little slimy boi's
"Ad Astra Abyssosque! Welcome to the adventurers' guild."
The receptionist, Katheryne, greeted me with her usual monotone voice, her expression calm and professional.
I stepped up to the counter, adjusting the bow on my back. "Hey. I'm here to register as an adventurer."
Katheryne gave a small nod. "Understood. Please wait a moment," she turned around and pulled out a book from a cabinet.
"Please fill in your information," she said, handing me the book as well as a quill.
Taking the book, I flipped to the open page and scanned the form. Basic stuff, name, age, place of residence. I dipped the quill into the ink and started writing.
small hiccup, in age, but I quickly placed down 17 as it felt appropriate enough. still don't know my age, but eh. close enough.
After finishing the rest of the required details, I slid the book back to Katheryne. She flipped through the pages, scanning my answers before giving a small nod of approval.
"Miss Shiro, from this moment on, you are officially a member of the Adventurers' Guild. You may now accept commissions independently or form an adventuring team to take on higher-difficulty requests."
She retrieved a small emblem from behind the counter and handed it to me. The metal badge bore the Adventurers' Guild insignia, signifying my status.
"Keep this with you at all times," she instructed. "It serves as your identification."
I took the badge, giving it a quick glance before slipping it into my pocket. "Got it. So, does the guild issue a lot of subjugation quests? Are they common?"
"Yes," Katheryne replied. "Monsters frequently appear across the wilderness, and our investigation officers gather reports on emerging threats nearly every day. However, since it's impossible to eliminate them all, the guild only issues commissions for creatures deemed a danger to residents. Routine sightings or minor disturbances aren't prioritized."
I hummed in understanding. "So, basically, unless it's an actual problem for people, it's not worth reporting?"
"Correct," she confirmed. "That said, independent adventurers may still take it upon themselves to clear out monsters for resources or personal gain. The guild simply does not issue commissions for every minor disturbance."
I crossed my arms, thinking. That made sense. If they tried to deal with every single slime or hilichurl out there. But that also meant I'd need to keep an eye out for opportunities outside of official work.
"However, I'd recommend against taking any commissions like that as a new adventurer," she added, her tone as even as ever. "Monsters deemed a threat are usually stronger than what a beginner can handle."
I raised a brow, crossing my arms. "So you're saying I should stick to running errands and picking flowers?"
"That would be advisable," she said without hesitation, with a slight hint of edge.
"Well, I can't do that, as I believe that I am already experienced enough to be able to handle Subjugation quests, as I have been able to handle myself against a group myself before."
Katheryne remained unfazed, flipping through a few pages in her records. "Confidence is good, but overestimation leads to failure. The guild does not take responsibility for reckless adventurers who bite off more than they can chew."
I let out a small scoff. "Noted. Still, I'd rather take my chances with monsters than waste time."
She glanced at me, then back at her book. After a brief moment, she closed it with a soft thud. "Very well. If you insist, I can assign you a low-level subjugation commission. However, should you find yourself overwhelmed, retreat immediately. The guild values its adventurers, but we do not issue second chances to those who ignore warnings." She sighed.
"Thank you, and don't worry. I am plenty experienced in death. Now what do you have?"
Katheryne gave me a brief look before flipping through her records again. "There have been reports of slimes appearing near the lake by the roadside in the direction of the thousand winds temple. Nothing too concerning, but they've been multiplying rapidly and disrupting trade routes."
Slimes, huh? Well, I guess this is a simple test to see if I won't get one shot by a hilichurl, I guess. "Any specifics on what kind? Or just 'slimes' in general?"
She tapped a page with her gloved finger. "Primarily Hydro slimes with the occasional Large variant.
"Got it." I reached for the paper as she handed it over. "I'll head out now. Expect a report soon."
Katheryne nodded. "Safe travels, Adventurer Shiro."
With that, I turned on my heel and left the guild. There was no need to do anything else, so I might as well leave already.
I adjusted the bow on my back, making sure it was secured properly before setting off toward the lake near Thousand Winds Temple. The road leading out of Mondstadt was as peaceful as ever, with only a few merchants and travelers passing by.
Well, this'll probably be a long trek.
After that, I set off towards the direction of the Thousand Winds Temple. If I remembered correctly, there was a lake nearby, that must be the one.
I picked up my pace, settling into a steady rhythm as I walked. The sun hung lazily in the sky, casting warm light over the rolling hills and scattered trees. A light breeze rustled the grass, carrying with it the distant chirping of birds.
After some time, I arrived at what had to be the spot. The area was packed with Hydro Slimes, eleven smaller ones bouncing around and a single large one in the center.
all, hopping around in the middle of the road, near a lake. Wow. Yeah, no, that's a pretty big obstacle. What are they even doing here? Just being an inconvenience for the hell of it? i know that water attract them, but shouldn't they be IN the lake? Oh well, shouldn't be to hard. A single strike would do.
With that thought, I unsheathed my blade and stood up fully, stepping out of hiding.
The moment I revealed myself, a few of the smaller slimes immediately turned in my direction, their bodies jiggling as they bounced closer. The large one in the center gurgled, shifting slightly, but didn't make a move yet.
I rolled my shoulders, adjusting my grip on the sword. "Alright, let's get this over with."
The first slime lunged, but before it could even get close, I stepped forward and slashed in a clean, practiced motion. The blade cut through with little resistance, splitting the creature apart. It burst into a spray of water, vanishing into the air.
[defeated a relatively weak enemy. You have obtained 12 EXP.]
The others, noticing their comrade get sliced apart so effortlessly, wasted no time before launching themselves at me from all directions.
I took a quick step back, avoiding 2 others aiming to knock me off my feet. in another swift and precise swing, I cleaved them both in 2.
[defeated a relatively weak enemy [x2]. You have obtained 21 EXP.]
could you stop that? that's kinda annoying? I know you can hear me. just show me after they're all dead.
[Fine, see if I care. i was just being helpful... fuckwad...!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!-]
Ignoring the passive-aggressive system message with the infinitely expanding exclamation points, I focused on the remaining slimes.
One tried to leap at my side, but I was faster. A quick slash split it in half midair, sending a splash of water to the ground. Another lunged from behind—I twisted, bringing my sword down just in time to intercept it.
Three more rushed in at once. I jumped back, avoiding their attempt to tackle me, then dashed forward and struck in one fluid motion. My blade met their gelatinous bodies, slicing through them like a hot knife through butter.
"That was eleven," I muttered, taking two quick steps back to put some distance between myself and the large Hydro slime.
Swish.
A faint sound, almost too quiet to notice, anyone but me could never dream of noticing it, and that was after over a couple of thousand assassination attempts.
My body tensed immediately. Another slime? But that didn't make sense. I had already taken out all the small ones, leaving only the big one in front of me.
So, how the hell was there one behind me?
A slime, but not a normal one.
It hovered just above the lake on its very own icy platform, its body a deep blue, shifting slightly between shades like the surface of water under moonlight. At first glance, it looked like a Hydro slime. Or maybe a Cryo slime? But no, that wasn't right. It lacked the frozen crown of a Cryo slime, yet it also didn't have the distinct horn of a Hydro slime.
And unlike the others that attacked without hesitation, this one just… sat there. Calm, Watching.
Then, it tilted its head—or body?—like a person would.
"What the fuck!?" I shouted, unable to hide my absolute shock.
The moment the words left my mouth, the slime flinched—actually flinched—like it had been startled. Then, without hesitation, it spun around and dove straight into the lake, vanishing beneath the water.
…
"What the fuck?"
I stood there, completely dumbfounded.
Did that slime just get scared? And run away? That wasn't normal. Slimes didn't do that. or from my limited knowledge, I guess.
I stared at the lake, waiting to see if it would resurface, but the water remained still. No bubbles, no movement. just hiding.
Before I could process it any further, something slammed into my back, sending me sprawling onto the ground.
"AH—FUCK!!"
A sharp jolt of pain shot through me as I hit the dirt, minor aches flaring up across my body. I groaned, gritting my teeth as I pushed myself up.
right... the slime. Forgot about dat.
My eyes locked onto the Human sized slime now bouncing aggressively, as if pissed off that I had ignored it.
"Sorry, little blob. but you aren't that interesting, I suppose." I said with a grin, taunting an animal is pretty fun, and effective.
it lunged forward, angered by my words, in which I swiftly sidestepped it, letting its momentum carry it past me. The moment its body left the ground, I swung my sword in a clean arc, slicing across its gelatinous form.
The blade cut through, but not deep enough. The slime's body split slightly, wobbling as if resisting the strike before snapping back together like thick gel. But that was all it could do.
I twisted, using the momentum of my previous slash to generate more force, and swung again, this time striking the same spot. The cut deepened, the slime's form shuddering from the force-but I knew it wouldn't be enough to finish it off.
Without hesitation, I lunged forward, driving my blade straight into the weakened point. The steel sank deep, piercing through the core hidden within. The slime convulsed violently, a distorted gurgling noise escaping it, before its body suddenly lost cohesion.
With one last tremor, it collapsed into a puddle of shimmering liquid, spreading across the ground before evaporating into nothing.
[battle finiiiiiiiiished~ spaaaam time]
[defeated a relatively weak enemy. You have obtained 13 EXP.]
[defeated a relatively weak enemy. You have obtained 16 EXP.]
[defeated a relatively weak enemy. You have obtained 12 EXP.]
[defeated a relatively weak enemy. You have obtained 9 EXP.]
[defeated a relatively weak enemy. You have obtained 11 EXP.]
[defeated a relatively weak enemy. You have obtained 13 EXP.]
[defeated a relatively weak enemy. You have obtained 12 EXP.]
[defeated a relatively weak enemy. You have obtained 16 EXP.]
[defeated a relatively weak enemy. You have obtained 109 EXP.]
Exp: 297 --> Exp: 594
I exhaled, rolling my shoulders as the last remnants of the slime evaporated into the air. That was… mildly annoying. damn it hurts all over now... ow.
Still, that wasn't what had my attention. even though it was still painful and still was attention-grabbing.
I turned back toward the lake, eyes narrowing. That strange slime from before, it wasn't normal. The way it reacted, the way it moved, how it got scared and ran away… Slimes didn't act like that. also how it looked more... derby than most slimes too.
What the hell was it?
I stepped closer to the water's edge, staring at my own reflection. The surface had long since settled, leaving no trace of the slime's escape. If I wanted to smack it around, I'd have to dive in, but…
Yeah, no. Not happening. too much work.
Sighing, I shook my head. Whatever. If it's important, I'll probably run into it again. For now, I should just get my money now and report to the guild that they are all dead.
With that thought, I turned away from the lake and started my trek back to Mondstadt.
A/N I wonder what that slime is? it definitely won't be important at aaaaaaall.
glances around, looks left, looks right.
pets are nice aren't they? friends too...
byeeeeeeeee