Chapter 134: What Are You???
Rimuru reached out to Veldora using his telepathic link. "Hey, Veldora, where are you right now?"
Veldora's booming voice echoed back through the connection, filled with his usual enthusiasm. "Oh, I'm in the Labyrinth, of course! Spending time in my domain, basking in my magnificence, and entertaining my loyal followers. Why? What's up, Rimuru?"
Rimuru chuckled at his friend's usual over-the-top attitude. "Stay there. I'm on my way. There's something important we need to talk about."
Without waiting for Veldora's reply, Rimuru ended the connection and quickly teleported to the Labyrinth. As he arrived, he found Veldora lounging on a throne-like seat in one of the upper chambers, looking as carefree as ever.
"Rimuru! My sworn brother!" Veldora greeted him with open arms. "What brings you to my glorious abode?"
Rimuru wasted no time and got straight to the point. "Veldora, I need to talk to you about something serious. It's about what Beerus told me."
Veldora's playful demeanor immediately faded, replaced by curiosity and concern. "Beerus? That cat god? What did he say?"
Rimuru explained everything Beerus had told him—the impending danger posed by Artemis Valtheron, the weakening seal, and the fact that even with all their combined strength, they might not be enough to handle what was coming.
Veldora's expression grew serious as he listened. "That sounds… bad. Worse than bad. A being sealed by Veldanava himself? And now that seal is breaking? That's catastrophic!"
"Exactly," Rimuru said, his tone grave. "That's why I and all of us need to get stronger. Much stronger. And that's where you come in."
"Me?" Veldora blinked, taken aback. "How am I supposed to help you with that?"
Rimuru hesitated for a moment before explaining. "You know how I can absorb and analyze things to gain new powers, right? Well, I've been thinking… What if I absorb you—not to kill or replace you, of course—but to analyze your essence as a True Dragon? If I do that, I could potentially evolve into a True Dragon myself. It would give me the power I need to face what's coming."
Veldora's golden eyes widened, and he leaned back, clearly surprised. "You… you want to absorb me?"
"I know it sounds crazy," Rimuru admitted, "and I won't do it unless you're okay with it. But this might be the only way for me to reach the kind of power we're going to need. I'd be able to handle the analysis carefully, and once it's done, you'd be released completely unharmed. Your consciousness and essence would stay intact the whole time. I promise."
Veldora crossed his arms, looking thoughtful. "Hmph. I have to admit, the idea of my sworn brother becoming a True Dragon is pretty cool. But… you're sure this will work? You're not going to mess it up and accidentally turn me into some weird slime-dragon hybrid, are you?"
Rimuru grinned. "With Luna—formerly Raphael—helping me? I'm sure. She's never let me down before."
Luna's voice chimed in, calm and confident. "The process has been thoroughly calculated. There is no risk to the subject known as Veldora Tempest."
Veldora frowned, still a little skeptical. "Hmm. I don't know… This is a pretty big deal, you know? I mean, I am the mighty Veldora Tempest, after all!"
Rimuru stepped forward, placing a hand on Veldora's shoulder. "I know, Veldora. You're my sworn brother and one of the strongest beings I know. That's why I'm asking you. I trust you, and I need your help. This isn't just about me; it's about protecting Tempest, the Labyrinth, and everything we care about."
Veldora's skepticism finally began to melt away. He looked at Rimuru, seeing the determination in his eyes, and let out a loud laugh. "Fine! Anything for my sworn brother! If this helps you get stronger and prepares us for the fight ahead, then I'm all in!"
Rimuru smiled gratefully. "Thanks, Veldora. I promise I'll handle this carefully. You won't feel a thing."
Veldora grinned. "Of course, I won't! I'm the mighty Veldora Tempest! There's nothing I can't handle!"
With that settled, Rimuru and Veldora moved to the center of the chamber, where the process would begin. Rimuru took a deep breath, steadying himself. This was a monumental step, but with Veldora's trust and Luna's guidance, he was ready to take it.
"Luna," Rimuru said, his voice calm but firm. "Let's do this."
"Understood," Luna replied. "Initiating absorption process. Beginning now."
As the room filled with a bright, golden light, Rimuru felt the overwhelming presence of Veldora's essence envelop him. The transformation had begun.
As the golden light engulfed the chamber, Rimuru felt an intense surge of energy flowing into him. It wasn't like anything he had ever experienced before. Veldora's presence was overwhelming—raw, primal, and untamed. The sheer magnitude of his essence seemed almost too much to handle.
Luna's calm voice guided him through the process. "Absorption and analysis of the subject's True Dragon essence have begun. Maintaining balance between your core and Veldora Tempest's essence is critical. Proceeding with utmost care."
Rimuru closed his eyes, focusing on the influx of power and letting Luna take the lead. He could feel Veldora's consciousness, loud and boisterous as always, echoing within him.
"Whoa! This is weird, Rimuru!" Veldora's voice boomed. "I can feel everything! It's like I'm swimming in a giant pool of your slime energy!"
Rimuru chuckled despite the intensity of the moment. "Relax, Veldora. Just enjoy the ride. It is all under control."
The process continued, with Luna meticulously analyzing every aspect of Veldora's essence. The intricate nature of a True Dragon's core was unlike anything Rimuru had ever encountered. The balance between creation and destruction, the unparalleled regeneration, the infinite energy—it was awe-inspiring.
Suddenly, Rimuru felt a deep connection forming within him, a bridge between his core and Veldora's essence.
"Integration of True Dragon properties has reached 50%," Luna announced. "Rimuru's essence is adapting to the influx of energy. Proceeding to the next stage."
As the process progressed, Rimuru's physical body began to change subtly. His aura grew heavier, more commanding. The power radiating from him was almost tangible, causing the walls of the Labyrinth to tremble slightly.
"Whoa, this is incredible," Rimuru muttered, feeling the transformation taking hold. "I can feel myself getting stronger… but it's a lot to handle."
"Of course it's incredible!" Veldora said proudly. "You're absorbing the power of the one and only Storm Dragon! Just don't get too cocky. Remember, I'm still the original!"
Luna's voice chimed in again. "Final stage of analysis and integration initiated. Rimuru, prepare for a significant surge in power. This will complete your evolution into a True Dragon."
The light around Rimuru intensified, becoming blindingly bright. He gritted his teeth, bracing himself as an enormous wave of energy surged through him. It felt as though his very existence was being rewritten, his essence reshaped to accommodate the overwhelming power of a True Dragon.
Finally, the light began to fade, and the room fell silent. Rimuru opened his eyes, which now glowed with a radiant golden hue. His aura was immeasurable—powerful yet calm, destructive yet controlled. He had become something entirely new.
"Integration complete," Luna announced. "Rimuru Tempest has successfully evolved into a True Dragon. All properties of Veldora Tempest's essence have been preserved, and his consciousness remains intact."
Rimuru let out a slow breath, testing his newfound strength. "Unbelievable… I feel… limitless."
Within him, Veldora's voice boomed with excitement. "Ha! That was amazing, Rimuru! You've got some of my power now, but don't think you can surpass me that easily!"
Rimuru laughed. "Don't worry, Veldora. I'll still need you by my side. This isn't about replacing you—it's about making sure we're ready for what's coming."
Veldora's voice softened, a rare moment of sincerity breaking through his usual bravado. "I know, brother. And I trust you. Together, we'll face anything."
"Thank you, Veldora," Rimuru said. "This power… it's not just mine. It's ours."
The Storm Dragon's laughter echoed warmly in his mind. "You bet it is!
As Rimuru continued walking through the corridors of the Labyrinth, Luna's calm, familiar voice echoed in his mind once more.
"Rimuru, with your evolution into a True Dragon, the potential of your skills has reached a point where further enhancement is possible. I am now able to merge your ultimate skills with your unique skills to create entirely new abilities of unparalleled power. Shall I proceed?"
Rimuru paused, his curiosity piqued. "Merge my ultimate skills and unique skills? That's possible? What kind of abilities are we talking about, Luna?"
"The resulting abilities will be completely unique to your existence, designed to perfectly complement your new nature as a True Dragon. These skills will amplify your power, versatility, and control to levels previously unattainable. The merging process will require a brief period of recalibration, but I will guide you through it seamlessly. Do I have your permission to proceed?"
Rimuru clenched his fists, excitement building in his chest. "Go for it, Luna. Let's make it happen."
"Acknowledged. Beginning the merging process now."
Beelzebuth + Predator + Gluttony → Azathoth, The Infinite Abyss
The first merging involved Beelzebuth, Predator, and Gluttony.
"Beelzebuth has merged with Devourer and Infinite prison to become Azathoth, The Infinite Abyss. This skill retains Beelzebuth's core functions of absorption, annihilation, and storage, while gaining Predator's ability to mimic and integrate the abilities of those absorbed. Additionally, Gluttony's endless hunger has been enhanced to allow consumption and assimilation of entire dimensions. Azathoth can now manipulate voids, consume concepts, and erase existence on an infinite scale."
Rimuru felt a surge of immense power. The vast, endless hunger within him felt refined and controlled, yet even more terrifying in its scope. "Azathoth… The name suits it. It feels… boundless."
Uriel, Lord of Vows + Great Sage + Wisdom King Raphael → Deus Ex Machina, The Divine Architect (because he retained copies of them)
Next was Uriel, merged with Great Sage and Raphael itself.
"Uriel, combined with Great Sage and Raphael, has evolved into Deus Ex Machina, The Divine Architect. This skill grants absolute mastery over universal laws, barriers, and causality. You can now design and enforce laws within your domain, manipulate the flow of time, and forge unbreakable contracts on a cosmic scale. Additionally, this skill provides superior guidance and infinite computational ability, surpassing all prior limitations of Great Sage and Raphael. I will continue to serve as your partner and adviser in this evolved form."
Rimuru felt an overwhelming sense of clarity, as if he could see and understand the fabric of reality itself. "So you've evolved too, Luna. Looks like we're both growing together."
Omni Evolution + Infinite Regeneration + Resistances → Genesis Omega, The Eternal Core
Finally, Omni Evolution merged with Rimuru's natural resistances and Infinite Regeneration.
"Omni Evolution has merged with your Infinite Regeneration and inherent resistances to become Genesis Omega, The Eternal Core. This skill grants you unlimited adaptive evolution, allowing you to counter any threat instantaneously. Your regeneration capabilities are now absolute, capable of restoring you from even conceptual erasure. Genesis Omega also allows you to enhance and evolve abilities from any absorbed entity in real-time, ensuring perpetual growth."
Rimuru felt an unshakable strength settle within him, his body and soul now brimming with limitless potential.
As the merging process concluded, Luna's voice softened, brimming with pride. "Skill merging complete. Beelzebuth is now Azathoth, Uriel is now Deus Ex Machina, and Omni Evolution is now Genesis Omega. Rimuru, you have become a being that surpasses all mortal understanding. You are no longer bound by the limitations of this world."
Rimuru clenched his fists, feeling the overwhelming surge of power coursing through his body. The changes were profound, yet they felt natural—like this was who he was always meant to become.
"Thank you, Luna," he said, his voice steady but filled with determination.
"I will continue to support you, Rimuru. Together, we will ensure the safety of your world."
Veldora had been observing the entire process in stunned silence. His golden eyes were wide, his jaw slack, and his arms, which were usually crossed in a confident pose, hung limply at his sides.
Finally, he managed to find his voice, though it came out more like a strangled exclamation. "W-WHAT IN THE NAME OF DRAGONS JUST HAPPENED?! RIMURU, WHAT ARE YOU?!"
Rimuru turned to look at him, a sheepish grin on his face. "What's with that reaction, Veldora? You were the one who agreed to help me evolve in the first place."
"But I didn't think THIS would happen!" Veldora pointed dramatically at Rimuru, still trying to process what he had just witnessed. "You're glowing like a divine being! I mean, you were already strong, but now… you're completely out of my league! It's like you've turned into some god of gods!"
Rimuru laughed awkwardly, scratching the back of his head. "Well, I wouldn't go that far… but yeah, I do feel a lot stronger now."
Veldora's shock only deepened as he paced back and forth. "This is insane! I've been around for eons, and I've never seen anything like this! Even in the days of Veldanava, no one just casually merged their skills and became something this absurdly powerful! Are you sure you're still my sworn brother, Rimuru? Or did you secretly ascend to some higher plane while I wasn't looking?"
Rimuru sighed. "Relax, Veldora. I'm still the same Rimuru you know and love. I just needed to get stronger to protect everyone. You heard what Beerus said—there's a massive threat coming, and I can't afford to hold back anymore."
Veldora finally stopped pacing, his expression shifting from disbelief to a mix of admiration and determination. "I get it. I do. You're preparing for the worst… and honestly, I respect that. But now you're making me look bad!"
Rimuru raised an eyebrow. "Making you look bad? How?"
Veldora crossed his arms and puffed out his chest, his pride as a True Dragon rearing its head. "How do you think?! You've surpassed me, your sworn brother, and now I have to watch you grow stronger while I'm stuck as 'just Veldora'? This is unacceptable! I need to train too! I won't let you leave me in the dust, Rimuru!"
Rimuru chuckled at Veldora's melodramatic outburst. "You're always so competitive, aren't you? But I'll be honest, Veldora… I wouldn't mind having you grow stronger too. If we're going to face Artemis Valtheron, I'm going to need everyone at their best."
Hearing this, Veldora's confidence returned in full force. He placed his hands on his hips and laughed. "Of course! As the mighty Storm Dragon, I shall rise to the occasion and become even stronger! Just you watch, Rimuru—I'll make you proud to call me your sworn brother!"
Rimuru smiled warmly. "That's the spirit, Veldora. Let's both keep pushing ourselves to the limit. We'll face whatever's coming together, as always."
For a moment, Veldora's expression softened. Despite his bluster and theatrics, he was genuinely proud of Rimuru and determined to stand by his side, no matter what challenges lay ahead.