Drip, drip, went the sound of water deep within the cave.
Christian's core sensed faint life fluctuations.
His gelatinous body merged with the water flow, moving silently through narrow rock crevices.
Ahead, a faint light streamed into the cave entrance.
"Go, heading towards the light can't be wrong," Christian thought to himself.
Outside the cave was a group of short, green-skinned, pointed-eared creatures.
"These are Goblins!"
The Goblins surrounded a wooden cage, which held several humans.
The humans were dressed in rags, their eyes filled with terror, trembling uncontrollably. The Goblins brandished crude weapons and yelled.
"Alert. Target confirmed: Goblin settlement. Status: Alert. Emotions: Excitement, greed."
"Alert. Target confirmed: Human captives. Status: Weak. Emotions: Fear, despair."
The core unconsciously began to ponder.
"Humans of this world? Language? Civilization?" Information continuously flooded into Christian's mind.
Suddenly, the sensation of hunger struck again.
"Alert. Magic power needed. Goblins have faint magic power."
'Great Sage'. Solutions?
"Solution: Solution One: Retreat. Low risk. Zero gain. Solution Two: Intervene. Medium risk. Gain: Acquire intelligence. Possible acquisition of magic power source."
"Then intervention it is, let's just level up first." Objective: Rescue humans. Acquire information. Devour Goblins.
'Water Flow Movement'. Activated.
The blue gelatinous substance submerged into the ground's water flow, clinging to the rock wall and moving towards the cave's shadows.
The Goblins didn't notice, their attention fixed on the captives.
'Omni-Perception' locked onto the nearest Goblin, which was separated from the group.
'Predator' activated. Target: Goblin.
An invisible force field expanded, and a suction force erupted.
The Goblin's body stiffened, its feet lifted off the ground. It was instantly dragged into the shadows. The blue gelatinous substance enveloped it. It vanished. Silently.
"Alert. Goblin individual acquired. Analysis commencing."
"Alert. Analysis complete. Information acquired: Basic language (Fiore language). Skill acquired: 'Throw (Inferior)'. A small amount of magic power acquired."
A stream of information poured in. Language knowledge continuously flooded into his mind. Fiore language mastered!
The hunger subsided, and his magic power slightly increased.
"I didn't expect the little Goblins to be so weak, so let's just keep going on and on." Approaching the shadows. 'Predator' activated. The blue gelatinous substance consumed the little Goblins one by one.
"Alert. Goblin individual acquired. Analysis complete. Information acquired: Local geography (near Harujion). A small amount of magic power acquired."
Harujion?
Two Goblins disappeared. The other Goblins finally noticed the anomaly.
"Who?!" "Something's here!"
The Goblins became agitated, raising their weapons and searching for the enemy.
In the shadows, the blue gelatinous substance dispersed, wriggled, and then coalesced.
The Goblins saw it. Blue. Translucent. Jelly-like. No facial features.
"A monster?!" "A Slime?"
Fear replaced excitement. The Goblins retreated.
Christian's core drove him forward. Water elements condensed at the front of his body. 'Water Blade' activated.
Three compressed water droplets. Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Thud! Thud! Thud!
The water droplets accurately struck the heads of three Goblins. The impact forced the Goblins to the ground, unconscious.
The other Goblins were terrified for a moment. They shrieked and fled in all directions.
'Water Flow Movement'.
The blue gelatinous substance liquefied, and the water flow rapidly spread. Christian pursued the fleeing Goblins, coiling around their ankles. 'Predator' activated.
The suction force devoured the Goblins. One. Two. Three--- The remaining Goblins shrieked in despair, caught and devoured by the water flow.
"Alert. Goblin individual acquired. Analysis complete. Information acquired: Goblin nest location. A small amount of magic power acquired (total amount increased). Status: Magic power abundant."
The battle ended.
The humans in the wooden cage stared, dumbfounded, at the blue Slime.
The Slime hopped closer to the wooden cage.
'Analyze and Appraise'. Wooden cage structure. Ordinary wood. Iron lock.
'Water Blade' condensed. Aiming at the iron lock's core. Compressed water flow.
Whoosh! Snap!
The water flow struck precisely. The iron lock deformed and broke.
The cage door opened.
The human captives hesitated, afraid to come out.
Christian's core vibrated, emitting a sound.
"The Goblins have been dealt with. You are free."
The humans froze. The Slime spoke?
A brave man cautiously crawled out of the cage. "Thank... thank you... Monster Lord?"
"I have a name. I am Christian. Not a monster, but a Slime."
"Lord Christian? Thank you!" The man bowed. The others followed, expressing their gratitude.
"Solution: Information acquired: Human reaction (awe). Confirmed unimpeded language communication."
"Where is this place?" Christian asked.
"An underground cave near Harujion, Lord," the man replied. "We are merchants captured by Goblins."
"Which way should I go to get to Harujion?"
The man pointed to a passage. "That way. It leads to the forest outside the city. Head east from there, and you'll reach Harujion Port."
"Thank you," Christian's core responded.
The blue gelatinous substance turned towards the passage. 'Water Flow Movement'. It merged into the damp traces on the ground and disappeared.
The humans, survivors of the ordeal, looked at each other.