Reincarnated as Rimuru's Ultimate Skill

Shadows of the Soul

Days passed as Rimuru's journey continued, bringing him into new encounters, new challenges, and greater power. Each day, Aoi Yukishiro observed from within, doing her best to guide Rimuru subtly while grappling with the dark presence that still lurked within her soul.

She had begun to experiment with her influence, offering Rimuru quiet suggestions. They weren't direct commands, but gentle nudges in the right direction, like a whisper in the back of his mind.

"Absorb that magic stone, Rimuru. It'll give you access to earth-based magic."

He followed her suggestions instinctively, his natural curiosity and desire to grow stronger making him open to the subtle guidance. It worked, at least for now. But every time Rimuru absorbed a new skill, Aoi felt the dark presence grow a little stronger, feeding off the new power, like a shadow growing with the light.

"I can't let it take over. I have to control this," Aoi reminded herself constantly.

But the more power Rimuru acquired, the more difficult it became to suppress the dark energy. Aoi could feel it gnawing at the edges of her consciousness, waiting for its chance to break free.

One day, as Rimuru wandered through a dense forest, Aoi felt something unusual, a disturbance in the air around them. Rimuru hadn't noticed it yet, but she had spent enough time as his skill to sense subtle changes in their surroundings.

"Rimuru, something's coming."

No sooner had the thought crossed her mind than a group of goblins emerged from the underbrush, fear and desperation written across their faces. They were smaller than Rimuru had expected, weak and frail, but there was a determination in their eyes. One of them, a particularly gaunt goblin with a spear, stepped forward.

"Great one!" the goblin cried, bowing low. "Please, help us! Our village is under attack by a terrible threat!"

Rimuru tilted his slimy body, intrigued. "A threat? What kind of threat?"

The goblin looked up, his eyes wide with terror. "Direwolves. They've been attacking our village for days, slaughtering our people. We have no one strong enough to defend us."

Aoi felt a surge of excitement. This was it! The moment when Rimuru would begin to gather allies and build his own community, thought their dialogue was different from what she remembers. She remembered this part from the manga, Rimuru would save the goblins, defeat the direwolves, and gain loyal followers. But now, living through it, the stakes felt so much higher.

"Rimuru, you have to help them!" she urged, feeling her excitement grow. "This is the start of your empire!"

Rimuru's voice echoed with determination. "Alright! I'll help you guys out. Show me the way to your village."

The goblins led Rimuru through the forest to their village, a small, makeshift settlement hidden among the trees. As they arrived, the state of the village became clear. Buildings were in disrepair, and the goblins themselves looked malnourished and frightened. It was a pitiful sight, but Rimuru didn't hesitate.

Aoi felt her pride swell. This was why she loved Rimuru—his ability to empathize, to act without hesitation to help those in need. Even as a slime, he carried himself with a nobility that made him so much more than just another isekai protagonist.

But as they prepared for the coming battle against the direwolves, Aoi felt that dark presence stir again. It pulsed with an intensity she hadn't felt before, as if feeding on the anticipation of violence.