The Summon Stone
Sia couldn't hide her panic.
What should I do?
Should I keep denying it?
But Rumiel didn't pursue her any longer.
She simply raised her hand quietly and took out a small item.
It was a round, smooth blue stone.
A small pebble with a soft surface worn smooth by the sea water for a long time.
Rumiel placed it silently on Sia's palm without a word.
“If something happens later,”
the soft voice continued.
“Hold this stone tightly.”
Sia instinctively looked down at the small stone.
The sensation on her palm was cold.
It felt as if faint warmth was seeping into it.
“What is this?”
Sia asked with a bewildered expression.
However, the figure of Rumiel in front of her was already fading away.
“...Wait!”
Sia reached out hurriedly, but Rumiel's silhouette gradually faded like melting in the sea breeze.
And,
Completely disappeared.
Sia panted, staring quietly at the remaining small stone.
A mysterious stone glowing with blue light.
Faint light swirled inside it.
“What is this...?”
Sia held the stone with a panicked face.
But Rumiel was already gone.
◈ If the holder is in danger, the designated target will automatically be summoned.
◈ Once used, it disappears and cannot be reused.
Rumiel quietly walked along the sandy beach.
ZI Zone Sia.
Just by recalling that name, a smile naturally formed on her face.
There were players in this world too.
I thought this place was only composed of NPCs and monsters, but it was an interesting development.
Rumiel recalled her actions.
Being chased by a giant clam monster,
running desperately across the beach,
finally losing balance and falling.
Newbie.
Rumiel narrowed her eyes with a small smile.
A newbie player, how nice.
The ahoge wiggled wildly.
It felt good just to watch, like discovering a cute kitten.
Not just a simple NPC, but an actual player.
A fresh newbie who had entered the game like Rumiel.
But, Rumiel's blue eyes, which had been happily sketching the horizon, briefly shook.
ZI Zone Sia.
Probably that player preferred traveling alone.
As soon as asked if she was a player, she strongly denied it,
and didn't hide her discomfort at Rumiel's presence.
“...Don't want to travel together, huh.”
Met a newbie player.
In this game, met another 'outsider' like herself.
Then,
naturally imagined traveling together.
Phew.
A small sigh escaped.
The ahoge drooped weakly.
Rumiel originally liked helping newbies.
Helping beginners who couldn't adapt to the unfamiliar world.
It was one of the most enjoyable moments in the game.
But, ZI Zone Sia seemed not to want that.
What a pity.
Rumiel thought for a moment,
then quietly reached out and opened her inventory.
Rumiel looked at the small crystal fragment on her palm.
A small stone with faint blue light.
Emergency Summon Stone.
Rumiel gently stroked the small Summon Stone.
ZI Zone Sia.
Player.
Newbie.
And, an adventurer who liked traveling alone.
Then,
at least, giving the minimal help was right.
Still, she couldn't let her get into danger again.
Left the Summon Stone and quietly left the place.
ZI Zone Sia wanted freedom.
Had to respect that.
Still, since the game had become reality, whatever situation arose, safety had to be guaranteed, so it was the minimal guarantee left behind.
She was used to being alone, so it was fine, but it was a bit sad.
Traveling with fresh newbies would have been quite fun.
Rumiel looked up again.
Seagulls hovering over the sea flew up with soft curves.
There were many places in this game and this world that Rumiel hadn't visited yet.
The journey wasn't over yet.
Even if alone, there were endless destinations.
Rumiel walked quietly.
The sunlight sparkled on the sea water, and the salty scent carried by the wind tickled the nose.
After walking a bit further along the beach, the scenery subtly changed.
The blue sea water gradually turned turbid, and soon red light began to swirl.
The color of the sand also changed.
Instead of white sand, dark red contaminated sand was revealed.
Rumiel stopped, quietly looking around.
This was one of the theme dungeons Rumiel knew.
It was quite popular even in the game.
However, it had an atmosphere completely opposite to Emerald Beach, which was a peaceful resort.
Turbid sea water.
Dark red changed sand.
And, ominous noise spreading low.
Exactly.
Rumiel muttered quietly.
This was a theme dungeon that depicted 'Corrupted Sea'.
A place where suddenly hostile marine monsters appeared from a peaceful beach.
Black shadows irregularly moving in the water beyond the beach.
Every time red waves approached, huge figures slightly revealed inside.
[Lv.30 Corrupted Jellyfish]
[Lv.28 Red Pincer Crab]
[Lv.35 Devouring Shark]
Monsters on the beach and floating on the sea.
They seemed to slowly move and explore the surroundings,
but if they entered their territory, they would definitely attack immediately.
Rumiel quietly stepped into the seaside.
Turbid waves brushed her ankles, and the dark red sand swayed with the waves.
Ominously flickering red water flow.
Large shadows hiding in the sea slowly moved, concealing their presence.
Sigh.
Rumiel smiled lazily and lightly brushed her hand.
This is Ruby Beach.
A theme dungeon conceptualized as 'Corrupted Sea'.
But, as much as the background and atmosphere, it's quite an attractive place.
Above all,
Rumiel's blue eyes sparkled.
The boss of this dungeon.
The Great King Octopus Slime.
Just by recalling it, the ahoge slightly wiggled.
A boss that didn't match the 'Corrupted Beach' atmosphere at all.
The name was grand, but in fact, it was a slime shaped like a large octopus.
The outer part looked like soft jelly, and the sucker part had a unique texture that stretched elastically.
A monster that boasted the umami taste of the sea.
“...”
What would the taste of octopus slime dish be?
Rumiel's mind was filled with thoughts about cooking for a moment.
If the slime's unique chewy texture and the octopus's chewiness combined?
Probably not like chewy squid jelly?
With a bit of honey and salt added...
At that moment.
Flash!
The scenery in front twisted.
“...”?
Feeling like the body suddenly floating up.
Familiar space transition.
Rumiel reflexively looked around.
“Kyaa!!”
Familiar scream again.
Rumiel blinked.
And in front of her eyes.
Again, there was that clam.
[Lv.20 Furious Giant Clam]
This time, slamming the shell loudly, with a very angry expression.
And in front of that clam, again Sia who had fallen flat on her face on the beach.
Rumiel's head spun furiously.
It had only been a little while since she gave the Summon Stone.
How many minutes had passed? Maybe an hour.
Rumiel quietly sighed.
Then, indifferently raised her hand.
30,000,000,000
Bang!
Again, the monster disappeared in an instant.
Shattered like dust, left items, and evaporated as is.
And, Sia who saw this scene sat on the beach, blankly looking up at Rumiel.
“...” Eh?”
Her mouth slightly opened, as if not understanding the situation in front.
Rumiel quietly looked at her.
Then, slowly opened her mouth.
Rumiel's blue eyes slightly narrowed.
Then, looking down at Sia, muttered quietly.
“Incredible.”
A sincere praise.
Rumiel looked at Sia.
Blue pupils slightly narrowed, deep light like calm sea water.
Raised small hand, took out another small blue stone.
Rumiel silently placed it on Sia's palm.
Sia looked at the stone.
Small sparkling blue stone.
The same Summon Stone as before.
And, a few minutes later.
Flash!
Space twisted again.
Familiar sensation.
And familiar voice.
“Kyaaaaaaaak!!”
Scream.
Followed by, heavy impact sound clanging.
Rumiel closed eyes momentarily, then opened again.
Indifferent expression, looked around the space.
As expected.
Again, Sia who fell flat on the beach in front.
And, right behind,
[Lv.20 Furious Giant Clam]
Slamming shell loudly, another angry clam monster.
Rumiel slowly took a breath.
Then, quietly muttered.
“Incredible.”
A sincere praise.