In the early morning light, Leo slowly stirred from his sleep, a strange sense of alertness creeping into his bones. Something felt... different. His body hummed with an unfamiliar energy, like a deep well of power had suddenly awakened within him. Groggily, he sat up, rubbing his eyes and stretching, trying to shake off the remnants of sleep. But when his gaze landed on the mirror nearby, he froze.
His reflection... had changed. Drastically.
Gone was the youthful face of a teenage boy. In its place was a man—a handsome figure with a rugged, wild charm. His hair, once short, had grown longer, falling in messy waves around his face. His eyes were sharper now, gleaming with a predatory intensity that made him look more dangerous than he'd ever imagined. His jawline was more defined, and his body was lean yet muscular, with broad shoulders that spoke of strength and agility. He'd grown taller too—at least 180 cm now. If he had once looked like a promising adventurer, he now resembled a seasoned warrior in his prime.
"What… the hell?" Leo muttered, running a hand through his thickening hair. The change in his appearance was startling, but it wasn't just how he looked—it was how he felt. Every inch of him seemed to crackle with vitality, like a coiled spring ready to explode with energy at any moment.
Driven by curiosity, Leo closed his eyes and allowed himself to shift back into his slime form. As his body dissolved into its familiar gelatinous state, something immediately caught his attention. His slime had turned jet-black—deep, inky, and absorbing the light around it rather than reflecting it. He swirled around, testing the flexibility and mobility of his new form. It was smoother, faster, more controlled than before.
The Rank Up had done more than just change his appearance—it had granted him the Slime of Darkness race and brought him to Grade 6. Along with that came a slew of new abilities that left him practically buzzing with excitement.
One of the first things that caught his eye was [Complete Elemental Immunity]. Ninety percent immunity to all elemental attacks—fire, water, wind, lightning… he could now shrug them off like they were nothing. Leo couldn't help but grin. That alone was a game-changer.
But there was more. Much more.
[Shadow Assimilation] let him melt into the shadows themselves, becoming one with the darkness. Testing it out, Leo slipped into the shadows under his bed. In an instant, he vanished completely, his presence erased from sight. He could still feel the faint connection to his body, but to anyone else, he was utterly invisible. Combined with [Stealth], which cloaked his entire aura, he was practically undetectable.
"Now that's useful." Leo chuckled, shifting back into his human form.
Next, he experimented with [Nightmare Induction], a skill that allowed him to send enemies into a deep sleep and trap them in terrifying, mind-warping dreams. Just thinking about it made Leo grin wider. He could imagine the chaos it would cause in battle—enemies writhing in fear, helpless in the grip of nightmares they couldn't wake up from.
Then there was [Abyssal Fear]. Leo activated it in his room just to feel the weight of its power. The air around him grew cold and oppressive, like the very atmosphere had turned against him. A concentrated wave of pure terror emanated from his core, radiating outwards. For a brief moment, even Leo himself felt the echo of fear—the terrifying force it could impose on others.
He exhaled sharply, his heart racing.
Not to be outdone, [Darkness Manipulation] gave Leo complete control over shadows, allowing him to twist and bend them to his will. He extended a hand, and the shadows in the room obeyed, stretching, swirling, and dancing as if they were alive. He could use them to bind enemies, form barriers, or even create weapons—each shadow an extension of his will, moving at his command.
Finally, Leo turned his attention to his most powerful new skill—[Black Out Domain]. With a mere thought, the world around him plunged into pitch-black darkness. It wasn't just the absence of light. It was a suffocating, consuming blackness that seemed to devour everything. Anyone caught within it would be blinded, their senses thrown into chaos and disarray, while Leo himself moved freely, unaffected by the darkness. He could end a battle before it even began with this power.
But what intrigued him the most was [Synthesis], an Extra Skill that allowed him to combine two things—skills, objects, or even abilities—into one. His mind raced with the possibilities. The potential combinations could make him even more efficient, deadlier. Without hesitation, Leo sat cross-legged and began experimenting with [Synthesis], eager to see what he could create.
After a few moments of focused concentration, the results of his experiments with [Synthesis] unfolded before him:
Common Skill [Poison Secretion] = [Paralysis Poison] + [Venom Secretion]
Extra Skill [Monster Haki] = Ghost Cry + Evil Eyes + Intimidation Roar + Sonic Screech + Scaled Horse Neigh + Abyssal Fear
Extra Skill [Universal Perception] = Mana Perception + Echolocation + Thermography + Sense Presence + Expanded Field of Vision + Night Vision
Extra Skill [Environment Adaptation] = Escape + Aquatic Movement + Thermal Regulation + Cold Blooded + Shed Skin
Extra Skill [Ultra Regeneration] = Self-Regeneration + Rapid Recovery + Infused Liquid Restoration + Mana Regeneration + Abnormal Effect Recovery
Extra Skill [Universal Shapeshift] = Metamorphosis + Mineral Coating + Body-Fluid Control
Extra Skill [Language Translation] = Human Language + Orc Language + Goblin Language + Continental Letter Deciphering
Extra Skill [Savage Charge] = Wild Charge + Horn Strike + Wild Horn Dance + Armored Scale Charge + Improved Charging Power
Resist Skill [Complete Elemental Nullification] = Fire Resistance + Water Resistance + Lightning Resistance + Wind Resistance + Earth Resistance + Complete Elemental Immunity
Extra Skill [Elemental Manipulation] = Fire Manipulation + Water Manipulation + Wind Manipulation + Lightning Manipulation + Earth Manipulation + Darkness Manipulation
Extra Skill [Ultimate Physique] = Mana Conduit + Strong Jump + Endure + Poison Resistance + Physical Damage Reduction + Enhanced Hearing + Keen Smell + Enhanced Leg + Enhanced Sight + Precocious + Violation + Strong Frame + Physical Damage Resistance + Elemental Magic Resistance + Libido
Extra Skill [Thread Creation] = Sticky Thread + Thread Manipulation + Golden Thread
Extra Skill [True Armor] = Steel Hide + Organic Shell Armor + Horn Generation + Scale Armor Formation
Extra Skill [Ranged Barrier] = Shell Defense + Adamantine Spider Carapace
Unique Skill [Predator] = Absorption + Fear Eater + Dissolve + Stomach + Improved Digestion + Vampirephilia
Leo took a moment to let it all sink in. The original skills weren't lost—they'd simply merged into more potent versions. He couldn't use them independently anymore, but he could still call on them as part of his newly synthesized powers. He now had fifteen powerful new skills at his disposal, each one more dangerous and versatile than the last.
The possibilities were endless. With these new abilities, Leo felt unstoppable. And the best part? He had only scratched the surface.
What really thrilled Leo, though, was gaining the Unique Skill [Predator]. Unique Skills were a tier just below Ultimate Skills, and as the name implied, they were one-of-a-kind—no one else could possess them, unless they had a skill that allowed them to copy others.
The fact that he'd obtained this skill meant that Rimuru hadn't transmigrated into this world yet, which left Leo with a chance to acquire Great Sage. If he could get that, it would be like having a 24/7 AI assistant at his side—something he really, really wanted.
It was interesting how skill assimilation didn't work exactly the same way here as it did in the original Re:Monster. For example, Leo had gained [Elemental Manipulation] even without having [Light Manipulation]. And now, this new skill allowed him to control light as well. That was something he hadn't expected, but he could already tell it was amazing. If he did manage to acquire [Light Manipulation] later on, it would only boost his existing powers even more.
"Alright, time to train the girls and get used to these new powers." Leo muttered to himself as he stretched and got out of bed, ready to face the day. Instead of heading to the washroom like normal, he casually used [Water Manipulation], summoning water from the air and washing himself off in seconds.
"Convenient." Leo thought, smiling at how effortless it was to clean up.
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
Leo stepped out of his room, stretching his arms as he prepared to face the day, but the sight that greeted him made him freeze in place. Mi's door had swung open at the same time, and the goblin girl standing there was... different. Gone was the scrappy, rough-edged goblin he remembered. Instead, she had grown taller, her limbs more toned and defined. Her skin was smoother, and her face... cuter. There was a certain charm about her now—a soft, approachable glow. Her large amber eyes sparkled with curiosity, and her once sharp features had softened into something more inviting.
Leo blinked, his gaze locking onto her—not out of lust, but simply because he was stunned. Mi had ranked up too. The realization hit him quickly.
Mi, now a transformed version of the goblin girl, was just as shocked by the change she saw in Leo. Standing in front of her was no longer just Leo, the quirky slime she had met before. No, this Leo was something else entirely—taller, standing at 180 cm, his body sculpted like a warrior's. He was lean and muscular, his wild hair only adding to his rugged charm. He was shirtless, wearing only pants, and his toned abs and chest were on full display. The sheer presence he exuded now was nothing short of overwhelming. Mi felt her breath catch in her throat as her heart raced. The usual fiery aggression she'd always worn as armor faltered for a moment.
"W-What?" she stammered, trying her best to regain her composure, though her voice wavered slightly. No one had ever looked at her like this before—so intently. It sent an unfamiliar warmth spreading through her that she didn't know how to process.
"Did you rank up too?" Leo asked casually, though he already knew the answer. The change in Mi's appearance was pretty obvious, but he wanted to break the awkward silence between them.
"Yeah! Did you?" Mi's initial shock began to fade, and her excitement bubbled to the surface. She shot back eagerly, her earlier embarrassment completely forgotten as curiosity took over. She was practically bouncing on her feet now, her energy barely contained.
Leo chuckled, a grin tugging at his lips. "Yep." He replied smoothly. "And you know what? I think you deserve a new name, as a reward for your rank up."
Mi blinked in surprise. A new name? She wasn't sure why, but the idea thrilled her. In their world, names had power—names could shape destinies. The thought of getting a new name sent a thrill through her, her pulse quickening with anticipation.
Leo's grin widened as he watched her reaction.
"From now on." He said, his voice calm and confident, "you'll be Kanami." The words slipped easily from his lips, as if they had always been her name. The moment he spoke, Leo felt a subtle pull on his mana, a thread of energy flowing from him into Mi—now Kanami.
Kanami gasped, her breath hitching as the change took hold. It felt like a spark had ignited deep inside her. A surge of power rushed through her veins, her body feeling lighter, stronger, almost like she had been reborn. She staggered slightly, bracing herself against the doorframe, her eyes wide with disbelief. This sensation was unlike anything she had ever felt. Sure, Gobujii had given her a name once, but it hadn't made much of a difference—he was weak, after all. But this... this was different.
"Oh?!" Kanami exclaimed, her voice filled with awe as a rush of exhilaration flooded her senses. She pressed her hand to her chest, feeling the energy swirl inside her, growing stronger and expanding. It wasn't just physical power—it was something deeper, something that made her feel more alive than ever. Her very essence had been elevated.
"Alright, go wake everyone up and meet me in the Training Room." Leo said with a nod and a smile, turning to head out. Kanami watched him go, still awestruck by the power flowing through her.
Leo made his way into the Training Room, the spacious chamber echoing with the sound of his footsteps. He didn't waste any time, jumping right into his warm-up. He rolled his shoulders, neck cracking as he loosened up. His body felt different now—brimming with newfound strength. He needed to test it, push it to the limits, before he could properly train the others.
He threw a few punches, his fists cutting through the air effortlessly. But with each punch, he could feel something different—denser, more controlled, like his strength was more focused. He followed up with swift kicks, making sure to keep his balance and control the power behind each strike. His body moved fluidly, almost instinctively, as if it had been trained for years.
It was a result of the countless hours he spent in his previous life watching martial arts tutorials online. Sure, he'd never actually practiced them firsthand, but the basics were ingrained in him—stances, striking form, footwork—and now it all came together.
'I can't get carried away.' Leo thought as he threw another punch through the air. 'If I'm not careful, I'll end up knocking someone out with a simple pat on the back.'
He took a deep breath, refocusing. His strikes grew faster, more controlled. With each punch, the room seemed to vibrate with the force behind it, and his movements became more precise, fluid. He followed up with a powerful roundhouse kick, the gust of wind it created rustling the air. It felt satisfying, but Leo knew there was still a lot more to master before he could really get the hang of his newfound strength.
Just as he was about to throw another punch, the door to the Training Room creaked open. One by one, the goblin girls began to filter in. Kanami was the first, her wide eyes still filled with awe, followed by E and the others. They all looked at Leo with a mix of curiosity, excitement, and hope.
Leo paused mid-movement, turning to face them with a serious expression.
"Umm… will you give us names too?" Behind Kanami, the other goblin girls looked at Leo with a mix of curiosity and anticipation. Sa asked timidly, her eyes hopeful.
Leo folded his arms across his chest, his face stern but not unkind. "I'll give you names when you've earned them—when you rank up, like Kanami." He said firmly. "Names aren't something I just hand out. You need to prove your strength and potential first."
The girls nodded, understanding his reasoning. While their excitement dimmed a little, it was far from gone. Leo could see their determination, and that was all he needed to know.
He studied them for a moment, then clapped his hands to get their attention. "Alright, before we start working with weapons, we're going to focus on your physique and instincts. It doesn't matter how sharp your sword is if you don't know how to use it or if your body can't handle the strain."
He led them through basic drills—footwork, dodging, and balance exercises.
"Keep your center of gravity low when you move." Leo instructed, his gaze fixed on Kanami as he adjusted her stance. "If your weight is all over the place, you'll lose balance."
Kanami adjusted her posture with determination, her body still a little clumsy, but her movements improved rapidly. The new strength and energy from her name change seemed to be working in her favor, and she was catching on quickly.
The other girls weren't as quick to adapt, but Leo remained patient, offering corrections and encouragement as he guided them. Each step was a little harder, but they kept pushing themselves.
After a few hours of physical drills, Leo transitioned to combat instincts. He set up mock scenarios, making them react quickly to attacks. They had to block strikes, find openings, and counterattack with precision. The training was intense—there was a lot for them to take in at once—but Leo knew how important it was to strengthen both their bodies and minds for combat. This wasn't just about muscle. It was about instinct and the ability to think on their feet.
"Don't hesitate! In a real fight, hesitation will get you killed!" Leo called out sharply as No froze for just a moment during a mock attack.
The girls didn't need to be told twice. They pushed themselves harder, sweat dripping down their faces as they practiced. The clash of their weapons echoed through the room, the sound of steel meeting steel with each mock duel. Despite being goblins, their instincts were sharp, and Leo could already see the potential in them. With the right guidance, they would become formidable fighters in time.
By the end of the day, the girls were drained, their bodies aching with exhaustion, but there was something else in their eyes—something deeper than fatigue. It was a newfound determination, a fire that hadn't been there before. They weren't just training. They were fighting for something. They wanted to prove themselves. They wanted to grow stronger. They wanted to earn their names.
Leo watched them for a moment, arms crossed, nodding in approval. "Good work today." He said, his tone firm but encouraging. "Rest up. We'll pick up where we left off tomorrow."
The girls nodded, their exhaustion forgotten for now, replaced by the drive to keep going. As they slowly made their way out of the room, Leo stood at the center, surveying the group. He could see the change in them, the growth that was starting to take shape.