X
Eve, now proficient in the Holy Light healing technique, found herself in an excellent mood.
The fact that Captain Odell had undergone no changes was, in itself, the best possible outcome.
A healthy person, when subjected to the Holy Light of healing, should naturally exhibit no alterations; at most, their vitality and spirit might appear slightly enhanced.
However, those who became handsomer or regrew hair on their bald spots were clearly beyond the realm of conventional healing; such effects were simply preposterous.
Naturally, while some rejoiced, others despaired, and Odell currently found himself in a state of profound psychological imbalance.
In the span of a single rest period, an entire carriage full of adventurers had transformed into dashing figures, yet he alone remained unchanged.
It was akin to parting a heap of vibrant flowers, only to discover a pile of cow dung nestled within.
And to think, that pile of cow dung was *him*! It was *him*! Damn it!
Now, Captain Odell felt an overwhelming sense of shame and inferiority in front of these extraordinarily handsome individuals, unable to even lift his head.
Even though no one uttered a word, Odell perceived their gazes as silent mockery: “Ooh-la-la~ Isn’t that Captain Odell? Haven’t seen you in a few days. Why the sudden decline?”
It was humiliating!
Truly, utterly humiliating!
Consequently, throughout their journey after the rest, Odell wore a perpetually sour expression, as if everyone owed him a fortune.
No one dared to cross their captain at such a moment, opting instead to secretly revel in amusement. Provoking him would surely invite a “loving” iron fist.
****
And so, after a bumpy journey spanning approximately five days, they finally arrived at the vast Xigelili Grassland.
Since they still needed to camp at night, the actual travel time exceeded Odell’s four-day estimate by an additional day.
“The Xigelili Grassland lies ahead, everyone! It’s time to steel your resolve!”
Odell declared sternly, his face rigid: “We may encounter terrifyingly powerful Slime monsters. Therefore, those of us capable of combat must protect the carriage and, more importantly, protect Miss Luosha!”
“Alright! We swear to defend Miss Luosha to the death!” came the resounding chorus.
The adventurers’ fervent cries echoed across the land.
Joyce, seated within the carriage, thought: ‘???’
‘Wait, didn’t I hire you to protect me and the goods in my carriage? How did this turn into defending Miss Luosha?’
Eve could only offer an awkward yet polite smile.
Though, with her mask on, no one else could actually see it.
****
As the carriage entered the Xigelili Grassland, its speed noticeably increased.
Joyce believed that if the caravan passed through quickly, the chances of encountering monsters might decrease.
Little did he know, the thundering hooves of their rapid advance and the singular caravan traversing the open grassland had already become the most conspicuous targets for monsters.
The gelatinous, jelly-like monsters, which usually lay dormant beneath the grass, were startled awake from their slumber, opening their round, wide eyes.
“Meow! (So noisy! Are slimes not allowed to sleep?)”
“Meow meow! (It’s those two-legged and four-legged beasts again!)”
“Meow! Meow-woof! (Darn it! I’ll transfer my misery onto these despicable two-legged beasts!)”
“Meow! (Charge, charge!)”
…
Inevitably, the caravan was ambushed by monsters.
“Enemy attack!”
“Prepare for battle!”
With a furious roar from Odell, he was the first to leap from the carriage.
The adventurers dismounted, gripping their weapons tightly, and warily eyed the attacking monsters.
In the grassland ahead, countless ferocious, claw-waving Slimes had appeared from seemingly nowhere!
Of course, this was how the Slimes appeared in the adventurers’ eyes.
But in Eve’s eyes…
Each colorful Slime, blinking its soft, adorable large eyes, was slowly hopping forward.
If each Slime had a pair of cat ears on its head, wouldn’t they be perfectly cute little pets? In Eve’s original world, these adorable creatures would probably be scooped up by sentimental girls and taken home.
Eve even felt a desire to reach out and pet these little Slimes, but why did Odell and the others look so grim and battle-ready after dismounting?
They were just Slimes, barely reaching half your knee in size!
At that moment, Joyce peered out from inside the carriage, and seeing so many Slimes, he instantly paled with fright, exclaiming in terror: “How can there be so many terrifying monsters! Adventurers! Quick! Help! Come save me! I’m going to be eaten by the monsters!”
Eve thought: ‘?’
‘The nearest Slimes are almost a hundred meters away from you. At their hopping speed, you’d have enough time to run out of sight before they even reached you, Joyce!’
“You ferocious and wicked monsters! Don’t even think about approaching Mr. Joyce!”
Odell brandished his long spear, bellowed, and charged forward, shielding the carriage behind him: “Mr. Joyce, quickly leave this dangerous battlefield and take cover behind me!”
“You abominable monster, taste my Piercing Spear!”
He then aimed his spear at the nearest blue Slime and thrust it fiercely.
The sharp, silver-gleaming spearhead, amidst Odell’s flushed face, laboriously pierced into the Slime’s body.
The Slime’s soft, squishy body merely jiggled, seemingly unharmed.
The effect was negligible!
Blue Slime: (> . < 💢) The blue Slime was enraged! It was about to unleash its ultimate attack, [Charge]! Odell reacted instantly, switching his thrust to a parry before the attack landed, sending the Slime flying off his spear. He then retreated two steps, his expression grave: "Tsk... is this all my full power can achieve?" Seeing this scene, Eve was utterly dumbfounded. This spectacle of pathetic squabbling left her wondering if the captain was merely putting on a show or had truly encountered a formidable foe. It was just a Slime! Anyone unaware would think he was fighting a Demon King! Just then, a long-unseen system notification appeared before Eve. [Monster Compendium Unlocked] [Monster: Slime (Low-tier)] [Traits: Low-tier Physical Damage Nullification, Low-tier Elemental Magic Nullification, Self-Regeneration, Corrosive Touch] [Description: Low-tier Slimes bred by the Slime King. They only possess ordinary ramming attacks and pose no significant threat. Weak against Holy and Destruction-type attacks.] Eve looked up at Odell, then back down at the system prompt. 'Alright, she probably understood why these adventurers couldn't defeat the Slimes...' [Low-tier Physical Damage Nullification: Immune to physical attacks below Level 4 (Enhanced tenfold by the Calamity Domain)] [Low-tier Elemental Magic Nullification: Immune to magic attacks below Level 4 (Enhanced tenfold by the Calamity Domain)] 'Immune to physical and magical attacks below Level 40—how could this group of adventurers, whose highest rank was only Tier 3, possibly fight?' 'They might as well surrender in fifteen minutes...' Eve couldn't help but inwardly complain: 'But seriously, what is this Calamity Domain? This tenfold boost is utterly ridiculous! Even these tiny Slimes have become elite monsters!' As if hearing Eve's internal grumbling, the system thoughtfully displayed another prompt: [Calamity Domain: When a Demon King is being nurtured, a Calamity Domain will form within a certain radius of the area. Units aligned with the "Demon King's Army" within this domain will gradually gain a certain degree of enhancement over time, which will gradually fade upon leaving the domain.]
Your next favorite story awaits! Don't miss out on To Become the Strongest and Reclaim My Manhood – click to dive in!
Read : To Become the Strongest and Reclaim My Manhood
