Primordial Slime: I Devour The World

The battlefield was eerily silent.

Smoke drifted from the ruins and broken weapons littered the ground. The surviving monsters gathered behind him. Raizen and the Star Wolf Warriors stood on one side while the Greater Ogres guarded the wounded. The Kijin were nearby, their bodies still recovering from the magic the human mages had used on them.

Several meters away...

Razer slowly opened his eyes. The Orc Lord was barely conscious, his body littered with wounds from his previous fight against Tanaka. Gareth stood before him while Calian was beside the berserker. Tanaka’s gaze locked onto Gareth. This was the man who had distracted him. This was the man who allowed the human army to enter Eldoris.

Gareth smiled.

”So it’s my turn now.”

Tanaka said nothing as he studied the berserker. There was no wound on Gareth’s body. The man looked perfectly fine. Tanaka’s eyes narrowed.

”Why did you bring Razer? From what Lucien said. He is responsible for the death of Calian’s warriors.” Gareth laughed. ”I was curious.”

”About what?”

Tanaka asked. Gareth gestured towards Razer. ”I wanted to see what kind of monster lord he was and if you could defeat him. This was the offer I made after finding him. Come with me and you get to fight a monster lord. Win and you get to fight me.”

Gareth grinned. ”He accepted. Sadly he lost.”

Tanaka glanced at the near unconscious Orc Lord. ”And now?” Gareth smiled. ”Now I want to see if you can defeat me.” Tanaka eyes were filled with rage. ”You attacked my home. You killed my people.” Gareth’s smile did not fade. ”Yes.” Tanaka’s expression remained the same. The rage was there, but it was smothered down. It was not gone, but it was sharpened. Gareth frowned slightly. ”You’re calmer than I expected.” Tanaka raised his blade. ”I’ve already wasted enough time.” Gareth grinned. ”Good.”

He took a step forward. ”Let me see what a Monster Lord-level slime can do.” Tanaka’s eyes narrowed. Then, Gareth vanished.

BOOM!

Tanaka barely managed to raise his sword before Gareth’s fist collided with it, sending him sliding backwards. His feet ground against the ground, leaving deep scratches.

Tanaka stared at the sword in his hand. It was still intact, but his arm was numb. ”Strong.”

He muttered. Gareth laughed. ”That all you got?” Tanaka released the sword with one hand as he raised his palm.

”Wind Blast.”

BOOM!

A powerful blast of wind shot towards Gareth, but the berserker crossed his arms, halting the attack. The force sent him sliding backwards several meters before digging his feet into the ground. He looked up at Tanaka, his smile widening.

”Magic.”

Tanaka’s eyes narrowed. He raised his other hand. Another Wind Blast shot forward, but Gareth jumped over it, tearing the street beneath him apart. He landed atop the roof of a ruined building. Tanaka’s gaze followed him. His Magic Casting was only Lv.1. It was not high enough for him to cast complex spells. But, simple techniques were possible. And he had something else. Total Transformation. He could now take the form of a wyvern. Tanaka’s body twisted as he transformed. His body grew larger. Wings unfurled from his back. Gareth chuckled. ”Interesting.”

Tanaka opened his mouth. A powerful gust of wind gathered inside.

Then-

BOOM!

A blast of wind shot forward, but Gareth jumped from the building, causing the roof to explode. Tanaka’s eyes followed him. Gareth landed on the ground. ”You’re using Wyvern magic.” Tanaka said nothing as he charged forwards, his claws flashing.

Gareth crossed his arms to block the attack, but Tanaka’s claws sliced across his forearms, leaving shallow cuts. Gareth looked at the wounds before laughing.

”That actually hurt.”

Tanaka grated his teeth. He twisted his body and sent another slash of wind towards Gareth, but the berserker grabbed the blade, locking it in place. Tanaka immediately pulled his claws across Gareth’s chest, but the man caught his wrist. Tanaka withdrew his blade and slashed at Gareth’s ribs with his claws, but the berserker blocked the attack.

Claw.

Punch.

Claw.

Wind Blast.

The attacks came fast and furious, but Gareth was always there to block or dodge. Then, his fist collided with Tanaka’s chest, sending him flying backwards.

BOOM!

Tanaka crashed into the ground, transforming completely into slime before hitting the ground again. He bounced a few times before coming to a stop. Gareth walked towards him.

”You’re fast.”

Tanaka stood as he looked up at Gareth. ”And you’re predictable.” Gareth laughed.

”Predictable?” Tanaka’s body suddenly compacted.

”Leap.”

BOOM!

He launched himself forward, but Gareth raised his fist. Tanaka twisted in mid-air, avoiding the attack before passing behind Gareth. Gareth turned, but it was too late.

Tanaka’s hand shot out, slamming into the back of Gareth’s knee, sending him sprawling on his back.

Tanaka followed up with a ’Sharp Claws’, but Gareth twisted his body, taking a shallow cut across his shoulder. Blood slicked the man’s sleeve, but he frowned before his smile returned.

”Good.”

Tanaka’s eyes narrowed. Something was off.

Gareth’s muscles tensed and his breathing grew heavier. The wound on his shoulder remained, but his body had changed. His movements had grown faster and stronger.

Tanaka stepped back. Gareth charged, but Tanaka blocked the attack, his whole body being forced back. He immediately cast Wind Blast at point blank range.

BOOM!

Gareth was thrown back, but Tanaka was not done.

”Ooze Surge!”

His body swelled with violent energy as a wave of blue slime surged forward, but Gareth jumped over the attack. Tanaka twisted his arm, causing a Wyvern-like claw to form before bringing it down across Gareth’s chest, but the berserker blocked the attack, sending shockwaves through the battlefield. Tanaka immediately cast a wind blade, but Gareth dodged it.

Another.

Gareth dodged again.

A third one grazed his side, but he merely laughed. ”You’re getting better.” Tanaka looked surprised.

Everytime Gareth took damage...

His power grew.

Tanaka could not keep attacking like this. Not without breaking his own body. He needed another way. He suddenly became determined. He raised his hand and gathered lightning around his body, causing Gareth’s expression to change.

”What is that?”

Tanaka smiled slightly.

He had never used this technique since devouring the wyvern. Although he hadn’t used it once, devourer gave him the knowledge.

”Let the wrath of the storm overpower you.”

Lightning crackled around Tanaka’s body as the clouds above Eldoris began to gather. The wind howled as the air around the battlefield trembled. Tanaka raised his hand and dragged it down.

”STORM LORD.”

CRACK!

Lightning struck the ground, but Gareth jumped back, avoiding the attack. Another bolt of lightning fell, but so did another. The battlefield was covered in flashes of white as Gareth moved between the attacks. Tanaka watched as he could feel the power of the skill fighting against his low proficiency with Magic Casting. Storm Lord was powerful, but Tanaka’s control over the attack was crude. He could not use it’s full power. At least not yet. But, it was enough.

Tanaka formed a ball of compressed wind in his palm before wrapping lightning around it.

”Lightning Ball!” He hurled the orb at Gareth, whose eyes widened in surprise.

BOOM!

The explosion sent the berserker crashing through a building before Tanaka stood still, taking deep, even breaths. Smoke curled from the broken building before footsteps were heard approaching. Gareth stepped out, his clothing torn and blood trickling down one side of his face. He looked at Tanaka before laughing. ”Now that’s magic.” Tanaka’s eyes widened in surprise. This man was still standing.

Gareth wiped the blood from his face before vanishing. ”You’ve got quite a few tricks.” Tanaka raised his hand, gathering lightning, but Gareth suddenly appeared behind him, sending a fist slamming into his gut, sending him sprawling. Gareth grabbed him by the collar. ”Too slow. Holy Magic: Suppression.” He slammed Tanaka into the ground, making the street crack. Tanaka bounced back up, but Gareth followed, throwing another punch.

Tanaka as a monster was weakened by holy magic. Unfortunately he couldn’t devour it.

BOOM!

Tanaka flew through a building before landing amidst the rubble, his body reforming. Pain lanced through him, but he continued to fight. But since he could not consume the Holy Magic itself, Devourer had managed to take something useful from it.

Pain Tolerance.

Tanaka stood, the pain still there, but it no longer affected his body as much. Gareth landed nearby. ”Still standing, Tanaka?” Tanaka wiped the blood from his mouth. ”If that’s all you’ve got...” He wheezed. ”...then you’re disappointing.” Gareth laughed. ”You really are interesting.” He charged, but so did Tanaka. Their attacks clashed, sending shockwaves through the battlefield.

CLANG!

Tanaka’s claws met Gareth’s fist, but this time the claws cut deeper. Gareth’s other hand slammed into Tanaka’s chest, but the slime transformed, dodging the attack. Tanaka wrapped around Gareth’s arm.

”Devour.”

Gareth’s expression changed as Tanaka’s Unique Skill activated, trying to siphon his energy, skills and power, but suddenly-

CRACK!

Gareth’s Berserker resisted, forcing Tanaka to release him. Gareth stared at Tanaka. ”So that’s your Unique Skill.” Tanaka stepped back. ”Devourer.” Gareth smiled and clenched his fist.

”Berserk.”

Gareth’s aura flared, but Tanaka’s eyes widened as his power grew stronger. His strength had increased again. Tanaka knew he could not match Gareth in a straight fight. Then, a voice echoed in his mind.

Great One!

Tanaka turned to see Raizen, the Star Wolf King, standing on the other side of the battlefield. Calian was across from him, his body surrounded by a powerful aura.

Vanguard.

Calian’s Unique Skill had augmented his body, making him even stronger. Calian smiled. ”I’ll handle the wolf.” Raizen’s golden eyes narrowed. ”You won’t reach the Great One.” Calian laughed. ”Then I’ll kill you first.” Raizen dropped to his knees, the markings across his fur glowing like stars. Tanaka looked up at Gareth briefly before returning his attention to the battle. Good. Raizen could take care of him. Tanaka looked at Gareth.

Gareth looked back. ”Shall we continue?” Gareth charged, but Tanaka vanished.

LEAP!

He launched himself into the air, but so did Gareth. Tanaka transformed, spreading his wings as he twisted in mid-air.

”Wind Blast.”

The blast of wind shoved him backwards, but Gareth missed him completely. Tanaka landed behind Gareth, grabbing a sword and coating it in compressed wind before slashing, but the berserker blocked the attack, sending shockwaves through the ground. Tanaka followed up with a blast of lightning, but Gareth took the hit, staggering backwards. Tanaka attacked again, and again, but every attack Gareth took made him stronger.

The battlefield was filled with magic as wind, light and clawed attacks rained down on the berserker, but each hit channeled into Berserker, fueling his strength.

Neither was willing to stop. Then, the ground trembled. Tanaka halted, but Gareth looked down. ”What was that?” A deep sound reverberated from beneath Eldoris.

BOOOOOOM!

The whole Dominion trembled. Buildings shook and the walls cracked, but the battlefield fell silent. Even the soldiers and monsters fell silent. Tanaka’s Mana Sense stretched out instinctively, but his eyes widened in alarm as he felt something happening in the dungeon. Something had changed. A pressure unlike anything he had ever felt flooded the air around Eldoris.

A roar sounded. It was not human. It was not a monster he had ever seen before. It was something far greater. Tanaka’s eyes were fixed on the dungeon as Gareth’s smile faded for the first time. Then, the ground shook again.

BOOM!

A wave of mana erupted from the dungeon, but Tanaka’s body quaked under the force.

Raxolf looked towards the ground while Raizen paused in his fight. Calian’s smile vanished and Razer, who was barely conscious, opened his eyes. Everyone could feel it. Something had awakened.

Deep beneath Eldoris.

Inside a sealed chamber.

Two enormous red eyes opened.

The dragon was awake.