I’ve Been Reincarnated as a Tentacle Slime~ I Want to Live a Comfortable, Secure Life and Do Whatever I Want~ - Chapter 118

——Let’s go back in time a little.

◆◆◆◆ Before the Dungeon Exam ◆◆◆◆

Now then, should I show enough power to reach floor 25 in the exam, or stop around floor 15 and keep a low profile…?

According to Mika, I should go all the way to floor 25.

I could just follow Mika without thinking, but I don’t want to be labeled as brainless.

There’s no guarantee he’ll stay by my side forever.

Showing my strength has its benefits, it proves I’m useful to the guild. It makes earning money easier, meaning I can buy slaves more readily.

Doing some bulletin board requests in my spare time will also highlight my value to the guild.

On top of that, I can raise my level to five more than my furthest floor, so getting stronger becomes easier.

The biggest benefit is that it brings me closer to defeating the Snow Woman in terms of both power and intel.

The downside is…

What could happen? Would people resent me if I appeared out of nowhere as a top-tier adventurer?

Will people start trying to use me as a tool? Well, that happens once you gain power anyway.

No, the biggest hassle might be people questioning why I’m this strong…

If I go with hiding my power, the advantages and disadvantages are the opposite of what I listed.

If people start getting suspicious about my strength, I’ll just make a quick getaway.

Before that happens, I’ll buy as many slaves as I can and increase the number of child slimes.

If this plan fails, I’ll just go to another town and try again while hiding my power.

[——That’s the direction I’m thinking of going. What do you all think?]

For now, I decided to ask everyone.

[Isn’t that a fine idea? I’m so looking forward to our rematch with the Snow Woman.]

[Big brother Mika said the same, so I think it’s a good plan too.]

[I don’t really get it! Just do whatever you want, old man!]

Kouga’s opinion wasn’t helpful, but I guess this general direction seems fine.

I’d prefer to have my own ideas too… I can’t always rely on Mika’s advice.

[Okay, let’s aim for clearing up to the 25F.]

◆◆◆◆ After Dinner ◆◆◆◆

[We got some good intel! Brave’s a good guy. Technically, he shouldn’t have told us until we reached floor 25.]

[Indeed, we should prioritize equipment enhancements and leveling for the time being.]

[We’ll need healing potions too. Even if we level up, I don’t think we can completely block the Snow Woman’s attacks.]

[Then I’ll go tell Big bro Mika and Big bro Gabe! It’s better if we can all start leveling up during tomorrow’s hunt!]

I was thinking of going to the village myself, but maybe I can leave it to Kouga and Uri.

Even if I don’t go, Mika and the others should manage just fine.

[Yeah, there’s no point diving into the dungeon tonight anyway. Uri, Kouga, can you head to the village?]

After sending them off, I went to the bathhouse with Rafa in her wolf form.

[Rafa, what do you think about teaming up with Brave’s party to take down the Snow Woman here?]

[She doesn’t seem more powerful than our full strength, honestly.]

[True, but even if we can’t beat her, it’s better to get firsthand experience with the tactics, gear, and potion requirements.]

[Are you sure it won’t endanger you, Father-sama?]

Looks like Rafa’s not too keen on the idea… Maybe it’s a bad move?

[We could join on the condition we only act as buffers and healers. That way we’re not put on the front line, and with such short time, teamwork won’t be ideal anyway.]

[In that case… please be very careful, Father-sama.]

[Yeah. Anyway, looks like we’ve arrived.]

[Yes. Please enjoy yourself.]

It’s only been a day, but I arrived again at the public bathhouse once more.

◆◆◆◆ Night, Inside the Dungeon ◆◆◆◆

[You came back so soon… Ah, I see. So there’s a concept of levels.]

[Yeah! Check this out!]

Kouga shows his adventurer card to Mikael.

[Interesting. Sure enough, my card also shows a level now.]

Michael confirmed that his level was now shown in his status window.

[Understood. Let’s raise everyone’s level to 35 before the Snow Woman battle. Also, the earth-element magic stones, huh. We’ve been too focused on copper in the earth area, so let’s make sure to secure some stones too. Agreed, Gabe?]

[Okay. If levels are part of the system, maybe we should revise our Monster House construction strategy, Big bro Michael?]

[True. Though I doubt the overall direction will change much…]

Michael and Gabriel revised their Monster House creation strategy…

They decided to increase the number of Monster Houses in the deeper floors.

[Then, Kouga. Ask tomorrow if Father will be coming here. I’ll send Dice to the city, so let him know the answer.]

[Yeah! Got it!]

And so, the dungeon team’s level grinding began.

Chapter length 1981 characters.