Chapter 5: Tempest Unleashed
The sun dipped low behind the distant hills, casting long shadows across the goblin village. Crude wooden huts stood in uneven rows, barely more than shacks. The air was tense—fear clung to the goblins like a second skin.
Joshua's galaxy-red eyes flickered as he scanned the village with Heavenly Appraisal.
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[Population: 64 Goblins]
[Combatants: 21 (Threat Level: E-)]
[Fortifications: None]
[Probability of Survival Without Assistance: 3%]
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His streaks dimmed slightly.
"They won't survive a direct assault... not without defenses."
Rimuru wobbled beside him, his azure form shimmering in the fading light.
"Then let's give them some."
Joshua's mind whirred as he calculated the best fortifications.
"We'll set up barricades along the perimeter. The goblins can gather stones and sharpen wood for spears... I'll reinforce the defenses with dark mist traps."
Rimuru's body pulsed.
"I'll create water trenches to slow the wolves down."
The brothers worked quickly, guiding the goblins to fortify their home. Wooden stakes rose from the ground, crude walls pieced together from fallen branches and rocks. Joshua's dark mist coiled along the edges—an invisible web ready to ensnare anything that crossed.
Despite their fear, the goblins followed every order.
By nightfall, the village was as fortified as possible.
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[Defense Rating: D-]
[Probability of Survival: 38%]
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Joshua's streaks flickered. It wasn't enough.
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The Direwolves' Arrival
The first howl echoed through the forest just as the moon rose.
Goblins flinched, clutching their makeshift weapons. Shadows moved between the trees—low, hulking shapes with glowing red eyes.
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[Species Identified: Direwolf]
[Threat Level: E]
[Alpha Detected: Threat Level D]
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Joshua's core pulsed.
"They're testing us... They'll strike in waves."
Rimuru quivered beside him, his azure form shimmering.
"Then let's show them who they're messing with."
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The first Direwolves lunged from the shadows, snarling. The brothers moved in perfect tandem—Joshua's tendrils of dark mist lashing out to bind their legs, while Rimuru launched precise Water Shots to finish them.
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[Direwolf — Neutralized]
[Skill Acquired: Night Vision]
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More wolves emerged, circling the barricades.
Joshua's voice echoed through the night.
"Hold the line! Focus on the weak ones first!"
The goblins fought desperately, stabbing with crude spears. Some fell, but they held—empowered by the brothers' leadership.
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Alpha's Challenge
A deep snarl broke through the chaos.
The Direwolf Alpha stepped forward, its fur black as night, red eyes burning with primal fury.
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[Threat Level: D+]
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Joshua's streaks flared.
"This one's mine."
His dark mist coiled tighter as his demonic half stirred, whispering for dominance.
The Alpha lunged.
Joshua's form split—gold and black mist weaving together in perfect harmony.
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[Duality Core — Balanced State Achieved]
[Skill Unlocked: Shadow Bind]
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Tendrils of black mist wrapped around the Alpha's limbs, pinning it mid-air. Joshua's galaxy-red eyes glowed as he approached.
Balance.
His angelic half whispered to spare the creature.
His demonic half begged to consume it.
In the end... he chose neither.
With a flick of his will, the Alpha collapsed into unconsciousness.
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[Direwolf Alpha — Subdued]
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The remaining wolves scattered.
Victory.
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The Gift of Names
By dawn, the goblins gathered in the village square, their yellow eyes wide with reverence.
"Great Spirits... You have saved us."
Joshua's streaks flickered uncomfortably.
Rimuru bounced forward.
"We're not spirits... We're Tempest."
The goblins murmured among themselves.
Joshua's galaxy-red eyes dimmed slightly.
"They need something more..."
He glanced at his brother.
"What if... we gave them names?"
Rimuru quivered with excitement.
"Like Veldora gave us?"
Joshua's streaks pulsed.
One by one, they named the goblins—Rigur, Rigurdo, Kaijin.
With each name, the goblins' forms shifted—growing stronger, more intelligent. Their devotion to the Tempest Brothers deepened with every blessing.
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[Title Acquired: Founders of Tempest]
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Human Forms Awakened
As the last name was given, a sudden wave of magicules surged through the brothers.
Joshua's streaks flared gold and black—his entire body shimmering as his core evolved.
Rimuru's azure form wobbled violently, glowing brighter.
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[System Notice: Evolution Triggered]
[Species Ascension: High Slime]
[Human Form — Unlocked]
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Joshua's form rippled, shifting.
When the light faded, he stood in human form—a tall, lean figure with white hair cascading down his back, streaked faintly with black. His skin was pale, almost ethereal. His galaxy-red eyes glimmered like twin stars.
He was... breathtaking.
Rimuru appeared beside him—a youthful figure with azure hair and golden eyes.
The goblins fell to their knees.
"Great Tempest Spirits... Our Lords."
Joshua's crimson eyes flickered.
Not spirits.
Not monsters.
Tempest.
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End of Chapter 5
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