Chapter 24: The Easiest Woman to Win Over in All of Kaga!

At that moment, the molten steel slime had already engaged Zhao Ming and his companions.

Forming a circle around Zhao Ming, the warriors took turns driving the creature back, while the main assault came from the spellcasters in the rear. Though their magic could not kill the monster, it effectively sapped its strength and vitality.

“My mana is almost exhausted, and the creature shows no reaction at all...” a young mage with a goatee remarked in surprise.

“Go meditate. We’ll continue,” replied another mage, bald-headed. “Its elemental body is remarkably stable. Anything below a first-tier spell can only wear it down slowly.”

Meanwhile, Zhao Tianhe had skirted the battlefield and arrived at the pixie’s cottage.

“What is this...” Zhao Tianhe froze, startled by the sight before him.

On the ground, refracted with rainbow light, countless crystals slowly gathered, forming a gigantic, rainbow-hued crystal slime—almost identical to the one Zhao Tianhe had slain earlier!

Without hesitation, Zhao Tianhe drew forth the tier-three spell scroll he had reclaimed earlier: Explosive Fireball.

He hadn’t bothered to use it on the second floor, after all, flinging fireballs at magma seemed rather pointless.

“No need to waste it,” the pixie, hovering by Zhao Tianhe’s ear, advised him. “That thing won’t harm anyone, and just a light tap should finish it off.”

“Huh?! Really?!” Zhao Tianhe stared in disbelief at the exaggeratedly colorful crystal slime. “So I wasted my effort before?”

“Yes. It’s not a monster, but a mimicry of the Heart of the Rainbow, meant to ward off other creatures’ attacks,” the pixie confirmed. “I don’t know why, but I just know these things... Anyway, go on!”

Nodding, Zhao Tianhe strode forward, raised his sword, and brought it down hard!

Just as the pixie had said, the rainbow slime remained utterly docile even as he approached, making no move to attack. Zhao Tianhe’s sword strike shattered the creature instantly; it collapsed, dispersing into shimmering rainbow light that faded into the air...

“Inheritor... the trial begins...”

Within the radiance, a hazy humanoid figure released a blurred message of intent.

Then, a violent tremor surged up from beneath his feet!

Centered on the Slime Cavern, cracks spread across the ground and buildings for hundreds of kilometers in every direction. The city of Picheng, closest to the epicenter, felt the quake most acutely—many of the city’s tall buildings tilted precariously.

“What’s going on?!” The mayor of Picheng, a burly middle-aged man, looked at his fallen cup and toppled bookshelf, flung open the window, and frowned at the commotion and chaos outside.

Though the quake lasted only a moment, a wave of panic swept over everyone’s hearts.

“Report!” The office door burst open, the handle clattering to the floor. The man who entered paused for a moment but hurriedly handed over a report, his face anxious.

“This is a report of a dungeon upgrade and severe anomaly from Rog Town, received around two in the afternoon. Dozens of similar reports have come in, but for some reason, none reached the city’s guild branch until just now—and shortly after, that... disaster struck!” he added, struggling for the right word.

Earthquakes did not exist in this world.

“I suspect all this may be due to some unprecedented change in the earth’s veins. We must dispatch the city’s top-ranked adventurer team to investigate at once!” he declared loudly.

“Then get to it! Also, send someone to check the relay station near Rog Town—if there’s a problem with the information flow, it can only be there,” the mayor ordered. “And report to the dungeon headquarters immediately!”

The extent of the tremor’s impact was far too great; the mayor of Picheng knew it was impossible to conceal or handle it alone, so he promptly escalated the matter to the highest level.

Watching the man hurry away, the mayor sighed. “Alas! This is supposed to be the most peaceful part of the interior—why must something like this happen, and on my watch...”

Though the tremor had not wrought apocalyptic disaster, the damage and losses would surely tally in the tens of thousands of gold coins. Public infrastructure—especially roads—would require extensive repair or even rebuilding, all demanding vast sums.

In front of the Slime Cavern, Zhao Tianhe had been flattened to the ground by the force of the quake.

But nothing more followed. To a person, it felt like nothing more than missing a step while descending stairs.

He stood up, and as the rainbow light faded, he saw what had been revealed—just as he had guessed, it was a...

Summoning Charm!

“Who will it be this time? Hm... It should be another SSR, right?” Zhao Tianhe, brimming with confidence, held the charm and activated his talent system to summon!

Sure enough, bands of seven-colored spiritual energy swept the area in a shining arc, and slowly, a graceful feminine figure appeared...

She was a woman wielding a red, oddly shaped long-handled weapon in her right hand, clad in a black top with only a left sleeve. Around her neck hung a necklace adorned with a golden skull, below which was a lifelike golden spine. A cloak with golden patterns fluttered gently, and a belt decorated with a skull clasp crossed diagonally from her left shoulder across her chest.

“No way...” Zhao Tianhe drew a sharp breath at the familiar sight. “Isn’t this one a little overpowered?!”

Her flowing golden hair danced amid the spiritual energy. He could not see her face clearly, only catching a glimpse of two exquisite red eyes. A black crown rested atop her head, and two red ribbons tied her long hair into twin ponytails.

“Servant, Lancer. The former mistress of the underworld, Ereshkigal. Summoned at your call. Though I’m not exactly eager to lend my strength to a mortal, since you’ve called me, I’ll help you. You should be grateful,” the girl declared loftily, chin raised as she looked down on Zhao Tianhe.

As her features came into focus, she was revealed to be a beautiful young woman, her striking beauty tinged with a hint of chill. Beneath her cloak, she seemed to wear a high-cut leotard-like undergarment; she wore neither skirt nor pants, her long, fair legs fully exposed, save for a single black stocking with gold trim on her right leg. On her feet were golden high-heeled shoes.

“Thank you so much!” Zhao Tianhe wept tears of joy...

“Eh?! Wait, wait, there’s no need to get so emotional... I mean, well, actually, I’m not the goddess this time, just the former mistress of the underworld, former, former, okay~~”

The girl suddenly hugged her strange weapon, waving her hands in a flustered attempt to comfort him. Yet, overwhelmed by the familiar presence, Zhao Tianhe could do nothing but cry.

“Don’t get so worked up! Alright, alright~~ Anyway, I’ll help you, just remember to get in touch, okay...”

“Ereshkigal’s favorability +10”