Somehow I managed to locate a safe place without monsters ambushing out of nowhere. I wanted to have some warm cooked food using the harvested ingredients - but this is underwater (normally fire won't exist in water). I used some abilities so that the water around me could be eliminated temporarily. Therefore, it became possible to use fire strong enough for its cooking function. Right after that, I continued with my plan of capturing this dungeon.
In this underwater cavern, not only is the the internal structure more complicated the deeper you get in, the water current started fluctuating. I would sometimes get pushed back by the rapid water current coming from the front. However, I could also swim faster than usual by being pushed from behind. Sometimes, I got washed away and lead anywhere getting pressurized from the left or the right by the current.
Moreover, when I made contact with the nasty monster [Mine Jellyfish], it would explode for sure. The sound from the explosion would resonate with the dungeon monsters that occasionally come riding by in the water current. They are suicide bombers called [Exploding Blowfish]. Forget the idea of countering these creatures one by one since basically, they flow in a school of several dozen units. Although the shock waves produced by the explosion move in all directions, that in itself wasn't fatal. However, it was quite intense, so continuing the capture became difficult.
Finally, with a size of about 10 meters, it began to appear. It also boasts the strength of the hierarchical boss-class. It is [Demonic Earthquake Shark: Megalodon]. The skin of the [Demonic Earthquake Shark] somewhat represents a fine blade that could slice its enemy by simply ramming its body. The bites from its hard and sharp fangs were able to cut steel into tiny pieces, as if chewing a pudding.
It can improve its overall status with a berserk ability which would get triggered by the smell of blood. When it turned on berserk mode, its skin became tinged with a red glow. Its berserk state releases magic that it produces high-speed vibrations. Its swimming speed is also fast, not only can it advance through the narrow interior of the cave without trouble, it can also erase its signs of presence while being in the vicinity, escaping notice. It's quite nasty for a dungeon monster.
Nevertheless, I will advance after having defeated it, which is a forgone conclusion.
The deepest part of the undersea cavern. Almost all parts of the bottom is spreads in spaces with a spherical shape, except the ceiling part of the entrance and the center of the space. It was a place that was filled with abundant amounts of marine plants.
The walls are covered with seaweed which made it impossible to see. Although it quite common for seaweed to be found in the sea, it doesn't give a good feeling if they have a density up to this point, as one might expect.
I unintentionally frowned from its presence. There was a humanoid type of Parsley (a biennial plant with white flowers and aromatic leaves) who was slowly coming up from among the seaweed. The dungeon boss who's sitting in the deepest part of [Deep Lair: Blessing of the Algae Women] is the [The Splendid Algae Empress who Grant Blessings]
The whole body of The Splendid Algae Empress who Grants Blessings appeared to be covered in a great variety of seaweed. I have no information about this except that it is a humanoid type. Its figure was the appropriate representation of a true shape of seaweed in human form.
Magnificient, its figure is likely constructed from brown algae, green algae and red algae. Although, I couldn't help but have the thought that it didn't have a very good associated idea for the concept. I have no choice but to say that It really lives up to its name. Well, this place's name is also so similar to the personal impression of her. To end it quickly this time, I tried to attack but...
『"Ara ara", It's the first time a visitor comes to such a place like this you know ~♥ 』
『If you'd like my seaweed, won't you try to eat it? ~♥ 』
『It is very delicious, I'm proud of it you know ~♥ 』
The [Splendid Algae Empress who Grant Blessings] uttered such a voice towards me. I listen intently after hearing that voice, it is such a beautiful voice, like that of an angel. Spontaneously, I stopped my movement. Dungeon monsters that have a degree of intelligence have the ability to speak with a voice, similar to previous examples like the Flame Dragon Empress.
Although, it's not like that I only met[God]rank dungeon boss so far, but here is a[God]Rank. In other words, it is a kind that, even just being able to speak,rather seems to be impossible. We are actually speaking eye to eye. When I thought about what the heck is actually going to happen, [Algae Empress] begins pulling at her body of seaweed and had it shredded, separating them with a knife that appeared from out of nowhere, likewise, she also started to toss it into a pot that was taken out of nowhere.
In addition, she also placed various ingredients into the pot, but the dish does not leak out of the pot even though it is still underwater. A certain elegance can be felt, even from that gesture,
『It might not fit the taste, here you go if you'd like, please try a cup.』
As she speaks with a carefree beautiful voice. While being underwater, the brown liquid in the soup bowl sits there without flooding out. You can also see the pieces of sliced and torn seaweed, but other than that, I was also able to confirm a number of fish and shellfish. At first glance, it was a miso soup. I try to write a smell in the bubble that was created inside the space with temporary repelled water. Nevertheless, this is unmistakably the taste of those miso soup.
If you examine the ingredients with[Goods Appraisal (Detect・Analyze)], together with the seaweed that floats out of miso, there's stuff that appears to be like those "Miso kelp", "Sea tofu (Wakame)" which creates a texture and color similar to tofu when you boil it. I can enjoy the textures, such as the onion from "Heavenly water onion", then the small clams with the firm body that is tightly good from delicious small clams, "Stiff meated freshwater clam".
Many ingredients that were used are rare things among the dungeon ingredients. I let myself be tied up in the fragrance of such a grand miso soup and thoroughly enjoyed it. Judging by the smell, there was no poison inside.
I watch [Algae Empress] before bringing it to my mouth, I am wondering if she would probably smile. Part of the seaweed falls on her face, it seemed to be looser somehow. Well, even if she has any purpose with it, it does not matter to me how deadly the poison is that was mixed into the miso soup.
If anything is ingested by my mouth, even if it is a deadly poison that can kill a dragon with one drop, it is harmless with my ability[Absorption]. It is right where I want it since rather than getting poisoned, it only becomes my food. With that said, I'm really grateful since I got called for the miso soup. At that moment, my tears are overflowing. This was not because it has become some kind of attack. But simply because the miso soup was delicious.
All of the ingredients are drawn out by each other's merits. It was an enigmatic kind of art of how gently palates got spoiled by the exquisite taste and become rich in harmonization, yet it is clear and stimulating. A large amount of pleasurable substance comes along with the comfort such as those secreted in the brain, to the nostalgic taste which is reminiscent of the distant past.
It reminds me of the miso soup that my deceased mother made in my childhood, I wonder if I shed even more tears. Anyway, I have finished eating the miso soup quickly to the cups' base. The taste that is reminiscent of that distant time is something that I also eventually get used to, but it felt like eating the simply delicious miso soup again became more familiar. I come to regret getting embarrassed because of the soup bowl has become rather clearer than the sky itself.
『"Ara ara", Oh, come now, so I wonder if it was delicious? Then, would you go for another serving?』 is what "Algae Empress" said.
Of course, my answer had been decided.