’Since Yano used to be an Adventurer, I’ll have him serve as the first Guild Master. He’ll contact the Adventurers’ Guilds in other Kingdoms to establish partnerships, striving to legitimize the "Slime Adventurer" status so they’re accepted by more races and factions.’
He believed that in the future, Slimes would be an active and indispensable part of adventuring parties. They might become reliable teammates, resourceful scouts, or versatile assets who could provide help at critical moments.
They would be welcomed and recognized by Humans, Elves, Dwarves... and even more races.
They hugged for a good while. Only when the last trace of worry over her child’s long journey had vanished from Slime Mom’s eyes did Chen Yu gently stop nuzzling against her.
He thought for a moment, and with a slight wiggle of his Gel body, he spat out a gleaming crystal.
The Beetle miners would occasionally find these crystals while excavating Gray Gravel Crystal Ore. They were crystalline formations created by the slow condensation of high-purity Magic Power under specific geological conditions.
The Magic Power it contained was negligible to Chen Yu now, but its beautiful, crystal-clear appearance seemed to be especially popular with the Slimes.
"Mom, this is for you." Chen Yu gently pushed the crystal in front of Slime Mom.
Slime Mom reached out a small Gel hand and carefully took the heavy crystal. She stroked it fondly, unable to put it down, before storing it away inside her belly.
Then, she hopped to the sunniest spot in the courtyard and turned sideways. The sunlight shone through her translucent, emerald-green Gel, clearly showcasing the brilliant halo refracted by the crystal within.
She adjusted her angle slightly, making the specks of light dance across the mossy carpet. She let out a contented SQUISH, as if admiring the most precious treasure in the world.
Of course, Count Brand couldn’t resist shiny, reflective things like this either.
If he and Arthur hadn’t returned to their fortress in the East Swamp to pack for their official move to the Royal Capital, his little eyes would have surely lit up at the sight of this crystal, and he would have pounced on it, begging to have it.
After the pleasantries were over, Chen Yu prepared to ride Xiaoka out of the Royal Palace. He wanted to find a more open area outside the city to test his newly acquired talent.
But when he turned around, he saw the pathetic creature lying on the ground, being used as a playground by several of the most mischievous little Slimes.
The little Slimes bounced up and down on its back, poking curiously at the soft scales on its wings with their little Gel hands. One bold Slime even tried to tug on the tip of its tail.
Xiaoka blinked its big, teary eyes and hugged its head pitifully. Aggrieved whimpers escaped its throat, but it didn’t dare move, terrified of accidentally hurting these "little masters."
Meanwhile, Peggy was already lying comfortably on her side nearby, eyes half-closed as she enjoyed a bouncing massage from several other little Slimes.
Other little Slimes eagerly offered her sweet, juicy swamp berries. Peggy accepted them all, popping them into her mouth one by one with great relish.
"King... help..." Seeing Chen Yu look over, Xiaoka immediately sent a desperate plea for help with its eyes.
Amused, Chen Yu hopped over and told the rowdy little ones to quiet down and get off poor Xiaoka.
"Alright, go on and play. Stop bullying Xiaoka."
Wobbling their Gel bodies, the little Slimes all hopped away to find some other fun.
Xiaoka scrambled to its feet, sidled up to Chen Yu, and nuzzled him affectionately with its head.
Chen Yu patted its head and hopped onto its back. "Let’s go. We’re heading out of the city."
"KA!" Xiaoka chirped in response, spread its wings, and carried Chen Yu as it soared gracefully from the Royal Palace courtyard.
...
Xiaoka landed on a flat, open patch of grassland not far from the Royal Capital.
The autumn sun was still warm. In the distance, Slimes could be seen building new roads and irrigation canals. Even farther away, the rolling mountains and forests at the edge of the West Swamp were faintly visible.
Chen Yu hopped off Xiaoka’s back. His round body bounced a few times on the grass before he looked down at his panel.
[Giant Dragon Bloodline Lv. 6]
This was the strangest talent he had ever seen.
The talents he’d discovered before had always been either a monster’s physical trait or a special ability. This was the first time he’d seen a bloodline itself be an independent, recordable talent.
’And that meant...’
[Giant Dragon Bloodline]
Chen Yu focused, his Gel contracting as he built up pressure. A sheen composed of countless, faint, illusory scales flashed across his surface. Then, he spat with all his might.
A viscous, toxic fog shot out like it was from a pressure washer, covering a dozen meters before landing on a patch of lush grass ahead.
SIZZLE...
The moment the toxic fog touched the grass, the emerald blades blackened and withered at a visible rate. They ultimately melted into a puddle of bubbling black slime that seeped into the earth.
This breath-spray ability originated from the Giant Dragon Bloodline, and it could even be used in conjunction with his "Acid Breath" talent.
This was one of the most direct benefits he’d gained from devouring the Petrifying Black Dragon’s heart.
It may not have looked scary—there was no earth-shattering explosion—but if a Silver-level monster had been standing in front of him, it would have been instantly corroded until not even bone fragments remained.
Even a Gold-level monster would have to be wary of it if they lacked sufficient poison resistance or protection.