015. Fire Slime
In the slime rank system, the absence of a core signifies the absolute pinnacle. Slimes without cores are typically classified as exceeding S-grade, and plenty of people view them as an entirely different species from regular slimes. Yet the one before my eyes was only B-grade level.
If I were still ignorant, I might've brushed it off as "A special slime unique to this area?" But not anymore.
'Looks like my earlier guess was spot on.'
My hunch was solidifying into certainty. Just like the initial monsters I'd seen, like Jellyfish-002 beside me, like the Poison Apple that fled through the dark portal. This slime's true danger level was undoubtedly S-grade.
'The monsters are definitely being suppressed.'
In simple terms, they were nerfed. And by a whopping two ranks, no less.
If this theory held, calling it a "danger level increase" wouldn't be accurate. It wasn't rising—it was reclaiming their original power.
Tracing the root cause of this phenomenon, the center would likely be "me"—or more precisely, the existence of the "explorer."
When Min Hyung-seok met his end, the monsters' danger levels spiked, proving it. This was some kind of explorer buff... no, a safety mechanism for the explorer. If S-grade or higher monsters fought at full strength, the nearby explorer would likely get caught in the crossfire and die. Worst case, it could wreck the labyrinth itself.
Well, the labyrinth seemed tougher than it looked.
'Tamed monsters staying nerfed is probably to prevent balance breakage.'
This spawned two new questions. Was the suppression limited to a radius around me, or did the explorer's mere presence affect the entire labyrinth?
No way to confirm it yet. I'd have to uncover it gradually through future explorations.
For now, focus on the slime ahead.
"It's even bigger normally. Those slimes are usually S-grade."
"I'll explain later. First, let's take down that slime."
Tension hung thick in the cave. At my command, Dog Spider-001 spat thread like it had been waiting.
I held my breath, watching the thread slice through the air toward the slime. Would the nullification thread work?
The slime's fire wasn't magic. Nor ordinary flame. If anything, it was closest to a superpower.
Dog Spider-001's thread could nullify magic, but superpowers? Unknown. Time to test.
Shiiik—!
The thread hit the slime's surface. A chunk of flame vanished instantly.
It nullified superpowers too. But the effect was weak. Only the touched spot flickered out briefly. It restrained magic far better.
The thread failed to bind, dropping uselessly.
"Nullification thread won't cut it."
Like dousing a wildfire with a handful of sand.
Still, confirmed: effective on superpowers, but minimal against same-rank ones.
Dog Spider-001 countered superpowers—sort of.
"Not the fire. Magic fire would've bound it. This is superpower-adjacent."
"Pretty much."
The assaulted slime counterattacked, flames surging toward us. I glanced sideways calmly.
"Jellyfish-002, block."
[Pii!]
A transparent barrier unfolded in midair.
Kwaang!
The fierce flames crashed against it, cracking the barrier deeply.
[Piii...!]
Jellyfish-002 dropped the shield and hurled an explosive orb.
Peong—!
It detonated on contact—but no damage.
No winning this fight. Bad matchup for my monsters.
'If not sealed, a shockwave would've ended it.'
Never planned to kill or win anyway. Goal: tame it. This slime would be useful.
No running. Can't win, but can tame.
"Dog Spider-001, wrap some thread around my hand."
[Sii!]
I wound nullification thread on my left hand—safe for me.
This should peel off some flame.
"Jellyfish-002, can you amp swiftness and protection more?"
[Pii!]
"Max it out."
[Piii!]
The buffs intensified. Protection hardened like silver armor over my skin; swiftness electrified my veins. Float magic returned too.
Ready.
"Stay here."
[Sii?]
[Pii?]
"Not fighting. Why battle that thing?"
"Steal from it."
"You'll see."
Deep breath. I kicked off, charging forward.
Distance closed. Heat intensified, searing to the bone. No protection, and I'd be melting.
Flames morphed freely, lunging at me.
Shiiik—!
A whip of fire slashed down. I dodged by a hair; scorching heat grazed through the shield, singeing skin.
'Direct hit would've hurt.'
I floated up, feather-light via float magic, to the ceiling. Observed the slime swiftly.
No weak point. No core like regular slimes.
But something similar. Visible only to me.
'Found it.'
The red spot gleamed in my eyes.
I dropped from the ceiling, hand outstretched midair toward the spot.
Hwaruk!
Flames rippled just as I neared. It dodged, forming a heat barrier.
'Close. But I'm faster.'
Landed, charged again. Smashed through the barrier brute-force.
Hand out again.
Hwaruk!
Missed by a hair again.
Didn't quit. Faster, relentless.
Hwaruk!
Miss. But fingertips brushed—progress.
Again. Once, twice, thrice. Nonstop lunges at the spot.
Tak— Got it.
After countless tries, my left hand touched the spot. Thread-wrapped, it gripped slime and severed flame.
Carved out the spot, bolted back to my monsters.
"Guys!"
[Sii?]
[Pii?]
"Run!"
[Sii!]
[Piii!]
We hightailed to shelter without looking back.
Prepped barriers en route to block pursuit. Seemed safe, but better cautious.
Back at shelter, I pulled out my notebook, sat, and eyed the flame in my left hand.
Nullification dulled its surface, but it reignited defiantly. Extinguish, reignite—endless cycle.
"Burns."
Shield or not, it scorched. Bearable, but burns incoming.
"Half of half? Faster than expected."
"Test later."
I got the concern. Risky for a normal human. Not lethal, but injury possible.
Judged it worth trying. Trusted Jellyfish-002's buffs fully. And only I see the spot—couldn't delegate.
"Yeah, will do."
Short reply. Waited for the spot to fully green, tweaked the monster codex, sketched anew.
Steady codex work essential.
'Flame Slime sounds off. Fire Slime it is.'
◈ Actual Danger Level:S-grade
◈ Current (Nerfed) Danger Level:B-grade
◈ Ability: Fire