Chapter 23: Chapter 23: We Can Give It a Try
Adventurer’s Association Universal Monster Atlas
[Tier Twenty-Seven]: Giant Slime
Individual Threat Rating: [Difficulty]
Appearance:
Identical to a normal Slime, but with an abnormally large body that can reach several meters in diameter, far exceeding ordinary specimens.
Habitat and Behavior:
Identical to a normal Slime.
Special Abilities:
This gigantic, mutated Slime can spray acid. Contact with skin causes intense pain and flesh corrosion. It also has a corrosive effect on wooden Shields and ironware.
Additionally, the Giant Slime possesses a decent jumping ability.
By coiling its body, it can launch itself high into the air and bring its terrifying weight crashing down on an opponent. Once enveloped, escape is nearly impossible.
Core Weakness:
Identical to a normal Slime.
Association Notes:
The Giant Slime’s core is well protected. Its massive body makes it difficult for ordinary weapons to pierce through in a single strike.
To kill it, teamwork is essential. Its body must be whittled down bit by bit to reach the core.
"Let’s fall back. There are only three of us. Taking on a Giant Slime is too risky."
Valles said, "The commission didn’t mention a Giant Slime. This isn’t on us."
Failing a commission would affect an Adventurer’s Level and could even lead to penalties from the Association.
However, this situation was clearly beyond the scope of the original commission, so the Adventurers wouldn’t be held responsible.
A [Difficulty] rated Demon meant a Low Level party would pay a steep price to defeat it. An opponent of this Level already possessed lethal attack power and had to be treated with extreme caution.
"Mmm... Let’s retreat. We’ll just report the situation to the Adventurer’s Association," Marcus agreed.
He had killed a [Difficulty] rated Giant Rock Worm before, but that was only accomplished through the combined effort of a five-person team, and even then, a Ranger had been left with a permanent disability.
As for the [Challenge] rated Fog Demon, they had only won because they’d taken advantage of it while it was still a juvenile.
The Giant Slime wasn’t as tough as those two Demons, but their team only had three members. If they were at full strength, Marcus might have considered it.
"I think... we can give it a try," Zelir suddenly said.
"Try what? Challenging this Giant Slime?" Marcus looked at Zelir.
"Yes." Zelir nodded.
"Are you serious?" Marcus frowned.
"Aren’t Slimes afraid of fire? We can use that to our advantage," said Zelir.
"They’re only afraid of flames that reach a certain intensity. Your Fireball Skill won’t do enough damage to this Giant Slime," Valles said, shaking his head.
"No, I’ve mastered a new Magic: Flame Breath Skill."
Zelir explained, "It can release a continuous stream of Flame, and its power is much greater than the Fireball Skill... But the Casting time is a bit long, and it has a range limit, so I’ll need you two to hold it off for me."
’Another new Magic spell?’
Marcus and Valles were completely baffled by Zelir now.
’It has only been five days since the last mission. How did Zelir manage to learn three new Magic spells?’
’And one of them is an Advanced Magic like Flame Breath Skill, no less.’
’Could you even buy that many Magic Scrolls for four Gold Coins?’
"Are you... certain you can do it?" Marcus was still hesitant.
Zelir recalled the power of the Flame Breath Skill from yesterday and answered with conviction.
"I can."
Marcus and Valles exchanged a look, then both turned to Zelir and gave a slight nod.
The drops from a Giant Slime were far more valuable than those from a normal one. The more concentrated Demon Core alone was worth four or five Gold Coins.
Furthermore, it also produced a type of condensed Gel block, a material used to make the shock-absorbing Lining for high-end Armor, which was also quite expensive.
Marcus also considered another point.
Although the Giant Slime’s thick body made it a tough opponent, it had a fatal flaw: its slow movement speed.
Even if the team failed in their attempt to kill it, they could most likely retreat unscathed, which significantly lowered the risk.
"If that’s the case, then it’s worth a try."
The desire for reward and opportunity overrode his caution. Marcus made up his mind.
"The usual plan. I’ll hold its attention from the front, and Valles, you provide support. Zelir, get your Magic ready. We’re going to meet this thing head-on!"
The Giant Slime was still enjoying its bath in the dark river, unaware that someone was already plotting its demise.
The three began to advance slowly. When they were about six or seven meters from the Giant Slime, Marcus struck his Shield with the back of his blade, letting out a resounding "CLANG! CLANG!"
"Come on, you idiot!"
The noise drew the Giant Slime’s attention. It seemed to grow angry as the smaller Slimes writhing on its surface completely merged into its body.
Immediately after, its insides began to churn, and it violently spat out a large glob of yellowish-green mucus.
Not daring to be careless, Marcus ducked his head and immediately hid most of his body behind his Shield.
The mucus hit the Shield, and the wooden protective layer instantly gave off a puff of white smoke, accompanied by a "HISSS."
A few holes appeared on the Shield’s surface, and its structure became more fragile in other places as well.
The river churned. As the Giant Slime’s body contracted, it finished charging up its power. Then, with a great heave, it launched itself into the air, leaping two or three meters high in a single bound!
"Watch out!" Valles shouted.
A massive shadow loomed over him from above before rapidly descending. Marcus made an ungraceful roll, narrowly avoiding the world-crushing impact.
"THUD!!!"
The dull thud was deafening and kicked up a huge cloud of dust.
’It’s out of the river!’
Zelir’s eyes narrowed.
’The goal of luring it out has been achieved. Now it’s my turn.’
The Magic’s Spell Structure materialized in his mind. Magic Power traced along its patterns as the Flame Breath Skill began to build up energy!
Marcus was breathing heavily, his heart still pounding with fear.
If he had taken a direct hit from that, more than half the bones in his body would have shattered instantly. Then he would’ve been enveloped by the Giant Slime’s body and slowly digested, leaving not even a scrap behind.
Taking advantage of the Giant Slime’s recovery period after landing, Valles drew his bow and nocked an Arrow, unleashing a rapid volley of five shots!
The Giant Slime was such a large target that there was no fear of missing, but the damage Valles dealt was extremely limited.
After the Arrows pierced the Giant Slime’s body, they only penetrated a few dozen centimeters before their kinetic energy was completely dissipated.
"SQUELCH!"
The Giant Slime spat out another glob of acid, which Marcus blocked with his Shield.
After withstanding continuous acid attacks, the Shield’s wooden structure was beginning to show holes, its surface severely corroded.
He estimated that after blocking one or two more attacks, the Shield would be completely destroyed.
Marcus didn’t dare to take the hits head-on. He began to circle around the Giant Slime, continuing to make noise to keep its attention while weaving back and forth.
If he kited it too far, it would be out of Zelir’s attack range. But if he lured it too close, he might interfere with Zelir’s Casting.
