Chapter 4

There are various opinions on the discussion of the weakest monster.

Some people mention lower bird species like Silkbirds, which have difficulties in combat, or small insect species.

Goblins and Slimes are also mentioned in this discussion.

However, there is no definitive conclusion to this debate.

Despite many people discussing it seriously or half-jokingly over a long period, no single conclusion that satisfies everyone has been reached.

The focus of the discussion and the resolution can change depending on the conditions considered.

Still, there are some strong candidates.

First, let's consider the discussion on the weakest magical beast.

In addition to strength and the magic power they provide, the usability of the magical beast itself is also a factor in this discussion.

What about bird species? Indeed, they are generally weak in combat and provide weak magic power.

However, they can perform tasks like transportation and reconnaissance, and many people find them aesthetically pleasing.

What about insect species?

Flying insects and crawling insects are not expected to be useful in combat or work, and many people dislike their appearance.

However, insect species have unique evolution potential and special abilities that other species do not have.

What about Goblins?

There are many objections to the argument that Goblins are the weakest monsters.

Everyone knows that they are weak in strength and magic power, and they are famous as monsters that beginners go to slay.

However, Goblins have a wisdom that cannot be underestimated.

What about Slimes?

They are also often called the weakest.

It goes without saying that they are weak in strength and magic power, and they lack the abilities of bird species, the potential of insect species, and the wisdom of Goblins.

Their ecology is not well understood, and attacks do not penetrate their semi-transparent parts.

However, their weakness is their visible core, and their movement is slow, and they do not attack humans, so defeating a Slime is easy.

The biggest problem is that Slimes are said to lack intelligence.

Other species have intelligence, and the more the relationship deepens, the more magic power they provide.

Even without intelligence, they can follow simple instructions, but they cannot think for themselves or perform complex commands.

Then, how can one deepen the relationship with an unintelligent magical beast?

It is said to be impossible.

Weak in strength and magic power, lacking special abilities and intelligence, and unable to perform complex commands.

Their ecology is not well understood, their weaknesses are obvious, and while not many people find them repulsive, some find their mysterious form eerie.

Overall, they are considered the weakest. That is the evaluation of Slimes as magical beasts.

Some might say that it's almost a foregone conclusion, but since no one knows what they can and cannot do, and the information about Slimes is scarce, they are often forgotten and not included in the discussion.

However, Slimes, with their mysterious ecology, are said to never attack other monsters and can survive in any environment, and are considered to have outstanding survival skills.

While no one knows the truth, it is certain that the image people generally have of Slimes is not positive.

Everyone in the room pitied Jike's tears.

A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

The hope of escaping the slums was crushed, they thought.

The soldier, who had lowered his spear in caution at the bright light of the magic circle, guided Jike away from it.

Seeing Jike being led to a corner of the room with a Slime, even Rau couldn't find the words to comfort his best friend.

Jike, who had left the magic circle, continued to cry while holding the Slime in the corner.

No one knew that these were tears of joy.

Everyone believed without a doubt that Jike was in the depths of despair.

"I'm sorry, I couldn't understand. I won't make the same mistake again."

Once the soldier left, Jike spoke to the Slime without hesitation.

In the past, when the Slime was summoned, Jike couldn't accept the fact and rejected the Slime.

Now, he had no such intention.

In fact, he was even grateful.

"Thank you for coming back to me, even to someone like me."

Hugging the Slime tightly, it deformed to fit the shape of his arms.

The Slime stayed in his arms without resisting or trying to escape.

"Is it okay to call you Fios again? The name comes from the goddess Alphioshaint, who gives alms in the slums."

The surface of the Slime—Fios—rippled.

Simultaneously, Jike felt that it was a sign of joy.

The link was already strengthening.

It might not be the same Slime, but watching the process, Jike knew it was the same one.

"Is that so... Is that so, are you happy?"

Tears that had almost stopped began to flow again.

His life had been full of jealousy, regret, and self-reflection, and he had never had the confidence to boast about it to others.

A life without jealousy or regret is probably impossible.

Still, he wanted to make choices that minimized regret and to re-evaluate what he had to avoid jealousy.

With Fios, he could do that.

He would show it.

"Jike..."

Rau, who was actually hugging the Slime and crying, looked like he was curled up in the corner, suppressing his tears.

Looking at his own magical beast.

Was it the complex emotions? The Thunderlight Tiger only stared back at Rau with its eyes.

Rau regretted his earlier boasting.

Any words he could say would only sound condescending.

Rau saw Jike's tears for the first time, despite Jike always being there for him when Rau cried.

He wasn't sure if he should be there for Jike now.

"Hey, Rau! What are you doing here first?"

It was about time for everyone to finish their contracts, and more children were brought in.

The slums were unexpectedly large, and not all the children could be gathered at once just by the soldiers calling them.

They planned to bring the children in batches from different sections of the slums.

The official was still there, as usual.

He seemed to only want to work for the first batch.

The children who were called after Rau and Jike were brought in.

A girl who noticed Rau standing still, unable to call out to Jike, approached him.

She had striking red hair, dirty but clearly beautiful when cleaned.

It was Eni, who was good friends with Rau and Jike.

She bounded over to Rau like a fawn and almost bumped into Rau's Thunderlight Tiger.

"Wait, is that...?"

"Y-Yeah..."

"Wow! As expected, Rau! I don't know what it is, but it looks really strong!"

Rau couldn't help but think that the one who was really impressive was Eni.

She started petting the Thunderlight Tiger, which everyone avoided.

Rau and everyone else were taken aback, and the Thunderlight Tiger looked puzzled for a moment, but Eni petted its fur without hesitation.

After a while, the Thunderlight Tiger almost purred, but then Eni remembered something and looked around.

"By the way, where's Jike? You guys must have come together, right?"

"Jike is... over there."

"Over there? ...Jike, what's wrong!"

Rau hesitated for a moment but pointed in Jike's direction.

Jike was still huddled in the corner where Rau pointed.

Eni rushed to Jike, worried that something had happened.

Hearing a familiar voice, Jike turned around.

The girl with red hair running towards him looked much younger than in his memory.

Jike's red, swollen eyes shocked Eni.

To Eni, who didn't know the situation, Jike looked like he was sulking in the corner, but she didn't expect him to be crying.

She was more shocked by Jike's crying than by the Thunderlight Tiger.

"Erins... No, Eni? Ah...!"

"Are you okay, Jike? What happened? Wait, what really happened..."

Once he started crying, it was hard for Jike to calm down.

Seeing Eni, he cried again, overwhelmed with emotion, and hugged her.

For Jike, it was a reunion hug, but for Eni, they had seen each other just the day before.

Hugged so tightly that it hurt, Eni's face turned red.

She hesitated whether to hug back and comfort him, but the embarrassment made her just let herself be hugged.

No one noticed what happened in the corner, except for Rau.

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