Round 88

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Chirrik-!

All around, it was a sea of green. This place swarmed with dwarfs with green skin—the Goblin Dungeon.

“Chirrik! There’s not enough food!”

“There’s nothing to eat! Chirrik.”

Goblins, classified as low-level monsters, were numerous here. The dungeon was an ecosystem of its own, with a food chain and monster reproduction. Therefore, if left undefeated and unmanaged, the number of monsters in the dungeon naturally increased. However, the Goblin Dungeon was a low-tier dungeon. Furthermore, goblins, despite their appearance, were monsters known for their love of shiny things and mastery in crafting. As a result, goblin dungeons were like treasure troves for humans.

So, it was strange that the goblins had not been culled and had multiplied to this extent.

“We need to tell the King!”

“Let’s go find the King! Chirrik!”

A horde of goblins rushed off somewhere. They arrived at a building that resembled a grand temple, a place far more extravagant and splendid than the rest.

“Grrk!”

The gatekeeping goblins growled. Unlike ordinary goblins, these were almost as large as orcs, though they were still short.

“We need to see the King!”

“Let us in! Let us in!”

Blocked from entering the temple, the goblins set up camp right at the entrance and started shouting. Some even had red headbands they had prepared earlier. The gatekeepers, apparently used to such scenes, sighed and just watched.

“Hunger strike!”

“Let us in! Let us see the King!”

“But isn’t our hunger strike because we have no food? Chirrik?”

“Hunger strike!”

As days passed, more goblins joined the protest. When the temple’s front plaza was nearly filled, someone finally emerged from inside.

“It’s the King! Chirrik!”

“King! Please, give us food! Chirrik!”

A goblin with red skin and a dazzling crown on its head stepped out, distinct from the others.

“Silence.”

“…”

“…”

The red goblin’s command brought instant silence. Satisfied, the red goblin spoke again.

“My dear fellow goblins, I am pleased to see your faces.”

“Sniff! I love you, King!”

“We believe in you, King!”

The goblins, who had been protesting, instantly transformed into fervent fans, cheering at just a few words. The Goblin King, soaking in the adulation, tilted his head slightly, inviting more praise. Instantly, the protest turned into a praise fest.

“King! King!”

“Just seeing your face fills me up!”

“You’ve finally answered our call! The King is a god!”

After basking in their adoration for a while, the Goblin King raised a hand, bringing silence once more.

“My dear fellow goblins, I, Mammon, understand your hardships. I have not shown myself to you because I have been working on a solution to this problem.”

“Oh! As expected of our King, Chirrik!”

“Aah, I’m dizzy. The King is so amazing.”

“Chirrik! Someone fainted here!”

“As expected of the King! Such charisma, making others faint with just words!”

While the goblins fussed over a fainting comrade—who had actually fainted from hunger-induced anemia—the Goblin King Mammon continued to speak.

“We will soon venture outside! We will seize numerous territories and claim abundant food!”

“Outside?!”

“F-Finally!”

Everyone gaped at Mammon’s declaration. In fact, cracks had been forming that allowed passage to the outside for some time. However, Mammon had prevented anyone from leaving until now, and the moment had finally arrived.

“On that day, we will avenge the humans who ruthlessly trampled our lands and caused countless sacrifices! We will take all the food they have cultivated with their blood and sweat!”

“Oooh!”

“Revenge! Revenge for my 156th brother!”

The goblins were elated by Mammon’s proclamation. Having been attacked once before, the goblins were driven by the hope of both vengeance and obtaining food.

“But not immediately!”

“Huh?”

“Hunger strike! Hunger strike!”

The goblins, who quickly changed their attitudes, started getting heated again. Mammon, however, continued speaking calmly despite their fickleness.

“We need sufficient preparation! If it weren’t for me when the humans invaded, we would have faced a miserable defeat! Thus, I need your support!”

The goblins recalled the past. The crazed humans with their fiery eyes sweeping through their kin, and their own helplessness.

“S-Scary. Chirrik!”

“We need to prepare! We must do it twice, no, three times!”

Aside from Mammon, the goblins were just regular goblins. As low-level monsters, they trembled and regained their composure.

“Therefore, starting today! I will raise your taxes!”

“Huh?”

“Hunger strike?”

Mammon grinned slyly.

“Taxes are necessary to prepare for battle! I ask for your enthusiastic support!”

* * *

Ara held a slime shard, eyes wide open. Mr. Baek and I watched anxiously, swallowing dryly.

“So? What is it?”

“This is…!”

It felt like one of those ‘we’ll be back in 60 seconds’ moments. Ara, still wide-eyed and clutching the slime shard, finally spoke again.

“It’s a slime!”

“…”

“…”

I waited a bit longer, hoping there was more to it. But Ara, looking proud, just stared at Mr. Baek and me.

“…Huh?”

“That’s it?”

Seeing our less-than-enthusiastic reaction, Ara tilted her head in confusion.

“Hmph… We already knew it was a slime?”

“Oh, you already knew?”

Something about her tone seemed off. Was she making this up?

“It just cried and was frustrating?”

“Gasp.”

Ara’s harsh critique was surprising. What kind of slime was it?

‘This tiny shard holds a power level close to a 7th-grade magic stone, and it was just a crying, frustrating slime?’

But could there be such a strong slime other than Ara? The world is vast and full of mysteries yet to be uncovered.

‘Why is it in this form now?’

The item name was “slime shard,” so it was obviously a slime. But how could I restore it to its original form?

My ability as the Slime Lord allows me to control and command all slimes. In other words, no matter how strong this shard slime was, I could make it my subordinate.

“How can we restore that slime to its original form?”

“Maybe by giving it lots of delicious food?” 

Ara’s question-like statement revealed her uncertainty. It was puzzling, as slimes typically disintegrate upon death, yet this one remained in shard form.

“Hmm.”

Since it was a slime shard, maybe it could undergo liquid synthesis. However, when touched, it felt as hard as a rock. As I pondered this, Ara picked up a piece of cherry tomato from the salad and brought it close to the slime shard.

Her innocent action made me smile involuntarily as I watched her adorably… 

Chomp!

‘Chomp?’

I heard a sound that shouldn’t have been possible. Blinking in disbelief, I noticed the cherry tomato Ara had been holding was gone.

“Did I just imagine that?”

“I saw it too.”

Mr. Baek nodded fervently in agreement. It seemed the slime shard had consumed the cherry tomato in a flash, although we didn’t see it clearly.

“Oooh!! It’s eating well!”

Ara clapped her hands in delight. She then picked up other pieces of food and brought them to the slime shard. Focusing closely, we saw the food disappear with incredible speed, just like before.

Clap, clap, clap!

“Oooh!”

Ara beamed with joy, like a proud pet owner watching their pet’s impressive feat.

“I never would have imagined this. We conducted various experiments within the guild but never thought to feed it.”

“Who would have? No one expects an item to eat food…”

Wait a moment. How much does this thing eat? My household already consists of big eaters, and now even an item is consuming food?

‘…I guess I’ll have to work even harder.’

With newfound determination, I asked Ara, “Do you remember what kind of slime it was?”

“Hmm, I don’t remember. It’s too old.”

Given Ara’s claim of being 3,500 years old, it was understandable she’d forget. Although I didn’t believe her age, even I can’t recall many friends from kindergarten without constant contact over the years.

After that little episode, we finished our meal. Once Ara’s dance practice ended, she tugged at my sleeve and asked, “Can I do it again?”

“Really? Should we come every day then?”

“Can we come every day?!”

Ara’s eyes widened in excitement. With the event approaching soon, we could manage daily visits for now.

“Kyu-seong,”

“Ah, yes, So-yeon.”

“Why don’t you stay over for the night?”

At Jeong So-yeon’s suggestion, Ara’s eyes widened and her mouth dropped open in excitement.

“Can I really stay over?!”

Spending a night with friends seemed to be a thrilling idea for Ara. Seeing her so excited, I couldn’t bring myself to say no.

“Is that okay?”

“Of course!”

Jeong So-yeon nodded with a smile.

“Wow! As expected from Jeong So-yeon!”

“I’ll go inform the headmaster.”

“Thank you.”

So, we ended up staying the night. Though I was slightly concerned about leaving the field unattended for a day, it wasn’t a big deal since I’d stayed overnight at my parents’ place before. The slimes managed everything anyway, but my overprotectiveness made me worry unnecessarily.

“Wow! Then can I go play?”

“Yes, go play with your friends.”

“Yay!!”

Ara quickly handed me the box containing the slime shard and ran off. Watching her dash away, I regretted not arranging more playdates for her sooner.

“Have I been working too much?”

Even though the slimes handled most of the farming tasks, I was responsible for managing, harvesting, and selling the produce. It made me realize that I might have neglected Ara and the other household members.

“I’ve cared for my family, but perhaps I’ve been a bit neglectful toward the slimes.”

Though the slimes probably didn’t feel that way, as Ara had said, farming was the best welfare for them. Plus, they had endless access to delicious food, making it a paradise for them.

Still, seeing Ara so happy made me want to give her more experiences and create better memories for her.

Doomchit doomchit!

Ara was already showing off the dance she had learned today to her friends. Her clumsy dance moves were adorable, making her quite popular among the kids.

Click!

Jeong So-yeon was already taking pictures.

“Hmm.”

And Mr. Baek was observing the scene keenly with the eyes of a shrewd businessman.

“…Is he envious?”

I understood, given he spent his time among rough company. But still, coveting someone else’s child was not okay!

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