Chapter 7: The True King Slime

Gate Outburst Phenomenon.

Most of the time, it occurs periodically, about once every month.

Unlike regular Gates, the chance of monsters pouring out is extremely high, so they must be handled as soon as they’re discovered.

In the Tower, except for summoned beasts or magical beasts, solo climbing is an absolute rule.

No matter what, the Tower’s system only permits solo entry without exception.

But, the Gates are different.

Events that happen outside the Tower.

Ability Users can cooperate with one another.

Because of this, even those in non-combat professions often grew through the Gates.

Like the “pearl” or “bus” concepts you see in games.

A high-level player clears things for others and gives away the rewards.

So, the Association has managed out-of-control Gates thoroughly from the start.

To prevent tragedies caused by greed, there’s no choice but to block others from entering.

“How many people have gone in?”

Rushing over after getting the alert, Seo Rin asked, panting heavily.

During an Outburst, at least five times the usual number of people need to be deployed for safety.

So, appropriate allocation is absolutely necessary.

“Three C rank players and two B rank players have entered,”

answered the staff member controlling the entrance, in response to Seo Rin’s question.

Five people with no A rank meant more support was still needed.

Seo Rin quickly changed into battle gear and prepared to fill the missing slots.

Meanwhile, Woo min and Bbyak were heading the exact opposite direction.

Since they weren’t registered with the Association, there was no way to get past the strict security.

So they were looking for another route.

Flying low through the sky, Bbyak was heading somewhere.

Turning a corner into a deserted alley, Bbyak pointed at something.

And then.

Pop –

With a flash of white light, the Gate’s door opened.

As expected of our Bbyak.

There’s nothing it can’t do.

Now it can even predict where Gates will appear!

Before entering, I patted Bbyak’s head and took a deep breath.

After that, I carefully stepped through the Gate, and an unfamiliar space spread before me.

Ruined building debris and green moss.

All around, small Slimes were bouncing around.

Squeak squeak!

But, they’re still just Slimes.

To Bbyak’s eyes, this was no different from a buffet.

Bbyak confidently marched ahead.

Spreading its wings wide, it glided low, and in a flash, dozens of Slimes burned up and disappeared.

Only the loot they left behind remained on the ground.

They’re no match at all.

In the blink of an eye, Bbyak took care of about twenty Slimes and, looking satisfied, pecked away enthusiastically at the colorful Slimes.

No food broadcaster could compete with this.

It’s amazing how deliciously it eats with such a small beak.

As I quietly watched, I finally took in the scenery around me.

It looked just like the ruins of a castle.

The kind of view you’d only see in a fantasy game.

In places like this, there’s always something hidden.

And then—

Suddenly, the ground started to shake.

Even Bbyak, who’d been busily eating, seemed to sense the danger and looked around.

And then.

Kugugugung.

A massive Slime revealed itself.

[Notice] You have encountered the world’s first Corrupted King Slime (True).

A notice appeared before my eyes.

That enormous monster is the King Slime?

It’s gigantic.

As big as an elephant.

And that’s not all.

Just the number of Soldier Slimes it summoned easily topped a hundred.

Of course, no matter how many there are, they’re no match for our Bbyak.

Go! Body slam!

Burn them all up with your sacred flames!

Bbyak Bbyak!

Cheerfully responding, Bbyak leaped into the enemy ranks alone.

Truly brave and fearless.

Once again, I was reminded of the power of a Phoenix.

They don’t even stand a chance.

They can’t even get close.

Just approaching gets them reduced to a handful of ash—how could they ever win?

All I needed to do was sit back and watch.

Our Bbyak is the ultimate dutiful child.

Before long, all the Soldier Slimes were wiped out, and only the King Slime remained.

The giant body quivered and attacked.

Green slime shot in all directions.

At that moment.

One of the wild attacks flew toward me.

It was so sudden, I couldn’t dodge in time.

Warm energy spread around my body.

Whoosh.

The King Slime’s bodily fluid evaporated.

That flame—I’d seen it before from Bbyak.

Wait, does this mean I can use the Phoenix’s power too?

Come to think of it, I’d felt strangely light yesterday and today.

I could wake up early without being tired, and my skin seemed better.

And I even got my revenge on Taejin, who used to bully me terribly back in school.

Now I understand everything.

No way was I secretly a boxing genius.

Whatever it is, it’s still amazing.

As expected of our Bbyak.

A swallow that brings gourd seeds?

I’m a Phoenix that brings SSS-rank.

Sorry, Heungbu, but you’re no match.

And just then.

Kraaaah!

With a single scream, the King Slime melted away.

[Notice] You have defeated the world’s first Corrupted King Slime (True).

[Reward] Tower rewards have increased.

[Reward] You have obtained the Slime King’s Emblem.

Another notice echoed across the world.

How long had it been since the King Slime appeared? It was defeated in an instant.

And the rewards were extraordinary.

Tower reward increase, and the Emblem of the King?

[Slime King’s Emblem] The symbol of the King Slime, ruler of all Slimes. All Slimes will obey the bearer’s command.

What an amazing item!

With this alone, I’m guaranteed to climb up to the 10th floor.

All the early-floor monsters are Slimes.

Now that I’m done, time to head back.

I have to try out this new item I just got.

***

ㄴ ??? What was that notice just now.

ㄴ Isn’t King Slime the boss monster that appears on the 10th floor?

ㄴ ㄴ ㄴ ㄴ It wasn’t just King Slime, it was the (True) King Slime, right?

Once again, the Tower community was ablaze.

It’s been a little over ten years since the Tower appeared.

There haven’t been many times when the World Notice rang out like this.

One time was when the Tower first collapsed.

Most of the time, the news was never this big.

But today, the notice rang out twice.

First, the appearance of the King Slime.

Then, the defeat notice for the King Slime.

This was no ordinary news.

Anyone who knew anything could see this was an earth-shattering event that overturned all previous knowledge.

ㄴ If it says ‘True’ at the front, does that mean the King Slimes we’ve beaten until now were fakes?

ㄴ Yeah, looks like it. Did someone actually find the real King Slime’s body?

ㄴ Wow, then the rewards must be insane. So jealous;

Most of the posts were about what rewards one would get for defeating King Slime.

The first player to encounter the King Slime was famous for getting tons of rewards.

Slime fluid, when diluted, was great for skin and even worked wonders for hair loss.

If someone caught the real King Slime, the rewards must be out of this world.

The message board was filled with jealous envy.

Of course, some were suspicious about who the player who defeated King Slime was.

ㄴ Maybe it’s the SSS-rank climber?

ㄴ How could someone who’s only cleared up to the 2nd floor defeat the King Slime, which only appears on the 10th? That’s just nonsense.

Still, the mood was leaning toward believing someone else took down the King Slime.

I mean, who would believe it?

A player on the 2nd floor beating the 10th floor boss, and the real one at that.

But soon, more posts appeared in the community.

The world’s first SSS-rank clear of the 3rd floor.

ㄴ Wow! Triple S is God.

ㄴ Triple S is God, Triple S is God, Triple S is God.

Before anyone knew it, Woo min was being called ‘Triple S is God’ on the community.

Short for “Triple S is God.”

It just rolls off the tongue.

He’s not just a player.

He’s a god.

Honestly, it was almost like a cult in the community at this point.

While the community burned with excitement, I appeared in my familiar studio room, bathed in bright light.

I’d just cleared the 3rd floor.

Naturally, it was SSS-rank.

But this time, things were a little different.

Bbyak contributed 0%.

I climbed it entirely by myself.

How did I do it?

Obviously, with the new item I got earlier.

Slime King’s Emblem.

The moment I entered the Tower, all the Slimes began to obey me.

[Notice] You have achieved the world’s first SSS-rank clear of Tower 3.

[Reward] 1 Golden Ticket

[Reward] 3,000 Mana Stones

[Reward] 5 poorly made Mana Recovery Potions

[Reward] Base rewards are doubled due to reward increase effect.

[Reward] Unknown Magical Beast Egg

The mission was automatically completed.

I didn’t even lift a finger.

It was over the instant I entered.

And the rewards were doubled.

Though, only the basic rewards—Mana Stones and Potions—were doubled, which was a bit of a letdown.

“You did well again today, Bbyak.”

Bbyak—

Skill: Patting Magical Beast, used.

Not sure if it actually has an effect, but Bbyak likes it, so I do it often.

Now, too, as I praised Bbyak for today’s hard work and patted its head, it purred contentedly.

“But what’s this?”

In the Tower, aside from the base rewards, you can also get random drops.

Usually, they’re expensive equipment or jewels.

But this time, it wasn’t one of those.

It was a Magical Beast Egg.

[Unknown Magical Beast Egg] An egg from some kind of magical beast. Identity unknown.

It’s about the size of a basketball.

A white shell with black spots.

Just in case, I tapped it with my hand and held it to my ear, but didn’t find out much.

Instead, Bbyak seemed to like it.

Like a mother bird, it sat on the egg to keep it warm.

The egg was much bigger than Bbyak, so it probably didn’t help, but Bbyak seemed very happy to have a new sibling.

So, I put the egg under the heated blanket as a makeshift nest.

I’ve never actually hatched an egg myself, but I tried to copy what I’d seen in videos.

Bbyak Bbyak!

At that moment.

Bbyak’s atmosphere changed instantly.

As if on guard against someone, it fluffed up its feathers.

And then.

Knock, knock, knock

Someone was really knocking.

Once softly, then twice more, harder.

Then, they pressed the doorbell.

Clack clack.

The doorknob rattled.

And then.

Beep—beep—beep—beep—

Someone was entering the code for the door lock!

Goosebumps ran down my spine.

Is this what they call a break-in?

There had been times when a drunk neighbor mistook my door, but no one had ever tried to break in like this.

Gripped by fear, I hugged Bbyak.

That’s right. I’m not alone anymore, am I?

Even if it’s a robber with a knife, with the stronger me and Bbyak, there’s nothing to be afraid of.

I have Bbyak, a Grade 5 magical beast.

Beep—di-ro-ro-rong—

In the end, the door opened, and I made eye contact with a mysterious man!

A suspicious guy with a black mask pulled over his face!

Daring to covet my home?

Go, Bbyak!

Don’t hold back—give him a real lesson!

Bbyak Bbyak!

With that response, Bbyak leapt from my arms.

Thud—

With tremendous speed, it collided with the masked man, and the robber instantly lost consciousness.