94. The Shrine Maiden and the Crocodile King
The inner room was just like the first one, cluttered with barrels and wooden crates. A green slime appeared, so I took it down quickly.
"Mash, you're strong!"
After the battle ended, Ensha circled behind me again and grabbed my clothes. It seemed like she'd claimed that spot as her permanent position.
"I told you he's mine..."
Myra muttered under her breath, holding hands with Yuris. I wanted them to stay back for combat readiness, but it was better than him panicking.
Kirimu followed, gripping the short sword at his waist. He'd tried to fight a monster but Myra stopped him. To keep him safe up front, I assigned him to protect Ensha and Yuris.
We climbed the stairs.
A single corridor stretched ahead and behind, with several doors lining both sides.
Stairs leading upward were at both ends.
"Kitchen, maybe?"
"This one's full of sheets. All dirty ones."
Myra and Kirimu were peeking into nearby doors.
"What if there's a monster? Be careful!"
Ensha voiced exactly what I'd been thinking. Myra and Yuris looked apologetic. She must have been the leader of these kids before. Now she was our leader.
It was kinda funny, but Myra shot me a dissatisfied glare.
We followed Ensha's advice, prepping for battle before cautiously opening doors. There were rooms with bunk beds for sailors and what looked like passenger cabins. We ran into green slimes a few times, but since they were alone, we handled them without trouble. No real anomalies turned up as we pressed on.
"Nothing here, huh."
"Treasure would've been nice."
I nodded at Myra's words. We'd reached the stern. We opened the last un checked door and entered a wide room—a dining hall, by the look of it. Tables and chairs lay scattered. A massive hole gaped in the wall, big enough for people to pass through. The outside view was visible.
"Monster! Kids, back up!"
A green slime prowling the room lunged at us.
I sliced it with my sword and punched through another with an earth magic stone orb. Myra shielded the kids while casting magical defense blessings on them.
We took down about five, wiping out all the enemies.
Scanning the area to confirm, I spotted a man collapsed on the floor. He looked badly wounded.
"Dad!"
Yuris rushed to the man. Myra followed.
"He's fine. Still alive."
Myra cast healing magic.
The man awoke. He patted the head of the anxious Yuris peering down at him, then carefully scanned the surroundings.
Spotting Ensha clutching my clothes, his cheeks softened.
"Miss. You're safe."
Ensha nodded curtly.
"You protected the children, I see."
He propped himself up, supported by Myra and Yuris.
"Yeah, I'm Mash, that's Myra. You alone?"
"Sheil's the name. My comrades..."
He trailed off, staring at the hole. Probably attacked by crocs.
"We wanna escape this dungeon. Know the exit?"
"This is inside a dungeon?"
Sheil seemed shocked. No info on his end. I shared what I knew.
"Miss's parents and Kirimu's folks aren't here. I came from the estate with her."
"Dad didn't come..."
Ensha visibly deflated at that. What was her deal, anyway? Definitely highborn.
"We're hunting the exit. Tag along if you want, but protect the kids if you can."
"Sure, but the crocs took my weapons—down in the water."
I pulled a one-handed sword and shield from Storage and handed them over.
With him guarding the kids, Myra could join fights more freely.
"Alright, let's head upstairs."
We added Yuris's dad to the party and kept exploring.
We stepped onto the ship's deck.
We were at the stern. The whole vessel came into view. A helm shack stood out. Broken masts littered the deck, along with ropes and sails.
The planked deck was heavily decayed, with boards peeling up. More damage than inside.
Lifeboats were there, but in rough shape.
"Check the bow?"
At Myra's suggestion, I looked forward and spotted a figure. Blue tunic, iron helm with twin horns.
"Someone's there."
"Yeah. Let's go!"
I nodded at Myra.
A man stood at the bow, back turned.
A reptilian brown tail poked from his clothes.
"I am the Crocodile King!"
He bellowed at the river, then slowly turned. A crocodile in human form.
Ferocious jaws, sharp fangs clenched top and bottom. A wire-thin tongue writhed eerily. Muscled body covered in tough hide. Round shield on one arm. His crescent blade gleamed in the sunlight.
"See, Myra? Monsters can talk."
"...They say smart birds learn human words. Like that?"
Parrots around here too, huh.
"I ain't no bird! Wanna die?!"
The monster roared.
"You planned to kill us anyway. Birdbrained after all."
I readied my blade.
Kids to Sheil. I stood beside Myra, mace at the ready.
"Mash, check the door behind the monster."
Beyond him, at the prow's bowsprit, a door had appeared on the spar.
Just like the ones in Area Guarder rooms.
"Take him down first."
We closed in from both sides.
As distance shrank, he bared fangs and spewed flames, swinging his head to spray fire.
Myra and I leaped back.
"Spits fire too. Can't get close careless."
I fired a stone orb—blocked easily by the shield. Next curved like a slider—still blocked, but he focused on dodging.
Myra capitalized, swinging her mace. He parried with the blade, but momentum carried it into his shell.
I dashed in, slashing. He twisted away, but I grazed him.
He bared fangs, flames again. We retreated.
"You bastards, pissing me off!"
He hauled up a chain dangling over the river. A massive anchor—half his size—hung from it. He whipped the chain, hurling it at Sheil guarding the kids. Sheil thrust his unfamiliar shield out—seemed futile.
Sheil and the kids squeezed their eyes shut in terror.
"No!"
Myra twisted and dashed to them.
She leaped, mace smashing the anchor aside.
I aimed for the opening to slash, but flames kept me back.
He lunged. I parried two, three strikes, countering into a fierce exchange.
Mid-clash, he bared fangs—flames. I dodged barely, but smelled burning cloth. Pain too—burned.
As he followed up, Myra intervened, smashing his torso.
He staggered back.
I recovered for a lunge, but flames forced distance.
He reeled in the chain, hurling the anchor at Sheil again.
A thunderous crash splintered the deck.
Myra's aid missed this time, but they dodged warily.
Ensha thumbs-upped safety. I nodded back.
"Fire's a pain."
But he couldn't flame forever. Strike in the gaps. Deep breath, relaxed grip.
"Mash, alternate attacks. Hit after he flames."
Myra thought the same, beside me. Mace regripped, lips tight, eyes locked.
Frontline fighter, unflinching. Impressive. Her bouncing breasts with each move—epic. Shame I had no time to ogle.
I edged ahead, closing in.
"Hold. At this rate, I'll lose on power. I demand a fair one-on-one."
He thrust a hand, halting us.
"No joke. No reason to accept. Die quietly."
I rejected.
"Sure? I'll spin full circle, flaming straight at the kids. I'll die after, but they'll join me."
Sheil pulled kids behind him, shield up. Yuris resisted, but pushed back. Ensha took Yuris's hand gently.
To me, they were strangers met minutes ago.
"...Try it."
Rage boiled. Summon Rakushel the instant he moved—spear to end it.
"You can stop that... So you've been holding back."
My calm made him mutter, resigned. He relaxed fully.
"I'm the Crocodile King. Wanna die proud, but can't like this. Need memories."
"Memories?"
Myra and I exchanged glances.
"Escort that woman, show her the bow view. Feels like flying."
"...That much, sure."
Myra eased her stance.
"No, Myra. He's romancing you then begging kisses and lewd stuff!"
"Is he?"
Scene from a famous old-world movie. I'd watched, dreaming of such encounters. Never happened in reality.
Myra gripped her mace hard, glaring coldly.
"Y-you, how'd you know?!"
"Why you know's my question!"
He fell silent.
"Give up. Take our blades."
Pitied him a bit, but I urged.
"W-wait. Please. Can't die satisfied. Gimme a shot. Rock-paper-scissors strip! With her. Win or lose, I accept defeat."
He yelled.
"Wha? Think I'll agree? Don't mock me!"
Myra raised her mace high.
Both knew the game. No baseball seen, though. Transferee import, sure.
"W-wait, I'll strip armor, clothes. Down to undies. You just need one win. Please!"
He dropped weapons, stripping for real.
Myra ignored, swinging down. I jumped between.
Mace halted inches from me.
"What're you doing, Mash? Gotta purge scum. I'll handle it—step back."
Chillingly ruthless gaze. No emotion. Just duty to slay the monster.
"P-please... I believe him. Grant his last wish."
Her stare terrified. Shaking nonstop.
"Y-you..."
Opposite her, he gazed emotionally at me. Budding bromance.
"If Mash says..."
Myra sighed, lowering mace. I took it for safekeeping.
"Really okay, Mash? Even if someone sees me naked?"
"Nah, you'll win before that. Just need him satisfied."
She sighed again.
"...Fine. This once?"
"Myra, thanks. But flash some cleavage, yeah?"
Uwah! in my head.
"..."
As we talked, he approached—in undies.
"You're Mash. I'll remember."
Offered his crescent blade.
"Hold this. Witness the match."
"Yeah, Crocodile King. Fight hard. Strip her bare, break that smug nose."
I nodded, took the sword.
"...Guess I'm solo."
Myra muttered, watching us.
"Alright, begin."
I declared. They faced off.
"Rock... paper... scissors!"
Myra rock. He paper.
"Grr..."
Myra's fist trembled resentfully, then she removed her necklace.
"Cheat!"
We yelled in unison.
"Hmph!"
"Not cheating."
Her glare silenced us.
But her necklace removal was sexy—worth it.
"O-okay, next. Rock... paper... scissors!"
Again rock vs. paper.
Myra silently removed one shoe. We watched wordless. Foul, but bending to do it—hot. Caught her eye.
"Uh, next. Rock... paper... scissors!"
Rock vs. paper.
Other shoe off.
"Rock... paper... scissors!"
Rock vs. paper.
He roared triumphantly, flames too. I fist-pumped inwardly.
"..."
Myra glanced at me, then reached for her robe. Pulled it off over her head—breasts jiggled.
Now in pure white petticoat dress.
Black undies peeked through. Heavy chest propping it up. Cleavage spilling. We gawked.
Sheil and kids stared too.
Sheil blocked kids' view hastily—but not his own. Swear to tattle to his wife. Then hit me: I'd made her do this.
Regret crashed.
"M-Myra... I..."
"Mash, next you can win, right?"
"Huh?"
Stunned glance. She nodded confidently.
"Call it."
"R-right. Rock... paper... scissors!"
Didn't wanna continue, but her push made me call.
Myra scissors. He paper. Her win as declared.
"...That's it."
He slumped, hand to undies.
We rushed to stop him.
"He planned paper every time."
Myra said.
"Really?"
"Seemed so. She'd stop if she hated it."
He nodded. Should've quit at her glare—but I egged it on too.
"I planned rock till you stopped me."
All hinged on me.
"Believed you'd stop."
"Myra, I'm not the guy you think. Was rooting for Crocodile King deep down."
"But you noticed."
I picked up her robe, handed it. She slipped it on.
Glanced at him.
"Ready. Chop clean."
He stroked his neck.
"Crocodile King, you're no enemy. Wanna save you."
He snorted.
"Fool. I'm this dungeon's Area Guarder. Won't open the door without my defeat. No escape."
Looked to Myra. She know a way? She shook head silently.
"Call Rakushel. Smash the door?"
"Door opens on my end. Just beat me."
"No way! Hate that. You're my..."
Shoved before finishing. Stumbled—Myra caught from behind.
"Myra, right? Strong woman. Good one. Two favors."
She nodded.
"Destroy the Crystal Core ahead. Hate being Area Guarder. Don't wanna fight chained here."
"Got it. Other?"
"That spoiled brat. See you like him. But toughen him as adventurer."
Confirmed her nod, reeled chain, hurled anchor overhead.
"That brat's my... friend."
He smiled shyly. Anchor crushed down.
Crocodile King vanished.
We stared at the spot forever.
"Mash, I know I went against your will."
Still hugging from behind, face buried in my back.
"No. Knew it had to happen. But you let me stay selfish till end."
Softness and breath through my back.
"Myra... I wanna change the world."
"You can. First, lift your limits."
Transferees get ten years here.
"Right. Change my world first."
Bitter chuckle. No hints yet.
"Even if you quit, I won't."
Hug loosened. Her face left my back.
"Promise to him. I'll smash the Crystal Core."
Caring for me.
"No, let me. You handle the second request."
Released, faced me. Softest smile yet.
"Yes. Leave it to me."
She jumped into my chest. I held tight.
Crossing the door was tough.
Bowsprit: 60cm-thick log. Door beyond.
Slip, and river plunge. Peeked: crocs swarming. No survival.
No walls—just floating door.
"Sheil, me, Mash—each carry a kid across."
Ensha hugged me at that.
Myra took Kirimu, Sheil Yuris.
Myra eyed me jealously.
"Protect me, Mash."
Ensha kissed my cheek.
Felt the air around Myra crack.
Thank you for reading.
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