Without wasting any time, I activated the summoning. First, I called forth 100 of my regular slimes. Their round, translucent bodies appeared instantly, bouncing and clustering around me as if they already understood they had an important task to complete.
Then I summoned the five evolved slimes. Their presence felt different: still round, yes, but their bodies glowed with a more intense light, and faint mantis-like limb outlines shimmered beneath their gel-like forms, ready to materialize when needed. I observed them and nodded to myself. These would become my true attackers in the future, but for now, their role was more tactical.
My plan was clear. I wouldn't attack the goblin villages directly. It was far too early, and I wasn't willing to risk my strongest slimes without securing an advantage. First, I needed resources. And I needed to multiply my regular slimes.
"Everyone, follow my command," I ordered mentally.
"Devour everything you find around you."
The regular slimes dispersed with surprising precision. Their combat strength was limited, but each one possessed natural corrosive acid a byproduct of their biology which allowed them to consume any type of plant or organic material with ease. Bushes, weeds, tall grass… everything vanished the moment their bodies touched it.
Little by little, the initial 100 slimes began to multiply. By the end of the day, they had grown to 200. The island trembled ever so slightly with the energy generated by their growth and the constant absorption of resources.
I kept the evolved slimes close, observing everything with care. These five looked nearly identical to the regular ones in shape and movement, but the crucial difference lay in their offensive ability. Each could form a mantis-like limb at will and that meant that, although they were acting as observers for now, they could unleash precise and destructive attacks the moment I ordered them to.
With the growing number of regular slimes, my strategy began to take shape:
1. Controlled Multiplication:
The regular slimes would consume everything around them to gradually increase their numbers.
2. Cover Creation:
Once I had enough, they would serve as "distractions," drawing the attention of the goblins and their villages.
3. Selective Strike:
The five evolved slimes stronger and armed with offensive limbs would carry out critical attacks on structures or key targets.
As the regular slimes kept feeding and multiplying, I watched small trees reduce to splinters and vegetation disappear entirely. Every crushed stone and every devoured plant increased the slimes' energy, accelerating their reproduction, albeit more slowly than if I had access to richer resources.
Then I focused on the next step: preparing the five evolved slimes. I commanded them to keep their mantis limbs ready but passive powerful, but concealed.
It was a strategy of camouflage. The regular slimes would be visible to any goblin patrols, while the evolved slimes could move unnoticed, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
I took a moment to analyze the terrain. I located areas where stones could be broken down by the slimes and where small trees and bushes still remained. I planned to use these spots to test the strength and coordination of the evolved slimes before launching any real attack.
"Alright, boys," I said, "let's practice a bit. Strike the stones and the nearby trees. Maximum focus. Precision and power."
The five evolved slimes responded instantly. Their mantis limbs emerged from their round bodies flexible yet sharp as blades. Each strike shattered stones and split tree trunks within seconds. Their control was astonishing; they could slice, strike, and grasp objects with surgical precision.
It was only a training session, but their potential was undeniable: I could carry out surgical strikes on the goblin villages without exposing all my regular slimes.
As I watched them, I couldn't help but smile. My strategy was working perfectly. The regular slimes were growing and gathering energy, while the evolved ones demonstrated their destructive strength, ready for the decisive moment.
When night fell, my secret domain was illuminated only by a campfire I'd built beside my tent. The firelight reflected beautifully across the translucent bodies of the slimes. The regular ones kept devouring everything around them, and although their number had only reached 200, their energy and coordination gave me enough confidence to continue with the next phase.
The five evolved slimes remained alert, vigilant, ready to act at any moment.