Chapter 26: Six Months Later
Six months passed.
The forest changed.
So did its monsters.
The once-forgotten slime cave had become the heart of a growing territory.
The Dungeon Core rested beneath it, quietly releasing waves of mana day and night. Flowers bloomed where bare stone once lay. Crystal veins spread deeper into the earth, and monsters instinctively avoided disturbing the land surrounding the village.
It had become... home.
The first rays of sunlight reached the clearing.
The village was already awake.
Young slimes bounced through obstacle courses built from fallen logs and smooth stones.
Veteran slimes supervised their training.
"Again."
Tanaka’s voice echoed gently through every connected mind.
The trainees immediately tried another round of Leap.
Some succeeded.
Some landed upside down.
The little slime, now noticeably larger than before, proudly demonstrated a perfect jump.
The younger slimes erupted into excited bounces.
It had somehow become their favorite instructor.
Beyond the village...
The Wolf Den overlooked the northern edge of the territory.
The Alpha stood atop a large boulder.
A single howl echoed through the forest.
Immediately, patrol wolves departed in every direction.
Some monitored monster movements.
Others searched for new food sources.
A few escorted younger wolves learning the borders of their homeland.
No invader entered unnoticed.
To the east...
The Rabbit Burrow had flourished beneath the roots of a massive ancient tree.
Neat gardens surrounded the entrances.
Medicinal herbs grew in carefully arranged patches.
Wild fruits hung from nearby bushes.
The rabbits had even begun drying herbs on woven branches.
Every morning they delivered food and medicine to the main settlement before disappearing back into the forest.
Each race had found its place.
The slimes became defenders, trainers, and dungeon explorers.
The wolves became hunters, scouts, and guardians.
The rabbits became gatherers, herbalists, and caretakers of the land.
No one had ordered it.
It had happened naturally.
Tanaka watched everything through Mana Sense.
The territory felt... connected.
A wolf discovering prey.
A rabbit finding a rare herb.
A slime defeating another Stone Creature during training.
Through Thought Communication, every important piece of information reached him within moments.
"Western patrol clear."
"Herb stores replenished."
"Dungeon Floor One secured."
The reports flowed endlessly.
At first, managing them had been exhausting.
Now...
It felt as natural as breathing.
The territory had grown.
Small resting camps now dotted the forest.
Nothing elaborate.
Just simple clearings protected by wolves and supplied by rabbits.
Slimes traveling between the dungeon and distant hunting grounds could now rest safely before returning home.
Little by little...
The territory expanded without anyone realizing it.
Not every newcomer arrived as an enemy.
Some came simply because they sensed the rich mana surrounding the Dungeon Core.
A family of Moss Turtles settled beside a nearby pond.
A flock of Mana Birds nested in the tallest trees.
Even timid Crystal Mice began living among the glowing rocks surrounding the dungeon.
None caused trouble.
None were chased away.
As long as they respected the territory...
They were welcome.
Tanaka never called himself a ruler.
He simply solved problems.
When food became scarce, he redirected hunting parties.
When young slimes argued over crystals, he settled the dispute.
When wolves discovered a dangerous monster nearby, he adjusted patrol routes.
When the rabbits requested help carrying supplies, veteran slimes volunteered.
Every decision was made through quiet thoughts.
No shouting.
No commands born from fear.
Only trust.
One afternoon...
The rabbit leader approached the Alpha.
"The Great One requests more herbs near the western stream."
The Alpha nodded.
"Understood."
A nearby slime paused.
"The Great One is always thinking ahead."
The rabbit blinked.
"Of course."
Neither of them noticed what they had said.
Days later...
The title appeared again.
"The Great One has already approved today’s patrol."
"The Great One wants the younger slimes to train together."
"The Great One says the southern path is unsafe."
Soon...
Every race used it.
Not because Tanaka demanded respect.
Not because someone declared him their king.
It simply felt... right.
He protected them.
Guided them.
Helped them grow stronger.
To monsters who had never possessed kings or kingdoms...
There was only one way to describe someone like that.
The Great One.
Tanaka remained completely oblivious.
He was too busy watching the little slime proudly attempt to carry three glowing mana crystals at once.
Predictably...
It tripped.
The crystals rolled down the hill.
Several younger slimes immediately chased after them.
Tanaka couldn’t help laughing.
"You really never change."
The little slime bounced back to its feet as if nothing had happened.
The entire village seemed brighter because of moments like these.
Peace had become routine.
Perhaps...
Too routine.
Far beyond the territory...
Five familiar hunters stood at the edge of the forest.
This time...
They were not alone.
Behind them waited a full party of seasoned adventurers.
The bearded hunter looked toward the distant trees.
His expression was grim.
"I told you."
"There really is something living in this forest."
And together...
They stepped across the border into the territory of the Great One.