Chapter 168: Bochi
Iron Fortress, Deep within the Sewers.
A blue Slime, significantly larger than its mindless brethren, lay perched at a damp corner of the pipes. It used its two black, bean-like eyes to peer cautiously through the iron grate at the world above.
He was... well, he didn't need a cumbersome thing like a "name" yet.
He was a King! The Sovereign of this dark, humid, and aromatic subterranean realm!
Recently, he had felt a surge of power swirling within his core—a biological pressure as if something were about to crack out of its shell. He knew the signs: Advancement. He was on the verge of becoming a legendary Tier 1 powerhouse!
When that day came, he would no longer be a low-tier mabeast that could be bullied by a common Novice Skeleton. He would burst from these gods-forsaken sewers and make those arrogant, two-legged meat-bags pay.
And that skeleton? The one who had unceremoniously jammed him back down here? He would pay double.
"Thirty years in the east, thirty years in the west... do not despise the potential of a poor Slime!" (Note: A classic webnovel trope localized here for comedic effect).
The Slime King vibrated with a self-assured intensity, his body inflating by ten percent in sheer pride.
Lately, the world above had become unnervingly loud. Through the grate, he could hear the meat-bags discussing a place called the Evernight Mall.
"Did you hear? The Mall got a fresh shipment today!"
"For real? Anything good?"
"I heard they got Ice-Crystal Trout air-lifted from Freeport. The scent... gods, it's divine."
"And Moonlight Berries from the Great Forest! So sweet they'll rot your teeth out!"
Ice-Crystal Trout? Moonlight Berries?
As he listened, the Slime King's body involuntarily secreted a massive amount of digestive fluid. What are those? They sound a hundred times better than sewer rats and roaches!
He couldn't wait any longer. He needed to taste the world above. He would infiltrate this "Evernight Mall," devour every delicacy within, and use the nutrients to fuel his ascension!
He waited until the dead of night, when the clamor of the streets finally faded into a peaceful hum. The Slime King took a deep breath—metaphorically speaking—and compressed his body into a thin, liquid ribbon. He squeezed through the narrow gaps of the iron grate with a grunt of exertion.
POP—!
Success! He had returned to the land of opportunity and danger!
The Slime King reformed into his naturally round, jiggly shape and scanned the area. The streets of Iron Fortress were bathed in the soft, amber glow of the Evernight Lamps. Empty. Silent.
Perfect. Operation: Buffet is a go.
He wiggled his body, using his innate sense of direction to navigate toward the scent of the Mall. Just as he was about to cross a major intersection, a lazy, familiar voice drifted from the shadows.
"A Slime? It's been a while."
The Slime King's gelatinous frame went rigid. His bean-eyes bulged in terror.
That voice...
He whipped his "head" around. A skeleton was standing beneath the glow of a streetlamp, wearing a battered straw hat and carrying a fishing rod.
It's one of those 'Pests'! One of the high-tier bone-racks!
The Slime King began to shiver violently. It's a predator! A very, very dangerous predator!
His mind defaulted to a single command: NIGERUNDAYO! (RUN!)
However, before he could lurch away, the terrifying skeleton did something entirely unexpected. He knelt down and extended a bony hand. In his palm lay a small fish, still twitching with a sliver of life.
"Caught this today. I was going to sell it at the Mall, but they've already closed for the night. You look hungry, so consider this a tax rebate."
A fish?
For me?
The Slime King froze. His shivering subsided. He looked at the fish—which smelled intoxicatingly fresh—then up at the skeleton in the straw hat.
This bone-rack... he doesn't radiate malice.
He isn't hunting me. He's... feeding me?
The Slime King's worldview suffered a massive system error. In his memory, this species was a "Pest" that treated him like trash. But now...
The fish smelled better than anything in the history of the sewers.
"Be-Be-Beneficial Insect! This skeleton is a Beneficial Insect!"
Old terror was instantly overwritten by new, gluttonous devotion. The Slime King lunged forward, his soft body engulfing the fish in a heartbeat. The succulent meat was dissolved and absorbed, sending a wave of unprecedented satisfaction through his core.
Delicious! Gods, it's so good!
He began to wiggle and bounce in place like an overexcited puppy. Having finished his meal, he even scooted forward to rub against Kaito's smooth shin-bone, expressing his joy and newfound affection.
Kaito watched the fawning blob, his Soul Fire flickering. "Smart little guy, aren't you?"
He reached down and gave the jiggly mass a pat. The texture was surprisingly pleasant. "Well then. Since you're so agreeable, why don't you stick with me?"
The Slime King tilted his body, radiating confusion.
Kaito lifted his fishing rod, his voice taking on a persuasive, teacher-like tone. "You act as my 'Chummer' (Bait-Attractor), and I'll handle the fishing. Every time we land a catch, you get one, and I sell the rest. A fair trade, wouldn't you say?"
Chummer? Fishing?
The Slime King didn't understand the logistics, but the words "You get one" translated perfectly.
More of those delicious little fish?!
He began to bounce so violently he nearly became a rubber ball. Accepted! Absolute agreement!
Kaito let out a dry chuckle, scooped the slime up, and perched him on his skeletal shoulder. The hard bone wasn't the most comfortable seat, but the Slime King didn't care. He was too busy dreaming of his future menu.
Kaito patted the slime's head. "From now on, you're Bochi."
"Bochi?"
The Slime King—no, Bochi—chewed on the name in his mind. Bochi. It sounds... prestigious.
And so, the great Slime King, before he could even take his first step toward world conquest, had somehow blundered into becoming a professional bait-monkey for a skeletal fisherman.
The Next Morning, Dawn.
Kaito arrived at the riverbank with Bochi still perched on his shoulder. He set the slime down on the grass.
"Alright, Bochi. It's showtime."
Bochi looked at the shimmering, vast river and felt a bit overwhelmed. Chumming... how do I even do that?
Kaito applied a protective film of Mana over Bochi to ensure the fish didn't try to eat him instead. Then he pointed his rod at the water.
"You're a Slime, right? Your kind secretes a specific type of pheromone-heavy mucus that other creatures find irresistible. It's basically a biological siren song."
Bochi blinked. Wait... is it?
He remembered using his mucus to lure roaches and rats in the sewers. I guess it works on fish too?
"Go on. Get in there and release your 'charm'." Kaito nudged him with the tip of his rod.
Bochi hesitated for a second, then—PLOP—he dove into the river. The cool water was refreshing against his gelatinous skin. Following Kaito's instructions, he began to release his pride-and-joy: the high-viscosity attraction mucus.
The reaction was instantaneous.
The water around Bochi began to churn. Fish of all sizes, appearing as if they had caught the scent of a divine delicacy, swarmed Bochi's location in a silver frenzy.
Startled by the sheer volume of the "fans," Bochi launched himself out of the water like a projectile, landing safely back on the bank.
Kaito nodded with supreme satisfaction. "Beautifully done!"
He cast his line into the center of the swarming pool. A heartbeat later, the bobber vanished beneath the surface with a violent jerk!
Kaito flicked his wrist, and a massive, thrashing trout was sent flying onto the grass. Kaito unhooked the fish with the ease of a master.
"There. The first one is yours. I told you, I never miss. My hook is a decree of fate."
Bochi stared at the fish—it was twice the size of the one from last night. He felt like he was melting with joy. He pounced, devouring the trout in seconds.
Heaven! This is heaven! This skeleton is a God! He is my new Father!
With his morale peaking, Bochi dove back into the water. He became a tireless, high-output chuming machine.
Kaito, meanwhile, was experiencing the greatest high of his un-life.
Cast. Hook. Land. Repeat.
He didn't even need bait anymore. The fish were practically lining up to be caught. In less than an hour, the wooden bucket beside him was overflowing with prime specimens.
"Alright, that's enough for today," Kaito said, retracting his line. If he caught any more, he'd actually start depleting the local population he'd spent so much gold to stock.
Bochi climbed back onto the bank, shaking the water from his body, and looked at Kaito with expectant eyes. Kaito hoisted the heavy bucket and patted the slime's head.
"Come on, Bochi. Let's go hit the market!"
☆☆☆
-> 20 Advanced chapters Now Available on Patreon!!
-> https://www.pat-reon.co-m/c/Hollowborn
(Just remove the hyphen (-) to access patreon normally)
If you like this novel please consider leaving a review that's help the story a lot Thank you