Chapter 317: Light Slime

"Let's go. I'll treat you all to something delicious."

Amayee, Amay, and Ame nodded excitedly.

The four of them left the team and headed toward the shops along the street, while Bella led the team forward, disappearing at the end of the street in no time.

"I want this, this, and this!"

Standing in front of a barbecue stall, Amayee, Amay, and Ame drooled over the various grilled meats. The shop owner, delighted, busied himself grilling the food. Having customers was always a joy, and though these three young girls were petite, they clearly had a hearty appetite.

"Boss, look, look! It's a slime!"

Amay's eyes sparkled as she pointed excitedly at something while still chewing on her food.

Following Amay's gaze, Li Meng saw a beast-drawn carriage slowly passing by on the street.

On the carriage was a cage, and inside the cage was a glass container holding a pure white slime.

"Is that... a Light Slime?"

Li Meng stared at the Light Slime in the glass container, completely stunned.

After traveling hundreds of thousands of miles to the Saint Biron Continent, he hadn't expected to encounter a Light Slime on his first day in Rogue Town.

Determined, he stepped into the street and stopped the carriage.

"Hey, what are you doing? Move out of the way!"

The coachman, startled by the black-robed stranger blocking the street, scolded him while halting the carriage.

The adventurers escorting the carriage immediately moved forward, their faces wary.

"Why are you blocking our path?"

The leader of the escort, a Water Dragon Halfbreed, stepped forward. With their distinctive water-blue hair and reddish-blue horns, Water Dragon Halfbreeds were easy to identify.

Li Meng's unusual attire only made them more cautious.

"Name your price. I want that Light Slime."

The Water Dragon Halfbreed leader frowned slightly, scanning Li Meng with a flash of anger in his eyes.

"Apologies, but this is cargo escorted by the Water Dragon Knights and is not for sale." His tone was polite but firm, refusing to yield.

"Not for sale? Then I'll have to take it by force."

Li Meng wasn’t about to let the rare Light Slime slip away, even if it meant shedding blood.

The adventurers' expressions darkened, recognizing trouble.

"How dare you rob the Water Dragon Knights! You're courting death!"

Only now did Li Meng realize all the carriage guards were Water Dragon Halfbreeds. Their furious glares were fixed on him, but the leader raised a hand to stop any rash actions.

"Causing trouble in Rogue Town will not go unnoticed by the Merchant Guild Alliance," the leader warned, though his hand moved to his weapon. This black-robed man dared to rob them in broad daylight, showing supreme confidence in his strength.

Suddenly, Li Meng vanished.

In the blink of an eye, he appeared before the leader. A shockwave erupted where he had stood, leaving the ground cracked like a spiderweb.

Li Meng placed a heavy hand on the leader’s shoulder. Feeling the oppressive weight, the leader turned pale. He knew that even the slightest movement could mean his death.

Completely frozen in fear, cold sweat poured down his face.

"I'm in a good mood today, so I don't want to kill anyone. I'll take the slime. If you want it back, send your strongest."

Li Meng withdrew his hand and walked past the leader toward the carriage. None of the other guards dared to move, overwhelmed by the suffocating aura emanating from the black-robed man.

"I am 'Silver Mask,' leader of the Brotherhood Thieves' Guild," Li Meng declared, grinning as he gazed at the Light Slime in the glass container.

"Hey, little one, come with me."

With a punch, Li Meng shattered the cage and glass container. The basketball-sized Light Slime leapt into his arms.

Holding the slime, Li Meng heard its voice in his mind.

"Who are you? Why do you carry the scent of our kind?"

"Form a Life Sharing Contract with me, like the others of your kind."

"I know. You've made contracts with many of us."

"Yes, many."

"You'll die. We’re gluttonous, you know."

"I won’t. I'm fine."

"Really?"

"Really. Live with me eternally in this world."

Slimes had short lifespans, about ten years, but they didn’t truly die. Before death, they produced a new Source Crystal, which would grow into a new slime without memories of its predecessor.

If someone wished to contract with a slime, the slime would not refuse. However, the cost was steep; even long-lived elves couldn’t bear it. For humans, signing a contract with a slime often meant only twenty years of remaining life.

"Fine, I'll form a Life Sharing Contract with you."

And so, Li Meng signed a Life Sharing Contract with his first Light Slime. Swallowing the Source Crystal, he established a mental connection with it.

[Contract with Light Slime successful. Skill acquired: "Spirit of Light Elements."]

[Mana +3147.]

The system's long-absent voice rang in Li Meng's mind, filling him with delight as he returned to Amayee, Amay, and Ame.

"Amayee, Amay, Ame, let's go!"

The three girls cast pitiful glances at the Water Dragon Knights, whose faces were dark with frustration.

Amay had expected a fight but was surprised the group was too intimidated to act.

"Boss, is this really a Light Slime?"

Amay's curiosity peaked as she looked at the warm, radiant creature in Li Meng's arms. This was her first time seeing a Light Slime, and its mere presence filled her with comfort.

"Yes, this is a Light Slime."

Meanwhile, back at the carriage, the leader of the Water Dragon Knights, Brook, wore a conflicted expression as he watched the four disappear down the street.

"Captain, are we just letting him go?"

The Light Slime they had been searching for had been snatched away. Returning empty-handed would surely incur their leader's wrath.

Brook took a deep breath. Though he hated the outcome, he had to take action.

"You two, follow them and find out where they’re staying. The rest of you, come with me. We’re heading back to the base immediately!"

The Water Dragon Knights split into two groups. Two members trailed Li Meng's group, while the others hurried back toward their headquarters.