Chapter 229
Chapter 229
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 229
Chapter Title: 66. Slime Paradise (1)
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1.
Henesys Market.
There were several reasons it had become the greatest market in the Maple World.
For one, Henesys was close to Lith Harbor and the tree platform on Victoria Island where the airships docked.
The second reason was that the surrounding monsters were weak. Henesys was called Mushroom Village because it was overrun with orange mushrooms and blue mushrooms.
Some might say, "What's the big deal about lots of monsters?" But mushroom monsters were the weakest creatures in the entire Maple World.
The fact that they were everywhere meant there were no other dangerous monsters!
It was proof of safety.
Of course, that was the biggest reason.
"Adventurers are causing a ruckus at the adventurer market."
"Really? Sounds fun."
"What kind of reaction is that? What if they steal our goods!"
"Tsk tsk, you're showing you're new here. Don't worry, that won't happen. This is Henesys."
"What does that mean?"
"It's already over."
"Huh?"
"This is Helena's city."
The Henesys archers.
Those Henesys archers didn't tolerate anyone who threatened the city's safety and peace.
"Raising hell in Henesys means you want to turn into a porcupine."
"Porcupine? Oh!"
The moment anyone caused a disturbance, dozens or hundreds of arrows flew in from all directions, turning them into a real porcupine.
It was merciless, and witnessing it instilled faith in all the merchants and adventurers.
'Nowhere is safer than here.'
'As long as the Henesys archers protect it, nothing can go wrong here!'
A deep trust in Henesys Market.
At the same time, the Henesys archers took pride in it.
Pride in the fact that Henesys was developing thanks to them, and that they were safeguarding peace.
"How's the situation?"
"Not good."
But right now, the mood among the Henesys archers was worse than ever.
"Outlaws are pouring in. And they're forming groups."
Outlaws gathering.
That alone wasn't a problem. Henesys Market was huge, so there were plenty of adventurers and outlaws eyeing its goods.
"There are a lot of 5th Circle and above."
But the level of those gathering this time was on another plane from anything they'd seen before.
And that wasn't all.
"Their items aren't ordinary either. Some have Legendary-grade gear."
Their equipment surpassed everyone's expectations.
"It's because of the magnifiers."
It was due to the magnifiers made by Magatia's alchemists.
Thanks to those magnifiers that let them see items and boss monsters beyond the Mystic Gates, outlaws and adventurers had grown faster than ever before.
And that made sense.
It was like they'd been tackling things in handcuffs and shackles, and now those were gone.
Moreover, adventurers had been challenging Mystic Gates for years, not just a day or two.
They had accumulated plenty of experience over that time.
And it didn't end there.
"The tombs are being cleared too."
The assaults on the battered Mystic Gates were progressing faster than ever, leading to rapid spec-ups.
No matter how great the Henesys archers were, they couldn't help but feel burdened by adventurers with 5th Circle skills and Legendary items.
Especially since there weren't just one or two of them.
And decisively, there was this.
"The biggest problem is that everyone's holding their breath right now."
The Henesys archers couldn't strike first unless the outlaws caused trouble.
A storm was brewing from all sides.
"Helena!"
Then, news arrived amid the tension.
"We have info on adventurers targeting Fried's Brooch."
"Tell me."
"Several adventurers have already gathered and formed a party."
The most important news.
"Pason is at the center."
"Pason? The Minar Forest adventurer Pason?"
Helena's expression hardened the moment she heard it.
Because she knew.
"...El Pam's party is in danger."
Pason's true identity.
2.
"Five hundred, all gathered."
Minar Forest adventurer Pason said this to the five hundred adventurers assembled before the Blue-grade Mystic Gate.
"First off, everyone remember this. No infighting until we get Fried's Brooch."
It was a warning.
"If anyone tries, they'll be executed on the spot."
A very clear warning.
Everyone nodded at it.
"Pason saying that makes it believable."
Because the one saying it was none other than Minar Forest's adventurer Pason.
An adventurer who didn't shy from danger, legendary enough among adventurers!
It wasn't empty words.
Pason, who had adventured repeatedly in the perilous Minar Forest, had experienced many sacrifices.
He'd lost numerous comrades and suffered major wounds himself multiple times.
He'd had so many near-death experiences he couldn't count them on one hand!
Yet Pason never gave up on Minar Forest adventures, and adventurers gladly treated him as a legend for his indomitable spirit.
Dibo and everyone else gathered here felt the same.
No one denied he was an adventurer worth emulating, whatever his character.
"Isn't that right, Boss?"
"Who knows."
"Huh?"
But El Pam's face, upon hearing it, showed no such faith.
"He's not an adventurer you can trust."
"What do you mean?"
Because he knew.
"Minar Forest adventurer Pason has lost more comrades than anyone."
"Yeah. That's what makes him great, right? He keeps challenging it anyway."
"Repeated reckless challenges lead to one of two things. Either you find something worth it, or it's profitable even if reckless. One thing's certain. If there was something in Minar Forest worth risking his life for, he wouldn't be here."
Everyone, including Dibo, pondered El Pam's words briefly, then grasped the meaning—their faces stiffened.
"Boss, you don't mean...?"
"Pason's parties always get support from top adventurers. In skill or items."
If El Pam was right, Pason was the most despicable swindler, deliberately endangering comrades to claim their items.
Too shocking!
But El Pam knew.
'Hero Slayer—that's Pason's real identity.'
He'd learned of Pason's past misdeeds from none other than his comrades, before returning to the past.
Of course, his comrades' reactions differed.
"Boss, then going in there with that Pason..."
This fact was shocking, but even more so was entering that dangerous stage with someone who hunted his own allies.
Weren't they volunteering as prey?
They couldn't go in.
But El Pam was different.
"No problem."
He said confidently.
"They won't have the luxury to hunt us."
3.
When do adventurers feel the most tense?
Various answers might come up, but the most common one was this:
"The moment you cross the Mystic Gate. That's the tensest. Feels like crossing a river of no return."
The adventurers entering the Blue-grade Mystic Gate for Fried's Brooch felt the same.
Even though they were all renowned and skilled, they were tense.
'It's a 500-man raid. Even slimes won't be easy.'
They were entering a stage no one had cleared before.
Of course, they weren't just tense.
They used that tension as a tool, sharpening their senses to a razor's edge.
As they crossed the Mystic Gate, they exchanged glances.
That was it.
No further words.
Thieves spread out silently, archers climbed trees one by one.
Warriors raised shields and scanned surroundings, mages gripped staves and focused.
Bishops moved to the safest spots.
They scouted and prepared for potential battles.
'They're coming.'
'Huge slimes.'
'Or other monsters.'
In that tense moment, a thief who'd dashed far ahead returned.
His return meant one thing.
'They're coming!'
Monsters approaching from that direction.
As everyone readied for battle, the returning thief approached Pason.
"What is it?"
"Well..."
Pason nodded at the thief's hesitation to speak.
"Looks like some serious ones are coming."
If words failed him, it meant a terrifying monster horde.
That vibe spread to comrades nearby.
'Something big is coming.'
Tension gripped everyone.
But no one panicked.
'As expected.'
They hadn't underestimated slimes beyond the boss, Guardian Angel Slime.
No one took the monsters en route to a boss lightly.
This was a Blue-grade 500-man Mystic Gate.
Easy to say, but never easy!
A stage where a comrade dying beside you anytime wouldn't be surprising!
So everyone steeled themselves quickly.
And prepared swiftly.
"Combat start!"
In an instant, all were battle-ready.
El Pam's party too.
"Everyone."
The moment El Pam spoke, they prepared to charge into the fray.
"Yes, Boss. Just give the order."
"Stand down."
"Yes, we'll stan—Huh?"
But at his next words, they stared at El Pam in shock.
El Pam, meanwhile, said calmly.
"Exactly as I said. No need to fight."
Then it happened.
"They're coming!"
A frontline adventurer shouted, and everyone readied for battle.
5th Circle skills and above.
"Huh?"
The frontline adventurer was surprised, and a comrade behind asked.
"What is it?"
"What's coming?"
"Uh, th-that... Slimes are coming."
Questions followed immediately.
"What kind?"
Slimes came in many varieties, some extremely powerful.
The frontline adventurer replied.
"I mean, just slimes."
"What?"
"You know, those green slimes. The ones as common as mushrooms near Henesys Village."
By then, everyone could see them.
Ting! Ting! Ting!
A horde of green slimes charging toward them.
Not thousands, just a few hundred.
At their appearance, everyone was shocked, faces blank.
El Pam's party, including Dibo, was the same.
"Sl-slimes? For real?"
More flustered than when facing Mahyong or Leviathan.
It was inevitable.
In this place of all places—a 500-man Blue-grade Mystic Gate—slimes?
Then someone said.
"Stay sharp, everyone! That can't be all!"
Everyone snapped to.
It was right.
It couldn't end here.
"Take out the slimes!"
They quickly eliminated the approaching slimes.
It was no trouble.
No need for multiple people.
Archers on trees nocked arrows.
Pew!
In a flash, the slime horde was cleared. Still, everyone maintained tension.
Preparing for what came next.
That was when.
"More coming!"
Everyone tensed again.
El Pam's party too.
'This time it'll be different.'
One exception.
"Everyone."
"Yes, Boss."
"Relax."
"Huh?"
His comrades tilted heads at El Pam's words, then they saw it.
"Sl-slimes! Just slimes!"