Published: August 15, 2025
Today, two chapters posted simultaneously.
This is the second chapter.
“Ugh!”
I narrowly dodged the gaping maw of the approaching mud salamander and struck a blow to its head.
“I’ve finished it off.”
Before I could even confirm that, two or three more of them attacked at once.
I swung my stick in a horizontal sweep, clearing them away. Sliding my body through the path I created.
Forward, forward—no matter how urgent, I had to keep moving forward!
In my hand was a single stick. On my head sat a dark slime. I knocked down mud salamanders as I ran, finally reaching the front line of the defense.
Now the Metal and Iron wouldn’t get caught in the crossfire!
“Please!”
The dark slime on my head responded to my wish.
The sun had already risen high in the east, brightening the surroundings... but then it suddenly felt as if the light was dimmed. That was proof the dark slime had unleashed a wide-area attack spell.
Wide-area attack magic: Dark Mist.
A spell that spreads darkness like a mist, enveloping its targets. This dark mist drains vitality from living beings, weakening any enemy trapped within until they eventually perish.
As proof, I saw the mud salamanders crawling onto the beach falter in their movements.
I don’t know if salamanders have knees, but it was as if their legs lost all strength, folding beneath them.
Moreover, the effect seemed to reach those still in the water, as many dead bodies floated to the surface.
After counting about ten seconds, the advancing group of mud salamanders aiming for the processing plant had broken apart.
“Everyone, please help!”
“Yeah!!!”
Fishermen and adventurers who had free hands all rushed past the slime defense line, collecting the mud salamander corpses.
...The slime-based defense strategy was effective. Effective, but with one drawback: unlike humans, slimes cannot carry the defeated mud salamanders, so the task of collecting the corpses had to be done intermittently.
Unlike yesterday, the discarded corpses from the start gradually accumulated, and the following mud salamanders apparently mistook the pile of bodies for obstacles and started to detour.
Luckily, with the cooperation of everyone at Shikum’s pier who were on standby, we dealt with it before any damage occurred. It was a relief to have prepared for this.
“Hurry up with the collection! The numbers are decreasing, just a little more!”
“Yeah!!!”
I responded to the leader’s shout, grabbed a nearby corpse, and ran again.
The fishing and extermination work for today finished about an hour later.
“Good work, everyone!”
“Good work~”
“Thanks for your hard work.”
After tidying everything up perfectly, it was lunchtime.
Chatting with everyone from Shikum’s pier, we headed to the processing plant.
Then,
“Oh! It’s Niki-boy!”
“The punishment from yesterday means he really has to work, huh.”
“Work briskly now~”
“I know, I know!”
I heard the voices of men who had gone inside earlier and Niki-kun’s replies.
Apparently, the adults were teasing him.
“Good work.”
“Oh! Slime brother, lunch? I’ll bring it right away, so take a seat.”
“Thanks. You’re doing great.”
“Ha ha. You’re the only one who says that, brother.”
Niki-kun looked exasperated but quickly smiled.
It was probably part of their communication.
Feeling somewhat reassured, I sat in a random seat and waited.
So, what’s for lunch today?
“Sorry to keep you waiting!”
“Thanks—!?”
I was surprised when I saw what was served for lunch.
The staple was slightly rounded grains, but in color and aroma, it was pure “white rice.”
The mustard soup that appeared with every meal had pieces that clearly looked like “tofu.”
Along with grilled fish and a small dish that looked like pickles, the meal was like a Japanese-style breakfast!
“Is something wrong?”
“This is rice, right? I heard imported rice is expensive.”
“Is that so? In our village it comes out occasionally, but rice is expensive?”
Since Niki-kun didn’t know, Mr. Shin answered instead.