Chapter 1 - Awakening

"..."

In an empty oasis, isolated from the outside world by a mystical protective sphere, laid a blue sludge ball.

It's body trembled, and slowly, its figure brightened and seemed to gain life.

~Where the hell am I?~ The gooey beast asked itself. But as it did so, a holographic screen appeared in front of its slit shaped eyes.

==< Atlas >==

Species: Slime

Rank: Mortal Beast

Stage: 1 (4.3%)

Mana: 10 / 10

< Vitality: 5 >

< Strength: 0 >

< Agility: 1 >

Skill(s): Physical Damage Immunity, Corrosive Fluids, Absorption

Unique Skill(s): Evolve,

Title(s): Unbound

=========

Staring at the square, Atlas' slime body shook. He quickly looked past the screen before him and observed his surroundings.

~A fantasy world is it?~ Trying his hardest to suppress his surprise and excitement, Atlas shifted his vision towards the sky. Seeing as he was in an uninhabited zone, he looked back at the screen and examined it further.

~Unique skill, |Evolve|.~

==< Unique Skill List >==

-Evolve

-

=================

Clicking mentally, Atlas watched as a small pop up entered his vision.

=[Evolve]=

- Sacrifice mana to increase a targets capabilities/strengths etc.

========

Though it was a simple explanation, Atlas was able to understand the potential this skill held by just glancing at the name.

~I could most definitely become an OP character with just this!~ He thought happily to himself, letting his excitement explode as his slimy body bounced around.

His thoughts were very true, but as most do, he would have to face an unsurmountable mountain of obstacles.

RUMBLE!~

The ground shook and the sky cracked as the invisible barrier that had protected Atlas started to fall apart.

~What the f-~ Before he could even finish his sentence, he could see the heavens shatter just to reveal a massive furry creature appear off to his left.

Since he happened to be on a hilly area that allowed him to see over some of the surrounding trees, he could quite easily see the massive monkey sitting miles away from him.

With its 250 meter body, it sat on top of an infinitely spanning mountain range, chewing on what could only be considered a dragon of sorts.

~WHAT IS THAT?!~ Atlas screamed to himself as he swiftly bounced down the hill he was on. As he moved, he realized that he wasn't very familiar with his body yet and was unable to stop moving once he had picked up enough momentum.

Resulting in him flopping to the bottom of the small hill and falling straight into the tree surrounded pool.

Thanks to the fear burned into him by the monkey, and the shock of finally being able to process that this was real life and he was in a world where he could be killed in an instant, Atlas ended up losing consciousness right then and there...

...

...

...

[+1 Mana Capacity]

[+2 Strength]

Atlas awoke to ringing in his nonexistent ears, his slits slightly opening as he looked at the panel before him.

~How?~ He questioned deliriously as he examined his surroundings for the fourth time.

Yet this time, he wasn't any less surprised as before.

Inside of his body he could feel the remnants of 4 dead fish, and floating limply around him were 3 more. Looking at the situation, he could only assume he had somehow killed the fish.

~I... I already feel stronger and more flexible than before!~ He marveled, using his utmost strength to extend two pieces of his body and form two stubs that could work as arms.

With his new appendages, Atlas swam over to the dead fish bodies and passed through them, letting his slimy fluids dismantle the bodies as he absorbed them into himself.

Climbing out of the water and watching for a panel, he was slightly disappointed when he didn't see anything but decided to open his skill list.

=[Absorption]=

- Devour targets and steal traces (<5%) of their power and abilities.

========

Seeing the description, Atlas understood why he didn't receive anything when eating the 3 other fish. Though he did rejoice upon seeing that he actually gained something from the 7 fish when it should of taken at least 20 to give him even less.

~Beginners luck...~ He chuckled to himself, looking back at the pond where he could see there were quite a fish still remaining.

~Maybe I could farm!~

...

...

...

Sitting atop a wet rock, Atlas stared calmly at the interface.

==< Atlas >==

Species: Slime

Rank: Mortal Beast

Stage: 1 (17.6%)

Mana: 12 / 12

< Vitality: 6 >

< Strength: 2 >

< Agility: 1 >

Skill(s): Physical Damage Immunity, Corrosive Fluids, Absorption

Unique Skill(s): Evolve

Title(s): Unbound

=========

The process of farming didn't net him much besides for coming to a realization. He took the time to truly understand his situation and to come to terms with himself and his goals.

Coming to what he considered a fantasy world, filled with dozens of dangers around every corner was just a curse. He would fear for his life every passing second, and wonder if he would live to see the sun the next day.

Without power, he wasn't guaranteed anything like he'd want to believe. He may have had overpowered skills, but without the drive to think and put them to great use, he would easily get himself killed.

He needed to leave behind most of his human morals as they would only narrow his lifespan. Living as a monster in what he could only assume was a massive world filled with gods and demons, was much better than living as a narrow minded human.

He had already seen a god like beast within minutes of him arriving in this new world. A titanic monkey who devoured the body of a slightly smaller dragon as if it was his play toy. Knowing how powerful dragons were supposed to be, the thought of there beings mere animals that were even stronger made Atlas shiver.

~This is a cruel world...~ He thought to himself, closing the blue panel and looking at the star descending behind the mountains.

Rustle~

~And shelter is a must need!~ He exclaimed, slithering his way off the rock and towards the hollow tree off in the distance.

He had run into a few animals while hunting the helpless fish. Though each time he managed to escape their sights, he knew that he would eventually be found.

Squeezing his way through the small hole in the tree's trunk, he exhaled nervously.

Gathering himself, he inspected his temporary home, seeing it was quite large compared to his body. As he was doing so, he noticed a chunk of wood in the corner and crawled over to it.

He gripped it with his sticky palms and made his way back to the entrance, blocking it off just as night completely fell.

AWOOO!~

A wolf roared, rattling Atlas' very being and making him retreat to the darkest corner of his new home.

~A cruel and scary world indeed...~

...

...

...

Feeling the temperature rise, Atlas woke, his body regaining its usual brightness.

~Well... I guess it wasn't a dream.~ He thought to himself, not knowing whether he should be happy or sad.

~Oh well.~

He let his stubby arms form and crawled to the piece of bark blocking the entrance, moving it out of the way. He set it aside and stepped out of the tree, basking in the rays of the sun.

He could tell it was around 10 am using the position of the sun. With that, he decided he would have a great start in a new world.

Well that's what he wanted at least...

AWOOO!!~

A wolf roared, yet this time, it was in close proximity.

~Oh you've got to be kidding.~

Atlas sighed to himself while swiftly turning to his left. A few meters away stood a grey wolf, seemingly ready to pounce at any moment.

~This won't be fun...~