021-040 · 034-ch30

Chapter 30: Human and Dragon

"Long time no see."

"Oh, it's been a while, indeed."

Turning my body on the chair to greet them, they responded quietly. Their tone was like that of an old person. It feels somewhat strange hearing it from a woman's mouth, but well, I suppose that's just how this female body is.

Inside is that dragon. Or something related to it, given this presence.

"Why did you go out of your way to chase after me?"

"Hoh, so you did notice me after all."

"I've got pretty sharp intuition, you see."

It followed me. With this, it's confirmed that inside is indeed that dragon. There's a slight possibility it could be some kind of world tree fairy-like existence, but the hair color is unmistakably that dragon's color. It's more natural to think that's what it is.

Frankly, I had noticed the presence of this human-shaped female figure behind me even before it approached. I didn't feel any urgent need to flee immediately, and I wanted to know what its purpose was, so I deliberately ignored it and waited for it to approach.

Whether it knew what I was thinking or not, she breaks into a pleased smile.

"To notice me and not run away—you're quite a brave one, aren't you?"

"Well, it's not like I need to run just because someone's approaching me, right?"

Don't underestimate me. There's no way I'd mistake the presence of such a massive existence for something lesser. When it emits the presence of the main body while being overwhelmingly smaller, one would normally think it's some kind of clone or a puppet created through magic. There's also the possibility that, like me, it's suppressing its presence, but I can't imagine a being with such an enormous presence would need to conceal itself, so that possibility is low. Concealing one's presence is a technique of the weak.

"Hoh... a human, you say?"

"But it's you, and yet not you, right? Are you some kind of clone imitating a human or something?"

When I asked this, her full smile faltered. Did she think I hadn't noticed and was waiting here, having been chased by that dragon? Well, she was probably waiting to ambush me, though.

"Hmph. So you did notice. How boring."

"Oh, here, have a seat."

When I offered the log I was using as a chair, she made a slightly displeased expression. This is the only chair available, so she'll have to bear with it. And so we face each other. Now then, why would such a massive dragon go out of its way to chase me all the way here in this tiny human form?

If she tells me she's here to punish the impertinent intruder who violated her territory, I'm fully prepared to bow down and retreat to somewhere much farther away.

"You're a slow-reacting one, aren't you?"

"Sorry about that. My head's so full of thoughts that..."

When I encounter surprising situations like this, my mind tends to wander off and start thinking about all sorts of things rather than just being purely surprised. That's just my habit. In that sense, I am surprised by this sudden visit, and I'm also amazed that the presence I felt was so enormous has now come in a body that emits only a faint presence.

"So, you're the dragon that was living on top of that world tree, that enormous tree, right?"

"Hoh, a dragon, you say? Why do you think so?"

Now, what does this mean? Is this asking 'why did I think she was the massive existence I saw there,' or is it asking, for a monster like her, 'why did I think she was a dragon as a being'? Since dragons are apparently special beings among monsters.

I don't know, so I'll answer both.

"If you're asking how I realized you were that massive being from back there, the answer is your presence. Though the size and density differ, the system, the quality, is the same. Or if you're asking why I thought of you as a dragon, it's because I vaguely call beings that look like you 'dragons.'""

When I answered, she looked at me as if she'd seen something extremely strange.

"You... you're an annoying human child."

"Hey, it's because my opponent is who they are that I'm thinking all sorts of things. Is it okay if I act normally?"

"I don't mind. It's more troublesome if you get all formal."

All my effort from thinking so hard. Well, I doubt a dragon cares much about honorifics, so I've settled for using minimal polite language, but inside my head, I've been thinking constantly. Thinking about what to say that won't provoke them and might draw out their true purpose.

Well, if she says it's unnecessary, I'll just act as I normally would.

"Then I'll do that. So, serious question—why did you chase me? Did you get mad because I disturbed your sleep?"

"Fool! I wouldn't chase you for a reason like that. Besides, anger is an emotion I don't possess, human child."

The temporary she said this, her gaze fixed on me this whole time.

"It's because I sensed a human child's presence for the first time in a while. You just seemed interesting, so I came to take a look."

"Hoon."

"Hoon' indeed, you are."

"I'm really thinking about all sorts of things. Like what 'in a while' means, or that this body isn't human, or that it's going to be annoying now that I've caught your interest because I seem interesting."

Normally, I'd want to ask all sorts of questions. Since they came so suddenly, I'm responding nervously, but if I think about it, this is one of the few intelligent beings you can encounter in this dungeon world. Moreover, it's a massive dragon. If things go wrong, it's possible it has been watching the world for much, much longer than humans—perhaps for hundreds of years.

Precisely because it's an opponent like this, I find myself thinking all sorts of things, wondering if it might be bad to ask various questions when they might have some purpose of their own...

"You're straightforward, aren't you."

"Then, first off, I can take it that you have no intention of starting a war with me, right?"

"I wouldn't do such a thing. Besides, you probably wouldn't be much of a match for me anyway."

"Fair enough."

I got annoyed for a moment but immediately calmed down. Considering how massive it is and the possibility that it's monopolizing the world tree's energy all to itself, I seriously feel like I'd lose even if we fought. No matter how much I've leveled up and possess numerous skills, I probably can't overcome the difference in resources.

Additionally, there are various things I'd like to ask, so for now, I'll try to initiate communication from my side.

"Frankly, I'm in trouble because I don't know what kind of action I should take toward you. First off, would you mind telling me how you got here? This isn't your main body, is it?"

"I'm borrowing the body of a servant. I cannot leave from there, you see."

"A servant, you say? So a human who became your subordinate? I'm surprised there are still humans in this world."

If she's borrowing a servant's body, that means some kind of contract or magical connection exists between that dragon and the owner of this female body, and through that, the dragon is controlling the body, I suppose.

"This child is a child of wind. Not like you human children. Rather, where did you come from? Haven't humans been extinct for a long time now?"

"A child of wind, huh. Me... how should I explain this. Right... in the world I was in, a dungeon suddenly appeared. It was a space that continued endlessly underground, and when I dug all the way to the bottom, I ended up in this world."

Dungeon. At that word, the dragon's eyes widen. Or rather, wait, this is surprisingly late to notice, but. We're communicating normally with this dragon, aren't we? Is it that Japanese works, or is it that our intentions are getting across? I hadn't been watching their mouth, so I couldn't tell.

"...What a calamity."

"I knew it! There's something to that, right? That thing."

I asked about the muttered words, but the dragon doesn't answer. Well, I didn't expect to get an answer so easily, so that's fine.

"Well then, I shall return."

"Yes, thank you for your time. Goodbye. Please stay healthy and don't come again."

"I'm busy today. I'll come play again sometime."

"Huh?"

No, it's fine if they come when they come. I don't think I need to be so strangely nervous anymore. And it helped that I now know they're someone I can talk to normally, so I don't have to worry about them suddenly attacking me or getting offended.

"Yeah, well, when you come next time, I'm going to bombard you with questions, so be prepared for that."

"When I feel like it."

"Ah, but I'm away from home quite a lot, you know."

"Then I shall wait."

"Seriously?"

I'm gradually getting the hang of the rhythm of conversation with this dragon. Or rather, it's just that I was the one being strangely nervous.

"Well, I've got things I want to talk about and things I want to ask too, so if you're going to visit, please do come. I'll prepare something delicious and wait for you."

"Hmm... A human's hospitality has been a while. I shall look forward to it. Then farewell."

Saying that, the person—female body, dragon inside—turned her back and walked away into the setting sun.