"The monster. It'll be here in, like, an hour, ya know? I sensed it when I was searching for Wrathie!"

"Okay, so we've got company incoming. Do you have any other information on what is coming, Envy?"

Despite the sudden turn of events, Alex was already getting used to talking to this newcomer like they'd been here all along. He felt like he should be worried about that, but now wasn't the time for such thoughts.

"Yeah! It's one of those slimy, jiggly, bouncy things!"

Treya spoke up now, apprehension evident in her tone as she and Quinn began moving toward the door.

"Do you mean a slime?"

"Yupyupyup! Aren't they so cute! I dunno why you mortals always run from them, they just want a cuddle!"

"A 'cuddle' and to devour everything bearing mana in their path!"

"Well… Isn't that what a cuddle is?"

"Alright, hold up! Why do you sound so scared of a little old slime? Those are like… the most basic monsters out there!"

In Alex's mind, pictures floated about of cute little critters that adventurers fought early on in almost every Isekai manga. At worst, it would have some kind of dissolving ability if it sat on your flesh for too long, right?

"Ser Jaeger, I believe now would be a good time to evacuate the village. We are ill-equipped to alter the path of such a being."

Quinn's face had gone pale, like when Alex had set out to shoot down Aundell. Treya was already at the door. She flung it open and froze in her tracks. Celia started laughing like she had gone insane. Only Aundell seemed unperturbed by the perceived predicament.

"Guys, it's just a slime! Don't you know some characters defeat thousands of them just to hit level 10? We're gonna be fiiiii…. Fuck."

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Hope you all liked the sneak peek of what's coming in Volume 2! Be sure to check the reviews as I've finally left one with the other ways you can keep up to date on the story's progression, as well as get advanced reading perks, help me write my next novel, and maybe become a founder for my Twitch channel!

Thank you all so much for reading this story and helping me to grow as an author. I am currently dual-tasking: I'm writing Volume 2 while also cleaning up Volume one for self-publication. If you have any constructive criticism, please feel free to leave a comment letting me know what it is, and I'll try and make this the best book that's ever been written!

Stay amazing, and may you have the best of days!