Chapter 16

【Eleanor Seronia POV】

I saw it in the corner of my vision, but I was too slow to react.

[No.....]

That thing―a filthy, grimy man.

He wielded a bloody, curved sword and ran in my direction with murderous intent.

[No...!!]

It was so harrowing....

The look on that dirty man's face...

So petrified I couldn't move.

So frightened I couldn't speak.

My guards that watched the area didn't see it in time.

And then―

["ELEANOOOORR!!!!"]

My elder brother screamed in pure wrath, shock and horror before I could even realise what happened.

*splatter*

―Suddenly, there was pain.

Along with a strange slicing noise, searing pain coursed through my body.

I turned my gaze towards the origin of the pain―my right elbow.

[".........Ah...?"]

........It was gone.

In my now-blurred peripheral vision, I noticed something move.

It was something white and thin, with a trail of something red following it.

The last thing I saw was the hysterical laugh of an injured maniac who shouted something aggressively towards the sky.

――I blacked out.

・・・

"―NO!!!"

My upper body jumped up as I screamed in dread.

I hyperventilated while hurriedly grabbing my right arm and identifying the surroundings.

"......Fu."

Having calmed down, I breathed a short but deep sigh of relief.

"....It's my room..."

Yes...

I was just lying in my soft bed that was so spacious it almost felt empty.

"My arm―is still there...."

I think I was fully calmed now.

Slowly, I was getting better at handling this thing.

I think.

....Another dreadful nightmare...

This all was not an uncommon occurrence for me, the charming and beautiful Second Princess of Seronia.

I am more or less used to it by now, so the time it takes me to regain composure is quite short.

This year, I will become 17.

.....12 years after that incident....

―Though it is not for a couple of weeks yet.

I really cannot wait.

It is still a whole other year until my noble debut and royal academy graduation at 18.

It feels like such a long wait, though I do indeed feel time passing faster than it normally does.

Certain foreign countries have their noble debuts held only once the heir or heiress reach 20 years of age, while others, such as the Kalype Empire, have theirs held at 15 or 16 years old.

It is merely a cultural difference.

My country waits until the noble son or daughter completes education for their debut.

Anyway, that is unrelated.

After waking up, I promptly called for my maids.

They quickly arrived and dressed me for today.

As today is a rare holiday, there is no need for me to head to the royal academy.

So I think that instead, I shall....

―Suddenly, the bright and wondrous image of the [Legendary Hero] entered my mind.

...Yes..... My Hero.

As I thought of him, my heart fluttered and a small smile bloomed quietly on my face.

Although it's only been a short 10 days since we first met.... Just what could be this peculiar feeling within me, I wonder....?

But even with only that, I had already decided.

"―Well then, let us visit darling Chris. Shall we?"

I and Hero Chris sat in the Palace's flower garden, eating while we chat about our daily occurrences.

"―And that's when I used「Holy Slash」to finish off the remaining goblins in one swing!"

"Hehe, is that so? A splendid combination of attacks, Chris. Very well done. Please keep it up for me?"

"Thank you, Elly! Of course, I put my all into this for you and for this country! You can count on me for that."

.....For me...

"...Hehe...", I chuckled softly. Chris asked in response.

"What's funny? I'm dead serious about this you know."

"Oh, my apologies Chris. Of course, I'm not laughing at you; I am aware of just how much you are trying for the sake of our country. It's nothing, really."

"Really? It's really nothing? If that's truly the case, then I'm glad."

"Yes, it is nothing. I was just happy we could spend time like this is all..."

"Oh...! ....Yes, Elly; me too of course. If only it was possible, I would eradicate those evil demons as soon as I could and save the world. Just so I could―"

―'Spend the rest of this time with you.'

".....!!"

I could clearly hear my heart thumping inside my chest, as if bouncing in pure elation.

"--I would take care of your every need, Elly. Please, don't worry about a thing, and leave everything to me."

"...A-Are you certain about that, Chris...? Really? You'd truly do such a thing for me?"

"Mmhn. Naturally. Please, rely on me Elly."

"...!?"

Chris tightly grasped my hands.

It comforted me greatly.

Those hands―now rough from dedicated training every day―were warm.

That warmth seeped deep, all the way into my energetic heart.

He gazed intently into my eyes.

I felt my face grow red and hot.

My body temperature soared.

As if someone casted fire magic at me....

What is this strange feeling?

It feels similar to a sort of joy, but a kind of distorted version of it?

.....It is truly strange.

I have never felt such an odd thing before, and I felt uncomfortable with the feeling of it taking over my body.

...Though, truthfully, I didn't really dislike it either...

As they were that much bigger, Chris' hands completely enveloped mine like a protective cocoon.

I immediately thought it resembled his determination to protect me.

That, too, felt like it set my heart alight.

...Would it be okay?

He said to rely on him after all....

...Alright.

After a deep intake of breath, I nervously spoke.

"...You see, recently I've been feeling more fatigued than usual..."

"Ah... A-are you alright, Elly? Are you getting enough sleep? Maybe, it's that you're overworking at the academy?"

....Eh? What? Chris....?

"Huh...? N-... No, I am alright for the most part; just that I feel a little tired.... I'm getting sufficient rest and am certainly not overworking, so please, have no such concerns."

"...Ah.....But--....."

...Chris.....

"...Really? You're not just saying that, are you? Please Elly, just know that I want you to be okay. You are alright, right? Please tell me if you're ever not, okay?"

I had no idea that you...

"...Yes."

Cared this much about me...

"Chris...!"

Before the tears welling up inside me could spill out, I dove into Chris' chest.

"Thank you--"

His toned arms wrapped around me, embraced me....

"--for worrying about me so!"

―and we hugged.

....I truly wish.....

"!? Elly...!? What are you...!? ......Haa.... Of course. I'll always be here for you."

――That things could stay like this forever――

...Unfortunately, this moment was rudely interrupted by my close aide, Albert.

"Pardon me, my lady. I hate to disturb your precious moment, however, the news you've been waiting for has finally arrived."

At first, I was irritated, but after hearing Albert's words, I became terribly excited.

"Eh? Really? Then--"

"Yes, my lady. His royal highness, Prince Dexter Platavau Daenyl Seronia, has begun his return to the royal palace."

An ecstatic expression floated onto my face hearing those words.

Brother's coming home!

I jumped straight up and called Albert.

"Albert!"

"Yes, my lady. His highness' due date of return is approximately 20 days―around the start of the next month."

No way... Just before my seventeenth? Brother will be home just in time for my birthday....!!

I loved my elder brother more than anyone else in the world.

He was the one who always comforted me when I needed it, and he spoiled me ever since I was little.

As well as being incredibly strong due to training from an early age, my brother is an intellectual genius.

Because I wanted to be just like him, I also requested to fight monsters and studied really hard ever since an early age.

Naturally, my brother's shockingly good looks made him extremely popular too.

Overall, he was a strong and intelligent, handsome man with great charisma who also knew how to lead people.

On top of having years of actual battle experience fighting against both people and monsters, which I believe made him wise, my brother was kind and gentle.

―In other words, he is the perfect man to become the future king; both mother and father are extraordinarily proud of my brother.

In contrast to my elder sister, I loved my brother much more.

Maybe because she was the quiet type, she didn't really interact with me or brother that often, except for events such as meal times when it was required of her.

Brother is truly, truly amazing.

I just can't wait until he returns with good news about the peace negotiations with the Empire.

【Jae POV】

I awoke to the sight of a notification.

Skill「Acid Resistance」has levelled up [Lv.8]→[Lv.9]

Well, that's not exactly right.

In truth, there were quite a few notifications.

Skill「Poison Resistance」has levelled up [Lv.5]→[Lv.6] Skill「Bleed Resistance」has levelled up [Lv.9]→[Lv.MAX] Skill「Decay Resistance」has levelled up [Lv.2]→[Lv.3] Skill「Heavy Tolerance」has levelled up [Lv.6]→[Lv.7] Skill「Heat Tolerance」has levelled up [Lv.8]→[Lv.9] Skill「Drown Resistance」has levelled up [Lv.4]→[Lv.5] Skill「Automatic HP Recovery」has levelled up [Lv.4]→[Lv.5] Skill「Tough Skin」has levelled up [Lv.9]→[Lv.MAX] Conditions met. Skill「Bleed Resistance [Lv.MAX]」has evolved into skill「Hemorrhage Resistance」 Conditions met. Skill「Bleed Resistance [Lv.MAX]」has evolved into skill「Greater Bleed Resistance」 Conditions met. Skill「Tough Skin [Lv.MAX]」has evolved into skill「Iron Skin」

........The fuck's this?

What the hell?

Huh?

.....Wait.

Where am I?

Belatedly, I looked around to my surroundings and noticed something odd.

This... this is strange...?

Recalling Wrath's words; I should be.... experiencing an undending death, right?

So what exactly happened.

I'm not dead currently, am I?

......Did I get lucky and my dead body fell down the middle of the chamber?

Ah, hold on.

Yeah, let's stop with that.

Something like that doesn't matter right now.

Just the fact that I lived... Well, I technically didn't 'survive', but you know what I mean.

I can say with certainty—if I didn't have「Steadfast Mind」, then I probably wouldn't be much more than a doll right now, just like Wrath said.

After all, how many people out there can endure death so many times?

That pain.... once again, it is engraved into my heart, mind and soul with what feels like a jagged dagger.

In any case, it was all real, and I have successfully escaped the terrible future of a fate worse than death.

.....Although, the fate technically is death, isn't it.

Anyway, my current situation.

Well, there are many things off about my current situation.

Firstly, I am in great anguish.

Physical and mental, that is.

Physically, I am burning, my skin is melting, I feel numb, I am bleeding, I can't breathe and I can't see.

Mentally, I am both exhausted and experiencing the burden of dealing with all of these sufferings, simultaneously.

I can also still "feel" the excruciating pain of having my innards cleaved from where they belong.

Though I can tolerate it a bit better now, as one might expect, it's still definitely not the best feeling in the world.

I think it's fairly evident as to what those skill level-up notifications where referring to now though.

At least they help my situation a little.

Either way, speaking of the situation, this isn't a very good one, huh.

Dare I say, this might be the second worst experience I've had thus far.

―First place would just have to go to that last death I had.

Probably because I'm not scared now like I was then, it's not as bad even if this situation does physically hurt that much more.

But, it's not like I can't deal with it, mostly thanks to「Steadfast Mind」.

Maybe that's why this popped up:

Conditions met. Title「Endurer of Pain」has been acquired Conditions met. Skill「Pain Endurance [MAX]」has been acquired Conditions met. Skill「Withstand Pain」has been acquired Skill「Pain Tolerance [Lv.3]」has fused with skill「Pain Endurance [MAX]」

....Hm.

That's interesting I guess.

Anyway.

The reason I can think straight like this?

Well, there are a couple theories I can currently think of for why that is.

Basically:

1. The effect of「Steadfast Mind」seems to have improved significantly after the constant string mental trials I've recently been put through, which obviously isn't a bad thing, but at the same time I can't really say it's thing I'm glad to realise either, so I don't know what to think about it really.

2. The numerous [Resistance] and [Tolerance] skills that are certainly helping me keep my cool in this dire situation.

As for the not being able to breathe or see thing....

In short, I am drowning.

I am also in a sort of underwater cave?

But the water is acid or something.

Sorry, let me rephrase that.

Currently, I am submerged in a strange liquid that is constantly burning my skin off—at an extremely rapid pace, too, which is probably what「Acid Resistance」is for.

It also appears to be toxic, as I now have level 6「Poison Resistance」, and my body feels a bit numb.

....Nevertheless, I feel nothing.

Well, obviously I do feel it.

A hell of a lot, actually.

It's the fucking worst experience I've ever had in my life, and probably will ever have in the future.

Despite that though, I can sit here through it all, while just thinking to myself.

And it's all due to my unique trait and skills.

But then again, I'm probably one of very few people who can say they've experienced the pain of death multiple times and mean it.

Maybe that's another reason why I can think about things so calmly right now.

Compared to the pain of numerous deaths, this much is nothing really.

Especially that last one—I genuinely think that no pain can ever even come close to it.

Or at least, it's just my hope that I never have to experience something worse than that.

Although, that one was probably more due to it being an amalgamation of both the physical pain of a cruel death, and the mental pain of everything.

But, in the end, because I "survived" it all.....

There can't really be any 'true' feelings left inside me now, can there?

On the other hand, I can be thankful.

I can now be free.

After all, having no fear of both death and pain....

―Or more accurately, being unable to die while also having the ability to endure any kind of pain in the world?

Since it's entirely possible I can end up in an endless cycle, I won't rule it out, but...

If that is truly the case, then I really have nothing to worry about right?

So long as I endure it all, I'll survive everything in the end.

Of course, I'm aware this mindset isn't that of a sane person's, there is nothing you'd expect to be sane about a guy who's died and come back so many times.

And to be honest, I don't care anymore.

It's really nothing at this point, is it?

Conditions met. Skill「Pain Resistance [Lv.MAX]」has been acquired Skill「Pain Endurance [Lv.MAX]」has fused with skill「Pain Resistance [Lv.MAX]」to produce skill「Pain Nullification」 Conditions met. Title「Insanity From Pain」has been acquired Conditions met. Semi-permanent status effect「Corrupted Soul」has been acquired

Ah.

The pain has all ceased...

There we go.

It is confirmed now, I guess.

With this, I am nigh-invincible, huh.

Although those last title is a bit insulting, it's technically not wrong, and I think it's worth taking if I get complete pain nullification as a trade.

After all, even if I can endure it all, it doesn't mean I feel any less pain than a normal person.

But with this, that issue is gone now.

I don't know what that "corrupted soul" thing is, but it's probably fine.

I don't die or feel pain anymore after all, so everything'll be fine in the end.

This is really a cheat isn't it.

How clichéd of me.

Anyway.

I have the uncomfortable feeling that my already, heavily-skewed way of thinking will distort even further because of this, but I have the improved「Steadfast Mind」, so there is probably no way that will happen

And, even if it does happen....

Should I really care?

I don't know.

It doesn't really matter anymore, does it, really?

I think I'll call it「Steadfast Mind+」from now on though, since it definitely has improved.

I am simply relieved that I can relax a little now.

You could say that I now have a bit of room to spare on things other than just「My survival」.

Wiggle room to focus on things I want to do in this world, or something like that.

First of all then, this feeling of drowning isn't pleasant in the slightest, even if I don't feel pain.

I'll try holding my breath until this feeling ceases a bit.

Since I won't die, there'll be no problem at all, even if my lungs end up filled to the brim with this shitty toxic acid.

・・・

Skill「Enhanced Lung Capacity」has been acquired

Oh.

That's interesting.

Always nice to have new skills which could come in handy, I guess.

Anyway, something strange has occurred since I started holding my breath.

―The ground is shaking.

Tremendously so.

Wherever the ground is, anyway.

I mean, obviously it's down, right?

Yeah, of course it is.

But what I mean is that something's different about this than what you'd normally assume.

I can't tell what exactly the ground is. Or, where it is for that matter.

More specifically, you know how I previously said that I am submerged in acid?

Yeah.

It just kinda feels like everything is shaking.

Including this huge lake of acid I'm in.

In reality I have no clue though, since I can't see shit in this space.

It reminds me a bit of that pitch black chamber from my previous life.

Obviously, I know that I am upright from the effect of gravity.

Since gravity always pushes me down, I know where the ground is.

But it's not just the ground that is shaking.

Like I said, this whole place is shaking.

As if I am underground or something.

Since I don't want to boil myself in this acid, I am not using「Wrath」to light up the place.

Even if I don't feel pain or can endure any pain, the thought of willingly boiling myself in acid is not pleasant at all.

Anyway, no light for now.

I'll just keep the situation like this, where I know what I know.

I can't figure out what I can't figure out after all, so there's no point worrying about it.

Also, it's fair to say that I've been here for a reasonable amount of time.

I've probably died more than a couple times too.

Of course, I concluded that purely from the sheer volume of system notifications, as well as the contents of those notifications that were seen previously:

Fucking obviously, those kinds of things couldn't be gained after only a mere few hours in this place right?

It is a clear sign that a lot of time has passed since I arrived here.

Next:

Wherever I am, it is extremely hot.

I can't tell if it is just the atmosphere in this place or the acid-like liquid I'm in, but it's very hot indeed.

Hell, it might be both for all I know.

Fortunately, I don't feel pain from the heat, but it's still uncomfortable.

I have「Heat Tolerance」, so it's bearable, and will gradually get better with time as the skill levels up, but it's still something to think about.

By the way, I have tried touching the edges of the space I am in.

From that, I've discovered that I am in a weird thing that contains this liquid.

Like, this acid is encased in something awfully similar to flesh.

Of course, I know what flesh feels like because I have eaten a shit ton of monsters, right, and this odd material that surrounds the acid I'm in is, once again, awfully similar to that kind of thing.

This place is very, very large though.

Like, it took me a while to reach from one side to the other.

I said before that it was a lake, but now I'm starting to think it really is a huge, underground lake of acid of sorts.

Basically, the situation is that I am submerged in an acid lake that is surrounded by a huge, flesh-like substance that covers it on all sides.

.......Wait a minute.

That type of setup―I've heard of something similar before.

Could it be?

Is this a stomach?

Perhaps, have I been eaten?

It could explain all the shaking as just being the supposed creature I am inside of walking around, why there's this acid, and even the fleshy stuff too.....

No way.

I'm not really into vore.

Spit me out.

God, what if it shits me out?

That'd be fucking awful, wouldn't it.

Spit me out please?

Amelia would accuse me of cheating if it goes any further than this.

My body's already been penetrated by monsters after all, I can't possibly betray her any more by being inside a monster myself.

―Just kidding.

There's absolutely no way I'm in a stomach.

This place is too large after all.

Like, bigger than any creature I'd ever seen or heard of.

Even those big, fuck-off dinosaurs called "Sauropods" or whatever.

Bigger than shit like whales too.

The huge blue ones and all.

Not like I've ever seen any of those things, but you get the point.

Those kinds of big creatures are commonly known for only eating small things or for being herbivorous.

For example, most whales only really eat krill don't they.

Hence, I would assume that something similar must be in this world as well.

I don't know why the hell such a big thing would be underground, but even just the idea of such a colossal creature eating meat instead of other things in the first place is dubious, due to the raw nutrients and calories that would be required to support such a size.

Especially so if we're currently deep underground, which we should be.

So I don't think I'm in a creature's stomach or something.

But even then it's interesting to think about.

Just what is it that could've eaten me?

It's not that shitty Goblin Lord, that's for sure.

That bastard was the size of a human, and I doubt he has the ability to grow that large.

It's probably nothing too fantasy though.

Thinking about it seriously, there is no chance this thing is a monster, or even just an animal of any sorts.

If there was a creature this big in the world, either them or humanity would be extinct after all.

It's simply not possible for something that big to exist at the same time as humans.

Because, you know how humans are right?

They enjoy hunting big things like whales and stuff.

In the first place, that is just my estimation, as well as this thing being as big as I assume.

That's merely a rough estimation based on how big I measured this acid lake to be.

And so, I conclude that I am simply stuck in a strange underwater cave of sorts―the water being acid―but the 'cave' itself is made from some odd fleshy thing I don't know of.

By the way, the material that makes up the inner casing of this place feels strangely sturdy, despite being fleshy.

It's weird, but well this is a fantasy world after all; such a material could exist as even a type of rare metal for all I know.

After all, I wouldn't be surprised if things like mythril or adamantite exist here too.

It was then―

{RRAAAAAAAOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWHHHHH!!!!!}

―the entire cave rumbled tremendously as an intense, ferocious roar, resonated endlessly, literally bursting my eardrums.

...Ah, that was loud.

Well, shit.

My ears are busted huh.

Now I can't hear anything.

Well, it's fine.

They'll get restored when I revive.

But.....

........What the fuck was that anyway?

Sounds fucking terrifying doesn't it.

If I recall correctly, that roar just now sounded extremely similar to the roars of dragons in anime and movies that I've heard in the past.

So, was it a dragon?

That's really fucking cool actually.

And scary.

Since it was so loud I assume it's either really big or just very close.

Maybe even both.

But I won't die, so it's fine.

Well, I might die, but you get what I mean.

That (literally) deafening roar caused the acid to vibrate excessively too.

How cool.

If possible, I want to meet the creature that made that noise.

......Oh...

Perhaps, after dunking it into the depths of despair―making it know it can never kill me―can I subdue it and make it a pet?

Though I might not be strong enough to subdue a dragon just yet, I'll do it eventually.

I've secretly always wanted a pet dragon.

How cool.

Anyway, I should probably get out of here, huh.

Otherwise, I might die again.

Now that isn't cool.

It's a pain in the ass actually.

However, it's not the dying I want to avoid.

Obviously.

After all, I won't really die, so I don't care about that.

It's just that the fact I lose consciousness every time I die is annoying.

It wastes time I could be using to do other things and I could end up in a strange place like where I am now.

In the first place, falling asleep when I don't want to fall asleep is irritating.

Aaaah, right, it's probably time to get out now, so let's just do it.

「Wrath」.

And just like that, a massive burst of flames erupted from my hands, filling up the vast space I'm in in the blink of an eye.

Fortunately, it doesn't effect me, so I'm fine.

Though it wouldn't of mattered either way because I can't die.

However, the acid really heated up fast.

It boils me.

It burns my skin.

Ordinarily, this would hurt, huh.

But it doesn't matter because I don't feel pain.

Ordinarily, this would kill a man.

But it doesn't matter because I can't die.

That's quite cool now that I think about it.

{RRAAAAAOOOOOOWWWWHHH!!!}

Ah, it did it again.

The dragon.

I want it.

I want a pet dragon.

That'd be so fucking cool, right?

For some reason, the dragon sounded angry when I used「Wrath」though.

Wonder why that is.

What's more of a wonder though, is why I am still submerged in liquid.

Did「Wrath」not activate or something?

No, that's not right.

It happened just a second ago, of course I remember using it.

So what happened?

「Wrath」did no damage?

That's not cool.

That's not cool at all.

The fuck?

How do I get out of here then?

This is troublesome....

「Wrath」was my most powerful attack after all.

This is annoying.

Agh, how irritating.

I'm just angry now.

That's not cool at all.

Skill「Wrath」has activated

.....Yeah.

Fuck this.

*BOOOOOM!*

*BOOOOM!*

*BOOOOM!*

*BOOOOOM!*

*BOOOOM!*

*BOOOOOM!*

I fire off constant explosions of「Wrath」until my mana completely drains.

Skill「MP Consumption Down」has levelled up [Lv.4]→[Lv.5]

.....Oh.

I'd be happy, but the fleshy walls are completely unscathed still.

Tch.

How irritating.

{RRRRAAAAAAAOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWHHHHHHH!!!!!}

Hoooh~

It's real angry now, huh.

Wonder why that is.

In contrast, my anger seems to have faded already.

Wonder why.

....Ah.

Perhaps—Could it perhaps be because of「Steadfast Mind+」?

But... when I was angry before, it lasted much longer, despite「Wrath」being a lower level.

Wonder why.

Oh, right.

This isn't the time.

I need to find a way out of this place.

Well, I won't die, so it's not like I need to be in a rush.

I can just take my ti---

You have died Title「Apostle of Sin」has activated You have reached a Title-related milestone The effectiveness of all Sin-type skills will be strengthened Your Race will be adjusted You have reached a Title-related milestone The effectiveness of Title「Insanity From Pain」will be strengthened The effectiveness of Trait「Steadfast Mind」will be weakened Due to a correlation in the effects of Titles「Apostle of Sin」and「Insanity From Pain」, a connection has formed between the two Titles Calculating repercussions Conditions met. Semi-permanent status effect「Insane」has been acquired Conditions met. Title「Deranged」has been acquired Conditions met. Skill「Unpredictable」has been acquired

..............I'm awake.

...Hm.

Wonder what happened...

...Apparently, I died?

Although...

I didn't.

But you get what I mean.

Wonder what killed me though.

How strange.

I believe my resistances were a reasonably high level right, so it definitely wasn't the acid that killed me.

It wouldn't just suddenly kill me like that either, so it's a bit odd.

What happened?

How strange.

It is odd indeed.

But there is a silver lining.

I am no longer trapped.

Although, there wasn't really anything bad to begin with, so in reality there is nothing to line with silver.

Because I don't die or feel pain, nothing is wrong.

After all, I am now technically invincible.

There is absolutely nothing to fret.

Though I do have to be careful to not get caught up in a cycle.

That is the one and only bad scenario.

At the same time, it is the worst outcome.

So I cannot be overly conceited.

Oh well, things are probably going to be okay.

Checking my surroundings, I see many unusual things.

For starters, there are seven suns.

Yeah.

Seven.

That's 7.

Usually there is only one.

That's 1.

That's odd and yet cool at the same time.

What would that be...?

...Odol?

...Codd?

It doesn't seem to make sense

............Wait, why did I just do that?

That was fucking weird.

What the fuck?

....Ah, maybe I'm just dehydrated.

Yeah, that's probably it.

After all, I haven't had a drink in such a long time, and it's so hot in this place....

Anyway, the suns.

Right.

Usually there is only 1 sun in the sky.

But there is 7 here.

That's too strange.

Moreover, the suns are dyed.

Like dyed as in colour, not death.

I don't die by the way.

Like die as in death.

Isn't it cool?

.....Ugh, I feel awful.

Like I'm going to throw up all my insides.

But it's probably fine.

I can always just revive and it'll be fixed.

Anyway, the suns.

There is one in the center of the other 6.

The center one is much bigger than the 6.

That's not balanced.

But although it isn't balanced, it is quite cool.

They surround the middle sun evenly, with each at an equal distance to the middle sun, which makes a cool pattern in the sky.

Oh, and colour.

They are all differently coloured.

It looks quite cool, if I do say so myself.

The center sun's colour is a vivid violet.

Oh, that rhymes.

How cool.

Wait, that isn't a rhyme.

It's alliteration.

God, I really am dehydrated, aren't I?

Anyway.

Actually, the violet is a nice colour.

It looks nice.

Vivid.

A vivid violet.

How cool.

Oh, that rhymed.

How cool.

Ah.....!

...Nevermind.

Hold on?

What?

Has my vocabulary deteriorated?

No way.

I have「Steadfast Mind」after all.

There's no way that would happen.

Such a thing is...

Incomprehensible.

See?

Vocabulary.

Wait, why do I even care?

.....I need something to drink quickly.

The other 6 suns.

They are the colours: [Pink], [Orange], [Light Blue], [Green], [Yellow] and [Red].

In no particular order.

They look....

What's the word?

'Cool'?

Yes.

They look quite cool.

Quite cool indeed.

Next is the landscape.

There is a word to describe this.

It is 'vast'.

See?

Told you my vocabulary is good.

Anyway, the landscape.

It is vast.

Did I say that already?

Oh well.

It is vast.

Moreover, there are a few pillars scattered around the place.

Pillars that are.....

Big.

Big..... pillars.

Vocabulary?

Yes, they are big?

What else is needed?

'Big' describes it well enough?

No?

Fine.

Monumental.

Woooo, vocabulary~

They are monumental, see?

Except not really.

Because they are bigger.

You hear me?

They are big.

Real big.

So there are some big, natural rocky pillar things.

Other than that, nothing.

Nothing but vast...ness....

It is the vastestnessest place I've ever seen.

The ground is all rock.

The same rock that makes up the pillars.

And it is all reddish.

Not like a red dish, as in red food, but red as in colour.

A shade of red.

Like the Grand Canyon on Earth.

Not like I've ever seen the Grand Canyon, but I've heard it's kind of red.

I think.

I just need water, then I'll know.

Anyway, I was wrong.

Somehow, there is one more thing.

A big thing.

Bigger than the skyscraper-sized pillars.

It is a mountain.

Big mountain?

Biggest mountain.

A big mountain made of white.

Of course, this is a metaphor.

Because something can't really be made of white, since it's only a colour.

But the mountain is made of something that is white.

It's far away so I can't see it properly, but it's white and big.

Bigger than any mountain I've ever seen.

Not like I've ever seen a mountain, but I've heard they're big.

I think.

Although, the shape of the mountain is odd.

It's more round than mountain.

Like a white egg, but really big.

And rounder.

And it's white like snow.

The whitest snow.

Snowier than white.

No.

Not even.

Whiter than snow.

Very white.

Pure white.

More than snow.

Anyway, I should probably go over there if I want to leave this place.

That's what I feel.

I feel something from that mountain.

It is hot and uncomfortable.

Of course, it's not like I'll die.

I don't die, after all.

But I should go there.

This place doesn't feel nice.

If it's like snow it's cool, right.

Not cool as in cool, but cool as in like snow.

Right?

Oh right, there was a dragon wasn't there.

Where's that?

I want it.

Where is the dragon?

I'd like a pet.

It'd be something I could trust in this world.

It'd be cool.

I like dragons.

They're cool.

Having a pet dragon?

It'd be cool.

Wouldn't it be cool?

It's cool.

Anyway.

I want to find the dragon.

They're cool.

Where is it?

I look around.

..........Oh.

It's dead.

What the fuck?

There is the corpse of a dead dragon here.

I am in the middle of it.

It surrounds me.

Wait, no.

It's not a dragon.

It's a drake.

Those are dragons without wings basically.

I think.

I've heard it somewhere.

Probably.

I could do with a drink right about now though, so could I have some drake blood?

We'll see.

Anyway, that's a shame.

Wonder what killed the drake?

It's a wonder indeed.

Is it the same thing that killed me?

Although it's not like I actually died but you get what I mean.

What killed the drake?

It's a wonder indeed.

So does that mean I was inside the drake?

It's really big so I can see how that'd be the case.

But I guess it doesn't matter.

The drake is dead now.

Anyway, let's eat.

For some reason, I'm not hungry, even with the「Gluttony」skill that increases my hunger dramatically.

See?

I know vocabulary.

Anyway, I'm not hungry.

How strange.

It's a wonder indeed.

It's the first time ever since acquiring「Gluttony」that I haven't been hungry.

Anyway, let's eat.

I'd like to gain a skill, please, Mr. Gluttony.

.......

.........?

...........??

............????

.....No reply, huh.

How rude.

Mind your manners.

That reminds me, have any of them even spoken once since I woke up previously?

I don't remember.

I don't think so.

I think.

Wait, I think not?

Anyway, let's eat.

Let's get a skill.

My first skill from a drake.

My first skill from something not a goblin.

I pick up a piece of flesh that was no longer connected to the main body.

By the way, the drake's body was killed in a strange fashion.

Though it isn't fashion, but you get what I mean.

The drake was sliced into many pieces.

Huh.

That would've killed me instantly for sure.

Except, it wouldn't.

You know, because I can't die.

But you get what I mean.

Anyway, I eat the flesh.

Skill time.

No, wait.

What do they say in Japan?

Itadakimaaaaaasu?

I think that's it.

I say it aloud.

With a monotone voice of course.

"Itadakimaaaasu."

Skill「Gluttony」has activated Skill level too low to perform this function

Huh.

That's odd.

I remember, this happened before.

With「Envy」, when I tried to use it on myself.

My memory is really good, huh.

Anyway, it is a shame.

I feel cheated.

This is bullshit.

Give me my skill.

Anyway, what to do?

Hm.

Hm?

Wait a minute.

This drake.

It's big.

Like big big.

Huge.

Like huge huge.

Vocabulary?

Like really fucking big.

Fucking colossal.

Is that enough vocabulary for you?

I knew it was big but realising it only now, I see how big it really was.

....Huh.

That's cool.

Shame it's dead though.

It's a real big boy.

Why is everything in this place big?

That is and odd yet cool at the same time.

I believe there is a word for this.

Odol.

Or was it codd?

I don't remember.

Don't blame me okay.

It's just that I don't have a very good memory.

Ah, that's right, I wanted a drink didn't I.

But wait, that's not right.

I'm not thirsty or hungry anymore for some reason, so why would I want a drink?

That's strange.

Well, it's probably fine.

Not like I'll die.

I might think about it later.

Maybe.

Anyway, the drake.

It's real big.

So are it's claws and teeth.

So I thought.

Why don't I take it?

Don't answer.

It is a rhetorical question.

You aren't supposed to answer the question.

Because it has no answer.

Because it's a rhetorical question.

No, it's not even a question, but a statement.

In other words, there is no reason for me to not take the claws and teeth.

So I rip out the sharpest fang of the drake, albeit with some difficulty.

Weapon acquired.

I lost my last one.

I don't remember how.

Maybe I misplaced it.

Anyway, I got a new weapon.

It is the fang of a drake.

How cool.

Okay, so next on the list is...?

Just kidding.

There is no list.

It was a rhetorical question.

You weren't supposed to answer the question.

Because it had no answers.

In other words, I don't know what to do now.

For starters, shall we head to that white mountain?

It isn't a question by the way.

I am going to the mountain whether you like it or not.

I believe it is called a 'rhetorical question'.

You aren't supposed to answer the question.

Because it has no answers.

In other words, we are going to the white mountain.

By the way, did I mention the mountain was big?

Like big big.

Huge.

Like huge huge.

I feel this is familiar.

Was it déjà vu?

I don't know.

I don't remember.

Don't really care either to be honest.

By the way, did I mention the white mountain was big?

Like big big.

Huge.

Real big.

In any case, I set off towards the mountain.

The big mountain.

The white mountain.

The big white mountain.

Or is it white big mountain?

Either way, I set off towards the big and white mountain.

The one that is white and big....

...And a mountain.

Anyway, let's go.

―To the white mountain.