380. Crystal Dragon

We traverse further deep into the mine.
Alo is holding the Dragones Magic Crystal as it lights our way through the dark passage.
I’m glad our visibility isn’t restricted now that we have a light.

Although, the Dragones Magic Crystal is kinda wet from Partner’s saliva, but Alo doesn’t seem to mind.
…… At least that’s what I thought until I saw Alo wipe her hand with her clothes.
I mean, it’s understandable. Our mouth does indeed smell like dragon.
I remember the first time I put Ball Rabbit inside my mouth, and he hated it a lot.
I’ll just… pretend I didn’t see that.

As we go deeper, the presence becomes stronger.
And the closer we go, the more the walls start to get lit in different colors.
It’s rather faint, and the lights aren’t that bright, so I can’t really call them pretty.
But, it’s still quite a sight.

I’ll have to brace myself.
According to Grandpa Magiatite, it doesn’t seem like they’ll be the type to talk things out.
When we arrive, the battle will have already begun.

Alright, let’s do this…… but then, just when I was getting mentally ready to fight, Alo comes poking at my feet.
Careful there, Alo.
I might accidentally step on you if you just get close to my feet without warning.

“Treant is……”

What? What is it?
Is Treant bullying you? It’s usually the opposite because Treant would never-……

Looking back, I see Treant getting surrounded by five insect-looking monsters.
They have large spiral shells on their backs, kinda like a snail’s shell.
And just like the walls, their shells are giving off a faint light as well.
Two eyeballs are seen peeking out of the spiral shells, and countless beige-colored tentacles wiggle about.

What’s this supposed to be…… a giant ammonite?
I was apparently too focused on thinking about the upcoming fight that I didn’t notice the number of small presence slowly surrounding Treant behind us.

【〖Grim Ammo〗: Rank C＋monster】
【An〖Ammo〗that has undergone a special kind of evolution after ingesting a magical ore.】
【The shell of a〖Grim Ammo〗is a magic ore called〖Ammotite〗, and because of its rainbow-colored glow, many believe that it brings good omen.】

A Grim Ammo, you say‥…
But wait, then what’s up with the walls here that’s emitting the same glow as their shells…… c-could it be that even after death, their shells will continue to glow, and this whole time, we’ve been walking in a passage of dead monsters?
Thinking that, I turn to look beside me and notice that the shells of the dead Grim Ammos have already assimilated within the walls.
O, oh man…… I can’t unthink their corpses now.

Treant glances at me in a restless manner.
Treant is a rank Ｃ＋〖Magical Tree〗.
Being ganged up by five monsters of the same rank must be too much for him.

When Treant meets eyes with one of the Grim Ammo, he stops all movement and faces down.
No, Treant, I think it’s too late to pretend to be a normal tree, not that trees even grow in a place like this anyway.

“Gru~uoooo!”

In response to my sudden roar, the Grim Ammos scuttle about like baby spiders to flee.
Partner picks up one Grim Ammo and starts chewing on its hard shell.
A crunching, crackling sound is heard.
M-Merciless.

【Obtained 130 Experience Points.】
【〖The Walking Egg: Lv—〗skill gives you additional 130 Experience Points.】

So apparently, this proves that we’re already strong enough to kill monsters that are of the same rank as Treant just by chewing.

How’s the taste?
When I asked that, Partner replied by slightly nodding her head as she spits out the empty shell.
Inside the cracked pieces of the shell are sticky fluids that look like cream.
Gross.

【“Hm, not bad. But it’s tough”】

Some time passes and Partner is still chewing.
I also happen to notice the chips of shell inside her mouth, which leads me to believe that the meat must be hard to chew.

【“Do ya want to taste it too?”】

Partner asks as she opens her mouth.
The gushy remains of the Grim Ammo are revealed from inside Partner’s mouth.
U, uhm…… well, yeah, I guess I’m kinda curious to what it tastes like, but to taste another person’s…… I mean, another dragon’s slobber would be indirect kissing……
Even though me and Partner are technically the same dragon.

【“C’mon, it’s not that bad”】

Partner closes her mouth and resumes chewing.
For a girl, she’s really shameless most of the time. Is this normal for dragons?
Well, if we ever encounter another horde of Grim Ammo again, then maybe I’ll take up the offer.

Then suddenly, a loud sound is heard.
It sounded close. My〖Presence Sense〗is also picking up something big.
A human and a monster are fighting each other. It’s exactly as Grandpa Magiatite said.

It might be better if we pick up the pace.
After confirming there’s no other presence behind us, I rush onwards.
Meanwhile, Treant is desperately trying to catch up to me from the back.
You don’t have to push yourself too hard, Treant, I’ve already confirmed that there are no more attackers coming from behind with my〖Presence Sense〗…… although, since I kinda didn’t notice them earlier, I can see how you’d find it hard to believe my words.

After passing through the grim-tight passage, we arrive at a spacious area of the mine.
And upon arrival, we stumble upon a large, at least 10-meters, dragon covered in emerald-colored crystals.

【〖Crystal Dragon〗: RankＢmonster】
【A dragon covered in magical crystals.】
【In addition to having high defense, it is also capable of wielding magic that lets it freely manipulate magic crystals, such as its〖Crystal Squall〗skill which is not only powerful but also difficult to avoid. It is unable to fly, but one must be wary when they spread open their wings.】
【Although they only eat magical crystals and magic ores, because their〖Petrifying Breath〗can turn their targets into magic crystals, food is not a problem for them.】

I see, so this thing can theoretically view everything it sees as food since it can just turn them into one.
This must be the underground dragon that Grandpa Magiatite was talking about.

Though, it looks like I don’t have to worry about fighting the Crystal Dragon anymore.
Its body is already covered in slash marks and its HP is also at 0.

The large Crystal Dragon collapses.
Standing before it is a tall man with long silver hair.
In his hand is a large sword that’s as big as the man’s height.