and then started thinking about today’s plans.
“（In the end, how should I live…?）”
That is, should I focus on hunting or gathering?
If I use yesterday’s method, hunting is possible, and gathering wouldn’t be difficult with my 〖Toughness〗 and 〖Skills〗.
Hunting, which allows me to raise my 〖Level〗, has more merits, but there is also the risk of encountering a Demon Beast that can break my 〖Toughness〗.
…But that’s the same with gathering, isn’t it?
The encounter rate would be lower if I didn’t actively engage in battle, but if I did encounter one, it could happen that I wouldn’t be able to resist because my 〖Level〗 was low.
Which risk should I take?
I pondered for a while, and suddenly, my thoughts were interrupted by a massive chill.
“（!!）”
I reflexively activated 〖Block〗.
Immediately after, my body was sent flying through the air.
~Unnotified Information Recording Area~
…
The invaded Flame Oni of Nitrous Soil, Ramelga, has activated its 〖Territory〗.
〖Territory: Scorched Earth-Chaos〗 has come into contact with the Forest Shackle Wielder, Dwazov’s 〖Territory: Great Forest Sea〗.
The Kai-Geki Phenomenon has occurred.
〖Territory: Scorched Earth-Chaos〗 has partially seized control.
Environmental characteristics have changed.
…
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