009. Jellyfish
The Devoted Hero I'd once crossed paths with in that other world. She'd subjugated a Demon King-level monster before. And in its dying moments, that Demon King made one last desperate gambit. Offering up its own soul as tribute to summon a monster from another dimension. That monster was none other than the Demon King Jellyfish.
'That thing... I popped it with a flick to the forehead back then...'
I hadn't joined the Demon King subjugation. I was just passing nearby. But when the Jellyfish spotted me and lunged, I reflexively burst it open with a flick.
These days, though, even at full strength, I couldn't take it. Jellyfish's threat level: S-grade. I'd need my seal unlocked to stage 3 just to stand a chance.
So normally, running would be the smart play... but...
'Why's this one only B-grade?'
The Jellyfish before me wasn't S-grade—it was B-grade. No clue why. It looked identical, but it could be a different specimen. Or maybe a glitch in my senses. Or...
Perhaps it wasn't fully mature yet. Dog Spider-001 had been B-grade right from hatching, but some monsters didn't hit their stride until adulthood.
I lowered my voice to reply. We were a good distance from the Jellyfish—no way it'd hear.
"It's normally S-grade, but weirdly, its threat level's down right now. On paper, it's Dog Spider-001 tier."
Anyway. B-grade meant Dog Spider-001 tier. Totally doable. Assuming Nullification Thread's magic seal worked, that is. Since Jellyfish used magic.
'Perfect chance to test if it seals magic too.'
What if it didn't? If it broke the threads with magic after I bound it? We'd be dead.
...Yeah, right. Just bail during the cast. Classic "thread and dash" strat.
I'd asked Dog Spider-001 this before.
"Dog Spider. Can your threads seal magic too?"
［Sii?］
It tilted its head. Freshly hatched, so maybe it didn't know its own powers? Or didn't get "magic"?
Either way, no way to know without testing in combat.
Nullification usually only worked on lesser foes. Still, I had high hopes for Dog Spider-001's. Threads were its only trick. Had to be top-tier.
"Ready?"
［Sii!］
I'd stay hidden behind the rock. Standard tamer play—no direct involvement. Seemed cowardly, but what could I do? Sealed power meant I'd just get in the way.
［Sissiik!］
Dog Spider-001 scampered up the wall, legs clicking nimbly as it hit the ceiling. It prowled overhead, sizing up the oblivious Jellyfish below.
Then—spit. Thick, tough thread shot toward the Jellyfish.
Shiiik—!
White filament sliced the air.
Hoped so. No dice. Jellyfish twisted away nimbly. Thread whiffed.
Dog Spider-001 kept firing, weaving side to side, threading from every angle to snare it. Spiderweb rain from above. Attacks grew faster, sharper.
Jellyfish dodged frantically, writhing midair. Threads littered the floor from misses.
［Piii!］
Jellyfish counterattacked. Spawned a swarm of glowing blue orbs—touch-activated explosives.
That spell confirmed it: same as the one I'd flicked before.
［Piii!］
Furious screech. Orbs rocketed ceiling-ward.
Dog Spider-001 stayed cool, weaving a thread shield around itself.
Would it hold? Brief worry—but poof. Orbs fizzled on contact, vanishing harmlessly.
"Just like I hoped. Threads nullify magic too. Lucky break."
Missed orbs smashed the ceiling—explosions shrugged off. Labyrinth walls were tougher than expected.
［Pi, pii?］
［Sissiik!］
As Jellyfish reeled, Dog Spider-001 bundled a thick thread mass and lobbed it. Slow fall, easy dodge.
But that was the feint. The bundle unfurled behind, snaring Jellyfish head to tail in a blink.
［Piii?!］
Drained limp, it plummeted. Dog Spider-001 pounced, wrapping it tighter. Then perched triumphant on its "head."
［Sissiik!!!］
Dog Spider-001's win. Hard to believe it hatched today—combat prodigy.
First tame being Dog Spider-001 was huge luck. Neutralized peers, sealed magic. Meant anything short of superpowered B-grades was toast.
Not higher ranks, though—that'd be broken.
Left hand petting Dog Spider-001's head, right on Jellyfish's red spot. Five minutes in—no green tint, not even halfway.
Way slower than Dog Spider-001's two minutes.
'Egg made it faster?'
New info: Jellyfish was resisting, slowing the process.
［Siii...］
Dog Spider-001 looked up, worried by my frown. Glanced at Jellyfish, then ［Guuuk, ptoo!］—chewed and spat a chunk of mint choco bread.
Undigested from earlier? Or stored?
［Sii!］
It offered the chunk to me.
"Not for me, I bet."
Guessed its intent. "Dog Spider—for the Jellyfish?"
［Sisi!］
Vigorous nod. Food to win it over? Worth a shot over brute force.
I offered the chunk.
"If it's a mint choco stan, maybe."
No gross-out factor—chunk held shape.
［Piii...］
Jellyfish nibbled cautiously, side-eyeing me while munching.
The instant it swallowed—red spot surged green at rocket speed.