Ren drifted in silence beneath the tangled roots and moss, the memory of the horned rabbit's attack still raw in his mind. His form quivered with every subtle movement, a reminder that even the smallest mistake could mean the end. The forest no longer felt like a backdrop to adventure—it was a living, breathing maze of threats, each shadow a warning.
He didn't know how much time had passed since the fight. Hunger gnawed at him, but he hesitated before moving. His panic had faded to a simmering caution. He replayed the battle in his mind, analyzing every desperate maneuver, every surge of pain. I can't let myself get careless again. I have to treat every moment as if my life depends on it—because it does.
Ren slid forward, senses alert. The world around him was a tapestry of sound and scent: the distant call of birds, the scuttle of insects, the earthy aroma of decaying leaves. He could feel the vibrations of footsteps—tiny, harmless creatures, and occasionally, something heavier that made him freeze until the danger passed.
He had learned to move quietly, hugging the ground and using his translucent body to blend with the moss. He avoided open spaces, sticking to the shadows and undergrowth. Every movement was calculated, every pause deliberate.
His first real meal after the rabbit was a cluster of fat grubs hiding beneath a rotting log. He enveloped them, feeling their struggles fade as Absorb activated. The energy was meager, but it was enough to steady him. Each successful hunt brought a flicker of confidence, and he began to experiment with his skills.
He discovered that Acidic Touch could be used not just for attack, but for defense—dissolving roots to create hiding spots, or deterring curious predators. Split allowed him to scout ahead, sending a small piece of himself into tight spaces before risking his full body. He learned to rejoin quickly, minimizing the time he was vulnerable.
As days blurred together, Ren's perception of time changed. He marked it by his own growth, by the subtle changes in his abilities and senses. The system interface hovered at the edge of his awareness, a constant reminder of his progress.
Level: 3
HP: 16/16
MP: 10/10
Skills: Absorb (Lv.2), Acidic Touch (Lv.1), Split (Lv.1)
He wondered if there were others like him—other reincarnated souls, struggling to survive in monstrous forms. The thought was both comforting and terrifying.
One evening, as the forest grew quiet and the air thickened with mist, Ren sensed something new. A faint, rhythmic vibration—a pattern unlike any he'd felt before. He pressed himself flat, waiting. The sound grew louder, closer, until a pair of glowing eyes appeared in the gloom.
It was a fox, sleek and silent, its fur shimmering with a faint blue light. Ren's instincts screamed at him to flee, but he held still, barely daring to breathe. The fox sniffed the air, its gaze passing over him. For a moment, Ren thought he was safe.
Then the fox pounced.
Ren reacted instantly, splitting into three smaller slimes. The fox's jaws snapped shut on empty air as Ren's main body darted away. One split was caught, dissolving in a flash of pain, but the others escaped. The fox circled, confused, as Ren merged his remaining pieces and retreated into a hollow log.
He waited, tense, until the fox lost interest and vanished into the mist. Only then did he allow himself to relax.
I need to get stronger. I need more skills, more ways to defend myself.
He focused on the system, willing it to reveal more. A faint glow answered his call.
Skill Points Available: 1
Absorb can be upgraded.
New Skill Available: Camouflage (Lv.1)
Ren hesitated. Upgrading Absorb would make him more efficient, but Camouflage could mean the difference between life and death. He chose the new skill, feeling his body shift, the outer layer of his slime form becoming more opaque, blending with the forest floor.
He tested it, moving slowly through the undergrowth. The effect wasn't perfect, but it was enough to fool most predators. He felt a surge of pride—his first real step toward adaptation.
Days passed. Ren grew bolder, venturing farther from his hiding places. He discovered a small stream, its water cool and clear. He absorbed tiny fish and insects, each meal bringing a small boost in strength. He learned to use the current to travel quickly, letting the water carry him downstream to new hunting grounds.
One afternoon, as he basked in a patch of sunlight, he sensed a presence nearby. Not a predator, but something different—another slime. It was smaller, paler, and moved with a sluggish, aimless wobble.
Ren watched it for a while, curiosity overcoming caution. The other slime seemed oblivious to danger, drifting into the open. Moments later, a bird swooped down, snatching it up in its beak. Ren flinched, the lesson clear.
I'm not alone, but I'm still on my own.
He spent the next days honing his skills. He practiced splitting and merging, camouflaging in different environments, and using Acidic Touch to create traps for small prey. He experimented with absorbing different materials—wood, stone, even fragments of metal left behind by some ancient ruin. Some things made him sick, others gave him brief flashes of energy or strange sensations.
His body changed subtly. He became more resilient, his form denser and harder to tear. His senses sharpened; he could detect the faintest vibrations, the slightest change in temperature. He began to anticipate danger before it arrived.
One night, as he rested beneath a fallen log, the system interface flickered to life with a new message.
Level Up!
Level: 4
HP: 20/20
MP: 14/14
New Skill Acquired: Regenerate (Lv.1)
A wave of relief washed over him. He tested the new skill, watching as a small cut in his form closed instantly. The pain faded, replaced by a soothing warmth.
This is what I need. More ways to survive. More ways to fight back.
He grew more ambitious in his hunts, targeting larger prey. He ambushed a family of fat rodents, using Camouflage to get close before striking. He absorbed their strength, feeling his body swell with new energy.
But with each victory came new risks. He encountered a snake, its scales glistening with venom. The fight was brutal—Ren barely escaped, losing a chunk of his body to the snake's fangs. He retreated, using Regenerate to heal, vowing to be more careful.
He learned to observe before acting, to study his prey and the environment. He became a patient hunter, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
As the days passed, Ren noticed changes in the forest. The air grew colder, the nights longer. Food became scarce, and predators grew bolder. He was forced to travel farther, exploring new territories.
He discovered a clearing filled with strange, glowing mushrooms. The air was thick with spores, and the ground pulsed with energy. Ren hesitated, but hunger drove him forward. He absorbed a piece of mushroom, bracing for sickness.
Instead, a surge of power coursed through him. His vision sharpened, colors brightening, sounds becoming clearer. The system interface flashed.
Rare Material Absorbed: Luminous Mycelium
Temporary Buff: Enhanced Senses (1 hour)
He used the boost to hunt, catching prey he would have missed before. When the effect faded, he felt drained but satisfied.
He began to seek out other rare materials—crystals, enchanted plants, even the bones of fallen beasts. Each brought new sensations, new possibilities.
One evening, as he rested in a hollow tree, the system interface appeared again, brighter than ever.
Level Up!
Level: 5
HP: 25/25
MP: 18/18
New Skill Acquired: Harden (Lv.1)
He tested the new skill, feeling his outer layer become tough and rigid, like armor. It slowed his movement but made him nearly impervious to small attacks.
He felt a surge of pride. He was no longer the helpless creature he had been. He was changing, adapting, becoming something new.
But with growth came new challenges. He encountered other monsters—giant centipedes, aggressive birds, even a pack of wild boars. He avoided the worst, fought when he had to, and always learned from each encounter.
He began to notice patterns in the system. Certain actions triggered new skills or buffs. Absorbing rare materials brought temporary boosts. Surviving near-death experiences unlocked hidden potential.
He realized that his evolution was not just about leveling up, but about adapting to the world around him. Every choice mattered.
One cold morning, as mist curled through the trees, Ren sensed a presence unlike any he had felt before. It was vast, ancient, and powerful. He froze, every instinct screaming at him to hide.
A massive shadow moved through the forest—a creature of scales and claws, its eyes glowing with intelligence. It paused, sniffed the air, then moved on, leaving Ren trembling in its wake.
He realized then that there were beings in this world far beyond his current strength. If he wanted to survive—if he wanted to thrive—he would need to keep evolving.
He spent the next days preparing. He hunted relentlessly, absorbed every scrap of energy he could find, and pushed his skills to their limits. He experimented with combinations—using Harden and Camouflage together, splitting and merging in rapid succession, regenerating from wounds that would have killed him before.
He began to sense a change within himself—a pressure building, a feeling of potential waiting to be unleashed.
One night, as the moon rose high and the forest shimmered with silver light, the system interface appeared with a message unlike any before.
Evolution Available
Ren's core pulsed with anticipation. The interface displayed a list of choices, each one promising new abilities, new forms, new ways to survive.
He read them carefully, heart pounding with excitement and fear.
Choose Your Evolution Path:
• Acidic Slime: Specializes in corrosive attacks and defense. Gains powerful acid-based skills and resistance to toxins.
• Mimic Slime: Gains advanced camouflage and limited shapeshifting abilities. Can imitate small objects and creatures.
• Iron Slime: Develops a dense, metallic body. Gains high defense and physical strength, but slower movement.
• Healing Slime: Focuses on regeneration and support. Gains powerful healing abilities and can mend wounds of others.
Ren stared at the choices, the weight of his decision pressing down on him. Each path would shape his future—his strengths, his weaknesses, his very identity.
For the first time since his reincarnation, he felt a spark of hope—not just for survival, but for something more.
He closed his eyes, considering his next step.