Banished from the herd, I was actually a member of a very rare species. ~With the unique skills that only I can use, I can grow and evolve quickly. I will become an unrivaled monster~ - Episode 37: The Rough Adventurer Strikes Back

Episode 37: The Rough Adventurer Strikes Back

“(Those single-celled idiots…!)”  

I grumble while rushing through the forest.  

The adventurers haven’t followed me, but I can’t afford to waste much time.  

“(I told you not to lay a hand on humans…!)”  

If the adventurers are attacking humans with the stones I taught them to use, it’s my job to stop them, even if it means hitting them. This is also for the sake of the Slimes.  

Slime hunting might not be very lucrative, but when I was in the swarm, humans never pursued us deeply. That’s why I made sure to thoroughly escape, and indeed, there were no casualties. Although the Slime swarm had grown large, it managed to avoid exposure.  

“(But still…!)”  

I think back to what happened earlier.  

From the adventurers’ conversation, it seems like they had their sights set on Sla-o and the others. I don’t know how dangerous they view stone-throwing Slimes, but from what I heard, it seems they’re at least somewhat wary.  

If they consider the Slimes to be a significant threat, they would follow and attack their nest.  

“(At least when Sla-o left the nest, it should have been safe….)”  

I’m unsure when Sla-o left the nest. It’s unlikely he’s been exploring since yesterday, but…  

“(…But if they were attacked when they arrived, which side would I support…?)”  

A sudden question arises. I want to protect my former companions, but I also understand the humans’ feelings. When the two sides clash, which side should I support?  

“(…………)”  

There’s no answer. But my feet won’t stop.  

I continue running through the forest impulsively and finally reach a familiar area.  

Using my [Sense of Direction], I have a general idea of where the Slime nest is.  

Once I’m close, I’ll use my knowledge of the area to find the path to the nest.  

“(I think I need to go southeast from this rock…)”  

Guided by my memory, I run for a while.  

I arrive at the nostalgic Slime village.  

“(—What is this…?)”  

However, the scene that unfolds before me is—

◆　　◆　　◆

──Half a day ago.

“Damn it!”  

“““!”””  

A man’s angry voice echoes through a part of the town of Wooton.  

Those nearby flinch at the sound.  

“That Slime… I’ll skewer it the next time I see it…!”  

The man’s name is Jaskal.  

Defeated by Fuwa Katsu, he was carried to the town by his subordinates and had just recently regained consciousness.  

“““…………”””  

The subordinates who transported Jaskal shrink back in silence, knowing that if his anger turned toward them, they would be on the receiving end of it. Everyone knows about his violent nature and understands that provoking him when he’s in a bad mood will result in him taking out his frustrations on them.  

“Oh, Jaskal-dono, you’ve returned! So, were you able to defeat the Jewel Slime?”  

At that moment, a timely sacrificial lamb arrives.  

The plump young man approaches with a sycophantic smile, buttering up Jaskal.  

“A-and about the earth dragon-slaying spear Mould Breaker that I lent you, I’d like it back soon… well, if the hunt isn’t complete yet, I wouldn’t mind lending it a little longer. But it’s a family heirloom passed down from my great-grandfather. My father is growing impatient about when it will be returned… Jaskal-dono?”  

Seeing Jaskal with his head down and silent, the young man asks anxiously.  

He then notices Jaskal’s trembling fist and realizes his mistake.  

“A-ah, um, well…”  

Bang! 

Jaskal’s fist slams into a house wall, causing spiderweb-like cracks to spread.  

“It’s because of that spear.”  

“Y-yes…?”  

“It was because that spear was weak that I lost to that guy!”  

Jaskal’s roar reverberates, making the young man take a step back.  

But Jaskal takes two steps forward, closing the distance and looking down at him.  

“How dare you give me a defective product!”  

“Ah, ah, ahem, with all due respect, I didn’t give it to you, you forcibly took it—”  

“Shut up!”  

Jaskal grabs the young man by the collar, lifting him off the ground.  

The young man flails his legs, but with a height difference of over twenty centimeters, his feet don’t reach the ground.  

“Tell your father that the spear was eaten by a Slime!”  

“T-that’s nonsense!”  

“Whether it’s nonsense or not, do whatever you want! There’s nothing I can do about what was taken from me! Don’t bother me anymore!”  

Jaskal tells him while glaring at him up close, then throws him aside.  

The young man lands on his backside and stands up while backing away.  

“Guh… I-I won’t forgive you next time. I’ll report this to the guards!”

The young man, leaving such a parting shot, went off to somewhere.

Seeing this, Jaskal smirks inwardly.

The town guards of Wooton are hardly what you’d call exceptional. Besides, this time it was just a case of theft.

If there were clear evidence, it might be different. But since all there is are the victim’s testimonies, a little bribery easily makes it overlookable.

The young man should understand this. But since he lacks money, status, and power, he has no other options.

Satisfied by seeing the miserable weakling, Jaskal turns to his subordinates behind him and says,

“Listen up, you lot. Tomorrow we’re going to continue searching for that Jewel Slime. We didn’t perform well today, but next time we’ll bring our usual equipment. We won’t lose.”

“““Understood!”””

Relieved that Jaskal’s mood has improved, the subordinates nod.

Then, one of them timidly raises his hand.

“Um…”

“What is it?”

“Well… The Jewel Slime was located south of the area other adventurers are searching. Shouldn’t we report this to the guild…?”

“Why should we tell the others?”

“To wear out the opponent. The ones who fought Jaskal and won won’t lose to other adventurers, but even a Jewel Slime will become exhausted with frequent battles.”

Jaskal snorts at the suggestion.

“You implying that I might lose?”

“N-no, not at all. Even if it was a fluke that Jaskal-san was defeated, it would be better to tire them out a bit. I don’t think Jaskal-san will lose. But since you’re tired from that lousy spear, we should make sure the Jewel Slime is also worn out so that we can fight on equal terms.”

“Hmph, there’s some merit to that. Very well, I’ll report it to the guild myself.”

Watching Jaskal head toward the guild, the man who made the suggestion felt relieved that he had been smoothly persuaded.

To be honest, the Jewel Slime was of little concern to him.

What he truly wanted was to avoid being dragged into daily escort duties, so he hoped to raise the chance of the Slime’s extermination by spreading the information among all adventurers.

However, he feared getting caught if he did it without permission, so he subtly guided the situation to make it seem like the idea came from Jaskal himself.

Unaware of this, Jaskal arrived at the adventurers’ guild.

He approached the reception counter, ignoring the line and acting as if he owned the place.

“Jaskal-san… What can I do for you today…?”

“I have a matter to discuss with the Guild Master. Let me through.”

After saying only that to the receptionist, Jaskal jumps over the counter and heads inside.

His arrogance was usual, so no one reprimanded him.

There used to be people who did, but all of them were physically silenced.

Jaskal ascends the stairs. The Guild Master’s office is on the second floor.

The office is close to the stairs, and conversation from inside could be heard through the half-open door.

“—I see. So the Slimes had their nest north of the Hakuza’s tomb.”

(Note: 

In Japanese, “白澤” (Hakuza) refers to the same mythical creature as in Chinese mythology, Bai Ze.)

“Yes. They seemed to be hiding in rocky areas less noticeable to adventurers. We also confirmed the presence of a rare species, so the rumored Jewel Slime is likely one of them.”

“So, what’s the plan? Do you think you can handle the extermination on your own?”

“Of course. With that size of a swarm, our party alone should be able to exterminate them easily. If we get permission, we plan to attack tomorrow night.”

“I see. Then, you ‘Snow White Mist’—”

Having heard enough, Jaskal sneaks away from the scene.

As he contemplates what’s to come, his lips curl into a grin.

“Heh heh heh, who would have thought I’d learn the Jewel Slime’s whereabouts?”

In his mind, he vividly imagines the future of assaulting the nest and slaughtering the Jewel Slime’s companions.

If they are there, he’ll kill them too, and if they’re out hunting, he’ll ambush them in the nest.

“To ensure no survivors, I’ll need to gather all my subordinates. It will take time to gather them all, but… if I start now, it should be on time.”

Fortunately, the party said they’d attack tomorrow night. There’s plenty of time.

With thoughts of revenge in mind, Jaskal begins preparing for the assault.

(Note: There is side story for this chapter that you can buy using coins or membership.)