Chapter 56: The Beginning [1]
Chapter 56: The Beginning [1]
Pebbles asked one more thing.
"There is one more. You had mentioned that your child will come. And until he comes, I had to protect the goblin village. If I may ask, who is this child? And when will he come?"
He wanted to know how long he had to stay with the goblin tribe. While he’d like to use them to his advantage, at the same time, he didn’t want to feel like he was under someone’s surveillance.
It was almost as if a junior or an intern was working under pressure, not sure when his supervisor would show up. He’d have to be ready to be kicked out... and Pebbles didn’t want such a burden.
As expectant as he was for the answer, he was only given the silent treatment.
"Um... hello?"
The dungeon still remained silent.
Pebbles didn’t know, but guessed that the dungeon probably didn’t want to tell him at the moment. He changed what he wanted to know.
"Then at least tell me, what use is protecting Chunk? Why Chunk Village specifically?"
[[It’s not time for you to know, my baby.]]
"..."
Pebbles felt a cringe when he heard the dungeon call him baby, but he let the feeling pass.
He then coughed a few times and looked at the green lizard. "Well, that’s that. I feel my work is done here. Now I have to protect the goblin village, so..."
He tapped his chin and then placed both his palms on the stone chair before standing up with a small jump.
"Okay then, are all of you ready to have an adventure outside?"
All the bosses seemed very excited but at the same time somewhat serious and nervous. Their eyes fidgeted now and then.
"Really? Weeeeeee. Adventure... weeeee." Mimasma seemed extremely excited.
Broody had both his hands folded. He still had a smug expression and a very punchable face, but he didn’t spout any nonsense.
"Hmph, Broody will praise you if you can convince Mother for an adventure."
Pebbles scratched the side of his mask and turned to the green lizard in confusion.
"Erm, we aren’t usually allowed to roam in the outside world..."
"Huh...? But why?"
It was the green lizard’s turn to scratch the side of his head. "Well, which mother would like her child to fall into danger?"
"Really? But I went out and came in without hindrance..."
"..."
Pebbles stared at the black screen in front of them... it was empty.
No, there were a few dots on it, as if representing that Mother was speechless and had no words to say.
[[...]]
This time Azeth scratched his head, and that was because he could faintly recall the black screen appearing in front of him.
[[Absolutely and definitely, protect my child!!! He will leave shortly after you go outside, but make sure he is in no danger.]]
"Y-yes, Mother."
[[Again, no matter what happens, MY CHILD SHALL HAVE NO INJURIES. MY CUTE CHILD. MY CHILD.]]
"..."
"Can I take them outside? Please?" Pebbles asked in between.
And he saw a few more dots on the black screen.
[["..."]]
Heck, he could even see sweat droplets on the screen.
There was a bit of hesitation and nervousness, but in the end, when Pebbles finally said, "I will protect them, don’t worry."
With such words, he banged his chest proudly, but the sweat droplets on the black screen only increased.
Pebbles continued to stare at the screen, which was about to display a "no", when all the boss monsters bowed.
"Please, Mother, let us accompany Master. We promise you that we will keep him safe. Our company will surely enhance Master’s protection."
It was the tree monster Kyurn who said that. The green lizard continued, "Even if our strength falls short when compared to Master..."
’Eh? You’re all stronger than me, boys...’ Pebbles thought to himself in between.
"...I believe we can at least act as pawns. We can be his shield in case of danger, so please, Mother."
"Please, Mother."
"PLEASE, MOTHER!!!" Broody shouted at the top of his lungs.
Seeing all this pleading, the black screen was now displaying a miniature waterfall of tears, and Pebbles couldn’t help but be flabbergasted at this.
Even with all this, the dungeon was probably going to say no, but then came the big buddy.
"Count it in as repaying the favor," a deep voice echoed through the floor as the White Tiger spoke.
It was a feminine voice.
"I know how much you love them, so trust me. I will protect them. It is a mother’s promise."
The silence was unnatural, as the White Tiger barely spoke. But now it did—too in favor of all...
The voice reverberated, [[Fine. But you have to come visit me at least every da— I mean, every week. Once a week, you, my baby, need to be here. Okay?]]
Pebbles raised his right hand and pointed his index finger at himself. Everyone nodded, and their expressions said, "Yes, it is you."
"I will. Thank you."
And with that, all of them finally had permission to leave the place.
Pebbles looked at the White Tiger and, in a humble tone, said, "Thank you for this favor. I will never forget it."
"A favor, you say...?" the White Tiger replied.
"Pardon?"
"You said I did you a favor, right? Then repay it this very instant."
Pebbles hesitated and decided to ask anyway, "And how do I do that?"
"Simple. All you have to do is call me... mothe—"
And then it thundered. There was the sound of lightning striking the ground and boulders falling. The first floor shook tremendously as rocks started falling from the ceiling.
For just a second, Pebbles was shaken... and so was everyone...
But then, all of a sudden, it was as if nothing had happened. The fallen rocks were proof that it had, but everything was now very calm...
Pebbles turned to the White Tiger and asked, "Ahem, how do I repay the favor...?"
The White Tiger stared into Pebbles’ eyes for a few seconds. Then she closed her eyes, as if reminiscing about something, and then looked at Pebbles and said, "I’ve changed my mind. Some other day. I will ask for the favor... some... other day."
"...okay."
And then, with that, their talk came to a halt, and all of them decided it was time to exit the dungeon...
But little did they know, this was the most peaceful time they would ever experience, because it was just the calm before the storm.
.
.
.
[Kingdom Goyth]
[Bloodless Battlefield]
"And you’re saying all of them died? And the one who killed them all is... a puny, tiny maggot? A dragon?"
"...yes, Master Blake. It’s a dragon."
"...interesting. I guess the World was serious when it issued the mission. Looks like it was worth the wait. Time to complete the mission."
One of the Ten Great Heroes of the Era, Bloodhound Blake, had finally decided to take on the mission after he found a clue about the dragon.
"Let the hunt begin."