Chapter 56: <Glutton Slime>

The <Glutton Slime> used to supply alchemy waste to our Gongdori and Gongsooni.

Without this <Slime>, there would be a physical bottleneck in supplying materials, so production volume would be capped.

You could call it an unsung hero.

It’s an item most people don’t know about.

Except for the Alchemy Center, it isn’t sold anywhere and is currently only used for processing alchemy waste nationwide, so it’s no wonder people don’t know about it.

Let’s just not think about how America figured it out.

-They say they want to use it at a waste processing facility.

Waste processing. That was considered in the design as well.

For now, alchemy waste alone is enough as a material for making <Slime>, but if Gongdori and Gongsooni’s production increases, it won’t be enough. Compared to alchemy waste, which is made from monster materials and is packed with nutrients and mana, regular waste is much less efficient, but that can be solved with quantity.

There’s never going to be a shortage of waste.

If the waste processing problem gets solved, that’s a good thing too.

I didn’t expect America to use it before Korea did.

“The scale must be pretty big?”

-They agreed to send some as money, and some as materials.

I checked the materials and the amount of money.

“What on earth, America. Those are some generous conditions.”

-….

“How much material does Korea give for the price of <Glutton Slime>? If I convert it to money and compare….”

-….

“And it even made the news. They said they succeeded in drastically reducing alchemy waste by cooperating with Alchemy Slime. Cooperation, huh…. Doesn’t that mean both sides have to contribute equally?”

-I’m sorry.

“Well, it’s fine. Just help out in other areas.”

-Thank you.

Honestly, I don’t have any major complaints about the Alchemy Center.

They often take care of side jobs for me.

Strictly speaking, negotiations with other countries aren’t really the Alchemy Center’s job.

Of course, they’re doing it because they get something out of it too.

If I made direct contact with foreign powers, there’s probably a sense of crisis that I might end up going overseas myself.

Still, the fact that they’re acting as a shield against other countries makes the partnership worthwhile.

What on earth, a nation is just too much for one person to deal with.

Individual requests aren’t really the Alchemy Center’s job either.

But last time, when I made a <Phoenix Mascot Suit Slime> for a kid, I didn’t take a commission.

I didn’t ask for a share of the <Mimic Doll> or demand money.

For someone like me who plans to feed on Class A and S-class artifacts, that attitude from the Alchemy Center is actually quite desirable.

So let’s be understanding if they want to take a little credit here and there.

I don’t have any big complaints, but I do have a few favors I’d like to ask, so I’m just laying a bit of groundwork.

“Accept America’s terms, but make sure all used <Glutton Slimes> are sent to Korea. Of course, they’ll pay for the shipping.”

-Understood.

I could sense a hint of confusion in Counselor Park Taeyang’s voice.

After all, there’s currently no issue with securing materials, even if we don’t collect the used <Glutton Slimes>.

There are just a few things that seem a bit suspicious.

And anyway, it’s better to use energy effectively, right?

<Glutton Slime> is a bundle of energy, but aside from me and the Gongdoris using it, it doesn’t really have a purpose.

I’ve locked it down.

You can’t just toss it in a fire and use it as fuel, okay?

After exchanging greetings, I hung up and resumed preparing for the mukbang.

Today’s mukbang is this.

The technique for making it was invented over 600 years ago, but it only became trendy about 100 years back.

At first, it was plain, but now it boasts all sorts of colors and shapes.

A snack that melts in your mouth the moment you taste it, delivering pure sweetness.

Cotton candy.

As always, <Sugar Slime> is the star today.

First, the most basic white cotton candy.

Let’s start by melting just 5kg.

I prepared two powerful machines. With an ordinary machine, melting 5kg would take forever.

As I put <Sugar Slime> into the spinning machine, it began to melt.

Threads of sugar floated up, riding the wind from below.

They drifted along the breeze. The threads spun together, and as they caught the gusts created by <Fan Slime>, they started swirling in the air, growing into a fluffy mass.

Just like a cloud.

This really is the age of automation.

While the sugar cloud was forming on one side, I started making cotton candy with the other machine.

If you spin the stick and press down in the middle, the cotton candy turns into something like a flower bud.

I kept spinning, changing the color of the sugar, and made a big flower blossom.

Maybe next, I’ll try making characters.

I should make one shaped like SLimelove.

I set the basic frame and decorated it by clumping together the cotton candy.

Stickers are allowed on cotton candy.

Taking a short break, I slurped up the cotton candy rising like a snake.

What should I make next?

I made a sheep, a goat, and a bear.

I pressed out the green cotton candy flat and placed the animals on top.

Then I decorated it with tiny orbs, and voilà-the animal kingdom is complete!

***

Beauty W-tuber BeautyLime, whose viewer and subscriber counts soared sky-high after reviewing <Pack Slime>.

These days, she’s always with <Raincoat Slime>.

She wears it when she broadcasts, when she goes out, and even when she’s just lounging at home.

She didn’t stop at wearing it herself-she started using <Raincoat Slime> as broadcast material.

She posted videos of outfits that synergize well with <Raincoat Slime>, and they were well received.

While searching for new combinations among all the photos posted online-

Ding.

‘Our PengRhyme’s new video is up!’

PengRhyme’s video had been uploaded.

Lately, PengRhyme’s videos have gotten brighter overall.

Watching them gives you a fluffy, slightly giddy feeling.

They feel totally different from the ones posted in October.

Of course, both are good.

The dark vibe back then had a certain unexpected charm.

Now, PengRhyme’s bright mood just makes her seem happy, which is nice.

Normally, I enjoy this cheerful side, but when I want a little chill and excitement, the Halloween videos are perfect.

“PengRhyme cotton candy!”

I want one.

I’m sure if I bought it, I’d feel too bad to eat it.

“The other ones are cute too….”

Cute things eating cute things.

Double the cuteness.

True to cotton candy that melts instantly in your mouth, this video was a little quiet on the sound front.

But old memories awakened BeautyLime’s taste buds.

Gulp.

No, I can’t.

Cotton candy is almost 100% sugar.

It’s bad for your body, bad for your figure, and bad for your skin.

‘There isn’t even anywhere nearby that sells it.’

Fortunately, BeautyLime’s appetite had subsided.

When PengRhyme tore off and ate clouds, I found myself looking out the window, but I held back.

After finishing all the clouds, PengRhyme suddenly took out a burner and a frying pan.

The small orbs left at the bottom of the green cotton candy were placed in the frying pan.

Pop. Pop. Pop. Pop.

Those orbs puffed up like popcorn, revealing colorful insides.

PengRhyme brought one of them up to the camera and showed off its cushiony bounce as it sprang back when pressed.

She popped it into her mouth, but there was no sound of eating.

That means each of those tiny pieces is cotton candy that melts as soon as it enters your mouth.

Judging by the variety of colors, the flavors must be different too.

‘Huh? Wait a minute.’

The shapes of the cotton candy puffed up in the frying pan are all a bit different.

‘Even the shapes are varied?’

BeautyLime brought her face right up to the screen.

Looking closely, there was just one.

There was a cotton candy that looked exactly like PengRhyme.

‘No way they’re not going to release this, right?’

How could anyone resist a PengRhyme character product, sugar lump or not!

***

On the alchemy tools side, Raincoat Slime and Glove Slime were newly released.

After Pure Jelsl and Poison Jelsl, I wanted to make another alchemy potion for the first time in a while, and this was the product I came up with.

Popcorn Cotton Candy Slime

– A sweet slime that puffs up when heated. Find SLimelove.

What I make isn’t an alchemy potion for Hunters.

It’s only for regular people, with weaker effects.

The only thing I made for Hunters was Explosive Web Slime, but for some reason that one really doesn’t sell.

Hunters use everything else, but for some reason, they just won’t touch that one.

I have no idea why.

After Explosive Web Slime flopped, I’ve been focusing on the general market, ignoring the Hunter market.

I try to make alchemy potions as fun as possible.

The easiest way to make something fun is randomness.

So I added a random element this time too.

I remember as a kid playing with snacks shaped like sea creatures, searching for certain ones.

That memory inspired me to put just one SLimelove character in each product.

This time, I made sure to put in real calories, so it’s not a diet food. As a side effect, it slightly raises your body temperature. Not too much-just like when you drink a warm beverage. Popcorn Cotton Candy Slime will adjust it so it’s not uncomfortable.

Crunch. Crunch.

It’s not as hard as popcorn kernels, so you can just eat it as is.

Feels like eating sugar candy.

On the broadcast, they put it on a frying pan, but you can also microwave it for about ten seconds.

It won’t melt from moisture on your hands, so no need to worry about sticky fingers.

The moment it touches saliva, it melts, releasing sweetness and aroma and sliding down your throat.

Summing it up, there’s nothing particularly special about it.

I wonder what people will end up doing with this Popcorn Cotton Candy Slime.

I finished packaging it with a bit of anticipation.

Riiing.

A call came in from Counselor Park Taeyang.

Is it about America?

“Yes. This is Alchemy Slime.”

“Hello, this is Counselor Park Taeyang.”

After exchanging greetings, Counselor Park Taeyang got to the point.

– They said instead of returning Glutton Slime, they’ll raise the price and give you a space expansion bag as a down payment.

Ah, as expected.

So they want to own Glutton Slime itself.

Space expansion bag, huh? They’re playing hardball.

A space expansion bag isn’t an artifact. It can be reproduced with current technology.

But does that mean its value is lower than an artifact?

Absolutely not.

You could say it’s worth as much as a Class A artifact.

I think it’ll work really well with my [Store] skill.

– They’ll even give you two!

Wait a second.

Not just one, but two?

“Is the contracting party a company, not the government?”

– The contract itself is government-led, but I think they’ll entrust it to Sole Alchemy.

The world’s largest alchemy company, Sole Alchemy.

Look at that.

If they’re not even hiding behind the government and showing themselves, it’s for sure.

Giving not one, but two space expansion bags.

It’s not generosity.

They’re picking a fight.

Well, fine. I’ll accept that challenge.

“I’m positive about the contract, but I’ll add a few more conditions.”

I added a few extra clauses.

– Understood.

“Anything else?”

– There’s a suggestion about introducing Glutton Slime to the waste processing facility.

– It’s just an idea for now, but if Alchemy Slime-nim cooperates, it’ll proceed right away.

What’s with following America’s lead after the fact.

“There haven’t been any such suggestions until now?”

– No, there haven’t.

“Is it because there’s been no cooperation so far due to different jurisdictions?”

– I don’t know the details either.

Since it’s about waste disposal, is it the Ministry of Environment’s business?

Could it be that the Ministry of Environment hasn’t known about Glutton Slime until now?

Even an American company knows about it.

No way, right?

If they really didn’t know, it means information security between domestic agencies is even tighter than when dealing with foreign countries….

For now, let’s assume the Ministry of Environment doesn’t know much about this side.

“You’re not planning to replace all general waste disposal with Glutton Slime, right?”

– The plan is to gradually expand.

A plan, huh. That means they’ve already sketched out the basics.

Did they do it with proper understanding?

“You know my Slimes can’t consume Glutton Slime endlessly, right?”

Gongdori and Gongsooni don’t consume enough materials to feed both a Glutton Slime that’s eaten alchemy waste and one that’s eaten regular trash.

“I can use Glutton Slime as a material too, but there’s no way to use all the Glutton Slimes that have eaten up the nation’s trash.”

– Even if there’s nowhere to use Glutton Slime, if you bury it in a landfill, it will reduce the volume and mass of trash and prevent soil and water pollution.

That’s much better than just burying regular trash.

My Slimes, when they reach the end of their lifespan, slowly lose cohesion and disperse.

If you bury them in the ground, that process speeds up.

If you consider the tiny Slimes left behind in the soil, invisible to the naked eye, as pollution, then yes, it is pollution-but at least they don’t accumulate in the bodies of living creatures and cause harm. Only the aimless Nano Slimes wandering the world of microbes will join in.

“So, what will you offer as compensation?”

Now that America has made a pretty powerful proposal.

What on earth will Korea put forward?

-Alchemy Slime-nim. By any chance, would you be interested in running a waste processing facility?

So that’s how you’re going to play it.