Chương 23: It's Worth a Try

《The Adventurer's Association Universal Bestiary》 [Sequence 27]: Giant Slime Individual Threat Rating: [Difficult] Appearance: Identical to ordinary slimes in appearance, but with an abnormally massive body. Its diameter can reach several meters, far exceeding normal specimens. Habits: The same as ordinary slimes. Special Abilities: Through giantification mutation, the slime has gained the ability to spray corrosive acid. Contact with its secretion causes intense pain and flesh erosion.

It can even corrode wooden shields and metal equipment to a certain degree. In addition, Giant Slimes possess impressive jumping capabilities. By compressing their bodies and storing energy, they can launch themselves high into the air, bringing their terrifying weight crashing down onto opponents. Once a target is engulfed by its body, escape is nearly impossible. Core Weakness: The same as ordinary slimes. Association Notes: A Giant Slime's core is extremely well protected.

Its enormous body makes it difficult for ordinary weapons to pierce through in a single strike. To kill one, a team must cooperate and gradually cut away layers of its body until they reach the core.

"We should retreat. There are only three of us. Fighting a Giant Slime is too risky." Vaelis spoke calmly.

"The quest notice never mentioned there would be a Giant Slime here. This isn't our fault." Failing a quest would affect an adventurer's rank and could even result in punishment from the Association. However, the current situation had clearly exceeded the scope of the original request. The responsibility did not fall on the adventurers. A monster rated [Difficult] meant it could force a low-tier party to pay a heavy price. Enemies of this level already possessed the ability to kill adventurers outright.

They had to be treated with caution.

"Yeah… we should withdraw. We'll just report the situation to the Adventurer's Association." Marcus agreed. He had killed a [Difficult] -rated Rock Burrower before, but that was only possible with a full five-man team working together. One of their rangers had even been left permanently disabled afterward. As for the [Challenge] -rated Mistwraith, they had only succeeded because they encountered a juvenile. The Giant Slime was not as troublesome as those two monsters.

Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author's consent. Report any sightings. But with only three people here, Marcus would never consider fighting it. With a complete team, perhaps he would have.

"I think… we can try." Zelier suddenly spoke.

"Try what? Challenge this Giant Slime?" Marcus turned toward him.

"Yes." Zelier nodded.

"Are you serious?" Marcus frowned.

"Slimes are weak against fire, aren't they?" Zelier said.

"We can use that."

"They're only weak against fire powerful enough to matter." Vaelis shook his head.

"Your Fireball won't deal enough damage to this Giant Slime."

"No. I've learned a new spell." Zelier raised his wand slightly.

"Flame Breath."

"It can continuously release flames, and its power is far greater than Fireball… but the casting time is longer, and it has a limited range. That's why I need you two to keep it occupied." Another new spell? Marcus and Vaelis were completely unable to understand Zelier anymore. Only five days had passed since their previous quest. How had Zelier managed to learn three new spells in such a short time? And one of them was even an upgraded spell like Flame Breath.

Could four gold coins really buy this many spell scrolls?

"Are you… certain you can do it?" Marcus still looked hesitant. Zelier recalled the power of Flame Breath from yesterday's test and answered firmly.

"Yes." Marcus exchanged a glance with Vaelis. Then the two of them looked back at Zelier and slowly nodded. The loot from a Giant Slime was far more valuable than ordinary slimes. Its higher-quality magic core alone was worth four or five gold coins. On top of that, it produced condensed gel blocks, a rare material used as padding layers for high-end armor. Those were worth a considerable amount as well. Marcus had also considered another factor.

Although the Giant Slime's massive body made it extremely difficult to deal with, it had one fatal weakness. Its movement speed was incredibly slow. Even if their attempt failed, the team would most likely still be able to retreat safely. That lowered the risk considerably.

"If that's really the case, then we can try." The temptation of rewards and opportunity eventually overcame Marcus's caution. He made his decision.

"Same formation as always. I'll hold it from the front, Vaelis will support me. Zelier, prepare your spell. We're taking this thing down." The Giant Slime continued bathing in the underground river, completely unaware that three adventurers had already decided to kill it. The trio slowly approached. When they were only six or seven meters away, Marcus struck his shield with the back of his blade. Clang! Clang!

"Come on, you bastard!" The noise caught the Giant Slime's attention. It seemed to grow angry. The smaller slimes writhing across its surface completely merged back into its massive body. Then its interior began churning. A moment later— Fwoosh! A huge mass of yellow-green slime shot toward them. Marcus didn't dare underestimate it. He immediately lowered his head and hid most of his body behind his shield. The acidic slime struck the shield.

White smoke immediately rose from the wooden surface, accompanied by a sizzling sound. Small holes appeared across the shield's surface, and the structure beneath had already begun weakening. The river churned violently. As the Giant Slime contracted its body, it finished gathering strength. Then— Boom! It launched itself into the air. The enormous creature soared two or three meters upward.

"Watch out!" Vaelis shouted. A massive shadow swallowed the ground beneath it. The Giant Slime came crashing down. Marcus threw himself into a desperate roll, narrowly escaping the devastating impact. BOOM!!! The heavy impact shook the entire cavern. Dust exploded outward in every direction. It was out of the river now. Zelier's eyes sharpened. The lure had succeeded. Now it was his turn. The spell matrix appeared clearly within his mind. Mana flowed through the patterns, tracing every circuit.

Flame Breath was charging. Marcus breathed heavily, still shaken. If that attack had hit him directly, more than half the bones in his body would have shattered instantly. Then he would have been swallowed by the Giant Slime, slowly dissolved inside its body until not even a trace remained. Taking advantage of the Giant Slime's recovery after landing, Vaelis drew his bow. Five arrows. A rapid volley. The Giant Slime was such a massive target that missing was almost impossible.

However, Vaelis's attacks achieved very little. The arrows pierced into its gelatinous body, but they only sank less than half a meter before their momentum was completely neutralized. Splurt! The Giant Slime fired another burst of acid. Marcus raised his shield and blocked it. After repeatedly enduring acid attacks, the wooden structure of the shield had already begun to collapse. Large portions of the surface had been severely corroded.

At most, it could probably withstand one or two more attacks before being completely destroyed. Marcus did not dare continue blocking head-on. He began circling around the Giant Slime, constantly making noise to draw its attention while repeatedly repositioning himself. If he pulled it too far away, it would leave Zelier's attack range. But if he got too close, he might interfere with Zelier's spellcasting.