2 hours ago...
"What quest should we do today?"
Before the embarrassing scene I encountered took place, I needed to know what had transpired. Hence, let's rewind to 2 hours ago when I was more determined than ever to proceed with the main quest.
"How about this one?"
While deciding on a quest for today's adventure, I made a suggestion to Erina, who was scratching her chin with an indecisive expression.
"Subdue the Sea Monster?"
Mumbling the quest title, Erina tilted her head, showing a somewhat unfamiliar reaction.
The quest I chose was closely related to my objective within the game's main story. Whether by coincidence or predetermined fate, while adventuring with Erina, she often chose the main quest on her own, even without my guidance. However, she didn't always pick the main quests. On rare occasions, she would select unrelated, quirky quests. Whenever that happened, the progression of the main story would slow down, and my ultimate goal of reaching the game's ending would be delayed. I'd always been slightly irritated by that. So, seeing Erina in doubt, I casually and naturally made a suggestion.
"At the southern Golden Sand Beach..."
I elaborated on the quest details, ensuring it wouldn't be a hindrance to others.
The quest read:
"Recently, at the southern Golden Sand Beach, there have been increasing sightings of an unidentified creature. Due to this, several tourists seeking relaxation have reported actual harm. Rumors suggest the creature is roughly the size of 10 adult men and suddenly appears, attacking tourists. We, from the tourism department, have dispatched several teams to subdue it, but strangely, none have even witnessed the monster. Yet, attacks on tourists continue. It seems the creature cleverly targets unarmed individuals. Therefore, we've decided to close the beach until this issue is resolved. The details below outline the known characteristics of this creature. We sincerely request your assistance."
After reading the quest details, Erina raised an eyebrow in slight annoyance but soon nodded in agreement.
"They seem to be quite desperate, even willing to cover other expenses."
Probably referring to food, accommodation, and transportation costs for traveling to and from the beach. Given that the beach-based industries haven't been profitable during this hot summer, it must be an urgent matter for them.
"And there's a detailed description of the creature below."
As mentioned earlier in the quest, the creature's characteristics and other details were listed.
Physical Appearance:
A mix of human and animal features, possessing numerous arms.
Creature Traits:
Highly intelligent, known to target only those who can't fight back.
It's recommended to act as tourists and wait for the creature to strike before trying to subdue it.
All required equipment and other costs will be supported by us.
"So, we pretend to be tourists and wait for the creature to target us?"
She casually stretched, speaking nonchalantly as if it was no big deal.
"Should we go with a real vacation mindset? I mean, technically, we're going to work, but it's been a while since we felt the sea breeze..."
It seemed like she was already imagining a fun rest in her head.
"Harold, what do you think?"
She looked at me with hopeful eyes, hinting that she wanted me to join in and have a good time with her. "I guess we'll find out when we get there... But as you just said, we're not here to play, so we shouldn't get distracted, right?"
She nods vigorously with a happy smile.
"Alright! So, at first, it's a bit of a vacation, huh?"
I heave a sigh of concern, sensing her excitement as if we were genuinely going on a trip.
Is this really okay...?
Despite my doubts, since I was the one who brought up the quest, I had no choice but to trust her. However, that trust was now starting to turn into regret.
"Wow! The beach, Harold! Ha, it's been a while since we've felt this refreshing breeze, hasn't it?"
Upon arriving at the Golden Sand Beach, the quest location, she marvels at the vast expanse of sand and the blue sea, her eyes sparkling with excitement. As the name suggests, the sand here had a brighter hue than the typical deep yellow, shining even more under the sun. It looked almost golden, hence the name.
"When at the beach, swimsuits are a must! Let's get fitted right away!"
True to my fears, Erina was entirely in vacation mode, eager to play in the water like a kid.
"Erina... You haven't forgotten our primary purpose, have you?"
I tried to sound serious, but she responds with an unbelieving smile.
"Of course not! The quest said to act like we're relaxing and wait for an ambush, right? So, we should dress appropriately!"
She cleverly interweaves her desires with our task and dashes into a nearby store without hesitation.
"Ugh... This is impossible..."
I cover part of my face with a hand, sighing deeply.
Reluctantly following her into the store, I'm taken aback.
"Huh?"
I find myself facing an unexpected scene.
"Wasn't your name Mir? What are you doing here?"
"Redhead... I didn't expect to see such an unpleasant face here."
Upon entering the store, I find Mir and Erina in a standoff. The tension in the air was palpable.
This unexpected reunion with a person I'd hoped never to encounter while with Erina was driving me crazy.
"Good timing. I was regretful that I couldn't settle things with that self-proclaimed 'Strongest Dragoness' back then... Is today the day?"
"I've been waiting for this. Today, I'll tear you apart..."
The store clerk, working diligently until now, looked terrified. Yet, the two didn't seem to care as they drew their weapons. This confined space was about to turn into a battlefield. I had to intervene.
"Both of you, stop it!"
I shout, inserting myself between Erina and Mir, stopping them in their tracks.
"Oh, Harold's here too?"
Noticing me, Mir retracts her hostility, ignoring Erina, and fixes her gaze on me.
"Mir... Why are you here?"
Slightly embarrassed, she scratches her ear, responding, "Well... I had some business here."
Her vague answer and attitude hinted at some ulterior motive, but I didn't press further.
Suddenly, Erina, trying to rile Mir up, blurts out, "Harold is mine. Our families have already approved of our engagement. I don't care about you anymore."
She taunts Mir with a cheap provocation, which seems so unlike her. Mir's face reddens in anger.
"Oh? Is that so? But you see, human conventions don't apply to me, a dragon."
"I don't care if they do or don't! We came here on a honeymoon trip, so mind your own business!"
Once again, Mir exudes a powerful aura, ready to charge at Erina.
"Wait, Harold... Are you really marrying this woman?"
Caught off guard by Mir's question, I quickly explain our situation.
"Do you believe that?! We're here for a quest! We came to catch the monster that's been appearing in this sea!!"
At the mention of the monster, Mir seems lost in thought, then asks for a detailed explanation. "What are you doing here, in a store that sells swimsuits and sunscreen at best?"
"I came to dress appropriately, since the monster tends to attack those who look vulnerable."
That explanation seemed to ease her hostility towards me, and her focus shifts back to Erina.
"So... you two are here to dress in swimsuits for your mission?"
It wasn't me who answered her light-hearted question, but Erina.
"Yes, but that has nothing to do with you. Mind your business. I will change with Harold and head to the sea."
Erina drew a clear line with her firm words, but Mir wasn't one to back off easily.
"Hmm... really?"
With a look of interest, she briefly scans Erina from head to toe and scoffs.
"I was just going to buy what I needed and leave... but it seems I have something more to do now."
With a suspicious smirk that she couldn't hide, Mir mockingly eyes Erina and suddenly starts examining the swimsuits closely.
"Erina... was it? Let's have a contest over Harold."
With a dubious smile, she proposes a challenge, which Erina accepts without a moment's hesitation.
"Fine! I won't lose to the likes of you in any competition."
With determined eyes and a smile, she stares down Mir, who looks happy and lays out the terms of the contest.
It might seem out of place, but... is the prize me? Without even asking for my opinion, they proceeded with their own agreement.
"Your intention to come here is obvious: to allure Harold with your provocative swimsuit look, right?"
At Mir's sharp words, Erina remains silent, seemingly caught off guard.
Wait... was that really her intention?
I thought Erina just wanted to have fun. Realizing she might have such thoughts was more shocking than I expected.
However, what shocked me even more was Mir's contest proposition.
"Let's have a duel."
She confidently picks out a black bikini and shows it off to us.
"We'll each wear a swimsuit and show Harold our charm. The winner gets exclusive rights to Harold."
Surprisingly, Erina agrees without hesitation.
"Alright, I'll show you a side of me you've never seen before."
With Erina's declaration, which sounded almost like a threat, I gave up trying to make sense of the situation. Thus, the embarrassingly awkward scene unfolded before me...
"How do I look... do I look good?"
With an allure that only a woman can possess, she tries to captivate me, making me feel suffocated and hot.
"Look at me too. I chose this for you."
Mir, not to be outdone, wraps her arm around my other side, bombarding my senses.
"Harold."
"Look at me."
Although I've been avoiding their gaze, their persistent requests force me to take a peek.
"Ugh..."
The sight overwhelms me. Both are displaying their figures in ways that are too provocative for my taste.
So, to describe their appearances:
Firstly, they both wore bikinis that showcased their bodies. Erina wore a bikini matching her hair color. Its peculiarity was its triangular top, which seemed a bit too small to cover her adequately... It was extremely provocative.
Mir, on the other hand, wore a black and grey bikini. While it was less revealing than Erina's, by the nature of a bikini, it was still quite revealing to me.
Both were so alluring that, despite my mind screaming for calm, it was hard to relax.
"Who's more attractive?"
They blatantly ask for my opinion, but I can't give a response. Not only was I too shy, but they both looked incredibly fitting in their chosen designs.
"Ugh... Harold! Look at me!"
Growing impatient with my avoidance, Erina forcibly turns my head towards her. "Hehe, how is it? I chose this with the hope that only you would see."
The sight burns into my eyes, making me feel even hotter.
"Umm... it's beautiful."
I can't help but compliment, and while she seems slightly disappointed with my response, she still beams with happiness.
"Thank you. I was aiming for that compliment, but hearing it actually makes me a bit embarrassed!"
Both of us blush, creating a sweet atmosphere between us, making it feel as if there's a budding romance.
"Harold?"
However, Mir, seemingly unable to tolerate such a scene, interrupts with a tone of dissatisfaction, forcefully shifting my attention.
"Look at me too, how do I look?"
The majority of her fair skin is exposed, covered only by a simple black bikini.
"Mir is beautiful too..."
"Your response doesn't seem very sincere?"
Mir, looking somewhat dishappy with my reaction, shows a cute response that contrasts with her sharp demeanor, making my heart race even more.
"Ah... Harold! Let's go into the sea!"
Suddenly, Erina, possibly out of excitement, drags me by the wrist into the ocean.
I wasn't prepared for the sudden plunge, resulting in a sharp headache as water rushed into my nostrils.
"Pff! Cough! Cough!"
I manage to get my head above water and gasp for air, scolding Erina.
"Wait a moment, Erina! Consider my feelings too!"
"Haha, the water is cold. It feels so good to be in the sea after such a long time!"
She seems to be enjoying her rest without considering my discomfort.
Chapter 11:
Once again, the sight of Erina's attire leaves me speechless.
By now, I've somewhat adjusted to their revealing outfits and can appreciate Erina's swimwear without feeling embarrassed. The previously embarrassing attire now feels alluring and beautiful.
"We've said this before, but it's been so long since we've been in the sea."
Watching Erina frolic around and enjoy herself, I'm captivated by her irresistible charm.
It might sound perverse, but she's genuinely captivating, especially with her wet skin glistening, which further ignites my primal instincts.
"Harold?"
Realizing I'm staring, Erina blushes but smiles softly.
"You're making me feel a bit self-conscious... but I wish you'd always look at me this way."
Her romantic words send a rush of excitement through me, but just as I'm about to lose myself in the moment...
"Ugh!"
Suddenly, I'm shook back to reality by a playful shove from behind.
"Ouch!"
Caught off guard by the sudden ambush and water shock, I struggle to regain my composure.
The pain in my back was thanks to Mir's perfect flying kick.
"Aren't you only looking at Erina too much?"
She seems to be demanding more attention from me, leaving me scratching my head in confusion.
"How many times do I have to tell you to look at me too!"
For quite some time afterward, I was caught in their strange competition. But eventually, things calmed down.
Initially, they said they were trying to allure me and set a competition... but in the end, there was no clear winner.
"The wind feels cool... it's been so long since I've stretched out like this in the sea."
Erina, lying on a rented tube, begins to yawn, looking drowsy.
"By the way, the beach is vast, but it feels awkward since it's just the three of us."
I had to keep up with them at least three times, exhausting my stamina. But now, Erina seems to have lost her vacation mood.
"By the way, are you two pretending to enjoy the vacation while actually on a mission to catch the monster you were hired for?"
In this seemingly unrelated context, Mir asks us. "It has a trait of attacking people when they are unguarded. But looking at our current situation, it feels like we've genuinely exhausted ourselves while having fun rather than acting."
I reply lightly, as there was no secret to hide.
"Hmm... I see."
After hearing my answer, Mir closes her eyes slightly in the now quiet atmosphere.
"But why did you suddenly ask that?"
A natural question arises from her seemingly out-of-the-blue query.
"It's nothing."
I was somewhat hoping for a more revealing answer, but she replies with a bland tone.
"Maybe I, too, have the monster you are looking for as my target..."
But before Mir could finish her sentence, a sudden loud noise interrupts the previously peaceful atmosphere.
"Whoa! What was that?!"
"Erina! Mir! Are you okay?!"
Suddenly, a massive wave pushes all of us far from the shore.
"What on earth just happened?!"
"Is this the ambush in an unguarded situation mentioned in the quest?!"
Chapter 11:
The sound of the waves is too loud, making it difficult to hear their voices. However, I had a feeling I knew what was happening.
It was a familiar scene, something I had seen several times in-game.
"!!"
A massive monster begins to emerge from the tumultuous waves.
The quest didn't specify what the monster looked like, so Erina and Mir probably didn't know its appearance. But I did.
I knew exactly what this monster was, its weaknesses, and everything about it.
"Is that the monster from the quest? It looks more human than I thought!"
Barely regaining her balance, Erina exclaims,
"Kyaaaaaa!!!"
The monster, with deep blue skin, had a human-like upper body but tentacle-like legs, resembling an octopus.
The forsaken child of the Sea God, Relic Ta, emerges from the water.
"Is that a weapon in its hand? It looks much more human than I imagined."
The monster threatens us with its massive trident.