[Language Skill [Orc Language] has been acquired.]
[Common Skill [Libido] has been acquired.]
[Common Skill [Appraisal] has been acquired.]
[Common Skill [Stench] has been acquired.]
[Common Skill [Rallying Cry] has been acquired.]
[Common Skill [Improved Digestion] has been acquired.]
[Common Skill [Internal Mana Control] has been acquired.]
[Common Skill [External Mana Operation] has been acquired.]
[Common Skill [Magic Knowledge] has been acquired.]
[Magic Skill [Fire Magic] has been acquired.]
[Magic Skill [Water Magic] has been acquired.]
[Trait [Halberd Proficiency] has been acquired.]
[Trait [Magic Proficiency] has been acquired.]
[Trait [Mining Proficiency] has been acquired.]
"Nice." Leo smirked, feeling a sense of satisfaction as he reviewed his latest haul of skills. No Extra Skills this time, but some of them were definitely useful. As for the Libido skill... Well, let's just say it could come in handy for, uh, bedroom performance.
Ahem. On a more practical note, the [Appraisal] skill was a solid addition, allowing him to check out the detailed info on both objects and living beings. Plus, he could finally use magic, thanks to new skills like [Internal Mana Control], [External Mana Operation], and [Magic Knowledge].
"Hey, is it done?" Frederica's voice called from the cave entrance, snapping Leo out of his thoughts. She had been waiting outside until things quieted down. Now, she saw Leo in his slime form, with no trace of the orcs left behind.
"Yup, just give me a sec." Leo replied, glancing over at her. There was still something else he wanted to grab from the cave.
Turns out, there were some pretty valuable finds hidden in there. This wasn't just any ordinary cave—it was a Spirit Stone Mine, filled with Fire, Water, Wind, Earth, and Lightning Spirit Stones. These stones housed non-sentient, low-level spirits, which made them perfect for crafting magic weapons.
Without wasting a moment, Leo devoured ten of each kind, making sure to store the rest for later. These stones would definitely come in handy in the future.
Thirty minutes later, the mine was practically cleared out. All those Spirit Stones were safely stored in Leo's [Stomach], and he was feeling pretty pleased with the haul.
[Extra Skill [Fire Manipulation] has been acquired.]
[Resist Skill [Fire Resistance] has been acquired.]
[Extra Skill [Water Manipulation] has been acquired.]
[Resist Skill [Water Resistance] has been acquired.]
[Extra Skill [Earth Manipulation] has been acquired.]
[Resist Skill [Earth Resistance] has been acquired.]
[Extra Skill [Lightning Manipulation] has been acquired.]
[Resist Skill [Lightning Resistance] has been acquired.]
[Extra Skill [Wind Manipulation] has been acquired.]
[Resist Skill [Wind Resistance] has been acquired.]
'Now I just need Light and Darkness Manipulation, and I'll have mastered all six elements.' Leo thought, a surge of excitement bubbling inside him. He hadn't had many offensive skills before, but with these five new elemental abilities, his power had definitely just skyrocketed.
"Let's head out." Leo said with a grin, feeling the thrill of his newfound strength. He turned to Frederica, and the two of them started walking away from the mine.
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
The two of them continued their journey toward the Goblin Community, the path quiet but for the occasional rustling of leaves in the breeze. Along the way, however, they ran into a pack of Black Wolves. Their fur was as black as steel, gleaming under the faint light of the setting sun. Despite their Grade 8 status, the wolves weren't much of a challenge, especially with their leader—who was nearly Grade 7—struggling to command them.
With little effort, Leo stretched out his hand, using Earth Manipulation to ensnare their feet, trapping them in place. In the blink of an eye, a gust of wind whipped around them as Leo activated Wind Manipulation, sending blades of air slicing through the pack. In an instant, the wolves' heads fell to the ground with sickening thuds.
[Common Skill [Bite] has been acquired.]
[Common Skill [Steel Hide] has been acquired.]
[Common Skill [Intimidation Roar] has been acquired.]
[Extra Skill [Pack Leadership] has been acquired.]
[Trait [Pack Hunting Proficiency] has been acquired.]
Leo wiped the blood off his hands and turned to Frederica, who had been watching quietly.
"That was easy." Leo remarked, a hint of amusement in his voice.
Frederica nodded, still a bit unnerved by the swift brutality, but she knew it was for their safety. "Yeah... It's impressive how you can handle them so easily."
They kept walking, the stillness of the woods creeping around them until they spotted a cave not far off. Frederica suggested scouting it out, so they ventured closer, only to find it was teeming with Seven Colored Bats. The bats swarmed in the dark, their multi-hued wings glowing faintly in the dim cave light. Though they were Grade 10 monsters, Leo had no fear.
With a quick flick of his wrist, Leo summoned a burst of chain lightning from his Lightning Manipulation skill. The crackling bolts shot through the bats, frying them all in an instant. The cave fell silent, save for the faint sizzling of their charred bodies.
[Common Skill [Pump Up] has been acquired.]
[Common Skill [Sonic Screech] has been acquired.]
[Common Skill [Vampirephilia] has been acquired.]
Leo gave a satisfied sigh, glancing at Frederica. "Let's get some sleep." He said, his voice softer now.
Frederica flushed, a bit taken aback, but she didn't say anything as she quietly moved toward him. For some reason, she always felt a sense of warmth and security when she was in his arms. It was an unusual comfort, one she couldn't quite explain. She'd grown accustomed to it, even if it left her a little embarrassed every time.
Though she was shy, she wrapped her arms around him, seeking the warmth he provided. Leo, now in his slime form, adjusted his body temperature, ensuring she stayed warm through the night.
She tried to ignore the fluttering feeling in her chest, the growing sense of attachment she couldn't quite shake. Was she starting to like him? But... he was a monster, wasn't he?
She shook her head, not willing to dwell on it. Instead, she let herself relax into his embrace, her eyes fluttering shut as sleep finally overtook her.
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
"Humans!" A goblin's shrill voice echoed through the forest as it spotted Leo and Frederica approaching the goblin hideout. The goblin raised a crude spear, made from a Horn Rabbit's horn, waving it wildly. It was too naive and unaware to sense the truth—that Leo wasn't human, but a slime.
Frederica stood quietly beside him, her expression unreadable as her eyes scanned the growing number of goblins. Leo's gaze, on the other hand, was sharp, focusing on the creatures spilling out from the cave. They were armed with makeshift weapons and primitive clubs, their bodies malnourished and their skin stretched tight over wiry muscles. But despite their weakness, there was strength in their numbers.
Leo's eyes narrowed as he spotted three figures among the goblins. One of them wore slightly better armor—clearly the leader. The other two, larger and more imposing, had already evolved into Hobgoblins. They were taller, bulkier, and carried crude weapons, slung casually over their broad shoulders.
As the goblins milled about, a few of them eyed Frederica with lewd grins, their intentions clear. Leo's jaw tightened at the sight. To him, Frederica was his. She was his trophy, and he wouldn't tolerate anyone thinking otherwise.
A low growl rumbled in his throat, and his voice, barely a whisper, was laced with a deadly promise. "Die."
In the blink of an eye, three crackling arrows of lightning materialized in the air around him. With a swift flick of his wrist, the arrows shot forward, moving faster than the eye could track. Even the Hobgoblins had no chance to react before the lightning tore through the crowd of goblins, obliterating several in an instant. Their bodies charred and lifeless, they crumpled to the ground.
A wave of panic swept through the remaining goblins. The sight of their comrades falling so easily shattered any remaining confidence they had. The weaker ones trembled, slowly retreating, while the others looked to their leader for reassurance.
"W-What... just happened?" one goblin stammered, his voice shaking with fear.
"That... That man... He's a monster!" another whispered, eyes wide in terror, taking another step back.
But Rou, the goblin leader, was different. While the others trembled in fear, he felt a surge of exhilaration. His heart pounded in his chest, not from terror, but from excitement. This man—this monster—was powerful, an immovable force, terrifying, yes—but Rou had survived countless battles, each one fueling his hunger for strength. And now, in front of him, stood an opportunity to grow stronger.
A wide grin stretched across Rou's face, his yellow eyes gleaming with challenge. "Who are you?" he called out, stepping forward, muscles coiling like a predator preparing to strike. "You think you can just stroll in here and kill my kin?"
"If you can withstand just one of my attacks, I'll let you live." Leo said, his voice devoid of warmth, cold and emotionless. He didn't even spare Rou a direct glance, his eyes focused instead on the gathering goblins, each one unknowingly awaiting their fate.
His words lingered in the air, like a death sentence waiting to be carried out. But Leo wasn't interested in wiping them all out—not yet, anyway. He saw potential in some of them, especially under Rou's leadership. They were like livestock to him—he would let them grow stronger, and when the time was right, he'd harvest their lives for his own benefit.
"One attack? Don't underestimate us, human!" Rou barked a laugh, showing off his sharp teeth, the bravado masking the growing sense of unease within him.
Leo's eyes narrowed slightly, and with a single step forward, his presence rippled through the clearing, sending waves of unease through the goblins. Without another word, he activated his abilities in perfect harmony—[Ghost Cry], [Evil Eye], [Intimidation Roar], and [Sonic Screech].
"RAAAAAAAH!" Leo's voice roared like thunder, amplified by the sheer power of his combined skills. The very ground beneath their feet seemed to tremble in response, as though the world itself was recoiling from the sheer force of his aura.
The wail of [Ghost Cry] echoed through the air, haunting and cold, sending a wave of dread through the goblins. At the same time, the [Evil Eye] cast a chilling, paralyzing gaze that made the air thicken, pressing down on their chests like a heavy weight. Then came the [Intimidation Roar], a deafening shockwave that vibrated in their very minds, while [Sonic Screech] pierced their senses from every direction, its shrill sound cutting through their skulls like shards of glass.
The weaker goblins couldn't handle it. Their bodies trembled uncontrollably, the pressure overwhelming them to the point where they fell unconscious from sheer terror. Some collapsed in place, unable to bear the mental and physical strain.
Rou's heart raced in his chest, his teeth clenched as he struggled to stay on his feet. The weight of Leo's power pressed down on him like a mountain, making each breath feel like a battle. His legs shook, but he fought to stand tall, refusing to give in to fear.
"Kichi…!" Rou shot a glance toward the Hobgoblin standing beside him. Kichi had been firm just moments ago, but now his hands gripped his skull, his eyes wide in panic.
With a strangled groan, Kichi's knees buckled, and he collapsed to the ground, unable to withstand the pressure. Rou growled in frustration, but he didn't have time to worry about Kichi now. His survival was the only thing that mattered.
"Is that... all you've got...?" Rou's voice cracked with strain, but he refused to let his fear show. His body trembled with exhaustion from resisting Leo's overwhelming aura, but he held his ground. Not yet. He wasn't going to fall just yet.
Leo's gaze finally settled on Rou, and his cold, calculating eyes locked onto the goblin leader.
"Impressive." Leo said, his voice as emotionless as ever, "But not enough."
Rou's vision began to blur, his body betraying him as he struggled to stay conscious. His heart thundered in his chest, and each breath felt like a laborious task, coming in shallow, ragged gasps. The pressure from Leo's overwhelming presence was too much to withstand, and slowly, bit by bit, his strength drained away.
With a final, defeated grunt, Rou collapsed to the ground. His body went limp, surrendering to the crushing weight of Leo's power, and his consciousness slipped away in quiet resignation.
Leo stood over the fallen goblins, his expression unreadable, his cold gaze lingering on the defeated form of Rou. He didn't feel satisfaction or triumph. This was just another step in his plans.
Frederica, silent as ever, stood by his side, her eyes observing the scene unfold with a cold detachment. She didn't feel any pity for the goblins. The knowledge of their brutality toward human women, forcing them to bear their children, filled her with nothing but disgust.
Leo shifted back into his slime form, and without hesitation, began to devour the fallen goblins. He spared no time, consuming those whose names were unimportant, whose potential was lacking. His [Appraisal] skill quickly confirmed the uselessness of some, while others provided him with more.
[Common Skill [Precocious] has been acquired.]
[Common Skill [Night Vision] has been acquired.]
[Common Skill [Cunning] has been acquired.]
[Common Skill [Violation] has been acquired.]
[Language Skill [Goblin Language] has been acquired.]
Among the skills he gained, three stood out. [Precocious] allowed the goblins to grow quickly, their harsh environment forcing them to adapt rapidly. [Cunning] made them quick thinkers, helping them come up with clever ideas in dire situations. And then there was [Violation], a grim skill that made it easier for goblins to reproduce with other races. Though these were all common skills, their effects were still notable, each one carrying its own weight.
Leo turned toward Frederica, shifting back into his human form. "Wait here." He instructed, his voice flat and emotionless. "Don't worry, they won't be waking up for a few hours."
Frederica didn't question him. "Okay." She nodded without protest, the stench from the goblin cave already making her stomach churn. She wasn't about to follow him into that place. After all, there wasn't much that could be found in there that would be good.
The moment Leo stepped into the cave, the oppressive stench of rot and decay smothered him. It was thick, almost tangible, the scent of death and filth that clung to the walls. Each step he took brought him closer to the heart of the cave, where the goblins' twisted secrets festered. His face remained cold, unreadable, as he moved deeper, turning down a narrow tunnel that led to the heart of the hideout.
When he entered the chamber, the sight that greeted him was tragic, a silent testament to the goblins' cruelty. Several human women lay scattered across the cold, stone floor, their bodies battered and bruised.
They were malnourished, their skin pale and sickly, and their clothing was little more than torn remnants, barely enough to cover their fragile bodies. Their faces were devoid of emotion, their eyes vacant, staring off into nothingness. The hollow, lifeless gazes they cast upon the world spoke of the unimaginable horrors they had endured—horrors that had broken them long ago.