My Slime Wife: Training and Pampering Her Makes Me Stronger
Chapter 18: The Merchant’s Wife

Chapter 18: The Merchant’s Wife

Night had completely fallen over the city.

After everything that had happened inside the dungeon, Liam had imagined a dinner that was a little more... special.

Reality was quite different.

On the small dining table sat two plates of rice with scrambled eggs.

It was all they had been able to buy with the last of their money.

Liam stared at his plate for a few seconds before letting out a bitter smile.

"Well... at least we won’t be going to bed on an empty stomach."

Beside him, Lydia’s small green body bounced gently on the table.

A message appeared before his eyes.

[Lydia: Tomorrow everything will change.]

Liam looked up.

[Lydia: We’re going to sell everything we brought back from the dungeon.]

[Lydia: Then we’ll be able to buy much better food.]

He smiled.

"I hope you’re right."

[Lydia: I’m always right.]

That made Liam laugh.

"I suppose you are."

He started eating.

The rice was a little dry, and the eggs were far too salty.

But after the day they had been through...

It tasted amazing.

◇◆◇

A little while later...

The small apartment had fallen completely silent.

Liam stepped out of the bathroom wearing an old T-shirt and a pair of shorts.

In front of him, the little green slime hopped off the floor.

She bounced once onto the mattress.

Then again.

Until she settled comfortably on the bed.

[Lydia: I’m going to miss sleeping in your arms.]

Liam smiled softly.

"Why do you say that?"

[Lydia: Because I can barely feel my body anymore.]

[Lydia: Before... I could feel the warmth of your hugs.]

[Lydia: Now... it’s different.]

Those words made his chest tighten.

Without saying anything, he lay down beside her.

Then he gently wrapped an arm around her small gelatinous body.

Her surface was cool, soft, and slightly springy.

Lydia gave a tiny happy bounce in his arms.

[Lydia: It still feels nice.]

Liam rested his head on the pillow.

"Listen... no matter what happens... we’ve already found a way to evolve you."

He stared at the ceiling.

"Maybe... if we keep making you stronger... someday you’ll get your body back."

After a brief pause, he added,

"Or at least you’ll be able to feel things normally again."

Lydia took a little while to answer.

[Lydia: I’d like that.]

[Lydia: There are a lot of things I miss.]

[Lydia: But as long as we’re together...]

[Lydia: I think I can endure it.]

Liam smiled.

"You’re so cheesy."

[Lydia: I learned from the best.]

He chuckled.

Then another message appeared.

[Lydia: Liam.]

"Yeah?"

[Lydia: Close your eyes.]

"Why?"

[Lydia: The moonlight is coming through the window.]

[Lydia: I can’t fall asleep.]

Liam turned his head and saw the moonlight spilling across the room.

"Alright."

He shifted into a more comfortable position, closed his eyes, and, holding his wife close...

Drifted into a deep sleep.

◇◆◇

The following morning...

The bustling city was already alive.

Liam walked calmly through the streets.

His old camera bag hung over one shoulder.

Hidden inside it...

Lydia rode along.

[Lydia: It’s so strange traveling inside a bag.]

’Are you comfortable?’

[Lydia: Pretty comfortable.]

[Lydia: Though I’d still rather walk beside you.]

Liam smiled as he crossed the street.

They had decided to begin the day with the most important task.

Selling the materials they had collected inside the dungeon.

After walking several blocks, they reached downtown.

There, surrounded by cafés, restaurants, and modern office buildings...

Stood a shop that was impossible to miss.

A huge wooden sign read:

Ted’s Relics — Buying and Selling Dungeon Items

The display window stretched across nearly the entire storefront.

Behind the glass were strange swords.

Black spears.

Rune-covered shields.

Massive war hammers.

Shining suits of armor.

There were even flowerpots displaying plants that emitted a faint glow.

Anyone passing by couldn’t help stopping to look.

Very few dared to step inside.

The prices written on the small golden plaques were enough to scare away almost anyone.

[Lydia: I’m sure Ted will give us a good price.]

Liam studied the sign for a few moments.

"I’m not so sure."

[Lydia: Why not?]

"Because Ted was always a businessman before he was a friend."

He remembered the years they had worked together.

Ted was a good person...

But he never lost money on a deal.

Not even for family.

"We’ll have to negotiate."

[Lydia: I believe in you.]

Liam took a deep breath and pushed open the door.

Ding.

A small bell chimed overhead.

The smell inside was completely different from the street.

Freshly polished wood.

Leather.

Metal.

And dried herbs.

Liam walked deeper into the shop.

Glass display cases filled with strange objects lined both sides.

Farther in stood several complete suits of armor.

There was even a massive stone statue of a six-armed monster.

Everything looked like it belonged to another world.

Eventually, he reached the counter.

No one was there.

He waited for a few seconds.

Then he heard a woman’s voice coming from the back room.

"I’m coming!"

A moment later, the curtain separating the rooms was pulled aside.

A woman stepped out while organizing a stack of papers.

She had black hair tied into a ponytail.

Thin-framed glasses rested on her nose.

She wore a white blouse that was slightly open at the neckline, revealing a hint of red lace beneath.

She looked Liam up and down with quiet curiosity.

Holding a pen between her fingers, she absentmindedly rested its end against her red-painted lips.

"Good morning. How can I help you?"

Immediately, a message appeared from inside the bag.

[Lydia: ...]

Then another.

[Lydia: Who is that woman?]

And another.

[Lydia: And why isn’t Ted here?]

Liam almost smiled.

Don’t get jealous.

[Lydia: I’m not jealous.]

Two seconds passed.

[Lydia: I just want to know who she is.]

Liam cleared his throat.

"Good morning. Actually, I was looking for Ted."

The woman tilted her head slightly.

"You know him?"

"Yes. We worked together a few years ago. I came to sell some items from a dungeon."

She set the pen down on the counter.

Then she lowered her glasses slightly with one finger.

"Oh, really?"

She extended her hand with a professional smile.

"Nice to meet you. I’m Adeline. I married Ted about a year ago."

Liam shook her hand.

"Ted’s wife?"

"That’s right."

Inside the bag...

[Lydia: Oh.]

[Lydia: Well.]

[Lydia: Then she’s forgiven.]

Liam had to suppress a laugh.

Adeline raised an eyebrow.

"Is something funny?"

"No, no. Nothing."

She smiled again.

"My husband is across town. We’re opening a second store, so he left me in charge today."

She folded her arms confidently.

"But don’t worry. When it comes to this kind of business..."

"I’m the right person."

Liam looked around at the display cases overflowing with valuable items.

Then he discreetly glanced at his bag and smiled.

Maybe...

It was finally time to find out how much all the treasures Lydia had stored inside her body were really worth.