I put away Shizu's sword into the safety of my stomach. I was going to finish the job with Redhead's sword; it felt too fitting not to.

Now ready, I lunged again at my opponent but was handily deflected over and over. He was faster than he appeared, but I was faster still. Though, since I wasn't fighting to win right now, simply buying time, and distracting the Disaster while I collected energy with my other body, he was able to fend me off for now.

Any shallow injuries I inflicted on him healed almost immediately. This wasn't a problem, though; all I had to do was land a decisive blow.

I'd slice his head clean off.

I was sure I could do it. Being as small and fast as I was, getting close enough to do the job wasn't too much of a challenge. And, if I succeeded, this battle would be over.

So, using thought acceleration to properly plan out my attack, I made my move and again flung myself at my enemy. First feinting to bait a swing of his cleaver in a way that would make it nearly impossible for him to block me in time, I nimbly changed direction in a way only someone as elastic as me could do and…

I did it.

The Orc Disaster's head tumbled to the muddy ground.

I sprung back. My gut was telling me this wasn't over yet.

The Orc Disaster's sickly yellow-green aura surged out of the wound, extending to the detached head now being picked up by its body. Then, as the beheaded orc placed his head back onto the stump I made, it melded back together.

I wanted to laugh at myself for believing this would be that easy. Of course, someone with this freak's ability to heal wouldn't be downed by a simple beheading. I knew I wouldn't be, at least.

[[Notice: Further melee combat has been determined to be ineffective. Alteration in strategy advised.]] Great Sage almost seemed concerned for a moment since it had spoken without a prompt.

Yeah, I figured that out already, thanks.

If even my skill was worried about me, I really did need to calm down and change my approach.

At the same time, my body double was still ravaging the battlefield, collecting magicules for me. But, I needed to focus on my own fight.

I stopped and waited for the orc's next swing while still weighing my options.

As the cleaver was a meter from my head, I hooked it with the guard of The Redhead's Sword and tore the blade out of the beast's grip.

I managed to see and block a punch it reared back for me with its other arm as it lost its weapon.

What I didn't have time to see though, was more of the monster's aura wrapping around my legs as it coalesced at our feet; a dense mixture of both of our magicules pooling into the crater around us.

It had planned this. It was trying to eat me.

But that was its mistake.

The smile that had already been on my face this entire fight grew as I realized this was just what I wanted in that moment. Every cell in my body wanted this.

I wanted to eat the Orc Disaster.

I was going to eat him.

I needed it, so much so that I was quivering with excitement, the feeling mingling with my strong drive to wipe him from this world.

It was an odd combination.

You're going to eat me, huh? That's cute. I don't think there's any stomach big enough.

My thoughts were loud and clear, as both our auras were so neatly mixed together.

I could hear him too, screaming trying to get my attention.

As I stored Redhead's sword inside my [Stomach], The Orc Disaster's aura swirled and snaked around my body, entrapping me within it, or at least that's what I made it seem like. I was in no way trapped, if anything, I was the trap.

Because as soon as he had a grip on me, I melted and splattered all over him, sticking and clinging to the orc, spreading out and predating. Letting my instincts take over, I swelled and surrounded the leader of the orcs, to his panic.

But he fought back with his aura, which rotted away at me, but not fast enough to out-compete my [Ultraspeed Regeneration] and my growing energy from consuming his forces around us.

He was putting up a good fight, but I was stronger.

Our close contact led to him trying to speak to me again, but I was single-minded, only focusing on my drive to eat him. I didn't care about whatever excuses or pleadings he might be making as I slowly but surely pushed the predation in my favor.

I wouldn't listen to him, not after all he'd done.

Not after all those he took from me.

The orc began to resist much more powerfully, with a second wind. It wasn't winning, but I couldn't get what I wanted at this rate.

That was what brought me here, within our minds, having a conversation as we wrestled for control.

'So what's all this about? Haven't you already had enough?! You resigned to death a moment ago, but now you're putting in your all again…'

I would be spitting venom with my thoughts if I could.

"Let my people go! It is all I want, none of them deserve this! They were deceived, and I have failed them as a king! Please end their suffering!"

I could barely control my urge to kill him now, pleading like this after just staring at their suffering. It felt sickening and fake.

'If you really cared about them, then you wouldn't have come here! You wouldn't have made so many enemies! Both of us know you could have killed that insect whenever you wanted!'

"It is… You are right. It is my fault. I could've done more to resist Master and should have killed him sooner. I was simply blinded by the path he led me down…"

'Then fight as hard as you can, show me all the power you can! You'll still die either way, but I want to see what you have! If you give me that, I'll let your people go.'

"I–... What is your name?"

'My name is Rimuru Tempest.'

"Rimuru Tempest… My name is Geld, King of the Orcs. Please spare my people, in your own name. I concede my soul to you, please fulfill my duties in my stead."

It was his genuine feelings. So long as he held up his end of this, his people would have a place in the forest. I didn't want to fully lose myself to this drive for revenge.

What even was the point in killing the remainder of the orcs at this point? My main target was the Orc Lord, and I had already killed the majority of his forces. To bring an end to this stalemate, I thought that ending my rampage was a fair decision.

'I will spare those who are left, but I'm not doing it for you.'

"Then I'll give you the fight you want!" At that thought I felt the entirety of his rapidly growing aura crash into me, it was his last and final push. He even began to overpower me for a moment.

However, that was all it was. After only a few moments, he ran out of steam.

At that, all resistance stopped, and before either of us could say anything more, my skill had totally devoured the Orc Disas– no, Geld.

And with him gone, my fury suddenly drained away, replaced with exhaustion.

I felt good. I felt… full.

{Notice: The Individual Rimuru Tempest has inherited the blessing of the Great Spirit of Darkness, due to meeting the requirement of defeating one possessing this blessing.}

{Notice: Acquiring Unique Skill, Starved… Successful. Integration of Unique Skill, Starved, into Unique Skill, Predator… Successful.}

{Notice: Unique Skill: Predator, has met requirements to evolve into Unique Skill, Gluttony. Would you like to acquire Gluttony?}

Yes… I was too mentally exhausted to be cheery about it.

{Notice: Unique Skill, Predator, is evolving into Unique Skill, Gluttony… Successful.}

{Notice: Acquiring Extra Skill, Tempest Flame… Successful. Integrating Extra Skill, Dark Flame, into Extra Skill, Tempest Flame… Successful.}

{Notice: Extra Skill, Tempest Flame, has met requirements to evolve into Unique Skill, Chaos Blaze. Would you like to acquire Chaos Blaze?}

Huh? Redhead's skill… I-... Yes. I need something to remember him by.

{Notice: Acquiring Unique Skill, Chaos Blaze… Successful. Integrating Chaos Blaze as a subskill of Unique Skill, Gluttony… Successful.}

After that, the Voice of the World went quiet.

My surroundings were quiet as well, the remaining survivors of the orc army just simply staring at me from a 'safe' distance as I stood in the center of the marsh in human form.

The sun was rising, just starting to peek its way over the horizon. I hadn't remembered what time we'd started fighting, but I had thought I arrived at the ogre village around noon.

My head was swirling… no, my entire body was. My insides churned and flowed, a storm of tingling and almost-dizziness. That was what it felt like, at least.

[[Notice: a period of rest is advised to facilitate stabilization of newly acquired skills and magicules.]]

Well, I couldn't argue with that.

I didn't bother going somewhere else to rest, so I just sat down.

Then I went into [Sleep Mode], in my natural slime state, of course.

The clouds overhead that had been pouring a toxic rain over the battlefield dissipated, the previously painful water now harmless, made inert after the loss of the will controlling the magicules in it.

The rain didn't exactly let up, but it was at least hospitable. Although, climbing to a scouting position wouldn't be wise with occasional lightning strikes still happening. I had to inform my sisters to instruct lizardmen not to.

They and the goblins and direwolves were currently poking their heads out of the tunnels leading to the lizardmen's stronghold, whispering among themselves about if the battle was really over, and what happened to the orcs.

Some of the orcs were stirring, but after the death of the Orc Lord, the majority of them had passed out in the mud, overcome by the pain and poison.

And asleep in the middle of it all was a small, unassuming slime, barely visible between the reeds.

I manifested next to him, accompanied by my sisters. Trya leaned over, scrutinizing Rimuru's sleeping form cautiously.

"Is he safe to be near?" She asked, crouching and giving him a little poke.

I shook my head in exasperation, both at my younger sisters and at Rimuru, for taking a nap of all things in the middle of the marshes. I was certain this was because of his newly-acquired powers, but it was still exasperating to see.

"He's perfectly fine," I reassured my sister, bending down and scooping Rimuru into my arms.

Truthfully, I wasn't sure how he would react when he woke, having passed out in the midst of a life-or-death battle, and being fundamentally changed by his acquisition of the Seed of Darkness… but I would just have to trust the kind nature he had displayed before to win out.

"Honorable Dryads," I turned to see the Chieftain of the lizardmen, accompanied by his son and a young direwolf. He was not named, but if any monster in this forest was worthy of one, he was.

He dropped to the ground and kowtowed, followed by the two monsters next to him. "Forgive us for the interruption," the old lizardman said, "but has the danger passed?"

"Rise up," I commanded. The monsters obeyed, and I smiled, stroking Rimuru as I looked down at him. "Yes. The Orc Lord is no more. In its place is this young majin, Lord Veldora's appointed guardian of the forest, Named by him to carry out this duty."

The lizardmen and the direwolf stared in awe.

"But wait," the younger lizardman sputtered, "what of the majin who saved us from the orc inside the caves? Surely they are more powerful than a mere slime!"

I frowned but was saved from chastising him by the boy's father. The lizardman chief grabbed the three-pronged spear from his son's hands and whacked his head with the butt.

"That very majin is before you now!" He scolded. "Show some respect to the one who saved not only your life but our entire race!"

"I–I!" Huffing furiously, the lizardman knelt on one knee to the chieftain and clasped his hands together, "My apologies!"

I couldn't help but smile. This one had all the stubborn pride characteristic of monsterkind.

"Fool," the chief growled. Turning to us, he bowed to Rimuru in my arms and said, "Please forgive my son, exalted one. He has not yet learned to bridle his words."

The chief stared expectantly, but Rimuru didn't so much as stir.

"Hehe," I chuckled, patting Rimuru again. "Do not worry, noble Chief. He is asleep at the moment, and I will not reveal your son's folly."

"Ohhh!" The chieftain bowed again, "Thank you, esteemed Dryad!"

"Now then," I turned to the battlefield, where lizardmen, goblins, and direwolves were rounding up the conscious orcs, treating them quite harshly. Several thousand orcs still lay unconscious across the battlefield. "We must decide what to do going forward. Chief, how many allies are here now?"

"We have gathered here most of the forest's remaining direwolves and goblins, who fought with us against the orc invasion." The Chief answered.

"Bring together their leaders, and those of the orcs, however many are left," I instructed. "May we use your caverns as a meeting place?"

"Of course!" The Chief clasped his hands together with a bowed head. "We would be extremely honored to host you in our humble home. Son," he turned to the younger lizardman, "do as she says."

"I have a name, Father," the young lizardman huffed. "It's Gabiru." Despite his insistence, he turned and ran off immediately, skating gracefully across the boggy ground and, impressively, followed only slightly behind by the direwolf.

"Please follow me," the Chief gestured toward the island where the entrance to the lizardmen's caverns lay.

I nodded, carrying Rimuru as I walked alongside him and my sisters vanished, waiting to reappear at our destination.

After a moment of silence the Chief glanced toward me and said, softly, "Forgive me, but… what is that majin? It appears to be–...well…"

I smiled pleasantly. "I will be happy to explain that soon, but I wish to wait until everyone is gathered."

"Of course," he nodded respectfully, and we continued in silence.

The dryads and other races gathered in the largest cave of our stronghold, where I had given up my throne to the dryad and the remarkable young majin.

"What to do with the orcs?" One of my advisors spoke quietly into my ear, he was clearly angry.

However, I was more stoic. "That isn't a topic to keep to ourselves. The orcs are prisoners of war, and they are monsters just like us." I said it out loud.

I had been leading the discussion in the stead of Veldora's spawn, as the most commanding influence in the room outside of the dryads. However, I could tell that each of us had spared a stray glance for the strange slime.

He was still asleep, and that much I could tell from his aura.

A quieter voice spoke, the new head of the orcs. "If you must kill me, do so, and spare the rest." He was a dark brown orc, who I believed to be a simple lieutenant in the conflict. He surely wasn't one of those hulking generals.

"Punishment has yet to be determined, please stay quiet for now. If any are to pass judgment, you know who it will be." I glared lightly at the orc to keep him in place before looking back to the noble dryad Treyni.

She was sitting serenely, and gently stroking the slumbering slime in her lap. Normally a scene such as this would be an enchanting sight. Although, knowing what the slime was capable of, it was anything but.

"Our Lord has yet to wake." She spoke softly. She had not used such language in reference to the creature before, and I suspected a scheme.

From what little interactions we'd had, I knew her to be a deceptive one.

One with good intentions, but nonetheless deceptive.

The orc looked frightened and sat back down. "I apologize deeply, your Majesty."

"Esteemed Dryad," I turned to the one still holding the strange slime-majin. "Now that we are all here, will you tell us the nature of that majin, as you promised?"

"Of course," she smiled serenely. "His form is that of a slime," she said as she stroked him again, "but he is a creature born from Lord Veldora's magicules, the same as his older sister, Charybdis."

The eyes of everyone in the room bugged out, and a new atmosphere of respect came over us. Except the orc, who had dropped his head and wore a look of dread.

"The spawn of Veldora is a creature more formidable than I could have imagined," I said softly.

"Yes. He is a weapon, and a guardian, given to us as Lord Veldora's blessing until he returns." She agreed.

Ah, there it is. The Dryad referred to this powerful creature as a weapon, which I supposed was the aim of her scheme: to bend this young majin in service to the forest.

Lord Veldora likely had appointed him as guardian, but this Dryad was spinning things to take that a step further. Why else would she have gathered all the races here?

A small part of me pitied the sleeping creature.

The Dryad looked up, "I would like for each of you to come here, and swear loyalty to Lord Veldora's chosen Guardian of the Great Jura Forest before he wakes. It should guarantee your safety."

Before any of us responded to her declaration, the slime's aura stirred. Becoming at once highly aware of everything, before quickly hiding that clear sense of presence. It was a majestically impressive use of magic.

The slime sprung away from the dryad, and onto the ground in a form resembling a human. However, due to the perfection of the copy, and the color of many features, it was clearly fake.

The slime took a defensive stance as his golden eyes swung between each of us, his movements fluid in a way uncanny to the human shape he had taken.

"What's going on?" He spoke under his breath and had a tone harsher than I had been expecting, but one that made sense considering his origin.

The dryad Treyni, unfazed by the slime's defensiveness, stood up and gracefully walked over to him, placing her hand on the top of his mimicked head.

"We are having a meeting to decide the fates of the remaining orcs. I thought this a better place for you to rest than the middle of the swamp. Why don't you introduce yourself?"

The slime seemed to relax slightly and straightened, before quickly pushing Treyni's hand away.

"Rimuru Tempest." The slime says to those attending, taking a moment to look around the room again at everyone.

I felt his eyes cross over me, my son Gabiru, and my daughter the Head Guard, across the direwolves and goblins, before finally resting on the orcs.

The orc representative cringed under his gaze, and I did not envy his position.

After a long moment of silence, the slime spoke.

"Well, if we're discussing the fates of the orcs… spare them."

Even Treyni looked surprised by Rimuru's sudden and firm decision on the matter, let alone the rest of those attending.

Cutting over the sputtering of many of the leaders there, he continued. "War's over, make peace and just go home. It's not that hard."

"Where is this coming from, Lord Rimuru? You were set on revenge just yesterday." Treyni asked curiously.

"I've gotten my revenge. Now I say that the rest of the orcs go free. That's final."

The room was silent, unable to even react to the rashness of Rimuru's words.

"Oh… how many are left, by the way?"

The orc spoke again. "The storm spared only fifteen thousand."

Rimuru looked down, a hint of what I think was guilt in his golden eyes, although only for a moment.

"In that case, why don't you all work together to take care of each other? I'm sure the Jura Forest can take in that many orcs if you do that."

"Well," Treyni was absolutely glowing, and Rimuru looked alarmed by this. "What an excellent idea! We can put you in charge of this then?"

"Absolutely not." Rimuru's response was blunt and forceful.

"How else would you ensure they behave, Lord Rimuru?" Treyni took on that deceptive tone again.

"Stop that! And when did you start calling me 'Lord'? I'm nobody's 'Lord'." The slime looked irritated now and turned to leave, but the dryad put roots in front of the exit to the hollow.

"Rimuru Tempest." The dryad spoke more sternly, much like a mother would to her child.

The slime stopped, and stood straight up, seeming jolted in some small, amusing way. "What?"

"You need to come up with a way for them to stay in check, only then may you leave this forest again."

"Why? You put me up to this, you should be responsible for the cleanup."

That was surprising, however, I had suspected it. She had referred to the slime before as a weapon.

The dryad sighed. "I have an idea then. Name these monsters, the leaders of their kinds. They will remain loyal to you, and will gain the strength to keep their own in check." Treyni spoke softly, but it was an outlandish suggestion.

"Are you trying to kill me!? What, am I some kind of threat to you now, just like the Orc Lord was?" Rimuru snapped, both baffled and outraged.

"That is not my intention. With the strength you seem to have gained from consuming the Orc Disaster, I believe it would be no problem for you to name a few monsters. The benefits from you doing so would outweigh the costs." She paused. "If you name them, you may leave."

After a minute of pause, Rimuru relented. "Fine. But don't get it in your head that I'm doing it because you told me to."

"Will you accept?" Treyni turned and looked at all of us gathered here, and everyone nodded.

"Alright," Rimuru huffed in annoyance. "Whoever's getting named, step forward."

Since this would be Naming of the representatives of the races, I assumed it only made sense for the chieftains to receive the honor. I stood up and knelt on the ground, presenting myself to the guardian.

In the corner of my eye, I saw my daughter pull my jealous son back by the elbow.

The other races had a much more difficult time discerning who would be Named, particularly the goblins. After quite some time of deliberation among them, one of them ran up and prostrated himself at Rimuru's feet.

"Great Forest Guardian!" The nervous goblin stuttered, to which I noticed Rimuru look away uncomfortably, recoiling slightly. "I am the chief of the goblins, but I am of no use in a fight. Please, for the sake of my people, will you bless our strongest warrior as well!?"

As he spoke, the rest of the goblins shoved another one forward. He was visibly nervous, stuttering things like "No, guys, I'm not actually–! Well, you see, I don't need a Name, I'm strong enough right? So–!"

For some reason, this pitiful creature was visibly afraid to go near Rimuru… not that I couldn't understand the sentiment.

Rimuru looked down at the kowtowing goblin chief, then cast a scrutinizing glance at the candidate, who froze stiff the moment his gaze landed on him.

They looked equally uncomfortable, which was a somewhat amusing situation. After a moment, Rimuru simply nodded silently.

"Thank you, oh Great One!" The goblin representative shouted excitedly. I noticed Rimuru cringe back, only slightly, probably not enough for most others to notice.

"Alright, whatever," Rimuru sighed as the second goblin was shoved into line.

"Wait, wait!" My son called out, reaching a hand forward with the other held back by his sister.

"Gabiru," my daughter said sternly, "stop! Do not interrupt the ceremony, or Father will be angry!"

I cast a scolding glare at him for good measure, and that was enough to make him back down.

Rimuru glanced between the two of us for a moment, then shrugged and stepped in front of me. His lips moved, but I didn't hear anything yet–until he put his hand on me, and all of a sudden a rush of power like I'd never felt before engulfed my being.

The cavern disappeared. The other monsters disappeared. I even lost awareness of the Dryad, only able to hear the guardian's voice.

"Your name is Abiru."

All at once, the intense rush of energy stopped. I stumbled to my feet, drowsiness tugging at my limbs as I supported myself on my spear.

As best I could, I bowed to him and stumbled back to my place to watch the proceedings.

"Uh, you okay, man?" Rimuru's eyes followed me, concern in his voice.

"He will be fine, My Lord," the Dryad interjected pleasantly. "It is normal for monsters to require rest after acquiring large amounts of power."

Rimuru nodded, still unsure, but determined.

Standing next to the quivering direwolf, he repeated the process.

"Ranga."

Then he moved on to the goblins.

"Gobi." Unlike myself and the wolf, the goblin slumped from his kneeling position, already sound asleep.

"Gobta." The goblins' 'strongest warrior' stood perfectly straight. As soon as the power of the name entered him, his eyes closed, and he stiffly tipped forward, faceplanting flat at the feet of Rimuru.

I gestured to my son to move the goblins to a more comfortable place. First shooting me a petty look, he complied, picking each up under one arm.

"Well done, my Lord," the Dryad praised him, but Rimuru held up a hand to stop her.

"You there." He looked to the back of the chamber. "Orc. You need a name too."

"U-uh… I–I can't!" The orc representative threw himself to the floor. "I'm sorry, my Lord, but I am unworthy."

"And that means your people are unworthy of a protector?" Rimuru replied, walking forward until he stood right in front of the quivering orc.

"Your name is Orta."

"Your Majesty, you can't–" The orc, Orta, protested, but the power had already taken hold.

Presumably deciding his work was done, Rimuru turned away and began walking to the cavern's entrance. "I have business elsewhere, so I'm leaving now." He said shortly.

Authors' Note:

Hello, readers!

I bet you weren't expecting another chapter this quick, but we wanted to surprise you all! I hope you're liking the direction we're taking this story.

Also, I just wanted to remind you all that this story is a collaborative effort between three authors. Me, AgentT123, and WatcherMagic. Check out their other stories too if you like this one! :)

See you all in a month!

- Mu