Chapter 82: The Slime Labyrinth Is Too Difficult? (3)
“Gasp, cough! I… I can’t breathe……!”
“Priest! Heal the warrior, quickly!”
“Heal! Heal!”
“Gasp, wheeze!”
The warrior finally caught his breath after continuous healing.
He covered his nose and shouted.
“Everyone! Don’t breathe in the stench!”
The stench they inhaled was actually composed of two distinct smells.
First, the pungent odor of ammonia from the nitric acid in aqua regia.
Second, the suffocating smell of chlorine gas (also known as the swimming pool smell), a yellowish-green gas released from the 『natural decomposition』 of aqua regia.
Inhaling chlorine reacts with the moisture in the body, creating hydrochloric acid that can melt the lungs.
“This is no ordinary stench! Your lungs will melt if you breathe it in!”
“Ugh……! No wonder my throat felt scratchy.”
“Everyone, put up your barriers and I’ll cast a round of heals!”
“Warrior, step back for a moment! We’ll take care of it while you retreat. Mages and archers, attack!”
Despite the danger, their experience from numerous dungeon raids kicked in.
They managed to create an opening and defeat the slime.
However, the damage was unavoidable.
“Damn it…… We can’t go any further. Our equipment durability is completely gone.”
“We usually salvaged some arrows after firing, but there’s not a single one in decent condition.”
“It even melted silver…… At this rate, we can’t even advance, let alone clear this dungeon.”
The path forward was soaked with the remains of Aqua Regia Slimes.
Aqua regia translates to ‘king’s water’, so this must be the king’s path.
Copper, silver, gold, platinum, and more.
It was a king because it could melt any metal that dared to pass, forcing them to kneel.
“This is ridiculous! We can’t even pick up the loot?”
“Don’t bother. If you try to pick that up and your shoes break, you won’t be able to repair them.”
“Today’s hunt was a complete bust. Nothing gained, only losses.”
“……Let’s head back. We can’t go any further.”
“The surrender option exists for a reason……. “
In the end, the party members had no choice but to retreat, tails between their legs, trudging back through the dungeon.
🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷
Meanwhile, someone had been watching everything unfold from beginning to end through a crystal ball.
“Bwahahahaha! You insignificant humans! You’ve tasted the fearsome power of my research! No…… the collaborative research of the 『Kyung-joon & Limu Lab’s』 Aqua Regia Slime! Bwahaha! Bwahahahaha!”
It was Limurimu in her underground lab.
No, it wasn’t just an underground lab anymore. It had an official name: 『Kyung-joon & Limu Lab』.
The lab’s main operations were divided into three categories.
First, running the slime labyrinth and taking money from adventurers.
They would lure adventurers into the dungeon with various attractive items.
Then, when the adventurers died, unable to defeat the slimes, they would profit from their dropped items!
“The surrender option might have reduced income from dropped items, but the total revenue has actually increased.”
Limurimu savored the sweet taste of profit and used a skill she had developed with Kyung-joon.
Woooong!
[Unique skill 『Precipitate Refining (Lv.1)』 ]
[Extracts and refines metals from precipitates.]
[Acquired metals: Gold (127g) Silver (1.342kg) Platinum (19g) Iron (4.785kg)…….]
This new skill combined Limurimu’s lifelong expertise in refining with Kyung-joon’s knowledge of chemistry!
Precipitate Refining allowed her to extract the original materials from the ‘precipitates’ left behind after the adventurers’ equipment melted.
This meant they could still profit even without dropped items, simply by melting the adventurers’ gear.
This is why they introduced the Aqua Regia Slime.
After all, aqua regia could melt any metal.
Even expensive metals like silver, gold, and platinum!
However, to prevent adventurers from abandoning the dungeon due to the increased difficulty, they increased the rewards and added the surrender option.
“Even with the increased difficulty, more people are coming since we added the surrender option……. “
Players were now more willing to challenge the dungeon, and even NPCs who used to avoid it for fear of death became frequent visitors.
The influx of adventurers increased, and the business plan for extracting money from them became even more innovative.
Compared to before, their revenue had increased by almost fivefold.
“How does he come up with these ideas? He truly is a fascinating human.”
The man who completely transformed her slime labyrinth, Kyung-joon.
From their first encounter to their ongoing research collaboration, she couldn’t help but be amazed by his actions.
Even now, whenever she thought of him, she was filled with admiration for his mysterious and groundbreaking knowledge.
“……Oh right, I almost forgot. I have a delivery due next week. I need to get started.”
However, among all his achievements, the most astonishing and simultaneously absurd one that made her chuckle was……
[JellyJelly JellyPen]
▶A jelly pen born from the fusion of a Slime Mage’s abilities and otherworldly knowledge. Its grip and writing experience are unmatched by any other pen.
▶This pen utilizes a colloid gel structure to envelop the hand, enhancing grip. It also considers mass, center of gravity, center of rotation, and finger positioning for an optimized writing experience. -Kyung-joon-
▶Bwahaha! Bwahahahaha! This Limurimu’s slime is the best in the world! -Limurimu-
▶Item Grade: Unique
All of Kyung-joon’s actions, everything he had done so far, was merely a ‘bonus’ in his pursuit of creating this pen.
“He truly is remarkable in a way. I thought all humans these days were dull creatures. But he’s quite something, huh? Khehehe.”
To be honest, she didn’t particularly like humans. She saw them as nothing more than boring hypocrites.
But Kyung-joon, this particular human, was different. Very different.
“Well…… he might not be as interesting as slimes, but he’s a close second.”
Limurimu muttered to herself as she began crafting the items for delivery to Kyung-joon’s territory.
And as she worked, a thought crossed her mind.
Perhaps all the interesting things that were about to unfold would revolve around him.
Yes, he was like……
“The nucleus of an amusing slime. Hehehe.”
🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷
[JellyJelly JellyPen]
▶When used by Infinite Knowledge Seeker: tenacity +50% calculation ability +30% concentration +30%
Click.
Kyung-joon put down his pen and deactivated the Dimensional Study Room.
“Teemo, how many hours did we study today?”
<Taking into account the Time Dilation within the Dimensional Study Room, the total study time is 20 hours and 37 minutes, with the longest continuous study session lasting 6 hours and 3 minutes.>
“Wow. We surpassed both 20 hours and 6 hours.”
<It must be thanks to the pen you created.>
“Good, good. We really put in the effort.”
<Honestly, I don’t think we need to worry too much about the Science Certification Exam in your world, Master.>
“Well, we shouldn’t get complacent.”
Kyung-joon said, storing the general chemistry and physics textbooks in his inventory.
He then took out a new book.
“But there’s no need to rush things. How about we try a new subject?”
<Judging by the title of the book, it seems you’re thinking about developing your territory.>
“You could say that.”
The title of the book was 『Water and Wastewater Engineering』.
To interpret it, it was 『Water and Sewage Engineering』.
🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷
One day.
A massive hole appeared in Kyung-joon’s territory, Study Villa.
The hole grew larger with each passing day.
And the mastermind behind this was, of course, Kyung-joon.
━Huue!
[Mod uses Dig skill.]
Pupupupupup!
Mod, the earth spirit, dug through the ground at a speed no human could ever hope to match.
Of course, it wasn’t free labor. Kyung-joon’s mana was being consumed at a rapid pace.
But thanks to the effects of the Unique Bread, his mana was constantly replenished, ensuring that Mod never had to stop digging.
“Wow! As expected of a spirit! It would take our entire village working day and night to dig that much!”
“But what is he planning to do with such a large hole……. “
“The excavated soil has created a small mountain next to it. It reminds me of Ria Hill behind Ria Village.”
“Even Mount Taesan bows before the might of Kyung-joon-nim.”
This had been going on for a week.
The villagers tilted their heads in confusion as they watched the ever-expanding hole and the growing mound of earth.
Only Kyung-joon knew the reason behind it all.
“Hey. It’s been a week? Why didn’t he ask us to help?”
“Oh my…… If that pile of dirt collapses, it’ll be a disaster……. “
“It’s like watching my younger self digging. I used to dig that much in my prime.”
“Dig and dig and dig and diggety.”
How much time had passed since Kyung-joon began digging?
A change occurred.
“Huh? He’s digging somewhere else! He’s done with the hole!”
“He’s circling around the perimeter of the fence…… Could he be planning to encircle the entire village……. “
“I’ve seen this type of construction before! In Holland! Could it be that the lord is……!”
“Oh! The day has come! The day has finally arrived! Even Mount Samgak will dance with joy! He’s going to connect the giant hole to the river!”
Indeed.
Kyung-joon planned to connect the massive hole to the nearby river!
[Mod uses Dig skill.]
[Mod uses Ground Reinforcement skill.]
[Mana increased by 1 due to continuous mana consumption.]
[Proficiency in handling spirits increases.]
[Summon Earth Spirit level…….]
Kyung-joon had been digging tirelessly ever since his return from the slime labyrinth.
He had become so adept at it that his speed only increased with time.
Therefore, the task of connecting the colossal hole to the nearby river was completed in less than a day.
Gushing!
A new tributary formed beside the river.
The water flowed into the massive hole, filling it up.
Soon, it transformed into a vast lake.
However, the water wasn’t stagnant.
Stagnant water would only lead to decay.
Splash! Splash! Splash!
Just as there was an inflow of water into the lake, Kyung-joon dug a channel for the water to flow out.
Thus, another waterway was formed.
It encircled Study Villa like a moat surrounding a castle, protecting it from all sides.
Energy Towers stood tall along the edges of the territory, their presence imposing.
Sturdy wooden fences lined up before them, adding another layer of defense.
And encompassing it all was the wide, flowing river.
Study Villa was now fortified with a triple-layered defense system.
“Wow! This will make it difficult for monsters or those Black Secret Village scoundrels to attack us!”
“As expected…… You dug all this to protect our village…… We were oblivious to your grand plan……. “
“Ah! This reminds me of the time I……! No, even in my prime, I’ve never seen anything like this!”
“Defense strategy~♬ Ingenious strategy~♪ Kyung-joon-nim employs~♬”
[The territory’s defenses are strengthened.]
[The residents feel a greater sense of security.]
[Yiz’s loyalty increases by 5.]
[Worri’s loyalty increases by 8.]
[Kinar’s loyalty increases by 6.]
[Muse’s loyalty increases by 7.]
．
．
．
🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷
<Former Farmer of Ria Village>
▼Fezun (NPC)
Fezun, a man who appeared thin but possessed a sturdy physique from years of farming.
<Former Farmer of Ria Village>
▼Crescens (NPC)
Crescens, a muscular man with short, curly hair.
They stood side by side, gazing at the sight before them.
“It’s so grand and beautiful……. “
“……Indeed.”
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