The forest was quiet again, like it was holding its breath.

The clearing was littered with what was left of the two attackers—scraps of flesh and dark patches on the ground.

Splashes of blood smeared the trees nearby, dripping slowly down the trunks, while bits of torn clothing were scattered like leaves, remnants of what used to be leather armor and cloth now shredded to pieces.

My slimes stood there, still shaped into their armament selves. But now they began to relax, melting out of their crossbow and quiver forms and returning to their usual blob-like selves.

I took a slow, steady breath, trying to keep my mind clear. This wasn’t my first run-in with danger, and it probably wouldn’t be the last.

But watching my slimes tear through these guys with such efficiency? That was new.

It felt both powerful and sobering, knowing that with just one command, I could reduce a threat to nothing but pieces. And while a part of me felt satisfied, another part was unsettled—it was a reminder of just how fast things could turn.

They weren’t real assassins. If they were, I’d probably be the one splattered across the clearing right now without even realizing it. These were just low-level goons who’d stumbled across me, thinking they’d score some points with their leader.

They hadn’t even told Ragnok about me or my setup. I figured they wanted to claim the reward on my head all for themselves.

Lucky for me, they weren’t prepared.

I moved closer to the remains, scanning for anything useful. There was an small pouch hanging by a torn strap and a few scraps of what looked like an insignia, maybe tied to their guild.

Most of the gear was too damaged—crushed and soaked with blood from the attack—but I took what I could, tossing the few measly credit into my pouch. Not much, but better than nothing.

My slimes hovered nearby, forming a loose circle around me, watching as I picked through the wreckage. They were used to this routine by now, staying close in case anything else tried to jump us while I scavenged.

Standing up, I gave the clearing a last look. Nature would take care of the rest: the trees would drink up the blood, the ground would cover the stains, the wind would scatter the scent, and whatever beasts were out here would probably finish off what was left.

With a small nod, I signaled to the slimes, and they regrouped, sliding back into their places around me. Each one dropped its own stash next to me—a pile of berries, herbs, and small odds and ends they’d collected. Just like always. These would come in handy in tomorrow’s delve.

As I started packing everything into my bag, I noticed Lila watching me. Her expression was a mix of awe and, yeah, maybe a little fear. Guess she didn’t expect things to go down like that. Honestly, neither did I.

But it cleared up a few things for me. First off, my slimes didn’t need a full quiver of arrows. They just had to absorb a single arrow, and then they could make copies using their own gel bodies. That saved me a trip and cost to the blacksmith for ammo refills.

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

The other thing? The build I’d been thinking actually worked. The mix of stat items was letting me equip a ranged weapon that hit like a two-handed melee. The damage output was right where I wanted it, a setup that might actually be considered overpowered.

I knelt down, running my hand over one of the slimes, feeling that familiar cool, squishy surface.

They’d done well—better than I could’ve hoped. This unexpected test confirmed I could push deeper into the first layer of the lowest floor, my first real milestone.

Lila hadn’t looked away since the fight ended. She finally spoke, her voice a bit shaky. “Is this… how you always handle things?”

I shrugged. “How else am I supposed to handle it? They came here with the intent to kill me, not exactly the time to show mercy.”

She nodded, still looking uncertain. “I get it… It’s just… every time something happens, it gets… messier. Last time, one slime did the job on its own, suffocating him. But watching over a hundred slimes go full firing squad… anyone would be a bit shaken up.” She paused, then added, “But… I’m glad.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Glad?”

“Of course.” she said, nodding again. “The stronger you get, the better our chances of saving my family.”

I couldn’t help but smile at that. I patted her on the head, her small frame fitting right into my palm. “Hey,” I said, smirking, “good thing you don’t mind the mess. It’s only gonna get messier from here.”

But I had no time to dwell on that. The fact that two guys had managed to track me meant Ragnok’s interest hadn’t faded. I’d been careful these last few weeks, lying low and keeping off the radar, but he must have people patrolling more frequently, hoping to cash in on me.

Without looking back, I turned and headed out of the clearing, glancing at the slimes trailing beside me. I knew I couldn’t take them all into the dungeon tomorrow; as useful as a swarm might be, there was no way to slip a full army of slimes past the city guards without setting off a bunch of alarms. The last thing I needed was for the entire city to get on high alert because of me.

So, what was I supposed to do with them?

After a moment, I called the slimes closer and gave them their final orders. “Lay low in the forest.” I told them, watching as their little bodies rippled in response. “Keep scavenging scarleaf herbs, but skip the berries this time. I’ll be gone for a while, and they’ll just rot. The herbs can last longer and might be more useful.”

I also had them keep an eye out for anything interesting. “Stash whatever you find inside my place at night, just like before, in small groups. Maybe we’ll get lucky, and you’ll find something I can actually use.”

Of course, I wasn’t about to go into the dungeon completely empty-handed. “Alright, four of you, with me!” I added, gesturing to the closest slimes. They wobbled in acknowledgment, then squished themselves down to fit into my bag, compressing into compact blobs that took up just enough room.

Better to bring a few along. Walking into that dungeon alone didn’t sit well with me.

As I made my way through the darkening forest, I stepped carefully, avoiding the blood-stained patches of ground and broken remains. The only sounds around were my quiet steps and the occasional rustle of leaves.

Once I’d left the clearing behind, a strange calm settled over me.

Tomorrow’s outcome didn’t scare me. I felt ready.

----------------------------------------

The next morning arrived quicker than I expected.

The line to enter the city stretched on, packed with adventurers adjusting their gear, counting supplies, and exchanging tense nods and quiet words. Everyone was mentally gearing up for what lay ahead. The dungeon gates were set to open soon, and the buzz of anticipation was almost tangible.

I stood there with my bag slung over my shoulder, feeling the gentle squish of the four slimes nestled inside. This was the start of my second run. Only this time, I wasn’t heading in unprepared.

At the gate, the guards moved fast, checking IDs and giving each adventurer a quick glance before waving them through. A few people grumbled about the pace, but honestly, it was moving faster than expected. With the dungeon opening soon, the guards probably wanted to avoid any delays and get everyone inside before things got too chaotic.

I took a deep breath, steadying myself. This was my shot to push further than ever. I hadn’t signed up to be stuck in Dungeon End forever.

I had a goal: to make each dive count, pushing deeper with every attempt.

Last time, I barely scratched the first floor.

This time… I planned to conquer every inch of the lower levels.