By Huge Slime, you mean the boss of the 7th floor? Can we beat it with just us?
Huge Slime, the boss of the 7th floor, has a body diameter of 3m. Eight and Geyser are both skilled with longswords, but compared to Yuel, I cant say their movements are particularly sharp or that theyre especially competent. How should I put it? Theyre just okay with their weapons.
To an average degree.
Weve beaten it once before. Remember, the party members that were there when we escorted you, Shiki?
Eight speaks.
Ah, back then, huh?
Now that I think about it, there was a wizard in Eights party, too. I guess when I went into the labyrinth to find Yuel it wasnt an accident that I ran into Eights group in front of the boss room. They must have been taking a break after hunting the boss.
But if you can beat it without me, whats the point of bringing me along?
Well, we were supposed to go with the same members this time too, but although its a slime, a boss is a boss, so even though we managed to defeat it we still took some damage. We had to use some expensive potions, so we lost money overall. Thats why were asking you to heal, Shiki.
I see, that makes sense.
So, they want to save on potion costs. Potions are a type of healing medicine. Depending on their effectiveness, they can probably get pretty expensive.
Be that as it may, Huge Slime huh? Its rare drop, Slime Drop, goes for 200,000 Zeni since its an ingredient for some expensive magic potion. Depending on how long it takes to beat it and the drop rate, we could potentially make a huge profit.
But, if we go after the boss tomorrow, the problem is Yuel. To be honest I doubt she would be very effective against this boss. With her small build and reliance on knives, it would be hard to face off against the massive Huge Slime.
I feel like it would be best to leave her behind while shes working at the tavern.
Yuel, about tomorrow
And then, when I look over to ask Yuel to stay behind-
Yuel is looking back at me with sparkling eyes that clearly say Im looking forward to tomorrow, Master! Well arent you all fired up, Yuel-san. It seems she was paying close attention to our conversation.
This is no good. This is exactly what I was afraid would happen. Yuels smile doesnt show the slightest shadow of a doubt that shes coming with us tomorrow. But Yuel is staying behind this time.
Well, but how can I say youre staying behind to such a radiant smile?
Im looking forward to tomorrow, Master!
I cant say it.
How could I possibly say Youre useless so wait here to such a genuine smile?
No, I need to harden my heart at times like these. Bringing Yuel with us will only be putting her at risk.
Yuel, sorry, but
And as soon as I make up my mind and call out to Yuel-
Ah, not just Shiki. Its better if Yuel-chan can come too.
Geyser butts in. What the hell?
Is that really necessary?
Well, attacks arent gonna reach the Huge Slimes core unless we prune it down bit by bit, but once it gets smaller it starts moving pretty fast. Faster than normal slimes, yknow? She doesnt have to fight it from the start, but we wanna leave the last step to her.
Yuel-chans really skilled on top of being nimble, so shed be able to handle it. Its not like its attacks are gonna reach the back row, so dont worry.
Apparently he had a good reason. As long as she doesnt have to fight it from the beginning, it should be fine. The danger for her is its size. If she only takes on the Huge Slime once its smaller, there shouldnt be any problem.
Plus if Yuel comes well get a larger portion of the rewards. From the perspective of earning money, maybe its better to let her come.
The next day, Eight brings along the same members I met in the labyrinth. Theres one man wielding a cane and four who appear to be tanks. I didnt really notice it last time, but they all kinda give off a ruffian atmosphere. Birds of a feather flock together, I suppose.
Yuel will be my only comfort.
With these five as party members, we progress smoothly through the labyrinth, and make it to the 6th floor. And then-
Eeeeeeek!
Eight and I shriek in unison. In the middle of the 6th floor, we turn a corner and run into a group of five Giant Ants. Their mandibles are crunching in anticipation of their prey.
I flash back to the time when my leg was bitten off. Since then, no matter how many times I enter the labyrinth my heart beats out of my chest when I suddenly encounter them. Evidently Eight feels the same way. It was probably just as traumatic for him as it was for me.
Ah, these guys got you too, Shiki? Yeah, Giant Ant leg bites are the most common severe injury around these parts, ysee.
Geyser proclaims heartily. Who cares about that now, just kill them already.
I heal the tanks with an area-of-effect spell. Its a low-difficulty healing spell that heals multiple targets at the expense of consuming more magic power. Its not any stronger than Heal, but thats good enough for simple bone fractures.
Man, this strategy is simple, but its surprisingly effective. Receiving the Huge Slimes charge solo could easily be fatal, but with that formation the damage is properly distributed across all of the members.
Theyre guaranteed to take damage this way, but the overall risk is much lower than if everyone tried to fight the Huge Slime separately while dodging its attacks. If they take a little damage, it can be cured with healing magic, and moreover Im the one healing. Im inexhaustible.
For once, Geyser actually thought things through, somehow.
Fireball!
The wizard finishes his cast at the same time my healing magic goes out. He fires off a blazing orb the size of a soccer ball at the Huge Slime.
A part of the Huge Slime explodes and its body bursts apart. It quickly reforms, but it seems about 10% smaller than it used to be.
Before the huge slime recovers from the magic, the tanks get back into formation and raise their shields.
After that the fight follows the same pattern.
As the Huge Slime gets smaller, its attack weakens. The multiple tanks have no trouble restraining it, and we fire magic at it.
In the end, Yuel throws a knife to defeat the no-longer-Huge Slime. Its extremely agile at this point, but Yuel takes it out in a single hit. I guess bringing her with us was a good idea after all.
And the drop is run-of-the-mill Slime Jelly. We grind the boss fight five more times before we finally get a Slime Drop, at which point its already past noon.
We head to the tavern after disbanding. Todays profit was around 20,000 Zeni per person. As expected for a hunt where healing magic or recovery potions are required, its quite tasty.
But, this isnt enough. Its a massive haul for the typical adventurer, but Im nowhere near reaching my goal. A single rare drop may be worth 200,000 Zeni, but divided between 9 people thats barely over 22,000 each.
I might reach a million Zeni eventually if we repeat the boss fight enough, but I dont have time for that now. After today, I only have 5 days left to make a million Zeni. No, I need to save up even more than that.
I sit in my treatment stall at the tavern and think. Usually Im watching the miniskirt waitress and wondering about the color of her panties, but I cant do something like that right now. I have to think up a method to earn money within the next 5 days.
Umm, I heard that it was possible to receive treatment for deferred payment here, is that true?
While Im deeply immersed in thought, a womans voice calls out to me. It seems shes missing part of her leg, and in its place theres a plain, wooden artificial limb.
Perhaps this is the injured adventurer acquaintance that Ruffian A mentioned earlier today? He must have gone and told her about me right away. Id rather get the money now, but theres nothing I can do about it if she doesnt have any.
Thats right. Is that your only injury?
Yes, Im afraid I was bested by a Giant Ant. I can use magic so Ive managed to get by, but I have no savings so I was unable to get it treated.
Giant Ant, huh? It figures.High Heal
High Heal is the spell between Heal and EX Heal. In Eights case he was weakened due to blood loss so I used EX Heal on him, but for simply regrowing missing limbs, this is enough. Not even an excellent healer could cast this many times in a single day, since theyd run out of magic power.
Thank you so much! Umm, will deferred payment really be acceptable? I know you said so, but I was certain I would be forced to pay with my body
Well, since it was that shady-looking adventurers recommendation then its no surprise shed be worried. Now that I get a good look at this woman adventurer, shes got huge tits, and her face isnt bad either. Theres a certain charm to the idea of having her pay with her body the way Ruruka does.
If a basic Heal costs a breast massage, then Im awfully excited to figure out the price for a High Heal but Yuel is right around the corner.
Having her pay with her body, I cant behave like that.
Its fine, Im only doing whats natural.
Yuel looks at me with pure reverence for the treatment I do. I cant destroy her image of me.
Thank you very much. Im so glad to meet such a fine healer! I have no money right now, but Ill definitely pay you back before long!
The female adventurer flashes me a delighted smile. My eyes wander south and spy a curvaceous, truly feminine body line.
Having her pay with her body, I can
Thank you so much!
As she expresses her thanks, her huge breasts shake violently.
There shouldnt be any problem as long as Yuel doesnt find out, right?
No, I cant. I cant. Its our first meeting. Its too premature.
And even if I let her pay with her body, how could I hide it from Yuel?
-Eureka!
Thats right, of course, I could do that instead. I take it back! Please pay with your body after all!!
Ehhhhhh!?