Chapter 99

It was around noon when Hime contacted me.

I was scheduled to meet one of the volunteers for the Capture Sphere monitoring, and it was decided that Hime, Ako, and I would meet with him.

Normally, such business dealings should be handled by Ako alone, but since the person was coming all the way from Osaka and was a member of a top-tier guild, it was suggested that I attend to make the meeting more formal.

When I asked if I needed to attend, I was told that there was no need to unnecessarily publicize the blacksmith's information.

I was told that I could wear my uniform, so on the first day of summer vacation, I put on my uniform and headed to the office in Umeda.

I usually feel out of place among the suited salarymen in the office area, but in my current attire, I think I look just cool enough to pass as a salaryman in summer business casual.

It had been a while since I last came here, and the interior had changed quite a bit.

It seemed like there were more office supplies.

There was a business copier that I don't remember being there before.

Also, there were more tables, and there were many people I had never seen before.

A kind-looking man in his 50s, a man and woman in their 30s, and a stern-looking man in his 40s.

The office, which used to feel spacious, now felt a bit cramped.

"Taira, this way."

Hime called me to the back room.

This room, which used to be empty, was now a reception room with some expensive-looking tables and sofas.

"Staff has increased quite a bit, hasn't it? Where's Ako?"

"Ako is picking up the guest. He's an excellent person who transferred here from the Oshino Group, and he'll be very useful. We've also had more work, and we're considering merchandising for Team Messiah."

When you hear "transfer from the Oshino Group," you might think it's a demotion, but apparently, the treatment here is better in terms of salary and benefits, and there were quite a few applicants.

Since the company is new, they are enthusiastic about the possibility of becoming an executive if they achieve results here.

While the information about us being Alpha and Beta hasn't spread widely, it's already known to some people, so they wouldn't be surprised if they knew.

What I was more concerned about was—

"Is Team Messiah going to be the official name?"

"It would be a waste to change it now that it's already known. Mai's brother, Beta, is a fan, and he's been swinging around a rolled-up newspaper, looking forward to the next stream."

That's great to hear.

I'll have to do another stream soon.

"So, what kind of party is the White Keeper that's coming today?"

"Well, they are a group of explorers mainly active in the Kanto region and registered with the EPO. The notable member is their leader, Nishijo Torao. He's ranked 12th in the country. They don't do any streaming, so we don't know their fighting style, but according to witnesses, he can produce flames and ice from his hands."

"Produce from his hands... does that mean magic?"

Hime shook her head.

When he produces flames or ice, he doesn't chant.

Rather, it's more like a monster's breath.

Producing breath from hands sounds strange, but there are people who say they've seen his hands eat meat.

Not that his hands eat meat, but that his hands eat.

It doesn't make sense.

Do his hands have mouths?

Is he a two-mouthed man?

Is there a skill like that?

"Miss, I've brought the guest."

Ako returned.

Not a two-mouthed man, but what kind of person is Nishijo?

I held my breath.

Ako opened the door.

And he came in.

He's wearing white shoes!?

He's wearing a white suit!?

He's wearing a white hat!?

When he took off his hat, his hair was white, no, silver!?

But he just looks like a normal, slightly handsome guy in his late 20s!?

I tried to be surprised, but there was nothing to be surprised about.

The silver hair might be a sign of an Awakened person?

"Nice to meet you. I'm Hime Oshino."

"I'm Taiga Ichino. Thank you for coming all the way to Osaka."

He introduced himself and handed over a business card.

"No, thank you for accommodating my sudden visit. Ah, I don't have a business card—sorry for only receiving yours."

Nishijo took off his hat and bowed.

"Actually, there's a reason I wanted to meet you in person today. My daughter is a big fan of Alpha... and I'm more interested in Delta's gun, by the way."

"In that case, I'll bring some of the merchandise we're prototyping."

It sounds like a normal conversation, but Nishijo just dropped a bomb.

He's saying he knows that Alpha is Hime?

And Hime is saying it doesn't matter if that's known?

But when I saw Nishijo's eyes light up as he picked up the toy gun Ako brought, I started to think he might just be a fan.

Also, this guy is just wearing white gloves, and there's no mouth—wait?

I can sense something from Nishijo.

It's not a human presence, but a monster's presence.

This is—

"Oh, Mr. Ichino, you have the Aura Detection skill. Then, I should introduce this one."

As he said this, the glove on Nishijo's left hand opened its mouth.

No, it's not a glove. It's a monster disguised as a glove.

The monster changed its form from the glove into a white snake-like creature the size of a palm, with wings and limbs.

Could this be—

"This is White. My pet White Dragon."

A White Dragon!?

He has a dragon as a pet.

The White Dragon, which had returned to its original form from the glove, was perched on Nishijo's left hand.

The stories about breathing fire or eating meat from his hands were just the dragon in disguise doing those things.

Realizing the truth behind the monster's identity is one thing, but a dragon disguised as a glove is even more unusual.

Monsters captured in Capture Spheres can't be taken out of dungeons.

Did he bring a White Dragon from the Black Dungeon into a regular dungeon and defeat it?

Or the other way around?

No, wait.

Something doesn't add up.

White Dragon... Dragon... Taming a Dragon.

I remember!

It was when I first went into a dungeon with Aoki.

Regarding the contents of the D-can, if you're unlucky, you get tuna, and if you're lucky—

"Could it be that you got a dragon egg from a D-can, Mr. Nishijo?"

"Yes, it's been ten years, but there are still people who remember. I had all the data on the internet deleted, but once a rumor spreads, it doesn't go away."

Nishijo sighed regretfully.

That was the answer.

"I've been dungeon diving with this one for ten years. I have more experience and knowledge about dungeon diving with monsters than anyone else. That's why I'm very interested in the Capture Spheres you offer."

I see, that's a very reasonable reason.

There's no one more suitable to be a Capture Sphere monitor than him.

"Can I see the Capture Spheres?"

"Sure. We have three types prepared."

Hime placed the Capture Spheres that Ako made yesterday on the table.

The three types were Capture Sphere (Beast), Capture Sphere (Insect), and Capture Sphere (Bird).

Each Capture Sphere came with an appraisal certificate.

Nishijo, who doesn't seem to have the Appraisal skill, read the certificates.

"What's the capture rate if a monster eats it?"

"We tried capturing an Almiraj twice with the Capture Sphere. When it was healthy, it ignored the Capture Sphere, but when we inflicted some damage, it ate the Capture Sphere. In both cases, the taming was successful."

"Why did you tame the Almiraj?"

"We judged that a strong monster was dangerous from the start, and the Dungeon Bureau requested that we tame cute monsters for better publicity. We plan to transfer the taming rights of the two Almirajs to the Dungeon Bureau and have them serve as publicity for the Capture Spheres and the Dungeon Bureau."

Yes, I worked hard to tame them in the PD yesterday.

Adjusting the damage was difficult.

They became so strong that even a pebble could kill them.

In the end, I used Milk's healing magic and poison to gradually reduce their health and tame them. Of course, I made sure to detoxify and fully heal them after taming.

I showed him a video of the tamed Almiraj.

"Amazing! To see that Almiraj so docile and being petted. I'm glad I applied to be a monitor."

Nishijo said this while petting White on his left hand.

"I'm honored that you're pleased."

Then, Nishijo took a paulownia box out of his bag.

When he opened the lid, there were three golden knives inside.

[Magic Can Opener: Can open any D-can once]

I made a mistake with the reservation time.