5 Overlord

By now the baby slimes were less than 25 meters away...

Just seconds before I am barraged with attacks and then die.

I thought about it... maybe I should challenge them. Don't the protagonists in stories always end up winning and getting stronger?

Probably... but this isn't a story. If I go and face them... I was probably going to die.

The thought scared me. I was going to die. No one was going to help me or save me... I would just die alone in this cavern surrounded by monsters.

I couldn't go anywhere... there were baby slimes in all directions...

What's up with this situation? It's almost as if the world is trying to kill me.

I back up closer and closer towards the wall, trying to conceal my presence.

Calm down... and think. I began to calm my shaking nerves. I looked at my status. I looked at my self and at my surroundings for anything, anything to save my poor soul...

I guess that I have to use my last resort...

[System, analyse the situation and think of any possible escape routes.]

The system had never failed me...

[Analysing... processing... according to the system's analysis, there are no possible escape routes to your current predicament.]

My mind went blank.

[What did you say?]

[Analysing... processing... according to the system's analysis, there are no possible escape routes to your current predicament.]

[So there is no way out?]

[Affirmative.]

My mind went blank. Even the system doesn't have any way out of this situation...

Then... will I actually die?

The thought of death scared me.

My mind began to shake. This was an impossible to escape situation... Even the system, that had got me so far had failed in analysing a route. That means that there is really no way out of this situation...

The only thing I can do is hide and pray for the best.

I crouched down and wrapped my arms that didn't have any fingers around what I assume to be my knees and cut my vision.

My mind began to shake as the thought of the slimes getting closer and closer echoed throughout my mind.

I was feeling so good about myself after I defeated that baby slime and evolve. I thought I could do anything, but I was naive.

This isn't like some of those stories that I have faint recollections about. No this was real. If i die in this world there is not going back. I would never achieve anything that I wanted... nothing.

My mind began to shake at the thought, as I remembered everything that happened to me after I came to this world. I treated everything as a joke... I thought I was some protagonist with some sick skills that would allow me to dominate the world...

[But even the strongest monsters die. What did I, a mere mutated slime have to put myself above others? As long as there is someone above you, you will always have to fear for your life, wondering when your life will end. You will never be strong enough to protect what you want to protect and save who you want to save. You will just be pawn, used by others stronger than you to make their dreams a reality.] A dark voice resounded inside of my brain

[But I don't want that! I have dreams and goals and I will achieve them!]

[You have goals and dreams? Don't make me laugh! Doesn't everyone? But they all die in the end right? So what makes you different?]

That's right... everyone has dreams and goals... but I am different!

[But I am different!]

[How are you different?]

[I have an amazing power and a system and...]

[Even with your powers and system, you cannot escape death. So what makes you different? Who cares what you want! The world doesn't care. Those stronger than you don't care. You are but a mere pawn to them]

The voice's words resounded in my mind... What makes me different from everyone else? I too am just a powerless... Snap out of it.

I shook my mind awake. This voice was controlling my emotions but I wouldn't give in.

[Lies! There are people that care. There are good people in this world as well!]

[Good people? If there are good people then where are they now?]

[They... they...]

[There may be good people in this world, but they will only be good people to the one's that they meet. What about the others? The one's that die without anyone knowing how or when they die? What about the slaves that die unknowingly in the mines or the monsters that die out in the world? Open your eyes!]

The voice's words resounded in my brain. My mind began to shake. I tried to fight it, but when I though about it clearly, the voices words had a clear meaning.

I am no different.

It does not matter if I have a system or an amazing ability. I am a weakling in a dog eat dog world, not some hero.

Were there any good people? Probably. But they wouldn't help me. No one would save a slime. No monster, no human, no one...

I was nothing... nothing but a rock that other can kick.

Nothing put a fly that others can swat

Nothing but a fool that others will bully.

The thoughts that I felt scared me, but at the same time comforted me.

[It's alright... you are just a slime... you can disappear now]

[No one will really care, so just give up struggling...]

[Just think of it as a long sleep]

[It will be a painless. Just disappear...]

[I...I...]

I submerged myself in my own pity and sorrow, thinking about how worthless I am.

I am nothing... Maybe it's time for me to die... No one will care, no one will wonder, let me just die and forget...

(A/N: The following scene is in the protagonist's mind)

A thought flashed through my mind, breaking the darkness that had crept in ever so slightly. I opened my tightly shut eyes and followed the light, curious as to what it was.

I followed it for a long time, before I came across a figure and stopped before it.

Before me stood a 'human' woman, with long dark hair and beautiful golden eyes. Her appearance left me, a slime in shock.

[Will you give up just like that?]

The first words that she said resounded throughout my brain.

[Will you?]

[I...I...]

[You what?]

[There's nothing that I can do... There are slimes everywhere and I...]

[So you are going to give up?]

[There's nothing that I can do! I want to escape...but...]

[So you are going to give up]

The same phrase echoed throughout my mind.

[Yes! I can't do anything! Even the system said so! I...]

[So you are going to give up.]

Was I going to give up?

Yes. I mean there is nothing that I can do. Images began to appear in my mind. I saw it, a young human boy, with a head full of dark hair, stood with his back faced towards me. Two deep red swords were in his hands, which were the tools that he had used to kill all of those people.

A lonely slaughterer.

My eyes scanned through the image. I briefly looked at the corpses before my eyes laid rest on the young boy's back.

[That boy... what expression is he making right now

Is he clenching his teeth?

Is he crying?

Is he...

No... I don't know because I can't see his face but I can tell...

He is smiling...]

The thought startled me. That boy, after killing so many is smiling? Was there something wrong with him? Is he a psychopath? No... not a psychopath...

He simply loves battle... to come out on top after facing a strong opponent is the greatest joy for him!

[He defeats all enemies that threaten him, never bowing before a stronger adversary. His sword cuts and blood flows, but he is unfazed. For he kills to protect what is his!]

The woman's beautiful voice echoed throughout my mind.

He kills to protect what is his...

Those words crashed into my mind.

What was I doing? Crouching down and not fighting, letting them do whatever they want to me...

What have I done?

The darkness that shrouded my mind began to crack, a deep red light flowed through the cracks and submerged my soul.

[I will not surrender down this path of mine, for I fight to protect what is mine!]

The darkness continued to crack as my shining will filled the room with red light.

*Crack* The darkness cracked, filling the dark world with spiderwebs.

A deep red aura began to surround my soul.

*crack**crack*

You want to restrain me? Dream on.

[He shall do whatever he wants do]

As if in response, the boundaries of my soul world began to constrict, trying to trap me.

[He shall be whatever he wants to be]

My will continued to press against the closing boundaries.

[He shall protect whatever he wants to protect]

Sharp spears of darkness exploded out of the walls and impaled my soul.

[He shall get up in the form of walls]

My soul dimmed down for a second. All was silent, Before my soul flared up again, even greater than before.

The darkness began to lose it's hold on my world. My will surged forward once again before the dark world that had imprisoned me in despair exploded into fragments of darkness.

[He shall cross death like crossing rivers. He shall cross life like crossing seas, for no matter what comes against him, he shall come out stronger!

For he is Amadeus Rye.

My Emperor...]

[You have gained the Unique skill [Overlord]]

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Hey guys,

Just a quick note:

The person talking in the last scene was not Amadeus, it was that lady that he met...

Most of you probably realized, but just wanted to give a heads up.

From now on the story will pick up pace...

Hopefully.

Thanks.