Chapter 17: The Acquisition of Bulk
The swamp-air is thick enough to chew on. It's a humid, stagnant mess that makes me miss the dry heat of the Dwarf Kingdom's forge. At least that didn't smell like a fermented gym bag.
I hover silently above the mossy ground, my dark surface gleaming with the reinforced density I siphoned from Benimaru. Ahead, the sounds of wet, rhythmic crunching echo through the trees.
Notice. Target vanguard reached. Numbers: 2,104 Orc units. Behavior: Scavenging/Cannibalism. [Starving] effect is at 85% saturation.
Azathoth, give me a thermal overlay. I want to see which of these pigs has the highest potential yield before we turn the rest into fertilizer.
Analysis. The vanguard commander possesses higher muscle density and [Corrosive Resistance] due to the consumption of marsh-serpents. Suggestion: Replicate the 'Physical Constitution' law to further minimize physical damage risk.
Copy that. If I'm going to be a blob, I might as well be an armored one.
"Benimaru," I pulse, my voice a cold, localized vibration. "The commander is the one with the slightly more expensive-looking rusted cleaver. He's mine. The rest are your department. Try not to leave too much of a mess; I don't want to spend my evening manifested as a giant squeegee."
"As you wish, Shinji," Benimaru says, his hand on his nodachi. "Kurobe, Hakuro—clear the flanks. Do not let a single one escape to report our numbers."
The Kijin blur into motion. It's a beautiful display of efficient labor—minimal movements, maximum lethality. I, however, simply [Spatial Motion] myself directly into the path of the Orc Commander.
The beast is massive, its skin grey and taut over unnatural muscle. It sees me—a dark, silent sphere—and raises its cleaver with a guttural roar.
[Transaction Domain]
The air freezes. The Orc's swing slows as the "Economic Pressure" hits its motor functions. It's like trying to swing a sword through solid lead.
"You have a very high 'Corrosive Resistance' rating," I pulse, my internal monologue wondering if I can replicate his skin texture without looking like a wrinkled potato. "I'll take that as a down payment for your life."
I close the distance, my membrane making light contact with the Orc's arm.
[Law Manipulation – Copy]
Acquiring [Corrosive Resistance]... Success. Acquiring [Enhanced Physical Constitution: Orc Variant]... Success. Note: Magicule density is now being optimized to simulate a semi-solid internal lattice.
Magicule Reserve: 96.8%.
The Orc commander shivers, his very essence being appraised and duplicated. He tries to roar, but I don't give him the chance to file a complaint.
[Capitalist's Inventory]
A rift opens beneath his feet. Before he can even process the loss of his momentum, the commander is swallowed whole. No blood. No drama. Just a successful repossession.
Item Acquired: Orc Commander (Unit). Value: Low (Labor potential). Energy Conversion Yield: Pending.
I look around. The clearing is silent. The 2,000 Orcs have been "liquidated" by the Kijin. Rimuru is standing nearby, looking at the empty space where the commander was.
"That was... fast," Rimuru says, his blue body wobbling. "You're getting really good at that 'Copy' thing, Shinji."
"It's just vertical integration, Rimuru," I pulse, my body feeling noticeably sturdier. "I saw a feature I liked, so I acquired the rights to it. Now, let's find the main army. I want to see if this 'Orc Lord' has anything worth a true investment."
Notice. Major magicule signature detected deep in the marshes. It is radiating a 'Hunger' that is beginning to distort the local laws of the forest.
ROI Analysis: The Orc Lord is no longer just a monster; it is a conceptual threat to all forest assets.