Chapter 33: Chapter 33
“Thank you for the food . ” [Ryouma]
It was lunch break and I’d just finished eating my meal at a corner of that wide-open area . The other adventurers were still eating, however, and in fact, there were some who’d just started .
I tend to eat quickly when I’m by myself . Now what? Jeff-san and the others went to get information and eat with the other adventurers, so I can’t bother them .
With nothing to do, I figured I’d take care of the slimes first .
“Excuse me . ” [Ryouma]
I called out to the receptionist responsible for handling jobs other than things regarding the subjugation .
“Ara, Ryoumkun . ” [Maelyn]
“Hi, Maelyn-san . Do you have some time?” [ryouma]
“Sure . What is it?” [Maelyn]
“I just want to inform the guild that I’ll be leaving the area to feed the slimes until break ends . Also, have you received any monster corpses yet?” [Ryouma]
“They have, so go ahead and get as much as you want . You’ve already paid in advance, so as long as you show the guild staff your guild card, they’ll hand them over to you .
I’ll note your leave, but be careful, alright? And make sure to come back once break ends . ” [Maelyn]
“There’s a roll call per party, right?” [Ryouma]
“That’s right . In the instance, you’re late and are unable to make it to work, you have to report to the reception desk . We’re doing this to prevent people from stealthily leaving their post to commit robbery . If you fail to show up, you will be treated as someone who’s shirked his duties and will not receive pay . This is non-negotiable . ” [Maelyn]
“Got it . Thanks . ” [Ryouma]
After heeding Maelyn-san’s warning, I left the reception desk, got four portions of monster corpses, and left the area .
“Here should be good… ‘Dimension Home’” [Ryouma]
After walking for a while and up a steep hill, I managed to find a place with no people .
If it’s here, I should be able to immediately tell when a monster or a person approaches .
Slimes came out one after another through a white hole and into the hill road, then I gave them the monster corpses to feed on .
First, I had the cleaner slimes eat the filth, then divided the remains into four . After that, I placed a giant vessel full of water beside the remains and gave the order for the slimes to eat . When I did, the big or huge variant of the poison, sticky, acid, and scavenger slimes appeared and they feasted on the mountain of food .
I had to prepare food for the metal slimes next, so I went to do just that, but while preparing its food, the metal slime started to dig a hole on the ground to eat the soil .
Can it eat the iron content within the soil?
…But it’s not making any progress digging .
Rather than digging, the metal slime actually looked like it was throwing a tantrum for being the only one without food .
I hurried myself and quickly put a bowl full of iron powder on the ground . At that, the metal slime stopped trying to dig and hurriedly went to its bowl . The only reason I could tell it was hurrying, however, was because of the contract, but if you just looked at it, it was actually moving very slowly .
I guess that iron body must really be weighing it down .
As the metal slime sucked in the iron, I sat beside it and watched it eat .
It was in this way that I passed the time .
Speaking of which, the heal slimes didn’t eat food and instead photosynthesized, so they basked in the sunlight behind me while everyone else ate .
After the slimes finished eating, there was something bothering me, so I brought them all back except a poison slime, a sticky slime, and an acid slime .
“Please . ” [Ryouma]
I placed a plate in front of each slime and asked them to spit on it . The poison slime spit poison, the sticky slime spit its sticky liquid, and the acid slime spit acid .
The metal slime’s body was hard and it possessed the skill ‘harden’ .
I know it’s strong against physical attacks, but I wonder if it can handle poison?
I don’t know, so we’re going to find that out now .
It’s just me watching its reaction while it approaches the various plates, though .
First came poison .
“…Unaffected, huh . ” [Ryouma]
The metal slime didn’t react even a little . A sticky slime would back off here, but the metal slime didn’t care . It can stand perfectly fine beside the poison slime .
Next is the sticky liquid .
“…It’s fine with this one too . ” [Ryouma]
The metal slime had no reaction to the first two, but when acid came, it finally showed a reaction .
When it approached the plate of acid, its body squirmed more than normal as if it were melting, and then it gradually backed away .
“So, it’s bad with acid… This sure reminds me of a science experiment . ” [Ryouma]
There was an experiment in the past where we had to put hydrochloric acid on a metal foil… How nostalgic .
I didn’t want to scare it too much, so I put an end to the experiment there .
After I took away the plates and disposed of them, the metal slime calmed down . But because it ran away in a panic, its body was now dirty .
I should wipe it .
When I tried rubbing it with a towel, its shape contorted according to my touch . Rubbing it gave a mysterious feeling impossible for metal and was really fun .
“Good! …I think it’s about time we came back…?” [Ryouma]
After checking the time on the clock that I’d acquired previously, I realized I should be getting back soon, so I invoked Dimension Home to put the metal slime back in, but I dropped it .
The metal slime usually took on a warped shape, but the current metal slime was a ball . That ball just made contact with a steep hill .
“Dimension Ho— !?” [Ryouma]
Following the shrill sound with my eyes, I saw a ball rolling down the hill at a terrifying speed .
When I looked down to my legs, I saw that the metal slime was gone .
“Wait!”
I was about to chase after it by reflex, but then it occurred to me that there were still 3 slimes left outside .
If I leave them here, some other adventurer might come across them, and…
So, quickly, I picked up the three slimes and chased after the metal slime that had already rolled a long distance away after just a few seconds .
A person would die when hit in the wrong spot, but slimes didn’t even need to be hit in the wrong spot to die . They were fragile creatures . Because of that I couldn’t help but worry despite the iron slime’s hardened body .
The metal slime eventually stopped rolling when it crashed into a thicket of weeds .
The metal slime was unmoving .
“Are you alright?” [Ryouma]
As I approached the metal slime to check its condition, it gradually stood back up, twisting and warping as it did . Apparently, it was just shocked, but was otherwise unhurt .
That sure gave me a scare .
When I have the time, I should check how much force the metal slime can take . It should be safe as long as we don’t hit the nucleus… Or, no . I think I should put this off until after the metal slime reproduces .
After making up my mind, I picked up the metal slime .
“Hmm?” [Ryouma]
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A voice?
I focused my attention to it and found that I wasn’t hearing things . It was the voice of a person, several voices, in fact . It should be… somewhere near the wide area . It must be one of the adventurers who took on the job .
The voices seem to be quarreling, though? I don’t know what they’re talking about, but it sounds dangerous .
“It bothers me… Let’s check it out . ” [Ryouma]
There’s no point even if I go to the guild master and the reception desk now since I’m not even sure if they’re actually arguing .
With a sticky slime on head, a poison slime and an acid slime on either shoulder, I walked toward the direction of those voices .
Volume 2 Chapter 33 part2Found them!
After walking for a while in the direction of the quarreling voices, I found myself near the bottom of the mine, in a place where the light was dim due to all the trees, and there, by the corner, where the red soil was after being thrown from the cliff, were a group of adventurers in gear . There were over 10 of them . I couldn’t see very well because of the shadow of the mountain, but I could tell that they were surrounding someone .
“Enough already!” [???]
“You’re just a buncha thieves only good for stealing other people’s spoils!” [???]
The surrounding men screamed jeers .
Their speech was rough perhaps because of anger or perhaps simply because they were lowbred, but either way, the current situation was grim .
Are they fighting?
“We’re not thieves!! We got it from someone!!” [???]
Huh? Haven’t I heard this voice before?
Brats who steals other people’s spoils… And a familiar voice .
I wrung out my hazy memory to try and recall .
…Could they be?
Paying careful attention to the direction of the wind as I usually did when hunting, I quietly moved through the trees and grasses and walked behind the men .
When I was about 50 meters away, my suspicions were confirmed .
On either side were slag heaps, and in front were two groups of men facing each other . Behind one group, which was made up of three young boys, were three young girls, who had their backs to a cliff . Although both the boys and the girls were frightened, they still tried to cover each other .
They struck a posture that suggested they were ready to fight the approaching men .
Yes, the young boys and girls were indeed the ones I met back at the cave just as I’d suspected .
…Huh? W-Which side started this mess?
“Don’t look down on us, slum brats!!” [Older adventurer]
I have no idea how things ended up like this, but the situation looks bad . Fortunately, things haven’t escalated yet, but I can’t exactly just show myself and tell these bandit-like people to stop . Let’s watch first and see how things develop .
At first glance, the 10 men look like the bad guys since they’re surrounding a group of 6 kids, but it’s them we’re talking about, so I wonder .
Those kids did just wordlessly take our spoils without saying a word, so if they did the same thing to those men, it’d be hard to fault them . Taking unwanted spoils just barely falls outside of larceny, but if those men want an apology, they deserve one .
I don’t think pushing the kids into a corner like this is a good idea, though .
In our case, everyone in my party but me called out to them and scolded them as a warning, but we didn’t push them to a corner and shouted jeers at them . There’s a big difference between this and back then .
The kids aren’t talking anymore . They’re already at the point where they feel they have to make a move . They’re literally one step away from a fight .
The best course of action is to call someone who can calm the situation down, but I can’t make it back with a single Warp… Moreover, I’m not capable of taking another person with me when using Warp . Pushing myself and causing an accident is out of the question . And if I ask someone else, we’ll end up taking unnecessary time when they ask for the location .
I don’t want to leave those 6 for too long since the other group is made up of either guys who’d willingly lay a hand on them or guys who just flat out don’t care .
Of course, I’m also one of the people just watching, but I’m confident I can put a stop to them with force should the need arise .
Sigh… What to do?
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Considering what might happen, staying here might be for the best, but then I won’t be able to call anyone . On on one hand, I could call someone else to handle the situation, but the problem is that would put the kids in danger until I return .
…It’s nice to be alone, but times like these are really inconvenient…
I’ve never been hurried by anyone back at the forest, so it’s been a while since I was last inconvenienced by not having enough hands .
Hmm… The exact number of the men surrounding them is 12 . They’re all more or less 20 years-old, but there’s one with a beard who looks like he’s 30 .
He’s the only one who looks strong . The others aren’t even worth mentioning . But even that bearded guy doesn’t seem to have noticed me . At that level, the bandits I fought before were more dangerous .
It doesn’t seem that dangerous, but those 12 are definitely stronger than the kids . Since they have the numerical advantage too, there’s no hope for the kids winning . Self-defense is probably impossible too .
“Well, say something!” [Older adventurer]
…Well, if they stole something, then 10 or 20 punches is about right . Back in my days, corporal punishment was a given be it in school or at home . Of course, the current Japan would make a fuss now if such a thing were to be done, but this is another world . Here, this much is a given to discipline kids .
If they stole something, then normally they would have to be handed to the disciplinary office of the adventurers guild, so if anything, a few punches is getting off lightly .
It’s true what they did doesn’t completely fall under a crime, but it’s still close enough . And Jeff-san and the others already warned them earlier . So since they refused to take their advice, then I wish they’d clean this mess up on their own . In the first place, there’s not much point to me showing myself when we just met once .
Of course, I won’t just sit still if they go overboard .
But all this is based on the premise that they did in fact do wrong . If they’re not in the wrong, then there’s no need to be hit .
So, is it the 6 at fault or not?
In the end, I just came back right where I started like a broken record or something . This isn’t going anywhere .
…Yeah, let’s just ask them .
I put down the relatively untrained metal slime on the ground and stood up .
“Excuse me!” [Ryouma]
“!?” [Everyone]
“Over there!” [Older Adventurer 1]
“A talking slime!?” [Older Adventurer 2]
“You fool! Look a little lower! There’s a head underneath the slime!” [Older Adventurer 3]
“Why the hell does that brat have three slimes on top of him!” [Older Adventurer 1]
“How long have you been there, you brat!?” [Older Adventurer 2]
“Sorry to intrude when you’re so busy . ” [Ryouma]
When I left the thickets and revealed myself, the men turned to me with suspicion .
The group of kids also saw me, and when they did, one of the girls let out a voice .
“Ah, it’s you…” [Girl Adventurer 1]
When the men heard that, they smiled .
“What? So you’re one of them too?” [Older Adventurer 1]
“Not at all . I’m just passing by, actually . ” [Ryouma]
The men weren’t buying it, however .
“From the looks of things, everyone here is an adventurer participating in the monster subjugation quest, yes? It’s almost the appointed time, so I was on the way back when I suddenly heard some people arguing . ” [Ryouma]
“Really now? These guys seem to know you, though?” [Older Adventurer 1]
“Aren’t you just a thief too?” [Older Adventurer 2]
“I mean that’s a nice armor you’re wearing even though you’re just a kid . ” [Older Adventurer 3]
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The men started appraising me . Their eyes were all drawn to the armor I wore .
“I just happened to meet those 6 in the tunnel this morning . Did they steal something from you?” [Ryouma]
“That’s right . These twerps—” [Older Adventurer 4]
“We got the monster corpses from that kid’s group!” [Boy Adventurer 5]
“We didn’t steal your spoils!” [Girl Adventurer 6]
“Shut up!” [Older Adventurer 7]
“Do you have any proof!? You don’t!” [Older Adventurer 8]
“They’re telling the truth . My group agreed to give them the spoils . If you can’t trust me, then I can let you meet one of our members . Everyone else in my group is an accomplished adventurer, so I’m sure you’ll find their word trustworthy .
Anyway, it’s almost time for our roll call . Do you mind?” [Ryouma]
When I spoke truthfully, the behavior of the adventurers changed .
“W-We wouldn’t want to trouble your group…” [Older Adventurer 9]
“This is our problem, after all . ” [Older Adventurer 10]
“You better not just be trying to buy time to destroy evidence!” [Older Adventurer 11]
“You might be plotting to cry help from someone! We can’t trust you!” [Older Adventurer 1]
“We don’t want to cause a scene either, you know!” [Older Adventurer 2]
“If this turns into a huge scandal, those kids will have a hard time getting a job!” [Older Adventurer 3]
It’s not obvious from their words, but when you look at the way they’re acting, it’s no different from how youngsters act when they try to hide screwing up at work .
It seems they don’t want others to know about this .
Seeing how the men didn’t want to clarify things, the equal scale within my mind tipped toward the 6 adventurers .
After a while, the one adventurer who hadn’t said anything until now finally spoke .
“I agree that there’s no point in further talks . ” [Older Adventurer 12]
“Sacchi-san!?” [Older Adventurer 1]
The man called Sacchi spoke to me .
So, he really was their leader .
The other men went quiet when he spoke .
Well, he does look like the toughest one .
“You’ve got guts, brat . Just how did you manage to approach us undetected anyway? You know, I was paying careful attention to our surroundings in case some monster were to approach . ” [Sacchi]
“I may look like this, but I’m still a hunter, so I specialize in hunting . ” [Ryouma]
“I see… You guys, any further talk is just a waste of time . Just as the kid says, it’s almost time for the roll call, so… Let’s put an end to this . ” [Sacchi]
Sacchi said the same thing I said before . He said it so decidedly you wouldn’t think he was the leader of these men who were raising up a fuss just a while ago .
Those men didn’t look like they were about to defy him either .
The men blocking the 6 adventurers’ way snorted, then they drew their weapons .
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