Hooking the Bomb Slimes
"There's even more here."
Kang Hanbit scanned the bustling crowds as he arrived at the port. It was several times busier than when he'd first logged in.
"Word spread like wildfire across the communities in just one day. Probably gonna get even more packed."
- RP-related companies are swarming the place like crazy.
- Seeing them all clustered up, it's pretty shitty.
- But no one's cleared it yet. lololol
The viewers' chat was buzzing with edge. Companies raking in cash off anything RP-related. Their reputation was lousy across the board.
Glancing around, Hanbit turned to Juyeonu.
"You got some gold on you?"
"Yeah, a bit. I even dropped some real cash before."
"Nice. So you're kinda stacked?"
"Nah, no way. Even throwing money at it has its limits."
RP had a thriving cash economy, so currency flowed freely. But did dumping cash make you insanely strong? Not even close.
"Meaning even high-end gear won't cut it?"
"Item grades matter, but rank is absolute. To bridge that gap, you need at least Hero grade or higher."
Gear equip requirements factored in levels and stats as basics. No amount of money let you jump ranks beyond your current level.
"How much for Hero grade?"
"Recent trades... a 5-rank Hero-grade sword went for 100 million."
"...100 million?"
His eyes widened at the absurd price. Hanbit recalled the item grade breakdown.
[Normal-High-Rare-Hero-Unique-Epic-Legend-Myth]
'Fourth one in, and it's 100 million?'
Sure, 5-rank, but that grade was mid-tier. The fact that something like that fetched 100 million was mind-blowing.
Curiosity sparked about the higher tiers. "What about from Unique up?"
"No listings even. Pioneers like us prefer making our own."
Unique, Epic, Legend, Myth—higher than Hero. Names alone screamed rarity; they were insanely scarce.
Recalling treasures from memory, Hanbit tossed out another question. "No job classes or anything?"
"No job system. We just divvy up by skills usually. Weapons match accordingly."
- For real, a total noob? lol
- Not living up to the nick at all.
- No job system, we just call ourselves whatever. lol
- That's why I'm a warrior carrying a staff. Smacking with auto-attacks is hilarious.
- Pervert much?
The system vaguely matched the world from his memories. Jobs there branched off fine skills too. Difference? Weapons were more flexible. Though pulling off archery with a sword wasn't easy.
"Anyway, you're loaded enough? Lend me 70,000 gold?"
"Of course, but... a fishing rod costs 70k gold?"
"Worth every penny."
"...No idea what it is, but here."
[Player Roper has requested a trade.]
[Accept? (Yes/No)]
The trade window popped up. Hanbit hit 'Yes' without hesitation. Felt oddly fresh, pure game vibes.
*Ding-*
[Received 70,000 gold.]
'This'll do.'
Game currency differed from the isekai world. Hanbit eyed shop prices and street stalls as he walked. Goods held the same value, so conversion was straightforward.
"I'll pay you back soon."
"Nah, it's fine."
Chatting like that, they kept moving. Soon they reached a low cliff on the port outskirts. A lone fisherman stared out at the sea.
[Fisherman Eldrock]
The familiar name floated overhead. Approaching, Hanbit called out.
"Hey, old timer."
"Eh?"
The old man squinted. Over a dozen rods lay beside his mat.
"Want to buy one of these."
"What? Buy one? An accident?"
"I know you can hear me. 50,000 gold for one."
- Black Dragon...
- Attack the old man. whoa
- He can't hear well lol;
- This is kinda...
Viewers hurled criticism, seeing it as rude. But the old man's face flipped in an instant.
"50k? No way. Make it 100."
- Old timer?
- Busted lol;
Viewers panicked at his true colors. Fisherman Eldrock. Hanbit knew the geezer's gold obsession well.
"100's too much. 60k."
"That's below cost. 90."
"Then 50."
"You punk! Think I'm some senile fool who can't count?!"
The haggling flew fast. Hanbit emerged victorious.
"Here's 70k."
"Weak-ass kid..."
The head-shaking geezer matched memory perfectly. They'd even trash-talked while learning to fish back then.
"Take it and scram!"
"Thanks. See ya."
"Don't come back!"
Leaving the fuming old man, Hanbit walked off rod in hand.
[Modified Fishing Rod]
Rank:1-rank
Grade:High
Description: Fishing rod modified with special mechanisms. No guarantees on the fish's condition.
Simple item info. Juyeonu, peering over, asked.
"What's this? Modified fishing rod?"
"Added function. That old guy's dead serious about fishing."
The maker's goal was pure angling. Born from frustration at fish that wouldn't bite.
"So you catch bomb slimes with this?"
"Catch exactly."
Turning, Hanbit eyed the forest direction. Slinging the rod over his shoulder, he said.
"Let's move."
***
"No matter how I think about it, bringing you was the right call, hyung."
On a mountain near Edlen, Juyeonu nodded to himself while climbing the slope.
"What outta nowhere?"
"Fishing monsters out of the forest with a rod? You're prime clown material. Total streaming body."
"......"
- lmaooooooo
- Perfect for clown school.
- Nick passes.
- Face fails.
- Fr, character way too handsome for no reason.
- Turn him orc-like.
- Nah;
Viewers echoed Juyeonu. Hanbit skipped the clown bit, but streaming was more fun than expected. No pressure of responsibility maybe.
'Should be showing up soon.'
Shaking off stray thoughts, Hanbit scanned the woods carefully. A bit farther, a sheer cliff cut the path.
'Perfect.'
Checking terrain, he nodded satisfied.
"Here?"
Juyeonu, following, glanced around. Hanbit yanked his arm, whispering.
"Keep it down. They might bolt."
"Hyung, you know what bomb slimes are? Running ain't the issue."
- Lmao fr
- Call 'em bombs, skip slime.
- Explodes even from afar.
- Nah, eye contact does it.
- Fr, tofu mentality monster.
- Useless goat, no mats or XP.
[Bomb Slime donated 1,000 won.]
[Yeah, just boom and done~]
Infamous even to viewers—chat sped up. Bomb slimes exploded no matter how careful. Same quirky trait here.
"I know. Tricky bastards."
"Beyond tricky—no mats at all. That's why no one's cleared the quest."
"Weird hunt method. Catch right, they drop."
"But..."
Juyeonu shut his mouth. No point questioning Hanbit's moves. Bro spouted nonsense sometimes, but here? Different. Every word delivered results.
Setting aside webnovels, he'd always been sharp on odd stuff.
"Fine. I'll focus on filming quietly. Show us something fun."
"Fun my ass."
Hanbit chuckled dryly at the weird hype. No talent there. Just the goal ahead.
"Hm."
Approaching the cliff, he peered down. About 4 meters. Prime fishing spot.
"Found one."
[Bomb Slime (Lv.1)]
A dark brown slime spotted a ways off. Almost nostalgic.
*Rattle-*
Hanbit reeled the line lightly. Explodes on sight, touch, leaves no mats—fussy traits. But one tiny error in that info.
*Squelch-*
The slime inched along slowly. Nearby bomb slimes wriggled too. Hanbit shifted position, waiting for them to clump naturally.
'...Need to adjust sensitivity.'
VR revolution or not, not the real body. The disconnect messed fine control.
'Level 2 gear makes this much difference.'
Explained it. 1 million won Level 1 vs. 5 million Level 2. Price gap screamed performance. Grateful to Juyeonu for the pricey gift.
*Ding-*
[Cuckoo donated 1,000 won.]
[Breaking: soulless pricks entering the woods.]
Alarm message popped. Juyeonu, focused, narrowed his eyes warily.
'Right on time.'
Hanbit, who'd clocked them leaving town, stayed cool. Broadcast on? Stalkers expected.
"Hyung, what now? Not just one or two."
"Yeah. Big trouble."
Deadpan, Hanbit eyed the woods. Rustling bushes everywhere. One group moved fast.
*Squelch-*
Leaders slowed. Probably watching the stream.
'Time to spook 'em?'
A fun idea hit. Finger to system window, he said.
"Gonna kill the stream screen for a bit."