The Slime Set and the Stubborn Forge

“Ugh, damn it! I genuinely don’t know how that even happened!”

“Sir Haut must have given him a reason. Don’t people usually tell you that you’re tactless?”

“No! My intuition is so incredible, I can dodge an RPG fired from long range, even when the map visual isn’t implemented, just by hearing it!”

“What even is that?”

‘Sure, I’d occasionally exchanged pecks, but that? With tongues darting in and out like that? What do I know about such a lewd kiss?! And in a game, of all places! Even lewd games don’t implement sensations to that extent!’

‘I’ve never even had a real-life kiss that was that lewd!’

“Ugh, I’m going to die. I’ll probably die anyway.”

“Do people really die just from a kiss?”

“Ah! Seriously! Stop asking me! Ugh, nooooo—!!”

As I thrashed about, Nocturne suddenly grabbed my head firmly with both hands. Huh? I stared blankly as he smirked, a truly detestable expression on his face.

“Sleeping naked and embracing is fine, but kissing isn’t?”

“How is this the same as that?!”

“Then you can try it and compare.”

‘What? What is this guy thinking?’

Then, he pulled my face closer and pressed his lips against mine. Up until that point, it was tolerable; we had been doing it recently. However, what followed was the problem.

A lukewarm stickiness clung to the place where our mouths met. A thick, languid tongue brushed against my front teeth, then pushed its way in and intertwined with mine.

‘Is this insane?!’ Frozen for a moment, I quickly regained my senses and headbutted Nocturne’s face.

“Ouch… I almost bit my tongue.”

“Why are you doing this again?! Wh-why are you doing that?!”

“If we’re going to sleep together anyway, isn’t it alright to have a little fun?”

“I don’t need that kind of fun!”

Nocturne groaned, clutching his forehead with both hands, and rolled around on the floor. I shot up from my spot, picked him up, and unceremoniously tossed him out of the room.

“I-I-I’m not sleeping with you anymore! You’re always up to something whenever you get the chance!”

‘Damn it! Forget equipment or anything else; I need to visit the temple tomorrow and find a demon first! How dare an NPC harass me like this, a rude scoundrel!’

I deliberately locked the door, then even installed an advanced defensive barrier above it to prevent anyone from approaching.

“Damn it, what is this…!!”

It felt as if the sensation still lingered! My face, and even the nape of my neck, were burning.

‘First, let’s sleep. I’ll think about it after I sleep. My mental energy is depleted; my brain just isn’t working anymore.’ With that, I closed my eyes.

‘But wait, did the sleep mode setting pop up? I can’t remember…?’

I woke up in the morning feeling incredibly tired.

‘That’s strange. Did I get a status ailment without realizing it?’ I scanned my status window, but nothing appeared. Why do I feel so sluggish? Is it mental exhaustion?

“Haut, why are you flopping around like wilted kale?”

“It’s because of you.”

“You were fine when the wizard kissed you. I’m pretty good too, you know?”

“You, youuu—!! That topic is forbidden from now on!”

This guy, always so smug when he gets something on me! When I shrieked, Nocturne just grinned impudently, teasing me. And then he even started meddling with my outfit!

“But seriously, are you going out dressed like that?”

“Lately, I keep feeling a sense of crisis, so I need to get hyped up.”

“No, what kind of outfit is that? You’re just naked. Ugh.”

“No! This is the ‘Soft Slime Set for Adults Only’! It might not look like it, but it’s a legendary item!”

[Soft Slime Top for Adults Only (Pink)]

– General / Top / Special / Set

Defense: 0 / Weight: 0 / Value: 0 / Durability: — (Infinite)

Description: This item was awarded during a special patch event celebrating the 5th anniversary of the game’s launch. It is made from soft, transparent slime. It is very elastic. It is completely see-through! Do not knead too hard. Your hand may sink inside. This is truly an adult’s pleasure!

Additional Effects: Cannot be soiled / Invincible to physical attacks (blunt weapons) / Emits a faint glow.

This is a set item: Top / Bottom.

Set Bonus: When both are equipped: Charm +10% / Allure +20% / Double effect on evil-aligned beings.

This item was obtained through a surprise patch event on Children’s Day, commemorating the game’s 5th anniversary. It’s an underwear set made of soft, transparent slime. Other clothes cannot be worn over it because it’s recognized as a regular top and bottom.

“Please don’t ‘hype yourself up’ like that. It’s embarrassing for the person who has to walk with you…!!”

“Why do people always comment on my outfit? I keep telling them to just ignore it.”

“It’s not the kind of appearance that can be ignored.”

With Jack gone, this guy is squawking away. Nocturne ran a hand down his face.

It just looks like a normal bra and panties. What’s the big deal? Though transparent, the crucial areas have extremely severe light refraction applied, making them subtly unseen.

“Is it because you’re curious? Want to touch it?”

At my words, Nocturne, who had been squawking, suddenly fell silent. Perhaps he was just curious about it. Nocturne stared intently at me with a subtle expression, then unnecessarily licked his lips and reached out a hand.

He then kneaded the slime top over one side of my chest.

“Th-this isn’t the texture I expected, you know? It really feels like human skin…?”

“Right, exactly. Because it’s slime.”

“Where did you get such a bizarre thing?”

“Bizarre, you say? It’s harder to get than you’d think. You have to defeat ten boss-level demons from a special event to get it.”

Then, perhaps applying a little too much force, his hand sank inside and touched the skin of my chest.

“Did I… break it?”

“No? That’s how it is. It sinks in if you apply pressure.”

“Where did you get such a perverted item?!”

“Perverted? This is precisely the attire of a true demon hunter.”

‘Of course, the eternal standard is white panties. But sometimes, don’t you need something new to clear your head? Especially with how many confusing things have been happening lately.’

“Do I have to dress like this to hunt demons too?”

“No. If you guys wore this, you’d die from a mere touch, so you couldn’t even if you wanted to. Anyway, how long are you going to keep kneading my chest? It’s starting to feel strange.”

The way his hand clung felt truly bizarre. Watching him prod the slime, kneading my breast flesh until it bulged between his fingers, was incredibly strange. It was ticklish and unpleasant.

I pulled away Nocturne’s hand, which continued to knead my chest.

“Damn it, I’ll have to wear something else because of this pervert.”

“I appreciate you changing, but I don’t want to be called a pervert by a pervert.”

“I’m not a pervert. You are.”

‘What, why, what do you want? What are you staring at like that? Now you’re insulting me with your eyes?’

‘I finally pulled out a new outfit to get hyped up, but I can’t even wear it for long before having to change again. How annoying.’

Just a moment ago, I was set on hunting demons immediately, but then I realized I’d have to return to the capital anyway. I needed to get weapons fitted. There was also enchantment, crafting, and so much more to do.

To start, I brought Nocturne along to make weapons. I had considered leaving him behind, but figured I might as well get him a weapon too while I was there. Yet, he kept whining incessantly. If it weren’t for the fluttering sprout above his head, I would have knocked him flat long ago.

“Haut, you have no middle ground.”

“What’s the problem now?”

“Anyone would think you’d worked in some workshop for ten years.”

“Hey, this is incredibly expensive. Don’t criticize my work clothes.”

Not only my clothes but all my accessories were solely related equipment that boosted production skills. On the surface, I looked like some shabby village blacksmith, which was a flaw, but I wore it purely for its performance, so what did it matter?

While other major cities also had large forges, the best options came from the forge in the ‘Forge of Origins’ workshop district in the capital. It wasn’t just a feeling; according to lore, that forge was used by the empire’s greatest master craftsman. In fact, finished products gain a +10% increase in ‘durability power.’ Unlike ‘durability points,’ durability power isn’t directly displayed, making it hard to notice without using the item. Higher durability power means durability points decrease more slowly than with ordinary crafted items.

“Damn it. What is it this time? Why can’t I go in?”

“Turn back. This place is a historical memorial.”

“You mean I can’t use it now? Isn’t there a fire lit in there right now?”

“Only authorized individuals may use it.”

“So why can’t I use it?”

This place too? I really can’t figure this out! As I tried to enter, a guard stood in front, blocking my path!

“Seriously, how can you not recognize me, of all people?”

‘Damn it. This shouldn’t be happening. I don’t know why everyone keeps acting so unsettling.’

The ‘Forge of Origins’ workshop in the artisan district is usually accessible after completing a specific quest. While lore dictates that a few authorized individuals other than players exist, they never actually appear in-game.

‘Players can’t just wait around for NPCs to finish their work.’

But now, not only is the workshop in use, but the gatekeeper doesn’t even recognize me! Given the lore that only a few people can use the Forge of Origins, there’s no way they wouldn’t recognize an authorized person. So there’s no need for any special token. This is truly infuriating!

“Haut, I don’t know what’s going on, but let’s just go back. This isn’t the only forge around.”

“No. You have to use this forge for it to turn out well. Other places have weaker heat, so the durability power drops.”

I even tried showing them my Proof of Glory, thinking it might work, but they just cursed me, telling me not to try to scam them. I really didn’t want to cause trouble in the capital, but they were constantly irritating me.

“I think it could be done with money too, how much was it?”

“An amount you couldn’t possibly imagine.”

“No, damn it, you’re just a guard, so stop spouting nonsense and just guide me.”

The constant bickering made it impossible not to get annoyed. I hadn’t meant to curse, but I truly couldn’t take it anymore! Why was every place I went like this? Was I going crazy? Was I really not in my right mind?

Perhaps startled by my outburst, Nocturne grabbed my arm, trying to restrain me.

‘Should I kill them? Just wipe them out? Or just make the weapons and bolt? Ancient language crafting can only be done in the capital, but it would be fine if I left the others outside, snuck in alone, used it, and left. As for the bounty, I could just come back when things calm down, pay the money, and clear it.’

“Hey, I don’t know what you’re thinking, but you can’t kill them. You know that, right?”

The guard had shifted into a defensive stance, as if ready to attack if I lunged. I fumed silently for a moment, then sighed and pulled 1,000 gold from my inventory.

“I don’t remember how much it was, but 1,000 gold should be enough, right?”

Thwack!

With a brutal sound, the guard, struck by the money pouch, collapsed, spewing blood. Another guard nearby, startled, drew his sword against me, then froze, seeing the burst money pouch.

‘But did a mere money pouch hit really cause that much blood? I don’t know. I guess so.’