Master Of None

After the three had properly cleaned up the mess they had made they got changed and headed to the dining hall. They had not seen Gil, Su, or Gil's mother come inside and wondered if they were still outside working. They were proven wrong when they saw that they were by the fire drinking tea and walking about the plans to properly irrigate the garden when the weather clears up. It would be a large project which would be perfect for Gil's mother to do while the party was off on their quest.

"Oh there you three are, we decided t use the back entrance since you all looked to be having so much fun," Gil smirked as his mother said this. He had thought about joining in, but he knew he would have to clean up after. 

"Oh we did, I'm glad we save the strawberries too. If we didn't have the strawberry jam to look forward to when we got back from our adventure don't know what we would look forward to." Walker teased a little seeing that Gil was smirking at him. 

"I heard the yell and I was worried that we had already lost them. I did not think that they could get too much water. I have learned a lot today." Su seemed the most thankful. It looked like the strawberry jam really was something she was looking forward to the most. 

"Since everyone happens to be here do you guys want to go over our travel plans for tomorrow?" This seemed like the best idea since they would be spending the remaining time preparing last minute things and having some of their own time. After everyone seemed to agree Lisa and Gil's mother decided to hang out and finish the tea by the fire. Midnight and Onyx were roused from their spot in front of the fire and came over to the table where everyone had sat down. 

"You guys remember the path we took when we went to get the flame newts right? I figure we can follow that and enter the forest the same way. We can then slowly make out way deeper until we can find evidence of the slime's decay. The goal will to be to observe first then try to defeat some and capture their bodies. If we can separate their core from the slime that would be good too."

Walker had read up on the slime anatomy and found that there was really just a condensed core created through various means. Many slimes you be created naturally in standing water and take on characteristics of what they formed from. The cores would be the instinctual consciousness that held the actual body together. It was very rare for slimes to grow very large since they had almost no defense or magic defense. The real problem was that if they were not defeated properly they would not die. 

"We need to be careful of the slime body and core merging back together. I read the same book as Walker and it said that a slime core is not considered defeated even separated from its body. It will just go dormant." Su had done her own research and found this interesting fact. 

"Could we save the slime cores to bring back with us? Should we save the slime from their bodies too? " Gil was a little lost on slimes. The only ones he knew about were the ones that started to form on the farm. To him, those were just weird puddles that never became a monster but instead just covered by dirt and never seen again. 

"I think we should do that for sure. We can bring a water proof bag to hold the cores and some glass vials to store the slime. I won't be able to keep the cores in my inventory since they are technically alive. But I should be able to store away their bodies without a core since they are just slime after all." Walker had already thought of this and wanted to bring back as many as possible for the kingdom to research. 

"We should bring back a lot of the slime then. It can be used for potion ingredients. I have no idea of a slime that can cause decay is worth much but it could still be valuable research." Remey was thinking of the uses these new slimes could have while also looking forward to new potions training. 

"We can do that. The more we bring back the better then. I also think we should keep an eye out for quests to gather herbs and such. If we can double up on the things we bring back we could be if some use to others." Walker had also considered the reason for the quest. They were not there to exterminate completely or to gain levels. They were there to study, research, and find the cause of the slimes. They could also use that hunting time to look for herbs. They needed to scour the area anyways so it would just work out. 

"Leader, we should also try to greet any passing elves. They patrol the deep sun hollow forest and are very territorial. If we forge a bond with them it may help us for years to come.' Su had a good point. They should try to gain relations with as many people as possible, it could only help. 

"I doubt we will see any elves. They are way more at home in the forests than we are. They will probably just watch us and then act if we break their rules. But hey we are going to be there to hello so I doubt anything will, happen." The party all felt a little shiver as he said this but brushed it off without worry. 

That leaves gear, I worked with Lisa today and it is all water proofed. In the morning we can collect it and then head out. So make sure that you have everything ready to go tonight." Walker put the hard deadline to leave down making Gil look a little unhappy. 

"I thought I would have more time to make arrows before I left." 

"You can just make them as we travel, it's not like you won't have your mana replenished faster than all of us." Remey tried to cheer Gil up, her attempt seemed to work pretty well. 

"Just make sure if you make arrows you do it in the tent. I don't want any prying eyes to see what is going on. Just in case. I know we eventually need to deal with the dangers of you having the system unique to elven races, but for now, we can try to avoid it. We need to accomplish our quest first." Walker's serious tone made Gil fully listen and think on this. He did not want to risk the safety of the whole entire party. 

"Onyx you might need to stay in tattoo form with your shadow ink skill for a while. I am worried you will get too cold." This was only natural to worry about since like most snakes and serpents Onyx was cold blooded and needed the warmth to function. 

"Don't worry brother, if I get too cold I can always wrap around Sister and stay warm." Midnight huffed at them and raised her head higher. She was clearly telling them to leave it to her. 

"Walker, I have actually been thinking about something." Remey chipped in with a little more seriousness than usual. Walker looked at her not sure what to expect her to say. "You know my combo skill that I use to string my punches together? Well, I think you should learn it for your attacks. With your inventory, you can take out your weapons out in the blink of an eye. All you need to do next is make the attacks flow." 

This was a really good idea and one Walker had thught of a little. He had believed that the skill Remey used was unique to punches but hearing her now he was excited. "Then I will try to learn it from you while we travel. It would definitely help me out. I have some unique weapons like the dual swords, large hammer, and a scythe. Plus mix those hard to expect attacks with the basics of a common shield, sword, spear, and well bow; then an opponent would never be able to keep up. It would make his close combat strength much higher and even give him his own unique style of fighting. His physical combat prowess may just be able to rival his magic attack prowess. 

"Good, I will start putting you through some training every time we stop to rest." Walker was not sure if this promise from Remey sounded like she was helping, or like she was planning to torture him to death. Either way, he would be learning a new skill. 

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