Chapter 138 - Chapter 138: Residents of the Other World
I thought I had escaped the dungeon collapse, only to find myself in another world.
You might be thinking, "What are you talking about?" — but I don't know either.
When we exited the dungeon, an unfamiliar sight unfolded before our eyes.
Unfamiliar plants, unfamiliar animals.
There was no way this was Earth.
Riding on Shazam, we searched for signs of human life and found a settlement.
The residents there were — surprisingly — Dark Elves.
Of course, this was the first time I had seen them.
It seemed Tetsuo, who claimed to have lived in this other world, had never seen them either.
We decided to try negotiating with the Dark Elves to gather information about this world.
What we would use — was salt.
It appears as a staple in fantasy worlds, and it seems salt and spices are precious items here.
Whether this world fits that description remains to be seen once we negotiate.
"Please, take this as a token of friendship."
I showed them a white bag I had taken out of my Item Box.
They seemed curious about the transparent plastic bag, but it was too much trouble to transfer the contents.
I was worried whether the Japanese phrase "token of friendship" would be understood, but thanks to the god's blessing, it seemed to translate normally into the local language and get through.
"W-what is this? Salt?!"
"Yes."
The Dark Elves swarmed over, gathering around.
They tore open the bag and began licking it.
Of course, since it was ordinary salt, there was no problem at all.
"What is this bag?"
"Is it an insect membrane?"
"I've heard that materials like this exist on the other side of the sea."
They were far more interested in the plastic bag than the salt.
"What is going on?!"
The circle formation of the Dark Elves broke apart.
Passing through the center came a woman who appeared somewhat aged.
Everyone else looked young, but — as per fantasy conventions, are elves and Dark Elves long-lived?
She wore an aura of dignity; although faint wrinkles carved by the years appeared around her eyes and mouth, they only enhanced her elegance, forming a beauty that held one's gaze.
Her short, neatly trimmed silver hair shimmered faintly in the light, while her jet-black attire made that silver-white color stand out even more.
Her supple limbs moved without waste, exuding a dignified presence; especially her ample bosom stood out more than the other Dark Elves.
Of course, that fullness shouldn't indicate her high status — yet there was a charm there that inevitably stole the attention of anyone who saw it.
As I gazed at her magnificent hills, Tetsuo spoke up.
"Is she a big shot among the Dark Elves?"
"Our words —"
"It seems they possess a divine blessing."
"I see — so what do you want? This is not a place for commoners to just drop by."
Well, it seemed we weren't welcome.
"Are elves or Dark Elves so exclusionary?"
"Well, yes."
Tetsuo answered my question briefly, but perhaps she heard it.
"Don't lump us in with those guys!"
With their large ears, maybe their hearing is superior.
If she was angry, then they must have a bad relationship with regular elves.
"Ha ha ha! My apologies! We got a little lost. We just want to know where this is... of course, payment will be made with this."
Tetsuo pointed to the bag of salt.
"Hmm... this village has no name."
She made a reluctant face.
Since she had touched the gift, she probably felt she had to make a deal.
"Is this an island or a continent?"
"—Commoners seem to call it Amratoum."
Reluctantly, the Elder answered.
"Amratoum?"
"Do you know it, Rai... no, Tetsuo?"
"It's the edge of the Empire, and the name of the island next to it across the strait. There's a kingdom called Nan..."
"Yes, there is a commoner Empire over there."
The big shot — probably the Elder — pointed to a nearby cliff.
Beyond it, there must be the strait and the so-called Empire.
"What! I wasted my time being scared! I just finished my work and came back to my house!"
This seems to be the other world where Tetsuo lived.
"And I got dragged into it?"
"Ha ha ha! Yes, the gods must have been busy too, right?"
"Come to think of it..."
If the priority was stopping the dungeon collapse and saving the adventurers, putting me aside was unavoidable.
"Oh ho! Even if you say that, you two are the Empire's vanguard, aren't you!"
A noisy voice came from further back, and a large group stomped over.
A group clad in black-glossing equipment, wearing black armor with the same design as the women's.
Their short silver hair and well-proportioned faces were as refined as sculptures.
Beautiful and slender, but likely men of the Dark Elves, given the lack of breast swelling.
"You lot, get back."
"But, Elder!"
So she really is the Elder.
"Commoners can't be trusted!"
"Huh?!"
The women were as spirited as warriors, but the men were like thugs.
"What? Are you looking for a fight? I'm the guy who absolutely kills anyone who comes to kill me!"
"Hey, Tetsuo."
I tried to stop him, at least.
"What the hell, you bastard!"
"Are you gonna do it?!"
The men were acting tough, but the women looked exasperated.
From any angle, the women seemed stronger.
"Hey, can we kill these guys?"
"...Do as you please."
The Elder muttered, looking exasperated.
"How interesting!"
"Are you gonna do it, you—"
"Shazam Punch."
From Tetsuo's black hole, a giant fist condensed like darkness shot out.
The fist swung with the momentum as if the mass itself was rushing forward, a deep bass sound tearing through the air.
The Dark Elf men who took that blow directly flew into the air like leaves, five, no, about six of them.
Their black armor creaked, their silver hair disheveled, and their bodies flew far away in an arc.
At the moment of landing, the impact drove them into the ground, raising dust clouds; the air in the area froze for a moment with tension and shock.
"Tetsuo, isn't that going too far?"
"It's fine. I held back. Besides, elves are surprisingly tough."
"Don't lump us in with those guys!"
It seems they really have a bad relationship with regular elves.
"I heard they share the same origin."
Elves and Dark Elves in this world are indeed like that.
"...More importantly! Was that magic? And that big bird you rode on too?"
Had the Elder been watching Shazam?
"Well, this is what you call a miracle of the gods."
"A miracle?!"
"Even though I look like this, I am an Apostle of the gods."
"An Apostle?!"
"By the way, this one is also an Apostle of the gods."
Tetsuo pointed at me.
"He he... nice to meet you."
I didn't know what to say, so I gave a slightly foolish reply.
As he said, the men who were blown away were groaning.
They didn't seem dead.
"..."
We faced the Dark Elves in silence.
Normally, meeting a different race should be a moment filled with excitement and curiosity, but an awkward atmosphere hung in the air.
Suddenly, a piercing, high-pitched roar descended from above, tearing through the tense silent space like a sharp blade.
That voice shook the air and resonated deep within the chest.
Like a reflex, the Dark Elves and I looked up together, and there, blocking the sunlight, was a huge shadow covered in silver scales.
"Wyvern!!"
Regardless of race, their voices harmonized.
A huge monster spread its wings wide, accompanied by a thunderous roar cutting through the wind, diving straight toward us.
Its eyes ran red, and its huge hooked claws thrust forward shone sharply, as if existing solely to tear us apart.
"Get your weapons ready!"
I felt I understood the reason we were so strangely on guard when we landed.
Did they mistake us for a wyvern?
While I was thinking about the Dark Elves, Tetsuo launched an attack.
"Shazam Punch!"
Against the wyvern approaching like a bullet from above, Shazam's black, giant fist swung out in a sharp hook.
The weight and speed were as if the earth itself was attacking as a fist.
The wyvern's diving speed and the acceleration of the fist's hook overlapped, making the impact twice as powerful as normal — no, even more destructive.
Along with a dull impact sound, the wyvern's body was knocked sideways, spinning like a top in the air.
Its wings twisted grotesquely, and many scales danced into the sky.
The monster's massive body was slammed into the village square, kicking up dust clouds.
"Tetsuo, wait a bit on the finishing blow!"
I took out a sword from my Item Box.
"Oh?! Is Daisuke going to do it?"
"I want to try if items work in this world."
"Oh, right. If that works, it would be quite a combat power."
"Nuooo!"
As I gripped the hilt again and flowed magic into the sword with my breath, the metal tip trembled faintly and soon began to take on a pale light.
That brilliance quickly grew stronger, beginning to pulse as if enveloping the entire blade.
"Ooh!"
Seeing that, the Dark Elves let out sounds of admiration and exchanged glances.
"Namu Thunder!"
The lightning strike released from the tip of my sword twisted through the sky like a living creature, running toward the monster as light strands intertwined like chains.
The lightning flash emitted intermittent pale blue flashes, and the sharp sound of scorched air struck the ears.
"Chain Lightning of Binding Chains!!"
The Dark Elves who saw the magic raised their voices.
At the moment the lightning chains wrapped around the monster's massive body, a scorched smell of burning flesh and scales filled the air, and the skin burst as if exploding.
The monster let out a groaning roar from deep in its throat, its muscles stiffened, and its whole body convulsed.
The lightning flowed without interruption, mercilessly scorching its massive body like a predator strangling its prey.
"Phew... it seems it still works."
The wyvern had completely stopped moving, so it seemed it was finished.
"Nice!"
I knew weapons worked, but it seems this world has no levels or skills.
All there is is the blessing that can be received from the gods.
Even defeating a huge monster, nothing changed.
It seems each race has its own god, giving blessings individually.
"Are you two magicians?!"
The Dark Elf Elder came to us in surprise.
"I am not. This magic is the power of this sword."
"...A type of magic sword."
"Well, probably."
Even if I say it's a drop item from a dungeon, they wouldn't know.
Since I can use magic, calling it a magic sword is a magic sword.
I swung the sword around a bit.
My physical strength is completely different from when I was just an ordinary old man.
It's far from the level 80+ of the final dungeon battle, but it feels like I have the physical strength of around level 49 from the very beginning.
I don't know if this is a blessing given by the gods or if the influence of that dungeon's level remains.
"Daisuke, what are we going to do with that wyvern?"
"Well, I don't really need it..."
"Yeah, that's right."
"Ah, but I might want the Magic Stone."
"Elder, if you want that wyvern, we'll give it to you. Just give us the Magic Stone."
"Eh?! It's a wyvern?!"
"No, we've even taken down dragons..."
"..."
At Tetsuo's words, the Dark Elves looked at each other.
After that, the Elder stepped forward, crossed her arms horizontally, and bowed her head.
"We have been rude to such strong warriors. Please forgive us."
"Yes, it's fine. Don't worry about it."
"Ha ha ha! Don't worry! I never thought such commoner old men would be so strong."
"..."
The Dark Elves looked troubled.
It must be exactly as Tetsuo said.
"You two saved our village. And even the wyvern — even though it's a village with nothing, we would like to offer you hospitality."
The Elder bowed her head again.
I was wondering about the valley between her breasts — no!
"Tetsuo, what do you think? Don't you want to hurry home?"
"Well, I am worried about my home, but there are people protecting us. Besides, I want to get along with the Dark Elves..."
Since they are a rare race, if we can get along — that thought must be there.
Everyone is big-breasted and beautiful.
"If Tetsuo is fine, I'm fine too."
"Thank you! A million thanks to both of you!"
The Dark Elves bowed.
"Let me introduce myself — I am Daisuke. This is Tetsuo."
"Nice to meet you~"
"Elder! Why are you welcoming such commoner guys?!"
The men came to tease.
"Shut up! Can you two take down a wyvern?! Just now, if this man hadn't held back, they would have died!"
The fact that they survived taking that hit means they are tougher than humans.
"..."
At the Elder's shout, the men reluctantly backed down.
Since we were staying here, we immediately began to dissect the wyvern.
It would be a waste if the hard-won catch spoiled.
"Do you have a Magic Bag?"
"It's fine."
The Magic Bag Tetsuo mentioned corresponds to my Item Box.
In this world, one can use magic to expand the space inside the bag.
It's amazing technology.
The Yaegashi Group also bought a Magic Bag from Tetsuo, but can we analyze it and make the same thing?
If we really could achieve it, that world would be fundamentally changed.
At first, only a limited number of people would be able to possess them.
Normally, dissecting such a huge monster would be difficult, but Tetsuo has his black hole.
Hard scales? No problem, it cuts them in two without argument.
"Ooh!"
A murmur arose from the Dark Elves.
The neck, tail, wings, and legs were separated, the torso was split, and the entrails were removed.
It seems they were immediately put into the Magic Bag for preservation.
The entrails seem to be thrown somewhere far away.
"In that case, I'll put them in my storage. If we return to the Empire, we'll pass over the sea, right?"
"Rather than that, it's easier to throw them into my hole."
"Is it okay to throw trash there?"
"It's fine, it's fine."
Tetsuo seemed to call his hole a trash can.
It seems he really threw trash in it at the very beginning.
"We have been taken care of in every way; I can only express my gratitude."
The Elder was being formal — and while I'm at it.
"Well, well, even bumping sleeves is fate from a past life."
"..."
Something made the Dark Elves freeze.
I realized it immediately.
"Oh, oops. Japanese proverbs won't get through."
"Ha ha ha, Daisuke is fine."
"Huh?"
While talking with Tetsuo, the Elder made a solemn face.
"To be well-versed in our doctrines as well — I, Maimai, am impressed."
The Elder bowed her head.
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"Ha ha ha, the god's automatic translation converts it into the race's language and metaphors."
According to him, it often converts into parts of that race's holy scriptures and doctrines.
"Wow, really? That's convenient."
It was a small thing, but it clearly felt like the Dark Elves' trust level had increased.
They are now looking at us as comrades.
This is amazing.
As expected, being able to communicate with any different race is a big deal.
The number of Dark Elves was about 20 women and 10 men.
The men were working while being kicked by the women.
Basically, they seem to be lazy fellows.
With this many people, the dissection went smoothly, and by the time it got dark, everything was cleared up.
"Clean!"
One of the Dark Elves used magic, and the blood sludge on the ground solidified.
Gathering it up and throwing it into Tetsuo's black hole finished everything.
It's really convenient.
If the Item Box disappears, I'd want the black hole.
Storage can be substituted with the Magic Bag in this world anyway.
Before that, can I go back?
Tetsuo seems determined to be buried in this world, but I am not.
Besides — even as a god, it would be troublesome if there were no apostles on Earth, so I think I can definitely return.
They probably sent Tetsuo to Earth to expand their influence there too.
Well, it should work out somehow.
When it got dark, we lit a fire in the square and immediately started roasting and eating the dissected wyvern.
There were no other dishes, just roasting and eating.
This is what is meant by rustic charm.
The salt we gave as a present was put to good use immediately, and since my brother and I were eating too, we also brought out pepper and mixed spices.
He seems to have bought a ton of spices and curry roux in Japan.
It seems they can't be easily obtained in the other world, so it's natural.
"Umeeee!!"
The Dark Elf men were squealing while eating the meat.
The taste of the wyvern meat they tasted for the first time was so rich it made them widen their eyes.
At the moment of biting, the rich umami peculiar to beast meat and the light texture like bird meat spread simultaneously.
It seemed to possess both the power of game meat and the tenderness of high-quality chicken.
The meat fibers were firm, yet strangely easy to chew, melting softly in the mouth.
The fat was not greasy, sliding down the throat leaving a faint sweetness.
"Delicious. Tetsuo, have you eaten this before?"
"No, I haven't. In this world, wyverns and dragons are things you rarely get to take down."
"I see. In that case, the things in the Item Box might sell for a high price."
"They say if you take down a dragon, enough money moves to buy a country, ha ha ha!"
Levels strengthen the body and abilities, and huge monsters spawn constantly — that dungeon was indeed a special space like inside a game.
"Haaaaa... if you eat something this delicious, the usual meals become painful..."
The men who hadn't worked much were muttering.
"If there's time, I can bring supplies occasionally."
"Really?!"
The men's faces brightened.
"Well, if we use Shazam, we can come in one day."
"Awesome!"
"I want other things too!"
"That's fine, but can you pay? Or Dark Elf specialty products."
"W-we don't have commoner money..."
"Then it won't do. I can't do charity work either."
"Then we have something good."
The Elder, who was eating meat steadily, spoke up.
"Is there something?"
"Just take these guys."
The Elder pointed at the men.
"Oh, I see."
The other women nodded, so there seems to be no opposition.
How hated are they?
"Hey!"
"Elder!!"
"That's fine! They look the best, so I think there's demand as mistresses for noblewomen or as stewards."
"Then it's decided."
"Don't decide that!"
"Elder!"
"Quiet! If you don't want to be sold, do something useful!"
"..."
Scolded by the women, the men became dejected.
They surely didn't really intend to sell them.
It seems they just used Tetsuo to spur them on.
After the meal, the women formed a circle and started discussing something.
My brother and I waited while drinking coffee.
It was dark, but it seemed our night vision remained as is.
It was very visible, and in an other world with little light, this was welcome.
"What are they discussing?"
"Where to put us up to sleep — something like that."
"It's fine outside..."
"Yeah — but maybe the women will be the partners?"
"Eh?! Does that happen?"
"Ha ha ha! In this world, that happens quite a bit."
While talking with Tetsuo, it seemed the women's discussion ended.
We were led to the house of one woman with long silver hair.
Entering, she began to remove her black equipment.
In the darkness, only her outline floated faintly.
Her tanned naked body seemed to melt into the night itself; normally human eyes could never capture it, but now, to me, everything was clearly visible.
Although her skin sank into the shadows, it took on a metallic luster under the faint light, highlighting the undulations of her toned muscles.
The lines of her supple arms and legs were strong like a warrior's proof, yet they had not lost the softness of curves.
The line continuing from her waist to her chest was fluid, housing a beauty backed by training.
Now that it had come to this, there was only one thing to do in the other world.
Naked against naked — an unlimited one-on-one match.
The Princess's face flashed in my mind — but when in Rome, do as the Romans do.
If I refused after all this preparation, I might crush their pride...
—That was just an excuse; being able to compete with a Dark Elf, after all, as a man —
I can't run away, can I?