Nyxaris stood before the towering Gate of Evolution, its surface shimmering with an eerie, otherworldly glow. The ancient inscriptions on its frame pulsated as if they were alive, whispering forgotten truths from an age long past. The energy radiating from the gate sent shivers down his spine. He knew that once he stepped through, there would be no turning back.
Inside his mind, the deep, resonant voice of Zeraldris, the dragon he had absorbed, rumbled with amusement.
"So, boy, you've finally decided to take your first real step toward power. Are you prepared for what lies ahead?"
Nyxaris clenched his fists, his humanoid form standing tall beneath the ethereal glow. His slime body quivered slightly beneath his skin, reacting to the sheer force of magic in the air.
"I have to do this. If I want to survive in this world, if I want to carve my own path, I need to grow stronger."
With determination burning in his eyes, he placed his palm against the cold stone of the gate. A surge of energy erupted from it, enveloping him in a blinding light.
[Trial of Evolution Initiated]
Three Trials Must Be Completed to Unlock the Path of Evolution.
Failure Will Result in the Loss of Your Current Strength and Potential Regression.
Nyxaris barely had time to process the warning before the ground beneath him vanished, and he was pulled into an abyss of swirling light.
Nyxaris landed on solid ground with a rough thud, rolling onto his back. Above him stretched a twilight sky, painted in hues of deep indigo and silver. Massive trees loomed in every direction, their bark pulsing with a strange, blue bioluminescence. The air here was thick with spirit energy, crackling like electricity against his skin.
Then, a scream tore through the silence.
Nyxaris snapped his head toward the sound. Without hesitation, he sprinted through the dense undergrowth, his MP bar slowly depleting as he used bursts of speed to propel himself forward.
[Status]
Name: Nyxaris
Race: Slime (Humanoid Form)
Level: 35
HP: 22,500 / 25,000
MP: 10,800 / 15,000
Skills:
Regeneration (Advanced)
Predator
Swordsmanship (Intermediate) (NEW!)
Magic Manipulation (Advanced)
Slime Form Mastery
Spirit Affinity (Basic)
He reached a clearing, where a woman in silver armor lay on the ground, convulsing violently. Ghostly blue flames wreathed her body, searing her flesh and causing her to scream in agony. Her HP bar was in critical condition.
??? – Heroine of the Vanished Kingdom
Level: 45
HP: 1,200 / 25,000
Status: Spirit Overload (Critical)
Nyxaris's breath caught in his throat. "She's dying!"
He could feel it—the overwhelming spirit energy inside her was unstable, a raging storm that was devouring her from the inside.
"Boy," Zeraldris rumbled, "you must absorb the excess energy before it consumes her."
Nyxaris shifted into his true slime form, a shimmering mass of translucent blue gel, and launched himself onto her. He wrapped his body around hers, completely encasing her within his form.
[Activating Predator…]
The cursed flames fought back violently, scorching his insides. His HP dropped as the spiritual backlash struck him.
HP: 22,500 → 19,700
"Damn…!" He gritted his metaphorical teeth, pushing through the pain.
Slowly, the flames dimmed, their energy dissipating as Nyxaris absorbed them. When the last ember flickered out, he released her and reformed his humanoid body.
The woman gasped, coughing as she tried to push herself up.
"You… saved me?" she asked weakly, her golden eyes locking onto his.
Nyxaris exhaled. "Yeah. And you're welcome, by the way."
She studied him for a long moment before offering a small, exhausted smile. "Eleanor. My name is Eleanor Faelwyn."
A system notification popped up.
[Trial 1 Complete]
You have saved Eleanor Faelwyn from the Spirit's Curse.
New Companion Unlocked: Eleanor
New Skill Acquired: Spirit Synchronization
"Looks like we're not done yet," Nyxaris muttered, glancing around. "Something tells me this was just the beginning."
Eleanor cracked her knuckles. "After what you just did? I'm sticking with you until I repay this debt."
Their journey led them to a massive fortified village, where towering ogres stood guard, their crimson skin and horned foreheads glinting under the moonlight.
But something was wrong. The village was under attack.
An army of orcs—nearly 2,000 strong—surged through the wooden gates, slaughtering the defenders. Their war cries echoed across the battlefield.
At the center of the carnage, an enormous ogre warrior wielding a massive greatsword cut through the orcs with relentless fury.
Leader of the Ogres: Gorrath the Crimson Blade
Allies: 500 Ogre Warriors
Enemy Count: 2,000 Orcs
Nyxaris drew his sword, gripping the handle tightly. The blade shimmered in the light, newly forged but hungry for battle.
"Eleanor, take the left flank! I'll reinforce the center!"
She nodded, her spiritual energy flaring to life as she dashed into battle.
Nyxaris charged forward, cutting through the first orc with a swift, precise slash.
Damage Dealt: 3,500
Enemy HP: 0 / 8,000
The orc collapsed instantly, but more took its place. Nyxaris shifted his form, extending his slime-like tendrils to grab enemy weapons before they could strike.
The battlefield became a chaotic blur of steel, flesh, and magic.
Eleanor moved like a phantom, her spirit-infused blade carving through orcs effortlessly.
The ogres, inspired by Nyxaris's presence, fought with renewed strength, pushing the enemy back.
After nearly an hour of battle, the orc army broke ranks and retreated. The village had been saved.
[Trial 2 Complete]
The Ogre Village has been saved.
Some Ogres have sworn loyalty to Nyxaris.
+1,500 Gold
Gorrath approached, his bloodstained blade resting on his shoulder. "You have earned our respect, slime. We will follow you."
Nyxaris smirked, wiping sweat from his brow. "Good, because we're not done yet."
The final battle loomed. A horde of 50,000 orcs led by the monstrous Orc Disaster awaited them.
Nyxaris clenched his sword. His final challenge had arrived.
Would he survive? Or would this be his end?