The trio found themselves drawn to a public notice board in the bustling plaza, where quests with enticing rewards beckoned aspiring adventurers. In contrast to the guild's offerings, which were often handled by the receptionists, these bulletins displayed personalized commissions from individuals or organizations. Without hesitation, Isla seized upon an opportunity that piqued her interest: "Let's take on this quest - we need to gather slime cores." The mention of this target was met with immediate agreement, and the trio sprinted toward the lush, verdant forest that served as a sanctuary beyond the kingdom's walls. As they disappeared into the woodland depths, the sound of rustling foliage and distant squelching marked the beginning of their perilous, yet lucrative, adventure in the heart of slime-infested territory.
Under the canopy of the beautiful forest, the trio pressed onward, their footsteps echoing through the stillness. "According to this, the slime dens should be located near a waterfall about three kilometers east of the kingdom's borders." she reported, pointing down the winding path ahead. "Let's hope we can find some decent monsters quickly. I'm not thrilled about spending hours chasing after these slimy critters."Isao said.
Sylveria chuckled, her icy gaze scanning the surroundings. "Patience, Isao. We're adventurers now. Part of the job involves dealing with less-than-glamorous tasks." She paused; her ears twitching as she picked up on faint squelching sounds in the underbrush. "Speaking of which, I think our quarry is nearby."
Without waiting for confirmation, Isao charged headlong into the undergrowth, her wooden Wakizashi held high. Leaves and branches whipped past her as she raced, a gleeful battle cry on her lips. Sylveria rolled her eyes at her friend's impetuousness but followed nonetheless, her slender build allowing her to weave effortlessly through the dense foliage. "Remember, Isao, control your excitement! We don't know the exact strength of these slimes."
Isla, ever the pragmatist, lagged slightly behind, her short sword at the ready. "Indeed, haste can be hazardous in the wild. We must assess our targets carefully to avoid any unpleasant surprises." The trio soon burst into a small clearing, only to find Isao charging head on towards what appeared to be a medium-sized slime.s
Isao's initial enthusiasm quickly turned to dismay as she realized the ferocity of the slime. "Whoa, slimes are tougher than expected! I guess I'll need to switch to a real blade instead of relying on this wooden one," she declared, unsheathing her exquisite metal Wakizashi forged by the skilled dwarf craftsman. Its razor-sharp edge sliced effortlessly through the medium slime, a testament to its exceptional quality. Emboldened by Isao's success, Sylveria and Isla joined the fray, their own blades dancing through the slimy masses. Though seasoned adventurers might have perished beneath the onslaught of these medium-ranked creatures, the trio's unorthodox methods and sheer tenacity allowed them to persevere.
Their progress was disrupted by the emergence of a towering red slime, its humanoid form betraying its status as a B-ranked boss and the leader of this particular horde. The trio's synchronized attack sent the smaller slimes recoiling in shock, their gelatinous bodies rupturing under the relentless assault of steel and enchanted blade. Isao's elegant Wakizashi cleaved through the medium slime with effortless precision, painting the air with arcs of iridescent slime that dispersed into the underbrush.
As the red slime reared up, Isla's spear struck true after she threw it, piercing its translucent form and eliciting a blood-curdling shriek. Simultaneously, Isla charged forward, her crimson-hued short sword flashing in the dappled sunlight as she traded blows with the red slime. Sylveria closed in from the side, her icy gaze fixed intently on the monster. Her elegant rapier etched with runes that seemed to drink in the available light, sliced through the air with deadly efficiency, finding purchase in the creature's vulnerable joints.
Together, the trio fought as one, their complementary skills and instincts guiding their strikes. Isla's nimble short sword became a blur as she unleashed her modified "Sky Splitter", the razor-sharp blade slicing through the air with unprecedented velocity. Though the attack lacked the crushing force of her signature technique, its incredible speed proved more than sufficient to catch the stunned red slime off guard. As the creature struggled to regain its footing, Isao exploited the opening, drawing her exquisite katana and charging forward with a fierce cry. The elegant blade drank in the available light, its edge shimmering with an ethereal glow that seemed to sear the very air around it.
Sylveria joined the fray, her deadly rapier a whisper of movement as she danced alongside her companions. The trio's coordinated assault battered the red slime mercilessly, each strike finding its mark amidst a whirlwind of steel and magic. The creature's once-translucent form began to disintegrate, its vitality rapidly dwindling under the relentless onslaught until it finally died.
Triumphant, the trio paused to catch their breath amidst the remnants of their fallen foe. The once-towering red slime now lay in tattered, ooze-spread ruin, its life essence ebbing away into the earth. Isla, Sylveria, and Isao shared a moment of exhilaration, their chests heaving with exertion as they gazed upon their spoils of war. "Now for the reward." Isla declared, her voice steady despite the adrenaline still coursing through her veins. With practiced efficiency, the trio gathered the valuable slime cores, carefully collecting each one into a pouch. As they worked, their banter and laughter mingled with the sounds of the forest, creating a sense of camaraderie born of shared struggle and triumph.
