Syl

Chapter 4: Compression Testing

Once I gained [Slime Density LV 1] I could feel the layout of my slime body a lot more clearly, such as the current compression level of various areas of my slime mass and even down to the individual pseudopods. At the moment, I could only compress my entire body or each pseudopod, but I can imagine that as I level up the trait, I could potentially have far greater control over what areas I raise the density of.

Using the knowledge of my new trait, I compress my body back down to just a little bit larger than my original size. I tried to compress more slime mass, but this was the limit at my current level. Despite my smaller size, I felt safer and more solid with this higher-density slime.

I was curious to see the effects of higher-density slime, so I compressed one pseudopod while leaving the other uncompressed, and then I slammed both tendrils into each other with as much force as I could muster. Splat! It was like throwing a water balloon at a brick wall, and the uncompressed pseudopod exploded on contact.

'Very impressive! If I keep increasing the density of my slime mass, then I can hopefully prevent something from entering my body and reaching my core.'

I had another idea I wanted to test as I recreated my destroyed pseudopod, leaving it uncompressed, and moved toward two nearby slimes. I placed my two tendrils in two different slimes and then waited while staring intently. My theory was that the higher-density one would be much harder to dissolve, and sure enough, I could feel my control being peeled away layer by layer in only one pseudopod.

Before I lost my pseudopod, I tried sending more slime mass to it while also trying to compress it. I could feel my slime mass drain from my main body to reinforce the density, and the peeling sensation eventually stopped. Satisfied with the results, I surround the core of each slime with my tendrils. Crunch! Crunch!

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'I haven't leveled up yet; do I need to defeat a level 3 monster, or have I just not defeated enough? Also, I wonder if [Mana Slime] has a maximum level?'

Looking around, I can see that the slime buffet has ended, and the slimes are returning to their earlier activities. I'm surprised how many are still alive, as I was not the only one who ate a few cores.

'Well, I have two more things I want to try out before I head into the forest, and I don't wish to destroy all of my mindless brethren... If only a small number of slime are left, the humans might become suspicious.'

I head towards the largest slime I can see, hoping it might be a higher level, and start pumping more slime mass into one of my pseudopods. The tip of my pseudopod starts to form into a ball, and I start compressing while this happens. As its size swells, I feel the limb isn't strong enough to hold on to its own.

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'Maybe if I had a higher level of [Slime Density], the limb would be strong enough? Something to work towards. Let's use two hands.'

I use my free tendril to support the weight of the dense ball and stop increasing the size. It's a bizarre sight, like a big-slimy mace, and my main body has diminished in size to distribute slime mass towards this experiment. I then bring down the impromptu weapon on the large slime, which explodes like an overripe fruit. Splat! Crunch!

I finally gained another level, which felt great! However, I didn't think about what would happen to the slime mass as it explosively flew out into the vicinity. Thankfully, quite a lot of the slime mass got stuck to my mace, and a portion of it splattered in my 'face', but the rest either fell on other slimes or soaked into the soil.

'Maybe I can try to think of it as distributing the wealth to my poorer brethren if I pretend slime mass is our currency.'

While mentally sighing over the loss of blue goo, I prepare for my next experiment by recollecting my slimy mace. I want to try to form a needle out of densely compressed slime, an improvement of my slime spear that saved my life.

I keep compressing one of my pseudopods, but I can't get it to match up with my mental image, which means I need a higher-level trait. I keep trying to brute force it, and I actually feel a dull sort of pain tremble in my core and quickly stop.

'Is this the slime equivalent of a headache or just too much mental strain? Maybe I should try a quantity practice approach.'

I hold out my two pseudopods and compress one to the comfortable limit. Then, I compress the remaining pseudopod while simultaneously trying to decompress the first one. Compress, decompress, compress, decompress... I keep repeating this process while hoping that this counts as training. What comes to mind is that I'm flexing my 'muscles', or doing bicep curls, and as I keep repeating the process, I feel myself flow into a rhythm.

I'd scream with glee if I had a mouth so both my tendrils do a happy wiggle instead. I can instinctively feel a better understanding of my slime mass and its current density. I once again put my body's density to the new comfortable maximum and shrink considerably, and then I begin forming my needle.

I compress a long and thin tip of my pseudopod as much as possible, a much higher density than my main body, and I only stop once I feel my core begin to strain. I'm satisfied even though it looks more like a rapier than a needle. I thrust it into a nearby slime; the pointed edge pierces both slime and core like a knife through hot butter.

I raise my rapier above my head and give it a happy wiggle.

'So [Mana Slime] stops at 10. I wonder if that's the limit for everything. Although now that my slime has maximum richness I don't feel like sticking around to be harvested.'

With a swish of my rapier tendril, I point it to the forest.

'Let's go!'