I Became a Time-stopping Narrow-eyed Character

Chapter 23

A voice that shook the heavens and the earth was heard.

─Are you spouting nonsense because you want to die, brat?

Dragon.

In Western fantasy worlds, they reign as the strongest beings among all species.

Among ancient dragons, there are those with abilities so great they are considered gods.

Games, novels, dramas. In most stories, they are depicted as transcendent beings.

Additionally, it is known that their appearance resembles a massive lizard, with reptilian scales, pupils, wings on their backs, sharp claws, and a size that far exceeds ordinary lizards, fitting their status as transcendent beings.

─Why have you come to my nest? Answer me.

If a large lizard-like creature also possessed intelligence capable of speaking like this, it would most likely be a monster worthy of being called a 'Dragon.'

Using transcendent magic, or easily deflecting a Swordmaster's sword aura with their scales.

If it boasts such monstrous majesty, at least it cannot be taken down in a fair one-on-one fight.

Even if it's not quite a 'god,' it might still be able to fend off my powers.

─Hey! Are you not hearing my voice, you punk?

I am not brave enough to recklessly invade the home of such an overwhelming creature.

My heart is so weak that every time I train the protagonist Kenichi to his limits, I get a thrilling sensation.

Worried that I might even suffer a heart attack, I decided to take a short walk to ease my anxiety.

"Ahaha, I'm sorry. I was just startled because it's my first time seeing such a big lizard like you!"

─......What did you just say? What did you call me, you punk?

The giant pupils of the reptile showed a hint of shock.

It seemed to doubt whether it had misheard something.

Well, it's understandable since no one would've dared to call it a 'lizard' before.

Even if you said that to a dragon, it would get angry, so how furious would a monster that's merely a dragon imitation get?

Realizing this too late, I covered my mouth with a surprised look and shouted.

"Oops, I made a mistake without realizing it! Mr. Lizard, I'm really sorry! Can we perhaps reconcile?"

─.......

For the record, 'Apocalypse Love Comedy' is not a game featuring Western fantasy monsters.

Goblins, orcs, and even dragons, the ultimate Western monster, do not appear.

In other words, the lizard in front of me is not a dragon.

After all, why would a being with god-like abilities hole up in a mountain in the lower world?

Then, is it an Eastern dragon?

That's not it either.

For a being claimed to be transcendent and untouchable, its body had too many flaws.

Wings full of holes and scales stained black across its sides.

Two arms and two legs attached to its body.

Horns on its head that resembled antennae.

Neither a dragon nor an Eastern dragon, it was an ambiguous existence.......

That's right, the lizard in front of me was an Imoogi that failed to ascend to the heavens.

A hybrid that never became the mythical dragon.

In other words, a Gyo-ryong.

Of course, it was still a monster that no one could dare to challenge, but at least it wasn't close to being a god.

That meant even a coward like me could dare to visit its home.

"Haha, could it be that you can't hear my voice? Mr. Lizard, please accept my reconciliation request..."

─How dare you! Shut up!!!

Oh dear, it seemed it was very angry.

─......Never before has anyone dared to spout such nonsense to me.

The creature, which had been glaring at me with slightly wavering eyes, began to slowly and completely raise the massive body it had been crouching in the cave.

Rumble...!

As the Gyo-ryong moved, its nest shook violently.

Also, the air pressure grew stronger.

The Imoogi, which had previously shown a somewhat tolerant attitude, eventually began to exude killing intent.

Being a creature that failed to become a dragon, it still possessed overwhelming majesty among ordinary beings.

When it harbored the intent to kill me, the surrounding air and magical energy itself tightly constricted my body.

─As the guardian of humanity, I intended to show you mercy, but you are a wretch who deserves to die!

The fully risen Gyo-ryong glared down at me with blazing eyes.

They were still reptilian pupils, but for some reason, I could tell.

It really intended to kill me.

Feeling a thrilling pain in my chest from its coldness, I shouted in a desperate voice.

"Where in the world is there anyone who truly deserves to die?!"

Right, I don't want to die.

─Silence!

However, the heartless Imoogi seemed intent on killing poor me.

As if it didn't even want to dirty its hands, magical energy gathered in the air, forming a spike.

It was an extremely sharp metallic object. Even a sturdy body would hurt if pierced by it.

"Sigh, I'm a peaceful person, so I'd rather not fight if I can help it."

In situations where my life was at risk, I had no choice but to fight for self-defense.

─Die, you insect!

Along with the Gyo-ryong's furious roar, the metallic spike in the air began to fall.

It was a pitiful trick for something claiming to use transcendent magic.

Well, it was probably closer to a prank or an attempt to deal lightly with an enemy, but it still hurt my heart.

"Goodness, how can a guardian this weak protect the Dragon Veins?"

Crash!

I heard the sound of the spike falling behind me, and the Gyo-ryong's pupils trembled.

Looking at me, who had somehow climbed onto its snout, it uttered a bewildered voice.

─......You, who are you?!

Holding a longsword at the Imoogi's forehead, I spoke with a sly smile.

"I'll ask again, just in case you've changed your mind. Shall we reconcile?"

─.......

To think I could show such generosity even when my life was at risk.

"Let's have a leisurely conversation, shall we?"

As always, I thought to myself, I am indeed a peaceful person.

***

Before my possession, I had cleared seven out of the fifteen episodes of 'Apocalypse Love Comedy.'

Only about half, up to episode 7.

Despite all the hardship, only clearing half was despairing news.

Moreover, being thrown into that despairing, awful game was a crisis big enough to justify diving off Mount Fuji's cliff, but there was still hope.

For one, I wasn't possessed into the useless Kenichi.

Also, I could predict the developments of future episodes and intervene accordingly.

Although I hadn't seen the final ending, meaning I didn't know all the twists, I had some elements I was confident about.

In episode 4, there's an Imoogi in the hidden cave of Mount Fuji, and if you make the right choices in conversation with it, you can obtain an elixir that heals Eris's parents.

It's a unique item event that significantly boosts the affection of one of the main heroines.

After that, there's no reason to visit Mount Fuji again, so I couldn't meet the Gyo-ryong or know its fate, but as I progressed through the episodes and experienced countless disastrous bad endings, I was half-convinced.

No matter how I looked at it, the Gyo-ryong of Mount Fuji, the guardian of the Dragon Veins.

Its wings full of holes and blackened scales, it seemed half-dead or corrupted.

The mere existence of such clues foreshadowed that something would inevitably happen later.

'This thing will appear as a boss with a 99.9999% probability.'

I didn't know which episode it would be, but if it did become a boss, it was definitely going to be a hassle.

Leaving aside dealing with it, I'd also have to find another being to guard the center of the Dragon Veins.

Rather than scrambling to prepare later, it was better to handle it in advance.

"That's why kind-hearted me has come here to save you! Isn't it touching? Does this answer the earlier question?!"

─......F-Fine! I understand, so stop already.

"Haha, why so shy among friends! Anyway, all your anger is gone, right?"

─......Yes! It's gone, so stop poking already!

Pressing lightly, as if administering acupuncture in a clinic, I subtly brought the tip of the knife to its forehead and nodded cheerfully.

"Haha, that's a relief! I hope our friendship remains unchanged in the future!"

─.......

The Gyo-ryong looked at me with eyes that seemed to regard me as a lunatic, while I, possessing a perfectly normal sense of values, tilted my head in confusion.

"Is there a problem, perhaps?"

─......Nothing at all.

I thought about solving my friend's doubts or issues, but it seems that won't be necessary.

Since I took the day off today, I could have gone on all day.

Feeling a bit regretful, I descended from its snout and mentioned another task.

"I'll just take a couple of fully grown spiritual herbs near the entrance, alright?"

─Hmph! Do as you please.

The Gyo-ryong, seeming dejected, lay back down on the ground, and I kindly waved at it with a smiling face as I spoke.

"If you wait just a little, I'll keep my promise."

─.......

"Because we're the best of friends!"

─Stop spouting nonsense and get lost already!

"Haha, you're so shy!"

Thinking my new friend seemed to be quite reserved, I quickly exited the cave.

It's only right not to bother a friend who already seems quite stressed.

Crack,

On my way out, I pulled out a spiritual herb imbued with the dragon's curse and mystery and stepped outside the barrier.

As I emerged from the dimly lit cave, the blazing sunlight greeted me warmly.

"Hmm, with this, I should be able to get closer to Miss Eris."

At least raising the heroine's favorability was guaranteed.

The effort of climbing the mountain was worth it.

Feeling good, I held the spiritual herb in my hand and cheerfully descended Mount Fuji.

***

─.......

The Imoogi, lying still in its place, suddenly lifted its eyelids to glance sideways.

......Finally gone.

Was that even a human? No matter how much I tried to resist, there was no solution.

─Hmph! Next time, I'll crush them immediately.

The Gyo-ryong, snorting repeatedly, soon collapsed powerlessly onto the ground.

It was already lacking energy, and this encounter had further drained it.

More than its physical strength, its mental strength was especially depleted.

─......Hoo.

The Imoogi, frowning deeply as it recalled the unwelcome guest from earlier, let out a deep sigh.

'Oh dear, are you in pain? Well, as your friend, I can't just stand by and do nothing.'

The figure, whose appearance alone screamed insidiousness, smiled like a demon about to make a contract and said.

'I'll bring you the Yeouiju!'

......Thinking it had nothing to lose, it agreed for now, but perhaps it really had made a deal with a demon.

The Gyo-ryong felt uneasy.

***

The very next day after returning from Mount Fuji, I was summoned behind the school building at a familiar request.

Could it be another duel challenge?

While my heart was pounding, a thunderous statement struck me out of nowhere.

"I like you."

"......Excuse me?"

This time, it was a genuine confession.