ALL NOVEL Chapter 20
Golden egg cracked open, releasing black substance.
Eventually, as the egg fully split apart, the being inside revealed itself.
［Swoo…］
A sticky black lump.
Its surface was alive with red cracks and bubbles, and two glowing red eyes shone from the center.
I think the same as Ha Yumi.
What’s inside is clearly magma.
I have no clue what the black exterior is made of, but it looks like a material that doesn’t exist on Earth.
［Swoo!］
It gave me a friendly glance.
Looks like evolution doesn’t cancel taming.
Since there’s no hostility, I didn’t feel any heat either.
Or could it be because it’s wearing a shield?
I asked Jellyfish to check and then slightly released the shield.
‘Not hot at all.’
Still not hot.
It seems to be carefully controlling its strength.
Making sure its heat doesn’t harm its comrades.
As long as it doesn’t go berserk in a frenzy, I don’t think it will hurt me or the other monster companions.
I gently patted the Slime’s head that was stuck to my leg.
［Swoo…］
Anyway.
Since it has evolved, I decided to update the Monster Index and give it a new name.
■ Black Magma Slime
─Actual Danger Level: SS-Class.
─Current (Nerfed) Danger Level: A-Class.
─Ability: Magma.
【Mysticism】─
Black Magma Slime.
This would be the individual name for that creature moving forward.
*
After finishing the Monster Index task, I quickly made a trip to Passage No. 5 for food supply replenishment.
This morning was, as always, an apology.
“If we can’t find any other food today, I might have to ask you for some help.”
Originally, I planned to ask only Pururu for help for a while.
Because Pururu had my money, I thought I’d request support using that money.
But I changed my mind.
I felt the need to save money, so I decided not to refuse the support from my assistants.
If I waste money like this, I won’t be able to buy an evolution ticket.
Because the evolution tickets are ridiculously expensive.
‘More than that, evolving to SS-Class…’
I chewed on my apple while glancing at the Magma Slime.
SS-Class Monster.
A danger level so high that few even recognize its existence in another world.
Most people in different worlds consider S-Class to be the highest danger level.
To them, SS-Class monsters are like legends.
To think I evolved a monster like that for just a ticket.
I still couldn’t believe it.
Is it really that easy to create an SS-Class monster?
When you think about it, it didn’t even cost that much.
Since the value of an SS-Class can’t be measured in money.
‘Even seeing it with my own eyes, I can’t believe it.’
The trait of the Ancient Labyrinth Explorer was an unexpectedly overpowered ability.
As powerful as the ability I randomly obtained in another world.
While I was deep in thought over my apple, Ha Yumi’s chat appeared.
Snapping out of my contemplation, I finished eating my apple and replied.
“Yes?”
“It’s fine. Go ahead.”
【Pururu】─ㅠ
I nodded affirmatively.
Ha Yumi continued her questioning.
I understand why she’s asking this.
Not being able to imagine the level of strength is natural.
Ha Yumi is a human from a peaceful Earth where supernatural beings, magicians, and monsters don’t exist.
“To put it simply, an S-Class can annihilate an entire world by itself.”
“No, there were quite a few S-Class monsters in that world.”
“I heard from the Dimension Magician that their human level in that world is much higher than in others. There were also many heroes capable of matching up against S-Class.”
It seemed that Ha Yumi’s curiosity was satisfied.
“Don’t ask.”
【Pururu】─ㅠ
“Just kidding. What do you want to ask?”
This time, Pururu posed a question.
It was bothersome, but since they were precious assistants, I decided to answer sincerely.
“SS-Class can be considered strong enough to annihilate the world I visited.”
“There were a few, but most didn’t rampage and lived in hiding. The ferocious ones were subdued by the legendary hero and the great wizard hidden away.”
“Me.”
“I’ll end the explanation here. It’s time for exploration.”
As I wrapped up the question time and stood up.
The place we would be exploring today was Passage No. 8.
Once we finished the exploration of Passage No. 8, we planned to start re-exploring from Passage No. 2.
*
20 minutes after entering Passage No. 8.
While walking through the spacious cave, we encountered a monster blocking our path.
［Swoosh!］
A huge pig adorned with a golden crown on its head, armed with gray armor on its arms and groin, and a red cape fluttering behind it.
What appeared before us was a giant pig characterized by sharp tusks and bipedal gait.
I named it Pig King.
“The nerfed danger level is B-Class.”
The Dog Spider and Jellyfish stepped back.
I stepped back as well.
It was a chance to test the power of Black Magma Slime.
We decided to not intervene at all.
The Magma Slime would surely handle it effortlessly.
［Swoo.］
【Mysticism】─
The Pig King and Magma Slime faced each other at a certain distance.
Tension hung thick in the air as the two glared at each other.
The first to move was the Pig King.
［Swoosh!!!］
The Pig King’s roar echoed through the cave walls.
Sound waves shook the entire cave, sending small rocks tumbling down.
The form of the Black Magma Slime twisted for a moment.
‘Is it a fear-inducing ability?’
I almost fainted.
Good thing I was surrounded by Jellyfish’s shield.
The Pig King crouched its massive body and began spinning like a drill.
The red cape whipped around, creating a gust of wind.
［Swoosh!］
Still spinning,
The Pig King launched itself at the Magma Slime at high speed.
Did it not recognize its stronger opponent?
It looked either foolish or aggressive.
Its sharp tusks grazed the slime’s body.
The Slime’s body momentarily split apart, deflecting the Pig King’s attack and then rejoining.
［Swoosh?］
［Swoo.］
［Swoosh!!］
Startled, the Pig King slammed its foot down on the ground.
Kuwong!
Shockwaves erupted, sending sharp stone shards soaring.
And it seemed to be trying to activate some magic, as it glowed bright from its crown.
Unfortunately,
The Magma Slime didn’t seem to have any intention of waiting.
［Swoo.］
The Magma Slime heated up.
Instantly, the cave transformed into a lava zone.
It seemed to be continuously regulating its power, as we didn’t feel the heat strongly.
But it was different for the Pig King.
［Swoo, Swoosh… ?］
The Pig King’s armor began to melt away.
The light from the crown faded as it dissolved.
The cape caught fire, and the tusks dribbled like liquid.
The Pig King was completely engulfed in the heat, unable to even take a step.
In that state, it began to be overwhelmed by the magma dripping from the ceiling.
［Swoo~］
The Magma Slime smoothly changed its form and approached the melting Pig King.
Kufufu.
A faint chuckle was heard.
The Slime playfully poked the Pig King’s melting body with its black exterior, wearing an innocent smile.
It looked like a child playing with a toy.
［Swoosh.］
The Magma Slime opened its mouth wide.
And then,
Crunch!
Swallowed the Pig King’s head in one bite.
*
The lava zone returned to a normal cave.
The heat of the Magma Slime faded.
I had asked it to keep its power in check, so that it wouldn’t harm other living beings near us.
Afterward, we collected the headless corpse of the Pig King and returned to our hideout.
Why did we collect it?
Of course, to eat it.
“Finally going to supplement some protein.”
［Siiiii!］
［Pii!］
［Swoo!］
The monsters seemed excited at the thought of eating pork.
I was also looking forward to it.
My mouth was watering.
The Magma Slime elongated its body.
Creating a wide, heat-filled surface.
It resembled a dining table.
Jellyfish skillfully butchered the Pig King’s corpse.
With its tentacles, it expertly removed the flesh and separated the bones.
The cut pieces of meat were quickly grabbed by the Dog Spider and placed on the hot surface of the Slime.
Sizzle.
The meat began to cook on top of the Magma Slime.
I wonder if it’s safe to eat?
Just to be safe, I should probably cook it well before eating.
Waiting for the meat to cook, I opened the Monster Index.
■ Pig King
─Actual Danger Level: S-Class.
─Current (Nerfed) Danger Level: B-Class.
─Edible.