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Chapter 267

Deep within the cave, it seemed to be waiting as it opened its jaw wide.

A deep, unfathomable abyss. Before me spread the pitch-blackness that might just fit the word “netherworld.”

Yeon-woo stared at it with glazed eyes. Shar was the same. As if entranced, the two could only gaze vacantly at the sight.

<Yawn.>

[Haaaaaam.]

At the deepest part of the cave, in the middle of a dead end, a small lake was home to a similarly small turtle that was lazily yawning.

This scene felt oddly familiar. It reminded me of Sebek…

[You’ve come… how delightful…]

A languid voice echoed throughout the cave. I know it’s a bit odd to say this, but just hearing that voice was already making me sleepy.

Sleepiness level: 530, a figure approximately 1.5 times that of the principal’s lectures.

After a moment’s hesitation, Yeon-woo politely spoke to the turtle, which was leisurely swimming across the lake with its short legs. Not quite sure how to address it, they went with the flow.

“Greetings, Dragon. May I ask your name…?”

<Yawn.> The turtle’s mouth opened slowly.

It didn’t seem like it was using that mouth to speak—was there even a need to open and close it like that…?

[My name is… Gormeira… You may call me Gorum…]

“Yes, Gorum. Understood.”

Communication was quite the challenge. Thankfully, the articulation was clear, or else we’d have been stuck with untranslatable proper nouns that even the high-functioning Shar translator couldn’t decipher.

The turtle, presumed to be Gorum, nodded.

Hmm, this turtle is kind of cute…? I suppose all living things look cute in their youth.

[Well then… shall I hear the reason you have sought me out…?]

Gorum spoke in a slow, drawn-out voice. Yeon-woo carefully opened their mouth. To start with, they had to explain what they heard from the Earth Serpent.

Honestly, since I didn’t understand it that well myself, what could I do? I had to say something.

*

“…That’s what I heard.”

[Oh my…]

As Yeon-woo recounted their grand saga, Gorum slowly nodded.

Did it understand? I hoped so. I wasn’t confident in conveying my point more accurately than this. This was Yeon-woo’s greatest TED Talk.

[Such existence… it’s not odd to know me…]

Not odd at all. Could it be that they even had an influence over fate?

Even though it was their territory, I should had realized it, given its ability to stop time in a moment.

So, does that mean I could receive something? With that thought in mind, Yeon-woo’s eyes sparkled, and Gorum tilted its head slowly.

[But… I don’t know what I should give…]

“Eh?”

[Unfortunately… unlike other dragons… I don’t possess treasures…]

That was… certainly true. There was no way a turtle that would wander the seas forever should have any treasure.

In other words, it meant I couldn’t expect any material rewards.

…So, what could I receive? Yeon-woo pondered, stuck like a statue. Seeing that, Gorum spoke apologetically.

[I’m sorry… it seems there’s nothing that comes to mind… but… there is something I can give…]

What a generous dragon it was. Honestly, I wasn’t sure what Gorum had to apologize for.

Wasn’t it the Earth Serpent’s fault for casually spilling the beans about the world’s fate to a stranger?

In the meantime, Yeon-woo had many thoughts. To be honest, I didn’t think the dragon in front of me would know anything about the dragon transformation, and I had no idea what I could receive.

Despite the Earth Serpent’s grand statement about granting me power, this situation left Yeon-woo’s mind swimming in circles.

…Should I just ask what could be given then?

“Uh, what kind of things can you give?”

[What you may… or may not… be satisfied with…]

In a somewhat uncertain voice, Gorum began to speak. To avoid putting people to sleep, from here on, I shall summarize its words concisely.

“…So, you have been protecting spirits that sought refuge in your mouth while wandering the sea, correct?”

[Correct…]

“And so, because of this prolonged existence, countless essence and materials from spirits who have reached their end still remain inside your mouth….”

[That’s right… that’s the offer I wanted to make…]

Yeon-woo, now at a standstill, began to ponder the smooth chin. Of course, by now, an intermediate grade essence or elixir wouldn’t be of much help.

But that was the case only when Yeon-woo was to consume it directly.

With the mana extracted to the point where intermediate-grade potions wouldn’t yield anything for Yeon-woo, it would be a different story for Shar, Tae-oh, Dawn, or Nea—they could benefit from it just fine.

“…Uh, how much do you have?”

[That, I also… do not know…]

‘Ah, this is a jackpot.’

Watching the little turtle’s movements closely, Yeon-woo thought this.

It seemed like the turtle wanted to count but had so many that it lost count and gave up.

This smelled like a hit.

“Please, guide me over there!!”

[Glad to hear I can make a satisfactory offer….]

In Gorum’s voice, Yeon-woo felt an odd sensation, as if it was smiling. Or maybe it wasn’t.

*

Thinking about it, the fact that Gorum had many essences in its mouth also meant that Yeon-woo would have to enter Gorum’s mouth.

In other words, it meant they’d need to dive into the wide sea that was floating like an island under their feet.

“Ugh, this is nerve-wracking…?”

[It must be a marvelous experience to enter another’s mouth!!]

Could it really be that optimistic? I mean, it’s someone else’s mouth we’re talking about. It sure would be a unique experience, though….

As they exchanged such conversations, Yeon-woo was hanging onto a sheer cliff.

They considered just jumping into the sea but heeded Gorum’s advice that it was best to pinpoint the right location.

It seemed there were many dangerous sea monsters, and Gorum had suggested coming down here while it would ensure safety.

“You’re really quite capable, waking up and all.”

[Ahem!! Quite impressive!!]

“No matter what, I never expected Shar to be so haughty. This little guy thinks being cute is everything, huh? Just because you’re cute, does that mean you’re everything?”

Yeon-woo gently punched in their mind, causing Shar to giggle as if tickled. What’s this? Is that abuse? This is turning domestic violence!

“All right, let’s go in.”

Splash-!!

The sound of crashing waves filled Yeon-woo’s surroundings. With that, they had to dive into the crashing froth of the sea below.

Fortunately, as long as it wasn’t concrete, they had learned how to maneuver underwater last time.

Confidently kicking off the cliff, they leaped into the water. What do you rate my artistic score?

[70 points.]

That’s a bit low, huh? Shar’s judging was tougher than expected. While getting swept up in the rough waves, Yeon-woo managed to regain balance as they headed underwater.

It was said they had to dive deep enough for their head to pop up; thus, they swam with all their might.

After a while of toiling with the unique sensation of their gills underwater, Yeon-woo finally passed the part Gorum described as its ‘shell’.

Now, I see why it’s called an island. Who would dare dive this far without direct protection from a dragon?

As Yeon-woo stared at the surface far above, they felt dizzy. How massive is this guy?

‘At least the underwater scenery is pretty, so that’s a relief. Last time it was so dark I couldn’t enjoy it.’

It was so pretty that even Shar was silent, taking in the view.

As the gate opened, the already mysterious underwater ecosystem turned even more bewildering.

From the start, there were schools of pretty fish resembling tropical ones, to long creatures radiating light passing below in the dark, and kelp-like plants swinging like human arms in the currents.

Truly, a whirlwind of chaotic underwater scenery. It’s so chaotic it’s hard to tell what’s what, but that mess is part of its beauty.

While Shar was left to enjoy the view, Yeon-woo diligently swam below. They planned to collect everything by the end of the day.

Shortly after, something slowly emerged from below. Surely, it was Gorum’s head.

As Yeon-woo thought that, it began rising next to them. Wait, are we talking about its head coming this far?

Moving back slightly, Yeon-woo was met with the gaze of an unimaginably large turtle head and its eyes.

It was a gargantuan turtle whose eye size exceeded even the largest sea monsters.

‘With eyes this big, won’t it hurt even if I get something in there?’

[Even Dad gets hurt if dust gets in his eyes…]

As they exchanged that absurd conversation, Gorum began to open its mouth slowly.

Yeon-woo froze in panic at that sight. Up until now, it had occupied the body of a little turtle, so this was hardly believable—now it’s doing this…!!

‘W, wow!!!’

[Kyaaaa!!]

The seawater began swirling as it got sucked inside that enormous mouth. Fish and monsters that were swimming around shared the same fate.

Some quick-witted creatures fled in a hurry, but since Yeon-woo was too close, that wasn’t an option.

This can’t be dodged, Yeon-woo figured and let themselves get swept into the whirlpool. Honestly, obeying might hurt less.

Swish.

The colossal mouth of Gorum opened wide, swallowing huge amounts of seawater along with marine creatures.

[…Ugh, I’m sorry…]

While Yeon-woo closed their eyes, preparing for whatever objects might come flying, they finally opened them at Gorum’s voice. Yikes.

“…Huh? What is this…?”

It was akin to stepping into another world. In other words, they had entered a gate.

Before them stretched a small island seemingly built of rocks and sand, along with a vast ocean.

[This feels like something I’ve seen in a movie!!]

Looking up at the ceiling instead of the sky, what appeared to be ore emitting light—though not quite the sun—scattered across the scene, providing ample brightness. What’s that, teeth?

“Is this… inside your mouth?”

[Indeed…. Once you obtain what you desire, feel free to speak…]

Gorum murmured sleepily, then made cute sounds like “mmnya, mmnya,” before drifting off to sleep.

I worried that if it slipped into deep sleep, I’d never get out, but it seemed more like a light slumber. After all, aquatic creatures rarely fell into complete sleep.

“This is something else. Well, since I’m here, should I try treasure hunting, Shar?”

“Can I join in too!?”

“Of course. You can even wager on it. How about a wish grant?”

“Hehe, what should I ask Dad to buy me?”

The little one thought they’d won already. The truth is, even without a wish, they usually got what they wanted.

Though all of this was unknown, I would gladly fetch anything that could be obtained. With that in mind, Yeon-woo finished stretching. Yeon-woo and Shar stood at the starting line.

“One, two, three… go!!”

Treasure hunting inside the turtle’s mouth, commence!!

(To be continued in the next chapter)

 

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