Primordial Slime: I Devour The World

As soon as Tanaka stopped transforming, there was a hushed silence in the clearing. A human stood where the blue slime had been a moment ago. He was wearing the clothes he wore in Rosen City - a dark coat, baggy pants, boots worn from walking, and a sword at his belt. Tanaka looked up at the ogres.

The hammer ogre was the one who spoke first. ”You were a slime.” Tanaka blinked. ”I still am.” He replied. The hammer ogre’s jaw dropped. The swordsman narrowed his eyes. The warrior woman crossed her arms over her chest. The princess seemed surprised, but quickly recovered. Meanwhile, the prince said not a word. He only watched.

Tanaka looked down at himself, then at the ogres, then at the prince. It was the prince who finally spoke. ”So that is your other form.” Tanaka gave a short nod. ”Yes.” The hammer ogre pointed at him. ”You hid that while pretending to be a slime?” Tanaka shrugged. ”I use different forms for different places.” The hammer ogre grinned.

”Then you should have stayed a slime.” Tanaka looked at him. ”I was more comfortable that way.” The warrior woman scoffed. The prince raised a hand, effectively stopping the hammer ogre from speaking again. ”Enough.” He said simply. The hammer ogre clicked his tongue but said nothing more. The prince studied Tanaka’s face for a moment. ”You accepted my challenge.” ”I did.” Tanaka replied. ”And you are certain?”

Tanaka nodded, then glanced over at the wounded monsters behind him. Several of the wolves were hurt, one goblin had his arm bound, and one of the moss turtles was still cracked. Tanaka turned back to the prince. ”I am.”

The prince studied him for a few more seconds before he gave a slow nod. ”Very well,” he said, and raised a hand. His gaze swept over the others in the clearing. ”Princess.” She turned her head slightly. ”Support them.”

”Understood.” the princess said. Tanaka watched her closely. A support-type. That was something he needed to keep in mind.

Those were troublesome in games. The princess stepped back and rested the tip of her staff upon the ground. A green light spread out from her feet, and the moment it reached the ogres, the hammer ogre’s grin widened and the warrior woman stretched her arms. The swordsman only rested a hand on his weapon. Tanaka’s expression remained the same as he looked inward, searching his being for the Devourer within.

Tanaka gave a small smile. Not yet. He reached into the depths of his soul, looking for the power hidden within. Devourer waited there for him. Tanaka turned away from it, shutting the door to his power before he could open it. Not because he feared using it, but because he had no need for it. Not if he wanted to understand their strength. Tanaka took a steady breath, then reached out with his hand, gathering wind into his fingers. ”I won’t use my unique skill Devourer.” The ogres all tensed up at the sight of it.

The hammer ogre blinked at Tanaka. ”What?” Tanaka looked at him. ”I said I won’t use my unique skill.” The prince’s eyes narrowed slightly. Tanaka continued. ”I’m only here to fight.” He raised his sword, and with a small motion, got into a stance. ”Let’s begin.”

It was the hammer ogre who attacked first. He charged forward, roaring loudly as he brought his hammer overhead. The warrior woman followed close behind, her feet pounding the earth as she ran with an odd mix of speed and power. Meanwhile, the swordsman fell in just behind the woman, his gaze locked onto Tanaka the entire time. The princess raised her staff, and the magic surrounding the ogres grew brighter.

Tanaka could feel his body tense as the power affected him. Their limbs felt lighter, their steps quicker. The hammer ogre grinned widely. ”Let’s see how long you last!” He brought his hammer down, but Tanaka easily moved to the side, dodging the attack. The hammer ogre’s weapon slammed into the earth, breaking the ground. Tanaka barely had time to get out of the way before the warrior woman came barreling forward, her fist clenched tight. Tanaka crossed his arms over his chest and braced himself.

Stone Body.

The woman’s fist impacted his arms, sending shockwaves through his body. Tanaka took a step back, his muscles tightening.

Strong.

Very strong.

The swordsman’s blade flashed as he moved in for the kill, but Tanaka managed to turn just in time to keep the attack from taking his arm off. Tanaka’s wrist went numb from the impact.

Fast.

Much faster than the hammer ogre. Tanaka’s gaze snapped towards the princess.

There.

He could see the green light flowing from her staff and into the other two. Now he understood. The hammer ogre charged forward again, but Tanaka easily ducked beneath the large man’s hammer and drove his shoulder into his side. The ogre barely reacted as Tanaka slid away from him. The woman was right behind him, but Tanaka was already twisting away from her as well, using Wind Breath to clear the dirt from his path. Tanaka raised an eyebrow. Interesting. The princess raised her staff again, and more magic flowed from it.

Tanaka narrowed his eyes. If this continued, the battle would be over very quickly. Tanaka turned on his heel and ran in the opposite direction. The hammer ogre let out a loud laugh. ”Running already?” Tanaka paid him no mind. Instead he turned towards the princess, but the moment he did, the hammer ogre realized his intent. ”He’s going for the princess!” the warrior woman said. The woman quickly moved in front of him, but the swordsman was also there, sidling up to Tanaka’s side. Tanaka moved between them with surprising speed.

Leap.

Tanaka pushed off the ogre’s shoulder, sending himself into the air, and landed behind the woman. He wasted no time blasting the earth with Wind Breath, sending up a thick cloud of dust that obscured his view. Tanaka pushed forward just as a sword sliced through the mist, cutting a thin line across his cheek. Tanaka gritted his teeth and forced himself to look up. Tanaka narrowed his eyes. The princess had moved to a different spot, but it was obvious where she had been.

Tanaka stretched his arm out, and dark blue slime burst from his body, wrapping around the princess’s ankle. Tanaka was already at her side, pressing the flat of his blade against her staff when she turned around. ”Tanaka...” the princess said, surprised. Tanaka’s hand was steady as he pushed the woman’s weapon aside and pressed his own against her throat. The battle came to a sudden halt, all combatants frozen in place. The hammer ogre’s jaw twitched. The warrior woman’s eyes were narrowed. The princess just looked at Tanaka, and then smiled faintly. ”I surrender.”

Tanaka stepped back and allowed the magic surrounding the others to dissipate. The moment it was gone, the change in them was obvious. The hammer ogre’s expression darkened. ”What?” the warrior woman said, flexing her fingers. ”Tch.” the swordsman said. The princess lowered her staff and took a small step back. Tanaka studied her for a moment. She had not fought for herself. She had fought to give the others power. That was a dangerous mindset. Tanaka gave a small nod to the woman.

The hammer ogre growled in anger. ”I don’t need her!” He said, but he still attacked. Tanaka sighed. ”Sure you don’t.” Tanaka’s hands moved and the hammer ogre’s knee buckled beneath him, but the big man still swung his hammer, forcing Tanaka to use Stone Body to stop the blow. Tanaka pushed off the ground, driving his sword into the ogre’s jaw. The hammer ogre stumbled back, but he was still standing. Tanaka moved forward again and drove his knee into the ogre’s gut, but the hammer ogre just growled and swung again. Tanaka was faster than the man expected and he used Wind Breath to knock the big ogre off his feet.

Tanaka landed on his backside and kicked the ogre’s hammer away just as the big man tried to smash his face in. Tanaka drove his shoulder into the ogre’s chest, sending him sprawling. The hammer ogre glared up at Tanaka, breathing heavily. Tanaka pointed his sword at the man’s throat. ”You’re strong,” he said. The hammer ogre’s eyes widened slightly. ”But you’re reckless,” Tanaka continued. The big ogre let out a bark-like laugh. ”Tch,” he said, rolling onto one knee. ”I lost.”

The warrior woman clicked her tongue. ”Idiot.” The hammer ogre looked away. Tanaka turned his attention to the warrior woman. She didn’t waste any time getting in his space, attacking full-force. Her attacks were faster now that the hammer ogre was down for the count. She wasted no energy, no movement, no time. Tanaka met her charge, parrying her punches and slipping between her strikes. She grabbed his wrist and tried to throw him, but Tanaka twisted free and sent a jolt of Earth Impact into the ground at her feet. The earth jumped up and sent the woman stumbling back. Tanaka pressed forward, but she caught him with a punch to the gut, sending him sliding backwards. Tanaka gave a small grin. ”You’re good.” She gave him a single look before replying. ”So are you.”

She attacked again and Tanaka was forced to dodge, but this time he could see the pattern in her moves.

Tanaka was impressed. She was amazing when it came to direct combat. If she were to lead soldiers, she would be a monster. Tanaka blocked one of her punches, slipped under the next, and sent a blast of Wind Breath at her feet. She responded instantly, but Tanaka had already moved. Tanaka turned his head and saw the princess watching him. Tanaka took a breath. The warrior woman’s attacks were quick, but not fast enough. Tanaka pushed himself forward.

Stone Body.

Tanaka used the reinforced muscles in his forearms to drive a powerful strike into the woman’s shoulder, sending her stumbling back. He followed up with another strike, but she managed to get out of the way and take a step forward. Tanaka’s third strike sent her to one knee. She stared at him for a moment, then gave a faint smile. ”Good.” She raised her fist one final time and Tanaka met it with his own. The impact sent shockwaves through the clearing. When the dust finally cleared, the woman was breathing heavily and standing unevenly. Tanaka’s blade was resting lightly against her shoulder. ”You lose.” He said. The woman looked up at him, then at his blade, then at his face. Slowly, she stepped back. ”I do.” She said, giving him a small smile. Tanaka exhaled. It was just the swordsman and the prince now.