第８５７堀：私も本気出す (Part1)
Dungeon 857: I'll Get Serious Too
I'll Get Serious Too
Side: Aslin
"Wow! That's amazing, amazing!"
"It's amazing! You turned into a person!"
"Hmm. This much is easy."
The small boy with long blue hair, named Shi-chan, a dragon, puffed out his chest as he said that. He had mastered the magic of human transformation and was demonstrating it for us now.
"Ho, monster human transformation is a classic trope, but it's my first time seeing it in person here."
"Right. There are some undead who were originally human and are almost indistinguishable from people, but usually, it's more like Sahagin or Alraune, who have partial human features. It's rare to be able to take a complete human form."
Big Brother Yuki and Big Brother Taiki were also impressed, so it must be a really amazing feat. Our little dragons can't transform, and I-chan and Ta-chan still have their ears and tails. Steve and John don't take human form either, so this technique must only be usable by truly incredible dragons!
"That's true. Normally, there's no reason to bother with human transformation. The reason I mastered this art was to spend time with my master."
"Ah, now that you mention it, you did say that. Well, it's a big help for us. Even though we're connected by the dungeon, I thought it would be a hassle to go all the way to the sea just to talk."
Indeed, Shi-chan's dragon form is cool, but the size difference between us is too great, making many things difficult. So, it's a relief that Shi-chan transformed.
"And I, too, have been brought out of that closed-off world. I cannot thank you enough. This much is a small price to pay. And as for the information and pursuit of those spreading the Magic Gear, as Yuki-dono mentioned, I will gladly lend my assistance. Though, I have no idea what I can actually do."
"Regarding that, we'll have to consider various things moving forward, but for now, I'd like you to confirm that the mana has recovered in the dungeon-ified area and that it's now possible to exit from the Blue Hole. Also, I need you to investigate the surrounding sea area. There might be others of Shi-chan's kind still out there."
"Ho. So that's what happens when an area becomes a dungeon. I understand the details. You can leave that to me. That place is practically my own garden. Though, it has been several hundred years since I actually went outside."
"Well, don't overdo it. Shi-chan and the others are also exploring. Please work together."
"Hmm. Well, in naval combat, I have never been outmatched by another monster, save for one single time."
Wow, that's reassuring! If such a strong Shi-chan helps us with the sea investigation, I'm sure it will go well.
Wait, one time?
Just as I thought 'huh?', Big Brother Yuki also seemed to have a question...
"One time? You've been outmatched once?"
"Hmm. Well, in reality, it should be called a draw. However, since the opponent was a rotten fish, it wouldn't be wrong to say it was my victory for managing to force a draw."
"A rotten fish? Is that the monster that outmatched you, Shi-chan?"
"Ah, it was a super-large rotten fish named Leviathan. It was an extremely troublesome fellow."
"Shi-chan reacted when that name was mentioned. But, a rotten fish, huh?"
"Yes. A rotten fish. And yet, its appetite was unusually voracious. It was utterly bothersome, so I drove it away. Well, since it's an undead fish, it probably doesn't feel pain or care about bodily damage, and it just rampages. So, when I turned about half of it into bones, it finally scurried away."
Huh, I heard that undead in the sea usually become food quickly, but this Leviathan is different. Huh? But I feel like I've heard that name in a game Big Brother Yuki plays.
"Hey, Firia-chan, does 'Leviathan' sound familiar to you?"
"I know it! It's a famous summon in games!"
"Is that right? Taiki?"
"Huh? Oh, Firia-chan is right. It's one of Japan's two major RPGs that Yuki-san and I both like."
"A monster with a name known even on Earth, that Yuki-san and Taiki-san know? It sounds dangerous."
"Well, originally, it's supposed to be eaten during the Last Judgment in the Old Testament, so conversely, it was set to be invincible until the Last Judgment arrived. Ah, they say Leviathan of the sea, Behemoth of the land."
"That's amazing! Game monsters really exist!"
"I want to meet it!"
Yeah, I want to meet it. Since it's a monster from a game, it must be really incredible!!
"...Um, Steve and John also appear in games, you know..."
"Hey, Taiki. Don't say things like that."
"You mustn't tell those two, okay? They'll really get depressed."
As we were talking like that...
"Hey, you children over there. Leviathan is no ordinary monster. You mustn't go out to sea playing around."
For some reason, Shi-chan, who was now the same height as us, said that pompously.
"Ehh, but I'm Big Brother Yuki's guard! I can fight!!"
"That's right! You're just a little kid, yet you're so cheeky!"
"No, my small body is due to that spell..."
"Both of you, calm down. Aslin and the others, Shi-chan isn't saying that to be mean. He's worried about you. Right?"
"Hmm. I heard that Aslin here is Shi-chan's namesake. Who would willingly stand by and watch their namesake go to their death? Think about those who would be left behind."
Ah, I see, so Shi-chan's namesake is no longer around... Firia-chan also seemed to understand, and couldn't retort. But we're Big Brother Yuki's guards. We promised Big Sister Ria and Big Sister Jessica.
"That being said, Aslin and the others also have their position as my guards. Shi-chan, could you train them with that in mind? Even if they're safe on the ship, unforeseen circumstances might still occur, right? The Leviathan you just mentioned might appear."
"No, if that rotten fish were to come, annihilation would be inevitable no matter where you are. ...Well, if they know how dangerous the sea is, they won't act recklessly so soon. Very well. For the sake of my friend Shi-chan, I will give them strict training here! And if they can clear that trial, I will permit them to go out to sea."
"Oh!"
It's a test, right! Yeah, then it's fine. Big Brother Yuki always does things like that. Because you can't take useless people who would get hurt, right?
"Ah, and while you're at it, please let Kagura and the others participate in the training too."
Oh, that's right. As Big Brother Yuki says, it's more fun to train together!
But...
"Eh!?"
"Hmm, why again? They seem surprised, though?"
"Th-that's right! Wh-why are *we* also included in this training talk!?"
"Yes, I think it's quite out of context."
"That's right. I also share the same opinion as Kagura and Bishop Enora."
It seems Big Sister Kagura and the others don't want to train together... But Big Brother Yuki and Shi-chan looked at Big Sister Kagura and the others...