Slime Leveling [Litrpg, Timeloop]-Chapter 216—Forest Of Eldergloom

A little while earlier—

"You are looking good, child," Mama Slime wobbled excitedly, glancing at Averon.

The young slime, in his humanoid form, was now clad in a deep blue long coat that reached to his thighs.

The coat had cream trim around the edges. Around his collar was a thick fur lining. His sleeves were long and slightly loose, suitable for movement. Around his head was a simple, thin blue headband—the sealed artifact, Vael.

He had light gray trousers, which were slightly baggy but comfortable. A brown leather belt was strapped around his waist. To the belt, a small brown leather pouch was attached.1

Overall, the clothing was practical for movement and travel.

Mama Slime's eyes glowed as she glanced at Averon.

"Elder, where did you get this set?" Averon asked, turning towards Nobara, who was clad in a long white robe that dragged on the floor as he bounced over.

Even Mama Slime was in a long brown coat.

Lily had changed to casual clothing from her armor. She was clad in a green oversized sweater and a white coat over it, with fur around her collar.

She had cute leather boots and long gray trousers—baggy, flexible for easy movement and combat.

Little Slime was clad in a short white robe. Elder Slime had cut the robe to his size, as he was falling down and couldn't bounce properly due to the length.

Cow#1 narrowed her eyes while pouting, as she glanced at the gang clad in clothing.

Bull#1 and Wolf#1 were similar to her, with no clothing.

Elder Slime grinned. "They were in the palace."

Averon clicked his tongue, glancing at the others.

Mama Slime, turning towards the naked demons, said softly, "Don't worry. Once we build a place for ourselves, everyone will get proper clothing."

Bull#1 nodded with tears in his eyes. "You are so kind."

Wolf#1 thanked her and almost knelt down. "Thank you very much. Thank you very much."

Cow#1 sighed and moved a little back from the two who were behaving weirdly.

Averon glanced at his pouch. 'This is indeed a storage pouch, but I prefer the Space Storage skill over this any time.'

Back to the present—

"Don't go in!" Elder Nobara yelled, causing Little Slime to stop.

Aqua Crocodile asked, "What is this black mist? And why are all the trees black?"

The trees in front were pitch black in color. Their stems, leaves—everything was black, and they emitted black mist, covering the entire area.

The black mist was slowly spreading around.

Elder Slime replied, "This is a special type of poison—"

"Poison?" Cow#1 exclaimed, cutting Nobara off.

Everyone turned to her as she smiled awkwardly and stepped back.

Nobara sighed and continued, "In this forest, there is a race called Gloom Trees."

"Gloom Trees?" Bull#1 asked, tilting his head.

Lily narrowed her eyes at Elder Slime and then turned to Averon. 'He isn't asking me for information. It seems this Nobara guy is really knowledgeable.'

She didn't interfere—she knew he was a reincarnation from her time—but she wanted to check Nobara's knowledge firsthand.

Elder Slime, glaring at Little Slime, who was poking his fingers into the black mist.

Nobara said, "Gloom Tree is a type of plant demon. But unlike ordinary plant demons, they leak poison. And every black tree here is a tree grown out from its energy."

"Like a clone?" Averon questioned, holding his chin.

Nobara nodded. "Yes—similar, but not the same. These trees are not alive and can be considered as second bodies."

"Second body?" Bull#1 asked as he smashed his head into a tree.

"Ouch!" he yelled, rubbing his horns with his hooves as they turned red.

"When Gloom Tree's main body is killed, it can take any one of these trees as its next main body and shift its presence and soul, coming to life," Nobara said, as everyone's eyes widened except for Lily.

"Then this entire forest must be destroyed to kill it. How can it be so powerful?" Wolf#1 exclaimed, mouth hanging open.

"No, no," Nobara grinned. "How can this entire forest belong to a single Gloom Tree? There are many Gloom Trees."

"Oh." Everyone relaxed.

After all, having an entire forest of more than a million backup bodies would be extraordinary.

"As for this black mist poison—it increases body sensory abilities and the level of pain," Nobara added sternly.

"Increases senses? Isn't that a good effect? How is it poison?" Aqua Crocodile asked, tilting his head. "Is it because of the pain increase?"

"Because if you keep taking in this poison, you'll die out of pain," Elder Slime replied coldly, glancing at Aqua Crocodile.

Crocodile#1 shivered and swallowed his saliva.

"Then how are we supposed to cross this?" Bull#1 asked, tilting his head. "The black mist must be all around the forest."

Cow#1 slammed Bull#1's head with her horn lightly. "Are you an idiot? The entire forest doesn't have this kind of mist. They must be here and there."

Lily nodded in appreciation. "Yes, you are right. This kind of black mist doesn't extend for more than a few kilometers, then disappears and appears again after a few more kilometers."

"Cover yourself with mana or aura," Mama Slime said. She glanced at the slimes. "And slimes—"

Lily cut her off, "I'll cover them all with my aura."

Averon nodded with a small smile and declared, "Let's go."

After a few hours—

Cow#1 glanced at the black mist in front of her. "It's the fourth time we have come across this kind of thing again."

She turned to Bull#1, who was trembling. "Ouch! Ouch! It hurts."

Earlier, he had wanted to check the extent of the black mist's power. He stayed for a few minutes in it and then slammed his head into a tree.

He fainted on the spot and kept screaming even now, for hours.

Nobara had slammed his head again, increasing his pain, and scolded him as an "idiot!"

"Wait! Did you hear that?" Averon asked suddenly, turning to his right.

"It's a goblin," Lily replied, glancing at the goblin kid hidden behind a large brown tree trunk.

"He spotted us!" the goblin kid yelled in the goblin language. 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

A three-meter-tall goblin bellowed, "She is strong… Run!" Her voice was rough and hoarse. She had a huge hammer on her back.

The goblins rushed out and escaped in another direction.

Averon glanced at the goblins. They were clad in tunics, holding different kinds of weapons—bows, maces, axes.

There were more than 40 goblins, and the leading goblin was a hobgoblin.

Once, he had led creatures like them.

"Goblins…" Averon sighed. 'They have come a long way.'

'I hope my efforts as Giliberu paid off,' he mused.

Goblin lord, and others flashed in his mind. 'I hope they still held on to my ideals like I wanted.

He noticed a few goblin girls among them, and he was pleasantly surprised as he realized the leading hobgoblin was a female, clad in a yellow tunic, with bandages wrapped around her body.

"Let's go. Let's take them under my command," Averon grinned as he dashed towards them.

Clothes are similar to the cover photo.