Digitize: Rebirth of the Silver Death God

Chapter 9: The Tyrant of the Village, Nero's First Battle

A distance away from the Winfrey Village, Nero was walking within the track of soil and dirt, the fresh air blowing across his face, rustling his hair along with his new black martial uniform and simple sandals. Just by looking at him, he'd seem akin to a fighter from a martial fiction film, or the arch-nemesis of a hero due to his cold eyes and long silver hair.

Yet, though his appearance was even better than before, Nero's face was currently sullen as he grumbled, "Such a mean old hag, I thought she'd at least give me a simple armor or something, but what is this?"

Following his words, the details for the items he received popped up in front of his face.

[Simple Novice Stick: Combat Force +4, Indestructible]

[Simple Novice Robe: +4 Body Tenacity, Indestructible]

[Simple Wooden Sandals: +1 km/h, Indestructible]

Nero glanced at the long wooden stick in one of his hands and sighed, shaking his head, but as he looked around noticing a few straggling individuals that looked like him, he didn't press the matter.

Nero was now growing suspicious; the Old Lady said the tyrant was troubling the village for quite some time; there should have already been people who were able to take care of it.

Yet, the way she spoke implied that no one can defeat it. The more he walked towards the east, the more he saw wounded beginners like him, ranging from young human girls and boys of a similar age to himself.

Looking at them closely, he noticed that some of them had been beaten harshly with swollen faces and dirty robes. The only thing that looked promising about them was that their eyes shone with spirit as if they achieved a hard-fought victory.

Nero shook his head and continued forward; he noticed that for some reason, there weren't any random encounters with mobs on the path he walked as if it was akin to a type of safe zone. However, he didn't overthink it, as he still didn't know much of this world.

Soon, Nero arrived at a region where the trees looked a bit strange, forming an arc-like shape at the end of the path, almost like a gateway. Looking on the other side, one would see a clear river with large stones and pebbles scattered within, as a lush field stood before it.

Nero looked at the tree formation with one of his brows raised, but right at this time, the space between the tree rippled like a water surface as a few more beginners appeared. They each wore a defeated expression and didn't even bother to look at Nero as they walked past him.

One Digitizer who stood with his back on a nearby tree jeered as if he loved seeing others in misfortune, "Ha, the weak have no right to roam these lands, pack up and go home!"

The other beginners gritted their teeth and didn't dare to complain as they knew his words were the truth, Nero on the other hand, showed a pondering look before his eyes turned firm as he boldly stepped between the tree passage while thinking, 'Hmph! I refuse to believe I'll end up like them,'

Nero soon vanished from this location through ripples, appearing within a shut-off point as if he went to a different world, even the path behind him was closed.

However, while Nero was shocked, he didn't let it disturb his mind. He saw that he was in a wide field of green grasses and flowers as the river still stood before him. There were rabbits prowling about eating some fruit, and other adorable and harmless critters.

Nero frowned, as no matter where he looked, he didn't see his target, the tyrant.

'Hey, where is the tyrant? I don't see anything here that is any kind of danger,' Nero asked while speaking inwardly.

"..." Adult Nero only remained silent, refusing to say anything. In fact, if one could see his current expression, they would realize that his coldness thawed a bit as his eyes had a layer of excitement.

While Nero was complaining about Adult Nero's lack of conformity, a scene soon caught his attention. Suddenly, a creature that rested on the largest boulder jumped onto the fields, startling every other critter, as they ran away in bundles.

When Nero saw the creature, he chuckled and stooped down as he spoke, "Hey, little guy, are you the tyrant?"

Looking at the creature before him, it's no wonder he felt at ease, it was merely a small green slime with a dull expression and a smile. He spoke, "Show status."

[? Slime]

[Level: 1]

[Health: 100/100]

[Combat Force: ?]

[Special Skill: ?]

Nero thought it was a bit cute, he was a bit puzzled by the question signs and Special Skill details, but right before he could even think, an announcement popped up before his eyes.

[You have discovered the Tyrant Slime of the Winfrey Village, as this is a Beginner Quest, no penalty shall be given if you are defeated. However, if you choose to cancel the quest, your prestige with Winfrey Village will sharply decrease.]

[Commencing battle in... 321, begin!]

The instant the announcement sounded, the Tyrant Slime had transformed itself, becoming exactly like Nero, it wore the same clothing and had the same height, with a stick in its arm. However, if one paid closer attention to it, they would notice its differences.

Its arms were a bit more muscular, even the manner it took on was a bit bolder as if it was mocking Nero based on its sneering look. It even patted the wooden stick in its palm as if it was telling him what will come in a short while.

[Tyrant Slime]

[Level: 1]

[Health: 200/200]

[Combat Force: 40 stones]

[Special Skill: Mimic+]

[Description: A unique slime with power to imitate anything it sees, adding to their abilities by a small fraction. Be careful, for though it seems innocent, it is but a clever creature that looks down on all things.]

Nero was alarmed by this, but he didn't dare to treat his foe lightly again, quickly adopting an awkward combat posture. He stared at the Tyrant Slime while speaking towards it, "Hmph! I've been through more than enough hell since childhood; I won't be beaten by a mere imitation of myself!"

As Nero shouted, he made a wild charge that was akin to a car moving at average speed towards the Tyrant Slime with his wooden stick raised above his head, his eyes showing a fierce look.

"Pff..." Adult Nero chuckled in his mind as he watched this scene, he couldn't help but think of the old days as he murmured, "Things weren't so easy back then... you'll learn it the hard way."

The Tyrant Slime stared at his opponent who didn't seem to know a thing about fighting in disdain. He calmly waited for Nero to arrive, watching as the stick was swung towards his head in a half hazard way. With a simple turn of his body, he easily avoided it, causing Nero to lose his balance as he almost toppled over from his frontal charge.

"Shit!" Nero cursed, as he tried to recover his posture, his torso which fell forward, halted as he used every power, he had to keep his center of balance.

Yet, as if mocking him, the Tyrant Slime merely took a step forward and kicked him on his but, forcing his face to smash into the dirt.

Looking at Nero now, he seemed no different from a suicidal ostrich, with his face pressed against the ground and but high in the air.

The Tyrant Slime had never seen someone so weak, it momentarily forgot to attack and started laughing by grabbing its belly.

"Kikikikiki!" With the resonant laugher sounding across the area, Nero felt embarrassed, he pushed himself off the ground showing his dirty face that had bits of blood as he roared, "Baaaastaaaard!"

It had been a long time since Nero felt this kind of anger; he was determined to unleash his full wrath. He jumped from the ground and ran towards the laughing Tyrant Slime while he cursed, "If I don't beat you today, then my name is not NERO!"

Swish! His body moved like a rock sent from a catapult, swishing towards the Tyrant Slime like a gust of wind. Yet, even so, his steps were clumsy, posture was poor, and he still held the stick like a child holding a club.

The Tyrant Slime wiped the corner of its eyes, as it rose to his feet and lowered his head towards Nero's direction with a smug look on his face. It even went as far as to point its finger towards its chin while touching it repeatedly as if inviting him to hit it.

Though Nero was mature for his age, he was still a young teenager. His eyes turned bloodshot in his fierce charge as he swung the stick while shouting, "Eaaaat Thiiiiiis!"

The stick moved through the air, like an arrow shot from a longbow, it screeched through the wind with force like no other as Nero used his entire body force. Heck, even himself, was thrown along with his mighty swing that went towards the Tyrant Slime's head.

The Tyrant Slime merely smirked as with a popping sound, it reformed into a regular slime again, causing Nero's attack to miss by a wind margin.

Nero's face sunk as his body spiraled in the air due to the previous all or nothing swing, he had no way to get back balance.

Pop! With another popping sound, the Tyrant Slime formed back into Nero and looked at him with his arm raised, and eyes shining as it winked at Nero and swung the stick towards his head.

Nero seeing this was furious, but he knew he couldn't do anything, he opened his mouth and cursed, "Son of a..."

Yet, before Nero could finish, a loud smack was heard, and Nero's field of vision turned into one of blackness. The events here destined to remain as an eternal memory