Give It a Try

Adventurers' Association Monster Compendium

[Sequence 7]: Giant Slime

Individual Threat Rating: [Difficult]

Physical Characteristics:

No different from an ordinary slime, except its body is exceptionally enormous, reaching several meters in diameter—far larger than normal specimens.

Habits:

No different from ordinary slimes.

Special Abilities:

Having undergone a giant mutation, this slime possessed the ability to spray acid. Contact with its skin caused intense pain and flesh erosion, and it could also corrode wooden shields and iron equipment to a certain extent.

Additionally, the Giant Slime was quite capable of jumping.

By gathering strength, it could launch its massive body high into the air and slam its terrifying weight down upon its opponent. Once someone was engulfed by it, escape was nearly impossible.

Core Weakness:

No different from ordinary slimes.

Association Notes:

The Giant Slime's core was well protected. Its enormous body made it difficult for ordinary weapons to pierce through in a single strike.

To kill it, a team had to work together and gradually cut away its body to reach the core.

"Let's retreat. There are only three of us. Taking on a Giant Slime is too risky," Vales said. "The commission never mentioned a Giant Slime appearing. This isn't our fault."

A failed commission would affect an adventurer's rank and could even result in punishment from the Association.

But under the circumstances, this clearly went beyond the scope of the commission. The responsibility did not lie with the adventurers.

A monster rated [Difficult] meant that a low-level party would have to pay a certain price. Opponents at this level already possessed attacks capable of killing people and had to be treated with caution.

"Mm... let's retreat. We just need to report the situation to the Adventurers' Association," Marcus agreed.

He had killed a [Difficult]-rated Giant Rock Worm before, but that had only been possible through the combined effort of a five-man party. A ranger had even been left permanently disabled because of it.

As for the [Challenge]-rated Mist Demon, they had only succeeded because it had been an immature specimen.

The Giant Slime was not as troublesome as those two monsters, but there were only three people in the party right now. If they had a full team, Marcus might have considered it.

"I think... we can give it a try," Zeliel suddenly said.

"Try what? Challenge that Giant Slime?" Marcus looked at Zeliel.

"Yes." Zeliel nodded.

"Are you serious?" Marcus frowned.

"Aren't slimes afraid of fire? We can use that to our advantage," Zeliel said.

"They're only afraid of flames powerful enough to matter. Your Fireball won't be able to deal sufficient damage to this Giant Slime." Vales shook his head.

"No. I've mastered a new spell: Flame Dragon."

Zeliel said, "It can release flames continuously, and it's much more powerful than Fireball... but the casting time is a little long, and it has a range limit. So I need you two to hold it back."

Another new spell?

Now Marcus and Vales truly could not see through Zeliel at all.

Only five days had passed since the last mission. How had Zeliel managed to learn three new spells all at once?

And one of them was even an advanced spell like Flame Dragon.

Could four gold coins buy that many magic scrolls?

"You... are sure you can do it?" Marcus still hesitated.

Zeliel recalled the power Flame Dragon had shown yesterday and answered with certainty.

"I can."

Marcus and Vales exchanged a glance, then both turned toward Zeliel and nodded lightly.

The drops from a Giant Slime were far more valuable than those of an ordinary slime. Its higher-concentration magic core alone was worth four or five gold coins.

It also produced a kind of concentrated gel block. This material could be used to make cushioning inner layers for high-end armor, and it was equally valuable.

Marcus considered one more point.

Though the Giant Slime's thick, bloated body was troublesome, it had one fatal weakness: it moved slowly.

Even if the party failed to kill it, they would most likely be able to retreat unscathed. The risk was much lower.

"If that's really the case, then we can give it a try."

His desire for rewards and opportunity overcame his caution. Marcus made up his mind.

"Same as usual. I'll hold it from the front, and Vales will support me. Zeliel, prepare your magic. We're taking it on!"

The Giant Slime was still enjoying its bath in the underground river, unaware that someone had already set their sights on killing it.

The three began advancing slowly. When they were six or seven meters from the Giant Slime, Marcus struck his shield with the flat of his blade, producing a ringing clang!

"Come on, idiot!"

The noise caught the Giant Slime's attention. It seemed to grow angry, and the small slimes squirming over its surface completely merged into its body.

Then its insides began churning before it suddenly sprayed out a huge mass of yellow-green slime.

Marcus did not dare take it lightly. He ducked his head and immediately hid most of his body behind his shield.

The slime struck the shield, and white smoke immediately rose from its wooden protective layer, accompanied by a hissing sound.

A few worm-eaten holes appeared on the shield's surface, and the structure in other areas became weaker as well.

The river churned. As the Giant Slime's body contracted, it finished gathering strength before launching itself into the air with a thunderous leap, soaring two or three meters high!

"Watch out!" Vales shouted.

A huge shadow fell over him from above, then descended at tremendous speed. Marcus rolled away in a miserable scramble, narrowly evading the crushing attack.

Boom!!!

The dull impact was deafening, kicking up a huge cloud of dust.

It had come out of the river!

Zeliel's gaze sharpened.

They had successfully drawn the monster over. Now it was his turn.

The spell structure unfolded in his mind. Magic power traced along its pattern as Flame Dragon began gathering energy!

Marcus panted heavily, still shaken.

If that attack had hit him head-on, at least half the bones in his body would probably have snapped instantly. Then he would have been wrapped inside the Giant Slime and slowly digested until not even scraps remained.

Taking advantage of the Giant Slime's recovery after landing, Vales drew his bow and fired a rapid volley—five arrows in quick succession!

The Giant Slime was such a massive target that there was no need to worry about missing, but the damage Vales inflicted was extremely limited.

After the arrows entered the Giant Slime's body, they penetrated less than a few dozen centimeters before their momentum was completely dissipated.

Splat!

The Giant Slime sprayed another mass of acid, and Marcus raised his shield to block it.

After repeatedly enduring acid attacks, holes had begun appearing in the shield's wooden structure. Its outer layer had been severely corroded.

It would likely be completely ruined after blocking one or two more attacks.

Marcus did not dare endure any more head-on. He began circling around the Giant Slime, continuing to make noise to draw its attention while repeatedly maneuvering around it.

If he led it too far away, it would leave Zeliel's attack range. If he led it too close, it might interfere with Zeliel's casting.