IGPB 08

Chapter 8

“That’s a slime?! And a gigantic one at that—?!”

[<System> Quest generated! “Tame the Monster of the Forest.”]
– Reward: Lucky Gacha Ticket (Random)
– Failure: Aqua Mystica will revert to a normal watering can.

I stared at the system window in despair.
What do you mean it’ll actually turn into a normal watering can?!
This insane game!!

Swoosh—! Splaaash!
The massive slime let out a sharp, angry screech. Its huge, pudding-like pink body rippled as it began to release a wave of dark mana. The air grew acrid, burning my lungs with each breath.

Wait—aren’t slimes supposed to be those pathetic beginner monsters you see around newbie zones?!

But the giant slime in front of me completely shattered that stereotype.

How the heck am I supposed to tame something like that?!
System, answer me!

“Grrr…”

Even Ruby, who had been calm until now, bristled at the sight, fur standing on end as she glared at the slime.

“Don’t… touch… my child… human! I won’t forgive you!!”

“Child…?”

Wait—don’t tell me this thing is the parent of that tiny slime over there?

I looked over to the little slime standing beside the golem.
A small, fragile slime beside a hulking, intimidating golem…
To anyone’s eyes, that looked like—

“Get. Away. Evil. Monster. And. Human!”

Yeah, she definitely misunderstood the whole situation.

But hold on—since I can actually talk to monsters, maybe I could clear up the misunderstanding through conversation?

Sure, she looked really mad, like she might squash us into goo at any moment…
But what if she’s actually kind, like the golem was?

I plastered on my friendliest, harmless smile and spoke softly.

“Um, excuse me, Miss Giant Slime? I didn’t hurt your child. I was just, uh… admiring how cute they—”

“Humans, bad!”

Three seconds. It took exactly three seconds for my words to be dismissed.
The slime looked even angrier than before—like she was ready to flatten us completely.

“Haaah… haaah…”
She began thrashing wildly, spewing blobs of sticky fluid all over the garden.

Splat!
Everything that touched that goo immediately began to corrode.

Oh, fantastic. Acidic slime. If this keeps up, the entire garden’s doomed!

“Miss, step back! It’s dangerous! I’ll—”

“No, you step back, Mr. Golem.”

I lowered my voice, extending a hand to stop him.

“W-what? But—”

“You go guard the garden. That’s your precious field—you worked so hard to grow it. We can’t let that giant slime ruin it, right?”

Trying to look cool, I turned toward the rampaging slime and started walking forward.

I am Kang Haneul, once the top animal keeper of Eco Land.
Now, Zoe Blanche—the greatest future monster tamer!

It’s my duty to discipline naughty creatures!

“Ruby, knock some sense into her first!”

“Kyuuu!”

With a fierce cry, Ruby opened her jaws wide and unleashed a jet of fire.

Whoooosh!

The flames tore through the air and hit the giant slime dead-on, setting her gelatinous body ablaze. Some of her outer layer began to melt, and at last, her movements halted.

“It’s… hot!”

I gave Ruby a big thumbs-up.
That’s my brave beast-dog, Ruby!

Now it was my turn.
After all, the protagonist always lands the finishing blow!

I raised my hand high to activate my overpowered taming skill—when suddenly—

“Unfor… givable…!”

Enraged by Ruby’s attack, the giant slime rolled toward me at breakneck speed.

Oh crap—if I get caught in that, I’ll be flattened!

Rumble—Rumble—Rumble—!

Just as I was about to be crushed, the golem leapt in front of me, thrusting out its massive arms to stop the rolling slime.

“Miss, please! Run—ugh!”

Sssshhhh—!

But the slime’s acidic body began corroding his hands where he held her.

Damn it—!

“Skill: Monster Taming!”

[<System> To use ‘Monster Taming,’ you need a weapon compatible with the skill.]

“What?! You never said that before! Not now, of all times!”

Wait—
I do have something!

I snatched the Aqua Mystica from where it had fallen on the ground.

“Please, work!”

[<System> Equip ‘Aqua Mystica’ as weapon?] [YES] [NO]

YESYESYESYESYESYES—

[‘Aqua Mystica’ equipped. Please confirm skill incantation.]

No time to waste! What was the spell word again—

“Temptation!”

As soon as I spoke, lightning flashed, and thorny rose vines burst out from the Aqua Mystica.

Shaaak—!

The vines coiled gracefully through the air like dancing ribbons, wrapping tightly around the giant slime’s struggling body.

“Guuuaaaah!”

When the vines fully bound her, crimson roses bloomed across them, flooding the air with an intoxicating fragrance.

‘Whoa… is this heaven?’

The scent was so mesmerizing that even I, the caster, felt lightheaded with bliss.

The slime’s eyes glazed over, her fury melting away as the dark red mana swirling around her body was drawn into the Aqua Mystica.

“Wait—this thing had that kind of power?”

A soft pink glow shimmered across the weapon’s surface.

As the petals fell away, the vines vanished, and the giant slime stood still—calm, as if nothing had happened.

[<System> Taming successful! ‘Giant Slime’ will now obey your commands.]
– Tamed monsters are automatically added to your Monster Encyclopedia.

[<System> Quest “Tame the Monster of the Forest” complete!]
– Reward: Lucky Gacha Ticket (Random)
– Strength +10, Agility +10

“…I crushed it.”

With a short, triumphant sigh, I hugged Aqua Mystica tight to my chest.
‘Alright, I’ll never call you a watering can again. Long live the legendary weapon.’

“Miss, are you alright?!”

“Kyuuu!”

Watching Ruby and the golem rush over, I smiled victoriously.

Later…

“Be careful on your way home, okay?”

“Bye-bye, Miss!”

After sending the pink slime mother and child back to their habitat, I beckoned to the golem.

“Mr. Golem, could you come here for a sec?”

“Y-yes, ma’am?”

“Item window!”

I pulled out a Healing Handkerchief and gently wiped his damaged hands. They healed perfectly in seconds.

‘Wow, amazing effect… cooldown or not, this thing’s a lifesaver.’

I tucked it back into my inventory, impressed.

“You even healed a monster like me, and protected the garden… I don’t know how to thank you.”

“Oh, don’t mention it. Neighbors should help each other, right? Besides, you saved me earlier and showed me where the spring was.”

“Still… if there’s anything you want, I’ll do my best to grant it!”

“Well, if you insist…”

“Yes! Please, tell me!”

I looked up at his glowing red eyes.
He looked like he’d actually fetch the moon if I asked him to.
Then again… with his height, he probably could.

“Then, from now on, call me Zoe. That’s my name.”

“Eh? I-I couldn’t possibly call you by your given name…”

“Of course you can. We’re friends now, aren’t we?”

“F-friends… understood, Miss Zoe…”

The golem’s face lit up with joy.
He looked so happy I almost felt bad.

Just as I was reflecting on my earlier prejudice, the system fanfare chimed again.

[<System> Congratulations! You have tamed a monster.]
– Tamed monsters are automatically added to your Monster Encyclopedia.
– Reward: Title “Friend of Monsters”

※ Holders of this title can easily bond with monsters and maintain friendly relations with them.

I’d tamed the giant slime—and now the golem too.

Zoe Blanche was one step closer to becoming a true master monster tamer.