Chương 6: Chapter 6: Arata's First Kill

Arata continued to traverse the forest floor, his gel-like form allowing him to squeeze through narrow gaps between trees and glide effortlessly over fallen branches.

"Actually, this is kind of fun." he chuckled to himself, feeling a sense of freedom in his mobility.

As Arata made his way through the forest, he heard a familiar sound—soft, squishy sliding, much like his own movements. Curious, he slowed his pace and turned his attention toward the source of the noise.

There, among the grass and bushes, he spotted another slime, bearing a similar appearance to himself.

While Arata observed the other slime, a sudden warning message from the system flashed in his mind.

[ "Host, exercise caution." ] the system alerted him.

[ "While slimes like yourself are typically non-sentient and act solely on instinct, they may become aggressive if they perceive you as a threat. Approach with care, as it may not possess the same level of awareness as you do." ]

[ "If you plan to confront it, think about using an ambush to catch it off guard and gain an advantage." ]

Despite feeling nervous, Arata suppressed his anxiety. He knew that letting fear overwhelm him would only hinder his ability to handle the situation. Turning to the system for reassurance, he asked.

"System, do you think I could defeat this slime?"

[ "Certainly, host. Based on my analysis, the slime appears to be on a comparable level to you. Considering your strategic advantage in positioning, the likelihood of your victory is high. However, as with any encounter, unforeseen variables could alter the outcome." ]

"So, you're saying that as long as there's nothing unexpected going to happen, I'm guaranteed to win, right?"

[ "Correct, host. Your odds of success are high given the current circumstances. Just stay vigilant. Unexpected variables can influence outcomes. Proceed wisely, and victory should be within your grasp." ]

"System, are there any weak points in the slime that I can exploit?"

[ "Yes, host. The slime possesses a vulnerability within its core, although it may not be visible from the surface. This core is a vital part of the slime's composition, and if destroyed, it can incapacitate or even kill the slime instantly. ]

[ "However, it's typically challenging to locate and target the core, as not only it's not visible but it's also not stationary, the slime can move it at will. Luckily, you possess the Scavenge skill, which can assist in pinpointing the core's exact location within the slime's body." ]

"Oh, that's a relief." Arata laughed.

"Good thing I picked the Scavenge ability. Otherwise, I'd be damned trying to find that core in the slime."

"Thanks for the heads up, system. Locating the core is just the beginning. Even if I find it, there's no guarantee I can hit it accurately with my attacks. Precision is going to be crucial."

"I need to stay focused and make every move count. If I can't land a solid hit, it's all for nothing."

Inhaling deeply, Arata concentrated hard, activating his Scavenge ability. He closed his eyes and focused solely on the slime in front of him, blocking out all distractions.

‧ ⋯ - ☰ Scavenge. ☰ - ⋯ ‧

As Arata immersed himself further in his awareness, he sensed a faint vibration, a slight change in the slime's mass. It felt a bit like solving a puzzle, but Arata didn't give up, staying determined to figure it out.

"Found it." Arata whispered to himself, opening his eyes.

With the core pinpointed, Arata formulated his plan. He knew precision was key. One wrong move could give the slime an opportunity to retaliate.

Taking a moment to strategize, he assessed his surroundings, adjusting his position slightly to get the best angle for his attack.

Arata gathered his mana, imagining it as a swirling pool of water within him. Then, with a sudden release, he projected a powerful burst of water from his mouth, aiming directly at the core of the slime.

‧ ⋯ - ☰ Water Blast. ☰ - ⋯ ‧

The water surged through the air, striking the target. Arata's attack hit its mark, and he heard a satisfying crack as the Water Blast penetrated the slime, shattering the core. With a sizzling sound, the slime began to dissolve into the ground, leaving behind a puddle of viscous liquid.

After executing his attack, Arata stood in disbelief, struggling to accept that he had bested the slime so effortlessly. Before he could fully process his victory, a holographic screen materialized right in front of him.

[ You have killed a Grade F - Slime. ]

Task 1: Defeat 5 Grade F - Monsters

— Progress: 1/5

Arata felt a rush of excitement rather than sadness or disgust. It was his first kill, but he didn't feel bad about it. Instead, he wondered if his lack of remorse was because he was now a slime or because he had only defeated a monster, not a human.

While Arata enjoyed his win, he chose to put off thinking about the deeper meaning of what he'd done. He figured it wasn't worth worrying about right now. Instead, he turned his attention to what he needed to do next.

"System, what should I do with the slime? Should I consume it, or would it be better to simply leave it be?"

[ Answer. ]

[ "Absolutely, host. Consuming the slime is the best course of action. When you consume creature corpses or remnants like this slime, you gain essential nutrients and mana that are crucial for your growth and potential evolution. It's a natural process, eating creatures is one of the primary ways to level up and evolve. ]

[ Unless the creature harbors properties that could pose harm if ingested, it's generally safe to consume all monster you encounter. Rest assured, host, this slime lacks any harmful properties, so it's perfectly safe for you to consume all of it." ]

"Oh, that certainly brings me some peace of mind."

Taking a moment to look around, Arata carefully checked the forest for any danger. He looked at every shadow and listened for any unusual sounds, even using his Scavenge skill to make sure he was alone.

Feeling secure, Arata walked up to the slime's remains. They were scattered on the ground, bits of what used to be a living creature. He started eating them, making sure not to leave anything behind. Naturally, Arata also consumed the broken core of the slime.

As he ate, Arata noticed something peculiar. It tasted like nothing at all, just like the wooden sticks or rocks he had tried before. However, despite the absence of flavor, there was something different about it.

A strange sensation began to creep over him, starting from his core and spreading throughout his gel-like form. It was an indescribable feeling, a slight yet clear stream of vitality and mana coursing through him.

Arata couldn't help but chuckle to himself. He would be like a corrupt politician, a shameless liar, if he told anyone that this strange sensation didn't feel good. Despite the initial oddity of the experience, it was undeniably exhilarating.

It was as if every fiber of his being was being revitalized, filled with an energy that he had never known before. If this was what it felt like to consume a slime, Arata couldn't help but ponder what other surprises lay in store for him on his journey through the forest.