Primordial Slime: I Devour The World

The exploration team had been on the move since dawn.

The Beta Wolf of the pack was leading the group through the unfamiliar forest that was part of the Great Verdant Forest’s northern region. Several crimson wolves were walking at his side, scouting the area. A few goblins and kobolds were following behind, carrying recording equipment. Meanwhile, some slimes were sneaking among the trees, searching for narrow crevices the others could not reach. Two moss turtles were walking not far from the wolves, carrying wooden boxes with supplies.

The reason for the expedition was simply to explore the surrounding territory, record what they could about what they discovered and when they are done, to return.

That was all. The team did not come to fight. Beta Wolf stopped near a giant tree. ”Everyone, stop.” The exploration team halted. One of the goblins approached the crimson wolf. ”What is it?” Beta Wolf sniffed the air. ”Something is close.” The wolves formed a battle line. The goblins readied their weapons. The slimes stopped moving. Even the moss turtles raised their necks.

Beta Wolf closed his eyes. They were five.

He counted five unfamiliar scents, each of which was strong. ”Five,” he growled. A goblin gulped. ”Five monsters?” Beta Wolf opened his eyes. ”Strong ones.” ”How strong?” The crimson wolf did not answer. His silence made all goblins tense. The team cautiously continued their movement. It was quiet in the forest; too quiet. There was no sound of birds or insects, and there was not a single breath of wind. Suddenly, one of the slimes bounced backward. A giant figure jumped from the trees.

An Ogre.

It was several meters tall and had a mass of scars on its body. A giant hammer was leaning on its shoulder. The Ogre looked at the exploration team. ”What are you doing here?” ”We are explorers,” Beta Wolf replied. ”Explorers?” The Ogre laughed. ”You are lost.” ”We are not looking for trouble,” Beta Wolf growled. The Ogre looked at the goblins, the kobolds, then at the slimes, then at the wolves, and then at the moss turtles. It laughed again. ”You are a strange group.”

Another giant came out of the trees. It was a male Ogre, and it had a sword on its belt. Unlike the first Ogre, it did not laugh. Its eyes locked on the exploration team. ”There are more of you,” the second Ogre said.

Beta Wolf’s ears twitched. He did not hear the others. Three more Ogres came out of the trees. A younger male Ogre stepped forward. Unlike the others, his clothing was cleaner and more refined. Even without speaking, the others naturally stood half a step behind him. Another figure stepped out from between the trees. An Ogre woman. She wore light armor that allowed easy movement, unlike the heavier equipment of the others. Long crimson hair flowed behind her, and a single horn curved elegantly from each side of her head. Her sharp amber eyes calmly studied the exploration team, missing nothing. She carried no oversized weapon. Only a beautifully crafted staff rested lightly in her hand. She glanced once at the younger male Ogre standing ahead of the group before quietly taking her place behind him. Another female Ogre was a little further back, flexing her muscles. She was built like a warrior, and several goblins tensed when they saw her.

Five.

Just like Beta Wolf said.

The young male Ogre stepped forward.

”Who are you?”

”We are from a settlement deeper in the forest,” Beta Wolf replied. ”Settlement?” The prince Ogre narrowed its eyes. ”Whose?” ”The Great One’s,” Beta Wolf replied. The hammer Ogre laughed. ”The Great One?” ”That is what we call our leader,” Beta Wolf replied. The prince Ogre studied him. ”And who is this Great One?” ”Our ruler,” Beta Wolf replied. The hammer Ogre raised an eyebrow. ”A monster lord?” Beta Wolf nodded. The hammer Ogre grinned. ”Interesting.”

The Ogre princess narrowed her eyes at Beta Wolf. ”Don’t.” The hammer Ogre looked at his companion. ”Relax, I’m only testing them.” ”We don’t know anything about them.” ”They are wolves and goblins,” the hammer Ogre said, gesturing at the slimes. ”And whatever those things are,” the prince added, gesturing at the moss turtles. One of the slimes puffed up angrily. The goblins quickly calmed it down. Beta Wolf stepped forward. ”We have no intention of fighting.” The Ogre prince nodded.

”Then leave. This is our territory.” Beta Wolf looked around the forest. ”We are exploring this area. ”You have entered our territory. The proper thing would have been to seek permission first.” The prince said calmly. Beta Wolf lowered his head. ”We apologize.” The prince studied him for a moment before nodding. ”Leave peacefully, and there will be no problems.” Beta Wolf turned to the others. ”Let’s go.”

The exploration team began to leave.

Then...

”Wait.”

The hammer Ogre said. Beta Wolf turned around. ”You think we’ll simply let strangers walk away after finding us?” Beta Wolf replied. ”We have no intention of fighting.” The Ogre smiled. ”I do.” The hammer Ogre raised his weapon. The princess frowned. ”Stop.” He ignored her. ”You came into our territory.” ”We’re leaving,” Beta Wolf said. ”After seeing our faces?” Beta Wolf’s eyes narrowed. ”What’s that supposed to mean?” The Ogre’s grin widened. ”Nothing.” Then he swung his hammer. ”GET DOWN!”

BOOM!

The hammer hit the ground, sending shockwaves through the earth. Trees were uprooted, and several goblins were thrown back. One of the moss turtles stumbled, and the slimes bounced into the air. The wolves quickly scattered. Beta Wolf landed several meters away, his eyes wide. That one attack almost destroyed their formation.

”Everyone, defensive positions!”

The wolves formed a battle line. The goblins and kobolds readied their weapons. The slimes surrounded the injured. The moss turtles lowered their bodies. The hammer Ogre laughed. ”This is much better, I hope you will make this fun.” Beta Wolf growled. ”You attacked first.” ”I know,” the Ogre replied. He charged, and Beta Wolf met him. The hammer came down, but Beta Wolf jumped over it. He landed on the Ogre’s shoulder and sliced with his claws. The Ogre barely moved.

”What?” The Ogre grinned. ”Too weak.”

He swung his arm, throwing Beta Wolf off. ”Beta!” Two wolves came forward. The swordsman Ogre moved. His sword flashed, and one of the wolves barely dodged the attack. The other wolf was not so lucky. The blade hit the ground beside it, sending another shockwave through the earth. The wolf was thrown back. ”Stay together!” Beta Wolf growled. The goblins were already charging. Their weapons struck the hammer Ogre’s body.

Clang!

Clang!

Clang!

The Ogre looked down at them.

”That’s it?”

He raised his foot, but the goblins jumped back before he could stomp on them. A slime shot into the sky.

Earth Impact!

It came crashing down like a falling boulder.

The hammer ogre sidestepped at the last second.

BOOM!

The ground shattered beneath the impact, spraying rock and dirt in every direction. ”That was interesting,” the Ogre said. He landed, and his hammer came down again.

BOOM!

The slime was thrown back. Another slime tried to restrain the hammer Ogre’s leg, but he simply dragged it a few meters before throwing it off. The goblins were already retreating. They were losing. Hard.

Beta Wolf got up off the ground, blood trickling from his mouth. He looked at the five Ogres. The hammer Ogre was smiling. The swordsman was not even sweating. The prince had not fought yet. The princess was watching. And the second female Ogre...

She had not moved. Beta Wolf’s heart sank. They were not even trying. ”Everyone!” The wolves formed a battle line again. ”Fall back!” The goblins quickly obeyed. The moss turtles began to retreat, and the slimes followed, the kobolds going last. But the hammer Ogre laughed. ”You’re not leaving.” He charged, but the powerful female Ogre suddenly appeared next to him. She punched his hammer, sending him flying back.

”What are you doing?”

”You’ve had enough,” the female Ogre said. ”They’re not your toys.”

The hammer Ogre clicked his tongue.

”Fine.”

He stepped back, and Beta Wolf looked at the female Ogre. She had stopped him with one punch. Another monster that strong...

His instincts were screaming for him to run. They did not stand a chance against these five.

The prince finally spoke.

”Enough.”

The swordsman lowered his weapon. The princess relaxed her grip on her staff. Beta Wolf took advantage of their distraction.

”Move!”

The exploration team fell back. They did not stop until they were deep in the forest. Several goblins were injured, same as the kobolds, two wolves could barely walk, one of the moss turtles had a cracked shell, and the slimes were damaged but still moving. Beta Wolf looked at them. Then he looked at the forest behind them.

”We need help.” One of the goblins nodded.

”Should we return to the settlement?” Beta Wolf shook his head. ”Too far.” ”Then what do we do?”

A goblin asked in fright. The pain from the fight still not gone. Beta Wolf closed his eyes. There was only one option.

He reached out with his mind, searching for a familiar presence. The connection was weak. They were too far away. But he pushed himself. He stretched his consciousness, searching through the telepathic network. Past the wolves, past the slimes, past the goblins, until he found the familiar presence.

Tanaka.

Beta Wolf’s voice trembled.

Great One...

Tanaka’s voice responded.

What happened?

Beta Wolf looked back at the direction of the five Ogres, they were searching for them possibly. His pride was gone, replaced by fear.

We found five Ogres.

Tanaka was silent. Beta Wolf swallowed.

They are far stronger than us.

Another explosion echoed through the forest. They were still coming.

Great One... save us.

Tanaka’s answer came immediately.

Stay alive. I’m coming.