Syl

Chapter 5: Trees and Information

On the way to the forest edge, I saw a rabbit nearby and attempted to grab it with a tendril, but sensing danger, the rabbit evaded and fled. I was only mildly curious since I remembered the slimes earlier chasing a rabbit, so I didn't bother pursuing it. My ability to move with haste was lacking; I could do short bounces or 'ripple' forward, and attempts to use my pseudopods didn't have noticeable improvements.

Trying to make the best use of the slow travel and not waste time, I continued practicing my pseudopod compression. I wondered if I could also work on getting my third pseudopod by adding some steps to my 'slime flex', so I added plenty of wiggles and would also periodically absorb and recreate the tendrils.

The forest was quite a sight and had plenty of vegetation and critters, and I made sure to grab a few plants as I progressed deeper in but noticed that they continued to give almost no slime mass.

'I guess the world doesn't want any vegetarian slimes.'

Eventually, I came across a dirt path cutting straight into the forest but decided to avoid the path while trying to get deeper as I didn't want to risk being spotted by humans. It was getting noticeably darker, and I wanted to find a safe spot to rest.

'I could try to find a hole to hide in... Or maybe I should try hiding up a tree?'

Looking up at a tree with a thick trunk, I decided to see if I could climb. I pressed up against the trunk with a wet squish, then wrapped my two pseudopods around it and tried to see if I could lift myself. My slime was slightly adhesive, so my slime climb was far easier than I expected, and eventually, I found myself drooping over a large branch.

'Okay... I think I'm pretty safe up here. Status!'

Name: -

Class: -

Status: Healthy

'This isn't enough. I want to see more... Details?'

Emblems:

[Experiment]

Traits:

[Mana Slime LV MAX]

[Pseudopod LV 2]

[Slime Density LV 2]

[??? LV 0]

Trait Points remaining 1

Skills: -

Skill Points remaining 0

'Okay, I can see all my traits, and apparently I have no skills, but what are Emblems and Experiment?'

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Due to the experiment involving a non-sapient race, basic instincts, and trait guidance will be provided until the first evolution.

This emblem is immune to identification. This emblem cannot be equipped.>

'So this is Gramps both marking me and providing me some early assistance. I wish the guidance function didn't have a time limit, but I guess it's only intended to make up for my lack of parents to raise me.'

I stare at Emblems heading in the mental window and even try to 'poke' it with my mind, but nothing happens.

'If only could get an explanation of Emblems, which can apparently be equipped? Also, what the heck is evolution? So many questions.'

Sadly, Gramps doesn't respond. I then bring my focus on [??? LV 0] and 'poke' it.

A trait partially learned through trial and error.

Transforms into a full trait by demonstrating basic mastery or through manual purchase.>

'Okay, that sounds amazing. So I don't need to buy everything. Considering I don't have skill points to spend, I wonder if this is how I get skills.'

I try mentally poking things in my menu hoping to find some other features.

'No!'

The prompt vanishes, and I sigh in relief.

'So I can spend points to upgrade, but I'd rather get brand new traits. If the trait was difficult or impossible to practice, maybe this would be a good option. Is there a list of traits?'

'The hell is an orb of enlightenment? Gramps, this seems very unfair. I want to look for a trait to protect my core.'

'... Explain, please.'

The Core is the most vital part of a Slime, combining the functions of the Heart and Mind while also containing the Soul.

This trait enhances all basic Core functions and moderately improves durability scaling with level.>

'Ugh, my head... err... core hurts from all of this information, so maybe improving my mind will help. I definitely want more durability, even if it's only moderate. Thanks, Gramps, I will buy core refinement.'

My mind screams in pain as my entire core is overwhelmed with a burning sensation, and I lose all vision. I can feel it growing. My pseudopod tendrils flail wildly, and I nearly fall from my branch before I restrain myself to the branch and squeeze it as tightly as possible. Eventually, the burning subsides, my vision returns, and I feel exhausted.

'Shit! Why!?' I scream mentally to the silence.

I want to collapse into a puddle and sleep, but I'm worried my branch isn't secure enough after nearly falling.

'One last task for the day... Ugh...'

I maneuver over to the tree trunk and form my rapier, which manifests in record time, and I repeatedly stab at the trunk. Plik. Plik. Plik. Splat. Despite using my maximum density, the results are not what I expected after how it performed against the target dummy slime.

'I guess I vastly overestimated my compressed slime... I might be in trouble against anything harder than wood. Maybe I can eat my way through it? I only need a hole big enough to fit my core.'

I use my other pseudopod to envelop the side of the trunk and press against it, hoping to start dissolving it. Then I stabbed through my slime with my rapier. Plik. Plik. Plik. Combining dissolving and stabbing seems to be progressing nicely, and eventually, the hole is large enough to enter.

Going partially inside, I focus my dissolving downwards, form two rapiers inside my slime mass, and stab away at the floor.

'I just need to make it deep enough to hold all my slime.'

The outside is already completely dark when my tree hole finally feels large and secure enough to contain me. My slime gushes in, and I start to settle in for torpor. My core drifts slowly down to the bottom of my slime mass.

'What a day... Goodnight, Gramps...'

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