Chapter 262

Chapter 262

Crossroad. Downtown.

"Attack! Slime!"

With my fervent cry, a large tri-color slime shot out, latching onto the head of the werewolf.

Growl?!

Slurp! Slurp!

The slime enveloped the werewolfs head, preventing it from breathing. The werewolf thrashed violently, trying to pry the slime off, but ultimately failed.

Thud!

It collapsed from suffocation. Nice!

"Brilliant! Tri-Color!"

Slurp! Slurp!

The tri-color slime swirled itself roundly upon my praise. Was it expressing happiness?

[Captured Monster: Lv.20 Tri-Color Slime (R)s loyalty has increased by 1!]

"It really was pleased!"

The tri-color slime smoothly climbed onto my shoulder and swiftly disappeared into the void. Good job, buddy!

My second skill, [Become Mine].

Once per stage, it allowed me to permanently bind a monster affected by [Gaze of Command] under my command.

Although it would be beneficial to use it consistently in every stage to gain a new subordinate, due to various events, I hadnt been able to use it properly.

In Stage 5, I used it when I killed Celendion.

Stage 6, the ambush cleared out all the enemies.

I couldnt participate in Stage 7 as I was away in the Imperial Capital.

Stage 8 was my first battle back, and I lost the perfect timing...

It was only in Stage 9, during a free exploration of the [Slimes Lair] dungeon, that I was able to capture a tri-color slime.

This slime is that very creature. I named it Tri-Color!

It seems to consider this mysterious void space as its waiting room, like an inventory. No need to even build a facility for it.

Though this mechanism seems oddly convenient, as long as it aids in my strategies, why not?

I hurriedly ran deeper into the city. Wheres the next werewolf?

Growl-!

Barely a thought passed when another jumped out from a dark alleyway.

"Whoa! You startled me!"

I screamed in surprise, unleashing a blade of magic, but the creature charged at me even as the magic blade pierced its body. Why is it so tough?!

Thud! Bang!

"Cough!"

I tumbled down the alley intertwined with the werewolf. Its strong hand tightened around my neck, choking me.

Slurp!

Tri-Color sprung from the void, covering the werewolfs face, cutting off its air.

Yet, the werewolf didnt let go of my neck.

I need to use the stake...!

I aimed the emergency stake shooter strapped to my arm at the werewolfs flank, but...

Oh no.

I had already used it earlier. The shooter was empty.

I had been continuously battling werewolves in these back alleys. I was out of options.

Choke.

"Ugh, gha...!"

Darkness started to close in on me. This was bad...

Whiz! Whiz!

Suddenly, silver arrows pierced the air, embedding into the werewolfs neck.

Growl...?!

The dying werewolf spilled blood and fell sideways.

Gasping, I sat up. That was too close!

"Your Highness!"

It was Damien who shot the arrows and now rushed to my side, a crossbow in his hand.

"Thanks for saving me, Damien... But did you come all the way here yourself?"

"I ran out of bullets for the rifle-shaped magic gun, and my magic powers drained. Thought it would be better to get closer to the battlefield."

On Damiens hip were the pistol-shaped magic gun Cerberus, the machine pistol Woodpecker, and silver bullets.

If thats all he had left, it made sense to be closer to the front lines.

"The other reserves are searching in the opposite direction! Im about to take a vantage point nearby and start shooting..."

Damien lifted his head, surveying the surroundings.

I also took a look around. The nearest tall building was...

"Over there!"

The chimney of a public bathhouse in the vicinity seemed the highest. Damien nodded and headed that direction.

"Ill provide cover fire from there! Hang in there, Prince!"

Id exhausted all my spare cores.

Damn it!

In desperation, I locked eyes with the creature and used the Gaze of Command.

This skill was a gamble, especially in situations like this, but I had no choice!

[Using Gaze of Command.]

[Please make eye contact with the target.]

The world around me seemed to slow down, and a blue interface characteristic of skill usage spread before me.

[Target Detected: 1]

[Please state the command.]

Listen here, monster, you will...

With all my might, filled with magic and desire, I shouted out the easiest, yet most effective command I could think of.

Lie down, now!

A jolt went through me as all the remaining magic in my body was expended.

Id been on the move all day, so there wasnt much magic left.

A sense of heaviness engulfed my heart, and blood gushed from my nose.

[Command Difficulty: Easy]

[Comparing users Intelligence stat with the targets Magic Power stat.]

[Determining success rate. Starting resistance roll...]

*Ding!*

A sound indicating the completion of the assessment echoed, followed by a flash of blue light.

I tasted the metallic flavor of blood and clenched my teeth. The creature was already too close.

Did it work?!

[Assessment Complete!]

>Failure: 1

[The command has not been executed.]

...What.

Damn it, sh-

Thats why I cant trust these probability games! These bastards always fail at some point! Damn it!

Whether I cursed out loud or not, the White Werewolf rushed at me with a terrifying speed and took off after hitting the ground.

I need to dodge with the Blink Dagger-

I quickly drew the dagger from my inventory.

It was the SSR-grade dagger [Flash Knife] I got from a loot box a few days ago. Its ability allowed me to teleport to wherever the dagger was thrown.

As I was about to throw it to the side to dodge the attack, I hesitated. This dagger only teleports the user.

Even if I could evade, Kureha couldnt...!

Suddenly!

Kureha snatched the Blink Dagger from my hand. Huh?

"A Blink Dagger, huh? Ill borrow this for a moment."

"Wha-? Huh?"

Did he know the purpose of the Blink Dagger? But what was he planning to do with it?

Kureha threw the dagger I handed over straight at the White Werewolf.

The airborne White Werewolf couldnt dodge the thrown dagger.

Thud!

The dagger pierced weakly, and then,

Flash-!

In an instant, with a burst of light, Kureha teleported.

Whooosh-!

Splitting the moonlight, Kurehas flying kick plunged deep into the White Werewolfs abdomen. He pushed the dagger deeper with the tip of his foot.

He had replaced the missed opportunity due to his mummified state with the teleportation function of the Blink Dagger! Is he a genius?!

It was a picture-perfect kick.

Blood gushed violently from the White Werewolfs mouth, and the remaining flesh and muscle on Kurehas right foot turned to dust and scattered.

Had his body been intact, that one kick would have killed the monster. It was that perfectly executed.

However.

...!

It wasnt enough.

The stance might have been perfect, but there was no strength left in his physical body.

The attack fell short, and the monster resisted.

Grrrr...!

Spitting blood in mid-air, the White Werewolf sharpened its claws and lunged forward,

Pierce!

Piercing through Kurehas abdomen.