Ch. 22 – Polymorphic Devourer Slime

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⊂ Water Slime ⊃

Grade: Black Iron-order

Realm: ★★★★

Species: Viscosus Luminaqua/Aquaticus

Special Trait: Water Body

Affinity: Water

Ability: Hydro Spit, Water Barrier

Evolution Route: Polymorphic Devourer Slime

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⊂ Polymorphic Devourer Slime ⊃

: A mysterious creature with an insatiable appetite for devouring objects and transforming itself based on what it consumes. It's like a living black hole that can consume almost anything in its path, reshaping itself into various forms such as weapons, armor, or other objects, as it assimilates the materials it ingests.

Grade Potential: Black Opal-order

Conditions:

Must be at Realm: ★★★★★

1 Lesser Water Crystal

5 Lesser Mana Crystal

1 Lesser Metal Crystal

1 Lesser Mimic Slime Core

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Yves repeated the name of the evolution route of the Water Slime, his mind racing with possibilities. "Polymorphic Devourer Slime."

Glancing at the grade potential, he couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement. "Black Opal-order... That's on the same level as Taro."

"This could be exactly what I need." he thought, envisioning the Polymorphic Devourer Slime in a fight.

"It could serve as protective armor during battle, shielding Taro from harm. And as a weapon, it could enhance Taro's offensive capabilities, providing him with an additional edge in combat."

Yet, another captivating thought surfaced in Yves' mind. He pondered over the notion of utilizing the slime as his own weapon, imagining it transformed into various forms such as a gun, a bow, or even a close-range combat tool like a sword.

While Yves lacked proficiency in weapon use, he remained hopeful that dedication and practice could enhance his skills. Although familiar with dagger techniques, his knowledge stopped there.

Nonetheless, Yves maintained optimism regarding his capacity to learn. He was willing to put in the time and effort to become proficient with whatever form the slime took.

Excited by the potential of the Water Slime, Yves wasted no time. He approached the owner of the stall with a casual air, masking his enthusiasm behind a laid-back attitude. It was a tactic he often relied on when bargaining, knowing that it could sometimes lead to an extra discount.

Engaging in conversation with the owner, Yves asked about the origins of the slime, its temperament, and any additional information that might influence his decision. As they talked, Yves subtly conveyed his willingness to walk away if the price wasn't right.

After a few minutes of negotiation, Yves managed to secure the Water Slime for $700, a price that was considerably lower than the initial asking amount. Satisfied with the deal, Yves completed the transaction and left the stall, the Water Slime now under his ownership.

Yves strolled away from the stall with a satisfied grin. "Well, that was a good deal." he said to himself, feeling pleased with the outcome.

He chuckled, thinking about the negotiation. "Easy as pie." he thought, remembering how easy it was to talk the price down. "The owner didn't stand a chance."

A mischievous sparkle lit up his eyes as he imagined the stall owner's reaction if they knew the Water Slime's true potential. "They'd probably cry themselves to sleep tonight."

With the Water Slime now in his possession, Yves turned his attention to the next step: gathering all the materials needed for its evolution. He hurried back to Mystica's Shop, determined to acquire everything on his list.

Calculating the total cost in his mind, Yves prepared himself for the big spending.

— 1 Lesser Water Crystal = $1,000

— 5 Lesser Mana Crystals = $500 each, amounting to $2,500

— 1 Lesser Metal Crystal = $1,000

— 1 Lesser Mimic Slime Core = $1,500

The grand total for the required resources came to $6000. However, Crystal was generous enough to offer him a 15% discount, bringing the price down to $5100. It was a significant investment, but Yves knew it was worth it. After all, he could always earn the money back, and having the Water Slime evolve would undoubtedly pay off in the long run.

As his rental time neared its end, Yves wrapped up his shopping spree by making a final purchase from a different vendor: Black Iron-order Monster Corpses with corrosive properties. Valued at $50 per kilogram, he spent $500 in total. Thanks to his expert haggling skills, he managed to get 12 kilograms instead of the original 10.

Yves had a specific purpose in mind for these corpses – to feed them to the Water Slime. By selecting ones with corrosive properties, he hoped to enhance the slime's abilities, potentially granting it corrosive properties of its own as it continued to consume similar food.

Counting his expenses, Yves tallied up the numbers. He had spent a total of $8,550, but his earnings amounted to $10,620. This left him with $2,070, a substantial sum that left him feeling content.

Yves felt justified in spending the money, knowing it was an investment in his future. Additionally, he remembered the Rocktail Horned Rabbit's Horn that he had chosen not to sell to Crystal.

Instead, he decided to put it up for auction in the virtual market, where it would be available for bidding over the next three days.

Yves estimated that the horn would fetch at least $2,500, if not more, due to its rarity. Despite the auctioning fee, he was confident that this approach would ultimately yield him a higher profit than selling it directly to a shop.

With a satisfied grin, Yves continued his journey back home on his road bike. Stopping by the market on the way, Yves carefully selected fresh ingredients to restock their fridge.

He picked out farm-fresh eggs, vibrant vegetables, and an array of aromatic seasonings to enhance their meals. Of course, no meal would be complete without some meat, so he splurged a bit and picked up a selection of cuts totaling $300.

Arriving at their apartment, Yves wasted no time in getting to work in the kitchen. With practiced hands, he whipped up a delicious feast, taking care to prepare enough for both himself and his brother. And, of course, he didn't forget about Taro, his little tanuki pet monster, who was eagerly looking forward to his share of the treats.

As they sat down to enjoy the meal together, Yves couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude wash over him. Having the means to treat his loved ones to a hearty meal was a luxury he appreciated more than ever.

With his recent financial successes, he felt a newfound sense of confidence and security, knowing that he could afford to indulge in these simple pleasures without worry.

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As the sun rose and bathed the city in its warm light, Yves couldn't contain his excitement. Today was the day he had been awaiting—the arrival of the materials he had ordered in the virtual market, along with the Water Slime he had purchased.

Following his usual morning routine, Yves kept an eye out for the delivery. When he heard a knock at the door, he rushed to answer it, excited to receive his long-awaited packages. Opening the door, he was greeted by a friendly delivery person, who handed him the parcels with a smile.

With the packages in hand, Yves opened them to check their contents. He carefully looked at each item to make sure nothing was missing or damaged. Once he confirmed everything was fine, he stored it all in his storage space ring, except for the glass enclosure holding the Water Slime.

"Looks like everything's here." Yves muttered, pleased that everything was as expected.