Primordial Slime: I Devour The World

”Wyverns Attack!”

Zarathiel’s roar practically shook the city to its core.

The Greater Wyverns immediately charged at the remaining adventurers.

Their massive wings flapped as they flew down to attack the smaller creatures.

”Defend the injured!”

”Keep them from attacking the civilians!”

The battlefield was chaos. Arrows littered the sky and fireballs pelted against the wyverns’ scales. Swordsmen charged at the mass of monsters while mages stood their ground and unleashed powerful spells upon the beast.

Tanaka stood among these warriors, watching the battle unfold before his eyes.

So this is what it’s like to witness a battle between humans and monsters.

A Greater Wyvern slammed into the earth, sending several adventurers flying.

Boom!

Another wyvern swooped down and sent an entire group of warriors scattering.

Nira charged forward with her sword drawn.

”Tanaka, stay back.”

Tanaka nodded. ”Be careful.”

Nira didn’t respond, already deep into the fray. Tanaka watched as she disappeared into the chaos and sighed

She really has a death wish.

His gaze shifted back to Zarathiel, who was observing the battle with an expressionless face.

The Wyvern Lord was not particularly invested in the outcome of this fight. He simply watched as his subordinates battled the humans, occasionally giving them orders.

Then he raised his head.

”This is quite enough,” announced Zarathiel. His voice rung out over the city, causing the Greater Wyverns to halt their assault. The adventurers tensed up as the Wyvern Lord spread his wings. Suddenly, an immense pressure crushed down on Rosen City. Several of the adventurers fell to their knees, unable to breathe properly. Dwarves groaned as they struggled to stand while elves dropped their weapons.

Nira was on one knee, her brows furrowed in confusion.

”What... is this...”

Tanaka felt the pressure as well. It was crushing, but he remained on his feet nonetheless.

Intimidation? His gaze swept over the fallen adventurers. Everyone was struggling to get back up, with the exception of him.

What is this?

Zarathiel slowly turned his head until his golden eyes locked on Tanaka. His expression darkened. ”Impossible.”

Tanaka’s heart skipped a beat.

Uh-oh.

Zarathiel fixed his gaze on him. ”You...”

The pressure bearing down on Tanaka increased, but nothing happened. He stood his ground, unmoving, as the Wyvern Lord’s stare became even more piercing.

Tanaka finally looked up at the monster lord. ”You’re not human,” stated Zarathiel.

Tanaka stiffened.

He could feel the weight of the other’s words. It wasn’t that Zarathiel’s proclamation was particularly loud; it was more like the statement itself drowned out the chaos around them. The Wyvern Lord’s golden eyes bore into his own.

Tanaka swallowed. Well, this certainly is a fast development. He forced a smile as he replied, ”What makes you say that?”

Zarathiel’s eyes narrowed. ”Because no human should be standing, even other races struggle beneath my Intimidation.” Tanaka glanced around before his eyes fell on the kneeling adventurers. He looked back and saw Nira, who was on one knee some distance away from him. Her sword was planted on the ground, her hands gripping the weapon’s hilt as she struggled against the invisible force bearing down on her.

Tanaka turned his gaze back to the Wyvern Lord. The pressure was still there, but it felt like nothing at all. He could feel the sheer power behind the skill that Zarathiel was using, but his body simply refused to acknowledge it.

Is this because I’m a monster lord?

Tanaka recalled the words that Nira spoke to him. He knew that a monster lord was not just any ordinary monster. It was a monster that had reached a certain peak of power and had transcended beyond its original form.

I never really thought of myself as a monster lord.

Tanaka shook his head. I’ve only been evolving, surviving, and growing stronger. Creating a home for myself.

But that all changed the moment another monster lord appeared before him.

Zarathiel took a step forward, cracks forming on the earth where his foot landed. ”What are you?” He asked.

Tanaka hesitated before answering. He had to think of a proper response.

Ican’t tell him that I’m a slime. Not with so many people around. If word of my existence gets out, things will only get complicated for me. The last few days have been long enough for me wandering around Rosen City, pretending to be human. Eating their food, reading their books, taking up quests, and making friends. I don’t really want to ruin all of that.

”I’m a Beast Tamer,” replied Tanaka.

Zarathiel gave him an odd look. Tanaka gave a nervous smile. ”A strange one, apparently.”

Silence. Even the other wyverns looked confused.

Zarathiel’s expression didn’t change. ”You expect me to believe that?”

Tanaka shrugged. ”I was hoping you would.”

Nira slowly lifted her head. ”Tanaka...”

Her voice was hushed as she asked, ”What is he talking about?”

Tanaka shot a glance at her but said nothing. Zarathiel suddenly released even more of his pressure, forcing Nira to her knees once more. The ground around Tanaka cracked, and his cloak billowed behind him. Still, he remained unmoving. Zarathiel’s eyes widened in shock. ”No...” His voice was quiet as he continued, ”...another lord.”

Tanaka’s expression changed. So he knows. His gaze shifted to meet Zarathiel’s. He could see the recognition in the Wyvern Lord’s golden eyes.

”You are a monster lord.” Zarathiel said. Tanaka said nothing in response. That was answer enough for the Wyvern Lord.

Several of the still conscious adventurers overheard him. Their eyes widened in shock as they took in the words. ”A monster lord?” One of them exclaimed, ”He’s a monster? That Beast Tamer?” Nira looked at Tanaka in disbelief. ”Tanaka...”

Tanaka sighed. ”I was hoping to explain this later.”

Nira opened her mouth to speak, but she was interrupted by the roars of a Greater Wyvern. The monster charged forward, its wings beating furiously as it dove toward the group of adventurers. The pressure exerted by Zarathiel had taken its toll on them, leaving them reeling and unable to react in time.

Nira looked behind her, her eyes widening as she saw the wyvern bearing down on them. ”Get back!” she shouted. She struggled to get up, but her legs gave out beneath her. The beast opened its maw, letting out a deafening cry as it descended upon them.

Tanaka moved. He barely registered the look of surprise on Nira’s face before he vanished from her line of sight. The next thing she knew, he was standing right in front of the charging Greater Wyvern. The creature skidded to a halt, its massive head lowering to regard him.

Tanaka looked up at the beast. ”You’re hurting my friend.”

The wyvern raised a clawed hand, but Tanaka made no move to dodge. He simply stared at the monster with unwavering eyes. ”Sorry about this,” he said before placing his hand on the creature’s body.

Devour.

The world seemed to stop as the Greater Wyvern’s body started to dissolve. It wasn’t exploding, nor was it burning. It simply, vanished into nothingness. From Tanaka’s point of view, he could see the wyvern’s scales, flesh, and even the bones fading away. The creature let out a guttural roar, but no sound came out. Within moments, every part of its body was gone, leaving behind nothing but the air.

Tanaka stood there, taking in what had just happened.

He looked down at his hand and felt a strange sensation run through him. Mana. Skills. Life force. All of it entered him, flooding his body. His Soul Record flashed before his eyes, notifying him that it had been updated.

Tanaka stared at the notification on his Soul Record before glancing back at the spot where the Greater Wyvern had been. He then heard someone voice out.

”Devour...”

Tanaka turned toward the source of the voice. His eyes landed on Zarathiel, who was watching him with an unreadable expression.

”You possess a skill capable of consuming,” continued the Wyvern Lord.

Tanaka said nothing in response. Zarathiel’s gaze darkened. The other Greater Wyverns behind him growled, their hatred directed at Tanaka.

Tanaka could feel their disdain, but something else had changed. Zarathiel was no longer looking at him as if he was some lowly human. He was looking at him as another monster lord.

Tanaka shot a glance at Nira and sighed.

I’m going to have to explain this to her soon enough.

He looked back at Zarathiel, who was regarding him intensely. The two monster lords looked at each other with quiet understanding.

One was the ruler of the skies. One ruled a part of a forest. Neither of them knew what powers the other possessed, and yet, Tanaka could sense that this battle would not end well.

Zarathiel spread his wings. ”Monster lord,” he said. His voice echoed over Rosen City, ”Tell me your name.”

Tanaka froze, surprise dawning on his face. What?

He had never really thought about it, not really. He was always called Tanaka, ever since he became human in this world. But in this world, he was still nameless.

Tanaka looked at Zarathiel, then at Nira. He then looked at the bustling city and finally at the sky.

He smiled. ”I’m Tanaka.”

Zarathiel just stared at him for a while. ”Tanaka...” He repeated the name before looking at the other adventurers. The pressure on the battlefield slowly dissipated. ”Very well,” he said.

The Wyvern Lord turned to the other adventurers. ”Now then, our discussion is ended.”

Tanaka’s smile faltered. Of course it is.