Chapter 1: Awakening in Weakness
The air is thick with dampness, the forest teeming with rustling leaves and distant howls. A small, gelatinous creature stirs among the roots of an ancient tree. It shimmers faintly, reflecting the moonlight—a slime, utterly unremarkable in a world brimming with magic and peril. But within the fragile body of this slime lies a soul unlike any other: the soul of Azuryth, the most feared dragon of her era, reborn into this pitiful form.
Rikouh—the name Azuryth chooses in her newfound humility—wiggles cautiously through the forest. Memories of her glorious past life flash before her, tinged with bitterness. She recalls her strength, her power, her mastery of magic and creation. But most of all, she remembers the Sword of Eternity, the pinnacle of her craftsmanship, hidden deep within the earth, untouched since her betrayal.
Weakness gnaws at Rikouh's pride. Her slime body struggles even to fend off small predators—a pair of snickering forest goblins chase her, laughing at her feeble attempts to escape. "Look, it's a slime! Doesn't even have a single skill!" they mock.
The goblins corner Rikouh by a jagged rock. Fear and frustration bubble within her, and for the first time, she taps into the faint energy lingering in her soul. A single desperate attack—a weak burst of force—knocks the goblins back just long enough for her to flee into the dense foliage.
Collapsing beneath the shelter of a mushroom tree, Rikouh reflects on her predicament. Her memories are fragmented, her powers stripped, but one thing remains clear: she must regain strength. She must find her sword. "I refuse to stay a weakling," she murmurs to herself, determination flickering within.
Over the next days, Rikouh begins her journey of survival. The forest teems with dangers and resources alike, forcing her to adapt. She hunts small critters, absorbing their essence, and slowly acquires basic skills like Minor Camouflage and Sticky Hold. Her progress is slow, but every step forward ignites the embers of hope.
While wandering the forest's depths, Rikouh senses something familiar—a faint magical pulse buried beneath the earth. It resonates with her past self, whispering promises of unimaginable power. She realizes it's a fragment of her sword's aura, calling to her. But the path to reclaiming it is treacherous, and she knows she must grow far stronger.
Days turn into weeks as Rikouh encounters increasingly dangerous creatures—giant horned beetles, shadow foxes, and venomous plants. Each battle pushes her to her limits, but she learns the art of patience and strategy, using her environment to outwit stronger foes. Slowly, her abilities evolve: Tremor Touch allows her to weaken the ground beneath enemies, while Earth Split cracks open paths for exploration.
As Rikouh peers into a chasm formed by her new skills, she catches a glimpse of the cavern's entrance—the starting point of her destiny. But the sight also fills her with dread. She feels the overwhelming presence of monsters far beyond her current strength lurking within. If she is to survive, she must grow stronger—not just in digging and evasion, but in combat.
Standing at the edge of the chasm, Rikouh makes a silent vow: "I will rise again, but not as the dragon I once was. I will rise as something greater."
The moonlight reflects in her translucent body as she slithers back into the forest, ready to face the trials ahead