Overdrive

Chapter 18- Overdrive

The sound of unsteady breaths filled the dark chasm. A blue-haired man was squatting in the chasm, a frown on his face.

Wuji was currently contemplating on whether he should continue on with the quests. After all, even though their rewards were enticing, it wouldn't matter if they weren't even possible. They would just lead him to his death.

... But then again, he was not one to back down from a challenge. In the past, he had overcome challenge over challenge, beating the odds every time. No matter what anyone had said, he had made them shut their mouths and take back their words. This time would be no different. He would not give up that easily!

Standing up and dusting himself off, Wuji went back to the door with renewed confidence. Opening it slightly, he peeked past the door, the slime-like monsters still there, along with the Soul-Refining Grass. Looking at the monsters closely this time, information popped above them.

[Spirit Slime, Level 200]

Wuji grit his teeth in frustration. Damn it! This quest was becoming more and more impossible.

Rubbing his head in annoyance, he tried to think of some method to get past the slimes. His thoughts were suddenly interrupted by the slimes, which began making loud noises.

"Euragh!"

"Chik, Chik!"

One of the slimes pushed another slime away. The slime bounced back, jumping on top of the other slime's body. Soon, the other slimes joined in on the fight, making screaming sounds with their mouths as they piled onto each other.

His face contorted in confusion, Wuji was befuddled on why the slimes had suddenly turned on each other. Squinting, he noticed one of the slimes silently creeping towards the Soul-Refining Grass, which was emitting fine threads of green light. The slime quickly gobbled it down before the others noticed. Its body began glowing brightly, attracting the other slimes' attention.

"CHIIK!"

"KUK! KUK!"

The other slimes, looking at the dimmed Soul-Refining Grass, began bouncing up and down in anger.

What happened next made Wuji's eyes bulge in shock.

A loud popping sound boomed out as the glowing slime seemed to split into two- it was like it had two heads! Like conjoined twins, the second head of the slime also had a mouth, which ferociously snarled at the other slimes, making them back away. Wuji stared at the monstrosity.

[Two-Headed Spirit Slime, Level 240「Variant」]

Looking at the slimes carefully, Wuji thought of a perfect plan to get rid of the slimes and get the plant at the same time. It was killing two birds with one stone. Or perhaps two quests...

He looked at the slimes, split between the entire group and the one「Variant」. Although the other slimes were intimidated, they still were unwilling to let go of the grass like this. But none of the slimes were willing to be the first to oppose the stronger one.

Chuckling mischievously, Wuji stretched out his hands.

"Well then, if you don't want to fight..."

His hands began glowing with green light.

"Then I'll have to make you."

Sending fine green threads of spirit essence to the middle of the slimes, Wuji looked at the large group of slimes stare at it hungrily. They glanced at the variant slime.

"Chik. Chik. Kuk. Chik-Chik." The variant slime's heads pointed at the strand of spirit essence that Wuji had sent out.

"Chik?! KUK! KIKIKI!" The other slimes were enraged, bouncing up and down. They weren't about to let that slime have all of the essence and leave none for them!

The group of slimes called out to each other, nodding their heads. They had formed an alliance, one out of countless slimes.

"Chik...Chik..." The 「Variant」 slime shook its heads, its mouths twisting into deadly, horrifying smiles.

"CHIK!"

"KUK!"

The group of slimes valiantly advanced towards the variant slime, its mouth expanding into a colossal, green abyss. It began swallowing the slimes whole into its body, becoming a colossal monster.

"Chik! Kuk! Kik!!!!!" The slimes began screaming in misery and fear as their numbers quickly dwindled down. Many of them began to flee, but the variant slime nonchalantly smiled, chasing after them as it absorbed them into its body.

Meanwhile, Wuji had quietly tiptoed to the Spirit-Refining Grass's location, quickly using Kick to stun it. He immediately stuffed it into his Spirit Pouch before it could make a sound. His forehead doused in sweat, he was instantly going to leave until he saw a row of Spirit Refining Grass on the other side of the hill.

Eyes twinkling, Wuji looked back at the variant slime, which had become a small hill, chasing after the little surviving slimes. He had some time. His forehead straining, he quickly used Spirit Grab to grab all of the grasses.

AHHHHHH!

Right when he was on the last one, it screamed out loudly as he quickly stuffed it into his pouch.

But it was too late.

"CHIK?! KUK!!!!!!!!" roared the variant slime, its huge body turning around as it searched for the missing grasses, only to find a small, blue-haired human in their place. A human had dared to steal its belongings right under its nose? The audacity!

Roaring, the slime began heading to Wuji, ignoring the other slimes.

Shit. Wuji cursed, his heart beating quickly as he ran back towards the door.

Shit, shit, shit!

He looked backward, the slime continuing to approach. Looking at the door- wait, where did the door go?!

Wuji's face contorted in horror as he scrambled to look for the door. But all he found was empty air where it should've been.

F*ck! He hadn't thought that the door had had a time limit. Swearing, he stared at the slime which had caught up to him, its heads smirking with a toothy grin. I've got you now.

Wuji attempted to use his spirit skills but the slime simply absorbed the spirit energy. The slime seemed to mock him, its mouths getting closer.

Blood coursing through his veins, heart pounding, Wuji's breathing came to a still.

This was it.

Or was it?

He would not give up.

He would not be powerless.

He had been the strongest.

He was going to die to a mere slime?

...

"I won't accept this!" Wuji shouted, eyes blazing in green light as his body lit up and began to float in the air.

"Ever since that day, I... I swore to overcome every obstacle, never letting others dictate my life. You will not be my end!"

[System: Activating Free-System Activation]

A blue fragment broke into pieces as it enveloped Wuji in bright blue light.

[Free-System has been enabled]

[Warning, stress on mental and physical limits have now increased]

[Warning, stress on mental and physical limits have been set to max]

[Warning, stress has exceeded limits]

Crack.