It's our second day in Oserin.
We spent the entire first day doing absolutely nothing but having sex from the moment we arrived until night fell. So today, we all agreed it's time to actually explore this tropical paradise.
Right now, we're having brunch together at a restaurant in Oserin. On the table in front of us: pan-fried spring rolls, steamed buns, and fresh coconuts with paper straws poking out.
The spring rolls are filled with shrimp, thin slices of carrot and cucumber, lettuce, and mint, all tightly wrapped in flour-based coverings with a small dish of garum in the center. The buns are filled with shredded coconut that's been cooked down in palm sugar.
Yomogi dips one of her rolls into the sauce and delightfully takes a bite.
"Mmm! This is delicious..."
Chantal tears open a bun and bites into it.
"It's simple but really flavorful!"
Kimberly takes a small sip of her coconut.
"This is... my first time... drinking coconut water. I didn't know... it could be... this refreshing…"
Pinna starts reciting her analysis as usual.
"Spring roll: raw vegetable crispness combined with mild protein softness. Herb-forward aroma. Garum provides depth. Coconut bun: tender texture, glucose-rich filling. Coconut water: electrolyte-dense, primarily potassium-based. All contents fall within safe consumption range. No adverse health markers detected. Verdict: satisfactory."
And then, I take a bite of my own spring roll, followed by the bun, and a sip of coconut water.
"Yeah, that's seriously amazing."
It's been a long time since I've had seafood and coconut like this. But honestly, I'm glad that the flavors are exactly the way I remember them back in Japan.
The conversation continues as we eat, and I ask a question that's been bugging my mind since we arrived in this country.
"Hey, if Oserin is known as the country of merfolk and krakens, why haven't we seen any krakens?"
And then...
"Pfftt...! Ahahahaha!"
Chantal suddenly bursts out laughing.
Yomogi and Kimberly press their hands over their own mouths to hold back a laugh, and Pinna just turns her head and looks at me with a questioning stare, like she genuinely cannot believe I asked that.
"What?"
I ask them confusedly, and Yomogi is the first to answer.
"Mou, silly Motegi-chan. Krakens do exist, but it's not like you can just see them walking around on the surface, you know?"
Chantal manages to calm down, though she's still laughing a little.
"Sorry, sorry, Motegi-kun… but try imagining it. A sea monster just dragging itself across the sand and its tentacles knocking over stalls. That'd be horrifying."
"Ah, yeah... you're right."
Fair point, that would be pretty weird.
Then, Pinna explains.
"Merfolk inhabit shallow ocean regions and coastal towns due to their semi-terrestrial lifestyle and commerce habits. Krakens, however, dwell in deep-sea trenches far below accessible depths, and they rarely surface. Therefore, interactions between merfolk and krakens are minimal and generally formal."
So basically, same country, but different neighborhoods, huh?
And finally, Kimberly says something that intrigued me.
"Both merfolk… and krakens… inherit Water element… within them… Motegi-sama…"
"For real?"
"Yes…"
"You do know… that krakens... are not classified… as monsters… but as beastkin… the same category... as wolfkin… and pantherkin… right...?"
"No, but wait... what? Really?"
"Yes…"
Now that's new.
"How?"
Kimberly breathes in before she speaks again.
"From what... I've read… beasts... were once ancient creatures… a long... time ago. Some... formed... strong bonds... with the elements… and with their... environment. When they adapted... and survived... across many generations… they evolved..."
Then, she looks at Yomogi...
"Ancient wolves bonded… with Earth element… and became... wolfkin..."
And to Chantal.
"And ancient panthers… bonded... with Lightning element… and became... pantherkin..."
Kimberly pauses again before continuing to speak.
"But in some cases… instead of... changing form… the creatures... simply grew... larger… and more... powerful… without becoming humanoid. One of them… is krakens. They were once… ancient cephalopods..."
"One of them?"
"Yes."
"Then what's the other one?"
And her answer surprises me again.
"Dragons… they came from... ancient reptiles..."
"Ah, I see..."
Okay, so basically Yomogi and Chantal are literally descendants of old wolves and panthers who evolved into humanoid races. Their traits, instincts, and abilities are all inherited through adaptation and elemental influence.
And then come krakens and dragons as evolved cephalopods and reptilians, which makes me curious the most. I mean... what would they look like if they gained humanoid traits?
Then, I curiously ask Kimberly again.
"So, if merfolk and krakens both inherit the Water element, does that mean they can use magic too?"
"Yes… most merfolk... can. But as for... the krakens… there are no... records... detailing how… they use... magic..."
"I see..."
Water is one of the two main healing elements, and the other is Light. Water heals the body, soothing physical injuries like cuts, bruises, or broken bones. Meanwhile, Light is for purification, detoxifying poisons, lifting curses, or removing negative effects.
So yeah, it makes sense that merfolk are natural healers since it's their element after all.
ONE HOUR LATER
After finishing brunch, we decide to check out the boat rental service just beside the resort.
A male merfolk greets us as he explains to me, pointing toward a small pedestal near the front of the vessel.
"To operate the boat, just press the Wind magic stone near the helm."
"Got it. Thank you."
With that, we step into the boat one by one. I move to the back and press the glowing green stone, and then the boat glides forward, drifting effortlessly into the open sea.
It somehow reminds me of pump boats from the documentaries back on Earth, but instead of an engine, it runs on a Wind magic stone. Also, this boat seems to be made out of coconut timber, and I might bring some home and see if it would be a great material for the woodworks.
The more the boat carries us farther, the more the girls are clearly loving it as Yomogi spreads her arms wide and shouts.
"This is amazing! The sea is the best!"
Chantal leans over the edge and dips her hands into the water, murmuring.
"So clear…"
When she looks at her dripping fingers, I warn her.
"No."
But she licks anyway, and her face scrunches up immediately.
"Eugh! That's so salty!"
"Didn't I tell you?"
Speaking of salty, the miso back home should be just about done fermenting, which means I need to make tofu soon. And for that, I'll need nigari, as that salt's essential for curdling the soy milk.
Then, Pinna begins her usual analysis.
"Sea: moderately saline, low turbidity. Wind: steady southeast flow. Temperature: ideal for recreational activity. Current conditions: acceptable. Data acquisition: satisfactory."
As for Kimberly, she just sits with her eyes closed and a faint smile on her lips, nothing spoken from her lips.
And before long, we drift into a calmer part of the sea as the waves here are gentler and the breeze softens. The water turns from deep blue to a more crystalline shade, still and clear, like glass stretched over a hidden world beneath.
Actually, I don't really know how far we've gone from the shoreline. The islands behind us are still visible, but only faintly. That rental guy didn't mention any distance limits or safety zones, so I figure we're probably still well within the safe area.
Yomogi leans over the edge, eyes wide with wonder.
"This water's even clearer than before! Look, Motegi-chan, we can see everything!"
"You're right..."
The ocean floor is alive, as we can see coral formations in all shapes and sizes and scattered seashells streak below the surface.
Chantal points downward.
"Motegi-kun, down there! It really looks like the flowers in our garden, but underwater!"
"Hahaha... yeah, it actually does."
Kimberly still sits with her eyes closed and a serene smile on her face. And I can't help but tease her.
"You seriously don't want to say anything, do you?"
"Let me… relax… Motegi-sama…"
"Okay, okay. Take your time."
Meanwhile, Pinna stares intently at the sea below.
"Coral structure: layered, varied pigmentation. Appears to sustain symbiotic flora. Aquatic fauna density: moderate. Water clarity: above average for shallow zone. This region displays healthy marine biodiversity and minimal industrial disturbance. Visual aesthetics: high."
"You really do know your stuff, Pinna."
"Affirmative, Master."
Then, I gently guide the boat further along, steering us to find an even more tranquil spot in this ocean. However, I notice Kimberly finally open her eyes. But instead of her peaceful expression, her gaze sharpens immediately.
"Motegi-sama… I can… sense… something… immense… magical power… from below… the sea…"
My hands freeze in an instant.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. It is… very strong… and close…"
Before I can say anything, Pinna's eyes track the waves intensely.
"Surface disturbance detected. Tide displacement indicates mass approaching from below. Acceleration rate suggests emergence within approximately ten seconds. Depth origin: extremely deep. Scale: significantly large."
And when I turn toward Yomogi and Chantal, I can see Yomogi clenches her fists tightly and Chantal clicks her tongue with tension in her jaw.
"Tch… of all the days, I didn't even bring my damn daggers."
That's bad. If two A-rank adventurers are on edge like this, then something serious is coming. And yes, unfortunately none of us are prepared for this.
My heartbeat thumps loud enough as I notice the sea swells.
And suddenly, the surface bursts upward, and a massive shape rises from the deep. A giant blue cephalopod, slick and glistening, with writhing tentacles, each longer than a house.
Yomogi's voice comes out in a shocked, shaky whisper.
"A kraken…"
Chantal's face drains of color.
"You've gotta be kidding me... it's here..."
Then, I shout to Kimberly.
"Kimberly, can you do it!?"
"I will... try..."
She doesn't hesitate and lifts her hand upward.
"Wind... Javelin..."
A spear of compressed air forms and launches, slicing clean through one of the kraken's tentacles as the severed limb splashes into the water.
"You did it, Kimberly!"
But just as I praise Kimberly, the tentacle regrows as if nothing was ever cut, making her tremble.
"No… way. Even Wind Javelin… can't… damage it…"
Pinna begins speaking again, rapidly, like sensing danger.
"Combat assessment: unfavorable. Probability of victory: near zero. Retreat is the safest option. However, initiating movement will provoke an immediate offensive reaction. Current distance from nearest safe zone: too far. Estimated outcome: the kraken will strike before the boat can turn."
"Shit, so we don't have any option, huh?"
Yeah, great. Just great. Now the two S-ranks are cornered too.
Then, the kraken swings its tentacle downward, and I immediately shout.
"EVERYONE JUMP!"
We leap into the sea at the same instant, and then...
CRASH!
A deafening explosion of splintering wood erupts behind us as the kraken shatters the boat into scattering fragments across the surface.
We break through the surface as my arms paddle instinctively and my heart is pounding. I shout and scan the girls' faces.
"Is everyone okay?!"
"Y-Yes, Motegi-chan…!"
"I think so!"
"I'm... okay... Motegi-sama..."
"All vitals nominal. No injuries sustained."
Still, they look shaken because of the sudden impact.
"Float!"
I cast that spell to make our bodies rise smoothly from the sea, hovering above the water as the kraken's massive form still churns in front of us.
Since Kimberly's Wind Javelin didn't leave a scratch, I silently set my stats to infinity with [Temporary Boost]. And I'm thinking about using that spell, but then I hesitate to do it because of something.
And instead...
"Wind Javelin!"
I cast the same spell as Kimberly, and obviously, one of the kraken's tentacles is severed, and then it regrows again.
"Wind Javelin!"
And again, same result.
"Wind Javelin!" "Wind Javelin!" "Wind Javelin!"
"Motegi-sama… it's… no use…"
"I know, Kimberly!"
I raise my voice a little to her as I continue casting to no avail.
Then suddenly, a blue magic circle appears open across the surface and surrounds the kraken completely.
Kimberly's eyes widen.
"Everyone… move… now…"
With that, we shoot sideways just as a dozen massive pillars of water erupt skyward around the kraken, exploding like towering fountains from the sea.
**********
Once the sea settles, the five of them hover safely. However, the girls immediately notice Motegi's expression, and they're all terrified.
"I've… never sensed… such immense… magical power… like this… before..."
"Motegi-chan…"
"Master is exhibiting extreme emotional volatility. Rapid stress response combined with perceived threat has triggered a surge in extreme pressure. This outcome was inevitable given current psychological conditions."
"I've never seen him like this before…"
They're right.
He's not just angry, he's beyond furious.
He rarely got angry back in Japan, but right now, he's had enough, and he won't tolerate it anymore.
He doesn't care about the store, the labyrinth, or their little vacation right now. Because if something had happened to the girls, then those ordinary, peaceful days would've been gone forever.
Above the kraken, a massive spear of lightning forms overhead that makes Yomogi stare upward and visibly shaken.
"W-What… is that…?"
Chantal's face turns pale and she hugs Yomogi tightly, equally panicked.
"I… I don't know either...!"
Kimberly weakly calls out to him.
"Motegi-sama… what are you... trying to do...?"
Even Pinna falters as she looks at the weapon above the sky.
"Destruction levels are unquantifiable. I cannot assess what will happen. Variables… exceed system capacity."
Motegi's voice cuts through, low and cold, as he hovers higher and looks down to the kraken.
"Hey, you had your fun, didn't you? Now take my gift."
His hand slams downward as the lightning spear crashes into the kraken with such power that its massive tentacles thrash and its body convulses violently beneath.
He just silently cast the most powerful, mana-consuming Lightning element spell called Lightning Crush. But since Motegi's stats are at infinity, it costs nothing.
Because he was afraid that using a Lightning spell would electrocute the sea and kill everything beneath the surface, he decided to go with the Wind element spell, like Wind Javelin earlier, even though he knew it was futile.
But now, all those worrying thoughts are gone. So rather than attacking with the small Lightning spells, he went for the destructive one instead.
**********
Just as I prepare for the second strike, I suddenly hear it.
A weak, feminine, but rumbling voice from that kraken.
"S-Spare me…"
I freeze, and suddenly, I cancel my intention to release that spell again as the fury boiling inside me eases up.