31 Chapter 30: New skills and a goddess

Note: I have to clarify something:

For those who are concerned, the body of the "MC" is not being taken over by another person, soul, or entity. It will always be him, and some related things will be revealed later to answer questions. And no, he will not be replaced again.

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I was stunned.

From the moment the wrath consumed me, I was absorbed and buried within my core. My own body was beyond my reach. The only thing I could do at that moment was to use my soul and huddle in a corner to observe my body's actions.

Even those words that were uttered by "me" were still etched in my mind—the subject of the Ranks of the gods and goddesses that inhabited this world. Many things were revealed that even I was unaware of.

However, what bothered me the most were the results, that is, the questions that were born out of all this. Who was it that borrowed my body? Is it someone else, or is it myself?

My mind was consumed with so many unanswered questions that it stressed me out.

While I was thinking, I didn't forget about the main problem. Emily was in a pretty dire situation, so although I'm anxious for answers, I can put them aside for the time being.

I picked up the potion on the floor stacked next to the medicinal herbs that I honestly didn't know what they would be suitable for. Just as I uncapped the potion, a holographic screen projected in front of me.

[The sub-core of Wrath has sacrificed itself for the rebirth of Gluttony!]

[Congratulations! The Half-Gluttony sub-core has been upgraded!]

[The Gluttony sub-core has awakened!]

[The "Devourer" skill has been upgraded to "Predator"!]

[The "Predator" effects have been unlocked!]

[Predation: Everything that exists can be absorbed. However, those living beings can hardly be absorbed, so the success rate decreases considerably —absorbed beings can be processed to "Origin Energy" to increase strength]

[Analysis: Everything absorbed can be analyzed, and everything studied can be used to make objects or produce chemicals —as long as you have the necessary ingredients and objects—. Skills can be analyzed and copied; however, this depends on the quality of the processed skill —the higher the rank of the skill, the less chance you have of obtaining it].

The texts were replaced consecutively, and, as always, the annoying monotone voice irritated my mind.

"Ugh."

To top it off, a bunch of information related to the newly obtained skills and their uses spilled into my memory.

To say I wasn't surprised would be a big lie.

These skills are known to me. I mean, they are copies of the skills used by that little slime cheat! Who wouldn't know him?

Although I noticed that some of the skills used by the blue slime in the anime were missing, these are also quite powerful.

Let's save the musing for another time; I have something important to take care of.

"Let's do this!"

My body released a golden glow, and I transformed into my slime form.

I now know why the other "me" brought some high-level potions and some medicinal herbs. Emily could not be saved with the potions from the previous pharmacy, nor with the abilities of that silver-haired girl —"I" had scanned her with the "Divine Eyes"— so the only option available to bring Emily back was to use my new skill, which meant that "I" had already thought deeply about everything that was going to happen.

My body expanded considerably until it encompassed all the potions and herbs piled up to be absorbed inside me.

[Are you sure to use the skill "Analysis"?]

[Yes] [No].

Previously, when I imagined a skill, it would instantly execute; however, now, a new interface appeared in front of me when I imagined the "Analysis" skill.

"Of course." After adopting my human form, I also retained my speech, so speaking in my golden ball form wasn't a problem.

[Medicinal herbs and high-quality potions are being analyzed!]

[After processing all the herbs and potions, "Restoration Pills" can be created —With the number of ingredients, 35 pills can be created— Do you want to create it?"]

[Yes] [No]

Choosing the obvious option, I felt my insides twist as strange gurgling noises escaped.

[The "Restoration Pills" were successfully created and saved in the "Storage"].

Without thinking, I opened the system storage. There, on one of the many slots, was the icon of a pill with the number "35" underneath.

I breathed a long sigh of relief and returned to my human form. I pulled out one of the greenish, veiny pills. Being in my hands and responding to my mind, a holographic screen was projected.

[Item: Restoration pill.

Item Type: Medicine.

Item Rank: C Rank.

Description: Extremely effective at restoring deep, mortal wounds inflicted on the physical body. Calms the mind, restores blood, and eliminates pain].

I didn't know the item ranks yet but considering that they are also identified with letters, I can assume that they are the same as the strength ranks. Also, just by reading the description, I knew the pill would take effect.

Emily was in no condition to swallow, so steeling myself, I popped the pill in my mouth and crushed it sufficiently before leaning in towards Emily. Our lips overlapped.

I never imagined my first kiss would be like this...

I thrust my tongue into Emily's soft mouth, and ignoring the bittersweet taste of blood, I pushed the entire pill down her throat and forced her to swallow.

*Gulp

With the sound of swallowing, I withdrew my lips and watched as Emily's body let out a revitalizing green glow as if she was healing. It was startling.

The cheeks, once pale and bloodied, were now taking on a new, vibrant pink color. Emily's body had returned to normal, yet she was far from awake.

I put my hood and dark clothes back on.

What should I do now with Emily? If she leaves with me, the people of Orario will know that it was me who caused all the discord in the Ishtar Familia, and I am not yet ready to face a level 5 adventurer. Of course, Emily could stay with me, but the many problems my actions would cause would put her in danger again.

I don't have a close and reliable acquaintance to leave her there-.

*Clap *Clap

Is someone coming this way? I turned my face toward one of the hallways.

Distant footsteps echoed in the middle of the alleys. I was about to leave the place; however, the following words kept my butt still.

"Hephaestus, are you sure you felt a divine aura? Weren't they forbidden?" The distrustful question that belonged to a woman entered my ears.

Hephaestus? She is the blacksmith goddess that many loved in the anime.

Confirming the goddess's identity in my mind, I opened my system map and realized that I was a few hundred meters away from the "Northwest Hephaestus Familia Store."

To make sure, I activated my "Divine Eyes." Indeed, I had forgotten the skill, and it was only after my possessed body used it that enlightenment came to me.

My vision receded, and as if they were mere illusions, the walls and darkness disappeared. My eyes focused on the figure of two women standing about fifty meters away from this place.

Although the two women wore black robes with hoods to conceal their identities, I could see their appearances easily, especially their souls.

The first was a stout but shapely woman, especially her chest area that swayed as she ran. I think her name was Tsubaki. She had brown skin and long black hair. The red eye on her right side was the only visible because a black eyepatch covered the other. Her soul was a grayish color with a slightly yellowish aura that conveyed a friendly feeling.

In contrast, the other woman had a sharp face, reddish hair reaching her neck, and a slender body. A black eyepatch hid the right side of her beautiful, bewitching crimson eyes. Surprisingly, and alluding to her divinity, the woman's soul was crimson. Strange white chains encircled her flaming soul.

I looked back and let out another sigh. I felt no repulsion coming from their souls. A different case was when "I" had "seen" the soul of the goddess Ishtar.

"I suspect that the one who made the city light up is related to that being." A serious voice was heard. It was Hephaestus.

"Since broke the rule of not using "Arcanum," will be punished and sent back to heaven." Tsubaki, at her side, spoke, "Ah, yes! Some adventurers of our Family contacted me to notify me that an adventurer attacked the Ishtar Familia."

"Really? For an adventurer to take on a Family is really rare." Hephaestus averted her gaze to the woman beside her, "Do you know that adventurer? I'd be interested to know."

"Whoever was, was well prepared. Its' identity was hidden from start to finish by the hood." Tsubaki shook her head.

"... I see. So how did end up? I imagine was arrested, wasn't?".

Tsubaki, who was running alongside Hephaestus, let out an excited smile, "Hahaha, arrested? That stranger swept the prostitutes' faces across the floor and, in the end, only lost one arm before running away."

"Without an arm, may no longer be fit to be an adventurer." Hephaestus sighed, "Many children overestimate themselves too much."

As is to be expected in a great Familia. The incident that occurred a few minutes ago has already reached your ears. Hephaestus, I feel offended terribly... I am a great Slime!

Seeing that the two women were about to arrive, I stopped stalking them and jumped into the sky. My feet planted themselves on the roof of a house, and I moved away in the background, far enough to act and watch simultaneously.

If they tried to do anything, I would deal with Emily —I was confident in my ability to flee. As for if they were friendly, I would leave Emily in charge of Hephaestus for a while before visiting them.

Leaving Emily with a goddess who belongs to a prestigious Familia is undoubtedly the best option for the time being. She was the only goddess I knew who would protect someone besides that busty Loli.

"Huh? A girl?"

Holding in her hand a "lamp" made of glowing stones that illuminated the dark alley, Tsubaki approached Emily. Her head tilted from side to side as she narrowed her eyes. A katana gleamed in her other hand.

With slow steps, she approached Emily. She crouched down and looked at the profoundly sleeping face. Tsubaki stood up and turned to her goddess.

"What should we do with her? Her presence does not seem like that of a goddess."

The goddesses and gods even though their divinities were sealed and their bodies were no different than any mortal's, mortals could still quickly identify them in the crowd.

Hephaestus approached and narrowed her crimson eye on Emily's figure.

"The presence this girl gives off is a bit strange." Her serene expression took on a serious posture. "But she's still a mortal. Perhaps she is the user of powerful skill."

After the two women thought and voiced their opinions, they concluded.

"It is safe to assume that many will be drawn here by the previous event." Hephaestus stroked Emily's face, "We can take her to our Familia and ask her questions when she wakes up."

Apparently, Tsubaki didn't want to get involved with a stranger, but as her goddess spoke, she agreed.

"Nice." Tsubaki nodded and carried Emily in a princess bag, "Ha! Her body is soft; I'd like to hire her as my cuddle pillow."

"Put aside your perversion and concentrate on running."

"As you command, madam!"

*

I let out a sigh of relief as I watched the two women leave along with Emily.

I jumped from one house to the other and stalked them from the darkness to make sure they made it safely to Hephaestus' tent.

With everything done, I felt satisfied and returned to the inn.

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