Early in the morning, I met Jina at the city's outskirts, where the crisp dawn air mingled with the damp scent of earth, and together we set off toward the woods. We had agreed that the day would be for hunting, with the rule of avoiding groups exceeding seven slimes. Upon reaching our destination, we began searching for any signs indicating the presence of brown slimes. Before long, we spotted our first group: four brown slimes, which promptly became the targets of our ambush.
Jina leaned forward slightly, her eyes scanning the surroundings with focus and caution, and said—
"Ishida, each of us should take two. We'll ambush them and eliminate one stealthily so the others don't have time to notice our presence. If anything goes wrong, we'll retreat from the woods and wait for the slimes to calm down."
I responded with seriousness and determination—
"Okay, Jina."
Immediately, I focused on synchronizing my attack with hers.
The battle against the brown slimes wasn't complicated. Our strikes were precise and perfectly timed, resulting in the swift elimination of two of them. The subsequent one-on-one fights became much easier—in single combat, the slimes stood no chance. However, despite knowing these were guaranteed victories, we fought with complete focus, refraining from using the new techniques we were learning. After all, even if we were skilled against brown slimes, risking unnecessary injuries wasn't something we wanted. Thus, Jina and I had already decided that experimental techniques would be reserved exclusively for the pink slimes.
As I collected the brown cores, Jina remarked with a smile—
"Stealth attacks with these weights are really challenging, but I think I'm getting used to them."
I reflected on my own performance and replied—
"Honestly, I feel like I'm moving slower, and my spear strikes aren't as powerful. It was wise to stick to smaller groups."
With lightheartedness, Jina assured me—
"Don't worry, the maximum number of brown slimes we'll face is four per group. If they flee, we won't be able to chase them with these weights anyway."
After gathering the cores and discussing areas for improvement, we pressed onward in search of new groups. In the outer regions of Zher Woods, we encountered small clusters of pink slimes, which we dispatched quickly. It was during these encounters that our growth became evident: the synchronization between Jina and me felt increasingly natural, and each battle brought us closer to mastering the advanced techniques we'd learned from Sir Gareth.
We spent several hours hunting, alternating between encounters with brown and pink slimes, and by the end of the day, we had collected at least thirteen cores of each type. Though satisfied with our haul, we soon realized that our initial goal of fifty cores on the first day had been unrealistic. We decided to focus on the pink slimes instead—their weaker nature made them perfect for practicing new techniques and testing our limits without excessive risk.
Before long, we came across a group of four pink slimes. The plan was familiar: use stealth attacks to eliminate the first two and leave the remaining ones alive for training. This time, we were more confident than ever, certain the slimes wouldn't escape.
After taking down the first two with lethal precision, we lured the remaining ones into individual combat. Jina began her training meticulously, executing circular movements while wielding her spear with vertical and horizontal strikes, blocking the slime's advances. Each motion showcased not only the refined techniques she had learned but also the growth of her confidence and agility—small details that marked her evolution as a warrior.
Not to be outdone, I started my own training. One of the slimes rushed toward me, and I immediately assumed my stance, waiting for the right moment to retreat with precision. I dodged its attack and created an opening for a counter: I stepped back with my spear, using its rear end to push the enemy away, controlling the force just enough to prevent it from finding an escape route. It was during this fight that I realized how much I had improved; every variation in the slime's attack pattern forced me to adjust my movements, turning each mistake into a lesson for future battles.
At first, maintaining consistency was difficult—the slime alternated between different patterns, challenging my adaptability. However, as minutes passed, it became clear that the slime was beginning to understand it couldn't harm me; its posture grew less aggressive, its movements more predictable. When it finally showed signs of wanting to flee, I seized the moment and delivered a precise thrust—a strike I now controlled with mastery and power, honed through countless hours of practice.
Jina, in a casual tone, remarked—
"Looks like you had to finish yours off too, hehe. These little creatures are smarter than we thought, huh?"
I replied, impressed by what I was learning—
"Really, I never expected them to have such a sharp sense of danger."
She then concluded—
"Now, all that's left is to find another group and repeat the process. Shall we?"
I nodded silently—
"Mhm."
And so, we set off in search of more slimes to train against. We repeated the cycle several times. Each new group presented different challenges, and though the pink slimes couldn't always be kept in combat for long—often forcing us to eliminate them once they realized they couldn't win—every fight accelerated our growth. With every near-miss and every opening created, we grew more confident and refined our new techniques.
After several hours of intense combat, dusk began to settle, and exhaustion weighed heavily. Jina, sounding drained, suggested—
"Should we head back? I don't think I can keep training."
I agreed—
"Yeah, I'm at my limit too."
We began the journey back to Zherwood. Upon reaching the city, I bid Jina farewell and made my way to the inn, where a refreshing bath and a hot meal were more than welcome. Once settled in my room, I sat in the lotus position to cultivate my energy and reflect on the day. I resolved that, no matter how tired I was, I would maintain this practice every night—because training against the pink slimes had become essential to our growth. With each new battle, I felt myself inching closer to true mastery of our techniques.