abcnovels
Chapter 222:
Chapter 222:
Chapter 222:
Dungeon Stampede 2.0 Recovery
[Pichan… (Swi~~~)]
3:00 PM. Slowly navigating a narrow river in the dimly lit downtown with a slime boat.
Navigating through intricate tributaries sometimes requires upstream travel, which is troublesome. However, it is significantly less dangerous than traveling on land and allows faster movement.
Due to the poor visibility from the river, caution is necessary.
At the river surface level, only concrete walls are visible, and looking up, tall buildings towering over high embankments cover the sky. It feels as if we are small insects on a leaf.
Today, I'm feeling a bit sentimental… or something.
In any case, we progress through this scenery using poles and slime ropes created from rock salt.
[Pichan… (Swi~~~)]
“……”To stay alert, conversation is kept to a minimum.
Moreover, even if it's just garbage like a looter, seeing someone die in front of you dampens your spirits. Consequently, my conversation with Serai-san is less than usual.
Luckily, since then, monster encounters have been low.
Being on the river is much quieter than the noisy surface. Still, it's not like there are no encounters at all, and the terrain provides perfect ambush points continuously. Traveling by slow-moving boat makes us look like easy prey from the embankments above.
In Three Kingdoms stories, a ‘narrow valley with steep cliffs on both sides' is always a trap.
Oops… thinking like this, it seems we’re approaching another bridge infested with slimes.
A small one-lane bridge approaches. Underneath, it’s densely covered with slimes. They’ve adapted to the environment, turning a deep green color like the river water instead of their usual translucent blue.
Hmm, quite a shocking sight…
Slimes dislike dryness and prefer dark, damp environments, resembling the behavior of slugs or leeches.
It's unclear how they recognize prey, but they silently drop down to attack when it approaches. They seem more aggressive here than in the dungeon, possibly due to hunger.
During such attacks, slimes maximize their abilities, extending their bodies and protecting their weak cores, making them very troublesome. Physical attacks like cutting or striking are ineffective, and they retaliate with acid attacks, which would be disastrous for an ordinary person on a boat.
Well, it’s no problem for me, who knows slimes well.
“Alright, here we go. Red Slime, come on!”
[Unyunyu~…]
Because my left leg is also a slime.
[[[Tero~n… Biku!?]]]
Several green slimes silently drop from the bridge’s underside.
However, upon seeing the Red Slime spread out on the slime sheet in a perfect defensive stance, they freeze.
But it’s too late once they notice.
In a battle between slimes, the key is erosive power. It’s like watching an amoeba battle under a microscope, but dynamically.
The Red Slime, thriving on my energy, won't lose to ordinary slimes. The green slimes are drawn in and become a tasty snack for the Red Slime.
Some lucky ones escape by self-amputation, shrinking in size but surviving to grow again. They’re left alone since the terrain is bad and time is valuable.
[Zaa… Zazaa…]
“…Egetsu-san, you're really unfair sometimes.”
As I maneuver the pole to move the slime boat forward, Serai-san, who’s been silent, suddenly complains.
“Eh!?”
“Those slimes… normally, it would be a disaster by now!”
Experience speaks. Serai-san was attacked by slimes in an underwater dungeon.
“Well, there are various ways to handle it.”
“How can you get along with monsters so well?”
[Zaa… Zazaa…]
(Hmm… why indeed…)
Thinking about it, maybe I am unusual from others' perspectives?
To ordinary people, monsters are threats to their lives, filthy enemies to be despised.
But when I first saw a monster, I was thrilled and amazed.
As an enthusiast of games and fantasy manga, I was moved by their existence as living beings.
When I first ventured into a dungeon, I repeatedly watched recorded slime footage, excited.
“Serai-san, don’t you find monsters a bit cute or interesting?”
“Well, if you mean Pixies, I get it…”
Indeed, Pixies are cute. But that’s not what I mean.
“Of course, Pixies are cute. But even slimes have their charm, and even roaches have functional beauty. If you recognize these aspects and find common ground, can't you get closer to monsters?”
“…Is that Egetsu-san's way of ‘getting along with monsters’?”
“Yes, I guess so.”
“Hmm…”
Her expression is hidden behind a mask, but Sekirai-san tilts her head, seemingly unconvinced. How can I explain better? My inability to articulate is frustrating.
…..
After about 15 minutes from the river, we arrived at the shrine on the hill.
We used slime ropes to swiftly cross the embankment and move like ninjas through the city. Having been chased around by a giant red scorpion in this area, I knew the terrain well and reached the destination without getting lost.
Despite all this ninja-like movement, my job remains a teacher. Unacceptable…
What more do I need to become a ninja?
[Zaaa… Zazaaa…]
“……”
Entering the shrine grounds, the trees sway strongly in the wind.
From the trees above, numerous crows silently watch us. Eerie…
“What’s with all those crows…”
“Ah, but they’re probably quiet to avoid attracting monsters. We just killed a kobold over there.”
“That’s true. So, Egetsu-san, hurry and retrieve it.”
“Got it.”
With Serai-san on guard with her mithril weapon, I quickly retrieve the giant red scorpion’s carapace. However, whenever I get a new weapon, Serai-san always ends up taking it…
“Caw! Caw!”
“Be quiet. We’ll be spotted by monsters!”
Jumping into the trees, the crows begin to squawk. They probably didn’t expect a human to suddenly leap into their safe zone.
“Idiot! Idiot!”
“Who are you calling an idiot? I’ll turn you into yakitori! Hm?”
The giant red scorpion’s carapace tied to the tree is clean yet dirty.
“Ah, this is your doing.”
“Idiot! Idiot!”
What does that even mean?
When I initially tied the giant red scorpion’s carapace to the tree, it still had some remains. Due to Saltarou's rough peeling, there were ‘dangling' and ‘gooey' parts left on it.
Now, those parts have been eaten by the crows, leaving the carapace clean but covered in bird droppings.
“Idiot! Idiot!”
“Shut up! You’re the idiots! Using the dining and bathroom areas together! Now it’s too dirty to store in the space warehouse!”
[Nurolon, Choi Choi]
“Oh, what is it, Red Slime? Are you going to silence these stupid crows… huh? You’ll clean this up?”
The Red Slime, emerging from my prosthetic leg, slides over and wraps around the giant red scorpion’s carapace, cleaning it thoroughly. Oh! It's like a game where the area changes color after moving over it.
The crows, seemingly reminded of their predator snakes by the Red Slime’s glistening sheen, quiet down. They likely saw the Red Slime’s shine as a snake’s scales. As the Red Slime approached, the terrified crows flew away one by one.
Hahaha! Where do you think you’re going?
Simultaneously, the Red Slime cleans the carapace’s remaining flesh. It handles everything from droppings to flesh.
Amazing, Red Slime! You’re incredible!