With my Manipulator skill, I could transform my magicule energy and my undead energy into something that seamlessly merged with nature itself. This was a bold experiment, a step I took after thousands of hunts. I gathered all that energy into a single point, like collecting water in a basin, then slowly dispersed it, reshaping and integrating it.
"Libertas, what do you think?" I asked my unique skill, who had long been my only companion.
That brief answer was enough. It meant I was on the right path. My body felt like threads of energy woven together, as if I could unravel at any moment. The sensation was strange, but it gave me a new kind of power I had never felt before.
Now, it was time to hunt.
Under the bright moonlight, my silhouette moved slowly across the arid ground. My eyes, invisible to others, were alert for prey. I closed them for a moment, activating my Magic Perception to sweep the area. From the rustling of leaves moved by the wind to the faint tremors of the ground beneath my feet, not a single detail was missed. It all became valuable information that flowed into my mind.
I waited patiently, like a true predator. There was a certain vibe that reminded me of Rimuru hunting in the Great Cave, waiting for prey to come without needing to move. But I was different. I had to act, to track, and to kill in order to grow. With each successful hunt, I hoped to become stronger.
The wind began to howl softly, and there was a faint tremor underground. My target! I sensed a powerful presence. A monster with high Psychic Energy, probably a kind of Earth Golem. It must have good physical defense, but I knew its weakness.
"Rotten Torment Wind!"
I unleashed a wicked whirlwind that I had perfected. The vortex not only struck its target but also corrupted the surrounding environment. Waves of vile energy eroded the ground and air, creating a tremendous roar as the whirlwind crashed into a distant mound of dry earth. A terrifying, high-pitched scream accompanied the sound of the impact. The hard Earth Golem was torn apart, dust and rocks mixing with the blood that sprayed into the air.
The energy from the slain monster flowed into my body, feeling warm and fulfilling.
Ah, this feeling of power is truly intoxicating. To become stronger, constantly… this feeling is truly addictive.
Over a single night, the cries of despair from monsters and deafening explosions echoed in the distance. Though thrilling, I had to admit, this was mentally exhausting—continuously using magicules for hours, with energy intake and consumption out of balance.
Years passed…
I don't know how long I had been in this world. Time felt blurry. My energy began to face resistance, like trying to fill a bottle that was already full. No matter how much energy I took from defeated monsters, it just didn't seem to fit. Could this be a sign of evolution? If it was, would it make me more like Rimuru? I didn't know, but I had to keep moving.
I was still hunting alone, but there was one other creature that remained loyal to me. Fat Snake, the name I gave it because of its thick body, also diligently brought me monsters, though sometimes days or weeks apart. I appreciated its loyalty. It never rebelled or ran away, probably because it knew its place as a weaker being than me.
After some time…
I was so tired. My eyes felt heavy, as if they wanted to close. A sensation I had never felt since becoming undead. It seemed my body had reached its limit.
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My phantom eyes opened.
Hmm… is it finished? It feels like forever. Is this my new body? It feels awkward, like wearing new clothes that don't quite fit yet.
"Libertas! What am I?"
Alright, it might take some time to adapt. I tried to visualize myself. Unconsciously, a mirror formed from the empty air in front of me, creating a strange reflection that only I could see.
I saw myself. Quite terrifying—only empty white eyes and sharp, rotten teeth. I stood at about 189 cm, much taller than my previous life. My energy-blended body, dark blue and green, looked frightening. But appearance didn't matter. What was important was…
I clenched my fists. A pure sensation of power flowed. I swung my fist randomly at the rocks next to me.
Boom!
The rocks cracked, shattering into pieces.
With even a little energy, I was incredibly powerful. My magicule power, or what Rimuru's Great Sage called EP (Energy Point), was probably around 7,000-8,000, putting me in the Class B+ monster category. But true combat strength isn't just about numbers. With my new skills, I could probably fight evenly with a Class A- monster.
Years of killing had not been in vain. I had gained much combat experience. Sometimes battles were tough, sometimes easy. Now it was time to move. It was time to head to the Ocean. I could have gone there years ago, but I delayed because I heard the giants talking about Veldora, the Storm Dragon, being sealed.
I realized I was still far from the story's beginning. And that disturbed my hurried plans. I still had over 200 years before the story started, so I was determined to strengthen myself as much as possible. Oh, maybe it's embarrassing, but Fat Snake died while searching for the wrong prey. I felt a little sad. But that's how this world works—the strong prey on the weak.