Edward's First Hunt
While Bert and the group of magic students continued practicing with effort and concentration in the center of the village, Edward walked silently along the broken, root-covered paths that led to the forest's edge. He wasn't alone.
Behind him, a perfect formation of fifty slimes bounced in steady rhythm. Each one was an identical, greenish translucent copy"reflections of his own magic.
When they reached the natural border where the grasslands ended and the twisted forest trees began, Edward stopped. The air was denser there, and the sound of wind rustling through the leaves contrasted with the silence of his companions. He observed the trees for a few seconds, gauging the risk. Then, he slightly turned his head toward the slimes, as if confirming his decision.
…
"Small Slime – Edward Clone"
[Low-Quality Summon]
Type: Magical Summon
Class: Reproducible Creature
Defense: 1
Damage: 1
Durability: 200 / 200
Abilities:
• Devour – Absorbs organic matter, magical remnants, or defeated enemies. Upon reaching an energy threshold, the slime splits, generating a copy with half the durability. The new clone inherits this ability.
Description:
A small clone created from the magical essence of the player Edward. It has minimal stats but notable reproduction capabilities. It lacks independent thought and acts on magical instinct. Ideal for cleanup tasks, waste absorption, or low-risk combat.
Current status: Stable – Replication active
Time remaining: 15 / 20 minutes
…
Edward didn't need to speak. As if they shared a silent understanding, the slimes began advancing into the forest, bouncing over roots and dry leaves. He followed them, now more confident. In just one day, he had learned to command them with near-perfect synchronization. While the clones didn't share memories or thoughts, they responded to simple commands without hesitation.
As soon as he crossed the tree line, the first thing he did was activate Devour en masse. Unlike the village, where structures were tougher and took longer to break down, the forest offered an abundance of plant matter that the slimes absorbed easily"dry branches, fallen leaves, loose bark"everything was devoured and processed.
Within minutes, replication began. One by one, the slimes started to divide. Ten minutes later, the squad had doubled: now there were a hundred.
It was time to test their strength.
And then, they saw it.
…
[Horned Rabbit]
Level 1 – Beast
HP: 1000 / 1000
Description:
A wild rabbit with a small horn on its forehead. Faster than it appears and extremely territorial. Attacks when sensing threats.
…
"Attack!" Edward ordered without raising his voice, pointing at the target. The hundred slimes scattered instantly, surrounding the horned rabbit and lunging at it like a gelatinous wave.
Edward, meanwhile, picked up a sturdy branch from the ground. It wasn't much of a weapon, but it would do.
The slimes struck and wrapped around the rabbit, but its HP didn't budge. The animal, despite being surrounded, charged fiercely, piercing through the clones with its horn. Fortunately, its attacks only reduced 1 durability point per hit.
"It's holding out too well…" Edward muttered, analyzing the situation. Then, he gave another mental command.
The slimes piled on top of the rabbit like a living, viscous mass. Once it was completely enclosed, Edward activated Devour. Slowly, the numbers began to drop.
With a calm smile, he approached. Holding the branch like an improvised spear, he carefully pierced through his own slimes to stab the enemy trapped inside.
Thirty minutes passed.
Finally, the rabbit had only 1 HP left.
Edward raised the branch one last time and dealt the finishing blow.
…
You have killed: Horned Rabbit
You have gained: 50 experience
Do you wish to claim the loot?
…
He signaled the slimes to move aside. The body was half-melted, with visible tissue and partially liquefied organs. It was a grotesque sight"but effective.
"Yes," he answered without hesitation.
The rabbit's body vanished, transforming into a small mana stone fragment, which Edward picked up with satisfaction.
With a slight smile, he looked up.
And went off to find the next one.
…
In the darkest part of the forest, where only faint beams of sunlight pierced the thick canopy above, Lua sat atop a gigantic corpse: a demon gorilla five times her size. Around her, the ground was carpeted with twenty more identical bodies, strewn about like silent monuments to a swift and precise massacre. Every beast had its head severed with such clean precision that the edge of the blade still seemed to linger in the air.
Lua, without a single visible wound, had fresh blood dripping down her cheek. Her eyes, once ablaze with crimson light like burning coals, slowly dimmed until they returned to the soft, controlled glow that defined her. Serious, stoic"as always.
"Convert everything," Lua ordered calmly, almost lazily.
"Yes, boss," replied Sia, and in an instant, the corpses began to glow before transforming into perfectly organized loot on the ground.
Lua descended gracefully from the gorilla's body and began calmly inspecting the spoils. She placed each item into her dimensional bag without hurry, like someone tidying up a room after a storm. There was a good supply of gorilla meat, twelve large mana stones, thick and durable hides, one blank recipe, and another already inscribed: Still – Malt Beer.
But what truly caught her attention was a folded set of garments"so pristine it seemed as if an invisible hand had preserved it for centuries.
…
[Red Imperial Warrior Set]
Imperial Mist Breastplate (Torso)
Damage: +10
A tight-fitting red corset with golden clasps and arcane symbols along the edges. Elegant and deadly.
Silent Flame Gloves (Hands)
Damage: +5
Long gloves with hidden patterns. They glow when channeling mana, enhancing physical or magical attacks.
Noble Shadow Pants (Legs)
Defense: +2
Elegant combat pants embroidered with gold. Flexible and worthy of a warrior.
Silent Path Boots (Feet)
Damage: +5
Tall, soundless boots designed for stealth and hunting.
…
Set Bonus – Requires Level 20
• Total Damage: +25
• Total Defense: +5
• Description: Ceremonial attire of an ancient order of dark warriors. More symbolic than defensive, its power lies in the commanding presence it conveys.
…
"Boss… this is amazing. You can finally ditch those rags!" said Sia enthusiastically through the mental link.
"What's wrong with my clothes?" murmured Lua, glancing down at her rudimentary garments made of hand-stitched hides.
"N-nothing, but… this set will really bring out your eyes. And your horns too."
Lua didn't respond right away. She ran her fingers over the fine fabric of the new outfit, and for a second, a hint of nostalgia softened her neutral expression. The texture reminded her of the dresses her mother used to sew when she was a child… before war forced her into makeshift armor and sleepless nights. Wearing something so delicate now felt like a forgotten luxury.
She took the outfit with quiet respect and turned to head back to the village, determined to wash off the blood before putting on something so beautiful.
But just as she was walking away, Sia called out.
"Boss, you forgot something!"
Lua turned around, and sure enough, something was still lying on the ground"a worn, crumpled parchment sealed with blue wax.
…
[Mineral Mine Map]
Type: Magical Tool – Consumable
Description: An ancient scroll that, when unrolled, reveals underground paths and mineral veins visible only to those with magical sensitivity.
• Reveals deposits and gems within a 20-meter radius
• Marks unstable zones or areas with hostile presence
• Use: Once per day
• Durability: 10 uses
…
"This is perfect… With a blank recipe and this map, we can scout for a nearby mine and assign a player as the blacksmith!" Sia exclaimed.
Though she didn't say it aloud, Lua was excited too. A blank recipe could be linked to any profession-related object and transfer that craft to a player. And now more than ever, they needed tools… and weapons.
She stored the map and launched forward with force. The ground trembled beneath her feet, leaving a shallow crater where she stood"silent proof of her speed. She vanished into the trees with a single goal: to secure the village's first blacksmith at any cost.
And as if that weren't enough, she also had a recipe for a distiller. She could produce drinks that boosted experience gain.
The development of the village was only just beginning.