Chapter 12: Level 15.

“My older sister used mine without permission, we fought, and since I couldn’t get it online, I came to buy it. I’m also getting one for myself.”

“Reporter, you should try it too. You’ll keep using it, I’m sure.”

“After using this (<Insole Slime>), my heels are completely clean. It’s way better than products costing tens of thousands of won.”

This interview sounds way too promotional.

Is there even a script for this?

“-On used trading sites, at prices dozens of times higher-“

I looked it up after hearing what the reporter said.

[This one product solves foot health issues? Life Item. My money, my purchase. No ads. Quality of life UP]

“Don’t post recommendation reviews like this!”

No, no. Calm down. For now, focus on the used trading first.

<Insole Slime>

Price: 100,000 won

“Are you insane?”

I reported it immediately.

<Insole Slime> may have a humble name and a reasonable price, but it’s definitely an alchemy product. Even with an alchemist license, selling alchemy products is tricky, and selling them without a license? That’s up to 5 years in prison or a fine of up to 50 million won.

The news should stop pointlessly promoting the product and inform people about stuff like this instead.

Seriously, why did they decide to do offline sales and broadcast news like this?

Selling 30 units daily.

What are they going to do if I don’t supply <Insole Slime>?

Did they think I’d be grateful for this kind of promotion and supply the product?

Did they think I’d shed tears of gratitude?

<Tear Slime>

Yeah. I do feel like crying.

If I go this far, even a Grade E Alchemist should be shedding tears while offering up the product. Right?

Is this that thing where it’s easier to ask for forgiveness than permission?

I’m really going crazy.

[This one product solves foot health issues? Life Item. My money, my purchase. No ads. Quality of life UP]

This recommendation video.

It hit 80,000 views in just one day. Even though it’s a small channel with hardly any subscribers.

It doesn’t stop here; with the news creating synergy, the views are showing signs of growing together.

At this rate, the whole world will know about <Insole Slime>.

Since things have gotten this big, the Alchemy Center won’t tolerate stopping the sales of <Insole Slime> due to their reputation.

In a situation like this, if I refuse to provide the product?

If until yesterday [Slime Summon!] was just the worst-case scenario in my imagination, starting today, it feels quite realistic.

Still, I’m the one in the stronger position for now.

They’ll probably contact me first.

If it stops at just a call, that’d be a relief.

They might even come to my house directly.

What if I don’t open the door?

The moment I open the door for something like a delivery, a shoe will invade the gap in the door.

Ding.

-[Seoul Central Alchemy Center] Request for a meeting regarding <Insole Slime> sales.

Counselor Park Taeyang from the Seoul Central Alchemy Center sent another email.

They said a meeting is needed and to contact them anytime during business hours.

I refused last time, but I guess I should contact them this time.

I have things I want to say.

-Yes. Hello. This is Seoul Central Alchemy Center-

The call went through once, and I was connected to the counselor.

-Thank you for contacting us, Alchemy Slime.

After exchanging light greetings, we got to the main point.

“I’m not confident about supplying the product every day. I need rest too.”

-Don’t worry, we have secured the necessary stock for this event. Although the news didn’t mention the details, a thorough explanation is available on the Alchemy Shop event page.

“Let me check for a moment.”

At the very bottom of the event description page, there was indeed such a statement.

-This event will run from July 3rd for at least 2 weeks, and it may end without separate notice if stock runs out.

Two weeks means 420 units.

Instead of selling the daily portion of <Insole Slime> normally, the Center bought and stored it as stock.

The contract states that the sales method is entrusted to the Alchemy Center.

Even if they used <Insole Slime> as bait to draw people to the Alchemy Shop offline store without informing me, I have no say in it.

I’m a bit annoyed, though.

-Alchemy Slime, this <Insole Slime> has the potential to dominate the market.

“Is that so.”

I’m not happy about it at all.

-We need to prepare thoroughly before that.

“I suppose so.”

-The first thing I want to mention is that the price must be raised.

“Raise the price?”

-It needs to be raised by at least 10 times.

“10 times? That much?”

With this sense of betrayal, I feel like sales numbers will plummet.

I’m fine with it, though.

But if I do something like that, won’t I be unable to sell anything as Alchemy Slime in the future?

Wouldn’t that completely block my future?

-The effect compared to the price is too good.

Hearing that, it does feel like I’m selling at a loss.

-Soon, voices claiming a violation of fair trade laws might arise.

What? Fair trade laws?

Doesn’t that apply only when the scale is so big that it crushes other companies?

My daily sales are 800,000 won. 800,000 won!

“Aren’t there plenty of insoles that cost around 2,000 won?”

-It’s not just an insole; it should be treated as an athlete’s foot remedy or a foot care product.

“That’s not wrong.”

Though I didn’t intend it, it does seem pretty effective in that regard.

-There are potent athlete’s foot bacteria from dungeons. Even expensive potions don’t treat them well, but <Insole Slime> has shown some effectiveness according to results.

Don’t do this.

Don’t overpower expensive potions when you’re just a 2,000-won product.

-The athlete’s foot medicine market is worth 300 billion won domestically. Globally, it’s a 7 trillion won market.

“It’s, it’s that big?”

-<Insole Slime> has the potential to swallow this market whole.

“….”

-Right now, since the scale is still small, there aren’t many complaints, but companies and alchemists harboring resentment will gradually increase.

-It’s dangerous.

-And by any chance, did you see the review posted yesterday?

“No.”

-Take a look.

I didn’t even have to search hard to find it.

There was a review with a ton of ‘likes’ on it.

★★★★★ 5.0/5.0

-I’m a mom of a six-year-old. My husband’s foot odor was severe^^ so I struggled to buy one.

So, my child thought it was a toy and tore it open, you know? 🙂

Actually, our Minhee has severe atopic dermatitis. 🙁

We’ve been to so many hospitals and tried all sorts of recommended medicines, but nothing worked. 🙁

But this <Insole Slime> feels nice and cool, so it seems she was rubbing it on the itchy spots.

I was startled and tried to take it away, but she smiled brightly and said, “Mom, it doesn’t itch!” you know? 🙁

She used to cry every day about the itching, so seeing her smile so brightly after such a long time really touched me.

(photo) It used to be like this, and now (photo) it’s like this, you know?

It’s still a bit red, but it’s much softer now, and the fact that she doesn’t scratch anymore is truly the best!!!

I’m leaving this review for children suffering from itching and pain, and for parents whose hearts are breaking for them.

Thank you so, so much to the alchemist who made such an amazing product.

Please keep selling lots and lots in the future.^^

“….”

-Insole market, athlete’s foot market, foot care market. Shall we add the atopic dermatitis remedy market to the list?

-In this vast market, if a 2,000-won product shows unrivaled effectiveness, other companies and alchemists will inevitably start complaining.

That’s right!

And they’ll probably hope that those complaints become the sounds I make as I die!

-You need to raise the price.

“I’ll raise it.”

-And you need to increase production as well.

“That’s difficult.”

-If increasing production is challenging, would you consider sharing the manufacturing method?

-If we start licensed production, profits will be maximized, and your burden will be significantly reduced.

Manufacturing method? They want me to reveal that?

“Just wake up one day as a slime. Swallow this and that, then cut insoles from your body. Easy, right?”

“Is that so? Then let’s head to the lab to study that body of yours. Don’t worry. I’ll give you plenty of free time, so you can produce <Insole Slime> then.”

That’s the kind of conversation that would happen.

-Or there’s the option of taking on disciples.

Disciples?

“A slime that spits out insoles! I’m rich now!”

The day they come to my house, they’ll lock me in a cage and go around bragging that they’re an Alchemy Slime.

“I don’t like any of it.”

-Alchemist, I’m sorry to say this, but if the stock shortage continues, there could be a riot.

The signs are too ominous to deny.

Athlete’s foot remedy is powerful, but atopic dermatitis treatment really drives parents crazy.

<Insole Slime>! You’re just an insole! Why are you curing athlete’s foot and atopic dermatitis? Just do what you’re supposed to, why are you so exceptional!

-Reporters or errand center staff will likely target your address and contact information.

-We’ll do our best to protect you, but there could even be attacks.

-You need to move to the rental apartment we provide as soon as possible and increase production.

“First, I’ll make an enhanced version, <Insole Slime+>, with double the effect. Even if the price goes up, there’ll be less backlash, right?”

-That’s a wise decision.

Compared to when I first made <Insole Slime>, my [Transform] skill level is almost tripled. The materials I’ve [Absorbed] and [Analyzed] have also increased a lot. Making <Insole Slime+> with double the effect isn’t hard.

Double the effect. Ten times the price.

Well, that’s how product pricing usually works.

“If the effect is stronger and the price is higher, demand will decrease, right?”

Right now, it seems to be used almost as a disposable item.

If it can be used twice instead of once, demand will drop by half. If the price increases tenfold, demand will decrease even further. 20,000 won is a burdensome price for something used only once or twice. Even if it’s for treatment, the demand for insoles will definitely drop.

-It will still be high, though.

“I’ll also think about ways to increase production. I’m on the verge of getting a new skill, you know?”

-Congratulations.

“Depending on the skill I get, the situation might change.”

-Understood. Then let’s schedule the move first.

“Do I really have to move?”

-You do. Unless the product can teleport, there’s a limit to avoiding people’s attention.

Even if it’s not [Transform], [Disguise], or [Mimicry], [Spatial Movement] could be a solution.

Wow~ My options have increased!

Damn it.

-I’ll send over the contract.

“Okay….”

I hung up the phone.

Shortly after, an electronic contract arrived.

The terms seem pretty good, but the terms aren’t the issue.

Is this for real?

Do I really have to move?

Do I have to film <Heart-Pounding! Slime’s Rental Apartment Life! If My Identity Is Revealed, I’ll Become an Insole-Making Machine~!!>?

Seriously?

Level 15! Let’s film it right now!

If I buy monster materials in large quantities, will they figure out there’s an alchemist here?

Is that even important right now! Just order it!

Eat! I’m eating!

Pull! I’m pulling!

***

[Analyze skill level has increased to 15.]

[Trait: Slime level has increased to 15.]

[You can choose a new skill.]

“Status window!”

[Trait: Slime Lv. 15

Skills:

Decompose Lv. 15.

Absorb Lv. 15.

Analyze Lv. 15.

Divide Lv. 15.

Control Lv. 15.

Transform Lv. 15.

Store Lv. 15.

Skill+]

[You can choose a skill.

1. Normal Skill: Harden Lv. 1.

2. Special Skill: Special Divide.]

For a moment, my mind went blank.

[Harden]?

Not [Transform], not [Disguise], not [Mimicry], but [Harden]?

“No. No. No.”

[Harden Lv. 1.

-Can harden the body’s tissues.]

“No!”

[Special Divide.

-Separates a slime that inherits all skills from the body.

Upon use, all levels are reset to 1, and this skill disappears.]

“Hahaha….”

I’m screwed.

Am I supposed to level up to 20 from now on?

It’s been three days since I got the contract from Counselor Park Taeyang, and I’ve gone silent without a word. Should I drag this out even more?

At this rate, he might really come looking for me at home.

Should I just die?

Maybe dying would be a more complete ending.

But how would I even die?

Because of the [Decompose] and [Absorb] skills, poison won’t kill me.

To kill me, it would have to be an extreme poison, but how would I even get that?

Because of the [Divide] and [Control] skills, trauma won’t kill me either.

Fire?

Whether it’s because of my moisture-heavy body or everything I’ve consumed so far, fire doesn’t work well either. Besides, is it even possible to burn to death with a clear mind? Instinctively, I’d resist with [Transform].

This is driving me crazy.

Even dying isn’t easy.

“Live. Think about living. Live. That’s right!”

[Special Divide] skill.

Level reset.

There’s still a chance.

There are still monster materials I haven’t consumed.

Not from 15 to 20, but from 1 to 5.

I can raise it enough in a single day.

[Do you really want to acquire the Special Divide skill?]

[The skill will be used immediately upon acquisition.]

[Once the skill is used, it cannot be undone.]

“Yes!”

I pressed down hard with my finger.

“Ughhh…!”

Since becoming a slime, my body hadn’t felt pain, but now an excruciating agony I’d never experienced before surged through me.

A pain that tore at not just my body but my soul.

A sense of deprivation as the core elements that made me who I am were ripped away.

And a sense of liberation as my senses expanded vastly.

I’ saw ‘myself.

[Analyze] skill activated.

“Found it. The solution.”