#52: Chapter 52 — I’ll Live My Life Surrounded by Monsters! (WN)

During dinner, a message arrived from the Dragon Emperor.

It said that Azi Dahaka’s resurrection was imminent.

Honestly, I wanted the legends to handle the front lines while I focused my efforts on hunting down any minions that spilled out.

“Mr. Ryu. It is time to head out.”

Tiamat had come to fetch me.

We were heading to the site where Azi Dahaka was sealed, just as discussed earlier today. Naturally, the Princess was staying behind.

We walked southeast for a while after leaving the capital.

“Tiamat, have you ever fought Azi Dahaka before?”

I asked idly.

“I have, though I was still quite inexperienced back then, so I never faced him head-on. However, I did battle the minions he produced—and even they were formidable foes.”

If Tiamat in her youth found them formidable, could I really fight this thing? Especially since I wasn’t even facing the main body yet, but just a minion. I didn’t even know if I could beat one of those.

“Have a little more confidence, Ryu. You are strong.”

It was the first time Tiamat had addressed me without an honorific. It didn’t feel half bad.

“Ryu, your weakness is not that you are human, but your lack of self-belief. If you cannot believe in yourself, then I shall believe in you on your behalf.”

Her voice was calm and reassuring.

Good grief, a dragon believing in a puny human isn’t exactly typical. But well…

“Understood. Since you’ve gone that far, Tiamat, I’ll just assume I’m strong for now.”

Tiamat nodded with a satisfied expression.

Still, the presence coming from ahead was incredibly bad news. My “Sixth Sense” was screaming at me to run away.

Man, do I really have to go and clash with this monster from the front?

Eventually, we drew near the sealed cave.

The atmosphere was nothing but pure malice. This was seriously bad. I wanted to go home.

“Good work.”

Tiamat spoke words of appreciation to the Draconewts guarding the entrance. Those who weren’t busy trying to delay the seal’s breaking responded with a salute.

“I don’t intend to get in the way, so let’s just finish up and head back.”

“No, did you really come here just to look? I came here specifically to hear exactly when the doors would open.”

“In that case, I’ll tell you. These doors are opening right now.”

At first, I thought it was just the proximity to a dangerous place. But my “Sixth Sense” was warning me that Azi Dahaka was about to emerge from those very doors.

“Please get everyone around here away immediately. These people are going to die.”

I drew Rou and entered my combat stance.

“Everyone, evacuate!! Leave this place immediately! Ryu, you come too!”

“No, I’ll stay and buy some time. I’ll be lucky to last a minute, so please, hurry and run.”

“Then I shall—”

“No, Tiamat, please handle the interception of the minions. There’s a good chance a massive number of them will pour out, so please protect everyone from them. Besides, everyone will actually listen to you, right?”

I gave Tiamat a small, wry smile.

“…Everyone, hurry! You may leave all equipment behind!! Ryu… good luck. I shall return immediately.”

Tiamat shifted into her dragon form and began herding the people back toward the nation.

Please, come back as fast as you can. I’m just a weak… no, let’s have some confidence and intercept this thing.

…Hm? My skills were changing.

“Five Senses Enhancement” and “Sixth Sense” had merged into “Survival Instinct.”

The effect felt like those two skills had been combined with “Limit Break.” The description for “Limit Break” was… “releasing the brain’s internal limiters”? What was that? Was it like that “hysterical strength” people get in life-or-death situations?

…Wait, isn’t that just a luck-based skill that depends on my latent potential?!

Agh, what now? It was great getting a skill at the last second, but the content was vague. Did I actually get stronger?

Suddenly, the doors flashed with light!

Was this the sign that the seal was completely undone?! Once the light subsided, the doors began to creak open inch by inch.

Emerging from within was a bipedal dragon with a massive, chalk-white body, trousers that looked like tribal clothing, a thick and long lizard tail, a pair of… hard-to-describe wings, and three serpent-like heads and faces.

Beat this thing? The people of the past asked for the impossible!! They were way too irresponsible!!

The dragon moved its three heads independently, surveying its surroundings.

『Is it only you? The one who waited for me?』

…I hadn’t expected it to actually speak.

“Yeah. I had everyone else run ahead. So they could spread the word that you’ve been resurrected.”

I was surprised I could even talk back. Honestly, this felt a lot like when I first met Ril.

『I see. And for what purpose did you remain?』

“To buy time. To make sure you stay right here.”

『…Foolish bravery.』

“But now is the time I have to do it.”

I hadn’t let my guard down once. I kept my posture ready so I could move at any second.

“If I can buy time just by chatting, I’d be happy with that. How about you?”