My Slime Wife: Training and Pampering Her Makes Me Stronger
Chapter 1: I Got Laid Off

Chapter 1: I Got Laid Off

The white envelope seemed heavier than the bag slung over Liam Davis’s shoulder.

He was wearing the same black suit he had worn for the past three years to every company photoshoot.

A backpack filled with lenses, batteries, filters, and photography equipment rested on his back. A professional camera hung against his chest, suspended by the strap around his neck.

In one hand, he tightly gripped his termination letter.

He didn’t need to read it again.

He could recite every word from memory.

"Due to the company’s financial situation..."

"...restructuring..."

"...we appreciate your service..."

"...final working day."

Liam walked with his head lowered, paying no attention to the city that carried on as though nothing had happened.

Five years ago, the world had changed forever.

Dungeons had begun appearing out of nowhere.

Monsters.

Magic crystals.

And people capable of awakening superhuman abilities.

They were called Hunters.

While some became heroes and millionaires, the vast majority remained ordinary people.

Like Liam.

A photographer.

Nothing more.

A growing murmur made him glance up.

Dozens of people were gathered behind a massive metal barricade stretching across the avenue.

Police officers and private security personnel kept the crowd at a safe distance.

Further ahead, an enormous stone tower stood in the middle of the street.

A newly emerged Dungeon.

Television cameras broadcasted the scene live.

Reporters shouted over one another, trying to be heard.

Then they appeared.

Several men and women clad in black armour adorned with an elegant silver emblem depicting a sword crossing an ace playing card.

The famous Ace of Swords Guild.

The spectators erupted into cheers.

"That’s the captain!"

"They’re saying this Dungeon is Rank B!"

"They’ll clear it in less than an hour!"

"Look at them!"

Even the children watched with admiration.

The Hunters strode confidently towards the tower while the guards prevented any civilians from crossing the barrier.

Liam didn’t even slow down.

He simply walked along the edge of the crowd, passing by all those excited faces.

No one noticed him.

He tightened his grip on the letter.

’’I won’t even be able to look Lydia in the eye when she finds out I’m unemployed too.’’

His words were barely above a whisper.

No one heard them.

And even if someone had...

No one would have cared.

He kept walking as, behind him, the Ace of Swords Guild disappeared into the Dungeon to the sound of the crowd’s applause.

◇◆◇

The building where he lived was old. Cracks spread across the walls. The lift had been out of service for months, forcing everyone to use the stairs.

Even so...

It had always felt like home.

He slowly climbed to the third floor.

Each step felt heavier than the last.

When he finally reached his apartment door, he took out his keys.

But he didn’t use them.

He stood there in silence.

A warm, comforting aroma drifted from the other side.

Cinnamon.

Butter.

Apples.

Apple pie.

His favourite.

’’She made it again...’’

A sad smile crossed his face for a brief moment.

’’She probably wanted to cheer me up after another unsuccessful job search.’’

His chest began to ache.

’’How am I supposed to tell her that I lost my job too?’’

He rested his forehead against the door.

’’Two unemployed people...’’

He closed his eyes.

’’We can’t live like this.’’

One bill after another flashed through his mind.

Rent.

The bank loan.

Credit cards.

Electricity.

Gas.

Food.

It all felt crushing.

’’I don’t want to see her cry.’’

He squeezed his eyes shut.

’’If only I weren’t an ordinary man... If I’d awakened as a Hunter five years ago... everything would be different.’’

His gaze slowly fell.

The camera hung in front of him.

Meticulously cared for.

His parents had given it to him shortly before they both died in an accident.

It was the only thing he had left of them.

He gently ran a hand across its metal body.

’’Maybe... maybe I’ll have to sell it.’’

Just imagining it made his stomach churn.

But if it could help Lydia...

It would be worth it.

He took a deep breath.

He couldn’t keep hiding forever.

He turned the key and opened the door.

The warm scent of freshly baked apple pie immediately enveloped him.

"Honey, I made your favourite apple pie. Don’t eat it yet, though—it’s still far too hot."

Lydia’s cheerful voice came from another room.

Liam smiled automatically.

"That smell was already tempting me..."

He never finished the sentence.

A strange tingling sensation ran down his spine.

Then through his arms.

Then his neck.

It felt like hundreds of tiny electric shocks racing through every muscle in his body at once.

"What...?"

He blinked.

Then a translucent green window appeared, floating before his eyes.

Words began writing themselves across it.

[Beast Tamer System activated.]

Liam’s eyes flew wide open.

"What the hell...?"

More words appeared.

[Summoning your contracted beast...]

His breathing quickened.

’’A System...? Like the ones some Hunters have...?’’

From the other side of the apartment, Lydia’s voice rang out again.

"Honey, I’m almost done cleaning the bedroom. I’ll make you some coffee afterwards."

Liam didn’t answer.

He couldn’t take his eyes off the green window.

His heart pounded against his chest.

Then the screen trembled.

A line of static cut across it.

The text began to distort.

It flickered violently.

Liam took a step backwards.

"What’s happening?"

The words changed.

[Error.]

His breath caught.

Another line appeared immediately beneath it.

[Nearest compatible target selected.]

"Compatible target...?"

He didn’t understand any of it.

"Honey..."

Lydia’s voice sounded much closer now.

"Are you alright? Why aren’t you answering?"

At that exact moment...

A brilliant white light burst from the bedroom.

Liam looked up in alarm.

"Lydia... I think I just awakened some kind of power..."

There was no reply.

Only the light growing brighter and brighter.

"Lydia..."

His heart began pounding violently.

He took a step towards the bedroom.

"Honey?"