A six meter high pale brown tofu / jelly like slime was rampaging through the city. As it had rained recently (and now began raining once again) there was a continuous source of water for the slime to absorb and make more slime. As compactness stat points remained constant the size of the slime had to increase. From the distance it looked like a tall 'growing' building….which wiggled here and there….and stomped nearby buildings by falling on them….of course at night nothing was visible from the distance.

It was the first time in the city’s history that a monster of such massive proportions appeared within the city. Massive monsters like Venus Cave (as referred to by Sora) were often found outside the city….and monsters like desert rats and venomous moths were fairly common even within the city. In fact small weak monsters were spread across the continent and clearing them up was handed out as quests to low/new level players and residents.

Now what Feladonia faced was a monster that nobody had ever seen or heard of. Six meter high slime? That is something no one ever dreamt off.

How did the monster appear suddenly in the middle of the city?

How did it sneak past the defences?

Were there security lapses?

Was it the job of an insider?

All sorts of questions were being propping up but no one had the time to ask. It was the duty of every citizen to help in the evacuation and the duty of soldier in destroying the monster.

Furthermore these were all the wrong questions. The right questions to be asked were how does one kill a giant slime? Or what are the weaknesses of a slime?

The Erito forces could only watch from the side lines. They were an elite specialist unit largely responsible for small scale operations or intelligence gathering missions. Such a large scale operation was not their field of expertise. For now, the Erito forces focused on accounting the safety of the nobles and investigating into the origin of the monster. Even the Vanessa was most qualified to handle the situation it was not her position of responsibility to do so….if she forcefully tried to intervene in this situation she would incur the wrath of commanders from other regiments. For now Vanessa and the others tried gathering as much information as they could about slimes. The library had become their operation base.

‘Normal soldiers’ also known as ‘Norito forces’ from other regiments who were more versed with large scale operations were brought in on orders from the commanders of the different regiments. These high headed proud commanders had difficulty accepting the existence of Erito forces and considered themselves to be on par with the elite ones.

In fact, to prove themselves they rushed off to battle the giant slime on the belief that it was the same as a normal slime. In addition to showing off their superior numbers and inferior strength, these soldiers also handled everything from coordinating evacuations of the nobles to the logistical movement of weaponry or killing the monster(s).

The giant slime was a monster that nobody had encountered before. Slimes in general are low level monsters and very rare in these parts of the Empire (being so close to the desert). Hence, they are largely ignored and not taught as a part of the regular course (listed as insignificant monsters in the Academy’s course guide). However, a giant slime such as the one destroying Feladonia was something that even experienced hunters and poachers were not aware of. Furthermore, this slime was different from its smaller versions.

Its shape changed according to its surroundings or as per the situation. If it was being attacked then it would create harden itself and attack using its tentacles like spears. If it was destroying buildings it would take a larger form. If it was at an intersection it would take a cross like shape etc etc. Basically, it was a slime with brains/ intelligence – something considered impossible.

First, soldiers tried attacking it with swords and arrows. The commanders of the Norito forces reasoned that a slime is one of the weakest monsters. A monster found on the bottom of the food chain. This slime is big nothing more to it. It moved slowly and was unstable every time it moved...sometimes it felt like it was falling. To the Norito forces it was like a hissing cat, just because it raised its hair a bit to make itself look bigger did not change the fact that a cat was still a cat.

If that is the case, then is there anything for them to fear? At most even the strongest slime can withstand 2500HP worth of physical damage (like a shield) before succumbing to physical damage from sharp weapons. This was made evident when Gustav tried attacking Sora early on but it did no damage to him.

With nearly one thousand strong soldiers groomed for battle attacking the slime, they could easily cast 1000 DP a minute. As per the estimates commanders of the Norito forces

However, close combat did not go too well for them.

Why? This tactic would have worked on ordinary small slimes which have low slime durability and flexibility. However, the giant ‘Sora’ slime had durability in excess of a hundred points and flexibility in excess of 40 points. Durability and flexibility were reasons why the Sora Slime could become so big otherwise it would have been no different than a balloon filled with excess air. Even the tiniest pin prick can burst a balloon filled with air….but a pin prick does nothing to a car’s tyre.

Durability and flexibility were factors that act as multipliers to the health of the slime. In effect the display of HP = 1050 for the slime actually had the equivalent of 150,000HP shield.

Furthermore, with Sora having lost control over his body, the slime was no different from a monster. Hence, it also benefitted from ‘Night time monster bonus’ like all monsters do at night, which increased all stats by 35%. So the slime shield, immunity towards physical attacks, was closer to 200,000 HP.

It didn’t end there, since Sora lost control of his body in anger, the slime body had entered berserker mode. This increased his offense by 150%!

Lastly, Valentine had awakened activating the vampiric blood within Sora’s slime body. All stats were increased by an additional 50%.

To sum it up, the Sora slime was much much stronger than the common slime monster. However since Sora’s base stats were so low, the bonus ups did not add greatly to his power stats like STR, AGI etc…even with his massive HP shield against physical damage….at best Sora was a lower level boss. With the right planning, strategy and information even the Nortio forces would be able to handle Sora Slime.

As the physical attacks had no effect, the slime used its hundreds of tentacles to grab nearby soldiers and throw them away. This resulted in loss of life as well injury of many soldiers. Those injured and within the reach of the Sora slime became its dinner; the Sora slime strictly preferred its meals alive and kicking.

The Erito forces who were observing the situation were quick to note that physical attacks were having no effect.

In fact, Vanessa was the one who hypothesized that a slime with high durability is likely to have high resistance to physical attack. While soldiers might be delivering complete damage, the durability and flexibility could have raised shield level ….basically she nailed it. The conclusion, magic was needed to bring the monster to a halt. As long as they could freeze it or burn it, the immunity from physical damage will become meaningless…

However, wars, battles and missions tend to be more political in nature. The Commanders of the Norito were in no mood to accept the intelligence provided by Vanessa. Furthermore, Norito soldiers’ were incapable of using magic.

It may be noted but a vast proportion of this world is incapable of using magic however that does not mean they are inferior to magicians. They can still regulate ki to deal physical damage. The only difference between ‘normal soldiers’ and Erito forces was the ability to use magic. The Academy only had a single test, is the user is capable of using mana (and therefore magic)? If the soldiers cleared this test they would be accepted into the Academy’s classes for special and gifted students a.k.a the Erito forces.

Vanessa slapped her forehead when her advice was turned down. Turning down intelligence was well within the Norito Commander’s right however they did so at their own risk especially if the intelligence turned out to be right. Vanessa would have normally loved to teach the Norito commanders a lesson by letting them do as they please however her foremost priority was protecting the Empire and all its subjects, properties and interests. Feladonia was part of the Empire and teaching lessons came secondary to that.

Was there a way to intervene without directly involving the Erito? Yes.

[Ramona? Have you found the Cardinal?] Vanessa asked as she placed her hand on a crystal ball.

[Yes…but he refuses to leave the pub. I have tried persuading him…but he keeps saying his jurisdiction is to only defend Feladonia if the Alliance attacks. He also says we should be able to handle a single slime on our own…Noooo Headmaster!! Don’t touch there!!]

[Why my cutesy how fluffy is your...ouch! Why did you hit me!]

[Argh…sorry about that…]

[Is he drunk?] Vanessa could feel the start of her headache.

[…yes…] Ramona replied hesitantly.

[Tell him that the slime is destroying every inn and pub in the town and gulping down the ale and beer.]

[Wha….] Ramona was about to argue back but she followed the orders. [He’s gone…]

[I know…] Vanessa replied as the Cardinal appeared standing on top of the slime.

'You should have left his ale alone...' Vanessa smirked; however her headache would not subside, involving the Cardinal always resulted in long lectures.