The Mysterious Child: An Adventure Tale Beginning with Numerology

"3, 2, 1... Now!"

"Boom! ~nano~!"

The transfer device activates, and demons are transported in.

If you observed carefully, the timing was easy to understand. When the transfer device glows, it's in preparation; when the floor glows, transfer is in progress; when the floor light flashes, it's in final position adjustment.

That final adjustment takes about a second. In other words, for that one second after transfer, they were almost completely defenseless.

Punisuke aimed for that timing, using whip mode to knock out the incoming demons with a single strike.

This was already the fifth time. In total, 20 people. It seems they can transfer up to four people at once.

After five consecutive transfers, the transfer device stopped moving for a while.

For now, this might be the end.

The knocked-out demons are tied up with rope, gagged with cloth, and rolled into a corner of the room.

Surely even these pursuers didn't expect us to be waiting in the first room. They were careless, not even drawing their weapons.

So, why am I doing this...

"Good morning, Mr. Demon."

"Huh?"

I wake up one of the tied-up demons. The young man who opened his eyes was confused.

Since he was knocked out right after transfer, he doesn't seem to grasp the situation well.

I smiled brightly and said,

"Sorry for the sudden question, but do you have a map of this dungeon?"

"I-I can't move! You bastard, do you know what will happen if you do this—"

"Ah~ sorry, my hand slipped."

"Ow!?"

I flicked the demon brother's private parts. Not his forehead, so... alright, let's call it a ball flick.

I ask again to the teary-eyed, trembling brother. Not forgetting to smile brightly.

"Brother, don't you have a map of this dungeon?"

"...I-I have nothing to tell you, you—"

"Oops, my hand slipped again."

"Pigyiii!"

The brother lets out a chicken-like scream.

Behind me, Seori was averting her gaze with red ears.

I sighed and said one more time.

"Look, I'm not trying to take your life, you know? I'm only hostile towards Saturn, and I don't know if you guys, Saturn's subordinates, are attacking us out of loyalty or because you're subjugated and have no choice, and it's troublesome to distinguish and judge if you're enemies or not."

"...W-What are you saying..."

"So, I'm saying I don't intend to kill anyone but Saturn. Of course, since my mystical arts were stolen, I can't show mercy to Saturn."

"Nonsense. The idea that someone like you could kill Lord... Saturn is beyond absurd."

"Maybe. Well, that's beside the point. The problem is how to reach Saturn."

This is the lowest level of the dungeon.

If we believe the gatekeeper's words from when we were first guided here, it's a 30-floor dungeon. Since there were no monsters above the 25th floor, it's effectively a 24-floor dungeon.

We have to explore these 24 floors as if escaping from pursuers and conquer the dungeon. Of course, someone will probably be waiting just before the 25th floor, so defeating enemies from both front and back while advancing is the only means of escape.

That's why Saturn simply used his subordinates. He probably intended to create a situation like a game of tag. If they kill us before we escape, it's game over.

We can probably assume that just because Saturn is the dungeon master, he can't forcibly change the internal structure to crush us to death. He doesn't seem to be able to pinpoint our location, and the fact that he sent pursuers here while we're waiting is the best proof of that.

"Saturn gave you one, right? A map of the dungeon."

"T-That's..."

It's meaningless if the hunter becomes the hunted. This map-stealing operation was based on that certainty. It's a much more efficient method than running away aimlessly, right?

With a map, we can conquer a 24-floor dungeon of this scale in a few days. We just need to walk around defeating monsters.

The brother twisted his face and averted his gaze.

"...I have nothing to tell you."

"Oh my, my hand might slip again~"

"Eek!"

The brother closes his thighs, taking a maiden-like pose.

I'm swinging my fingertips back and forth. Thanks to my status, my finger strength is also strong.

"Master looks like he's having fun."

"No, no, this is necessary. I'm steeling my heart here, you know?"

Besides, repeatedly flicking a man's weak spot, if I were doing it because I liked it, wouldn't that just make me a pervert?

I express indignation at Seori's gaze.

"Come on, brother, wouldn't it be better to talk honestly before I get a bad reputation? Before it goes from forehead flicks to whips flying... *grin*"

"Y-You demon! Are all humans like this!?"

"Yep. All humans are like this."

A man who boldly lies and involves his entire race, that's who I am.

If Saaya were here, she'd probably hit the back of my head, but she's not here now, so I'm safe. I can say whatever I want.

"Master~ I found the map ~nano~"

As I was making an evil face, Punisuke found a map from the pocket of one of the unconscious demons.

Oh, as expected.

I take out a short spear from my item box and point the tip at the brother.

"So it seems you're no longer needed, brother. Sorry."

"W-What, are you planning to dispose of me... Y-You despicable race! Remember this, human! We demons, no matter how much we're trampled by such a ruthless and cruel race as yours, will never lose the pride inherent in our souls! The feelings of us demons, who are justice, will eventually torment you, and you'll regret opposing us on your deathbed—"

"Ei!"

"Guh... zzzz"

What I took out of my item box was the short spear with sleep effects that those thieves had back then.

I didn't say a word about killing you, you know?

"Master..."

"Well then! Now that we've got the map, let's hurry on!"

I ignored Seori who was looking at me with narrowed eyes.

Leaving behind the unconscious demons and the brother who was invited into dreamland, we exit the room again. As we were about to proceed, I suddenly stopped.

It would be pitiful if they were left unable to move and eaten by monsters, so I should deal with it properly.

I took out a large rock from my item box and blocked the entrance with a thud. Well, I blocked the entire passage, not just the entrance.

Why do I have such a huge rock, you ask? When I fought with Maeve's golem, I collected some of the cut rocks. For a little experiment, you know.

Anyway, with the rock covering it, monsters probably won't be able to enter the room. If some ghost-type that can pass through rocks comes, then I hope they'll think it was just bad luck. Don't hold a grudge, okay?

"Master~ I want to fight next ~nano~"

"Yeah. Let's defeat lots of monsters that come out."

"Yay ~nano!"

We proceed according to the map.

This dungeon, unlike the previous ones, has a structure that gets narrower as we progress. The 1st floor is the widest, and even if we proceed without getting lost, it took several hours.

Of course, many monsters appeared along the way, and Punisuke was enthusiastic about defeating them.

After defeating about a dozen monsters, we got somewhat used to both Punisuke-only whip mode combat and combat in slime armor mode.

While the slime armor isn't without its problems, overall it seemed to have many benefits. The biggest drawback is that it looks squishy and cute.

No, is that a benefit in this case? Well, there probably wouldn't be demand for me wearing it, but it might suit a magical girl warrior... well, whatever.

"Alright, next is Seori. Show us that super-enhanced Seori."

"B-Behold my heroic figure!"

When I asked again, Seori seemed a bit nervous.

However, the super-enhanced Seori's status increase exceeded my expectations.

She can take down B-rank monsters with just a few punches, and even has enough status to easily win against A-rank monsters. Seori's fighting style is still amateurish so she does get injured, but with this, if she gains experience, she might even be able to win one-on-one against S-rank monsters.

Moreover, it doesn't seem to consume much energy, and it doesn't feel like a trump card, so continuous use is possible.

Compared to me and Saaya with high status, she was simply faster and stronger.

"...If I showed this to Elenora, she'd definitely want to fight."

"Eek!"

No matter how strong she became, Seori was still a scaredy-cat as always.

With this, she might be able to have a good match with Elenora.

"But well, I'm counting on you."

"L-Leave it to me."

And so, while experimenting and slaughtering monsters, we continue to conquer the dungeon.

Of course, I also practiced combat without mystical arts several times to train. When I was being trained by Verugana at home, it was training that didn't rely on mystical arts, so I was regaining my instincts while feeling nostalgic.

We found IT on the 13th floor.

It was the third day since we started progressing through the dungeon.

Since we had been advancing by the shortest route, we should still be safe from pursuers from behind. However, we were on guard, thinking we might soon encounter assassins from the front.

There was a large blank space in the center of the 13th floor map, and the route was marked to detour around it.

Right next to—or rather, in front of the main route was this blank space, and when we were wondering what it was, we found it was a huge room.

The reason why the map avoided that place became clear at a glance when we peeked into the room.

There was an S-rank monster inside.

Probably the original dungeon boss. The master of this dungeon who should be on the 30th floor.

It was the 'Poison Snake King' Jormungandr.

I had been thinking there were a lot of snake monsters, maybe because it's a dungeon in the sand, and it turns out the boss is a snake too. Its size and intimidating presence make Bloody Serpents look cute in comparison. Its deadly poison that melts anything it touches is troublesome too, if I remember correctly from the monster encyclopedia.

"Hieee"

As we peeked in secretly from the entrance, Seori's legs gave out.

Hey, hey, what are you getting scared for?

"Seori, you're taking the lead, okay?"

"Eeh! We're going to fight!?"

"Of course we're going to fight. Look at the map, if we go through here, it's quite a shortcut."

The demons' map assumes avoiding this place. If we go through here, we can shorten our route considerably.

"B-But Master... that monster looks strong."

"Well, it's probably super strong, but we should be able to handle it with your breath attack."

This is indeed a large room with a high ceiling, suitable for a boss room. We can transform into a dragon here, and if we're a bit careful, we can use breath attacks, so there's no reason not to use it.

Seori was still hesitant. To be honest, I also wanted to see her dragon form, so I thought we could try fighting lightly and run away immediately if it seemed too difficult.

"Let's start with one breath attack, and if it doesn't do much damage, we'll run. I and Punisuke will back you up. Okay?"

"...I-I'll do my best."

Seori enters the room slowly, trying not to be noticed, while trembling.

I'm wearing Punisuke, waiting right behind in gun mode to provide support at any time.

Jormungandr seemed to be sleeping in the center of the room, still unaware of us.

Seori took a deep breath and whispered.

"'Transform'"

The black hunting clothes fell off.

What appeared with a dazzling light was a beautiful dragon with pure white scales and pink mesh. It didn't look like a dark familiar at all, but it was so beautiful that I couldn't help but stare.

Seori, now in her divine form, activated her breath attack without hesitation.

Light converged at Seori's mouth.

At that moment, Jormungandr finally woke up. Recognizing the sudden threat of a dragon species, it immediately started spewing poisonous mist around—

Pyun!

The breath attack hit directly.

As usual, its ferocity was incredible. Even though we were far away, the shock and blast reached us, almost blowing us away. The room shook violently.

Of course, even though it was an S-rank monster, Jormungandr wasn't unscathed. Its upper body was burned and bleeding from everywhere.

The fact that it was still glaring at us was admirable, in a way.

"Master, what should we do!"

"Don't panic. It's our turn now, Punisuke."

I aimed the gun and pulled the trigger.

The bullets that had penetrated Bloody Serpents couldn't quite pierce Jormungandr's body. However, they were able to inflict wounds and cause pain. At least enough to make it writhe.

"Muu. I want to become stronger ~nano~"

"Now, now. Our opponent is an S-rank monster, after all."

Since losing to Hotaru, Punisuke has visibly become greedy for strength. I don't think it's a bad thing, but strength isn't a simple matter.

"What's important is how you use your power. It was the same for Hotaru, right?"

"I understand ~nano~. What should I do?"

"Well... for example, if the bullet's power isn't enough, what should we do? You might be able to do it if you use your skills more cleverly."

"Hmm... Ah, I got it ~nano~!"

Punisuke manipulated its skills, changing its form from a short gun to something else.

The barrel became thicker and more rugged, turning into a form like a large military gun. Of course, that wasn't all.

"Master, now ~nano~! 'Scorching Bullet' ~nano~!"

"Alright!"

Dopan!

The moment I fired, the air expanded, making a sound like a real gunshot, and the recoil made the barrel jump up.

The high-heat bullet, an application of whip mode, pierced through Jormungandr's thick skin like a railgun, leaving a yellow trajectory.

"GYAOOOOO!"

Jormungandr screamed, writhing in pain.

"We did it ~nano~! Success ~nano~!"

"That's more amazing than I imagined... Ouch, my elbow."

The recoil was so strong that firing with one hand almost broke my elbow.

Or rather, Punisuke has become so strong that I'm starting to wonder if we can still call it a slime. It's just using the initial skills of a slime, you know? It's just a combination of skills that even ordinary slimes have.

As expected of Punisuke, its potential is too high.

"A modern weapon slime... It could revolutionize warfare."

Jokes aside, Jormungandr, while suffering from the high-power attack from a distance, spread black poisonous mist and disappeared into it. Although we dealt considerable damage, we're still far from defeating it.

Given the deadly poison, we have no intention of approaching it.

"Seori, have you gained any attack methods other than breath?"

"Hmph, my ultimate form is one and all, all in one."

"...Alright, I got it. Fire your breath. The ceiling's a bit cracked, so use about half the power of before."

"Take this! Burst St*eam of Destruction!"

That battle cry is not okay!

I mean, you're a white dragon, so it's not wrong, but...

Saaya, who must have taught her this, needs a lecture.

Nevertheless, even if fired jokingly, a breath attack is still a breath attack.

It caused a huge explosion, dispersing the poisonous mist.

"The damage is... well, it's not going as smoothly as we'd like."

Jormungandr wasn't a monster that would just be beaten.

It seems to have reduced the damage by coiling up and coating itself with poison like armor. This time, it showed no signs of suffering and immediately charged at us.

"Eek!"

"Seori, change back to human form. You're too big of a target."

"'Transform'!"

Seori changed back to human form and hurriedly put on her hunting clothes.

It's a poisonous snake as big as a dragon. Being charged at like that wouldn't end well. Touching the poison liquid would be dangerous too.

Can't be helped.

"Punisuke, let's do THAT."

"Understood ~nano~!"

After evacuating Seori outside the room, I changed Punisuke into a small ball-like form.

No armor, no gun, no whip. Just a slime the size of a baseball.

Holding it in one hand, I provoked Jormungandr, who was charging at us with bared fangs, looking it in the eye.

"Come on, you viper bastard. Let me teach you who the strong one is, in a way even your poison-rotted brain can understand."

"GYAOOOOO!"

Jormungandr roared as if enraged, seemingly understanding human speech.

"The pitcher winds up big—and throws!"

I threw Punisuke with all my might.

When I, with a strength value of nearly 4000, throw a ball seriously, it flies at a speed that puts pro baseball players to shame. Of course, since the target is a giant snake, there's no way to miss.

Punisuke flew into Jormungandr's mouth in an instant.

"P-Punisuke!"

Seori screamed.

...Was it eaten?

No, that's not it.

"Special move, Punisuke Bomb."

The next moment, Jormungandr's body burst.

By simultaneously and instantaneously using "Enlargement," "Transform," "Elasticity Manipulation," and "Temperature Control," Punisuke expanded from a small ball into a super-giant spiked heat ball.

That force easily destroyed Jormungandr from the inside.

"Great success ~nano~!"

Punisuke, now a maximum-sized spiked ball, was bouncing happily. Jormungandr's figure had disappeared in an instant, and a treasure chest had appeared at its feet.

High-rank monsters indeed have tough or thick outer skin, but being living creatures, their insides are usually weak. The Punisuke Bomb is the ultimate technique that exploits this weakness.

The monster eats Punisuke. It explodes. It dies. That's all.

It's an excessively brutal technique.

"Master... I think we should stop using this technique."

"I think so too."

In a dungeon, it immediately turns into materials, but outside it would be a terrible sight.

However, it's an effective method especially against huge opponents.

"Well, we'll try not to overuse it as it's a last resort... More importantly, let's check the rewards. It's been a while since we defeated an S-rank monster~"

"Hmph, we've left another legend..."

With Punisuke, back to normal size, riding on my head, I collect the dropped materials and rewards.

The materials are skin, fangs, and poison sac. The basic set for snake-type monsters, with no rare drops. I'll store them in my item box.

The other things were a black string-like hair tie and a purple potion in a small bottle. It looks like poison, but... what is this? Since I can't appraise it, it just looks like a mystery item.

As I was looking at the purple potion, Punisuke made a displeased sound.

"Master~ I don't like that medicine ~nano~"

"Punisuke, do you know what this is?"

"Well~ Probably if I drink it, I might not be with Master anymore ~nano~"

"...Huh? What do you mean?"

"Um~ Maybe~ If I drink that medicine, I might not be Master's familiar anymore ~nano~"

Punisuke moves away from me.

Eh?

So this medicine is...

"Is this the item with the curse-breaking effect!?"

Since it's a potion type, it's a curse-breaking medicine.

In the story I heard from Kemuna, "Curse Breaking" was a skill used by demons. But since demons' racial skills should be attribute bestowal, I thought there might be a possibility it wasn't a skill...

I see. So it's an item obtainable in dungeons in demon territory.

I gripped the curse-breaking medicine tightly and turned to Seori.

"Seori! If we use this, we can cancel your familiar status! You'll get back your ultimate taming skill! And I won't be killed by the Dragon King~ Hooray!"

I cheer three times.

I put the curse-breaking medicine in Seori's hand and dance around. La-di-da~ La-di-da~

Thank you, Jormungandr. Sorry for the slightly gruesome finishing move. I'll defeat you properly next time, so please forgive me.

"...Master..."

Seori was gripping the curse-breaking medicine with a complicated expression.

I understand what she wants to say.

"I guess there's little benefit in canceling your familiar status in this situation. We might be able to forcibly make Saturn a familiar, but... that might be better as a last resort."

"..."

"Well, you can use it after we defeat Saturn. Of course, you can drink it anytime if you want to use your taming skill, so I'll leave the timing to you. So keep it, Seori. Man, this feels like a windfall. As I thought before, S-rank monsters really give exceptional rewards."

"......"

I'm in high spirits.

Now that I've entrusted the curse-breaking medicine to Seori, Punisuke has returned to the top of my head.

Seori stared at the curse-breaking medicine for a while, but when I started walking, she hurriedly put it away in her item box.