The Hero group, which had moments earlier been jeering with contempt, now stood stunned.
“Hah... Is saying all this really going to change anything?” one Hero sneered with a cold smile. “Sure, we all came here, but who’s to say we need you to lead us? We’re not children! We can march into the jungle and take down the monsters ourselves. Are you prepared to stop us?”
Before Anyi could answer, Dus burst out laughing.
“This town is my home. And right now, there are 29 of us standing here. The four of you,” Dus pointed at Anyi’s team, “and... just me.”
The Heroes fell silent, a wave of unease sweeping through them as they absorbed Dus’s words. Had he lost his entire squad to the same dense forest they were expected to brave?
Many Heroes, especially in the early stages, had little concept of death. Most believed they were invincible, feeling certain they wouldn’t fall to creatures like goblins, slimes, or skeleton soldiers. They’d never faced anything strong enough to kill them outright. But now they were hearing from a Hero who had survived when his entire team had not.
Dus, noticing their growing fear, pressed on. “I’m level 5. My team was also level 5. If you think you’re untouchable, go ahead—charge into the jungle alone and see what happens. Die if you want to, but we don’t need you. We can help the low-level Heroes level up on our own!” Dus pointed accusingly at the others, his anger flaring. “You’re trash!”
Anyi raised a hand, calming Dus. “Though I don’t like what some of you said, I’m still going to share valuable information. Whether you go your own way or follow our lead, you’ll have to enter the jungle eventually. So let me tell you what’s waiting there.”
Anyi listed the threats: three Class 4 Goblin Centurions, thirty Class 3 Goblin Shamans, three hundred Class 2 Hobgoblins, and over six thousand Class 1 Goblins.
Some Heroes with actual combat experience paled as they processed the unfamiliar classes. They’d never heard of Class 3 or 4 monsters before, and the mention of Goblin Shamans casting magic to bolster other Goblins had some of them wavering.
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“Forget it! Facing creatures like that is a death sentence,” one Hero blurted out. “I’m going home.”
“I’m not going near those things either!”
But Anyi had anticipated this reaction. “Don’t panic just yet. I’ve got something I’d like to show you.”
A white light flared in Anyi’s hand, and a black, slimy sword appeared. With a casual flick, he pointed the slime sword at the ground.
Bam!
In seconds, black slime splashed across half the conference room, binding the feet of the twenty-four Heroes in its sticky grip.
“So, you’re all set to leave?” Anyi asked, his voice cool.
The heroes looked down, bewildered by the dark slime covering their feet. A few tried to lift their legs, only to find themselves immobilized, as though sinking in a swamp.
“What’s the meaning of this? Are you threatening us?” a Hero demanded.
Anyi shook his head. “No, I’m merely showing you the loot our team acquired after defeating a Class 3 monster: the [Slime King]. This sword,” he held up the slime-coated blade, “is one of its spoils.”
“Loot?” A Hero tried lifting his foot again, only to realize that, despite his ten points in strength, he couldn’t free himself from the goo.
Dus’s eyes widened. He’d often wondered what power Anyi wielded to create that binding slime. Now he knew: the Slime Sword.
“Wait, are you saying that by killing a Class 3 monster, you got something this strong?” another Hero exclaimed in disbelief.
Expressionless, Anyi withdrew the sword, and the slime covering the ground vanished. “Guess,” he replied cryptically.
The twenty-five Heroes, including Dus, were visibly shaken. Killing a Class 3 monster could result in loot with such power?
Meanwhile, Ariana, Miruku, and Layton exchanged awkward glances. 'No, y’all misunderstood. Only Anyi’s weapon is that powerful! Ours are just... slime swords,’ they thought, suppressing their embarrassment.
“Oh, I almost forgot,” Anyi added casually. “Defeating the Slime King grants enough experience to level up twice. It seems like the diminishing experience gain past level 5 is intended to encourage us to go after Class 3 monsters.”
The eight level 5 Heroes froze, their expressions a mix of disbelief and hunger. Once a Hero hit level 5, experience gains slowed to a crawl, turning the climb to level 6 into a disheartening grind. But if killing a Class 3 monster could advance them directly to level 7... there was hope again.
Suddenly, the mood shifted.
“I… I take back what I said. You’re the strongest here, and I’m willing to follow your lead.”
“Me too! Please, tell us how to take down Class 3 monsters!”