Chapter 33: The Slime’s Core and a Lesson in Propriety

While A-rank monsters were certainly present, the 51st to 60th levels of the dungeon were not exclusively populated by them.

Weaker creatures still roamed these depths, though the baseline power of all monsters had been significantly elevated.

Even within the same species, a hierarchy of strength existed.

Those found on lower levels consistently proved to be the more formidable.

Elara and Hilvyn stepped into the 51st level, finding themselves enveloped by a labyrinthine cave system.

It was a verdant expanse, lush with twisting vines, vibrant moss, and abundant grass.

Along the path leading from the entrance, scattered corpses of B-rank and even A-rank monsters served as grim markers.

Clearly, the immediate vicinity had already been thoroughly scavenged for resources.

“These people are far too fast, aren’t they?”

Hilvyn observed their chosen route, already thoroughly plundered by others, her expression one of clear annoyance.

“Our two-person team moves too slowly; we’ve wasted a lot of time.”

While their individual movement speed was comparable, the disadvantage of fewer numbers became apparent when gathering materials and dealing with monsters.

“It’s alright, though,” Elara reassured, checking her map. “There are three branching paths ahead; surely, one will be untouched.”

“How will we know if someone has already passed through?” Hilvyn leaned in to peer at the map. “Should we just go in and walk for a bit?”

“No need.”

Elara folded her map, sensing they had arrived.

Indeed, at the three cave entrances, two were marked with distinct red symbols.

“There’s a convenient, unofficial rule set by adventurers in A-rank areas,” Elara explained. “When a cave system branches, they mark the path they choose at the junction.”

Elara pointed to the unmarked entrance. “This proves that the marked paths have already been traversed.”

The two entered the unmarked cave.

“What if a team doesn’t leave a mark?” Hilvyn countered.

“That’s rare. Some might forget, but if there’s a mark, someone’s definitely been there. Ultimately, we still need to take the unmarked path.”

After walking for a while, the duo encountered the first monster of the 51st level.

“Why is it a slime?” Elara tilted her head back, gazing up at the creature.

Hilvyn also looked up. “What an enormous slime.”

The slime occupied seventy percent of the cave’s space, its massive, approximately 16-meter diameter body completely blocking their way.

“At least now we know for sure this path hasn’t been taken by anyone else.”

As Elara spoke, she conjured a Dark Arrow and shot it into the slime’s body. However, it was like a stone sinking into mud; the small wound had no effect whatsoever.

She possessed no magic capable of widespread damage, meaning Hilvyn would have to take the lead.

The slime, sensing food, began to slowly蠕动 towards Elara and Hilvyn.

Hilvyn initiated with three Wind Lances, carving three seemingly large craters into the slime, yet they proved ineffective as the creature quickly regenerated its wounds.

Normally, slimes were small, their gelatinous bodies quite fragile; destroying most of their mass was usually sufficient. Small slimes could even be smashed by children.

But in this situation…

‘It seems we can only destroy its core,’ Elara thought. ‘That’s the proper way to kill a slime, but it’s rarely necessary.’

“Hilvyn, try the Ice Firework.”

Hilvyn slapped her forehead. “I almost forgot!”

Elara was speechless.

The two retreated a short distance, as the ‘Ice Firework’ was an indiscriminate attack.

This time, Hilvyn fashioned an ice sphere half her own height and launched it in an arc. With a loud *thwack*, it landed squarely within the massive gelatinous mass.

Then, with a thought, the ice sphere instantly detonated, blasting a huge crater into one side of the slime and bringing its movement to a halt.

However, it was still too far from the core, and the slime continued to repair itself.

“Can you make a bigger one?” Elara met Hilvyn’s gaze. “One that can blast straight to the core?”

Hilvyn shook her head. “But if it’s any bigger, I won’t be able to throw it.”

“Just place it on the ground,” Elara suggested, pointing at the slime, which had resumed its slow movement. “It will come and swallow it itself.”

“Oh, right.” Hilvyn’s eyes widened in realization. “I’ll try that then.”

Without hesitation, Hilvyn placed the sphere on the ground and began channeling her magic. Fine beads of sweat appeared on her forehead; this level of magic was strenuous, but the ice sphere steadily grew.

“Master, how about this one?”

Hilvyn wiped away a bead of sweat. Before them stood an ice sphere two heads taller than herself.

“Good.”

The two stood far back. Hilvyn erected an ice wall in front of them, waiting for the slime to swallow the ‘firework.’

A tremendous roar! A dark shadow shot forth with the sound. Elara, utilizing ‘Shadow Strike’ and ‘Swiftness Enchantment,’ instantly shifted before the slime.

The two-meter-wide greenish core was exposed deep within the massive cavity, the gelatin already beginning to re-encase it.

Elara lunged forward, diving into the hole. She stomped on the slime and relentlessly hacked at the core, each strike imbued with the ‘Shadow Blade’ enchantment.

After several seconds, the core, riddled with blade marks, abruptly dimmed. The once solid gelatin collapsed like a building losing its support, sending a wave-like surge through the cave.

Hilvyn first coated her feet with a layer of ice, then jogged closer.

“Master! Are you alright?”

Elara emerged from the heap of gelatinous slime, letting out a relieved sigh.

She pulled herself free from the goo, her entire body glistening with the viscous fluid.

“Ugh, how disgusting.”

The slime’s mucus carried a faint, fishy odor, making her feel quite grimy.

Even Hilvyn hesitated for a moment before pulling her.

“Oh, goodness.” Elara felt uncomfortable, especially with her hair feeling sticky. “We’ll just have to see if there’s any water source ahead.”

“Master…”

Elara noticed Hilvyn staring intently at her chest.

“Your clothes.”

“What the!”

Elara quickly raised her arms to cover her chest; her clothes were dissolving from the slime.

“Turn around.” Elara waved a finger, her tone leaving no room for argument.

Hilvyn reluctantly turned, muttering under her breath, “But we’re both girls…”

Elara roughly wiped off the slime, leaving a thin layer adhering to her skin. It would be fine once air-dried. She then changed into a fresh set of clothes.

“Let’s go.”

Hilvyn followed behind, fidgeting for a while before she couldn’t resist asking, “Master.”

“Hm?”

“Just now, since we’re both girls, why were you still so shy?”

Elara stopped in her tracks, turning her head with a serious expression. “Do you understand the concept of maintaining propriety?”

“Even if we’re both girls…”

“Even then.”

“But you’ve seen mine before.”

“Stop, stop, stop!” Elara quickly interjected. “That was because you weren’t paying attention, and I saw it by accident!”

“So if I wanted to see Master’s…”

“Eh—no! Stop, stop, stop!”

‘Wait, what is this child saying? Are you alright? You are not alright.’

“See what?” Elara’s mind was flooded with retorts, but she didn’t know where to begin.

“It’s not like anything will grow.”

“But I just want to…”

“I don’t.”

Elara suspected that Hilvyn had picked up some erroneous idea somewhere, equating ‘being completely open’ with ‘intimacy.’

“Alright…” Hilvyn lowered her head.

Seeing her concede, Elara added a final point.

“I’m not refusing because there’s a barrier between us, Hilvyn. We don’t need this kind of behavior to be close. Understand?”

Hilvyn nodded, though her displeasure did not seem to lessen.

However, Elara had already turned away, failing to notice.