Kraken BBQ in the Mermaid Depths
Even deep underwater amid sea monsters, it feels like cold sweat is trickling down my back. Has Ha-eun ever gotten this mad before? I cautiously operate my Hunter Watch to call her.
“Unnie!!”
She picks up in less than a second. Okay, first things first—let's talk it out—
“What the hell are you doing right now?!”
“Well, it's like…”
“Mermaids are a protected species! Even touching them without permission is jail time, you know that?!”
“No…”
“The Association's blowing up asking what you're doing there! Get out now!”
No way. She's not even listening…?
“I seriously can't live because of you, unnie!”
“…Ha-eun, I'm starting to get pissed, so can you hear me out?”
Phew… That was pretty patient of me. Good job, self!
Look at these guys' reactions. Should I just kill 'em all? Anyway, after my words, silence fell on the other end of the line. Then…
“…Ah.”
Ha-eun finally seemed to calm down, letting out a short sigh.
“Feeling better now? Listen. I have a deal with the Association, right? Ha-eun, they don't have the authority to stop what I'm doing anyway.”
It's not like this threatens human survival. If anything, I'm handling mermaid issues in their place. What's not to like?
“And if they're gonna protect them, they should do it properly. They came to me for help because they couldn't manage it themselves. You knew their leader's a siren, right?”
Ha-eun fell silent, at a loss for words.
“S-Sorry, unnie… I was just so shocked that I…”
“I'm sorry too for leaving without telling you. But that doesn't mean I have to follow the Association's every command, Ha-eun.”
I'm choosing symbiosis with humans, not subordination. Gotta make that clear.
Access to the mermaid protection zone... permitted.
“Ah… Unnie. Permission granted for the mermaid protection zone.”
“Nice. Quick work. Upper management must've felt the pinch.”
“…Should I come too?”
“Nah. I'll wrap it up fast and head back. Get ready for a swim.”
Silence lingered on the line for a moment. Then Ha-eun said,
“This is… a personal request. Please don't cause too much of a scene. And… don't get hurt.”
Is this her real feelings? Makes sense—she's at the bottom rung of the Association. What good would yelling do? She was just following orders.
“Like I'd get hurt?”
“Yeah, figured…”
“Yep. Grab some hangover soup nearby. Be there soon.”
I hung up. Then, as usual, I glanced at the chat.
The chat floods with swimsuit spam.
“Your reactions make me wanna turn off the stream.”
Watching their desperate flailing, I smile faintly and say,
“Nah, don't wanna.”
The mermaid village tour continued after that. Why we're even getting a tour? No idea, even Terra doesn't know.
“This is our village square!”
“Uh-huh, got it.”
“On days with lots of shrimp or clams, we all share here!”
…Thrilling info.
“No wonder it's a protection zone. Full of filthy pervs.”
“Me? My outer appearance is female.”
Do I really need to explain the obvious?
“…These guys are insane, right?”
Sometimes viewers outdo even a dragon's imagination. Human creativity is endless, huh? But why waste it here…? Pure demonic talent.
“Anyway, you lot are out.”
I turn back to the mermaid, who's still eagerly explaining. Plenty of mermaids around, but luckily I clothed them, so no mix-ups.
“First things first, gotta distribute clothes here.”
“Huh? What do you mean, Goldie Hero?!”
…Now I'm 'Hero' too. Next it'll be 'Hero' for real. Doesn't suit a dragon, though.
“You're too exposed. Others need clothes too.”
“Hmm~ We don't mind! But it feels restrictive!”
Haa… What to do with these innocent idiots? They'll get kidnapped soon at this rate. Some specific humans might have a market for 'em…
Kiiiiing—
As I shake my head, lost in thought, a weird sound echoes from the deep sea. Like whale sonar communication?
“Eek!”
“R-Run!”
“Waaah!”
“Huh?”
The mermaids panic, flapping tails and kicking up debris that clouds my view.
“Go-Goldie!”
“Hold tight. Hard to find you if you slip.”
“Yes…!”
Terra clings to my waist, tail wrapping down to my legs.
Whoosh—
“Goldie Hero!”
“That guy?”
“Yes! Please defeat it…!”
I look up. The village is deep, but sunlight filters in. Yet shadows blanket it like a total eclipse.
A massive form approaches slowly. I clench my fist lightly.
“That looks tasty.”
Body huge enough to blanket the area. Ten legs writhing freely. Kraken from the abyss.
Kiiik—
It screeches, peering at the square with massive eyes.
“Haven't done naval combat in ages. Time to loosen up?”
Withdrawal: 300,000 won
Details: Body Enhancement - Water skill usage fee
I unleash the sea dragon's power. Like how I fed Terra ancient fire dragon essence, I harbor countless powers—extracted from other dragons, treasures, magic. For underwater combat, I draw the sea dragon's.
Blue aura envelops my body.
“Terra, gonna need your help too.”
“Huh…?”
“Hold tight.”
Bang! I kick off the ground, shooting up toward the kraken. The shockwave clears the floating debris, opening the square's view.
“Whoaaa…”
The mermaids watching me punch the kraken think, Heroes are real.
“Kyaaah!”
Terra, clinging to my waist, shrieks shrilly. Earth dragons hate water…
Snap! As I close in fast, the kraken whips tentacles from between its legs.
“Terra, gather that fire dragon power you absorbed earlier.”
“Y-Yes!”
Bang! Boom! I track incoming tentacles from all angles, punching them away. They snap or burst.
Thwack— Mid-assault, I grab one with my left hand. Then swing my right like conducting.
Withdrawal: 200,000 won
Details: Water Current Whip skill usage fee
Blue particles gather, compressing water into a tool. The whip-like torrent binds incoming tentacles and legs tight.
Squeeze—
“Ready, Terra?”
“Yes!”
“Good.”
Withdrawal: 300,000 won
Details: Route Twist skill usage fee
———!!
A fierce current drags it toward the surface against its will. It thrashes harder near the top, but will I lose a strength contest to this squid?
Splash! I yank it out of the water forcibly. Then to Terra:
“Fire.”
She's gathered ancient fire dragon energy in her tiny hands. Can't control it fully yet, but we're in open ocean—some stray flames won't matter.
Grip— Terra drops from my waist, dragonfying hands and feet. She swings at the kraken mid-fall.
Kaboom! Massive flames erupt, slamming it.
Sizzle… Mmm, grilled squid smell. Tastier than expected?
As half-cooked chunks start falling back into the sea, I clench my fist. Water writhes in response. I yank hard.
Withdrawal: 200,000 won
Details: Water Body Forging skill usage fee
Shababa! Dozens of water spears erupt from the sea, skewering the kraken's body.