Chapter 9 — Divergence of Fates
The forest had changed since my battle with the Apex Predator. Shadows clung to the trees more densely, and the faint pulse of mana in the air hinted at residual effects from my Abyssal Dominion. Even the smallest creatures seemed to move differently, as if cautious of a presence they couldn't comprehend.
I stood at the edge of a clearing, partially dispersed into mist, senses stretched. The daily sign-ins had been claimed fully today: Abyssal Dominion, Echo Enhancement Upgrade, Shadowed Ribbon Empowerment, Environmental Integration Lv.2, and a Unique Item—a Cursed Mana Core capable of temporarily amplifying my sub-skills beyond normal limits.
Cursed Sage spoke, with a hint of something new in its voice:
"Host, probability assessment: high-rank anomaly approaching. Analysis indicates structured intelligence, power magnitude: exceptional."
I narrowed my eyes. "Exceptional? That sounds… familiar."
The wind shifted, carrying a subtle surge of mana—distinctly humanoid. My internal sensors flared. Someone—or something—was very nearby.
Cursed Sage:
"Host, detection parameters suggest this entity is not native to this timeline's expected ecology. Likely anomaly class: World-Altering Being."
I felt my heartbeat—or the semi-conceptual equivalent. This must be Rimuru.
It wasn't a hunch. Faint ripples in the timeline, the patterns of ambient mana, even the residual effects of previous anomalies—everything converged toward a single presence.
I smiled faintly. Not out of arrogance, but anticipation. Finally, a chance to measure my growth against a world-class entity.
From the treeline, a ripple of mana condensed into a familiar form: a humanoid slime, blue and fluid, yet radiating immense power. Rimuru's presence was unmistakable, serene but overwhelmingly strong. I could feel his analytical mind, perceiving the environment, adapting to possibilities, calculating outcomes in real-time.
Cursed Sage whispered:
"Host, probability of hostile engagement: 12.7%. Probability of beneficial anomaly detection if engagement occurs: 87.3%."
I exhaled. Not fear, but calculation. This encounter was not about fighting blindly. This was strategic engagement—a test of everything I had learned.
I stepped into the clearing, letting Abyssal Dominion flow subtly, bending shadows, manipulating mana currents, and adjusting environmental pressures. My form shimmered, partially dispersed, but fully aware of Rimuru's movements.
Rimuru's gaze met mine, almost imperceptible, yet I felt recognition—acknowledgment of a being outside the expected timeline. He spoke softly, yet the words carried weight.
"You… aren't supposed to exist here."
I smiled faintly. "And yet, here I am. Just… observing. Testing."
Cursed Sage muttered, almost nervously:
"Host, caution advised. Timeline-altering entity detected. Engagement strategy requires maximum efficiency, minimal exposure."
I nodded. "Noted. Let's start cautiously."
Rimuru moved. Fluid, deliberate. The forest seemed to bend with him. I sensed the latent pressure of Devourer's Awareness, yet even that was filtered through curiosity rather than aggression.
I tested the waters, activating Shadowed Flow Technique — Veil of Umbral Steps and Spectral Echo — Phantom Residue. My forms dispersed into shadows, creating multiple echoes around the clearing.
Rimuru tilted his head. Not hostile, but interested.
I pressed subtly, activating Abyssal Dominion — Void Weave to manipulate minor terrain features: tree roots shifted, moss thickened, small mana currents redirected. Not to attack, but to gauge reaction.
Rimuru's eyes flickered. He adjusted instinctively, avoiding the manipulated terrain without breaking stride, analyzing, integrating.
Cursed Sage whispered:
"Host, adaptive analysis: opponent intelligence exceeds high-rank predator threshold. Combat effectiveness must rely on strategy, not raw power."
I grinned faintly. That was exactly what I wanted.
I decided to escalate carefully. I activated Curse-Laced Strike, integrating with Temporal Displacement Echo, aiming for minor destabilization of Rimuru's peripheral perception.
He paused. Not stunned, not reacting aggressively, but adjusting to compensate. He didn't attack, but the subtle shift in his stance suggested recognition of a potential threat.
Cursed Sage muttered almost audibly now:
"Host, probability of successful skill application: 37.4%. Recommend escalation via Abyssal Dominion direct application."
I hesitated for a heartbeat. Too much, and I risked drawing hostility. But not enough, and I gained nothing.
I allowed Abyssal Dominion — Dominion's Reach to extend subtly, influencing small ambient mana flows around Rimuru. The effect wasn't overt—he barely noticed it—but I could feel his subtle corrections, the tiniest adjustments in posture and mana management.
It was like shaking hands with the environment itself.
Minutes passed in this silent, tense observation. Then Rimuru spoke again, calm, but firm:
"You're strong… but reckless."
I laughed softly, mist dispersing slightly to reveal more of my form. "Perhaps. Or perhaps… I'm learning faster than you expect."
Cursed Sage muttered under its breath:
"Host, observation: opponent may be measuring your reaction, not threatening directly. Recommend cautious dialogue to increase knowledge acquisition."
I nodded. "Agreed."
We circled the clearing, neither attacking, both analyzing. Every movement, every fluctuation of ambient mana, became data. I tested Shadowed Flow Technique — Mana Current Assimilation, subtly drawing energy from surrounding trees to reinforce my form. Rimuru adjusted, yet did not intervene—allowing me the experiment.
It was the first time I felt the thrill of engaging a world-class being without outright combat, feeling my skills grow just by existing and interacting intelligently.
Cursed Sage remarked, almost thoughtfully:
"Host, your adaptive skills and race evolution are integrating at unprecedented rates. If conflict escalates, host now capable of limited combat parity with anomaly-class entity."
I smiled faintly. Parity was a long way off—but growth was inevitable.
Finally, Rimuru's mana ripple paused. He spoke, almost curiously:
"You're… interesting. Not part of the expected timeline, yet capable. I'll be watching."
With that, he moved, dispersing into the forest silently. Not an attack. Not a retreat. Just… observation.
I watched him go, exhaling. My form shimmered in the fading mana light.
Cursed Sage whispered, contemplative:
"Host, first interaction with timeline anomaly complete. Adaptive analysis: +16.3% skill integration efficiency. Learning rate now exceeds baseline expectations."
I smiled faintly, humbled but exhilarated. That had been a rare encounter—one I would learn from endlessly.