“I don’t think it was such a bad outcome.”
The European Union, which had visited Korea, returned to their respective countries after a lengthy meeting.
This place was Paris, France.
Armand, an awakened being belonging to the same guild as Michael, continued speaking.
“A mass-produced buff item with better performance than expected. It’s easy to consume, doesn’t stack, but also has no cooldown. Considering the negative first impression, I’d say it was worth its value.”
Even as the person beside him spoke, Michael remained lost in thought.
Seeing this, Armand gestured to someone.
With a nod, the person who saw the gesture soon appeared, holding something in their hand.
It was none other than Kyu-seong’s crop.
“Especially this strawberry, it has a better healing effect than expected, and the supply volume is large. Also, it’s easy to eat…”
“Tastes good.”
Michael finally spoke, snatching the strawberry Armand was holding and bringing it to his mouth.
Pop.
As soon as he bit into it, the sweet, refreshing juice of the strawberry burst out. Even though he had eaten it several times on the way, he couldn’t stop himself from wanting more.
“How much would it cost?”
“The delivery price of this strawberry per unit is…?”
“No, I’m not talking about the item.”
Michael’s pace quickened as he headed toward the guild.
The guild members and attendants hurriedly followed him.
“I’m talking about Lee Kyu-seong. How much would he cost?”
“Ah!”
Armand nodded and started calculating.
Suddenly, he remembered the other guilds that had swarmed in because of this incident.
“We might not be the only ones targeting the awakened Lee Kyu-seong. Recruitment might be more challenging than we expect.”
“I’m aware it will be difficult. But that’s not what I’m asking.”
Michael abruptly stopped and turned to Armand.
Seeing Michael’s gaze, Armand shuddered.
“How much will it cost? That’s what I want to know.”
Gulp.
“I-I’ll find out.”
“First, approach with anger, then offer Lee Kyu-seong the best treatment and the highest amount ever. Make sure no one else can even consider it.”
“But if we do that, the other guild members and the Union might resist…”
“Resist? If they feel Lee Kyu-seong is being treated unfairly, they can prove their own abilities.”
“Considering the recent incident, it’s likely that other countries within the Union are also targeting Lee Kyu-seong.”
“Armand, just say what you want to say clearly.”
“…I-I’ll do my best.”
“Good.”
Michael decisively turned and started walking again.
Even as he walked, he continued speaking.
“Since we’ve decided to recruit him, we should pay extra attention to this matter. He wanted to get his passage permit quickly, didn’t he?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“Along with the passage permit, issue an unlimited visa that allows free movement across the EU member states.”
“Ah! That’s a great idea. Other countries won’t find it burdensome to agree.”
“Of course. This is for Lee Kyu-seong. They’d want to recruit him too.”
Michael ended the conversation with a slight smile.
Watching his back, Armand let out a deep sigh internally.
‘Once he sets his sights on something, he’s determined to get it no matter what…’
While most things were understandable, this case was particularly complicated. Moreover, they had made the worst first impression by greeting Kyu-seong with an attack.
Not only Korea, where Kyu-seong was based, but also China, Japan, and most EU member states were involved.
Though it wasn’t mentioned, if word spread, even the U.S. and Middle Eastern countries might take notice.
“Sigh.”
A dirty fight to recruit Kyu-seong seemed inevitable.
***
[When summoning a slime, there is a chance to summon a level 2 slime.]
The quest reward was simple.
The ability that previously only summoned rookies was now upgraded to possibly summon level 2 slimes.
It wasn’t a huge change, but it was a good improvement in terms of saving liquid synthesis attempts.
[Awakening Quest: Hunt]
[Use slimes to hunt 100 random low-level monsters]
[Low-level monsters: 0/100]
At the same time, a new quest was added.
It seemed similar to the goblin hunting quest I received before.
The difference was that, unlike the previous quest where I only needed to hunt 10 monsters, this one required hunting 100—ten times as many.
“Haha.”
But for me, it was practically a free quest. I was planning to go to the Dungeon of Wrath anyway.
There, I could put Ara in the front and turn the trolls into familiars, making it an easy task.
“It’s Gomgom’s turn!”
As I watched Ara playing with Gomgom, I decided to perform another slime synthesis. I still had two uses of liquid synthesis left.
‘If I make Mark2 level 6 with this…’
I combined the level 4 slimes I had gathered again. This time, I synthesized a slime with the ability “Bouncy Ball” and another with “Drunken Fist.”
…I wonder where the Drunken Fist ability even came from. Did I leave that in until it reached level 4?
[Please choose the ability to inherit.]
[Bouncy Ball] [Drunken Fist]
Both were unique and good, but I was more drawn to Drunken Fist. Even though the ability would disappear when combined with Mark2,
‘Hmm, I guess this is how it survived all this time.’
Seeing the ability selection process, I understood why Drunken Fist had kept surviving. I had been choosing it all along.
Ting!
[Drunkard (Slime) LV.5]
[A peculiar slime]
[This is Lee Kyu-seong’s familiar]
[Liquid synthesis available.]
[Abilities: Drunken Fist LV.4, Martial Arts LV.1]
“Eh?”
Look at this guy.
The synthesized Drunken Fist slime even learned martial arts. How did it acquire such a perfect matching ability?
Thanks to this, I was in a dilemma.
Of all things, with Drunken Fist and martial arts, if I raised it well, it seemed like it could become an amazing slime. It felt too risky to combine it thoughtlessly.
“In that case, let’s put it on hold!”
Hiccup!
This guy even made a hiccup sound. It really was a drunkard through and through.
Seeing this slime reminded me of Headbutt, so I decided to use the remaining liquid synthesis on Headbutt, following my stream of consciousness.
I’ll make Mark2 level 6 tomorrow. I still have plenty of level 4 slimes.
“Woofy, can you bring Headbutt over here?”
-Woof!
Woofy, who had been wagging its tail like a propeller, quickly dashed towards the direction of the mine. Headbutt was still training in the mine.
I’m curious what will happen if I combine the drunkard and Headbutt.
Soon, Woofy returned carrying Headbutt on its back. As soon as Headbutt saw me, it puffed up its body with pride.
“Great Lord! Long time no see! I’m still aiming to become the world’s strongest slime! Haha!”
…That’s the vibe it gave off.
I could somewhat understand what the other slimes were trying to say, but Headbutt’s body language was much clearer.
“You’ve been doing well, right? Today’s the day our Headbutt becomes level 3.”
Ggumul!?
Headbutt was shocked.
Then, trembling with emotion, it shivered. Maybe I should have done this earlier.
Suddenly, Headbutt crawled somewhere and headbutted a pile of firewood.
“Thank you, headbutt! Attack!”
Once again, I couldn’t help but marvel at how readable Headbutt’s actions were.
Hiccup.
The drunkard slime, watching this, hiccupped as if mocking Headbutt and approached. Headbutt then looked at the drunkard with a wary expression.
Hic! Cup!
Thud!
The drunkard slime suddenly hiccupped violently and launched its body, splitting a small piece of firewood in two. Well, it was more like a thin branch than actual firewood, so calling it that was a bit of a stretch!
Ggumul!!!
Headbutt froze in shock, while the drunkard shrugged as if it was no big deal and hiccupped again.
Seeing them play together like that left me speechless.
“Oho! Is that Headbutt?!”
Just then, Ara, who had been playing with Gomgom, came running over with the look of someone who had found a new toy.
Headbutt, however, slunk over to the drunkard and eventually bowed its head.
Ggumul–!!
“I’ve lost! Please, take me as your disciple!”
Hiccup.
“I don’t take disciples. Why don’t you go and do more training instead?”
Ara, not understanding the situation, widened her eyes and approached me, tugging at my sleeve.
“Kyu-seong Kyu-seong, what’s going on?”
“The newly level 5 Drunkard just demonstrated a smashing technique. Headbutt saw it and reacted like that.”
“Ooo…”
Ara nodded as if she fully understood the situation, her expression saying, “I see how it is.”
“It’s amazing. Headbutt should keep training hard!”
Headbutt, encouraged by Ara’s cheer, responded energetically, feeling like the protagonist of the movie *Rocky*.
“…Shall we do the synthesis now, Headbutt?”
Ggumul!
Please do! I want to become a slime that won’t bring shame to my master!
Even though he was rejected by the Drunkard, Headbutt shamelessly called him master. But seriously, why can I understand this slime so well?
Anyway, I brought another level 2 slime for our level 2 Headbutt.
“Liquid synthesis!”
Ting!
The slimes merged into one.
And with a tada! Headbutt appeared at level 3.
[Headbutt (Slime) LV.3]
[A normal? slime]
[Liquid synthesis available]
[Ability: Headbutt LV.4]
“Wow. You’re level 3, but your Headbutt ability is already level 4. Let’s see you do a headbutt.”
The newly level 3 Headbutt looked like he was wearing a bandana on his head, giving him the appearance of a martial artist.
The Drunkard, who had been pretending not to be interested, was now closely watching Headbutt.
Ggu! Mul!
Headbutt straightened his stance.
He then attempted to break the firewood he had failed to break earlier.
…Why did he pick an even thinner stick this time?
Well, anyway.
The stick was similar in size to the one the Drunkard had tried to break earlier. To be honest, it was so thin that Ara could probably snap it just by stepping on it lightly.
Ggumul~!!
With a strong shout, Headbutt charged at the stick.
Snap.
With a disappointing sound, the thin stick broke.
But the reaction from those watching was enthusiastic.
“Wow! Headbutt did it!”
Hiccup.
Hmm, not bad. As expected of my disciple. My teachings have paid off.
Ggumul!
I finally did it! Thank you, Great Lord!!
They all hugged each other in joy.
Their innocent happiness was too much for me to join in.
I guess I’ve become too worldly.
“Well, that’s great. Haha. Ha…”
“Kyu-seong Kyu-seong! I’m going to train hard too! Can I train with Headbutt?”
“Of course. Just be careful not to get hurt.”
“Okay!”
Ara immediately hugged Headbutt and the Drunkard and ran off somewhere.
I was a bit worried since it was so sudden, but knowing Ara, who is more thoughtful than she appears, I figured everything would be fine.
“…Maybe I should go check on Pururuk.”
Seon-ah had already gone to take care of Kongkong, who was pregnant.
Unlike when I first saw her, Kongkong’s belly was now noticeably rounder, and according to Seon-ah, the babies were expected to arrive soon.
I remember how excited Ara and I were when we heard that we were going to have new family members.
‘Should I start preparing?’
Even though Kongkong is gentle, she’s still a monster, so there are bound to be differences from the animals we’re used to.
I felt a bit uneasy due to the lack of knowledge and information, so I decided I should look into it the next time I go out.
“Woofy, to the Pururuk Forest!”
-Woof!
First, I’ll check on the forest and then get Seon-ah’s opinion. She probably knows more about this kind of thing than I do.
Swoosh-.
Cliche Novel 