Volume 8: Super Quest 'Vitality vs. Death Intent', Chapter 2: Serial Quests

“We are here to rescue the city,” Li Bin said carefully, not underestimating the slime despite its unimpressive appearance. “May I know who you are?”

“I? You can call me Slime Charge, Deputy Commander of Galai City,” the slime proudly puffed up its form. Yet, rather than looking heroic, it appeared increasingly endearing the longer one looked.

Seeing no reaction from Li Bin and the others, the helpless Slime Charge led them into this peculiar slime city, Galai City.

According to Slime Charge’s narration along the way, the city was built by him alongside another slime player known as Melancholy Melody Man.

Because Melancholy Melody Man contributed a Level 3 City Heart and Slime Charge only a Level 2 City Heart, Melancholy Melody Man held the mayor’s position while Slime Charge was in charge of external combat.

Through their joint efforts, they had developed the city to the level of a Level 4 Village. Within a 200-kilometer radius around the city, much of the land had been transformed into swampland.

However, ever since the Green Leaf Ubiquitous Alliance took on a certain mission, they had suffered multiple attacks from the alliance. Not only were their mines all absorbed by the alliance, but even the once vast swampland was now largely covered by countless trees, reduced to its current size.

Now, their last territorial holdout was under attack by the Green Leaf Ubiquitous Alliance. If Li Bin hadn’t drawn away Gaia, this small swamp before them might have already been lost.

As Slime Charge spoke, he led Li Bin and the others through the swamp until they reached the heart of Galai City.

This city, which had never been conquered by the Green Leaf Ubiquitous Alliance, was hidden beneath the swamp. Its buildings were constructed from local swamp mud and green algae. Small slimes, about the size of a fist and shaded green and cyan, had been fashioned into various tools, tirelessly working.

Outside the modest city hall stood a crystal statue of a slime, positioned between three fountains. Ghostly slime forms leapt in the fountains, spitting out a greenish liquid.

Before they entered the city hall, a crystal slime about half a meter tall and wide hopped out. It wore a grand marshal’s uniform, but due to the slime’s liquid nature, the uniform appeared wet and slick.

Upon seeing Li Bin and his group, Melancholy Melody Man warmly welcomed them inside and said with delight, “With you here, our chances of resisting the Green Leaf Ubiquitous Alliance are much greater.”

However, Almu was less impressed. He bluntly said, “Don’t give us that. Just tell us what you want us to do, and what benefits we’ll get.”

Provoked by Almu’s bluntness, Melancholy Melody Man grew somewhat exasperated. “What benefits can I offer you? Look at what I have left. If you want rewards, get them from the system after defeating the Green Leaf Ubiquitous Alliance.”

“Perfect. Since we’ve come this far and your situation seems decent, we’ll be on our way,” Almu said happily, preparing to leave.

But he had barely taken a few steps before Li Bin pulled him back and turned around. “From what you’re saying, the Green Leaf Ubiquitous Alliance is actually a mission?”

“No, they wouldn’t be this strong if it were just a mission,” Melancholy Melody Man replied casually. Li Bin even saw a not-so-large crystal slime roll its eyes at Almu.

“Then what is their mission? And how do you know about it?” Li Bin asked, sensing a crucial point.

“How do I know? When you fight them for more than thirty days, the system will notify you that you’ve joined this mission,” Melancholy Melody Man said coldly. “But if you fail, your defeat counts as a victory for the Green Leaf Ubiquitous Alliance.”

“Fight them for over thirty days?” Li Bin laughed. “Looks like I won’t be getting that mission. None under my command survive thirty days against the Green Leaf Ubiquitous Alliance.”

“Oh? Then I’ll just hand over this mission to you,” Melancholy Melody Man said skeptically. “Here it is: repel the Green Leaf Ubiquitous Alliance’s ninth assault.”

Before Li Bin could respond, a system notification sounded in his ear: “Melancholy Melody Man wishes to transfer to you the ‘Vitality vs. Death Intent’ series mission: ‘Repel the Green Leaf Ubiquitous Alliance’s Ninth Assault.’ Objective: repel Gaia and his troops surrounding the city. Rewards: ten Level 9 units of this system’s forces, 500 series mission points. This is your fourth branch mission in the series. Do you accept?”

Li Bin was momentarily stunned, curious when he had accepted any branch missions. He quickly opened the system records and searched, finding the first three missions in the series were: three-day energy supplementation in the Spirit Machinery City, ambush the pursuers, and rescue Galai City. Each mission’s results only counted toward the total score for the final reward assessment.

Without hesitation, Li Bin selected “accept.” Then, speaking quietly to San Nei, he said, “I want to take on this mission. Anyone willing to join me?”

Melancholy Melody Man and Slime Charge looked at Li Bin as if he were insane. Slime Charge kindly advised, “I think you better not go. We’ve done this mission before and know its difficulties. If you really want to leave, we won’t stop you.”

“Just because you can’t handle it doesn’t mean we can’t,” Li Bin smiled. “I just looked at your forces and noticed you don’t seem to have many ranged units. Don’t you know the best way to deal with those treants is with ranged attacks?”

“We know that all too well. But that Gaia knows it too. You noticed how few ranged units we have, but you don’t know that our ranged troops are the ones lost to those treants,” Slime Charge said bitterly.

“What? Do they have other attack methods?” Li Bin asked quickly, eager to know more about the enemy. The more he knew, the greater his chance of success.

“Of course. These treants are centuries old. Each treant is accompanied by more than thirty small sprites.”

“What use could these Level 1 little creatures possibly be?” Li Bin asked, puzzled.

“They prevent ranged units from using their attacks,” Melancholy Melody Man said slowly.