Slime Tensei Monogatari Volume 1 Chapter 13

Chapter 13 The Devil Butcher Shop

I was taken to a cave with a size that is no different from the cave a while ago by the butcher shop. Of course in this case there was no slime living in this place.

The butcher shop puts on tattered clothes. With a face and figure like that it would be more appropriate to call him a Lich than a skeleton. If he had a scythe then He would become a G.o.d of Death itself.

"Well then, once we reach a calm place let's introduce ourselves once more. Please look at this."

He says while holding on to something that looks like a card. The status was written on it.

『Name: None

Job: Demon Butcher Shop
Skill: 「Language・All Races」「Blessing of Absolute Divine Trade Protection」 「Other Dimensional Storage」「Self Verification」「All Hostilities Ban」「Soul Perception」「Other Dimensional Transaction」「Universal Appraisal Eye of a.n.a.lysis」』

It shows me some skills that I do not know of and there is even job listed. I thought it was just a self proclaimed occupation but it would seem that even as a monster you can still be a.s.signed a job. Normally, you would think that it would only be for human beings.

"Status can be acquired by the skill 「Self Verification」and it is also possible to show it to others. Seeing this, are there any questions?"
"Of course there are."

He listened to every question I can think of. The butcher shop clearly explained it to me one by one.

First off, regarding the race, it would seem that the race Little Lich is a higher evolution of a skeleton which is type of an undead monster.

Normally physical attacks does not work because they possess the Ethereal Body skill, thus there are many races that learn many types of magic to cope with this ability.

However, some circ.u.mstances seems to be different in the case of the butcher shop.

The reason is the effect of the devil butcher shop job.

While the butcher shop can only learn skills that the job provides, the acquisition condition is that you would lose forever the skills and power that you have acquired up till now, thus the present power of the butcher shop to some degree is inferior to that of the slime that I fought.

It is impossible for butcher shop to fight.

I have been told that the effect of 「Blessing of Absolute Divine Trade Protection」would prevent the owner from dying , unless the actions of the owner deviates from that of a merchant. Invincibility if put it simply.

Everything would be invalidated whether it would be a blow coming from my tentacles or from a dragon, honestly I am amazed. The butcher shop at the same time was also nodding.

Because there is no one that can harm the butcher shop as long as it continues being a merchant, then it would be meaningless if I threaten him. Of course all battles are prohibited so we cannot fight in any state.

The skills 「Language・All Races」and「Universal Appraisal Eye of a.n.a.lysis」are both super enhancements of the skills that I have, also the other dimensional storage is the so-called item box.

It would seem that the meat that I ate a while ago was taken from the item box. Moreover anything stored in the other dimensional storage never degrade and would never go bad. Since there is a limit to maintaining the quality of the meat even though it is from a monster, this seems to be very useful.

「Other Dimensional Transaction」seems to be able to do trade with partners that are far away. Communication is possible too, when a deal is established then it is possible to send over products via a different world. The delivery to home business will become outdated if this would spread in my original world, that's what I think about it.

I still cannot understand 「Soul Perception」completely even though it was explained. It seems that it is able to perceive the location of a superior soul, you begin to feel the surge of a good soul.

The butcher shop says, the reason he met me was because he felt the surge of an excellent soul and went to it. I wonder what part of me is the excellent soul located. I could not help but feel doubtful about the accuracy of the skill.

Iya, possibly it may be because I came from another world. I will not say anything unnecessary about this unknown truth.

"I now understand what was unknown to me, what is that you desire of me?"

"It's easy. From now on, you will become my customer. "

To become a customer, I wonder if this is enough? Would there would be something extra once I become a customer?

"What happens when I become a customer?"
"Well.,I basically all you have to do is to shop and gain power. Of course, if possible, I would love to have other contracts too."

This like a situation where you can only nod, it was like that a while back. I was hesitating about it even though the decision was easy.

"A skeleton is both a human and a monster, I sell every single kind of meat. A barter system is used as a purchase method corresponding to the value of the merchandise, it will be exchanged for it. It can be gold or any other meat."

With this I saw the point. I guess this guy expected me to figure it out somehow.

"Does that mean that I would bring you the meat of the monsters I killed?"
"Yes, that right."

This schemer. The real purpose might not be the case.

This guy is after my body when I die, he is aiming for my meat.

According to this fellow it would seem that I have a soul that is rarely seen, I do not want it to be treated as goods. It, for the sake of opportunity, would like to create close relations.h.i.+p with me to some extent. It is also possible to become close without any relations.h.i.+p.

In the unlikely case that I would continue on living, the butcher shop would continue getting the prey that I acquired would be exchanged. Customers can only be obtained ordinarily.

It would seem that all customers are good, conducting business with humans would be difficult due to that appearance, so far only a few of those guys would do business with monsters. It should be important for this fellow to gain customers.

In other words, one way or another there is no loss for the butcher shop. It is a disgusting idea.

Now, I was outsmarted a while a go. It is annoying always losing as it is. If you get hit then you must hit back, that's how it goes right?

"Well then, what are some of the conditions in becoming a customer?"
"What do you want?"

If my prediction is correct then from now on the contents of the subject should be disadvantageous for this fellow.

"First, if by any chance I die, burn me till I am annihilated without leaving a single piece of meat."
"……"

The butcher shop fell silent while it's shoulders were trembling but I would not forgive him I am going to press for answers.

"In any case, do not treat my meat as a product. In addition, if I die and I have some items then handle it the same way. Of course this is not only a verbal promise so let's make a contract. So how about it?"

It is against the nature of a merchant in breaking a contract contrary to a verbal promise. It told me a while ago when I asked what would happen if they are no longer a merchant.

The Butcher Shop fell silent for a little while,

"I give up."

The butcher shop raises both hands. It was a pose of surrender which was the same as a while ago but compared to last time, this time I was shocked. If it is not a joke then I would seriously be troubled.

"There is a hole in your logic, there are a few things I want to say but almost all of it is correct. I could not believe that a slime could read me to that extent. I am really surprised."

"You underestimate me too much."

I worked at a black company. I, who goes looked at harsher contents routinely, can see through something of this level.

Of course I thought that all the contents that the butcher shop said up until now has been a lie. I would continue to attack until the case of having an unreasonable contract is trashed, honestly it feels unsatisfactory.

"Perhaps you already expected this but my primary goal is to obtain your body when you die. When the customer who is contracted dies then the devil butcher shop has the right to get its part. Of course, if a contract like what you have proposed a while ago then it is a different story."

The butcher shop holds out a hand once more.

"Let's negotiate once more. This time it should be an equal relations.h.i.+p without secrets."
"If it's you, you might try to do it again even if you say you wouldn’t."

I have no reason to reject its words. At least skill information cannot be lied when I compared it to mine. It's possible to know the correct information.

Besides since I want more information then it's is a merit to continue talking.

"Then let's do it this way. From now I will sign a contract with you and if either of us deceive the other then the contract is annulled. Of course with your merchant skills it is possible to make a contract that can never be annulled. "
"Is it fine with you?"

Even though this change of setup is to completely expose it's wicked scheme, it felt ominous.

"It would seem that it would become much more profitable if I have a long term relations.h.i.+p with you."

A relations.h.i.+p based on calculated loss and gain, it's a direct and plain reason.

"Well then, let's have a heart to heart talk this time."
"That's why I said that it's impossible."

One side is a bone, the other is something like gelly. There is no part which breaks.

It seems that this tasteless joke was somehow natural. Oh well, it feels like it.

Translator’s Corner:

Sup people long time no see.