Dragon Slayer's Stolen Kiss
I couldn't hide my shock at the phrase suddenly engraved behind me and the Dragon Slayer. I thought only the Dragon Slayer had a romance novel brain, but she wasn't the only one! It even felt like that freshly carved text had been watching us the whole time. ...Maybe the Recorder was just a voyeur.
It seemed like she'd judged that a kiss was needed to sever the Dragon Slayer's anchor. But come on, wasn't that a bit much? How long had we even known each other to go straight for the so-called 'kiss battle'? And there were clearly eyes watching us.
"Woof?"
The others had collapsed from exhaustion, but Bell was still hanging in there....
"Her body's turning transparent again!"
...Damn it all. Whether it was divine meddling or not, even Bell vanished back to her original world, leaving just the Dragon Slayer and me alone for real.
...You're not seriously thinking of doing it, are you? The Gardener's voice rang out, laced with disbelief.
Do it, she says. And the Dragon Slayer had come down to the human world partly to experience that 'romance' in the first place. Wouldn't it be better for her to just keep living here? I could even ask her to help defend Rondan while she's at it.
...Haha, whoever it is, that's a bit...
I turned my head, assuming the Dragon Slayer would think the same, only to freeze in horror. She wore the same embarrassed expression as when I'd grabbed her horn before.
Hey. Don't do that. Pull yourself together! Hold on!
As if sensing my gaze, the Dragon Slayer startled and slammed her fist straight into the inscription.
When she pulled her hand away... the text the Recorder had carved was gone.
...Huh?
Was this something you could just erase? I stood there dumbfounded, wondering if this was normal.
...She's reached the level where she can even erase that record-keeper's writing? Even the Gardener sounded flustered.
Right? This isn't normal, is it? I'd never seen an Outer God erase writing left by the Recorder before!
The Dragon Slayer panted heavily after her bold act, then turned to me—only to suddenly look shocked. She whipped her head away.
What? Why the hell was she doing that?
Misinterpreting my stunned stare as something else, she mumbled awkwardly.
...It's fine.
Huh?
I-If you want it that badly... J-Just for a moment! It's... okay. But give me some time first...
No, you crazy Outer God! You're supposed to deny it vehemently here—what are you doing agreeing like an idiot?!
I desperately ignored the shocked voices of the two Outer Gods echoing in my head.
It's absolutely not because I'm scared of k-kissing! N-No! It's just... you're human, right? You could get burned by the flames I breathe. That's why I need time to vent them first... that's what I mean.
She pointed at me dramatically at first, but her voice trailed off, her posture shrinking into a pitiful sight by the end.
Come on, did she have to go through with it even while looking like that? Nothing was more tragic than forcing yourself into something you didn't want.
Before she could spiral further, I reached out to stop her.
Calm down! It's obvious the Recorder's just messing with us. Ignoring it is better for your mental health. We're not even that close, and we were literally fighting until a minute ago.
As I cut her off firmly, the flush on the Dragon Slayer's face seemed to slowly fade back to normal.
See? Without intervention like this, she couldn't think rationally. Perfect timing on my part.
She looked lost in serious thought, reflecting on her actions, so I figured that settled it.
We should take care of the fallen ones first. They're all so tough they won't die, but still...
My gaze drifted to Asti amid the collapsed group. She'd unleashed that unknown power for my sake. What the hell was that white hand? It was definitely beyond human limits.
Was Asti connected to Outer Gods, just like the Gardener said? Or... maybe threatened into a contract by one. That might be stretching it, but with the limited info, I had nothing solid.
I'd need to head back and dig for more intel. As I stood to help carry everyone out, something thudded against my wrist.
Before I could register my wrist being grabbed, my body yanked backward.
When I came to, the Dragon Slayer was pressed close, lips pursed as she looked up at me. As I opened my mouth to speak, her face drew nearer.
Her tightly shut eyes, her porcelain skin. And above all, the warm sensation spreading across my lips, carrying a sweet, floral fragrance for some reason.
What... was this feeling?
What the hell was I doing right now?
...!!!
Woof! Grrr....
The noise in my head exploded again, throwing my mind into chaos. Logic hadn't caught on yet, but instinct had—my heart pounded wildly, my face burning hot.
Only then did I realize what was happening, my eyes widening just as the Dragon Slayer slowly pulled away.
Not just me—she panted too, and for a moment, we just stared.
I thought she'd pull back in embarrassment, but she stayed close, hand over her mouth, eyes dropping to the ground.
...Does it have to be... a deep relationship?
She said it like her soul was departing.
Ah. No way. Leydan Tantun—that's me—had just seduced a Greater Outer God.
Whoa, riding a real dragon.... It's way bigger than I thought. And feeling the wing bones move from up here is so weird.
Riding the back of something I thought we had to exterminate no matter what—indescribable. It's dark purple all over, kinda gross up close.
We rode the lesser dragons the Dragon Slayer provided, flying toward Rondan. They talked like they were on some dragon-riding adventure.
Wide back, creepy wings up close. To me, they just looked like thugs piggybacking fragile dragon maids through the sky.
Subordinate, you've been spacing out. Something wrong?
Ah, no.
Feeling unwell? I could heal you like last time...
Haha, I'm fine...
As Mu Yeon and White Mask turned back to the front with worried looks, I unconsciously touched my lips with my fingers.
'Y-You're the bad one! G-Grabbing my horn without permission... so now you've stolen my lips too—take responsibility!'
I recalled the Dragon Slayer's words after practically forcing the kiss on me, turning the tables shamelessly. It happened so suddenly my heart still hadn't calmed.
This was definitely the body of 'Leydan Tantun' reacting. No other explanation....
Good for you.
A grumpy voice cut in.
Why not just go live happily ever after with that romantic?
The Gardener's unusually sharp, aggressive tone made me awkward. What was her deal? She'd normally just trip me up, but today she was relentlessly poking.
Woof, jealous?
W-What?! Why would I be jealous of this guy...
I wish a human would pet just me too...
Don't lump me in with you...!
She even seemed rattled enough to get dragged into Bell's mess. Extra sensitive today. Or maybe she wanted 'that' with the Dragon Slayer too?
Ugh... fine, you playboy!
The Gardener went silent after that. Outer Gods were so unpredictable.
With my head finally quieting, I glanced at Asti, still eyes closed. Her sleepy expression suggested no health issues.
I'd dismissed it as overthinking earlier, but the circumstantial evidence was there. It would explain her attacking me while begging not to hate her.
Asti...
More and more to ponder. Tomorrow's list was growing—summon the cook for some food, at least.
Wait, would the Dragon Slayer react too? ...Eh, whatever. Food in mouth beats embarrassment. A taste of home cooking was worth the risk.
Either way, I just wanted rest. Cook, Candle, twin Outer Gods... after just one day off, the princess audience and Dragon Slayer subjugation. Superhuman, right?
Ah, was gonna sleep soon. Eyes growing heavy.
...Sorry, mind if I lean?
Yes, sleep well, Master.
The lesser dragon's voice was the last thing I heard before consciousness faded.
Hehehe, doing well.
There was a woman. Skin and hair pale as death, eyes blood-red, cheeks marked with crimson scars.
Same hue as the giant hand that had attacked the Dragon Slayer, the one Tantun saw. She gazed ecstatically at a world dyed the color of her irises.
Aaah, it's almost time. My moment.
She lifted something in her hand: one lock of brown hair, one pink.
Just a bit longer, endure it.
The woman spoke in the world's gentlest tone, wearing the world's most wicked smile.
The lesser dragons carrying us started fading transparently as soon as we reached Rondan. Having fulfilled the Dragon Slayer's wishes, they couldn't maintain form in this world anymore.
Ironically, she was far stronger than most Outer Gods, yet struggled to sustain her own fragments. Was there some unknown power balance among Outer Gods?
Rest well today. You dozed off earlier too.
Yes, Master. Heading in.
Get home safe, Tantun!
I waved vigorously to White Mask and Mu Yeon before dashing to the branch office.
Tantun, gone for days. The princess meeting drag on?
No, White Mask dragged me off to slay the Dragon Slayer.
I see... W-What? Slay who? Tantun, wait!
Not the time to chat with the Branch Manager. If I didn't hit the mattress now, I'd shatter.
I locked the door, dove bedward like a pro diver—no time for washing. Bed'll get dirty. Laundry tomorrow.
Ria slithered out of my pocket with her flowerpot, heading to the window. The dandelion from the Gardener was growing absurdly fast.
Started as just a seed head after petals fell; now buds dangled, ready to bloom. Big enough to get exciting—what would sprout?
Anyway... goodnight, everyone...
No replies, but plenty listening—I didn't feel alone.