As the slime became friendly after eating the four-leaf clover, Yang Yu launched his next attack. Continuous attacks were effective but also increased the consumption of four-leaf clovers.
The gentle sunlight gradually became hotter, and the slime’s HP steadily decreased.
Throwing another four-leaf clover, the slime wriggled and swallowed it. Suddenly, its body emitted a soft green light.
[Slime used Basic Regeneration, restoring 50 HP]
Seeing the message on the panel, Yang Yu chuckled. Everything was under his control.
High-level slimes had some regenerative abilities. In this highly difficult game, it was expected to encounter regenerating slimes at the village entrance.
Carrying an entire sack of four-leaf clovers wasn’t just for show; it was preparation for a long battle.
[Slime Level: LV7 HP: 155/230 MP: 45/70
Attributes: Strength 45, Defense 178, Intelligence 36, Special Defense 201, Agility 27, Endurance 30
Resistance: Physical 50%]
Basic Regeneration cost 25 MP, and considering MP recovery, it could probably be used two more times.
Continuous combat would gradually deplete stamina. When stamina hits zero, each action would consume HP, which was risky.
Yang Yu wasn’t worried. He had added a lot of endurance, enough to last until the end of the fight. If necessary, he could always use potions.
The slime’s movements were not very fast, so Yang Yu skillfully dodged and drained the slime’s MP with the four-leaf clovers.
The lower the slime’s HP, the more four-leaf clovers it needed to calm down. This slime’s HP was approaching the danger zone, and it had no MP left for recovery.
Dumping out the entire sack of four-leaf clovers, an unprecedented smile appeared on Yang Yu’s face. Victory seemed certain.
However, facing the pile of four-leaf clovers, Hemeng didn’t rush to feast but instead slowly wriggled towards the bushes.
The truth was, it wasn’t that Hemeng didn’t want to eat but that it was too full. Even slimes have a limit to how much they can digest in a day.
“Not coming to eat? Did it sense my intentions?”
After fighting for so long, Yang Yu couldn’t let his prey escape. He changed his sword trajectory, launching a barrage of attacks to block the slime’s movements.
Despite the risk of a significant counterattack, Yang Yu hadn’t suffered much damage, making it a risk worth taking.
Weighing the pros and cons, Yang Yu’s sword danced in the air. Hemeng reacted swiftly, its gelatinous body rolling and changing shape to dodge most attacks.
No attacks hit, but Yang Yu didn’t back down. The sense of facing a formidable enemy exhilarated him, bringing a sinister smile to his lips.
It had been a long time since he took something seriously.
His vision focused, and time seemed to slow, with each second divided into 60 frames.
Finding and exploiting flaws in these 60 frames was easy. The only drawback was his hands couldn’t keep up with his mind, but it was enough to handle a similarly fast slime.
His attacks were like a hot knife through butter, and Hemeng’s HP quickly dropped to a dangerous level.
At the brink of life and death, holding back would be foolish.
[Royal Bloodline: Defense Overhaul]
A strong pale blue light flashed, surrounding Hemeng with an invisible fortress. Its defense skyrocketed from 178 to an unbelievable 1780, at the cost of dropping one level.
Hemeng no longer avoided Yang Yu’s attacks, letting the sword rain down on it, with [HP-0] filling Yang Yu’s vision.
Trading levels for a short-term defense boost?
This was bad! Very bad! Royal bloodline? That meant this was a royal slime… a late-game species.
Yang Yu’s gamer instincts told him that such a powerful skill wouldn’t last long. Keeping his distance from the slime should ensure victory.
But Hemeng didn’t give him the chance. Countless water spheres separated from its gel body, transforming into spears.
[Royal Bloodline: Slime King’s Spears]
This skill also cost levels to activate.
The spears were sharp and deadly, controlled like an elite army, with the unassuming slime acting as their king.
With such a widespread skill, even if Yang Yu could see each spear’s trajectory, his current speed wouldn’t let him dodge. He had no choice but to raise his defense.
The silver spears whistled through the air, easily piercing his shoulders and legs, pinning him to a tree.
The intense pain shot through his nerves as he looked at his status panel.
[HP: 1/150 MP: 60/60 Stamina: 2 Status: Severe Injury]
In severe injury status, all attributes dropped by 80%, and his stamina was nearly exhausted. Any forced movement would lead to death.
Hemeng turned, the spears reverting to water droplets and returning to its body.
Yang Yu slid down the tree, confused. The end he imagined hadn’t come.
Why no finishing blow? The slime’s attack could have killed him, but it left him with 1 HP. Plus, his vital bones were unharmed.
Frowning, Yang Yu realized this wasn’t simple and quickly searched his knowledge for a solution.
This might be a “guardian” role like in “no trespassing” areas or an NPC for hidden quests. Certain conditions might need to be met to take on hidden tasks, and forcing a challenge would result in being left with 1 HP.
I see, I approached this the wrong way.
Blame it on the fun of farming. Seeing the slime’s level increase should have made me realize this possibility. Farming too much dulled my senses.
Given this open world and the forest location, this slime being a guardian seems unlikely.
How do I trigger the hidden quest?
The simplest method is giving gifts. The four-leaf clover might be the key. I need to find the clue from this.
Barely conscious, Yang Yu fumbled for something in his pouch.
Hearing the sound, Hemeng didn’t guard against him. The reinforcement effect would last long enough for it to leave.
“Making me use those two forbidden skills… I must admit, he has some skill. I’ll spare him this time for the four-leaf clovers he gave me. Why choose me as an opponent among so many low-grade slimes?”
The more Hemeng thought, the angrier it got, wriggling more aggressively.
“Wait… please accept this,” Yang Yu weakly called out.
“At this point, no more four-leaf clovers can bribe me. I almost…”
Hemeng stopped abruptly. As a slime, it had a unique way of sensing the world. Even with its back to Yang Yu, it knew what he held.
A seven-leaf clover, untouched by blood.
Finding a seven-leaf clover among three-leaf clovers is a one-in-a-million chance. Each leaf has a different meaning, with the seventh representing miraculous luck.
In slime society, a seven-leaf clover also symbolizes eternal friendship.
“Did he collect all those four-leaf clovers to become my friend? The battle was just for self-improvement? Did I misunderstand him?” Hemeng panicked. “…But it’s not my fault. Who told him to be so reckless? Even slimes can’t endure such treatment forever. Fine, I’ll forgive him this time for the seven-leaf clover.”
Hemeng leaped up, swallowing the seven-leaf clover and coating it in slime, wearing it like a decoration on its head.
Now friends, a slime wouldn’t ignore a friend’s injuries.
The royal bloodline of slimes had another skill besides enhanced defense and attack.
[Royal Bloodline: Miracle Regeneration], which could instantly restore itself to peak condition or heal others by half.
Strong skills have limits. Like the previous two skills, this one also costs levels and can only be used once a day.
Healing others also requires some connection.
Between royal slimes and common slimes, it’s straightforward. But healing other species requires a bridge.
The simplest and most effective way to form a bridge with humans…
Without hesitation, Hemeng extended its body, drawing a magic circle in the air, symbolizing a contract of equality.