The Emerald Wilds were vast, untamed, and brimming with danger. Most adventurers would form hunting parties before venturing too deep.
Lucian? He had slimes.
After setting up a small temporary camp, Lucian knelt beside his Scavenger Slimes. They jiggled eagerly, sensing their master's intention.
"Alright, guys," Lucian said, activating Beast Tamer, his innate ability to understand and command monsters.
Through it, he could sense their instincts—hunger, excitement, curiosity.
"Spread out and find a place with these conditions," he listed.
1 . Secluded from human paths (avoiding unnecessary trouble).
2 . Access to a water source (for the slimes and farming).
3 . Rich soil (so his Scavenger Slimes could produce fertile dirt efficiently).
4 . Defensible terrain (in case of monster attacks).
The Scavenger Slimes jiggled in acknowledgment before slithering off into the underbrush.
Lucian stayed behind, protected by his Poison and Sticky Slimes in case of unexpected dangers.
After an hour, the Scavenger Slimes returned, pulsing with excitement. They had found something.
Lucian followed them deeper into the forest…
And that's when he saw it.
Nestled between two steep cliffs was a valley concealed by dense foliage. If one didn't know where to look, it would be nearly impossible to find from a distance.
Lucian noted its features:
A freshwater stream ran through it, perfect for drinking and farming.
Rich, dark soil, ideal for crops or monster-friendly agriculture.
Natural cliff walls on three sides, making it highly defensible.
A nearby cave that could serve as shelter and storage.
It was perfect.
Except for one problem.
A massive bird monster perched atop a tree, watching him with piercing yellow eyes.
[Rock Talon – C-Rank Beast]
A large, hawk-like monster with razor-sharp talons and a stone-hard beak.
Known for diving at extreme speeds to catch prey.
Can harden its wings into stone to defend itself.
Lucian sighed. "Figures something strong would live here."
The Rock Talon screeched, flaring its wings aggressively.
Lucian didn't move. Instead, he calmly gave a mental command.
The slimes answered.
---
Phase 1: The Trap
As the Rock Talon dived toward Lucian at breakneck speed—
A Sticky Slime launched itself from the trees.
SPLAT!
The biodegradable adhesive it produced spread across the bird's wings, disrupting its balance.
The Rock Talon crashed into the dirt, flapping wildly to escape.
But it wasn't over yet.
---
Phase 2: The Lockdown
The moment the bird hit the ground—
Lucian's Cleaner Slimes rushed in, coating its talons and wings with a slick, slimy film.
The creature slipped and tumbled, unable to gain traction.
Then came the final strike.
---
Phase 3: The Execution
Lucian pointed at the downed monster.
"Poison Slimes. Finish it."
The purple slimes lunged, secreting paralytic toxins onto the bird's exposed skin.
The Rock Talon twitched, screeched… then stopped moving.
Lucian exhaled, walking up to the now-immobile creature.
"…That was easier than I thought."
His slime army jiggled in triumph.
The Hidden Valley was now his.