"Ugh... You're Touching There?" — The Dragon Slayer
"Umm... ugh... y-you're touching there?"
The Dragon Slayer.
An entity so merciless even to her own flesh and blood, forged from her fragments—that's the name she earned.
"How dare you touch it so shamelessly!"
The noble, stern aura, like an iron lady who wouldn't bleed even if stabbed...
"...You shameless pervert!"
Her face beet red, she bit her lip.
All because of that utterly obscene scene unfolding in the distance!
"What is this... utterly devoid of any dignity."
She pressed her arm to her forehead like she'd witnessed something she shouldn't have.
A dragon maid supported her.
"Miss, if it's not too rude, may I ask what's troubling you? If it's something unclean, we can handle the source for you."
At the young dragon's question, the Dragon Slayer peeked through her fingers again, eyes widening slightly.
It was like a kid with raging sexual curiosity, peeking despite saying she didn't want to see.
"Th-this is... yes, definitely the children I sent... trembling under some man's touch... ahh! I can't put it into words!"
The Dragon Slayer swung her hand wildly, banishing the scene from view, then reached out to the maid.
"Here's a new fan."
Tap.
She took a fresh one in place of the cracked fan, fanning her flushed cheeks.
"What in the world... what."
Her flustered gasps suggested she'd seen something far from pretty.
"Why would that human do such a shameless thing...!"
"He's the one the masked human you disliked brought along, so perhaps he's a fitting match."
"Yes, exactly."
She snapped shut the now-cracked fan, frowning.
"Time to give him a proper thrashing."
"Hngh, grrr... haa, haa..."
"How's this spot?"
"N-no more, I c-can't..."
"This gets the best reaction."
"Th-that's... eeeek?!"
Every time I prodded her weak spot, she writhed, overwhelmed by her sensitive nerves. It looked almost painful.
Watching her, even I felt a rush of joy.
The other young dragons were already exhausted, collapsed and unmoving.
Just this one left.
So this is what Leydan Tantun enjoyed, huh.
I could kinda sympathize with him now.
Dopamine wasn't just flowing—it was exploding.
"R-right there..."
"Got it, this is the spot."
Seems like it's about done.
Time to deliver my finishing blow to this one.
"Hya!"
"Ooooooh!"
The dragon maid arched her upper body, then slumped back with a refreshingly loud sigh.
"Ooh, that's so refreshing..."
She looked blissed out from the massage. A sight to behold.
Wait, what random nonsense is this? you ask?
I've never said anything wrong.
I just diligently thumbed the knottiest spots until they loosened up.
They're just lying there because it felt too good.
I'd heard something from the Hunter before. Playing with the Surveillance one looked like a fight from her perspective.
If Super Coward Mode censors ethical fears, maybe hunting does the same?
My touch counts as an attack to Outer Gods.
As if to prove it, the dazed young dragons faded away, vanishing bit by bit.
Yup, just as I thought.
This tied into what White Mask said—how Tantun handled Outer Gods solo.
Maybe because he's a mode-created character, or I went the wrong way solving it differently, but this must've been Tantun's original method.
A way to resolve them without killing.
Tough activation conditions, but even with minimal power unlocked, this lethality against Outer Gods...
How insanely strong would it get at full throttle?!
Tantun!
"..."
For some reason, I felt a prickling glare from the one piggybacked on my back.
No, why? I did nothing legally or ethically wrong.
I was just enforcing justice.
"...Pervert, trash, attempted rapist, Leydan Tantun."
What the hell! And why does 'Leydan Tantun' slip in so naturally!
It's worse than plain insults, sure, but still! I'm wronged!
I just dealt with Outer Gods!
Is this how Tantun felt getting arrested for attempted Outer God rape?
As I pondered that, intense teeth-grinding sounds came from behind.
Curious, I turned and flinched in shock.
Mu Yeon was trembling violently, staring at me.
"M-Mu Yeon...?"
"Not content with subduing the dragons... you even tortured them..."
"N-no, that's not..."
"It's okay... I'll accept even that side of you, Tantun-ssi!"
Uh... I figured she'd be scared, but this direction feels off?
At this point, Mu Yeon's the scary one.
Human!
Bell's voice echoed in my brain.
Yeah, you're the only one who likes me purely.
Wuung... instead of the dragon, massage me thoroughly?
Ugh. That sounds like it'd land me straight in jail if I testified.
To knock Bell out, I'd need more than just pets—something bigger.
As I thought that, the Gardener yawned.
"...I'm gonna head out now. Sticking around longer might not be good for you."
She withdrew her arms from around my waist carefully.
Why so reluctant?
Earlier, she mentioned restrictions every time she used her power.
"Right, what exactly does it cost?"
"Your life force."
...Pardon?
Did I hear wrong?
"No, you heard right."
"...D-do I die early?"
"...Not lifespan!"
The Gardener sighed deeply.
"It steals the vitality you'd use for the day. Overdo it, and you'll pass out in minutes."
"No way, even then it'd take minutes at least..."
"...Tantun-ssi! Be careful!"
...I'd spoken casually, but my body swayed; if Mu Yeon hadn't caught me, I'd have toppled.
What the? Just from using it once?
"Don't worry. You can hold out till dinner at least."
"...Doesn't this make long fights super disadvantageous?"
"Yup. Push past the limit, and it might actually shave off your real lifespan."
R-real lifespan?!
It's just 'daily vitality' in name, but it ultimately harms your health, right?
...Great power demands a fair price, huh.
The Gardener smirked wryly.
"It'll improve as our bond deepens... You, having weird thoughts again?"
Ahem.
Why grab at straws like that?
As I smiled innocently, a smack hit the back of my head.
"Kyaa!"
"...Sigh. Anyway, I'm off. Try not to blow that flute more today."
With that, the sensation on my shoulders vanished completely.
Like Bell, she'd faded naturally.
"Tantun-ssi... who were you just talking to?"
"Oh, that Greater Outer God from before."
PTSD kicking in? Mu Yeon shuddered head to toe, face pale with terror.
...For such a timid girl to hold out without fainting was impressive.
Even if she couldn't manifest her technique, this was progress.
"All done now, so time to head back?"
"Yeah. We just need to climb up. I could manage alone, but taking you too might be tough..."
"Why are you two wrapping up on your own?"
Suddenly, a third voice—not ours—cut in.
Startled by the unfamiliar tone, I saw Mu Yeon's eyes glaze over as she trembled fiercely.
Only one thing made people react like that.
I turned toward the voice. There stood a woman.
A long horn on her head, neatly twintailed hair, yellow eyes.
And dressed like a duke's lady straight out of a novel—not fitting for this place at all.
Unlike the young dragons, she wore an elegant dress evoking nobility, flanked by three maids.
Conclusion: obvious.
"...Why is the Dragon Slayer here...?"
Mu Yeon foamed at the mouth in fear.
"Mu Yeon-ssi!"
"Hmph... I'm not here to see some commoner's reaction."
Ignoring her, the Dragon Slayer thrust her fan toward me.
"You."
That motion alone set my danger sensors screaming; I grabbed rigid Mu Yeon and flattened us to the ground.
Pink winds whipped across the cliff.
My body nearly got flung off, but the cook's enhanced meals let me cling to the floor.
"Nngh...!"
"Impressive you didn't get swept away. Praise for that."
But the Dragon Slayer just extended her arm again.
"Shameless wretch."
The three dragon maids beside her, who'd been asserting authority, muttered among themselves.
"Wuung, what's a shameless wretch?"
"From what miss said, touching bodies with hands."
"Hmm... isn't that just physical contact?"
"If miss says so, then yes!"
Hearing their whispers, the Dragon Slayer flushed crimson and yelled.
"If you've defiled my maids, die honorably!"
The Gardener said to stop, but no choice now.
Time to blow the flute again...
As I moved to summon Bell, someone grabbed me, and my body floated up.
Shocked, I turned to see who—and grinned.
"Didn't expect the Dragon Slayer to show. Retreating."
White Mask.
Gale-force winds battered us, but we didn't budge.
She rode the currents upward like swimming.
"Don't worry. No one escapes that lizard faster than me."
White Mask scaled the wall at breakneck speed.
Far off, the Dragon Slayer spread her wings, flying our way, shouting.
"W-wait! Don't run off on your own!!!"