Chapter-10 · EP-151

Episode 151: Nice Combination

Now, it was time for the battle against the Huge Slime – familiar to me, but a first-time experience for Murasakimura and the others.

When we entered the floor boss room, the Huge Slime appeared in the center, illuminated by a spotlight-like beam from above.

Murasakimura and the others gasped at its size, so different from a normal slime.

"Remember when Murasakimura was fumbling around and the slimes merged? If that merging progresses, they get this big. So, as I explained earlier, the Huge Slime's weak point is the core inside its body. Murasakimura and Akaishi, you draw its attention, and in that opening, Sendo will attack the core with his harpoon. If it gets dangerous, I'll step in, but you guys should be fine, right? I'll be watching from behind."

"Yeah. Watch the results of our usual training!"

Murasakimura said and stepped forward. Akaishi and Sendo followed.

By the way, by forming a party with Murasakimura and the others today, I was able to copy Murasakimura's "Lightning Magic" and Sendo's "Presence Detection" skills.

I'd try these skills out alone another day. Hehehe, while I'm helping you level up today, I'm also getting a little something for myself.

As I displayed my status and grinned at the newly acquired skills, the three began their fight against the Huge Slime.

Oops, I need to watch them properly.

I dismissed the status display and turned my attention back to the three.

Akaishi attacked first. He slammed the Huge Slime with his mace, and its water-based body surface splashed.

It probably wasn't accumulating much actual damage, but the volume of what splashed off should be decreasing. Even just repeating that could defeat it eventually, but it would take considerable stamina to reach the core.

Next, Murasakimura attacked with his wooden sword wreathed in lightning.

He struck with an attack that crackled with electricity from the blade tip.

But the Huge Slime's movement didn't change; it just moved toward Murasakimura, so he quickly stepped back to create distance.

Since the Huge Slime is mostly water, electricity should conduct through it easily, but it seemed unable to deal damage – perhaps the electricity dispersed throughout the body, or the core itself was resistant.

Murasakimura noticed that too and switched to normal wooden sword attacks from then on.

As the two attacked alternately from the left and right, the Huge Slime seemed confused about which to counter, moving back and forth.

And Sendo took that opening to make his first attack.

But his harpoon thrust didn't seem to reach the core, so he quickly pulled it back.

Then the Huge Slime changed its target to Sendo and advanced toward him.

A harpoon is a very difficult weapon to use when the opponent gets close.

The moment I thought it was dangerous, I started to step forward.

But then Akaishi immediately struck from the side in support.

The Huge Slime's whole body wobbled, and it changed its target back to Akaishi.

Good job. It looked like I wouldn't be needed.

The three continued to cooperate like that, surrounding the Huge Slime and taking turns attacking.

Yeah, nice combination. They worked well together.

I watched their good fight with my arms crossed. And then…

"We did it!"

After several attempts, Sendo's harpoon finally pierced the Huge Slime's core.

In that instant, the Huge Slime's large body crumbled away, leaving a Magic Gem in its place.

I applauded to commend the three for their hard fight and picked up the Magic Gem.

"Impressive. I guess you didn't need my help after all!"

But the three didn't look pleased.

Out of breath, Murasakimura answered.

"I struggled more than I expected. My Lightning Magic was ineffective too. It was a tough opponent."

Was it? It looked easy from my perspective.

Then Akaishi, also out of breath, said.

"Haa, haa… Unlike a wooden sword, swinging a mace repeatedly is rough. If it had lasted much longer, I would have lost my grip strength…"

It looked like he was swinging it easily, but it seemed tougher than I thought.

Then Sendo apologized to the two.

"Sorry. I should have pierced the core sooner."

"No, I was watching too, and the core was surprisingly deep. I think it would have been hard for anyone to pierce it, not just Mamoru."

"Yeah."

Akaishi nodded in agreement with Murasakimura's support.

They looked out for each other – a good party.

Well, maybe their fighting styles just weren't very compatible with this particular opponent.

After a brief review, we descended the stairs that appeared after defeating the Huge Slime.

That was the second floor. It looked the same as the first floor – a cavern floor. But from here, the monsters that appear change.

I gave the three a word of caution.

"Now, let's proceed with the second-floor exploration. From here, slimes don't appear. Various monsters, including reptile types, appear on this floor. And they won't be as easy to defeat as slimes. Don't let your guard down."

"Okay." "Yeah." "Right."

The three replied and started walking on the second floor for the first time.