Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 256: Unwanted Ability
Tauro had the group stop in a broad chamber along the route so he could conduct his experiment.
“Dark spirit magic is extremely rare, isn’t it?”
The leader admired Tauro while the other warriors confirmed that the surroundings were safe.
“Is it? I assumed there would be plenty of dragonfolk who could use it.”
“Only a few dragonfolk can use spirit magic at all, much less the dark attribute. Aptitude is also required. I don’t believe any dark-spirit users are among this season’s elite dungeon-capture team.”
“I’m nowhere near their level.”
Tauro modestly suggested that the comparison was excessive.
“Oh, forgive me. The dungeon-capture team is far beyond us as well, so comparing you to them was inappropriate.”
The leader hurriedly apologized.
“Still, I’m surprised. I didn’t realize the dark attribute was so uncommon.”
“Spirit-magic users are rare among dragonfolk, and most of those who possess an affinity are better suited to light than darkness.”
“I see. Well, I’ll begin the experiment.”
“Of course. Please proceed.”
Tauro nodded and cast the dark spirit spell [Mental Confusion].
He had used the spell before, but this time he wanted to determine whether [Magic Manipulation] (Extreme) would let him precisely control only part of its effect.
Testing such a spell on a person would be dangerous, while an ordinary monster might immediately retaliate.
A slow-moving, nearly harmless slime seemed ideal for an experiment that demanded careful concentration.
Tauro was normally cautious with dark magic and had recently avoided using it. However, because dragonfolk—including Ragune—were accustomed to unusual skills, he had hoped they could offer useful advice.
Learning that dark spirit magic was rare even among dragonfolk had been unexpected.
Tauro focused intently on controlling the slime.
At his mental command to move, ripples spread across the target slime’s surface.
At that moment—
Confirmed: one activation condition for the special skill [&%$#] has been met. Title <One Who Controls Harmless Monsters> acquired. Skill [Slime User] acquired.
The Voice of the World echoed in Tauro’s mind.
“I succeeded in controlling the slime… but I also acquired [Slime User]. Do you know anything about that skill?”
“Congratulations on the successful experiment. [Slime User], you say? It’s a type of monster-taming skill, but from everything I’ve heard, it’s considered nearly useless. Dragonfolk children occasionally acquire it while playing. It allows the user to tame only one slime, and slimes are the weakest monsters. At best, it gives a child a temporary playmate. If it allowed someone to control large numbers, that would be different, but it doesn’t. Worse, the user is permanently limited to the first variety of slime they choose. Since you haven’t selected one yet, I recommend choosing the most useful kind you can find.”
The leader looked around at the many varieties of slime as he advised Tauro.
“Only one slime, and only one variety forever… That truly does sound useless. Before we leave, please explain the different varieties to me. Fortunately, this floor seems to have many kinds.”
“Certainly. I recommend a healing slime. Its healing effect is weak, but when used together with a potion, it can slightly improve the treatment of external injuries. I’ll tell you if we encounter one on the way back.”
The leader nodded and promised to help.
With Tauro’s experiment complete, the group resumed its journey toward the transfer room on the first floor.
As they walked, Tauro felt disappointed by how limited his new ability seemed. Even so, proving that [Mental Confusion] combined with [Magic Manipulation] (Extreme) could control a monster was a worthwhile result.
With so many slime varieties in existence, surely at least one would prove genuinely useful.
Tauro felt bad about delaying his escorts, but he decided to choose carefully on the return journey.
While he considered the possibilities, the group reached another broad chamber.
“We’ve arrived. The passage on the left leads to the stairs descending to the next floor. The passage on the right leads to the transfer room, also called the rest room.”
The leader indicated both routes.
“Why is it called the rest room?”
Tauro asked.
“Monsters can’t approach it, so it’s a safe place to rest. We store supplies, preserved food, spare equipment, and other necessities there, making it essential to dungeon exploration. Support personnel replenish those stores, though doing so on the deeper floors is difficult. The first-floor room is empty because we don’t need to store anything there.”
With that explanation, the leader guided Tauro into the transfer room commonly used as a rest area.