Chapter 324 - Green Connect
From the former site of the Red Circle's subjugation, we headed straight northwest.
We crossed fields, we crossed mountains, and when we arrived at our second destination—Sora and I were frozen solid, struck by a shock twice as great as when we had witnessed the sea of 'Red.'
"—………………"
"…Um… what is that?"
On behalf of my partner, who was speechless with her eyes wide as saucers, I directed a dazed question to the three who were calmly observing the 'scenery.'
My own voice was terribly hoarse. But my question must have gotten through, because Tiger Lucky, Maru II, and Rinne each let out a thoughtful "hmmm" before—
"A hippo, I'd say."
"It's a turtle."
"Isn't it a dragon?"
—they offered completely different descriptions for the 'scenery's' appearance.
Our current location is almost directly west of the [Safe Area].
If you were to connect the Red Circle's subjugation site, the great bell tower in town, and this place, you would form a perfect isosceles triangle… which makes it obvious what lies here.
At the place where the 'Western Kingdom of Vestol' once stood is the third trace of a god—a massive crater several kilometers in diameter.
And then there was the colossal being that was filling that giant hole.
"'Green'—[Green Connect, Jehatreglie]…"
Big, huge, gigantic—no matter how many words I used, they all seemed insufficient to describe its abnormally massive form, which was enough to make me dizzy.
The first thing that catches the eye is its torso, which bears a shell that makes Maru II's 'turtle' comment understandable. At a glance, the overall image could indeed be described as 'a turtle with a mountain covered in lush trees on its back.'
However, its head, tail, and four limbs are not those of a 'turtle.'
Tiger Lucky's 'hippo' comment must have been about its head. With its large mouth and square shape, it does look similar, if you had to say.
But I can say for sure that the 'Mr. Hippo' I know doesn't have such a menacing face. Its neck stretches out like a turtle's, and it even has horns like a goat.
As for its limbs and tail, Rinne's description of a 'dragon' is spot on. Though somewhat short, as befits a turtle, the four legs extending from the shell are those of a thick-limbed dragon.
The tail resembles that of an Eastern dragon, so long that it encircles the entirety of its colossal body. Just by swinging that thing, it could easily reshape the surrounding terrain.
Good grief, I'm at a loss for words.
But if I had to force myself to say just one thing…
"How are you supposed to beat that thing???"
"Well, it's a safe bet that just punchin' it won't be enough."
"If we had a hundred of Iris-sama… do you think we could manage?"
"Probably not even then. I heard her 'sword' couldn't even scratch its eye."
"No way…"
Sora shudders in revulsion at their replies, and I can't blame her. No matter how many times I rub my eyes and look again, it doesn't even look like a living creature, let alone an enemy.
Or rather, my brain is refusing to comprehend that it is a living creature.
"Alright… you two, go give it a quick touch."
""Excuse me???""
My voice and Sora's harmonized perfectly in response to Tiger Lucky's strange request. Not just the sound, but the meaning behind it was identical as well.
What, touch? You want us to approach that thing and touch it???
"Wait, um… huh? Go near it… we'll die…"
My hoarse voice trailed off, but there was no need to say it out loud. Just like with the White Throne before, I could only see a future where we're turned to dust the moment we get close.
Even if we've grown incomparably stronger since then, some things are just impossible. In fact, if we were to challenge 'White' again right now, it would only end in a repeat performance.
Thinking that, I was about to ask if the plan was to die and respawn back in town when—
"Oh, it's fine."
He probably realized that not just me, but Sora too, was unaware. Maru II waved his hand dismissively, adding a note of clarification that this wasn't some impossible demand.
"It's basically non-aggressive. It won't even notice you if you enter the crater field, and it won't react even if you kick its tail on the outer perimeter."
It's just a decoration that won't budge until you pull the 'trigger'—or so he says. It's true that despite its biological appearance, I can't even see it breathing right now…
"That's how it is. The only thing that'll wake it up is when some pest gets on its shell. So hurry up and get the point."
"I see…"
I think I get it. It's probably not a direct combat-type boss, but a gimmick-based one. There must be some kind of mechanism on its back.
It piques my interest… but yeah, for today, a simple greeting will have to suffice.
"Alright then, Sora-san, shall we go give its tail a kick?"
"Wha— K-kick it? No! Just because it won't react, you shouldn't do something so scary—Haru?! Wait, please, stop!"
If it's not even going to pay us any mind, then there's no need for us to hold back either.
My fear instantly turned to curiosity, and I kicked off the ground toward the crater. From behind me came a cute yet lively voice in hot pursuit.
Heh, this is nice. It feels a little nostalgic.
Consciously acting the fool to lighten the awkward mood, then before I know it, I'm unconsciously running wild like an idiot, and as a result, I get scolded by Sora…
…Ah, wait a sec, this is bad.
"Jeez, Haru— Hey, why are you speeding up?!"
Well, that would be to prevent you from seeing the goofy grin on my face as I reminisce about the past.
Alright, time for a long-overdue game of tag—I wonder if the greatly matured Sora-san can keep up with me now!
Afterward.
Sora, who mercilessly activated [Scareless], captured me in a cage of magic swords in less than ten seconds. The 'greeting' to 'Green' was carried out in an extremely peaceful manner, led by my very cross partner.
◇You have encountered [Green Connect, Jehatreglie]◇
―――――――――――――――――― ◇Status◇ Title：Acrobat Name：Haru Lv：100 STR(Strength)：200⇒250 AGI(Agility)：250⇒300 DEX(Dexterity)：0 VIT(Vitality)：0(+150) MID(Mind)：300(+350) LUC(Luck)：300 ―――――――――――――――――― ◇Status◇ Name：Sora Lv：100 STR(Strength)：100 AGI(Agility)：200 DEX(Dexterity)：100 VIT(Vitality)：100 MID(Mind)：500⇒550(+200) LUC(Luck)：50⇒100 ――――――――――――――――――
Contact with 'Memorial of the Red Circle' grants +50 Encounter with [Green Connect, Jehatreglie] grants +50