Chapter 4

When it comes to goblins, they can be considered relatively strong monsters in this grassland area.

Their strength is incomparable to slimes. With their aggressive nature, slimes are often crushed while trying to escape.

Their intelligence, while not on par with humans, is still relatively high among weaker monsters.

Today, I have reached level 6. In terms of strength, I should be able to match that goblin.

If I were to take a safe approach, I should defeat the goblin in human form. However, there's something I want to try right now.

Specifically, can I defeat the goblin if I split into 12 slimes?

As I mentioned earlier, the difference in combat power between goblins and slimes is so great that it's not even a fair fight. Being in a humanoid form is already a disadvantage.

However, this is only true for ordinary slimes.

In my case, I have intelligence. And I have numbers. Controlling 12 slimes simultaneously requires a lot of mental effort, but if they work together effectively, their combat power will be far superior to that of ordinary slimes.

Most of the time, slimes don't lose in battle; they lose while trying to escape. In the worst case, I can just revert to my human form, so there's no risk.

Moreover, fighting the goblin in a 'Mimic' state will give me 12 times the experience points. This is too good to pass up.

If I can defeat the goblin, I can replicate this strategy in the future. The experience points I gain will be at least three times that of a slime.

Should I take the risk and challenge the goblin, or play it safe and fight in human form?

"Of course, I'm going to do it!"

I am the weakest of all. That's why I need to become strong faster than anyone else.

If I play it safe, I'll never become strong! It's a battle of chance!

I 'Mimic' into a slime and immediately start 'Splitting.' Including my main body, I become 12 slimes.

Wow, I managed to split into 12! My mind is functioning normally. It's just a matter of increased numbers, but it feels fresh!

Alright, my clones! Let's all take down that goblin!

"Kyu!"

The goblin, noticing my presence, ran over with an aggressive smile.

Unlike when I'm in human form, being a slime makes me feel the pressure more. It's like a giant is approaching.

Come on! Don't be scared! We have to take down that goblin!

"Kyu!"

I use my speed to get close to the goblin and deliver a full-body tackle. My gel-like body deforms and bounces back.

Wow, he's hard! A dagger would easily cut him, but my slime body can't even dent him!

My clones follow up with tackles, but they aren't dealing any significant damage.

"Guu!"

At that moment, the goblin punched one of my clones, squishing it. A green splash of slime scattered.

One of the 12 slimes is gone! As long as my main body isn't destroyed, the <Slime> state will continue, and any damage won't be reflected when I revert. So it's not a big problem.

However, our attacks aren't effective, but the goblin's attacks are fatal to us.

What should I do? Should I revert to my original form now? If I keep getting squished one by one, eventually my main body will be destroyed.

'Slime scum! You'll spend the rest of your life running away! There's no place for the weak in this world!'

I remembered Dan's words. The feeling of frustration resurfaced. This body may be weak, but my frustration makes me grit my teeth.

—Let's fight until the end. I can't lose to such a low-level monster! If I run away now, I'll keep losing for the rest of my life!

Everyone! Keep fighting! Let's show the goblin and the slimes who has more endurance!

Even though the goblin isn't affected much by the slimes' tackles, it's not completely invulnerable.

Using our high-speed movement, we confuse the goblin and look for openings to attack. It's a hit-and-run strategy!

I focus my consciousness on the remaining 11 slimes. Using the ground, the goblin's body, and our own bodies, we bounce around like balls!

We move around 360° like mosquitoes. The goblin, unable to keep up with our speed, seems to be confused about where to attack.

"Piigii!"

Taking advantage of the goblin's opening, I tackle him. I can feel his body shake from the impact.

It's a chance! Let's press the attack!

"Kyu kyu kyu kyu!"

We bounce around and deliver a storm of tackles from all directions. The goblin is overwhelmed, and his openings get bigger and bigger.

"Guu guu guu guu!"

At that moment, the goblin's arm hits one of my clones, and it bursts like a water balloon.

The goblin is swinging his arms wildly out of desperation. If I get hit by that, it's game over for sure.

But if we keep up the attack, we can win! Even if my clones get destroyed, we keep tackling.

One by one, my clones are squished. Sometimes, I narrowly avoid being hit by using a clone as a shield.

Five minutes have passed. Only I remain.

"Kyu kyu!"

A perfect tackle. The one hit to the goblin's forehead knocked him down like a tree.

"Guuuu..."

The goblin let out a small death rattle and fell to the ground, motionless.

—I won!

I immediately cancel the 'Mimic' and lie on the ground. I'm quite exhausted, and my breathing is heavy.

"That was close..."

It was a life-or-death battle. The sense of achievement from winning is coursing through my body.

"Well, let's check my status..."

Just as I was about to check, a voice echoed in my head.

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You have reached level 7.

The <Slime> ability has been enhanced.

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