🎄 Merry Christmas, my dear readers! 🎄
I want to sincerely thank every one of you who follows my stories, leaves comments, favorites, and supports my work. As a small way to give back, I've prepared a special extra chapter as a Christmas gift for you.
This chapter is my way of showing gratitude for every read, every theory, and every emotion we've shared along the journey. You bring these stories to life far beyond the words, and that means more to me than I can put into words.
May this Christmas be filled with peace, inspiration, and joyful moments. Let's continue this adventure together, with many more chapters, arcs, and emotions waiting for us in the year to come.
Thank you for being here. Truly. ❤️
Merry Christmas and happy reading! ✨📖
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[Unidentified Individual...]
[Warning: Interference detected. The unknown ability dubbed "Other Cosmology" is affecting the process...]
[Race identified: Human.]
[Warning: Continuous interference from the ability "Other Cosmology"...]
[Affirmative: The individual has been forcibly evolved into a "Saint Human".]
[Affirmative: The "Hero's Egg" has been successfully integrated.]
[Interference from "Other Cosmology" detected!]
[Analyzing all of the individual's lifetime good deeds. The individual meets all requirements to hatch the "Hero's Egg"...]
[Report: Upon meeting the requirements, the individual will evolve into "True Hero".]
[Confirmed!]
[The individual has successfully broken the "eggshell" of the "Hero's Egg" and become a [True Hero]!]
[All physical attributes have been immensely enhanced.]
[Report: New Intrinsic Abilities "True Hero's Haki", "Hero's Charisma", "Infinite Regeneration", "Mana Manipulation", and "Universal Sense" have been successfully acquired.]
[Report: Most "Personal Abilities" have been converted into Intrinsic Abilities.]
[Affirmative: Intrinsic Abilities "Mystic Eyes of Death Perception", "Golden Rule", "Pioneer of the Stars", "Magecraft", "Charity Hero Combat Art", "Eternal Armaments Mastery", "Imperial Privilege", "Subjective Reality Manipulation" have been successfully acquired.]
[Subsequently, all abilities and resistances possessed prior to ascension will be reacquired...]
[Successful.]
[Error. Error. High interference from the unknown ability "Other Cosmology" detected...]
[Stability process compromised. Redundant abilities detected.]
[Automatic reevaluation initiated...]
[Warning: The set of nullifications exceeds the limit permitted by the world's framework.]
[Growing interference from "Other Cosmology"... Rewriting outcome.]
[Decision executed.]
[Affirmative: All resistance and nullification abilities have been sacrificed.]
[...]
[Conversion initiated.]
[Converting 17 nullifications...]
[Converting 42 resistances...]
[Conversion complete.]
[Success!]
[The ultimate ability "Lord of Invulnerability, Behemoth" has been successfully acquired!]
[Continuing ability conversion...]
[Success!]
[All "Godcraft Artifacts" have been converted into abilities.]
[Success!]
[The Longinus "Telos Karma" has been sacrificed for the acquisition of the Ultimate Ability "Lord of Fate, Zurvan".]
[Success!]
[The Longinus "True Longinus" and "Alphecca Tyrant" have been sacrificed for the acquisition of the Ultimate Ability "Lord of Holiness, Zadkiel".]
[Success!]
[The Longinus "Innovate Clear", "Dimension Lost", and "Annihilation Maker" have been sacrificed for the acquisition of the Ultimate Ability "Lord of Creation, Yahweh".]
[Report: All "Godcraft Artifacts" have been successfully transformed into abilities...]
[Continuing process...]
[Warning: Due to interference from "Other Cosmology", abilities identified as "Noble Phantasms" will be converted into abilities...]
[Failure!]
[Another attempt!]
[Failure!]
[The unknown ability "Other Cosmology" is forcing an evolution.]
[Report: All "Noble Phantasms" have been successfully sacrificed for the acquisition of the Ultimate Ability "Queen of Heroic Spirits, Alaya"...]
[Conversion of abilities known as "Authorities" initiated...]
[Failure!]
[Another attempt.]
[Failure!]
[Another attempt.]
[Failure!]
[Interference from "Other Cosmology" detected!]
[Success!]
[The "Authority of Lightning (Zeus)", "Authority of Love (Aphrodite)", "Authority of Earth (Demeter)", "Authority of Water (Poseidon)", "Authority of Atoms (Hades)", "Authority of the Sun (Apollo)", "Authority of the Forge (Hephaestus)", "Authority of the Moon (Artemis)", "Authority of Victory (Athena)", "Authority of Brahma (Arjuna Alter)", "Authority of Vishnu/Krishna (Arjuna Alter)", "Authority of Shiva (Arjuna Alter)", "Authority of Surya (Arjuna Alter)", "Authority of Vayu (Arjuna Alter)", "Authority of Saraswati (Arjuna Alter)", "Authority of Fenrir (Surtr)", and "Authority of Fire (Surtr)" have been sacrificed for the acquisition of the Ultimate Ability "Lord of Folly, Saklas".]
[Report: The remaining abilities are being recycled...]
[Success!]
[Sacrificing "Class Abilities" and the remaining "Personal Abilities" to acquire new abilities...]
[Success!]
[The Ultimate Ability "Lord of Justice, Michael" has been acquired!]
[Success!]
[The Ultimate Ability "Lord of Knowledge, Raphael" has been acquired!]
[Success!]
[The Ultimate Ability "Lord of Covenants, Uriel" has been acquired!]
[Success!]
[The Ultimate Ability "Lord of Hope, Sariel" has been acquired!]
[Success!]
[The Ultimate Ability "Lord of Patience, Gabriel" has been acquired!]
[Success!]
[The Ultimate Ability "Lord of Purity, Metatron" has been acquired!]
[The Ultimate Ability "Lord of Charity, Rachel" has been acquired!]
[Continuing recycling...]
[Success!]
[The Ultimate Ability "Lord of Pride, Lucifer" has been acquired!]
[Success!]
[The Ultimate Ability "Lord of Wrath, Satanael" has been acquired!]
[Success!]
[The Ultimate Ability "Lord of Sloth, Belphegor" has been acquired!]
[Success!]
[The Ultimate Ability "Lord of Gluttony, Beelzebub" has been acquired!]
[Success!]
[The Ultimate Ability "Lord of Lust, Asmodeus" has been acquired!]
[Success!]
[The Ultimate Ability "Lord of Greed, Mammon" has been acquired!]
[Success!]
[The Ultimate Ability "Lord of Envy, Leviathan" has been acquired!]
[Acquisition of Ultimate Abilities complete!]
[Failure!]
[The number of abilities is below expected.]
[Recalculating...]
[The Ultimate Ability "Lord of the Heavens, Astarte" has been acquired!]
[The Ultimate Ability "Lord of Dominion, Melchizedek" has been acquired!]
[The Ultimate Ability "Lord of Salvation, Azrael" has been acquired!]
[The Ultimate Ability "Lord of Glory, Haniel" has been acquired!]
[The Ultimate Ability "Lord of Judgment, Sandalphon" has been acquired!]
[The Ultimate Ability "Lord of Trials, Israfil" has been acquired!]
[The Ultimate Ability "Lord of Rigor, Jibril" has been acquired!]
[The Ultimate Ability "Lord of Topography, World Map" has been acquired!]
[The Ultimate Ability "Lord of Martial Creation, Multi-Armament" has been acquired!]
[The Ultimate Ability "Alternative" has been acquired!]
[The individual's evolution into a [True Hero] has been successfully completed!]
.
.
.
.
.
Soft light filtered through the tall treetops, spilling a golden glow over the hidden clearing at the heart of the forest. There, the air felt lighter, almost warm, carrying the scent of damp leaves and earth freshly kissed by dew. Tiny dust particles danced in the air as though alive, swirling lazily whenever a lazier breeze passed between the trunks.
The ground was soft, covered by an uneven carpet of pale moss and leaves left behind by autumn. Among them, small wildflowers sprouted unhurriedly, scattering dots of color here and there—white, yellow, some almost too blue to be real. The silence was not absolute; it was punctuated by faint rustles, the distant song of a bird still awake, the insistent murmur of a nearby stream.
After entering this new world through his [Second Magic], Kazuya stopped in the center of the clearing, his legs trembling as though only now realizing their own weight. The surroundings spun slowly around him—not like dizziness, but as if the world itself were adjusting, reorganizing itself according to something he could not yet grasp.
A warmth coursed through his entire body as his mind was filled with the Voice of the World. From what he knew of the phenomenon, it was a natural force that announced events of great significance. When certain momentous occurrences took shape—such as acquiring abilities, racial evolution, obtaining a "Demon Lord Seed" or "Hero's Egg", the awakening of a Demon Lord or True Hero, or the activation of specific abilities—the Voice of the World echoed in the consciousness of all involved parties.
Sometimes only a single individual heard it; in other cases, its message resounded to a large group within range of the triggering phenomenon.
But he had little time to try to comprehend it. He barely managed to absorb what it was saying before exhaustion hit him brutally, like a heavy wave dragging him away from reality. His body did not hurt—in fact, he felt no pain at all—but neither was there comfort. It was as though he were suspended between two states of existence at once, trapped in a strange, silent, unstable threshold.
He let out a short, almost weary laugh.
"I just wanted a vacation…"
It was more a breath than a sentence, carried away by the breeze before it could echo among the trees.
The clearing flickered before his eyes, the light growing brighter, the world more distant.
Kazuya tried to take one step, but the ground caught him first. The moss cushioned his fall, soft and cool against skin that felt far too warm. His breathing slowed… then steadied… then simply surrendered to the rhythm of the metamorphosis enveloping him.
The clearing remained tranquil, almost welcoming, as if that transformation were just another natural detail in that space hidden from the world, and the new [True Hero] drifted into deep sleep at its center, immersed in profound silence, letting the process consume him completely.
A Hero—or more precisely, a [True Hero]—is one of the rarest forms of existence in the world. Like Demon Lords, the title can be regarded not merely as a designation but as something close to a race.
Heroes are humans or humanoid equivalents aligned against Demon Lords, recognized as existences equal to their opposites by the Voice of the World itself. They are two sides of the same coin.
However, unlike Demon Lords, the manifestation of a Hero is extremely rare—far rarer even than that of True Dragons, of which there are only three or four. It is said that a [True Hero] emerges only once every thousand years. Perhaps for this reason, a newly born hero tends to be even more powerful than a newly born Demon Lord.
Another fundamental difference is that True Heroes are always human—a specific form of existence within humanity. But since the human race as a whole is fragile, certain exceptional individuals are often proclaimed "heroes" even without recognition from the Voice of the World, as long as they have an impeccable record of victories and feats in defense of humanity. Such individuals function as the human equivalent of a self-proclaimed Demon Lord—in this case, a hero proclaimed by society.
The reason it is "proclaimed by society" rather than "self-proclaimed" comes down to the requirements for becoming a hero in the first place. Since they are generally altruistic, they also lack the tendency to boast about being a hero. The only possible exception is Rudra, but he is more inclined to boast about his overall strength than to be recognized as a Hero.
Thus, these "potential candidates" for Heroes are proclaimed heroes by societies, not by the individuals themselves.
However, in the eyes of the Voice of the World, the title Hero always refers to the True Hero, never the proclaimed one. The prefix "True" exists solely to distinguish the two in common usage.
To evolve into a [True Hero], a human must obtain the "Hero's Egg" and possess sufficient willpower to break its shell.
For a human to become a Hero, they generally need a genuinely altruistic and compassionate heart, even if they are fighting for personal goals. This trait does not demand moral perfection—only that, amid their own ambitions, the person continues to sincerely help others.
When a human gathers enough strength and performs countless acts of benevolence out of pure conviction and in the name of humanity, the Voice of the World may grant them the "Hero's Egg".
Another known way to receive a "Hero's Egg" is through the Light and Darkness Elementals, together with the Elemental Queen herself, who possess the ability to bestow special blessings on individuals they deem truly worthy. When this occurs, they select a candidate to become a [True Hero].
In such cases, the elemental not only blesses but resides within the individual's body, manifesting as a "Hero's Egg". This seed remains dormant until the bearer proves their worth. If successful, the elemental finally merges with them, completing the ritual and awakening the [True Hero]…
The "Hero's Egg" is a paradoxical ability, for technically it is not an ability at all. It grants no extra powers, alters no attributes, and serves no function other than to awaken the bearer as a [True Hero], provided the conditions are met. For this reason, those who possess it may also be called "Hero's Eggs", as they are heroes in potential.
The final step is to "hatch" the egg. Though it sounds simple, this process is even more difficult than the famous requirement of harvesting ten thousand souls for a Demon Lord. The "Hero's Egg" only breaks before overwhelming willpower and unshakable conviction. The bearer must deeply understand right and wrong, truly believe their actions are just, and above all be willing to face their own death for that conviction.
He had already fulfilled all the requirements to receive the "Hero's Egg". In his first life, he had saved all of humanity from extinction. In his third life, he had guided the human species into an era of prosperity never before seen. Those feats alone would have been enough for the Voice of the World to recognize him.
But there was more.
The sum of all his experiences—bitter, glorious, brutal, and redemptive—had forged in him a profound understanding of right and wrong. He did not merely know these concepts: he believed in them, absolutely, almost sacredly. He believed his actions were just, that his principles were correct, and he carried that conviction with the same relentless force as in his first life.
Even when he questioned himself, even when he doubted, even when the weight of his choices crushed him… his determination never wavered. If necessary, he would face death itself to defend what he believed in.
For this reason, it was only natural that the Voice of the World had recognized him. He was not merely worthy of being a Hero—he already carried within him the very essence of one.
Because of this, he evolved into a [True Hero].
In this world, he would easily rank Special S with this evolution.
Monsters, like adventurers, are classified in a six-tier system from "A" to "F". Positive and negative modifiers can be attached for extra precision. This system was first created by a man named Yuuki Kagurazaka—an otherworlder who became one of the few to hold the highest title of "Grandmaster" in the Freedom Association. It was quickly adopted because it was far easier to understand than the previous, somewhat arbitrary four-tier system of "novice", "beginner", "intermediate", and "advanced".
The Special S rank combines the S rank—which includes enemies of the Demon Lord class that deserve more than a simple A—with the "Special" tag reserved for those above that class: monsters capable of engineered calamities or natural disasters. A scale-breaking classification that exists entirely outside the six traditional tiers. Normally, only an A-rank monster would be terrible enough to threaten a nation's existence; an S-rank is dangerous enough to plunge it into despair.
Though he had become slightly stronger and all his abilities had transformed to fit this world, unfortunately he had lost many old abilities in the process. Fortunately, however, he gained new "Intrinsic Abilities" and "Ultimate Abilities".
Abilities in this world are special phenomena that can be acquired under rare circumstances, usually as direct recognition of personal growth or existential evolution.
These abilities function as an automatic activation system for supernatural powers, capable of producing effects that vary enormously. Some are extensions of magic; others manipulate the world through natural means; the most exceptional can distort or even circumvent the very laws governing reality, reshaping them according to the user's will.
When an ability awakens, it is engraved upon the individual who acquired it. This inscription can occur in one of five distinct "bodies": the material body, the spiritual body, the astral body, the soul, or the heart core. Weak or initial abilities tend to reside in the physical body. As an ability integrates deeply with the user, becoming fully sublimated, it is recorded directly into the soul, becoming incomparably more powerful.
As long as the user possesses sufficient energy—be it soul force, mana, magicules, or any equivalent source—they can instantly activate their ability with a mere thought. No internal mechanism needs to be understood: upon awakening, the individual gains perfect intuition about its existence and function.
However, the true potency of an ability depends on the user's willpower. Two people with the same ability can produce drastically different results. Likewise, some extremely powerful abilities require equally great willpower to be activated at their maximum potential.
Abilities can be acquired in various ways. Some arise naturally as "Intrinsic Abilities" that are part of the user's own physiology and essence. Others are born from conscious mastery of a power, technique, art, or principle that, upon perfection, takes shape as a true ability. In rarer cases, certain abilities can be generated from others, serving as direct evolution or derivation of the original power. There are also abilities that can be inherited from parent to child.
The most powerful abilities—"Extra Skills", "Unique Skills", and "Ultimate Skills"—follow a different principle: they are formed directly from the user's desires, convictions, and inner needs. In such cases, a deep enough wish is enough for the ability to take shape, provided the spiritual and energetic requirements are met.
During the acquisition process, the "Voice of the World" recognizes the individual's willpower. It then consumes a proportional amount of energy to structure and solidify the ability. If the user lacks sufficient energy, the ability cannot be created. Similarly, lack of conviction, weak desire, or hesitation results in failure to awaken. Other factors such as timing, specific circumstances, and even luck can influence the outcome.
All abilities can be divided as follows:
The first type are "Intrinsic Abilities"—capabilities directly tied to the user's physiology, usually acquired from birth or through evolution. They are subdivided into three main categories: species-specific intrinsic abilities, bloodline-linked intrinsic abilities, and individual-exclusive intrinsic abilities.
Next come "Common Skills", the most basic level within the system. They generally possess only a single effect and little flexibility, making them easy to master though not very versatile. Still, that does not mean they are weak; some can have lethal or extremely destructive effects. Additionally, common skills can manifest as intrinsic abilities or as sub-abilities of unique or ultimate skills.
After them are "Extra Skills", a level above common skills in power and versatility. They represent the highest tier achievable solely through effort, encompassing a wide variety of capabilities. Their power varies considerably: some are only slightly superior to common skills, while others can rival or even surpass unique skills. Like the others, extra skills can arise as intrinsic abilities or as sub-abilities of unique and ultimate skills.
Penultimately are "Unique Skills", which, as the name suggests, grant the user a truly singular power distinct from both magic and common skills. They are direct manifestations of the mind and only emerge when a strong individual is seized by intense desires and emotions, usually after overcoming great trials or experiencing significant growth.
Traveling between worlds—whether by summoning, accident, or reincarnation—is one of the factors that most increases the chances of awakening a unique skill. This is because the extreme conditions of inter-world traversal meet the necessary requirements for such awakening, making otherworld inhabitants highly prized.
Unique skills vary enormously in form and function. Even skills with similar names can operate through completely different mechanisms. Among those who awaken this type of power, only about 10% receive abilities with clear combat utility.
Despite being extremely useful and perfectly aligned with their users' individuality, few people manage to unleash the full potential of their unique skills. This happens when the individual fails to realize that their skill is a direct reflection of their mind and begins treating it merely as a tool or weapon. Without that deeper understanding, the maximum potential is never reached.
Unique skills can be rooted in either the body or the soul of the user. In either case, they grant a degree of resistance or immunity to lower-tier abilities, including effects from other unique skills. When rooted in the soul, they offer especially high protection against mind-affecting techniques. In extreme situations, a soul-rooted unique skill can even serve as an alternative abode for consciousness, temporarily replacing the soul itself.
Because they reflect the user's mind, unique skills evolve as the individual matures. The pinnacle of this process is the birth of an Ultimate Skill—the result of crystallizing a soul-rooted unique skill when fed by powerful emotions, energy, and other special conditions.
Finally, "Ultimate Skills" grant the user absolute power capable of directly interfering with the fundamental laws of nature. They can only be neutralized by other ultimate skills, Administrative Authorities, final-tier magic, divine equipment, or divinities—though ultimately everything depends on the user's willpower.
If unique skills are born from individuality, ultimate skills arise when that individuality surpasses all its limits. For this reason, no two ultimate skills are identical. To awaken a power of this level requires an extremely strong mind and soul and, in most cases, a spiritual lifeform. Like any ability, awakening an ultimate skill demands a colossal amount of energy.
In his case, [Other Cosmology]—nothing less than the [Root] itself, a world system as advanced as, or even more advanced than, the "Voice of the World"—intervened, using most of his personal and class abilities to synthesize numerous ultimate skills. He possessed near-infinite magical energy to create them and sacrificed many other abilities deemed useless in the process. As for his capacity to bear such powers, it was trivial: his soul was eternal and immortal, residing in a higher dimension thanks to his [Third Magic]…
While he lay unconscious from the evolution into [True Hero], hours slipped through the clearing like warm water, slow and silent. The light shifted tones several times from soft gold to the firmer white of midday, while his body remained motionless on the moss, breathing at a rhythm so steady it seemed part of the forest itself. Nothing there disturbed him. Not insects, not monsters, not the wind. It was as if the entire place had isolated him…
Only when the sun began to dip from its zenith did footsteps break the tranquility.
The first crossed the tree line with the ease of someone who already knew the path. A goblin—the kind famous from internet memes, with light green skin, a rounded face, and a large, round nose that gave him a comically charming air—emerged. His bulging eyes, always alert, gleamed with curiosity, while the small fangs that showed when he smiled reinforced his mischievous look. His short, spiky hair in a grayish-purple tone contrasted with his skin and highlighted his lively expression even more.
He walked with ease, almost carefree, resting his club on his shoulder as if it were a natural extension of his body. He wore simple, rustic clothes: a partially open white shirt, loose brown trousers, and a fur cape with light wool trim that gave a "forest dweller" or tribal adventurer vibe. Leather straps wrapped his wrists and forearms, and worn boots completed the outfit.
Beside him followed a translucent blue Slime riding on the back of a gigantic wolf. The wolf had deep gray fur, and on its forehead it bore a single white horn that seemed to glow under the filtered light.
The trio advanced without hurry, too busy talking to notice any sign of danger.
"I told you, Rimuru-sama! I saw a weird big insect fighting a powerful monster around here earlier!" the Goblin said, brimming with exaggerated confidence.
The Slime called "Rimuru" jiggled a little—the slime equivalent of a tired sigh.
"I just hope this time it's not one of those slimy monsters that try to swallow you, Gobta… And are you sure this is the right way? You have a tendency to get lost…" Rimuru commented in the typical tone of a leader who no longer expects much from Gobta.
"I-I don't get lost all the time… only sometimes! I'm sure it was this way!" Gobta countered, puffing out his chest with unwarranted pride.
"Rimuru-sama…" the gigantic wolf suddenly called, his voice low and deep. "There is someone ahead…"
The three stopped almost simultaneously.
In the center of the clearing, stretched out on the soft moss, lay the young man with white hair, flawless pale skin, and a perfectly muscled body. His breathing was calm, his expression serene, completely still.
Rimuru leaned forward a little on the wolf's back…
"…Huh? He shouldn't be here. I don't remember any human being around when I passed by a few minutes ago. Did I really take the wrong path…?" Gobta said, confused.
The gigantic wolf, alert, lowered his head to sniff.
"Rimuru-sama. I cannot sense any kind of energy from him, and his scent is also nonexistent…"
Rimuru immediately grew alert—not nervous, but intrigued, as she always did when faced with something new and strange.
"Great… just when I wanted to pick up some honey…" she sighed, almost resigned. "Fine, first let's check if he's okay. We'll think about the rest later…"
The clearing remained silent as the three approached cautiously. The moss yielded softly under their steps, and the light filtered through the trees created small golden circles around the sleeping young man.
Rimuru slid off the wolf's back and landed on the ground, her slime form shimmering for a moment before glowing like water under sunlight. Then the transformation occurred with the ease of someone long accustomed to changing skins: her body elongated, took human shape, and the light gently reflected off the long blue-silver hair cascading down her back. Her deep golden eyes, almost too warm, caught the afternoon clarity, returning it with a subtle glow that did not seem entirely human.
Rimuru walked up to Kazuya and crouched beside him. The young man's breathing remained light and steady, as if immersed in a dream too deep to be interrupted by mere visitors.
Gobta watched from above her shoulders, curious and completely unable to interpret anything beyond the obvious.
The gigantic wolf remained vigilant, sitting with impeccable discipline, as if guarding the entire clearing.
Rimuru reached out, brushing aside a few strands of Kazuya's white hair that had fallen over his face. The moment the light fully touched his features, she froze…
Her fingers hung in the air.
He was beautiful.
Not just beautiful—there was something about that face that transcended any ordinary standard. Strong, harmonious features, marked as if carefully sculpted. The line of his jaw, the shape of his eyes, the flawless skin… everything about him had its own glow, almost unreal. Even asleep, he radiated an unsettling serenity. Like someone made to draw gazes. To unsettle hearts.
For a brief second, Rimuru felt a strange pang in her chest, a sensation she couldn't name and that overwhelmed her thoughts before she could push it away.
"Holy mother of heaven. Is this even allowed? Should this be legal? How can someone this gorgeous exist? If he were in my old world, he'd easily be considered the most handsome man alive…"
She swallowed hard, her gaze shamelessly traveling over the perfectly sculpted face, the white strands falling across his forehead, the jawline that looked drawn by a mangaka on an inspired day, and then… well, the rest of the body wasn't far behind.
"Great Sage, emergency! Tell me this is CGI or some kind of illusion!"
[Report: Individual 100% real.]
"…Mommy… If I were still a guy, I'd have a nosebleed right now. What a cosmic injustice that this guy is passed out in front of me and I can't… I mean, shouldn't… do anything."
Involuntarily, Rimuru turned her face a little more, trying to get a better look at the young man without seeming to stare too much. But there wasn't much way to hide it.
Another issue was that the clothes he wore strongly reminded her of modern clothes from her old world—was he like her?
Gobta leaned over Rimuru's shoulder.
"Is he alive?"
Rimuru took a deep breath, snapping back to herself and regaining her composure—she was a leader and needed to act like one!
"He's alive, Gobta. Just… sleeping very deeply."
The gigantic wolf cautiously brought his snout closer.
"I still can't sense anything, Rimuru-sama. This human is strange…"
Rimuru nodded slowly, still taking in the subtle details of Kazuya's face—details she shouldn't be analyzing so closely, yet couldn't help it. She murmured in response to the wolf: "Yeah… I think so too. I've never seen anyone this beautiful in my entire single-life— I mean, strange…"
Gobta nearly fell forward.
"Wait… Rimuru-sama… did you just say single-life?"
The goblin blinked several times, as if his brain had frozen trying to process it. The wolf beside him, always so dignified, slightly pricked his ears, clearly surprised as well.
"Rimuru-sama… that was… unexpected."
Rimuru froze for a moment, the perfect expression of someone who wanted to turn back time five seconds just to erase her own sentence. She looked away, pressing her lips together for a second, trying to regain composure.
"I meant strange, Gobta. Strange. You're not supposed to comment on that."
Gobta scratched his green cheek, clearly holding back a mischievous grin.
"If you say so…"
"Gobta."
At the tone of her voice, he instantly shrank.
"Right! Right… my mouth is officially sealed!"
The gigantic wolf, even while trying to stay neutral, let the tip of his tail wag slightly—the canine version of a discreet smile.
"Rimuru-sama, I have never heard you make a comment like that about a human's appearance. This individual must be truly striking."
"Ranga, you're not helping."
Her voice came out low, but not angry—more like someone whose pride had been lightly pinched. With a discreet sigh, Rimuru looked back at Kazuya, who remained motionless, completely oblivious to the small chaos he was causing even while unconscious.
She took a deep breath and mentally asked the [Great Sage] if it knew what was happening.
"Great Sage… can you analyze what's going on with this hottie? Why is he like this?"
The answer came firm and robotic as always, but extremely unhelpful:
[Answer: Analysis impossible. Insufficient information. No viable projection or calculation.]
Rimuru's golden eyes widened slowly, carrying a tone of silent frustration.
"Of course you can't…" she muttered, almost grumbling. "Just when I needed an answer now…"
"Great Sage, another question: should I use a healing potion on him? Could it help, or… is it better to leave him alone?"
The reply echoed immediately, precise and annoying as ever:
[Answer: Unnecessary. The individual is merely unconscious. Internal process in progress. External intervention not recommended.]
Rimuru blinked, relieved in a way she wouldn't want to admit—mainly because it meant she didn't have to touch him more… which would be weird… or maybe not? She immediately pushed the thought away.
To her two companions, it looked like she had finished analyzing the young man's condition.
"He seems fine… he just needs time."
For some reason, that confirmation made her shoulders relax. Gobta, of course, noticed.
"Rimuru-sama… you seem really happy that he's just sleeping."
"I'm relieved, Gobta. Relieved is different from happy."
"You look happy."
"Gobta."
"Shutting up!!"
Rimuru sighed again, but now it sounded more like someone resigned to the absurdity of the situation than irritated.
She stood up, brushing imaginary dust off her hands and looking at the young man on the ground.
"Ranga…" she called, turning to the gigantic wolf. "Let's take him home. Better than leaving him lying here."
Ranga flashed a lupine smile, respectful.
"Yes, Rimuru-sama. With care."
Ranga lowered his head carefully and, with the gentleness only a gigantic and absurdly loyal wolf could have, slid his body down until his back was within Rimuru's reach. With surprising ease despite his size, he lifted the unconscious young man with his jaws just enough to settle him securely among his thick fur, letting Kazuya rest firmly and safely on his back.
"Done, Rimuru-sama," he announced, his deep voice proud and gentle at once.
Rimuru gave a light "hm" and, without ceremony (but also without admitting the reason), jumped onto Ranga, positioning herself right behind the young man's body. She didn't want him to fall, of course… that was definitely the only reason. Absolutely.
Gobta, with his eternal disproportionate enthusiasm, clapped his hands.
"Wow! He really is sleeping deeply! Even after being tossed around like that, he didn't wake up! Amazing… he looks super comfy there! Almost like a luxury pillow!"
Rimuru shot him a sideways glance that said: keep talking and you'll sleep in the stables for a week.
"Let's get moving before it gets dark…" she decreed.
Ranga took the first step, and the trio began walking back through the trees, the path lit by thin streams of golden light filtering through the leaves. The atmosphere was calm enough to make it seem nothing else would happen that day. Only Ranga's steady breathing, the rustle of leaves, and Gobta's occasional random comments filled the air.
They walked for a few minutes—long enough for Rimuru to start thinking they might reach home without any further incidents…
…until a sharp sound echoed through the forest.
A dry, violent impact, followed by a muffled crash.
Rimuru raised her head at once.
Ranga stopped without needing an order.
Gobta turned with wide eyes.
"Rimuru-sama… that… was that a big beast screaming or a big beast dying?"
"Sounds more like a big beast dying…" Rimuru commented, narrowing her eyes.
"Which is worse!" Gobta finished, instantly panicking.
"Let's check," Rimuru decided.
They changed direction, following the sound, and only a few more steps were needed for the next clearing to reveal itself—and with it, the scene Gobta had mentioned minutes earlier.
There really was a fight going on.
An insectoid, clearly an insect-type monster, lay on the ground, breathing irregularly. It was about one and a half meters tall, with a robust body that looked like a hybrid between a stag beetle and a natural-armored warrior. Its shiny brown exoskeleton was cracked in places, and one of its large mandibles appeared damaged.
Despite that, its posture—even while fallen—had something dignified. Something valiant.
Beside it lay the corpse of a blade tiger, and that made everyone stop.
"Blade tiger…" Ranga murmured. "A high-rank monster."
Gobta's eyes widened, impressed.
"He beat that thing?! But… he's so… tiny!"
"Gobta, he's almost your size…" Rimuru commented, rolling her eyes.
"EXACTLY! How does someone my size beat something like that?! That's illegal!"
Rimuru ignored Gobta's hysteria and stepped closer.
The insectoid abruptly raised its head, its compound eyes glowing with menacing red. As soon as it noticed the approach, it let out a shrill hiss and raised its claws, trying to attack despite its wounds.
"Whoa, easy—!"
It lunged.
Ranga reacted instinctively, moving like a shadow. He placed himself in front of Rimuru with an agile leap, his back fur bristling as a deep growl vibrated in his throat.
The insectoid crashed into him, but the impact was far too weak to really hurt. Even so, the beetle kept trying, as if it didn't care if it died there as long as it stopped whoever was approaching.
Rimuru raised her hand.
"Enough. We're not here to fight."
The insectoid hesitated for just a second—long enough for Rimuru to realize there was rationality behind that attack.
Rationality… and desperation.
It was then that a second, faint sound rose behind them.
"W-wait…"
The voice was small. Trembling. But clear enough to make everyone turn at once.
Behind a fallen rock, a second insectoid peeked out—smaller, about a foot tall, resembling a garden wasp. In any other context, it would be nightmare fuel for someone from Rimuru's original world. But now… it was so weak, so injured, it couldn't even fly. Its abdomen had deep cracks, and part of its wings were shredded.
Even so, its eyes shone with awareness.
"Don't attack… please… He… he just wants… to protect me…"
Rimuru blinked.
"Oh…"
The first insectoid, the beetle, seemed almost to collapse when it heard the small one's voice. Its posture changed subtly—not like a warrior bracing for battle, but like someone who no longer knew if it could stay standing.
"…I'm sorry," the beetle murmured in the monster tongue, but Rimuru, thanks to her abilities, understood perfectly. "I… can't protect you anymore… I fled with you from the tiger… but… this is the end."
The smaller wasp tried to drag itself closer, but its strength was minimal.
"No… don't blame yourself… You fought. You were still… strong…" The creature turned its trembling head toward Rimuru. "You… are strong. You… will protect us?"
Rimuru froze.
Ranga pricked his ears, alert.
Gobta blinked slowly, as if trying to keep up with the emotional depth of the scene but clearly failing.
"Rimuru-sama… they're… like… adopting us?"
Rimuru didn't answer right away. Instead, she observed more closely.
Even on the verge of death, the beetle tried to stay between them and its injured companion. Even without strength, the wasp tried to speak. Even without logical reason, both showed loyalty and courage.
That touched her young-lady heart in a way she hadn't expected.
"I can't just let you die," Rimuru said at last. "Not after seeing this."
The insectoids glanced at each other—or gave the impression of doing so, since their eyes didn't work exactly like a human's.
An idea sprang into her mind.
"You two can gather nectar or something like that, right?"
The beetle answered first, even as it nearly fainted.
"…Yes."
"We can…" the smaller wasp completed.
Rimuru smiled.
"Perfect. That gives me a good reason to help you. Pay attention—I'm going to treat you now."
She extended her hand, briefly assuming her slime form, producing a bit of her pure gelatinous body—regenerative cells controlled with mastery. Part of that essence began mixing with fragments of demon steel she extracted from her internal stock, molding sturdy plates, replacing broken portions of the beetle's exoskeleton and reinforcing the little wasp's.
Both shuddered at once, as if a wave of life coursed through their bodies.
Then Rimuru completed the process with strong healing potions, carefully pouring them over both.
The cracks began to close.
The wings slowly recomposed.
Breathing grew less labored.
In a few minutes, both were alive and, surprisingly, stronger than before.
"There," Rimuru said, standing up and placing her hands on her hips. "From today on… you're part of my group. If you want."
The beetle rose fully, now with an even more majestic posture than before.
The wasp tilted its head in reverence.
"Then I think we have a deal," Rimuru finished.
"Yes…" the beetle murmured, moved. "Master…"
"As you wish," Rimuru said, trying not to look pleased with the immediate respect.
She thought for a moment.
"You," she pointed at the beetle, "will be called Zegion."
The insectoid paused, as if the name carried symbolic weight, then bowed deeply in acceptance.
"And you…" Rimuru looked at the smaller wasp, which seemed to vibrate with excitement. "will be called Apito."
The creature made a light sound, like a joyful chime.
She immediately felt her [Magicules] being used to name the monsters.
In this world, Names are one of the fundamental properties, alongside Titles and Divine Protections. Like Titles, Naming works differently for humans and non-humans.
Initially, Naming is usually only capable of establishing master-servant relationships. However, it is far more versatile than one might imagine: individuals of equal status can name each other, individuals can self-name, and one can also name the subordinates of others. In other words, as long as the proper conditions are met, Naming can have lasting and strategic utility.
Historically, Human Naming seems to hold no intrinsic value, like Human Titles, serving only to recognize someone as an individual with their own identity. Due to the way their society functions, humans normally receive names at birth from parents or someone close.
Well, unlike humans, monsters by default do not receive names, and naming them elevates their status. However, it is not entirely certain whether this rule applies in the same way to humans. Since humans already identify themselves through social norms, it is possible—but highly unlikely—that an unnamed human receiving a name from a superior being would obtain the same kind of effect as named monsters. If that were the case, it would explain why the human population generally remains weak: weak individuals naming other weak individuals would only result in equally weak individuals.
Unnamed monsters can receive Names granted by someone with high magical capacity. Upon gaining a Name, the monster becomes a Named Monster, obtaining much higher status, greater strength, and in many cases even evolution.
The stronger the Name granted, the greater the evolutionary leap for the named monster, and the stronger the named monster becomes, the more [Magicules] are drained from the namer to sustain that evolution.
Because naming requires magical energy, most people avoid doing it, as the energy spent is usually lost permanently, definitively reducing the namer's total magical capacity. In extreme cases, complete death can occur due to excessive loss of internal [Magicules].
Because it is so rare among monsters, the vast majority live their entire lives without a Name. Thus, any monster that is named becomes deeply grateful to its namer, often revering them as a king or even a god.
Finally, if the master dies, the named monster's status disappears along with them.
Naming requires an enormous amount of [Magicules]—nothing more. In other words, as long as the namer has sufficient magical energy to supply, naming can be performed. This means it can come from any source of magical energy, provided there is direct access to it…
Not that this was a concern for Rimuru, who seemed unconcerned about casually naming two monsters. She observed Zegion and Apito to see the changes from "Naming" them and noticed nothing unusual—probably it would take some time for them to evolve, maybe? She still didn't fully understand how the process worked, and that was saying something considering she had named countless monsters since reincarnating in this world as a Slime.
"Right," she said, drawing attention and crossing her arms with a satisfied air. "Now that we're formally introduced… I need to do one more thing before taking you to the settlement."
"One more thing?" Gobta tilted his head, curious but also worried because, to Gobta, "one more thing" almost always meant more physical work.
"Yep. I need to talk to someone…"
Rimuru quickly contacted Treyni through her [Thought Communication] skill.
And then the presence appeared.
A light scent like morning dew mixed with ancient wood covered the clearing. The surrounding light took on a greenish tint, and a translucent figure began to materialize among the trees, as if born from the trunk of an oak itself.
Treyni, the Dryad guardian of that part of the forest, appeared with her calm and welcoming expression. Emerald-green eyes settled first on Rimuru, and her gentle smile appeared, as it always did when speaking with her.
"Rimuru-sama. You called?" Her voice was sweet, resonating like leaves touched by a light breeze. "Did something happen?"
Rimuru stepped aside, revealing Zegion and Apito, who immediately bowed their heads in instinctive respect. Dryads were not beings to be treated lightly.
"I found these two almost dead," Rimuru explained. "And… well, I decided to help. Turns out they're pretty useful with special flowers."
Treyni approached with interest. Her feet barely touched the ground; she seemed to float slightly, as if the earth dared not resist her presence.
"Ah…" Her eyes sparkled with recognition upon seeing the metallic reinforcements Rimuru had created on their exoskeletons.
"It turns out the rare plants I found earlier—the ones that only grow in high-magicule environments—bloomed easily in my settlement…"
"Well… whatever the reason, it works. And I had an idea based on that. Apito is pretty smart, and Zegion is… insanely strong." She glanced at the beetle, who straightened as if that were the greatest compliment he could receive. "The two of them together would be perfect for collecting nectar and bringing those rare plants to me."
Treyni nodded in understanding. "You want my permission for them to collect flowers under my supervision."
"Always good to ask first, right?" Rimuru smiled. "Besides, I don't want other creatures getting scared thinking I'm sending a squad of super-powered insects to rob the whole garden."
The Dryad let out a light laugh that sounded like bells swaying in the wind.
"Of course you have my permission. If they are your subjects… then they are part of this forest too." Her eyes settled on Zegion and Apito. "You two will be welcome here, as long as you respect the natural cycle."
The insectoids immediately bowed their heads in agreement.
Rimuru placed her hands on her hips, satisfied.
"Great. With that settled… let's organize duties." She pointed with her finger, first at Zegion. "You, big guy, will be in charge of guarding the rare flowers and plants that Apito collects. No letting other monsters steal them."
Zegion clicked his mandibles firmly.
"Yes, Master. Protecting… is my specialty."
Rimuru smiled the way one does when talking to a giant dog and finding it far too cute to hide.
"And you, Apito," she turned to the smaller wasp, who seemed almost to vibrate with excitement, "will search for the rare flowers I mentioned. The ones that only grow where magicule concentration is high…"
Apito tilted its head, its antennae moving.
"Understood. I will seek nectar… and bring treasures… for Master."
"Good." Rimuru crossed her arms, satisfied. "You'll deliver the spoils to me regularly. That way I can do what I need with them."
Gobta raised his hand like a student in class.
"Rimuru-sama… does this mean we now have… a premium collection team?! Like an elite insect unit?!"
"No need to give it a ridiculous name, Gobta."
"Elite Flower-Slaughter Unit?"
"Worse."
"Super Ninja Forest Collectors?"
"Gobta."
"Okay, stopping… stopping…"
Rimuru pressed her forehead, exasperated. Treyni laughed lightly, clearly amused by the interaction.
"Right," Rimuru concluded. "Zegion, Apito… if you have any problems in the forest, talk to Treyni. After that, if you want, you can head to the settlement to meet the rest of the group. But for now… do what I said."
"Yes, Master," the two answered in unison.
Treyni placed a hand over her chest and gave a delicate bow.
"I will look after them as well, Rimuru-sama."
"Thank you, Treyni."
The Dryad then slowly dissolved into green particles, returning to the trees as if she had been only a dream.
Rimuru turned back to her new subordinates.
"You have duties now. Don't make me regret helping you, okay?"
"Never," Zegion hissed with the solemnity of a warrior swearing eternal loyalty.
Apito made a melodic, enchanted sound.
Rimuru smiled—a small but sincere smile.
"Cool. Now… back home."
She jumped back onto the gigantic wolf's body and gave a light tap on Ranga's neck.
"Ranga, let's go."
"Yes, Rimuru-sama."
The giant wolf began to walk, carrying both Rimuru and Kazuya at once. The sun filtered through the leaves, illuminating the way home. Gobta ran behind with awkward steps.
Zegion and Apito watched for a few moments, then exchanged a silent glance—or something resembling one—and began their tasks with the firm, absolute loyalty that only monsters reborn under Rimuru's power could possess.
_________________
(A/N: Here is the first chapter of Kazuya's continuation story, everyone! I hope you enjoy it. The timeline takes place shortly before Milim's arrival, and I believe Kazuya's first major fight will be against her.
Regarding him already having obtained all his Angelic and Demonic Final Skills, a more detailed explanation will be provided throughout the story. Some of these skills were born from the various authorities and NP he possessed, something reminiscent of Rimuru's Azathoth and Shub-Niggurath, but with completely distinct mechanics and powers. I don't want to give too many spoilers, but it was thanks to the Lord of Folly that Kazuya was able to acquire all the Angelic and Demonic skills, including [Michael], currently in Feldway's hands. I am even considering removing Feldway from the world, as if he never existed, and placing Kazuya in his place. As for Yuuki, to me he was much more villainous, as was Rudra.
I also want to clarify the matter of the Longinus, which became Final Skills. This will be explained later, but you can rest assured: the world where [Chaldea] is located is safe. In the future, I plan to bring some Servants to evolve alongside him and even create a kind of nation, in the style of Rimuru. I have many ideas to explore.
Ah, and you have probably already noticed that, in this world, Rimuru is a woman. But this is not a simple gender swap — it's as if a woman had taken the place of Satoru Mikami. Her personality is similar to the original Rimuru, but with some subtle differences that will be explored in the upcoming chapters.
Finally, I am still developing how Kazuya can evolve into a Demon Lord and even reach the stage of True Dragon. Although it is extremely complex (any suggestions are welcome?), impossible under normal circumstances, he possesses True Magics and the Root of Fate, which technically make anything possible.
In short, this story will be very detailed, and my goal is to create something truly amazing. I hope you enjoy each chapter as much as I am enjoying writing them!
It will progress quite slowly, but I promise the plot will advance, and I will consolidate the story with the day-to-day style of Tensura.
And most importantly… Which harem of this world do you want? I want to develop a romance that is well-executed and not hand-fed like in the DxD arc.)