The changes happening to Shion were impossible to miss, and they very quickly drew everyone's attention.
Especially Benimaru and the others—who had just been thoroughly "taught a lesson" by Rimuru once again—now stared at Shion, who had just accepted Ren Kuroda's naming, with expressions full of disbelief.
As comrades from the same village, Benimaru and the others knew Shion far too well. And precisely because of that, they found it impossible to believe she would ever choose betrayal.
And that so-called human—what was going on with him?
They had clearly been enemies moments ago. So why would he suddenly choose to name Shion?
Compared to the shock and confusion of the ogre clan, Rimuru, watching Shion's transformation unfold, wore an expression of calm familiarity.
As for why?
Because not long ago, he had personally named an entire goblin village—and an entire Direwolf clan on top of that. The aftermath had left him completely drained for a full three days…
That said—
Do humans really have the ability to name monsters?
Answer: As long as the quantity of magicules is sufficient, humans are likewise capable of naming monsters.However, based on the magicule output of the individual before you, that being cannot be classified as human.
Further Analysis:Comparing the post-naming magicule increase of the individual known as "Shion" and the magicule consumption of the one who performed the naming—Data indicates that the namer's total magicule reserves are approximately equal to yours… or possibly several times greater.
Because Shion had been named, the attention of everyone present was inevitably drawn to her.
And aside from Shion herself—the most eye-catching existence on the battlefield—the one who had named her, Ren Kuroda, naturally became the focus of countless gazes.
Confirmation: Individual "Shion" has completed evolution.Race has evolved from Ogre to Kijin.Total magicule capacity has significantly increased.
Even without Great Sage's explanation, Rimuru could clearly see that Shion was nothing like before.
Back when she was an ogre, Shion had possessed a towering physique, dark skin, and fierce, intimidating features.
Now, after evolving into a Kijin, her height had reduced to that of a normal human woman, her skin had become strikingly fair, and aside from the single horn still protruding from her forehead, she looked almost indistinguishable from an ordinary human.
Of course—
There was one thing that hadn't changed at all.
Her proudly overwhelming bust.
As big as it was before… it was exactly the same now.
Her frame might have become slimmer, but the surge in magicules within her body was undeniable.
To put it bluntly—
The current Shion could effortlessly crush Benimaru and the others without breaking a sweat.
Although Shion was thrilled by the explosive growth of her power and the new skills she had gained, her expression soon twisted into visible conflict.
The survivors of the ogre village numbered only a few now. Their young lord and princess were still alive, and by all rights, they were the ones she should be loyal to.
Yet somehow, she had accepted Ren Kuroda's naming.
If her lord chose to continue treating the one who named her as an enemy… then where was she supposed to stand?
That question genuinely troubled her.
"Turning you into a Named Monster was partly my responsibility," Ren said calmly as he looked at Shion, who had just completed her evolution."But what you're worrying about isn't something you need to dwell on."
"I've been explaining this from the very beginning. I truly know nothing about what happened to your village."
He casually tossed a Low-Grade Yōki Crystal into his mouth as he spoke.
"Frankly speaking—if I were really the one who did it, with my level of strength, killing you all would've been effortless. There'd be no reason for me to waste time explaining anything."
Fortunately, when Ren swallowed the crystal, he immediately felt the magicules he had expended in naming Shion begin to recover.
Which meant—
The cost he had paid wasn't permanent.
Glancing at Shion, then at Benimaru and the others—who were now completely subdued by Rimuru—Ren shrugged.
"Looks like you've finally calmed down. So, let me properly introduce myself."
"My name is Ren Kuroda. I entered the Jura Forest because I got lost."
"I didn't know anyone here before today. And if you think humans are deceitful creatures whose words can't be trusted—then let me make one thing clear."
"I'm not a pure human to begin with."
"You're ogres, right? If we're talking lineage… that makes us distant relatives, doesn't it?"
To lend weight to his words, Ren deactivated the skill concealing his presence.
In that instant—
A vast torrent of magicules burst forth like a breached dam, flooding the surroundings of the Jura Forest.
The overwhelming pressure sent nearby monsters fleeing deeper into the forest in sheer terror.
Gobta and the goblins Rimuru had brought along felt the force at close range—and immediately collapsed to their knees.
Ranga and Benimaru fared better than the goblins, but even they stared at Ren's unleashed presence in stunned silence.
The only ones still standing calmly—
Were Shion, freshly evolved, and Rimuru, the ever-unbothered slime.
Inside Rimuru, Great Sage issued rapid warnings as Ren's magicule output continued to skyrocket.
Alert: Individual "Ren Kuroda" is experiencing rapid magicule escalation.Current level: 80% of your total… 100%… exceeding threshold.
Threat Evaluation: Harmless → Normal → Dangerous → Extremely Dangerous.
Classification Update:Individual "Ren Kuroda" — race undergoing transformation.Current designation: High-Grade Majin Species — Yōki Oni.
As his magicules surged, Ren activated his full demonic transformation.
In this world, that form easily qualified as a Majin-class existence.
Two massive horns rose skyward.Crimson hair flowed down to his waist.Clawed hands radiated destructive power.
The ogres present were utterly dumbfounded.
No matter how they looked at him—
This was not a human.
And judging by his traits alone, Ren was undeniably an upper-tier lineage within the ogre race.
Whether he was the absolute pinnacle was unclear—but he was unquestionably far beyond ordinary ogres.
The moment Ren revealed this form, all remaining doubts Benimaru and the others had vanished.
If someone like him truly wanted their village's loyalty, there would've been no need for schemes or slaughter.
He could've simply shown up—and the entire village would've willingly served him.
Just as goblins instinctively obey Hobgoblins, or Dragonewts dominate lizardfolk—
Among monsters, dominance by a superior lineage was an unspoken law.
Lower races might resist unrelated species.
But against a superior of the same bloodline?
The pressure came from the very soul.
So if Ren Kuroda had truly harbored hostile intentions—
Their village would never have stood a chance.
"…An upper-tier oni…"
Of everyone present, the happiest was undoubtedly Shion.
Her thoughts matched Benimaru's exactly.
If Ren was a superior oni, then the one who destroyed their village could not have been him.
And if he wasn't their enemy—
Then she no longer had any reason to hesitate.
"Ren Kuroda… then I should address you as Lord Ren, shouldn't I?"
Shion's eyes sparkled with excitement.
"Thank you for giving me such a beautiful name. And thank you for granting me this power—power strong enough to take revenge."
"Once I help my lord and slay our clan's enemies… Shion will follow you for the rest of her life."
She could feel it clearly.
After becoming a Named Monster, her strength had skyrocketed beyond imagination.
And more importantly—
As Ren's direct subordinate, she had inherited one of his skills.
A skill Ren himself had only recently obtained.
『Chaos God Strength』.
In the original flow of fate, Shion had already been the strongest among the Kijin when it came to raw power.
But since Rimuru lacked strength-type skills, what she received from him had been different abilities.
Now?
A strength specialist, granted the ultimate brute-force skill.
How powerful had Shion become?
Ren didn't even get the chance to stop her.
Shion charged straight at Rimuru, war hammer raised high—
Only for Rimuru to dodge effortlessly.
The iron spiked hammer shattered on impact with the ground, unable to withstand its new owner's monstrous strength.
But even so—
The shockwave alone tore through the earth.
The ground convulsed violently. Trees collapsed in droves.
A massive fissure ripped open from Shion's feet, extending over a hundred meters.
At its widest point, the crack spanned nearly ten meters.
The sheer devastation left no doubt as to how terrifying that single strike had been.
Even Rimuru, who had dodged in time, couldn't help but gape.
With his slime body, he had high resistance to physical attacks—but if that blow had landed…
He might've ended up as a puddle of mochi.
"Tch."
Shion clicked her tongue, tossing aside the shattered handle of her weapon.
Just as she was about to charge again with her bare hands—
Two voices shouted at once.
"STOP!"