Leo's gaze swept across the room, taking in the full scope of the goblins' depravity. His eyes lingered on the women scattered across the cold stone floor, some of them visibly pregnant, their swollen bellies a grotesque reminder of the torment they had endured. Their bodies were worn, their humanity stripped away long ago, leaving only hollow, broken shells. They weren't living—only existing in an endless cycle of suffering.
"Rest now." Leo whispered, his voice low and unexpectedly gentle. Though a monster in his own right, he could not bring himself to let them continue living in this hellish state. His form shifted as he morphed into a dark, gelatinous mass, his slime-like body stretching and shifting fluidly as he slowly approached the women.
As he enveloped the first woman, there was no scream, no flinch. Her eyes, vacant and distant, remained open, but there was no fear in them. As his slime gently covered her frail body, there was no pain. Instead, an unusual warmth radiated from him, a strange comfort that seemed to soothe her. Her chest rose with a weak, shallow breath.
And then, for the first time in what felt like years, a faint smile tugged at her lips.
Leo devoured her completely, her body dissolving into his form, as though she were being erased from existence. But there was no agony in her final moments. If anything, it was a release—a quiet, peaceful end to the nightmare she had suffered for so long. The next woman, her hollow eyes flickering with the same recognition, followed without hesitation. Her face softened, a smile forming as she too was swallowed, leaving behind a tranquil stillness.
One by one, Leo consumed them, without a single protest. Some of the women even seemed to accept their fate with a faint, grateful smile. Leo was patient, moving carefully with deliberate intent. He made sure they felt no more pain, no more suffering. If there was one thing they deserved, it was that much—a peaceful end to their torment.
The final woman, frail and barely conscious, managed to whisper a faint "Thank you..." Her voice was barely audible, but Leo heard it clearly. As her body faded into him, her smile lingered for a moment, even as she disappeared from the world.
When it was over, the chamber was silent. The oppressive air, thick with the stench of decay, seemed less heavy. Leo stood there for a moment, staring at the empty space where the women had once suffered, his face still, almost unreadable.
"They're free now." He murmured quietly, his expression softening for a brief, fleeting moment. There was no triumph in his words, no sense of glory. It was a simple, necessary act—a way to end their misery, nothing more.
Leo wouldn't deceive himself. He knew he had been cruel before, ruthless even. He had massacred a village in the past, wiped out entire groups of people without a second thought. But these women—they hadn't deserved that life. He didn't feel pity for them because they were weak. He felt pity because of the unbearable lives they'd been forced to live in this forsaken cave.
Still, he couldn't afford to be hypocritical. The laws of nature were unyielding, and he understood that better than anyone. The strong devoured the weak. It was how the world worked. It wasn't so different from when he had killed Frederica's companions but spared her.
And the one thing that truly set him apart from the goblins?
He had no intention of violating her.
With a single, fluid motion, Leo absorbed the remaining items in the warehouse, sweeping away every trace of the goblins' atrocities. The cave, once filled with the stench of violence and suffering, now felt emptier, hollow. It was as if the evil that had taken root there had been cleansed, leaving nothing behind but a cold, desolate stillness.
[Common Skill [Continental Letter Deciphering] has been acquired.]
[Common Skill [Mental Map] has been acquired.]
[Job Skill [Job - Magician] has been acquired.]
[Job Skill [Job - Light Swordsman] has been acquired.]
[Job Skill [Job - Druid] has been acquired.]
[Job Skill [Job - Craftsman] has been acquired.]
[Trait [Crafting Proficiency] has been acquired.]
[Common Skill [Mana Regeneration] has been acquired.]
[Common Skill [Abnormal Effect Recovery] has been acquired.]
[Common Skill [Slavery] has been acquired.]
Once everything that could be devoured was consumed, Leo shifted back into his human form and began making his way out of the cave. On the journey, he checked the names of each goblin, one by one, his eyes scanning for those he might want to bring with him.
As someone who had played the game and read the novel, he knew that certain goblin girls held hidden potential. He planned to take them as trophies, just like Frederica. Sure, they didn't look like much now, but after leveling up, they'd certainly improve. He could already imagine them in a different light.
When he found the right names, he checked their potential carefully. Satisfied, he used his [Sticky Thread] to tie them up and, with a simple flick of his wrist, made them float using [Wind Manipulation].
Frederica, standing nearby, watched in confusion as the goblins floated behind Leo. Her brow furrowed. What could he possibly want with them? She found it hard to believe that he'd be interested in these goblin girls—after all, she was far more attractive than any of them.
"What are you doing?" she asked, her voice laced with bewilderment.
"They've got potential, so I'm bringing them back." Leo replied without hesitation. He didn't feel the need to hide his intentions from her. After all, he had the [Slavery] skill now, which allowed him to place a collar on those he captured. It would ensure they couldn't disobey or betray him, though they'd still retain their free will and thoughts.
Frederica raised an eyebrow, processing his words. She was still struggling to understand why Leo would want to bother with these goblins when he had her, but she didn't press him further. It was his choice, after all.
Leo had acquired the [Slavery] skill from a Slave Collar he found in the warehouse. The goblins, it seemed, hadn't bothered to use it. Perhaps they had deemed the human women too broken to resist by the time they'd captured them, and had no need for further control. But Leo wasn't like them.
In the end, he managed to capture ten goblin girls: Mi, E, Fu, Me, Rai, Ka, No, Sa, Rin, and Sui.
Mi -> Ice Blood True Vampire
E -> Hell Demon King
Fu -> Adelheid
Me -> Kugionihime
Rai -> Clay Lord
Ka -> Paladin Lord
No -> Berserker Lord
Sa & Sui -> Saint Lord
Rin -> Sergeant Lord
Leo studied the names and potential futures of each one. The top four were clearly stronger than the others—they would become part of the Eight Demon Generals of Rou's Psalms, just as they had in the original world.
"Let's head back." Leo said, glancing over at Frederica. He started walking, leading the way toward their cave. The goblin girls were left behind for now. There shouldn't be any monsters nearby, right?
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
Two days later, they finally returned to their cave. The goblin girls, who had been unconscious or barely conscious during the journey, slowly began to stir. Disorientation clouded their minds as they regained awareness of their surroundings. Confusion soon turned to frustration, and their anger started to rise as they realized their new situation.
Leo had anticipated their reaction. Using his [Slavery] skill, he made sure they were bound to his will, ensuring they couldn't harm him or Frederica. They now had no choice but to obey his orders, their resistance futile.
"Hey! Let us go!" Mi, the leader and strongest of the goblin girls, snarled at Leo. Her voice was fierce, her teeth bared in defiance. The fire in her eyes was unmistakable. Anger rolled off her in waves, and it was clear she was struggling with the separation from Rou. To Mi, Rou represented the peak of goblin strength and allure, especially after his transformation into a Hobgoblin. The distance between them now felt like a wound she couldn't heal.
The other goblin girls, though not as mentally strong as Mi, were still visibly agitated. E, braver than most—though not quite as bold as Mi—stood slightly apart from the others, her eyes flickering with a mix of defiance and fear. The tension was thick in the air. Despite their anger and reluctance, none of the girls dared to openly challenge Leo. They all knew better than to defy someone with such overwhelming power.
"Hmm?" Leo glanced back over his shoulder, his expression as cold as the stone walls of the cave. His gaze settled on Mi, sharp and predatory. Slowly, deliberately, he activated his [Evil Eye] skill.
The effect was immediate—and dramatic.
Mi's defiant bravado crumbled instantly. A wave of primal fear hit her like a tidal wave, her eyes going wide with terror. Her body shook uncontrollably as the force of Leo's power washed over her. She staggered back, nearly collapsing from the shock. The others, still trying to process what was happening, fell into stunned silence. The fear that rippled through Mi struck them all, and their resistance seemed to melt away.
With Mi subdued, the others fell in line. Their heads hung low, their spirits visibly deflated. They had seen their leader, the strongest among them, brought to her knees. It was clear that they stood no chance against Leo.
As the group followed him into the cave, their once-fiery defiance was now dampened, their posture slouched. It was a quiet, reluctant obedience.
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
Over the past two days, Leo had been busy, keeping his strength up to deal with the task of feeding ten goblin girls. It wasn't an easy feat—especially since they were far from ordinary. To satisfy their hunger, Leo had hunted several formidable creatures: Grade 7 Triple-Horned Horses, Argiopes, and Red Deer. He even tested his limits by eating a Grade 10 Green Slime and a Grade 9 Grey Slime.
From the Red Deer, a large creature with a crimson hide, crystal-like horns, and multiple eyes and ears, Leo gained two new skills: [Wild Horn Dance] and [Red Crystal Tone].
The Argiopes, massive golden spiders similar to Demon Spiders, granted him the [Golden Thread] and [Adamantine Spider Carapace] skills.
The Triple-Horned Horses, enormous creatures with three sharp horns aligned vertically and arrow-resistant scales, provided a wealth of abilities. Leo gained [Armored Scale Charge], [Scaled Horse Neigh], [Rapid Recovery], [Improved Charging Power], [Triple Stab], [Strong Frame], and [Scale Armor Formation].
The slimes, while similar to him in nature, had cores that made them weaker—destroying the core was all it took to defeat them. From the Green Slime, he gained nothing, but from the Grey Slime, Leo acquired several useful skills: [Self-Replication], [Infused Liquid Restoration], [Physical Damage Resistance], and [Elemental Magic Resistance].
Despite the power he had gained from his hunting, Leo wasn't done yet. He'd decided to use [Slavery] on Frederica—but only with her consent. He had been hesitant before, knowing that slimes were naturally weak to fire, and Frederica's magic could potentially harm him. But now, with his improved fire resistance and the added protection of the [Slavery] skill, he no longer had to worry. Even if Frederica wanted to hurt him, she couldn't.
With everything in place, Leo turned his attention to improving their living conditions. He decided to focus on making the cave more comfortable, both functional and aesthetically pleasing. Using his [Mining Proficiency], he set about expanding and beautifying their underground home. He also planned to begin training the goblin girls and Frederica, while asking her to teach him more about magic.
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
"Missing?" A young man frowned as his eyes scanned the quest board, his fingers brushing over the parchment. Beside him, a young girl stood quietly, her expression unreadable, almost distant.
Both were adventurers, though their status couldn't have been more different. Alfred Will, the young man, was already gaining recognition as a rising star, his reputation growing by the day. With his short, tousled blonde hair and handsome features, he stood tall and confident, an iron sword strapped securely to his hip. His gaze remained focused on the board, his brow furrowed in thought.
The girl beside him, Satya, was an entirely different presence. She had silver hair, tied neatly into a side tail that framed her delicate face, and wore a simple nun-like outfit. In contrast to Alfred's strong presence, she was petite, with a modest figure that exuded a quiet elegance. She held a staff in one hand, her posture straight but graceful. Though her beauty was undeniable, it was her serene, almost emotionless expression that truly defined her demeanor.
Satya, though an adventurer in her own right, had a much more complicated position. She was Alfred's slave—a role she had been in for years since he had purchased her. Yet, despite her status, Alfred had never once treated her like one of his possessions. He had taught her magic, shared his knowledge, and treated her with respect. Over time, Satya had developed feelings for him, though she kept them carefully hidden, knowing all too well her place in the world. She was just his slave. Nothing more.
"Should we take this quest?" Alfred asked, his voice breaking the quiet as he glanced over at Satya, his blue eyes meeting hers. There was a subtle warmth in his gaze, though his question remained practical.
Satya's expression remained gentle, even as a flicker of something deeper stirred within her. "If that's what the Master wants." She replied, her voice soft but sincere, accompanied by a tender smile. Despite her small, delicate frame, there was a quiet strength in her, a charm that shone through in the most unassuming ways.
Alfred returned her smile, his features softening just slightly. "Alright, let's take it." He agreed, his hand brushing against the hilt of his sword. It was a straightforward decision. The quest might have seemed small, but it involved people they both knew, people they had worked with in the past. Naturally, they wouldn't be heading out alone. Other adventuring parties would be joining the search.
"We should head back to the inn and rest." Alfred said, looking up at the sky, which was beginning to darken with the approach of night. "We'll set out in the morning."
Satya nodded quietly, falling into step beside him as they made their way back to the inn they had rented. The streets were quieter now, and the air had a cool edge to it. The anticipation of the journey ahead was palpable, but for now, they allowed themselves to relax.
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
Night fell, and Leo settled down, ready to rest. He had spent the day carving out several new rooms in the cave, creating individual bedrooms for each of the goblin girls. It was an effort to make them more comfortable, even if they were under his control. Though, as a slime, Leo didn't really need sleep anymore, he still enjoyed it. There was something about the peace and quiet that came with drifting off, a simple comfort any sentient being could appreciate.
Just as his consciousness began to drift into a tranquil slumber, a familiar voice echoed through his mind, breaking the stillness.
[Your level has exceeded the minimum required value.
Since special conditions [Demi-Human Killer], [Village Massacre], and [Monster Eater] have been cleared, and due to the inability to directly obtain Divine Protection, Rank Up into a special race [Slime of Darkness] is now possible.
Do you wish to Rank Up?
Yes | No]
Leo's mind was still half-asleep, but the message caught his attention. Rank Up... into a special race? He didn't hesitate. Of course, he'd choose to evolve.
Without a second thought, he selected "Yes."
The moment he did, a warm, almost comforting wave of energy washed over him. It was a strange sensation—his form seemed to shift, yet it felt natural. He could sense the change deep within his being, a transformation he welcomed.
With that, Leo's eyes fluttered closed, his body settling into the familiar calm of sleep.