Slime Keeper: A Juicy Slice-of-Life LitRPG, page 29
“Isn’t it beautiful?” she murmured, almost to herself.
“Definitely eye-catching,” I agreed, noting the way the light danced within the stone, reflecting off her freckles.
She was enraptured, and the gorls walked ahead of us a little.
I let Larissa enjoy it a moment longer before I gently tugged her away. “Come on, before the good slots are taken,” I said with a casual grin, steering us back on track to the registration tables.
As we ambled past a cluster of craft stalls, Glessal’s eyes widened at the sight of a merchant flaunting an array of flamboyant headdresses. Without hesitation, she darted over, her curiosity piqued, and lifted one adorned with feathers that shimmered like oil on water.
“Guys, look!” she beamed, placing it atop her head, the plumes accentuating the blue tones of her skin. “Isn’t it fabulous?”
“Definitely your style,” I chuckled, watching her admire her reflection in a hand mirror, twirling to see it from every angle.
“Adds a certain regal flair,” Slanna added with an approving nod, her gaze following the undulating feathers.
We were all caught up in the moment, enjoying the simple pleasures of the faire, when suddenly, a shadow loomed over us, snuffing out the morning sun. An uninvited chill ran down my spine as I turned to face the source—a mountain of a man, if you could call him that.
I’d never seen him before now, but the badge made it clear my suspicion was correct.
Sheriff Raknar stood there, his arms folded, a scowl etched deep into his leathery skin. His presence was like a storm cloud over a picnic, and the festive atmosphere soured instantly.
“You’re Blake,” he growled, each syllable heavy with malice.
I straightened up, meeting his glare with a casual raise of my eyebrow.
“Sheriff Raknar. To what do I owe the displeasure?” I asked, deliberately leaving aside his title.
“You’re almost out of time,” he said, his words carrying. “Quit wasting my time. I know you don’t have the money. Surrender ownership.”
“Ah,” I said, feigning contemplation while keeping my tone light. “But who would feed all the blerps back at the ranch? They’d miss me terribly. And anyway… you never issued me the decree. I heard about it second hand, but was told I’d have two weeks from when it was delivered. Nothing came my way.”
The crowd tittered, sensing the tension but drawn to the spectacle like moths to a flame. Raknar’s jaw clenched, his disdain for my resistance clear as day. The standoff had become a theater, and I knew the show must go on.
“This has been a great little chat, sheriff,” I continued, my confidence unwavering even as my mind raced for a way out. “But I think I’ll keep my little slice of paradise. You know how it is—home sweet home and all that.”
“Think you’re clever, do you?” Raknar’s voice boomed, echoing off the canvas tents. He stepped closer, trying to tower over me, but I stood my ground, a smile playing on my lips.
“Occasionally,” I said, making myself grin to fight back my frustration at this man. Part of me wanted to dispense with the bullshit and just show him what I was capable of doing. The rest of me pointed out killing the sheriff in broad daylight was a good way to look like a psychopath. “But mostly I just enjoy the simple things. Like faires, stuffed toys, and not giving away my hard-earned property.”
The crowd around us seemed to hold its breath, waiting to see what would happen next.
Raknar’s hefty hand hung in the air, as if ready to deliver a crushing backhand in response to my audacious challenge, but I just tilted my head and laughed. “You know, Raknar, if you wanted to shake hands, a simple ‘hello’ would have sufficed.”
The crowd snickered, and I could see a flicker of irritation cross the sheriff’s already stormy expression. He wasn’t used to being the butt of the joke, especially not in Edgedown where his word was law.
“Listen here,” he growled, attempting to regain control, but I cut him off with a wave of my hand.
“Actually, I’d love to stay and chat about real estate opportunities,” I said with a wry grin, “but I’m more interested in the pie-eating contest. Heard there’s a blueberry entry that’s to die for.”
A ripple of laughter moved through the crowd, and even a few of the more courageous souls nodded in agreement. It seemed everyone loved the faire’s blueberry pie; from the various nods, it was practically an institution.
“Enough!” Raknar barked, his patience fraying as he reached out to grab my arm with a swift, bullish move.
But that’s when things got really interesting. I grabbed onto the stands of power I could feel through me and activated [Umbral Step].
I reappeared a few feet to the side, leaving Raknar grasping at thin air. His momentum carried him forward, and with a thud that seemed to echo through the fairgrounds, the big man kissed the dirt, landing squarely on his rump.
The tension that had been building snapped like a poorly cast spell, and the crowd erupted into a cacophony of guffaws and cackles. Even Glessal, who had been eyeing a headdress moments before, doubled over with mirth, her earlier discomfort forgotten.
“Looks like gravity is no friend to the law today.” I dusted off my hands as if I’d done something far more strenuous than a little magical hop.
Raknar, red-faced and sputtering, scrambled upright, shooting glares that could curdle milk. But it was too late—the spectacle had reduced the fearsome sheriff to a mere punchline.
Raknar’s departure was as dramatic as his entrance, complete with muttered curses and a cloud of dust kicked up by his heavy boots. I couldn’t help but chuckle at the sight—him, a big brute of a man, reduced to a child throwing a tantrum.
“Come on, let’s not let him sour the day. There’s too much fun to be had,” Glessal said, tugging at my sleeve like an excited kid at a candy store.
“Agreed. The faire awaits, and I have yet to sample every variety of candied nut this place has to offer,” I declared.
“Priorities, Blake, I respect that,” Larissa chimed in, her laughter fading into a contented smile.
And so we strolled on, weaving through the crowd that had moments ago circled us like vultures. Now they were just fairegoers again, their attention drawn to jugglers and fire-eaters, to the clinking sounds of coin at games of chance, and the alluring aromas of sizzling meats and sweet confections.
We wanted to spend a few more hours here, and get the rest of our entrants registered, before we headed home.
But, of course, the faire was a distraction and we were children lining up at the candyman’s counter.
“Hey, look over there! Isn’t that the ring toss game? I bet you could win us some of those prizes,” Slanna said.
“Only if you can pry me away from the next food booth,” I replied, winking.
“Deal. But only if you share the spoils,” she bargained, matching my playful tone. “Glessal still needs a prize, after all.”
“Always,” I assured her. She caught my eye and I gave her a more serious look before repeating myself. “Always.”Slanna blushed, Glessal giggled, and Larissa smiled.
The elf slapped me on the shoulder with a grin. “You all are cute. Now come on, let’s go!”
Chapter 34
The next morning was sounded by a chorus of “Tzaaaaas” casting a warm glow on our ranch as we scrambled to prepare for the contest. I could feel the excitement in the air as Glessal, Slanna, and I made sure everything was perfect.
Ross was ready to go. I tried to get him to go into one of the transportation jars, but he apparently didn’t like them anymore. The hybrid, being younger, was traveling in one of the slime transport jars so he’d feel safe.
“All right, team,” I said, adjusting my shirt. Apparently I’d put it on backwards as I was sleepily getting ready. “Ross is counting on us.”
“Of course, Blake!” Glessal replied with her usual bubbly enthusiasm, her blue skin shimmering under the sunlight. “I’ve gone through our checklist three times already,” she added, waving a parchment in the air.
“Make it four,” Slanna chimed in, her purple-skinned face displaying a rare smile.
“Great,” I said, feeling a surge of confidence. With Ross perched on my shoulder, we set out towards town, anticipation making every step lighter.
As we approached the fairgrounds, a cacophony of sounds and colors assaulted our senses. Eager spectators and competitors, a mix of humans, gorls, and various other Ylege species, filled every available space.
“Somehow it feels even…more than yesterday,” I said to the gorls.
“It is! People show up in droves for the slime portions of the faire—some people make today the only day they show up,” Slanna said.
“Isn’t it?” Glessal agreed, beaming. “And to think, Ross will be competing in front of all these people!”
“Let’s hope he’s up for it,” Slanna remarked, her eyes darting around at the other contestants. “There’s some stiff competition.”
“Hey, don’t worry,” I reassured her. “Ross’s got this.” I felt Ross squirm on my shoulder, as if to agree. “Let’s do this, team.”
Together, we navigated the bustling fairgrounds.
The area buzzed with excitement, its stands filled with eager faces as the contest kicked off. Trained slimes of all shapes and sizes bounded into the spotlight, each showcasing their unique abilities under the watchful eye of their handlers. The vibrant display of colors and talent was mesmerizing, and I couldn’t help but compare Ross’s chances against these seasoned competitors.
“Wow, look at that one!” Glessal exclaimed, pointing to a slime that seemed to be emitting sparks.
“Pretty impressive,” I admitted, feeling a twinge of concern for Ross. “But we’ve got our well-trained slime, right buddy?” I patted Ross gently, trying to boost both his confidence.
“Blake, relax,” Slanna whispered, sensing my anxiety. “Ross has been training hard, and he’s got us by his side.”
“All right, all right,” I sighed, forcing a smile. “Let’s just enjoy the show until it’s time for the hybrid showcase.”
Our attention was riveted back to the grand spectacle unfolding before us, a captivating display of color and magic that had the audience on their feet. The anticipation was tangible, a living entity that grew denser with each act that pranced off the stage.
The first act featured an earth slime blerp, guided by a gorl whose skin shimmered like polished bronze under the fairground lights. She manipulated the soil beneath her feet with an elegance that bordered on poetry, coaxing intricate sculptures into existence in mid-air which then crumbled back into dust at her command. Her finale—a towering replica of a statue from the center of town—earned her thunderous applause and whistles of approval from the crowd.
Next came a fire slime blerp whose performance was nothing short of explosive. Literally. An elf maiden set the stage ablaze with fiery rings and columns of flame that soared high into the night sky, commanding the creature with a flick of her wrist. It was dangerous and thrilling all at once, making hearts race and breaths hitch in awe.
A water slime blerp followed suit, commanded by a lork who moved waves with such finesse it felt as if we were watching a symphony composed entirely of liquid motion. Her display ended with a massive tidal wave crashing down onto an invisible barrier around the stage, causing gasps and cheers to ripple through the crowd.
Laughter bubbled up around us as an air blerp took center stage next, led by another gorl who turned her performance into a comedy act by manipulating gusts to lift hats off unsuspecting spectators or ruffle clothing in embarrassing ways.
The energy in the crowd was infectious as they reveled in this impressive showcase of diverse slime abilities—each act more remarkable than the last—not just due to the various skills of the performers but also because of the amazing blerps they commanded.
This wasn’t what I was expecting, and I was sort of worried about Ross. Was my showcase of him supposed to be some coordinated show? I thought we were just running an obstacle course and doing the standard pet show Q&A.
But then, without warning, the festive atmosphere turned to chaos. A flock of crow Pursak birds, their eyes glowing menacingly, dove towards the contest area. The crowd gasped in fear, scattering in every direction in an attempt to evade the sudden attack.
“Everyone, get down!” I shouted, grabbing Ross from my shoulder and taking cover behind a nearby pillar. “Ross, stay hidden!”
“Blake, what’s happening?” Glessal asked, her eyes wide with alarm.
“Those are crow pursaks,” Slanna said, her voice a mix of dread and anger. “But why are they attacking?”
“Good question, but no time,” I said, my mind racing to find a solution. My mind focused, and with a quick motion of my hands, I drew upon my slimecasting abilities. I envisioned a protective dome as I pumped mana into [Shape Slime] and as I spread my arms wide, a translucent barrier shimmered into existence around us to protect Ross and the hybrid.
“Stay close!” I yelled over the cacophony of caws and the gasps of the crowd.
Glessal nodded and stepped forward, her form becoming a beacon amidst the chaos. With a laugh that seemed out of place in the mayhem but so very Glessal, she clapped her hands together, then flung them out towards our assailants. Daggers that she shaped with her slime went flying outward, buffeting the birds and driving them back. The crow pursaks recoiled, startled by the sudden assault.
Meanwhile, Slanna moved like a shadow, quiet and deliberate. Her eyes narrowed as she focused on the disoriented pursaks. With graceful hand movements, she wove shadows into orbs of pure darkness that streaked out, battering the birds as they bounced between them.
I stayed on the defensive, watching our most valuable slimes closely. We’d planned for this. Glessal and Slanna were better at ranged combat and I was a beast in melee, and we knew that someone would try something. I just needed to make sure I was ready for when—
One of the pursaks landed in front of me, stretching up on legs. This close it looked less like a bird and more like some tentacled velociraptor. It screeched and lunged at me.
I used [Shape Slime] to wrap my first in a cudgel and punched it hard in the beak, driving it back. I stepped forward to follow up, but greedy hands reached from an unseen figure toward my slimes. A quick [Shape Slime] sent a whip cracking across the back of the hands, driving the attacker off, but that meant I had to let the pursak regain its footing.
People were watching, shouting. A few people with class levels of their own were firing attacks at the airborne pursaks, but most of these people were low level and didn’t have the power of an [Earthborn Human] [slimecaster].
The terrestrial pursak lunged forward, pecking at the barrier over the Ross.
So I wasn’t the target.
I reached out, grabbing the creature by the beak before it could get any more pecks in.
Without missing a beat, Slanna stepped forward, her silhouette seeming to blend with the darkness around her. At that moment, it was as if night itself reached out to envelop the crow pursak; it vanished into Slanna’s shadowy embrace before being flung back into the sky.
Sweat dripped down my forehead as I hurled a ball of slime at an incoming crow pursak. The creature screeched and veered off course, but its comrades continued to swoop in with menacing intent. We were working hard, but there were so many of them.
“Blake!” Slanna cried out, her voice cutting through the chaos. “Watch out!”
I barely had time to register her warning before a crow pursak slammed into me, its beak grazing off my face.
If not for my improved stats, I would have lost an eye.
I stumbled back, fighting to maintain my footing. In that instant, Slanna leaped forward, launching herself at the creature. She grappled with it, her darkness slime enveloping the bird, only for another to burst through, striking her with a vicious peck.
“Slanna!” I shouted, panic surging through me as more Pursaks lunged in. “Get off of my gorl!” I bellowed, an [Umbral Step] carrying me to her side. I threw my arms around her as I used [Shape Slime], a barrier of slime erupting from my hands to expand outwards around myself and Slanna, pushing the pursaks back.
They screamed and cawed, slashing and biting at the barrier.
“Are you able to [Umbral Step]?” I asked Slanna, looking over her form to see if she was injured.The darkness gorl nodded. “The pecks hurt, but I don’t think they caused real damage.”
“Go,” I said as two more pursak’s landed on the barrier, clawing and scratching. “You and Glessal keep Ross and the hybrid safe.”
Slanna didn’t say a word, just gave me a quick hug and kiss on the check, then used [Umbral Step].
The moment she was clear, I used [Shape Slime] to give myself a pair of swords—and dropped the barrier. “Come on then!” I shouted at the pursaks.
They dove in.
Up until this point, this entire fight had been at range. The crow pursaks were probably smart like their natural counterparts. They seemed to think I was weak.
I swung my blades the instant one got close, moving with all the speed afforded to me by my stat bonuses. The creature was sliced into four pieces before the first chunk of it landed. I ducked as a second came up behind me, raising my swords to catch it as it passed overhead, severing its wings.
Two more lunged in from the sides at my feet, and I leapt, turning the motion into a somersault as I sliced beneath myself, cutting the pursaks in half, and kicking upwards to catch another, crunching its bones under the impact.
I landed and tossed my swords upwards, catching one mid-flight.
The exhilaration of pulling off such a difficult maneuver didn’t fail to distract me from the dozens more descending. They really were putting the “murder” in “murder of crows.”
