"What the heck?" Kojo said, looking on as the boy used a variety of lightning-based attacks to defend himself from the slime.
"That's an emperor slime," Koniko said. The boy turned to them. "Stop standing there and help me, dammit!" He yelled, using a lightning slash to divide the slime, which instantly came back together.
(Seems the slime has already adapted to his attacks.)
"Shouldn't we, like, help him?" Lin asked.
"Nah, he seems to have it under control," Kojo answered. The slime swung at the boy with its tentacles. He managed to block with a piece of wood from the carriage. He fell a distance away and quickly threw aside the melting piece of wood. The slime was upon him before he could get to his feet and was about to expand around him.
QUICKSILVER.
Kojo slashed at the slime with his claws, forcing it back, then blew a stream of fire at it from his mouth.
"Are you alright?" he asked.
"No, I'm not. I nearly got eaten by a slime."
"Attitude," Kojo said to himself, turning back to the slime. The slime began to absorb the overturned carriage, becoming larger.
(The emperor slime is impervious to all physical attacks, be it magic or blunt force. And even though it lacks a brain, it can adapt to anything. The only way to defeat it is by destroying its core.)
SKAN.
Kojo saw a glowing ball inside the slime. A blast knocked it to its side. Koniko and the others were hitting it with long-ranged attacks.
"Kojo, create an opening for Koniko to hit its core with an arrow."
(Smart girl, unlike someone I know.)
The slime then started to uproot trees and throw them around.
Kojo used his speed to run around the slime, creating a whirlwind. Its liquid part started to swirl along with his movement, exposing the core more. Sharone and Lin hit it with blood spears and wind bullets to prevent it from coming back together. Koniko aimed and fired just as the slime was about to pull itself together.
The slime exploded, sending bits of itself flying in all directions. Kojo used his speed to dodge.
"There, that's settled." The cracked slime core fell at his feet.
SKAN.
(Slime essence. Can be used for a variety of potions and equipment.)
"Could prove useful."
(Pervert.)
"I was thinking of giving this to Glenn, see what he thinks."
(That wasn't the first thing that came to your mind.)
Kojo turned around and froze. The pieces of slime stuck to the girls' clothes and began to slowly melt them. They tried in vain to get the slime off but ended up spreading it more, leaving them partly naked. Kojo's face turned red.
"Turn around!" Koniko yelled, blushing.
Kojo turned around. Lin came and hugged him from behind.
"Look on the bright side, we can go shopping for clothes when this is done."
Kojo felt something soft pressing against his back. He moved away from her and turned, quickly spinning webs from his fingertips to cover the rips in their clothes. Koniko gave him a punch to the stomach. He doubled over.
"I told you not to look, you pervert!" she said, her face still red.
(Strong woman.)
Kojo groaned.
(No, I mean aside from acid, slimes have a dangerous toxin mixed with their slime. Being an emperor slime, even a drop of slime could prove deadly.)
"Scary," Kojo said, realizing the implications.
"Let's go check up on that boy," Sharone said. The boy had all his clothes melted off. Kojo wrapped a web around him.
"Thank you," he said.
"Yeah, now who are you?" Kojo asked.
"You're talking as if you just moved to Ekron," he replied.
"We did."
"Figures. Well, thank you for saving me. My name is Reynolds Listowell."
"Listowell? As in the royal family?" Lin asked. "That must mean..."
"Yes, I am the son of Duke Philip, ruler of the province of Opal," Reynolds said. "I was returning from the Capitol when we were attacked by the slime."
"Good thing we came along," Sharone said.
"Yes, it is quite fortunate. I know I am in no position to make demands, but the city is still a little off, so if you could please accompany me—"
"Sure," Kojo said, turning and walking toward the city. The others followed him. Reynolds remained standing.
"Hey, are you coming or not?" Kojo called. He stared for a bit before walking to join them. In the city, the people stared in surprise as the duke's son walked with Kojo and his party. Gaston and his gang blocked their path.
"How dare you take the duke's son hostage. We will not allow it."
Lin was about to respond, but Reynolds stepped forward.
"Step aside. These people saved me from a beast attack on my way here. Kojo and his party are accompanying me."
"Alright," Gaston said, stepping aside. "But we cannot trust Kojo or any of his party. It could be possible that he orchestrated the attack in order to get to you. He has been in this city for only a few months after all. He's even done something to the warchief. You can't fool me, Kojo." Gaston said, blocking the path again. "With this in mind, let us accompany you." Gaston and his men began closing in on them.
They were suddenly lifted into the air, their limbs twisting in odd directions. Everyone around them gasped and took a step back.
Reynolds noticed something gleaming in the sunlight. "Threads. No, these are Kojo's webs, but when did he...?" he wondered.
"Listen up, fools," Kojo said, curling his two extended fingers and causing the limbs of the entrapped men to twist even more. "It's a no-brainer that you guys don't like me, and honestly, I couldn't care less." He pulled his finger, and the threads pulled the limbs of the man closest to Gaston, breaking his bones. He then made a snapping motion, and all the men fell to the ground.
"Hope you get my meaning," Kojo said before whistling and moving along. Gaston glared at them but didn't react.
"Quite the grand estate," Koniko said as they walked into the manor.
"Young master," yelled a maid rushing to meet them.
"Marline," Reynolds responded.
"Are you alright? We heard you were attacked by a beast," Marline said, checking him for injuries.
"I'm fine. These raiders saved me," he said, motioning to Kojo and his party.
"Thank you very much for helping the young master," she said to them and bowing.
"It was nothing really," Kojo said. He looked up at the building. There was an open window.
"Is something wrong?" Lin asked.
"I felt like someone was watching us. It's probably just my imagination," he replied, shaking the feeling off.
"Well, now that we've brought you home, I guess we better get going. Nice meeting you."
"Wait," Marline stopped them. "I am Marline Forbes, head maid of the house of Listowell. May I know your names also?"
"Okay, I'm Kojo, and these are my friends Sharone, Lin, and Koniko," Kojo said.
"You're the raiders who saved the city from the Lynx attack a few weeks ago."
"Wait, there was a lynx attack?" Reynolds asked.
"Yes. The situation would have been dire if not for these four."
Reynolds looked at them surprised.
"Young master, the duke has been worried, please come inside and meet him."
"Alright," Reynolds said.
"The duke would also like to thank the raiders who saved you."
Kojo looked at the others. They nodded.
"Okay then," Kojo said, and they all followed Marline inside the manor. They walked in silence, admiring the inside of the manor. The servants they met would bow as they passed.
Marline went to a door and knocked. "Sir, the young master and the raiders who saved him are here," Marline said.
"Let them in," a voice said. Marline opened the door, and they entered a massive hall with huge paintings hanging from the walls.
"REYNOLDS!" a massive figure passed by them and knocked Reynolds into the ground.
"Are you hurt? I hope you didn't get hurt," said a concerned voice.
"Get off me, father!" Reynolds said, struggling.
"Please sir, we have visitors," Marline said.
"Oh right," The duke got to his feet and faced them. "Atari Kojo. Nice to finally meet you."