The sealed cave stretched on, winding like the coils of a slumbering beast. Moisture clung to the walls, dripping from stalactites in a slow, steady rhythm. Rimuru Tempest walked calmly through the darkness, her crimson eyes glowing faintly, cutting through the gloom.
The silence was deceptive. Every inch of the cave pulsed with magicules, and she could feel eyes watching from the shadows.
Notice:Extra Skill [Magic Sense] is active.
The voice of Great Sage echoed in her mind, crisp and steady. Rimuru smiled faintly. "Yeah, I see them. Can't hide from me anymore."
Her silver-blue hair shimmered faintly in the low light, her aura calm yet commanding. She was already Rimuru Tempest-named by Veldora himself-and now the world within this cave would test her.
She came to a still underground pool, its surface glassy and quiet. Curiosity tugged at her. She crouched, dipping her finger into the cool water, letting it ripple around her.
"Hmm... wonder if I can play with this."
She drew water into her body through Predator, then expelled it with force. A pressurized jet blasted across the cavern, slamming into the far wall with enough power to crack stone.
[Notice: Common Skill [Hydraulic Propulsion] acquired.]
"Ha! That's handy."
Wading deeper, she let the water surround her. Instead of resisting, she pushed magicules into her body, adjusting instinctively until her movements grew smoother, her body flowing with the current.
[Notice: Common Skill [Water Current Motion] acquired.]
Her grin widened. "Getting better."
Focusing harder, she spun magicule-infused water in her palm until it sharpened into a cutting edge. With a flick of her wrist, the spinning torrent shot forward, slicing a stalagmite cleanly in half.
[Notice: Common Skill [Water Blade] acquired.]
[Notice: Common Skills [Hydraulic Propulsion], [Water Current Motion], and [Water Blade] have been synthesized. Result: Extra Skill [Water Manipulation] acquired.]
She clenched her fist, exhilarated. "Alright... water's mine to command now."
Her victory was short-lived. A hiss echoed from the shadows, low and venomous. A Massive serpent slithered into view, its obsidian scales shimmering faintly, its eyes glowing like coals.
"The Black Serpent," Rimuru whispered, her crimson eyes narrowing.
The beast struck like lightning. Rimuru dodged aside, its fangs tearing into stone with a sickening crunch. Poison mist spilled from its maw, filling the cavern.
[Notice: Intrinsic Skill [Poison Breath] detected.]
Her barrier flared, repelling the toxic cloud. With a flick of her wrist, she conjured blades of water. "Water Blade!"
The serpent screeched as streams of cutting water tore into its hide. Rimuru wasted no time-her aura flared crimson.
"Predator-Activate."
The serpent convulsed as it was devoured, broken down in her Stomach.
[Notice: Intrinsic Skills [Heat Source Perception] and [Poison Breath] acquired.]
Rimuru exhaled, her grin sharp. "Another one down."
The ground shook with heavy steps. A hulking beast emerged from the darkness, its body sheathed in natural armor thick as steel. The Armorsaurus bellowed, the cavern trembling under its weight.
Rimuru raised a brow. "Big guy, huh? Let's see what you've got."
She lashed out with Water Blades, but they sparked uselessly against its hide. The creature charged, its armored head slamming into her barrier, nearly shattering it.
"Whoa!" Rimuru skidded back, crimson eyes narrowing. "That armor's the real deal."
The beast lunged again, but this time she countered with a surge of boiling water, flames mingling with her water manipulation. Steam blasted outward, scalding the Armorsaurus. Its armor cracked under the pressure.
She darted forward, aura flaring. "Predator-swallow it whole!"
The beast vanished into her Stomach, broken down piece by piece.
[Notice: Intrinsic Skill [Body Armor] acquired.]
The cavern quaked as the ground erupted, a monstrous centipede bursting forth. Its body was a writhing mass of armored chitin, its mandibles dripping with venom.
"Ugh, you're uglier than the serpent," Rimuru muttered.
The centipede screeched, the sound piercing. Then it exhaled a foul mist.
[Notice: Intrinsic Skill [Paralysis Breath] detected.]
Her barrier flared, blocking the poisonous air. She retaliated instantly, sending arcs of Black Lightning crashing into its armored body. The beast convulsed, sparks flying.
"Dinner time." Predator swallowed it in a rush of crimson light.
[Notice: Intrinsic Skill [Paralysis Breath] acquired.]
"Paralysis and poison now," Rimuru mused. "Guess I'm a walking hazard zone."
From above, a massive spider descended, its body gleaming like forged iron. Thick strands of silk coated the cavern, glistening with sticky sheen.
Rimuru scowled. "So you're the one who's been webbing up this place."
The spider fired strands of silk, binding her arm. She tugged but felt the stubborn pull of its strength.
[Notice: Intrinsic Skills [Sticky Tread] and [Steel Tread] detected.]
With a sharp laugh, Rimuru conjured Black Flame, burning away the webs and engulfing the spider. It screeched as its body twisted in the fire. Predator devoured what remained.
[Notice: Intrinsic Skills [Sticky Tread] and [Steel Tread] acquired.]
Rimuru smirked. "Now that's useful."
A piercing shriek filled the cavern as a giant bat swooped down, wings wide. Its cry rattled her bones, the very air quivering.
[Notice: Intrinsic Skill [Ultrasonic Waves] detected.]
Rimuru grimaced. "That's going to give me a headache."
She exhaled a cloud of poison, mixing it with her own magicules. The bat screeched again, faltering as the toxic mist seeped into its lungs. It tumbled mid-flight, Predator consuming it before it struck the ground.
[Notice: Intrinsic Skill [Ultrasonic Waves] acquired.]
She rubbed her ear, grinning despite herself. "Annoying, but hey, it's mine now."
At last, she reached the deepest chamber. A massive stone door loomed, etched with ancient runes glowing faintly in the dark. The air hummed with power.
As she drew closer, voices echoed faintly. Adventurers had entered-the sound of steel and nervous laughter carried faintly through the chamber.
Rimuru's crimson eyes narrowed. She pressed herself into the shadows, letting them pass deeper inside.
When the way cleared, she pushed the door open just enough to slip through. Beyond a tunnel stretched toward faint sunlight.
Rimuru emerged at last, the forest spreading wide and bright before her. The fresh scent of earth and trees filled her lungs, a welcome change after the cave's damp gloom.
She exhaled slowly. "Finally... some fresh air."
But peace never lasted long.
A golden-haired goblin stumbled into the clearing, panic etched across his face. "P-please! Help us! Our village is under attack by direwolves!"
Rimuru's crimson eyes gleamed. "Direwolves, huh? Guess my next challenge just found me."
She stepped forward, her cloak swirling as the wind carried the scent of battle.