Ch.93Rest at the Sea (4)

After being baptized in seawater all day, lunchtime arrived before I knew it. I’m pretty hungry after all that moving around.

“But what about our lunch… Waaah!”

Seawater flew toward me. I guarantee I’ve suffered this nonsense at least a thousand times today. At this rate, I’ll end up with a stomach full of seawater.

“Stop it already!”

Finally, the kids calmed down. Now I can speak peacefully.

“So what do you want to eat for lunch?”

“How about we go to that restaurant over there and decide after looking at the menu?”

“Alright, I’ll go get Leo and Yong-in.”

Leo and Yong-in are sitting at the edge of a rock in the distance, fishing. It’s not too far, so it’s an easy walk.

But what if I get kidnapped again while walking alone? Maybe I should bring someone with me.

It’ll be fine, right? Surely I won’t get kidnapped again all the way out here? Still, I should be ready to intercept anyone who approaches, just in case.

Walking cautiously down the empty street, constantly checking for people, I eventually reached where the two were sitting.

“Hey. Look at that, it’s a fish.”

“Indeed.”

“Hey. Look at that, it’s a fish.”

“Indeed.”

They were having some kind of incomprehensible conversation. Had they both gone crazy?

“Are you feeling unwell?”

I asked Leo suspiciously. He gave the exact same answer as before.

“Hey. Look at that, it’s a fish.”

“Indeed.”

“…Are you making fun of me?”

“Hey. Look at that, it’s a fish.”

Leo tore through a glowing red magic circle with a look of realization.

“There, can you hear me properly now?”

“…What was that just now?”

“A spell that prevents others from eavesdropping.”

“And why did you activate that?”

“Because we were discussing thesis-related matters.”

Talking about magic while fishing. He’s really consistent.

“It’s time to eat, so please come with me.”

“Is it that time already?”

As Leo stood up and turned to look at me, he suddenly froze with a shocked expression.

“What’s wrong now?”

“…”

“Leo?”

“…If I were a dark mage, I would desperately search for a way to transfer souls to different bodies.”

“Why are you saying that out of nowhere?”

“Sometimes ignorance is bliss.”

Leo wore an expression of enlightenment as he packed up his fishing gear. But I didn’t see any fish.

“Didn’t you catch any fish?”

“I caught three.”

“You look empty-handed though.”

“A certain dragon brat ate them as soon as I caught them.”

Leo pointed at Yong-in, who had blood around his mouth. Yong-in smiled awkwardly and replied.

“I apologize, the dragon’s nature suddenly emerged and…”

Yong-in’s voice showed clear signs of exhaustion. But what does being tired have to do with eating whole fish?

“What’s this dragon nature?”

“Think of it as similar to a carnivore acting on instinct.”

“Then why did it suddenly emerge?”

“Because I used up all my mental strength and mana that would normally control those instincts to make a single ribbon.”

“…I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine. Consider it payment of past debts with interest.”

Fortunately, I hadn’t earned Yong-in’s resentment. I expected him to be at least a little annoyed, but he turned out to be surprisingly good-natured.

The three of us headed toward the restaurant where everyone was gathered.

“But don’t you think the interest is a bit excessive?”

“I agree.”

“…I’ll definitely make you something delicious for dinner.”

***

We arrived at the restaurant where the kids were gathered, but it was suspiciously empty. There was no one there except the owner, which seemed odd.

“Doesn’t it seem like there are too few people here?”

It might be understandable in the morning. But even at lunchtime, not seeing even a shadow of another person makes it seem like someone planned this.

Could someone be targeting me again? It hasn’t even been a week since I was kidnapped!

As I remained extremely vigilant, scanning the surroundings, Agath said with a playful smile:

“You still haven’t noticed…”

“So you’ve become a traitor!”

I pulled out my gun and aimed it at Agath. So there was a reason they brought me to the beach.

“Yes, I’m a trait—”

“We rented this entire area,” Selene explained, looking annoyed at the situation. I lowered my gun and said:

“You were just joking again, weren’t you?”

“I was trying to, but I failed…”

“What was your goal?”

“To make you feel guilty and then use that to blackmail you.”

“You’re as disgusting as ever today.”

So the reason there’s not even a shadow of a person here is because there really is no one. The reason must be related to the kidnapping.

It’s not like closing the barn after the horse has bolted—they’re hurriedly trying to clean up after everything’s over. It’s annoying, but I guess it’s better than nothing.

“But how did you manage to rent the land?”

“Dad was worried and abused his power to keep everyone away.”

“Well, at least it’s good that no one’s around.”

“Thanks to that, I can make sex jokes freely!”

“…It’s terrible that no one’s around. So, have you decided what to eat for lunch?”

“No.”

Good, they haven’t decided yet. Let’s look at the menu and think about it.

“How about clam noodle soup?”

Surprisingly, it’s actually on the menu. I’m curious how such a menu item exists in this kingdom.

But it’s been strange for a while. How do these foods exist in a completely different world?

The more I think about it, the more the parallel world hypothesis gains strength. At least it would explain the cultural similarities.

But shouldn’t magic and such cause a butterfly effect that completely changes the culture? Something still seems off…

No matter how much I think about it, I won’t find the answer. I should just be grateful I don’t need to learn a new culture.

While I was thinking, everyone agreed on clam noodle soup. It’s definitely a dish that’s hard to make for dinner at home.

So we enjoyed our lunch while looking at the seaside scenery.

***

Lunch is over. But there’s still plenty of day left—about 3-4 times as much as we’ve spent playing so far. So we can leisurely think about what to do next.

“Senior, is that why you’re lying under a parasol?”

“Yes.”

After playing at the beach for about three hours, my energy was completely drained. I needed to rest a bit.

As I was comfortably resting, Agath suddenly appeared with a beach ball from somewhere and said:

“Hey everyone, want to play beach volleyball?”

I’ve only heard of it but never actually played. Somehow, I felt my energy returning. Should I get up and join them?

While I was contemplating this, Agath deliberately approached me and asked in an expectant voice:

“Lite, you’re going to play, right?”

“I don’t think I can. I don’t have the stamina.”

If I participated, I felt like I’d experience yesterday’s crazy dice game all over again. They’d probably stop time and use magic again.

Besides, I’m particularly vulnerable in physical activities. I’m no match for people who are far beyond the category of normal humans.

But Agath kept urging me as if unaware of my situation.

“Come on, just once. I promise we’ll adjust to your level.”

“Then it won’t be fun. Just play among yourselves.”

“But then I can’t take pictures of your boobs bouncing while playing beach volleyball!”

Agath revealed her dirty and vile nature. Thanks to that, any desire to play completely disappeared.

“I’ll just rest here…”

“Join us willingly before I upload your swimsuit photos to the internet.”

Agath threatened me in a voice just loud enough for me to hear. Does she think I’ll give in to threats?

So I resisted until the end.

***

I stepped onto the makeshift court for beach volleyball. Ju-an asked me:

“You’re playing too?”

“Somehow…”

If I hadn’t been threatened, I would never have participated in this terrible game. My situation is truly miserable.

“How are the teams divided?”

“It’s you, me, Ha-eun, and Leo on one team, and the Saint, Holy Knight, maid, and that girl on the other.”

“Leo is participating?”

“Yes. See how fired up he is?”

Ju-an pointed at Leo, who was glaring at Partia with blazing eyes. He really is fired up.

“Do we have a strategy?”

“We just play. Do we need a strategy?”

“I guess not. By the way, help me if things get dangerous.”

“I’ll help you even if I have to stop time, so don’t worry.”

It’s a bit scary, but having Ju-an beside me is reassuring. If anything happens, Ju-an will handle it somehow.

And so the game began.

“Come on! My eternal rival!”

Partia said as she threw the ball to our side. Leo caught it and replied fiercely:

“By the way, can we add a rule that it’s okay if the ball hits someone?”

“That’s fine!”

“Good, you agreed.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Leo threw the ball high into the air. I’m not exaggerating—it really went that high. Probably over 200 meters.

Anyway, Leo clasped his hands together and began chanting an unknown spell.

“Gem gir gan go geu-hwoe…”

Then Leo jumped high. He literally jumped up to where the ball was.

BOOM!

With an inexplicable roar, something fell from the sky at a speed too fast for the eye to follow.

CRASH!

Something struck Partia directly.

As a result, there was somehow an intact ball and Partia with her arm bent at a bizarre angle.

“Miss! Are you alright?!”

“I’m… fine… cough!”

Partia coughed up blood. Leo, who had been high in the sky, landed gently on the ground and said:

“One point.”

I just realized why Leo joined beach volleyball instead of discussing magic with Yong-in.

He just wanted to fight.

“This isn’t fucking beach volleyball…”

“A lion gives its all even when catching a rabbit.”

“This is more like firing a missile to kill a single ant!”

“If it can kill the ant, the missile is worth using.”

“…”

I thought Partia would angrily protest now. Looking over at the opposing team, I saw Partia being treated by Rebecca.

After the treatment was complete, Partia suddenly smiled with satisfaction and said:

“Selene, toss the ball when I signal.”

Then she suddenly drew a dark magic circle on the ground with her own blood…

“Great one, lend me your power!”

An indescribably terrifying giant tentacle monster appeared in the sky.

“Selene! Now!”

“Yes!”

As Selene tossed the ball toward the tentacle monster, the bizarre creature caught it.

While this incomprehensible scene unfolded, Leo pulled out a handful of scrolls from his pocket and shouted:

“This time I’ll kill you!”

“Good! Let’s settle this! My eternal rival!”

As soon as Partia finished speaking, the tentacle holding the ball flew straight toward Leo.

Having witnessed this insane scene firsthand, I instinctively ran behind Ju-an and shouted:

“Ju-an! Save meeeee!”