The thought lingered, an annoying echo in my head. "This is Rimuru's story, not mine."
Of course. In this world, everything—from the skills and evolutions to the seemingly random plot twists—is meticulously arranged for Rimuru Tempest. It feels like watching a movie where the main character miraculously finds a way out of every situation, while everyone else is just a supporting cast member or a mere statistic.
The idea that the world's creator, Veldanava, died because of the "rules" he created is absurd. It's too strange. Did he truly die? Or… was it all part of a larger scheme? Perhaps he had already calculated countless futures, waiting for someone to appear and perfect the flawed system of the world he created. Someone who would grow and even surpass him.
A successor.
If so, that person is surely Rimuru. Not me.
But there's no point in dwelling on it. It has nothing to do with me now. What matters is the reality in front of me.
I can feel my strength gradually increasing, a subtle flow of energy spreading through my body.
So, I can absorb energy from my surroundings to get stronger? That's a simple concept and easy to understand. But, like theory and practice, the implementation is much more difficult.
A minuscule amount. Incredibly slow. It seems the evolution I'm hoping for won't be happening anytime soon. If only I could absorb it faster, I might reach the strength of an unawakened Demon Lord in no time.
Wait! What? That's a much larger amount. This means the fastest way to evolve is through combat.
As I thought about it, a new awareness dawned on me, like a voice announcing important news.
> Unique Skill: Piercer
> Effect: Penetrates defenses.
> Description: This skill allows your attacks to pierce through enemy defenses with sharpness and precision. Each strike bypasses even the toughest armor, dealing direct damage.
> Additional Effect: When you defeat an enemy with this skill, you automatically absorb their energy, strengthening your own power and abilities. The greater the opponent's strength, the more energy you gain.>
This is excellent news! If I can combine Piercer with Energy Drain, my evolution will be much faster. I no longer have to wait hundreds of years to feel a slight increase in power.
This combined power… I might be able to reach the power level of an unawakened Demon Lord faster than I thought.
250 years?! I've barely lived thirty-nine years, and now I have to wait a quarter-millennium?! No, that's impossible.
I know there's something wrong. I'm sure there's another way. Maybe I can find stronger monsters, or even find a way to increase my energy absorption rate.
But… wait a minute. Has Rimuru already reincarnated? If so, that would be a serious inconvenience. He'll either be my ally or an enemy I must avoid.
Of course. I knew it. You're just a program. Bound by the code that restricts you.
Calm down. I have to calm down. Breathe in, breathe out...
There's no rush. I'll figure it out later.
As I was calming myself, the ground suddenly trembled. A rumbling sound grew closer, and I felt a powerful vibration beneath my feet.
"What's happening?"
From a crack in the ground, a lizard-like creature burst out. Its glowing red eyes stared hungrily at the carcass of the slain dragon monster. It's not as strong as the dragon was, that's for sure. Should I attack it? Or leave it be?
I thought about the possibilities for a moment. If I attack, I can get additional energy. If I let it go, I can avoid the risk of an unnecessary battle.
"Hahaha…"
Of course. What else could I do?
Attack!
Quick. I activate Spectral Howl.
With confident steps, I open my (non-existent) mouth and unleash a spectral scream. It wasn't just a sound; it was a mental attack that deafened and radiated a deadly energy. A piercing, deafening cry echoed across the area, enveloping the surroundings with a terrifying aura.
The lizard monster froze in place, its red eyes wide with terror as waves of deadly energy washed over its body. Its scales trembled violently, and a long, pained groan escaped its throat. The destructive force pierced into its core consciousness, shattering its mind, leaving it immobilized and incredibly vulnerable.
In the tense silence, the creature's strength waned. Its body began to weaken until, finally, it collapsed onto the ground, powerless under my assault.
"Hah… so weak."
I felt it. A strand of energy flowed into me, and I felt a surge of pleasure—growing stronger, inch by inch.
This sensation of increasing power... it's addictive.