The cave hummed with a new, profound energy. The Voice of the World had fallen silent, its blessing bestowed. The Demiurgos family stood with a newfound clarity, their powers now neatly categorized within this world's framework, though the sheer depth of those categories was staggering.
Veldora, the Storm Dragon, let out a rumble that was more thoughtful than boastful. "So, the great system itself has named you. 'Sage,' 'Lord,' 'Demigod'... titles worthy of your essence! This is a momentous occasion! To think my imprisonment would lead to such an intriguing encounter."
The blue slime, still pulsing with a mixture of awe and trepidation, jiggled slightly. « A-All of that power... and they seem so calm about it. »
It was Professor Paradox who spoke first, his voice a calming anchor in the cave of wonders. "Knowledge before action, Sir Dragon. We are travelers, newly arrived. The Voice of the World has given us the 'what' of our abilities, but not the 'where' or 'why.' You seem to be a being of significant standing. Would you enlighten us?"
A wide, draconic grin spread across Veldora's face. He was a being who loved the sound of his own voice, and to have such a captive, powerful audience was a dream come true. "ENLIGHTEN YOU? BUT OF COURSE! It is my duty as a True Dragon to educate distinguished guests such as yourselves! Listen well, for I, Veldora, shall recount the grand tale of this world!"
He cleared his throat with a sound like rolling thunder.
"First, you must understand the hierarchy of existence! At the very apex are we, the True Dragons! Beings of ultimate power, manifestations of the world's core phenomena. I am Veldora, the Storm Dragon, embodiment of destruction and tempests! My sister, Velgrynd, is the Scorch Dragon, and my other sister, Velzard, the Ice Dragon. We are the pinnacle!" He puffed out his chest, the seals on the wall glowing faintly in response to his pride.
"The world is rich with races," he continued, his tone becoming more lecturing. "You have your mortal races: Humans, Elves, Dwarves, Beastfolk. Then, the more powerful Monster races: Ogres, Orcs, Lizardmen, and so on. Evolution is a key law here! A being can evolve through the accumulation of magicules and a strong will, or by being named by a more powerful entity, which grants them a portion of that power and accelerates their growth tremendously!"
He gestured with his snout towards the blue slime. "My new friend here, for instance, is a humble Slime. But with the right guidance and power, who knows what it could become?"
« Evolution... Naming... This is all so complex, » the slime thought, its form quivering with intense focus.
"Then," Veldora's voice dropped to a more serious, almost dramatic whisper, "there are the major powers that shape the continents. There is the Jura Forest, a region in my protection and houses ogres, lizardmen, direwolves, goblins and many other low level monsters. To the West, you have the scheming Sorcerer's Dynasty of Sarion, ruled by Elves. The Farmus Kingdom of greedy humans, and the holy Luminism religion that worships Luminous, the Queen of Nightmares—a powerful Vampire who fancies herself a saint."
Arthur crossed his arms, his Stardust Energy humming softly in appreciation. "So, political factions and racial tensions. Some things are universal."
"Indeed!" Veldora boomed. "But beyond them are the truly formidable forces. The Demon Lords' Council. These are beings of immense power who have been recognized as calamities. Some, like the Destroyer Dragonoid Milim Nava, are childish but devastatingly powerful. Others, like the scheming Clayman, are insects with delusions of grandeur. And then there is Guy Crimson, the Primordial Red... the first and most powerful of all."
Lyra's eyes lit up with a researcher's fervor. "[Demon Lords].Is there a rank? A classification of their power by this 'Voice'?"
"Precisely, Lady Lyra!" Veldora affirmed. "The Voice of the World grants skills and ranks based on one's power and deeds. From the common Extra Skills, to the powerful Unique Skills, and the pinnacle, the Ultimate Skills, which embody a fundamental law of the world. What you all received are at least Unique and some have Ultimate Skills, marks of the highest order!" He says eying Me, Grandpa, and Grandma.
Seraphina, who had been silently observing the flow of Spritrons in the air, spoke softly. "And the energy that fuels this all? These 'Magicules'?"
"The lifeblood of the world!" Veldora explained. "All magic, skills, and the very strength of monsters is drawn from them. We True Dragons are natural generators of them. Holy Magic, used by humans and spirits, draws upon a different, purer source, often in opposition to demonic and monstrous magicules."
Phanes had been quietly processing everything, his [Ultimate Law-Giver Uriel] cross-referencing Veldora's words with the data from the Voice of the World. "So, the major players are the True Dragons, the Eight Star Demon Lords, and various human and monster nations. And all of this is governed by the system of the Voice of the World, which assigns skills and ranks based on power and achievement."
"YOU SUMMARIZE IT WELL, YOUNG SAGE!" Veldora laughed. "And now, you five arrive, each bearing Ultimate Skills that defy easy categorization. The other Dragons and Demon Lords will have felt the Voice's announcement. They know new, powerful players have entered the stage, but they do not know who you are, what you look like, or what you can do. You are the world's greatest mystery at this moment."
He leaned his massive head forward as far as the seal would allow, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "So, the question remains, O Travelers of the Void. What will you do now? Will you seek power? Knowledge? Will you involve yourselves in the squabbles of mortals and demons? Or will you remain as observers?"
The cave fell silent, the weight of the dragon's question hanging in the air. They now had a map of this new world, its dangers and its opportunities.
Professor Paradox looked at his family, then back at Veldora and the slime. "We will observe. We will learn. And we will decide our path based on understanding, not impulse." He then offered a small, timeless smile to the slime. "And it would be rude not to properly introduce ourselves to our immediate hosts. I am Professor Paradox. This is my family."
The blue slime, emboldened by the respectful tone, pulsed warmly. « It's an honor. I... don't really have a name yet. I was just a human before I ended up here. »
Veldora's eyes widened, a grand, dramatic idea clearly dawning on him. "A HUMAN SOUL IN A SLIME? AND NOW IN THE PRESENCE OF SUCH COSMIC BEINGS! This is fate! This calls for a momentous occasion! A naming! I, Veldora, shall grant you a name, to mark this historic meeting!"
He took a deep, theatrical breath, magicules swirling around him. "From this day forth, you shall be known as... RIMURU! A name fit for a slime who is friends with a True Dragon and has witnessed the arrival of visitors from beyond! Let it be known!"
A surge of immense power flowed from Veldora into the slime. The cave filled with a brilliant light as the slime, now named Rimuru, began to evolve, his form shimmering and growing more defined under the influx of magicules.
The Demiurgos family watched, intrigued. They had just received a comprehensive briefing on the world's geopolitics and power structure, and were now witnessing one of its fundamental mechanics in action. Their vacation in this new universe had just become infinitely more interesting.
Veldora's proclamation echoed through the cave, charged with the weight of a True Dragon's power. A torrent of brilliant, violet-hued magicules, dense with the attribute of the storm, erupted from him and poured into the small blue slime. The air crackled with ozone and raw, naming energy.
"I NAME THEE, RIMURU!"
The slime's form, once a simple, translucent blue, began to glow with an intense inner light. It shuddered and expanded, its core swirling violently as it processed the immense power. The Demiurgos family watched with keen interest, their enhanced perceptions analyzing the fascinating process.
[Great Sage] activation confirmed. Processing naming energy. Evolution initiated.]
Rimuru's form solidified, growing slightly larger and taking on a more defined, gelatinous shape. His blue color deepened, and faint, shimmering patterns, like those of gathering storm clouds, swirled within his body. The Voice of the World announced his new status to him.
[Individual 'Slime' has evolved into 'Storm Slime.']
[Acquired Extra Skill: Danger Prediction.]
[Acquired Extra Skill: Analyst.]
[Acquired Extra Skill: Spiritual Attack Nullification.]
[Unique Skill 'Great Sage' has integrated Extra Skill 'Analyst.' Proficiency consolidated.]
« Woah! I can feel it! So much data! » Rimuru's voice was clearer, more confident now. « Great Sage is even faster! And I can sense incoming threats and spiritual energy feels… harmless? This is amazing! Thank you, Veldora! »
"FUHAHAHA! OF COURSE! It is only fitting for my friend!" Veldora boomed, though a touch of strain was evident in his voice from the energy expenditure.
Phanes stepped forward, his [Ultimate Law-Giver Uriel] having already completed a full scan of the [Infinite Prison] seal. "The bond is forged. It would be poor form to leave one's new friend in a cage." He looked at his family. "The seal is a complex weave of holy and spatial magicules, designed to contain a specific chaotic, draconic energy signature. A coordinated, precise application of opposing force should unravel it without causing a catastrophic release."
"A simple matter," Seraphina stated, her fingers already tracing patterns in the air, rewriting the [Infons] that defined the seal's integrity.
"I'll handle the energy backlash," Arthur grunted, his [Event Horizon Aura] flaring to life, ready to absorb any stray power.
"I shall ensure the temporal stability of the area during the transition," Paradox added, a pocket watch materializing in his hand.
Lyra simply grinned. "And I'll make sure the pieces don't fly everywhere." She prepared a localized [Reality Nova] to disintegrate the fragments of the seal.
With a silent nod, they acted. Seraphina's infon edit created a critical weakness in the golden barrier. Phanes and Arthur simultaneously applied a push-pull of cosmic and anti-magical force at that exact point. Paradox froze the resulting energy surge in a micro-temporal bubble, which Lyra then neatly erased. The process was silent, surgical, and took less than a second.
The glowing golden bars flickered, shattered into motes of light, and vanished.
Veldora stood frozen for a moment, disbelief on his draconic features. Then, he took a tentative step forward. Then another. The chains were gone.
"I… I'M FREE!" His roar of jubilation shook the entire cave, but this time, it was a roar of pure, untainted joy. He turned to the family, his demeanor shifting from a boastful dragon to one of genuine, profound gratitude. "You have my thanks. Truly. To be freed from that prison… the debt I owe you is immense."
He then looked at Rimuru, his expression softening. "And you, Rimuru. To think our meeting would lead to this."
The newly evolved Storm Slime bobbed happily. « We're friends, Veldora! That's what friends do! »
A slightly awkward, almost shy look crossed Veldora's face. "Rimuru… our bond is unique. A named monster and his progenitor. And now, freed by these magnificent beings… it feels… incomplete. A name is a powerful thing. You gave me my freedom. Perhaps… you should give me something in return? A name to mark our fellowship? A… a family name, perhaps?" He tried to sound nonchalant, but it came out as a tsundere's desperate plea.
Rimuru pulsed with understanding and warmth. « A family name… Of course! You are the Storm Dragon, Veldora. And now, you are free. You are a tempest unleashed upon the world once more. From now on, let your full name be Veldora Tempest! »
Another, smaller surge of energy passed between them, solidifying the name. Veldora Tempest puffed out his chest, his pride now mingled with a deep sense of belonging.
Inspired, Phanes smiled. "A fine name. It signifies a new beginning for you both. And as your allies and friends, we would be honored to share it." He looked at his family, who all nodded in agreement. "From this day, in this world, we shall carry a soul link with you friends."
This act of sharing a soul link, though faint, of willingly forming a bond, triggered something profound. A visible, shimmering chain of light, composed of soul matter, spiritual energy, and raw information, momentarily flickered into existence, connecting Veldora, Rimuru, and all five members of the Demiurgos family. It was a Soul Covenant, deeper than a mere pact.
The power that flowed through this new bond was immense and synergistic.
For Rimuru, it was another wave of evolution. His form glowed again, the storm patterns within him solidifying into beautiful, crystalline latticeworks that pulsed with cosmic and temporal energy.
[Individual 'Storm Slime' has evolved into 'Tempest Slime.']
[Acquired Extra Skill: Teleportation.]
[Acquired Extra Skill: Telekinesis.]
[Acquired Extra Skill: Foresight.]
[Acquired Extra Skill: Cosmic Energy Absorption.]
[Acquired Unique Skill: Hybrid Synergy.]
[Acquired Extra Skill: Spiritual Body Shift.]
« This is… incredible! » Rimuru thought, his form now radiating a calm, powerful aura. « I can feel space, I can move things with my mind, I can see seconds into the future! And this Hybrid Synergy… I can feel all the different energies inside me—Veldora's storm, the magicules, even traces of your cosmic and temporal power—and I can mix them! »
The blessing flowed both ways. The Soul Covenant, recognizing the Demiurgos family's already perfected natures, granted them complementary, foundational abilities of this world, refining their existing kits.
· Phanes acquired a low-end version of [Predation], allowing him to consciously consume and analyze matter and energy with more focus than his passive absorption.
· Professor Paradox found his [Time-Walker Tempus] skill had integrated a passive [Sage] ability, granting him constant, enhanced calculation and analytical power without the ego of a 'Great Sage'.
· Arthur gained [Magic Perception], allowing his cosmic senses to now actively 'see' the flow of magicules in the environment.
· Seraphina acquired [Shapeshift], the ability to alter her manifested form into any species or substance she had conceptually 'consumed' or analyzed with her [Infon Edit].
· Lyra received a refined version of [Analyst], further enhancing her already formidable research and deconstruction capabilities.
Veldora looked upon them all—his named friend, now a Tempest Slime brimming with new potential, and the extraordinary family who had freed him and joined his new clan. He let out a satisfied rumble.
"The Demiurgos family and Veldora Tempest," he declared, his voice filled with genuine emotion. "The world will know our names. But first," he grinned, "I believe a feast is in order! Rimuru, you must taste test for me!"
The cave, once a prison, was now a birthplace of a new and formidable alliance.