Chapter 4: Monsters

Stepping through the enormous town gate, the group of adventurers sets off on their journey to complete their quests to cull the various kinds of monsters. I walk side by side with Elara. Though I have not received any quest, I accompany her on hers.

"My quest for today is to kill 20 slimes," she says as we walk along the barren roads into the surrounding forest. "Though slimes are no real danger by themselves, encountering multiple can lead to some injuries, so be careful!"

We soon leave the road, making our way through the thick woods to find and kill the slimes. As we walk, she teaches me her knowledge about slimes and how to defeat them.

"Be wary," she advises. "Slimes are resistant to slashing and bludgeoning due to their gel-like membrane. You should pierce their core to defeat them, but this takes some precision as they move their core to protect it."

I nod, absorbing the information. "Oh, okay! This seems good to know. How can I distinguish the core from the rest of the creature?"

"Ah, that's quite easy! At least for normal slimes, their cores look like a red glowing eye. But be on your guard—should we encounter green or even grey slimes, run as fast as you can. They pose a threat even to me, so I can't protect you. Do you understand?"

I gulp, feeling a mix of apprehension and determination. "Yes, I understand."

Elara gives a reassuring nod and we continue deeper into the forest. The dense foliage creates a canopy overhead, filtering the sunlight into dappled patterns on the forest floor. The sounds of nature surround us, a symphony of rustling leaves and distant animal calls.

After a while, we come across a small clearing. Elara holds up her hand, signaling me to stop. "Listen," she whispers.

I strain my ears and hear a faint, squelching sound. Elara points ahead, and I see them—several blobs of gelatinous substance moving slowly across the ground. Slimes.

"Remember what I told you," Elara says, drawing her sword. "Aim for the core."

I grip my dagger tightly, my heart pounding in my chest. As we approach the slimes, one of them notices us and begins to move in our direction. Elara steps forward, slashing at the slime with her sword. The blade slices through the gelatinous body, but the creature seems unfazed.

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Elara thrusts her sword into the center of the slime, and with a wet squelch, the creature's core is pierced. The red glow fades, and the slime collapses into a puddle of goo.

"Like that," Elara says, pulling her sword free. "Now you try."

I step forward, my hands trembling slightly. A smaller slime oozes toward me, its red core pulsing with a strange light. I take a deep breath, steadying myself, and lunge forward with my dagger. The blade pierces the slime's membrane, but I miss the core. The creature recoils, its core shifting away from my blade.

"Focus, Orin," Elara encourages. "You can do it."

I adjust my grip and try again, this time aiming more carefully. My dagger plunges into the slime, striking the core dead center. The red glow dims, and the slime disintegrates.

"Well done!" Elara praises. "Now, let's take care of the rest."

We move through the clearing, systematically hunting down the slimes. With each successful kill, my confidence grows. Elara's guidance proves invaluable, her experience and calm demeanor providing a sense of security amidst the chaos.

After dispatching several more slimes, we take a brief respite. Elara surveys the area, ensuring we haven't missed any of the creatures. "Good work, Orin. You're getting the hang of it."

I smile, feeling a sense of accomplishment. "Thanks, Elara. I couldn't have done it without your help."

She nods, wiping her sword clean. "Remember, this is just the beginning. There are far more dangerous creatures out there. Always be prepared and never underestimate your opponent."

As Elara is praising my effort, I once again see the screen flash in my mind's eye.

[Achievement made]

[Achievement: "Monster Hunter I"]

[Reward: "Knowledge about Slain Monsters"]

[Skill acquired: "Monster Lexicon Lv: 1"]

Seeing this, a bit of hope starts to bubble up deep in my soul. I recite "Monster Lexicon" in my mind, and another screen opens, filled with detailed information about the slimes we had just defeated. Their weaknesses, habitats, and even some useful items they can drop are all listed.

"Elara," I say, showing her the screen. "Look at this. I just got some sort of skill that gives me detailed information about the monsters we've killed."

Elara's eyes widen in surprise. "That's incredible, Orin! This skill is invaluable for an adventurer. It will make identifying and handling creatures much easier. You're really starting to shape up."

I nod, feeling more confident. "Thanks, Elara. Let's keep going. I want to see what else we can find."

We continue our journey deeper into the forest, ever vigilant for signs of more slimes or other threats. Each step forward is a step closer to understanding this world and my place within it. The path may be fraught with danger, but with Elara's guidance and my growing skills, I feel ready to face whatever comes our way.