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

173. Name Yourself [Side – Golem]

Something inexplicable happened.

I continued checking my status while swaying on horseback.

――

? Male 16 years old

Level 1

Skills

Experience Points Remaining: 860

…Uses 10 experience points. Temporarily increases own attack power for 1 minute. (+1)

…Uses 50 experience points. Allows a punch imbued with explosive force.

…Uses 200 experience points. Generates a long-range shockwave.

…Uses 500 experience points. Hardens both arms to use as shields.

…Uses 1000 experience points. Delivers a series of intense strikes.

…Uses 3000 experience points. Temporarily enhances hardness and physical abilities for 5 minutes.

――

With an announcement that the abilities of had been strengthened, my skills had changed.

“Hey. Can a skill’s abilities really get enhanced like this?”

“I-I don’t know. I’ve never heard of such a thing…”

The former captain running behind me asked hesitantly.

It didn’t seem like he was lying.

This was a first.

Skill enhancement? Is this something that normally happens?

Even though I couldn’t identify the phenomenon,

I immediately understood what was happening. My skill had gotten stronger.

After the text (+1) had been added.

This likely meant that could now demonstrate greater power with the same experience point cost.

Naturally, this was good news for me.

If the boost in physical ability from increased, I’d be able to defeat even stronger opponents in battle.

――

Perhaps that man, Arx, had also repeatedly strengthened his skills.

If that’s the case, his immense strength makes sense.

Well, I can confirm this with him later. For now, there are more pressing matters.

“…Hey.”

“W-what?”

When I called out to the former captain again, he flinched, his shoulders trembling as he forced an awkward smile.

“…I promise not to kill you. Just answer me properly.”

“I-I understand… Alright, I’ll stop being scared.”

“What’s your name?”

“I am Vitt.”

When he answered so plainly, I found myself puzzled.

“…Why?”

“Why? What do you mean?”

“Why are you called Vitt?”

Vitt looked confused.

He probably hadn’t been asked such a thing before.

“That’s because—my father named me that. Names are just like that.”

“…Does that mean I have a name too?”

At that, Vitt finally seemed to realize something, his expression shifting as it dawned on him.

I don’t have a name. Golem is just a nickname.

Knowing your name is crucial for understanding yourself.

But I had no clues to follow.

Vitt frowned and thought for a moment, then finally answered as if forcing the words out.

“…It’s possible. If your family gave you one, that is. But—”

Finding that family would be no easy task.

“Then you’ll do. Give me a name.”

“Me!?”

Caught off guard, Vitt looked shocked, his eyes wide and his expression awkward.

“…No, I can’t.”

“Why not?”

“Names are… How should I put it? They’re special. They’re not something you just hand out casually. That’s why you should have someone important to you give you one.”

I couldn’t understand that sentiment.

To me, it didn’t matter who named me.

But there was something unsettling about his words.

That strange feeling left me at a loss for words.

“By the way… Golem, why are you heading to the Thunberg Territory?”

“Isn’t it obvious? To find out what Matthew planned to do with me—”

I trailed off as a realization hit me.

This guy was one of Matthew’s men. Why not just ask him?

“Hey, answer me. Why did Matthew keep me around?”

Vitt averted his gaze momentarily, as if considering staying silent,

but fearing I might kill him, he sighed and began to speak.

“…I don’t know. I was only told to keep an eye on you.”

“Useless.”

“Don’t call me useless! …But, now that I think about it, I remember Matthew gathering other children, like you, as slaves.”

That jogged my memory.

I’d seen Matthew select me from among many children in the past.

“I heard he did it to find special kids like you—. Apparently, besides you, one more child was chosen.”

“Another special child? Besides me?”

This was news to me.

If there’s someone else like that,

they probably have a unique skill as well.

If so, they might hold the key to understanding my own skill.

It seems I must go to the Tsunberg Territory to uncover the truth.

“Hey, Vitt. When we reach the destination, take me to where that other child is. And teach me how to make this horse run faster.”

“Ugh, you’re so demanding! I’m just an old man; stop overworking me!”

Vitt heaved a deep sigh and reluctantly whipped the horse onward.