Epic of Caterpillar Chapter 5: The Truth about the Fores

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In the dead of night.

Baaam! Crash!

"Squeeeeeaak!"

I was startled awake by a violent ruckus echoing through my den!

"Wh-what is happening? Uuuuwawawa!! Birds! Why are you trespassing in my precious lair, you feathered bastards! You've picked the absolute wrong bug to mess with!"

Upon waking, I discovered two colossal birds inside my sanctuary. They had demolished the ceiling and ruined my exquisite thread decorations—it was simply unbearable!

"You wretched chickens! You shall pay for this! Rimuru, attack!"

"Guuuuuuuguguuu!"

Flash.

Rimuru began burning massive amounts of Stamina to skyrocket his speed. By mimicking the tactics I used against the River Emperor, he summoned after-images to confuse the accursed birds.

"Excellent! I'll be having poultry for breakfast! Activating skill: WATER SPEAR! Taaaaake this!!!"

Flash!

Crash!

Baaam!

"Squeeeeeeeaaakkk!!!!"

A gargantuan Water Spear slammed into the lead bird, carrying through its momentum to crush two more behind it!

"Haha! That’s how you take down three birds with one Water Spear! (Th-that was so laaame...)"

| YOU GAINED 918 EXP | | PARTY MEMBER: SERVANT RIMURU GAINED 459 EXP |

| YOU GAINED ONE LEVEL! | | LEVEL 9/20 EXP 323/800 |

| PARTY MEMBER: SERVANT RIMURU GAINED ONE LEVEL! | | LEVEL 10/10 EXP 029/000 |

"Squuueeaak!"

Flash!

Boom!

Completely off guard, a large bird slammed its talons into my back, hurling me toward the floor at terminal velocity!

CRRRAAASH!

"Guueeehh!"

Two more avian hunters dove at me, aiming for the lethal blow!

"Th-this is dire! Activate WATER SHIELD regeneration! Activate RIVER EMPEROR IRON BODY! Activate RIVER EMPEROR PRESSURE!"

BAAAAAM!!

A terrifying aura began radiating from my form, causing the weaker birds to quake in terror! However, those hell-bent on killing me didn't flinch in the slightest!

CRRAAASSHH!

BOOOOM!!

"GUUUUUUUEEEEHHHH! AAAAAAAHHH! I need to stabilize, what is up with this coordinated barrage?! But now I’ve got you point-blank! Combine skill: RIVER KING STRONG JAW and STRONG BITE!"

CRUNCH!

"Squeeeeeeeaaaakk!!!!"

Leveraging the combined power of my jaw-based skills, I shattered the legs of both birds. Their piercing screams caused the rest of the flock to flee in panic!

"WATER SPEAR! WATER SPEAR!"

BAAM! BAAM!

The two birds were obliterated right before me. A fountain of blood erupted from their decimated frames, drenching me from head to toe!

| YOU GAINED 608 EXP! | | PARTY MEMBER: SERVANT RIMURU GAINED 304 EXP! |

| YOU GAINED ONE LEVEL! | | LEVEL 10/20 EXP 131/850 |

"Haha, that’s what happens when you disturb my space... Uugh, this is repulsive... Rimuru? Are you still in one piece?!"

"Guuuu..."

I darted my gaze toward Rimuru, only to see him being pecked relentlessly by a gang of ferocious birds; his HP was nearing rock bottom!

"Rimuru! No! You damned bastards!!"

I lunged at maximum velocity to intercept those swarming Rimuru, repeatedly firing WATER SPEAR!

Flash!

Boom! Boom! Boom!

"Squeeeaaaackk!!!" "Squuuuuuuuuuack!" "Squuuuuuuack!"

Crash! Crash! Crash!

Three massive birds were disintegrated, their blood splattering the entire den, even coating Rimuru!

As the blood washed over him, Rimuru began soaking it up like a sponge, his HP surging back slightly!

| YOU GAINED 904 EXP | | PARTY MEMBER: SERVANT RIMURU GAINED 454 EXP |

| YOU GAINED ONE LEVEL! | | LEVEL 11/20 EXP 185/900 |

| PARTY MEMBER: SERVANT RIMURU LEARNED A NEW SKILL: BIG BIRD TENACITY |

| PARTY MEMBER: SERVANT RIMURU LEARNED A NEW SKILL: BIG BIRD STRONG TACKLE |

"Rimuuruuu! Are you holding up? Here! WATER ELEMENT MAGIC!"

A massive wave of water splashed onto Rimuru. His tiny frame guzzled it greedily, restoring his HP completely.

"Guuguuu!"

Rimuru started hopping with delight, but the celebration was cut short as three more large birds launched a surprise ambush from behind!

"Geek! How many of these things are there? What the hell is going on?! And Rimuru just learned skills from soaking up blood? That’s totally broken!"

One bird charged forward, attempting to barrel me over with a powerful tackle!

Boom!

"Squeeack?!"

The bird halted mid-air upon impact, leaving me completely unmoved. As it looked down at its own feet, it found them utterly pulverized!

"Haha, did you really think that would work twice, you overgrown chickens?! You have seriously poked the hornet's nest this time!"

Flaaaash!

An intense crimson aura crackled around my diminutive butterfly body!

"RIVER KING STRONG BODY and RIVER EMPEROR IRON BODY! Plus WATER ELEMENT ARMOR! This is my finest defensive stance. Care to get a taste? RIVER KING STRONG CLAWS!"

SLASH! BOOM!

A massive claw manifest of red energy shredded the big bird in front of me into ribbons!

| YOU GAINED 306 EXP | | PARTY MEMBER: SERVANT RIMURU GAINED 153 EXP |

| KIREINA EXP 491/900 | | SERVANT RIMURU EXP 940/000 |

Splaash!

Rimuru didn't waste a second, swiftly dispatching the remaining two birds using his new BIG BIRD STRONG TACKLE combined with the temporary buff from RIVER EMPEROR IRON BODY!

"GUUUUUUUUUUU!!!"

BAAAM! BAAAM!

"Squeeeeeeecckkk...!!!"

The birds were completely flattened by Rimuru's tackle and perished instantly!

| YOU GAINED 306 EXP FROM PARTY MEMBER: SERVANT RIMURU |

| PARTY MEMBER: SERVANT RIMURU GAINED 612 EXP |

| KIREINA EXP 797/900 | | SERVANT RIMURU EXP 1552/000 |

"Haaah.. this bizarre raid served as decent grinding, but what is up with these birds? Why would they swarm our nest so suddenly? What is even happening?"

"Guuu..."

The nest fell silent for a few moments now that the strongest avians were slain. The weaker ones either scattered or fainted from the terror of my RIVER KING PRESSURE.

I flew to the entrance, watching the last of the stragglers retreat.

"Yeah! Get the fuck out of my house! Do you have any idea who you're dealing with?!"

"Guuuuuu!"

"This assault came out of nowhere! Why did they target us? It makes no sense! My humble nest is tucked inside a decaying tree; it should be impossible to track. And for what? A tiny butterfly that wouldn't even fill their stomachs? This gives me a sinister feeling, as if someone orchestrated this attack... Could an evolved bird have sensed my power and decided to nip me in the bud?"

The grim reality of this forest and its inhabitants began to dawn on me. It seemed these Emperor-level monsters were locked in constant territorial warfare. My evolution and subsequent victory over the River Emperor had clearly made me a target!

"No way... I truly hope that’s just a theory. If that’s the reality, then every Emperor-type monster in this forest will be coming for me next! This is a total nightmare! What should we do, Rimuru?"

"Guuguuguuu!!"

"Eeh? You think we should meet them head-on? Bu-but that's far too reckless! We need contingency plans and more minions. Also, this location is compromised! Let's find a new sanctuary... let's move out, Rimuru..."

"Guuu..."

We ventured outside in search of a new home. I took one last look at my broken, decrepit nest—the place where I spent so many nights as a Caterpillar—and a pang of genuine sorrow touched my heart.

"Sigh... Well, it’s no use dwelling on it! I still have you, Rimuru! I have to keep moving forward; I can't just blubber like a hatchling over a lost house! Let’s go!"

"Guuuuu!"

Rimuru hopped along, looking surprisingly cheerful.

After finishing half of the high-level bird's meat, I let Rimuru consume the rest along with the smaller prey that hadn't survived.

| YOU OBTAINED A NEW TITLE: MERCILESS AVIAN KILLER |

| YOU LEARNED A NEW SKILL: BIG BIRD TENACITY |

| YOU LEARNED A NEW SKILL: BIG BIRD STRONG TACKLE |

| YOU LEARNED A NEW SKILL: BIG BIRD VINOCULAR VISION |

| YOU LEARNED A NEW SKILL: WIND ELEMENT AFFINITY |

| YOU LEARNED A NEW SKILL: BIG BIRD GALE WINGS |

| PARTY MEMBER: SERVANT RIMURU LEARNED A NEW SKILL: BIG BIRD VINOCULAR VISION |

| PARTY MEMBER: SERVANT RIMURU LEARNED A NEW SKILL: WIND ELEMENT AFFINITY |

| PARTY MEMBER: SERVANT RIMURU LEARNED A NEW SKILL: BIG BIRD GALE WINGS |

And so, our quest to find a new territory began.

| DAY 8 |

"Haaah... we've been wandering since the attack and it’s already morning; is there seriously no other cozy-looking tree in this wilderness?"

"Guu..."

Ever since leaving our old home, Rimuru and I had been trekking for hours. For some reason, I hadn't come across an old tree that met my standards.

"The old one was just perfect! This is so unfair!"

"Geeeh.."

"Wh-what was that, Rimuru?"

"Guuururu!"

"Hmmph, whatever. Maybe a cave would offer better space, especially since our party is bound to grow soon, right?"

"Guu! Guu!"

Rimuru started bouncing excitedly, like he was trying to convey something urgent.

"Eeh?"

"Woooof!"

In the distance, framed by the trees, a massive crimson wolf with a jagged facial scar was mauling a smaller one. The victim was covered in gashes, looking like death was seconds away.

"A wolf? And it’s blood-red! I’ve never seen this species before. I’ll call them Crimson Wolves! Are they territorial? The larger one has at least Emperor-level potency, and that weak one is like a novice King-class creature... it’s about to get finished off... Should I just stay out of this?"

"Guuuuuuu!"

Without waiting for my command, Rimuru bolted toward the wolves at full speed! He actually wanted to rescue the underdog!

"Wh-what?! Since when did you become so compassionate toward weaker lifeforms, you idiot?! Get back here! Hey!"

"Damn it! Fine, just wait until this is over! I’m going to spank you for this!"

I flew at top speed to recover Rimuru just as the large Crimson Wolf prepared the final blow. But in that split second!

Flaaash! Baaam!

Rimuru slammed into the Crimson Wolf's face with a ferocious BIG BIRD TACKLE.

"Awoooooo!!! Waaafrr!"

The wolf stumbled back from Rimuru’s sheer force!

"Grrrrrrr!! Waaaaaffrr!"

Baring his massive fangs, the Crimson Wolf lunged at Rimuru!

Flash!

Baaam!

"Awwwoooo?!"

Before it realized what happened, a colossal Water Spear struck the Crimson Wolf squarely in the spine, dealing a significant blow!

"What? It didn't perish from one Water Spear?! This combatant is definitely an Emperor-class monster, and far stronger than the River Emperor! Was that River guy just the bottom of the barrel? You have to be kidding me!"

Flash! Flash!

Baaam! Baaam!

I fired two more Water Spears into his back, and the Crimson Wolf Emperor howled in agony!

"Awoooooooooo!!"

Before he could steady himself, Rimuru snuck in another blow to the nape of his neck!

Claash!

"Graaaawwwrrrrrrrrr....!!!"

The Crimson Wolf Emperor was sent skidding at least four meters back!

"Haha, that’s what you get, you arrogant Emperor! I know you creeps want to purge me now that I’ve taken out one of your own! How about this: want to enlist in my army?"

The Crimson Wolf Emperor climbed to his feet and projected his voice directly into my mind!

"I would never stoop to serve the likes of insects! Why did you interfere? You’re just fodder! I’ll show the other Emperors that you’re nothing but a joke—that even worrying about you is a waste of time! I want to see the Wyvern Overlord's face when he sees your broken corpse in my jaws! Hahaha! Now prepare yourself, TRASH!"

"WHAT DID YOU JUST CALL ME, YOU BRAINLESS CUR?! YOU HAVE OFFICIALLY PUSHED ME TOO FAR! PREPARE FOR YOUR OWN PERSONAL HELL! RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!! Rimuru! Gear up! Activate skills: ATTACK COMMAND and DEFENCE COMMAND!"

| PARTY MEMBER: SERVANT RIMURU ATTACK AND DEFENCE STAT HAVE INCREASED BY 20% |

"ACTIVE BUFFS! ACTIVATE! WATER SHIELD, START REGENERATING NOW! RIVER EMPEROR PRESSURE! RAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!"

I triggered every buff and activated my Water Shield, charging headfirst into close quarters against the Crimson Wolf Emperor! I had never been this incensed; I went into a complete berserker frenzy, discarding all tactical caution!

Flaaash!

My form vanished from the wolf’s line of sight!

"Whhhat?! That speed! How can a lowly creature like you achieve Emperor-class buffs?! Wh-what are you?!"

BAAAAM!

"RIVER EMPEROR STRONG CLAW!"

"Guuuuaaaakkkkkk!!!!"

Unprepared, the Crimson Wolf Emperor took my deadliest close-combat strike to the back of his head!

He was sent tumbling across the clearing but miraculously maintained his footing!

"AMAZING! I think I severely underestimated you! HAHAHA! I will pull out all the stops! Our battle shall be legendary!"

Fuoooshh!

The Emperor activated an array of terrifying buffs, skyrocketing his stats beyond natural limits!

A suffocating, oppressive aura began radiating from his massive musculature!

"Guuuaaakk! This guy is no joke! Why did I let his provocation bait me into a berserker state? I must think clearly; I can't just run wild and die pointlessly! Rimuru! Use your after-images to distract him while I keep the distance! If your Stamina tanks, we swap!"

"Guuuruuuuu!!!!!!!"

Rimuru looked fired up, immediately burning his Stamina to project illusions of himself!

"Eeeh?! A miniscule lifeform achieving such speed! Hahaha! Futile! I will show you what true force is! RAAAAA!"

CLASH!

The Emperor lunged at Rimuru, but the crushing blow was absorbed by Rimuru's use of BIG BIRD TACKLE and his defensive buffs!

"Hang in there, Rimuru! Water Affinity, don't let me down! WATER ELEMENT MAGIC, WATER MANIPULATION, WATER SHOT, and WATER SPEAR—COMBINE!"

A massive orb of water surged over my head, and I began fusing my water techniques. Seconds later, I visualized complex weaponry, and then...

Flash! Flash! Flash!

Boom! Boom! Boom!

A literal rain of weapon-shaped projectiles fell from the sky! Swords, lances, spears, axes—it was an awe-inspiring deluge!

A dozen water weapons crashed into the Wolf Emperor’s spine, his own blood mixing with his crimson fur in a brilliant, violent display!

"Gggraaaaawwrrr?!! Th-this is high-level magic! Impossible!"

"BUAHAHA! Impressed, Emperor?! I just improvised this little technique! I call it the Gate of Bjarmia! Care for another helping? It's on the house!"

Flaash! Flaash! Flaash!

Crash! Crash! Crash!

Eight more weapon-grade water bullets descended at speeds that sliced through the very air!

"GUOOOOOOOHHHH!!!! You rat! GAAAH! I can't shred this liquid body! It’s unreasonably solid, what even is its Defense stat?!"

"GUUUUUU!"

CLASH!

Rimuru slammed into the Wolf Emperor's existing wounds and began siphoning his blood!

"Sluuurp!"

Rimuru recovered a sliver of Stamina and HP!

"What kind of underhanded trash tactic is that?! DIE ALREADY! RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!"

BAAAAAM!

Rimuru failed to react in time, getting completely leveled by the Wolf Emperor’s kick!

CRASH!

His little body slammed into a tree, splitting it right down the middle. Rimuru lay there exhausted, nearly liquefying under the strain.

"Guuuuruuu..."

"Rimuruuu! Take this, catch the bullet! Please, rally!"

Flash! Bam!

Rimuru caught the water bullet, instantly recovering half of his max HP!

"Alright, let's swap spots!"

"Guuuuuuuuuururururu!"

I switched in, initiating a savage brawl with the Crimson Wolf Emperor. His strikes were absolutely on another level!

"Guahaha! You finally have the guts to engage close-up! You aren't bad for a miserable bug!"

"RAAAAAAAAA! DONT CALL ME A BUG, YOU FILTH! I’LL END YOU! RIVER KING STRONG CLAWS!"

SLASH! SPLAT!

CRASH!

At the exact moment, the Wolf Emperor met my Strong Claw with his own claw techniques!

From the rear, Rimuru kept firing water shots, slowly draining the Wolf Emperor’s pool of HP.

CLASH! CLASH!

"Ghhhkk! How much HP does this freak have?! He’s insane on every metric! How did I get dragged into this death match?! God damn it! TAKE THIS! RIVER KING STRONG JAWS, STRONG BITE, and RIVER KING STRONG CLAWS—COMBINE: RIVER EMPEROR JAWS AND CLAWS! RAAAAA!"

CLASH!

The Wolf Emperor couldn't deflect in time, taking the full force of my dual strike directly to his neck wounds!

"GRRAAAAAWRR!!! TH-THIS! I AM GOING TO LOSE?! NO WAY! NO WAAAAAAYYYY!!!!"

The Wolf Emperor entered a true berserker state, pushing his physical stats into the stratosphere!

A thick, crimson aura erupted from his skin, and his eyes burned with an icy, malicious red. In the blink of an eye, he tore across the distance, blasting me through several trees!

BAAAM! BAAAM! CRASH! CRASH!

"GUUUUAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!!!!"

| SYSTEM MESSAGE: YOU ARE IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION, YOUR HP IS LOWER THAN 10% |

"Ye-yeah... Thanks for the worthless notification. Not like it helps when I’m out of healing skills..."

Flash!

A crimson figure loomed over me in seconds!

"That was a respectable duel, Undine Butterfly Kireina. But you’re simply too weak. The strong triumph and devour the weak; it’s the immutable law of this land. Say your final words."

"Gaaack… Bahaha...!"

"What is funny? You’re on the brink of death, yet you laugh at your fate. Do you not feel the agony of defeat?"

"What are you even babbling about, you brainless mutt? This is my victory... Checkmate..."

"You are speaking nonse-"