Chapter 19: Deer and Deer
In this world where I was born as a slime, it’s filled with an energy called 〖Mana〗. It’s something that didn’t exist on Earth.
Well, maybe I just couldn’t perceive 〖Mana〗 when I was human, but anyway. It’s an energy that doesn’t exist according to Earth’s common sense.
This 〖Mana〗, its concentration varies depending on the location. And the higher the concentration of 〖Mana〗, the more powerful the Demon Beasts are.
So, the teaching in the slime group was to never approach such places.
“(But, the current me is fine.)”
Through 〖Evolution〗, I’ve become dramatically stronger.
Since yesterday, I’ve been gradually heading towards places with higher 〖Mana〗 concentration, and today, I think I’ll boldly step into one.
“(〖Slash〗)”
After advancing a certain distance, I extended my whip and swung the blade at its tip.
I caught a falling fruit with another whip, took it into my body, and dissolved it.
“(Oh, it’s delicious!)”
That white pear-like fruit was by far the most delicious thing I’ve eaten since being born as a slime.
First of all, it’s sweet.
The fruits around the slime village were mostly sour or astringent, like 99 percent of them, but this one I just ate was sweet like modern fruit, with a good balance of acidity.
This is probably also due to the high 〖Mana〗 concentration.
When exposed to strong 〖Mana〗, the nutritional value increases, and the taste improves as well.
And the herbivorous Demon Beasts that grow by eating such plants are also rich in 〖Mana〗 and taste good.
I know this because I was once pushed by Sura-ta and the others to go to the depths with high 〖Mana〗.
At that time, I was lucky enough to hunt one, but I was immediately attacked by a Greater Beast, and I decided never to go into the depths again.
The reason why strong Demon Beasts gather in high 〖Mana〗 areas might be because there are many delicious prey.
“(Hmm? Is this a spring?)”
I found a water source where the forest opened up.
It’s a spring as wide as a pond.
“(Come to think of it, I haven’t felt thirsty since becoming a slime.)”
It had become so natural that I hadn’t noticed it until now, but neither I nor any other slime has ever sought water.
Is water unnecessary for slimes, or is the moisture contained in plants and blood enough?
“(Either way, it doesn’t matter, but it’s a good spot for an ambush.)”
Even if I don’t need it, other Demon Beasts do.
There should be quite a few who come to drink water.
And then, I’ll back attack them as they nonchalantly appear and start drinking. If I land a heavy first blow, the subsequent battle will be easier.
It’s a perfect plan.
“(Alright, this tree seems sturdy enough.)”
I climb a thicker tree growing near the spring.
My weight has increased with 〖Evolution〗, but this one should be able to withstand it.
I use 〖Climbing〗, and also spread my body as much as possible to distribute the weight.
Since my 〖Power〗 has increased, climbing itself was easier than before.
Well then, after waiting for the enemy’s arrival for a few minutes.
Two Demon Beasts appeared.
They looked like deer, one with reddish-black, ominous antlers, and the other without antlers but with intricate patterns on its body.
Judging by their affectionate behavior, they seem to be a pair.
They started drinking water from the spring side by side.
This is my chance. I use 〖Stealth〗 and slowly descend from the tree.
I carefully approach the deer, and just as I create a blade at the tip of my whip.
—Splash!
A large pillar of water shot up.
In the moment I was distracted, the male deer had its head crushed.
“(!?)”
The Demon Beast that did it immediately set its sights on the next prey.
Baring its blood-dripping fangs, with nimble and efficient movements, it bit the neck of the female deer that was trying to escape.
Her death cry was faint.
The female deer, lying limply on the ground, convulsed once, then vomited a large amount of blood and died.
“(Strong…)”
It instantly killed the deer that seemed to be Greater Beasts.
That Demon Beast is also probably a Greater Beast, but to win unilaterally by utilizing its own strengths.
“Shurururu…”
The Demon Beast glares at me and threatens me.
It had a vertically long body.
It had two long fangs growing on both the upper and lower jaws, and they looked like they could pierce even iron.
Its slimy, black skin reflected the light.
The creature, emitting a steam-like growl, was most similar to Hamo.
The difference from the Earth version is that it has a third eye on its forehead.
“Slaaash!”
After glaring at each other for a while, I got impatient and dashed out.
As if waiting for that, Hamo unleashed a small vortex.
“(Perfect, 〖Evasion〗!)”
I headed straight towards the oncoming vortex, and just before it hit, I changed my course diagonally forward.
Utilizing the increased speed from 〖Evasion〗, I closed the distance in one go.
“Shuraa”
But the vortex I had dodged also changed direction and was chasing after me.
Can the vortex be controlled even after it’s been released!
But this is convenient in its own way.
Taking advantage of the situation of being chased, I’ll use 〖Escape〗 to accelerate even more.
“Shu, Shururuaatsu”
Hamo seemed taken aback by my two accelerations, but it immediately bared its fangs and attacked.
Extending its upper body from the water’s edge, it quickly brought me into its range.
“(〖Block〗!)”
At that moment, I activated the 〖Weapon Skill〗 to defend against the attack.
My body became even harder, and I was able to deflect the fang attack without taking any damage.
“〖Slash〗, 〖Compact Slash〗, and then 〖Slash〗!”
I received the fang attack, and then immediately escaped into the air, from where I unleashed a barrage of 〖Weapon Skills〗.
I slashed, slashed, and tried to slash again at Hamo’s face, but it ended in a miss.
Hamo had pulled back.
Hamo dives into the spring with a splash.
As I wait for it to come out, a vortex hits me from behind.
“(Gabobobobobo… No, I’m totally fine.)”
However, there’s no damage. I’m not even out of breath.
While enjoying the feeling of being laundry in a high-speed rotating water current, it disappeared in about ten seconds.
But Hamo doesn’t show any action in the water.
It’s just observing my situation.
I wait. Like a fisherman, I wait.
Now is the time to endure. If I get impatient here, I’ll give the opponent an opening.
About twenty minutes passed in my perception of time, and I realized that something was wrong.
“(…Huh? Hey, come out!)”
I called out several times, but Hamo didn’t come out of the spring.
Could it be that this guy… is waiting for me to leave!?