Surveying the next berry area they finally reached, they noticed the bushes were also bare, a visible pink residue coating the branches. It was as if the slime was on overdrive with its consumption, unable to stop drooling and making excess slime. It made Kasla think of an overexcited dog eager for its meal. Engrossed in their investigation they paid no attention to the stillness in the air, not even an insect daring to sing. 

“No sign of the lil slime.” Kasla shook his head, scratching the back of his head in befuddlement. For the amount of evidence the missing pet left behind, one would think it was easy to track.

“Hm…” Mi-mi examined the map. “There should be at least several more bushes in this area… Maybe if we head—”

Kasla went stock-still. “Mi-mi!” he hissed, eyes round. 

“What? What’s wrong?!” Mi-mi became alert, reaching for the vials on her belt.

“There!” Kasla pointed, not believing his eyes. From one side of a bush in the distance a pink blob appeared. After a moment it moved and came into view more, revealing a fat pink slime with a green ribbon that had a deep green gem in the middle of the bow.

The slime was preoccupied eating berries, slurping them off the bushes with gurgling noises. The berries visibly swirled around in its nearly translucent body, gradually dissolving with a faint hiss of acidity. Around the oblivious and well fed slime were tiny rabbits, munching on the bushes’ leaves rather nervously, ears twitching.

“That’s the slime! Nava!” Mi-mi exclaimed in shock and relief. At the sound of its name the slime’s ear-like antennae perked and appeared to look at them given its lack of eyes, still inhaling a berry with the unrivaled force of a vacuum.

Kasla was rooted to the spot by shock at finally seeing their quarry as well as seeing such ferocity in which the slime ate. Mi-mi’s shout roused him from his stupor. “Come on, let’s grab it!” He took a step forward, causing the slime’s antennae to go straight up in alarm like rabbit ears. 

“Don’t grab it just yet! You’ll scare the little guy,” Mi-mi held out her hand to stop him, speaking in a low tone.

“Oh! Right!” Kasla mentally smacked himself at his eagerness. Being too hasty could cause them precious time if they had to chase the slime all over the forest.

Mi-mi reached into her bag and pulled out a croissant she bought at the bakery. Despite it now being hours old and cooled, the delectable smell carried in the air. “Nava, over here! I have this delicious bread for you.” She waved the croissant at the slime, drawing its attention from Kasla.

Nava bolted from the bush, making a sloshing sound. In big hops it bounded towards Mi-mi. As soon as it was close enough the slime slurped the fresh food out of Mi-mi’s hand with surprisingly gentleness despite its eagerness. It proceeded to munch on it, making happy gurgling sounds as if it were the first thing it had eaten in days.

“Your owner has been worried sick, you know that, Nava? Come on, let’s get you back to her.” Mi-mi smiled at the content slime who clearly missed the perks of human food. “Kasla, can you carry Nava, please?”

“Sure thing.” Kasla grabbed Nava and lifted it, arms straining as he was surprised by the weight. The slime didn’t resist, instead looking quite content in the company of humans and perhaps by the notion of a free ride. It gurgled in Kasla’s arms as he managed to lift it to his chest. Oof! I didn’t realize slimes can get this heavy! It’s like carrying a huge bucket of water if not two!

“Good, good. Part one of the mission complete.” Mi-mi gave a large smile and thumbs up. “Great work, partner.”

“So you brought me along just to be the muscle?” Kasla asked with a wry smile, his arms tensing from the impending work out. “Boy do I feel suckered.” 

“I told you my usual two knuckleheads skipped out, why are you so surprised?” Mi-mi gave a wink. “Someone on the team has to be the strong one if I’m the brains. Come on, it’s getting late.”

They had taken a few steps when a cry split the air, the unnatural silence shattering as if it were a crack of lightning. The sound was painful, like a dying animal as it trailed off, dying in the unfortunate creature’s throat. A thump was heard and then a rhythmic beating before a louder cry sounded, piercing and victorious. It was deafening, only a few paces away behind the trees. 

“Shit! That cry!” Mi-mi looked panicked, paling as her voice dropped to a horrified whisper. “It’s a troll! We have to hide!”

“Troll?! SHIT!” Kasla swore quietly, pulse quickening as every fiber of his being told him to run. The hair on the back of his neck stood up at the victory cry. In his hands the slime quivered, hunching. 

Kasla and Mi-mi looked around frantically, the trees not enough to shelter them from the keen senses of the monster. Sweat rolled down their faces and backs as they panicked, feeling like rabbits knowing a wolf was upon them.

“There! We can hide there!” Kasla whispered urgently, gesturing to a large tree with a sizable opening. They dove towards it, barely squeezing in as there was just enough elbow room. No sooner they ducked inside the tree the ground shook with heavy footsteps, each vibration sending a wave of panic through them.

Let it pass. Let it pass. O Mother Ina, let it pass. Kasla frantically prayed, too afraid to breathe. Mi-mi pressed against him, her hand on his shoulder, slightly trembling like him.

The footsteps drew closer, slow and heavy. They could hear loud huffs as the troll breathed, something dragging behind it.

Mi-mi swallowed and looked at Kasla, signaling him to be quiet as she pressed a finger to her lips. Kasla gulped, slapping a hand over his mouth to keep down a nervous whimper. Sweat rolled into his eyes and he blinked, trying to not mind the stinging salt. In his other arm Nava trembled, completely flat like a pancake as if trying to avoid being spotted. Slowly Mi-mi peeked her head out, bracing herself.

On the other side of the tree loomed the monstrosity. Standing over six meters tall was the troll. It was covered in battle scars, fresh blood splattered across its front from blunt force trauma, its only clothing a ragged loincloth. Its long pointy ears flicked with annoyance at a fly attracted by the gore, its lip curling and showing off savage fangs. Its iconic long nose was absent, only two holes visible as the appendage appeared to have been lopped off some time before.

In the monster’s hand was a large club nearly the same height as its owner, coated with fresh blood. In its other hand was the body of an orc. Its head was caved in and bloody—the owner of the cry from before. The troll snorted, tightening its grip on its club and fresh kill. 

That’s… that’s a Rank C monster! A war troll! Why is it here?! Mi-mi looked on in horror and confusion, mind racing. Soon she recalled Misterion’s warning. 

“The forest that you will be entering contains a variety of monsters that are Rank E to Rank C. I have put on the map where the Rank C monsters patrol. I advise you to avoid it at all costs.”

Shit! We were so preoccupied searching I didn’t check if this was part of their patrol. I lead us right into this! Mi-mi gulped, sweat rolling down. Her glasses began to lightly fog up as she grew hot from nervousness. I need to stay calm. I have to get us all out of here. It’s my responsibility.

Mi-mi’s fingers brushed one of her potions, ready to use it. Acid will create a distraction. I just have to temporarily blind it and melt its weapon. That’ll give us time to run. She held her breath as she waited for the troll to pass, praying conflict was avoidable. Our only chance is poison or fire magic, but they have to ingest the poison. Someone with a flame enchanted sword must have chopped off its nose, their skin is rock hard.

She glanced at her belt, eying her vials. I only have my poison, acid, and paralyzing cocktails and healing potions. I should have made more just in case, I underestimated this quest! Her hand rested on an acid cocktail, fingers trembling.

Mi-mi kept her hand ready as the war troll moved. Soon it slipped through the trees, its footsteps growing fainter and fainter, a bloody trail left behind by the slain orc and the bloody club. As soon as they could no longer hear the footsteps Mi-mi and Kasla let out big sighs, both straining to hold their breath in the long minutes. Their hearts pounded in their chests, Kasla gulping for air and shaking. 

“I-is it gone?” Kasla managed a hoarse whisper, his hands shaking from  adrenaline.

“I-I think so,” Mi-mi breathed, scooting back into the shelter of the tree. She pressed her back against it, exhaling as she wiped her brow. She pulled out the map with trembling hands, the excitement not yet worn off. The area was marked Rank C with notes listing patrolling monsters as orcs, trolls and war trolls. “We need to be careful, we’re in their territory. We need to get out of here as soon as we can. We’re lucky that the war troll couldn’t smell us.” 

“Right.” Kasla nodded, his heart in his throat. Mi-mi gave him a small smile before looking at the slime in his lap. Nava had practically turned to goop, deflated to the point it could have been mistaken as a pink puddle. 

Kasla followed her gaze and smiled, gently petting the frightened slime. “It's alright buddy, you're alright. Come on, let's get you home.”

Kasla and Mi-mi looked at one another with understanding. Mi-mi’s expression was serious, any playfulness gone. “Stay close to me. I got you into this, I’ll get you out.” 

Kasla nodded and slowly followed her out of their hiding spot, casting a cautious look around for signs of the war troll or others, straining to hear the unmistakable footsteps. Once the coast was clear the duo quietly, but hurriedly ran off, anxious to leave the forest behind.

The rabbits from earlier had scattered, running around in confused circles and darting for shelter as the monster approached. The war troll didn't spare a glance at the small creatures, its yellow eyes on its fresh kill. Drool dripped from its lips as it eyed the corpse, perhaps thinking of feasting on its prize sooner rather than later. After a few moments the troll gave a wheezing huff and trudged on.