Chapter 63
Chapter 63
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 63
Chapter Title: Let's Go on a Trip (4)
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Swish swish swish—
Suryeon swam around the sea on pure instinct.
Her tail, attached to her waist, served as a propeller.
"It feels so stable. I like it."
Just as Dad said.
Coming to the sea was the right call.
Suryeon ventured out far enough that her family was out of sight, then relaxed and floated adrift like a jellyfish.
With her body immersed in the cool sea and facing the warm sunlight, she felt great.
"No humans around, and it's so quiet. Perfect."
Suryeon quietly closed her eyes and enjoyed her sunbath.
And when she felt she'd had enough.
She peered down into the depths below and muttered to herself.
"I wonder what's down there. So curious."
I want to know.
What lies in the deep sea.
Suryeon spun her tail wildly and dove down into the ocean.
Whoosh whoosh whoosh—!
Like a submarine, she headed into the depths.
The surroundings grew darker, revealing all sorts of sea grass and fish.
Suryeon gazed at the various fish and said.
"Is that a fish? Looks like something from TV. Wonder if it'd taste good grilled."
Slurp—
Suryeon smacked her lips while eyeing an orange fish with white stripes.
The fish sensed the killing intent and fled from Suryeon without looking back.
Suryeon watched them go and muttered regretfully.
"…They're gone. I wasn't really going to eat them. I just wanted to touch one."
Droop—
Embarrassed, Suryeon stared awkwardly at her palm.
"Guess I should go deeper."
Tail propeller activated.
Curious about what might be further down, Suryeon descended more.
She was even willing to reach the uncharted deep sea.
However.
"What's that?"
Freeze—
Suryeon halted her tail and stared ahead.
It was too dark to see around her, but far off, a single pair of yellow glowing eyes stared right at her.
"I'm a dragon, but it's not running away. Must be pretty smart."
Swish—
Suryeon extended her hand toward the creature and said.
"Come here. And guide me through the sea."
-…
"This is an order. From the Blue Dragon, ruler of the seas."
The creature with the yellow glowing eyes hesitated for a moment.
But unable to resist Suryeon's command, it slowly revealed itself.
-…
An orca, the king of the sea, with white and black blended harmoniously.
It was at least twice the average size.
It addressed Suryeon in a sonar-like sound.
-Such an esteemed guest in this humble place…
"Hmm, an orca, huh? Looks like you know about dragons."
Have you seen other dragons besides me?
The orca glanced warily and replied to Suryeon's question.
-Yes, I've heard stories about dragons since I was young. Never seen one myself, though.
"Hmm, really? An orca talking about dragons… What stories did you grow up hearing?"
-W-Well, that is…
Tremble tremble—
The orca trembled, unable to speak properly.
But mustering courage, it forced out words via sonar.
-It goes like this… A long time ago, our kind thought they were kings of the sea and tried to hunt a dragon sleeping in the ocean…
"And then?"
-We heard half our kind got wiped out… It happened when I was little, so I don't know details… But that's what they say…
"Hmm, so that's what happened. Interesting."
No one else knows this story but me.
It's a secret just for me.
Suryeon smiled contentedly, pleased by the fact.
"You knew dragons are like that, yet you approached me?"
-Y-Yes…
"Why?"
-Curiosity… I wondered what kind of being could wipe out half our kind…
"You're the curious type too, huh, just like me."
-Yes, I hear that a lot…
Suryeon stared intently at the orca before her.
Its teeth were sharp, but its smooth skin made it seem kinda cute.
Cute enough that she wanted to take it home.
"It'd die on land, though. That'd be a shame."
-Eek…
"I like you. Come here and let me ride."
-Y-Yes!
Whoosh—
Desperate not to die, the orca quickly let Suryeon climb onto its back.
Suryeon grabbed the dorsal fin, patted the orca's body, and shouted.
"Let's go, orca."
-Yes!
"Show me around the sea. I've got a ton of questions."
Suryeon had acquired a local guide.
And so, with her guide in tow, Suryeon roamed the seas, experiencing the ocean she'd been curious about with her own eyes.
It was far more rewarding than staying home glued to her smartphone.
"Coming out was definitely the right move."
Got a new subordinate too.
This is fun.
Suryeon was starting to enjoy going out more and more.
***
It was almost mealtime.
But Suryeon showed no sign of coming back.
"Where on earth did that kid go?"
"Beats me, Dad…"
"Choryeon, isn't there some dragon way to track locations? Like GPS."
"GPS? Not sure what that is… But yeah, there is a way! I'll check!"
Snap—!
Choryeon confidently raised her hand and stepped forward.
She dipped her feet in the sea, took a deep breath, exhaled, and shouted.
"Everyone, tell me Suryeon's location!!!"
Choryeon yelled loudly toward the ocean.
'What the heck?'
I watched her and asked skeptically.
"Choryeon. Who are you talking to? Talking to yourself?"
"It's not to myself, Dad! I'm talking to my friends!"
"Friends?"
"Yeah!"
Friends in the sea too.
How popular is she?
"No way it's imaginary friends, right?"
"Nope! I have friends in the sea too! Seaweed!"
"Oh, seaweed?"
Seaweed is a plant, after all.
I patted Choryeon's head and apologized.
"Sorry, Dad doubted you for a sec."
"You're the dad! I'll let it slide this once!"
Choryeon forgave me with her generous heart.
And after a while.
Choryeon reported back.
"My friends told me! Big sis Suryeon is heading this way! Looks like she made a friend too!"
"Hmm, Suryeon made a friend."
No matter how much I love Suryeon.
The words "Suryeon" and "friend" just don't go together.
But she's coming back, so I can check soon enough.
"Since Suryeon's safe, we can start prepping lunch."
I called out to Hwaryeon, who was splashing in the shallows nearby.
"Hwaryeon! Quit swimming and come out! We're getting food ready!"
"Food?! Got it!"
Splash splash—!
Hwaryeon spun her tail wildly and came out of the sea.
Surprisingly scared of water, she'd only played in the shallows and hadn't gone deep.
I watched Hwaryeon dry her hair, then headed toward the rocks.
'Hope we caught a bunch.'
Time to check.
I pulled in the net I'd set up.
It had a decent weight to it.
"More than I expected."
Auto-fishing success.
I didn't know the fish types, but they looked edible enough.
I carried the net to the prepared grill.
Then I tossed on the clams I'd gathered earlier onto the hot grill.
Sizzle—
"Firepower's a bit low. Hwaryeon, mind helping?"
"If you need my help! I'll do it special!"
Hwaryeon strutted over confidently.
She opened her mouth toward the grill and breathed fire.
"Rawr—!"
Fwoosh—!
As Hwaryeon roared, the tightly clamped clams popped open.
I gave Hwaryeon a thumbs-up.
"Good job, Hwaryeon."
"Hmph, obviously!"
So smug.
I chuckled at Hwaryeon and focused back on cooking.
I put the caught fish on the grill too, and soon the smell of grilling fish filled the beach.
Maybe because of that.
"What's that?"
"W-What's that!"
"What is that, Dad…?"
Rooooar—!!
Far off, a massive creature was heading our way.
Looking closer, someone was riding on top.
"That's…"
"I-It-Suryeon! Why's she over there! Why's she having fun all by herself?!"
Suryeon was riding a massive orca toward us.
And when she got close.
Screeech—!
"Behold my entrance."
Suryeon stylishly parked the orca and stepped onto land.
I stared dumbfounded and asked weakly.
"Suryeon… what the heck is that…?"
"Killer Whale-kini. In human terms."
Killer Whale-kini.
Got it.
I decided not to think too deeply.
"Tell me later."
"Okay."
"Food first."
I ignored the orca chirping "Kyuu kyuu—" at us.
Then I deboned the nicely grilled fish and divided the clam meat fairly.
Everyone devoured the seafood without complaint.
"…They're eating well. Suryeon especially seems to be eating more than usual."
More importantly.
"Choryeon."
"Yeah?"
"When did you pull up that seaweed?"
"Hehe…"
Munch munch—
Choryeon was munching on some seaweed she'd gotten from somewhere.
'Even at the beach, sticking to veggies.'
Such a weird kid.
I served the kids their portions, picked up the leftover fish, and approached the orca.
"You Suryeon's new friend?"
-Kyuu! Kyu!
The orca shook its head no.
Desperately, like its life depended on it.
"So you really are a Killer Whale-kini?"
-Kyuu kyuu!
Nod nod—
The orca nodded that yes, it was.
"No idea what happened, but I get you're having a rough time."
-Kyuu kyuu! Kyuu kyuu!
"Here, have some fish."
Toss—
I threw fish at the orca.
It snapped them all up swiftly.
Kinda gave off money-making vibes.
"Hmm, could be a hit if we put on a show."
-Kyu… Kyuuu…
"Kidding. Don't get down. Eat the fish. If you keep Suryeon entertained till time's up, I'd appreciate it."
I tossed all the fish and headed back to the kids.
They'd already emptied their plates.
"All full?"
"More! I'm still hungry!"
"Yeah, satisfied."
"Me too! Super satisfied!"
Good they ate well.
I pulled out the watermelon from the cooler and set it on the table.
It was from the seeds of the one we ate last time.
I sliced it up with my now-skilled knife work for the kids.
Slice—!
The kids each grabbed a piece and chowed down.
"Eat slow, Dad needs some too."
They're scarfing it.
I ate some watermelon too, enjoying summer with the kids.
Suryeon was tossing watermelon to her new friend too.
'Glad they're all having fun. Suryeon even made a new friend.'
An animal, not human.
But still, nice that Suryeon made a friend.
'Not much time left before we head back tonight, though…'
Hope they enjoy it till then.
Watching the dragon kids play with the orca.
Unlike usual, it felt regrettable that the sun was setting on this summer day.