Episode 132 "Dreamlike"

Before us lies a towering pile of curry rice purchased from 'Inn' GILGAMESH.

The meals at GILGAMESH's 'Inn' are reasonably priced—just 2 gold for the cheaper options, up to 5 gold for the more expensive ones.

Apparently designed with 'Players' in mind, they come in generous portions and aren't bad in taste.

"Huff! Huff! Delicious!"

Before the "gambler" who was eating curry freely as he pleased, I sighed deeply.

"Hey, what's wrong? Not eating?"

"I will eat."

Of course I will.

It's just... I don't know.

I feel downcast.

After all, I might very well be facing death soon.

Not just any death.

Like a silk thread slowly tightening around my neck.

Of course, my appetite disappears completely.

My mood feels just like it does the day before a marathon.

Letting out a deep sigh,

"When should we set out on the expedition?"

"Huh? Don't we leave right after eating?"

"That's what I thought. But maybe it'd be better to take a short nap in preparation for a long journey."

"Fair point."

In a situation where we could be attacked by monsters at any moment, we wouldn't be able to sleep properly anyway.

"But still, it might be better to leave earlier. I'll leave the decision on that to the 'Gambler' here.

In reality, it depends on how long the 'Gambler' has been here—longer than me, after all.

"I'm still in no rush....But it's possible my plans might change entirely from now on, so it really depends on that."

"What do you mean by that?"

"There's something I'd like to test before we leave....Got it?"

"It's fine, but what is it?"

"Something I found interesting in the info I just bought."

"…? What exactly are you talking about?"

Then she chuckled mischievously, letting out a quiet "hehe~,"

"It's a post-dinner treat."

Huh.

I don't really get it, but...

Well then, I'll just look forward to it as promised.

▼

After about ten or so minutes.

As soon as they stepped out of the Adventurer's Inn, the "Gambling Master" suddenly...

"Fuuffuuffu... Hey, 'Warrior,' you might just want to thank your lucky stars for getting to team up with me."

"...Huh?"

"For now, just get ready to fight. I don't know exactly what kind of rare 'monster' we're dealing with."

"What do you mean?"

"I'm about to use my 'Gambling Master' job skill... the power to attract luck."

Wow, that sounds impressive.

"Sure, but during combat, the openings are too big to use effectively, and the luck I attract can't be precisely chosen....Still, it's perfect for situations like this, closed off and confined."

Hmm, I see.

"Then, here I go. ――《Phantom Dice Roll》!"

Suddenly, a ten-sided die, about the size of a clenched fist, appeared on the palm of the "Gambler" person.

"This ability has a one-in-ten chance of bringing good fortune, and a nine-in-ten chance of minor misfortune. …… Furthermore, ……"

She cradled the die in both hands, concentrating for a moment.

"Using 'Foul Play (Advanced),' I'll force the outcome I want. …… Here we go!"

The ten-sided die bounced across the white floor.

The faces appeared to bear a symbol of an angel and one of a demon.

The result was… the angel's mark.

"Hahaha! I'm in top form today!"

"Wow... that's incredible."

Without thinking, I clap my hands rapidly—clap, clap, clap, clap.

"If the intel's right, this should be it... the rare 'monster' we've been expecting..."

Just then.

A single "slime" suddenly leapt out right in front of us.

The color of that "slime"... it was golden, radiating a divine aura.

"Ah..."

We both made startled expressions at the same time,

"Could it be... already?"

"Looks like it."

"What should we do?"

"For now, let's try our spells one by one."

Right away, the "Gambling Master" recited,

"——《Thunder Sphere》"

chanting the "Thunder-type Magic II."

Several clusters of lightning materialized.

Perhaps sensing that the coloration suggested the same weakness as the "Yellow Slime."

The lightning brilliantly pierced through the golden slime's body... yet.

It had no effect.

Instead, the "Golden Slime" simply expanded even further.

"Piki-kii!"

The "Golden Slime" made a sound, almost as if delighted.

It seems to be healing itself.

"Then it's my turn. — Fireball!"

Upon casting the Fire-based Magic II,

"Pi-kii-kii-kii!"

As expected, the "Golden Slime" just swelled up again.

"Huh? Then, what's its weakness? — Water Bullet!"

The "Gambler" casts Water-based Magic II.

"Pi-ki-ii-ii-ii!"

As expected, no effect.

Now, the "Golden Slime" had grown so large it was blocking the entire passage.

"Alright, then... maybe a regular attack?"

I jab at the "Golden Slime's" belly repeatedly with my "Iron Sword."

... Nope, no effect.

Even when I swing it with full force, it's the same result.

Then, how about this—《Slash》!

I swing the deadly sword in *Sword of Justice I*, but it's still a bit wobbly.

After trying various approaches,

Hmm... Could it really be, against all odds, a Healing Spell?

You can't possibly be serious about that, can you?

I don't know? It seems like this guy recovers using attack-type magic. Let's just try it out…

In short, that was the correct answer.

"Yeeh!"

I cast "Healing Magic IV" on the "Slime."

『Piki……Pikikiki……Piki!』

At the same time, the "Gold Slime" trembles violently—Brrr! Brrr! Brrr!

Paaan!

A sound like a balloon bursting rang right next to my ear.

At once, raindrops and gold coins began pouring down, and

"Uwahh—!"

I was buried under a mountain of "Gold."

"Uuuuuh… wow… this is insane!"

The "gambling expert" cheered with applause.

Lying collapsed on a bed of gold coins, I let out a deep sigh,

"A woman's got courage—she'll try anything."

And a moral-like line, as if to teach a lesson.

Later, I worked with the "Gambler" to smuggle the "Gold" into the "Adventurer's Inn."

It was discovered that a single "Golden Slime" could earn approximately 10,000 gold.