The Fastest Evolution of the Unrivaled Slime: My Rejected Skill was a Cheat for Super Efficient Leveling, So I Trained 100 Times Faster to Become the World’s Strongest

172. Two Diverging Paths [Side – Golem]

Several hours after leaving the forest, I realized I was completely lost.

Now that I think about it, I never actually knew where the Tsunberg territory was.

Would I eventually reach my destination if I kept walking aimlessly? The answer was likely no.

Yet, I had no other options but to keep moving forward.

“Still… I’m getting kind of hungry.”

What should I do? Head back to the forest?

I’d walked in a straight line so far, so returning should be possible.

“Hey! Look over there!”

At that moment, a man’s voice called out from a short distance away.

Looking over, I saw several men on horseback.

They wore full suits of armor, their faces hidden by helmets.

However, there was no doubt they were soldiers from the Tsunberg territory—

especially since they were pointing directly at me.

“There you are, Golem! So, you did survive!”

“…That name again.”

“Where is Lord Matthew?! Why are you wandering alone?!”

In response to their barrage of questions, I kept silent.

The moment I didn’t answer, the tension in the air thickened.

“Kill it! Don’t let the monster live!”

At their captain’s order, five soldiers charged at me on horseback.

To take them all on at once would be tough—especially without any defensive measures.

But I could see it—the fear behind their helmets.

The term ‘monster’ signified just how threatening I appeared to them.

Moreover, they had seen what I was capable of.

“”

I expended 50 experience points and struck the ground with both arms.

A fissure, crackling like lightning, raced out from my fists, and white light spilled forth.

“Uwaaaaaaa!!”

Screams from the soldiers and the neighing of horses mixed together in a cacophony.

In that instant, the ground beneath their feet erupted, throwing them from their mounts.

“Get up, you cowards! Catch the Golem!”

“I-I can’t! There’s no beating that monster! I don’t want to die!!”

The soldiers, scattered and weeping, threw off their helmets as they fled in all directions.

Their fear exceeded my expectations. Even their captain looked bewildered at their pitiful state.

“Useless fools! If that’s the case, I’ll…”

“If so, then I’ll come to you.”

I began walking toward the captain.

Although it was I who was at a disadvantage, he started backing away nervously.

With each step I took, he retreated further.

“What’s the matter? Weren’t you going to capture me? I’m right here.”

“Y-You won’t mock meee!!”

“”

The captain dismounted and charged at me in a frenzy.

I saw through his movement and slammed his head into the ground.

His body struck the earth hard, and his helmet came off.

He looked up at me, eyes wide, letting out a small whimper.

The face beneath was stricken with terror, his legs trembling too much to stand.

“Seems like I’m the one capturing you now.”

“P-Please! No! Don’t!”

He struggled, desperately trying to escape, but my grip on his head made it impossible.

Alright, I’ve neutralized him. Now, what’s next—?

“Please, don’t kill me!”

His plea for life, his anguished expression, the flailing limbs—it was the same as always.

But suddenly, I found myself uncertain.

“No, I won’t kill you.”

“…Huh?”

The man stared, dumbfounded. He was confused, and so was I.

“What, do you want to die?”

“No! Of course not! But… how can I believe you? A Golem sparing a human?!”

“…I don’t want to kill. That’s why I won’t.”

Though I said it, I didn’t fully understand why. Why didn’t I want to kill?

Was it pity? —No, not when they attacked first.

Or did I want to draw it out? —Also no. There was no reason to waste experience on him.

The ability required experience points. Killing granted experience. Not killing—

it was illogical. But the truth remained: I didn’t want to kill.

“I can change. ‘The monster that turned humans into experience’ died with my attack.”

I recalled Arx’s words—an oddly convincing notion.

It wasn’t the Golem, but ‘me’ that wanted not to kill.

If I could understand why, then perhaps I’d understand myself.

“…I’ll spare you. In return, take me to the Tsunberg territory on horseback.”

Releasing the man, I focused on my goal: reaching Tsunberg territory.

――

skill has been enhanced.

――

At that moment, unfamiliar words echoed within my mind.