I was in the mansion thinking about magic. Then I got a call and headed for the Adventurer's Guild. I was a little excited to hear that a dragon had appeared in the Narukami dungeon.

　Arriving at the Adventurers' Guild and going to the branch manager's office, I enter and see the branch manager. Other adventurers of the same age, whom Goto did not recognize, were also in sight.

We are all here. Let me first introduce Saijo-kun. He is a C-level adventurer who came to Shibusi City from Hokkaido.

　I recognized the name.

Are you, by any chance, the youngest adventurer to reach the C level?"

　The branch manager nodded and then introduced us two B-level adventurers. Goto turned to the branch manager.

I heard that a dragon has appeared in the Narukami dungeon; are you sure?"

Saijo-kun reported. A dragon has emerged from a three-story underwater temple."

　Goto and I looked puzzled. We knew that there was no place for dragons to hide in the underwater temple.

What brought the dragons into being?"

　When I ask the question, Saijo looks unhappy.

"When I dived into the underwater temple to see if the treasure chest had been restored, I was attacked by a petilodon. I returned fire and made a big move, but it seemed to have triggered the damage not only to the petrodon, but also to the tunnel leading to the underwater temple."

　The fact that the big move hit the tunnel was probably inevitable under the circumstances. Saijo apparently does not feel guilty that his actions triggered the appearance of the dragon.

　It is not uncommon for dangerous monsters to appear suddenly in dungeons. The problem is that the adventurers' guild is not informed of the appearance of such creatures, and the victims are often those who do not report their appearance to the guild.

　What is more interesting is the fact that he owns a magical weapon that can generate great power underwater.

　It's not something in my repertoire of life magic. I had never thought of fighting underwater, so I didn't think I needed that kind of magic.

　As I was thinking about this, I heard Goto's voice.

You didn't go down there with scuba diving gear, did you?"

Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.

I used a magic trick I discovered called 'diving.

　I turned my sharp gaze on Saijo. I wondered if he had obtained magic from a scroll or a grimoire. Saijo stared back at me.

What were the characteristics of this dragon?

　After hearing Saijo's description, I knew it was an aqua dragon. Hearing that it spits out a water-blade breath, I surmise that it is not merely spouting water at high pressure, but that it is manipulating the water by pouring its magical power into the water.

　The Kondo branch manager started talking about why he called me and Goto.

I want you two to inform the adventurers who are currently in the Narukami dungeon about the Aqua Dragon. Grim, I want you to go to the third level and put up warning boards at the stairs from the second level to the third level and from the fourth level to the third level to warn of the danger.

　The branch manager asked Goto to transfer adventurers who were below the third layer to the first layer through the fifth layer transfer gate.

Then they'll know I have the transfer gate key, won't they?"

　When Goto protests, the branch manager looks at Goto with a jealous look.

I heard that Goto's team went to a bar on Fifth Avenue and boasted to all the girls that they had a transfer gate key.

　Goto looks awkward.

I didn't tell anyone. Shiraki has a habit of bragging when he drinks."

　The branch manager let out a sigh.

Thanks to you, there is not an adventurer in Shibupaper City who doesn't know who the owner of the transfer gate key is.

　The branch manager and I had a detailed meeting and then we were given the necessary warning boards, etc.

We don't have time. Hurry up."

　Me and Goto head for Narukami dungeon. Saijo wanted to see the transfer gate, so he decided to go with Goto.

　When I arrived at the Narukami dungeon, I flew in the combat wing from the first layer to the third layer. When I arrived at the entrance to the third level, a warning board was erected at the entrance to inform me that an aqua dragon had appeared. This warning board is said to have been specially treated to prevent it from being swallowed by the dungeon.

　With the warning board up, I took out my battle wing and began flying over the ocean. As I flew just above the underwater temple, an aqua dragon appeared on the surface of the sea.

　Its total length is about a dozen meters, comparable to that of a sperm whale. Its huge body is gray with blue, and its scales, which are larger than those of an earth dragon, look sturdy.

　The Aqua Dragon spits out a water-blade breath at me as it passes overhead. I turn sharply to avoid the breath and launch a counterattack, the Seventh Shotgun.

　Thirty small detonation piles fly at high speed and five hit the aqua dragon. However, they cannot penetrate the sturdy-looking scales, and explode on its surface. ＜The D-particles, diffused at supersonic speed by the detonation, break through the Aqua Dragon's scales, causing it to bleed.

　But the wound inflicted on the aquadragon was shallow. It seemed to have used most of its energy to break through the hard scales.

　The aqua dragon submerged most of its entire body underwater and began to spit out a series of water-blade breaths with only its mouth above the surface.

　I attacked with "Burning Shot" and "Lightning Shot" while desperately avoiding them, but it was difficult to hit them when they were underwater.

'Dr. Grimm, you have forgotten your original purpose.

　Metis warned me to stay away from Aquadragon. I would have liked to fight some more and learn more about Aquadragon's fighting style, but I didn't have time today.

　I went to the stairs leading down to the fourth level and put up a warning board.

What's that?"

　Voices could be heard coming from the stairs; it was Ishibashi's team of Class C adventurers.

Oh, Mr. Ishibashi. This is a warning from the guild. An aqua dragon has appeared in the sea on the third layer."

Oh, seriously?"

　One of the Yamashisuimei team members shouted loudly.

　I explained that the aqua dragon appeared from the underwater temple and told them to transfer back to the first layer from the fifth layer transfer gate.

What about the transfer gate key?"

Goto-san is waiting for you on the fifth layer."

　Ishibashi laughed. The members of the Yamashisuimei team also laughed.

I wonder if what I heard from Satomi of the Peach Color Club was true. Shiraki must be sober."

　It was apparently true that Shiraki, who had been drinking, bragged and talked.