[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-i-am-not-goblin-slayer":3,"chapter-i-am-not-goblin-slayer-i-am-not-goblin-slayer-chapter-172":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","I Am Not Goblin Slayer",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":20,"prevChapterSlug":21,"totalChapters":22,"novelImage":23},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":16,"volume":17,"translator":18,"content_hash":19},1030826,1343,"Chapter 172: Mimic Chest","i-am-not-goblin-slayer-chapter-172",172,"\u003Cp>\"Be careful.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon reaching the platform, Gauss quickly regained his composure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He glanced at the bubbling green acid pool emitting white fumes at his feet, the pungent odor and unsettling sight instinctively making one uncomfortable, then averted his gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moving cautiously toward the platform's center with Aria, they examined every step carefully, wary of potential trigger traps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, aside from a few loose and sunken ordinary floor tiles, there seemed to be no other abnormalities along the way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet the acidic, rotting stench in the air grew increasingly thick.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Cough cough.\" Aria cleared her throat lightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally entering the effective range of Mage Hand, Gauss concentrated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A magical hand rapidly materialized before him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Mage Hand floated leisurely toward the treasure chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was only then Gauss noticed several peculiar green plants emitting soft white light growing atop the chest—these were what provided illumination, making the chest so conspicuous from afar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Mage Hand reached the chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The container wasn't locked, appearing ready to open at any moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gauss attempted to make the Mage Hand penetrate the chest to probe its interior,Latest content published on novel_fіre.net\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>but an invisible yet resilient resistance firmly blocked the energy hand outside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmm?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alertness rose in his heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned to exchange a meaningful glance with Aria,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>then retrieved the Hundred Bone Staff from his Storage Bag.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Originally, he hadn't planned to use offensive spells for probing, uncertain about the contents—if they were fragile, reckless spell attacks might damage potential treasures.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now, safety took priority.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A deep blue Magic Missile swiftly condensed before him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Boom!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Magic Missile streaked through the air at incredible speed,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>reaching the chest in nearly the blink of an eye.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as the missile was about to hit its target, a sudden change occurred!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The chest shifted slightly, causing the missile to deflect off its surface with a peculiar force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This movement revealed the chest's true form—the embedded gems instantly transformed into crimson eyeballs,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>while the lid sprang open to reveal a gaping maw filled with yellowish-brown fangs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An astonishingly thick, mucus-covered green tongue lashed out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A mimic chest!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gauss wasn't entirely surprised by this outcome—it was either a treasure chest or a trap, a fifty-fifty chance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mimic chests were magical creatures with challenge ratings of level 2 or higher,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>possessing perfect mimicry abilities. When transformed, they could not only imitate chest appearances but even conjure convincing \"treasures\" inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meaning if someone opened it carelessly, they'd genuinely see glittering jewels and gold—only to have their hand severed by the creature's terrifying jaws and fangs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, while weaker in combat compared to most monsters of equivalent levels, they still possessed elite monster capabilities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their undersides were covered with countless tiny tentacle-like pseudopods that granted them remarkable jumping and movement abilities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their bite force was also exceptional, teeth enhanced by mysterious energy that could crush not just flesh but even steel and jade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They also secreted corrosive mucus to capture prey or disarm opponents.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Prepare for battle!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the two activated the mimic, a dozen green jelly-like acid slimes emerged from the bubbling acid pools at the platform's edges, surrounding them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, the hanging green vegetation on the ceiling rocks fell away, revealing clusters of crawling insects about a dozen centimeters large—two common monster types: acid slimes and shrub insects.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So there were other hidden monsters?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps like attracted like—all these creatures shared environmental camouflage abilities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ulfen howled as Eck took flight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gauss gathered two blue energy orbs at his staff tip, targeting one acid slime and one shrub insect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Bang!\" \"Bang!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of each fell instantly, unlocking entries 22 and 23 in the Monster Encyclopedia.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Acid slimes were more dangerous than regular slimes—upon death, they exploded like small acid bombs, splattering corrosive green liquid that sizzled on the ground with acrid white smoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shrub insects were relatively weaker, crawling about with clumps of dark green shrubs growing on their backs—their only notable trait being excellent camouflage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps only someone completely inattentive and barefoot might get bitten passing by.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After swiftly dispatching these minor foes to expand the encyclopedia, Gauss focused entirely on the mimic before him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'll handle this. Stay alert.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Understood. I'll manage the rest.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though primarily skilled in support abilities, Aria's Entangling Roots sufficed to clear surrounding monsters without disturbing Gauss's fight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As usual, Gauss first cast Enhanced Jump to boost mobility,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>then faced his charging opponent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its hard shell was coated with magical armor unique to monsters—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>explaining why the Mage Hand had encountered an impenetrable wall earlier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, that stench-laden tongue dripping with corrosive mucus lashed out viciously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gauss pushed off forcefully, rapidly retreating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sizzle sizzle!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several mucus droplets landed on him, immediately emitting pungent white smoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thankfully, Gauss Field's protection prevented harm,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>though he could feel the field weakening significantly from the corrosive attack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While far from breaking, this indicated he couldn't rely solely on defense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Bang!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another Magic Missile fired, but the mimic instantly retracted into its shell, deflecting the attack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Essentially, this shell wasn't part of its body but an ultra-hard armor formed from long-term secretion and compression, far surpassing flesh defenses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its reactions were remarkably fast—every time Gauss launched a Magic Missile, it promptly turtled up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only when lunging close would it open wide to bite.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gauss also preferred not engaging a mimic at close quarters—it left little casting opportunity and made melee combat awkward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several times, it nearly disarmed him with its tongue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That prehensile appendage proved alarmingly swift and flexible—momentary inattention meant losing weapons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Truthfully, as a level 2 monster, this mimic didn't pose overwhelming threat—just proved annoyingly cunning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While dodging attacks and planning counterattacks, Gauss's eyes continuously scanned the terrain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, inspiration struck.\u003C\u002Fp>",946,"2026-06-03T09:23:13.439Z","2026-06-03T09:23:16.563Z",1,"novelbin.me","289492a56650a2145e5a3152158daa3118ca9d7d5fc642a6dae2337f6c0c656a","i-am-not-goblin-slayer-chapter-173","i-am-not-goblin-slayer-chapter-171",414,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fi-am-not-goblin-slayer-cover.jpg"]