Chapter 50
Between Shin So-mang and the goblin, the Hedgehog Summoner God sliced open a rift in the dimensional fabric and made its appearance. Landing lightly on the ground, the hedgehog looked up at the goblin and asked if it was Geon's ally, "Mishi."
The goblin responded not with words but by swinging its arm in attack.
The hedgehog evaded the attack with fluid grace, like flowing water. Then it wore a puzzled expression.
[Why are you attacking me-yot? Aren't you Mishi-yot?]
[You could've just said no-yot!]
The goblin's attacks came once, twice, three times... relentlessly without pause, but the hedgehog shook off every single one with its signature hip dance.
Mishi finally rose from her spot, her voice trembling as she shouted.
"I... I'm...!"
"I'm Mishi..."
The hedgehog froze in place. Then it launched a body slam straight into the attacking goblin's gut.
Thud!
The goblin flew back from the impact, crashing to the ground.
Pat pat pat.
The hedgehog toddled over to Shin So-mang on quick little steps. It glanced back and forth between the goblin rolling on the floor and her.
"W-We don't look alike!"
"I know I'm pretty."
"Sorry... But why'd you come here?"
"Oh."
Shin So-mang recalled the chat she'd posted.
Just from reading that short message, Geon must have sensed the situation. And without a moment's hesitation, he'd made the call and dispatched aid.
...Even though it wasn't certain.
It might not have been dangerous at all. Could've just been a prank. And yet he'd sent help anyway—using one of those expensive Designated Dispatch Tickets, no less...
Deep down, Shin So-mang felt a strange swell of emotion at Geon's actions.
"Y-Yeah... Um, but shouldn't you confirm if I'm really Mishi first?"
"You're just gonna believe me without any doubt? It could be a lie."
"Not a lie, but..."
The hedgehog covered its mouth with its paw and let out a sly little chuckle as it looked at her.
"Huh? How?"
"Then why pretend you didn't know at first?"
"......"
Good thing it's not an idiot.
As Shin So-mang thought that, the goblin stirred.
The goblin rose with a furious glare. The spot where the hedgehog had rammed it showed no injury whatsoever—which was only natural. The Hedgehog Summoner God's threat level was currently S-grade. A powerhouse dubbed the Demon King, but that was solely thanks to its summons; its main body was pathetically weak otherwise. Aside from maxed-out evasion, it was nothing special.
The goblin steadied itself and roared as it charged. At that moment, the hedgehog began wiggling its hips in a dance.
Anyone else might've reacted with, Why the hell are you dancing right now? Are you insane? But Shin So-mang watched silently. She knew the hedgehog's abilities.
The goblin ignored it at first and kept charging, but...
...it stepped on the massive shadow cast over the ground. Sensing the eerie presence, it skidded to a halt.
The goblin slowly looked up at the sky.
Front and back. Two colossal undead spirits loomed with glowing eyes, glaring down at it.
The goblin's legs shook uncontrollably. In blind panic, it scanned for an escape route.
Too late. It had nowhere to run.
The goblin's feet lifted off the ground, its body floating into the air. In an instant, it was sucked into the maw of one of the undead spirits.
Before the spirits, the goblin was less than a bug.
The Hedgehog Summoner God crossed its arms and flashed a smug grin.
"Hedgehog!"
Shin So-mang called out to it, her face pale with fear.
"Y-You were cool, but... send those summons back to their world quick!"
"If things like that show up, people will freak out, the military will scramble jets or whatever, and it'll turn into a huge mess!"
Shin So-mang fidgeted anxiously, glancing between the two spirits. Their size was worlds apart from what she'd seen on the broadcast. They dwarfed entire mountains.
The hedgehog scratched its head. It seemed it'd put Mishi in a tough spot.
The moment it spoke, the two massive spirits vanished into the mist.
I'd seen Mishi's frantic chat and imagined all sorts of scenarios. Maybe she'd run into thugs. Or kidnappers dragging her off. Either way, it screamed danger.
'That "monster" chat... maybe...'
Couldn't rule out an actual monster encounter. Earth didn't have them, but who knew? There'd been that slime-lookalike video on NewTube recently.
I wanted more details from Mishi, but after "monster," she went radio silent. That silence made me even more uneasy.
So without hesitation, I used a Designated Dispatch Ticket and sent the Hedgehog Summoner God—who happened to be nearby—straight to Earth.
Of course, it might've been overkill born of worry. Could've been nothing, or just her joking around.
But with no follow-up chat, I couldn't be sure she was safe. Better dispatch first, ask questions later.
If it wasn't dangerous, great. If a prank, we'd laugh it off.
What mattered was Mishi's safety as my ally. A little overreaction? I'd gladly take it.
As long as she was okay, that was enough.
"How could I not? She's an ally."
I didn't know Mishi's face or name. But she was an ally. Allies had helped me every step of the way. Like benefactors.
If one was in danger, of course I'd worry.
"If I have Designated Dispatch Tickets, obviously."
"Don't worry about the price. Rise sends coins regularly in bulk. Once I stock up, I'll dispatch you guys occasionally."
As I chatted with the allies, waiting for Mishi's update...
"Huh? What happened?"
With that, Ppururu posted:
I tapped the three photos one by one.
