Chapter 10: Even with the window closed, how did it get inside? 

It's an ant.

In front of me is a metre-long giant ant.

Laying in the middle, blocking the way to the entrance.

But it seems to be hurt.

Its antenna bent into zig-zag and some part of its leg was missing.

Was it being attacked?

What should I do now?

It seems to have noticed me and let out the same previous intimidating shriek.

Unlike before, I'm not afraid.

Is it because I'm a dragon?

Although I'm afraid of flying dragon and monstrous crow, I don't feel anything from this ant at all.

Perhaps this body can sense the enemy strength.

A sense that triggered when going against a strong opponent. The danger sense.

I'm getting stronger.

And this ant is weaker than me.

There's no mistake about it.

Also, this guy is dying.

Even if I leave it alone, it will probably die on its own.

If we fight, it will definitely be my win.

Still, I don't want to do that.

What should I do?

1 Abandon

2 Help

But I don't know how to help.

I'm not a doctor or an insect expert either.

I don't have any reason to cure an ant in the first place.

No one ever did that.

That's right.

Should I abandon it?

Poor little thing.

I have no choice.

Abandon it is.

But still, it won't go unless I kill it.

If possible, I want it to get out of my home.

On its own.

Can I talk with it?

………There's no way I can.

「Gaaaaaoooouuu? 」

More or less: This is my house, could you please leave?

This is the first time I talk.

In high pitched voice.

Now, what will you say?

「Kishaaaaaa!!! 」

Whoa… That's terrifying.

It can't understand me after all.

Since I can't talk to it, there's only one way left.

I gathered the energy inside my mouth.

You probably know what I'm about to do.

I'm doing this as a warning.

*Tremble* The entire wall shook.

That's right. It's the breath.

The Dragon Special Moves.

Actually, this is the only moves I know.

Well, maybe it will die if it got hit by this.

It's time to shoot–? Wait a minute.

If I shoot now, my home will be destroyed too…

Wait! Stop! Stop!

I manage to hold my breath just before it came out.

That's dangerous. If I was a little bit late, I would've repeated the same mistake again.

The ant in front of me looks shocked.

Are you surprised?

During that time, when I was about to shoot the breath, perhaps the tremor from it was causing the ceiling around the ant to become loose.

Wobbling, from the ceiling, a small piece of rock fell in front of it.

Brightly s.h.i.+ning red.

Is that ruby?

I thought I've eaten every last of them already. There's still more?

It fell right in front of ant.

And the ant ate it.

Huh?

Ant can eat stone?

I never knew.

But to my surprise, it’s eagerly munching the gemstone.

At next moment, something amazing happened.

Its broken antenna, twisted legs and the wounded body was healed.

Looking carefully at it.

*sizzle* Smoke rises from the damaged parts of its body.

After the ant had finished the gemstone, its body has become much better than before.

Of course, there are a few wounds left on it, but it looks way better than it used to be.

I see. So, ant recovers by eating the gemstone, is it?

Going back to where I came from, I went inside of my home.

I guess it would've been really confusing when the guy who wants to kill you did nothing and left.

The ant scratched its small head.

A few minutes later.

I brought back a lot of something with me.

Bringing to the ant, I tossed them on the ground.

Different colours of gemstone were scattered all over the place.

That's right. I went back inside to get gemstones.

The ant in front of me looked bewildered by it.

Why wouldn't you?

The guy who wants to kill you suddenly tried to give you gemstones.

The ant looks alternately between me and the gemstones.

Can I eat this? Is what it's trying to say.

When I nod as a yes, bewildered, it then put the gemstone in its mouth.

As I thought, it's body is slowly healing.

By the time it ate half the gemstone that I bring, it's body is completely healed.

It's probably getting better than it ever has.

With its sh.e.l.l s.h.i.+ning brightly, it looks to be full of energy.

The reason why I bring these gems is simple.

If it's healed, then it will leave.

This guy probably was attacked by something and run to this place to save its life.

I don't care about that, I just want it to quickly leave.

This is my beloved home.

It's not a place where an ant can enter as it pleased.

Even my old house in previous life before was damaged because of the ant infestation.

The most annoying thing is it always show up in the kitchen. Seriously, where are they even coming from?

Hmm?

Why didn't I just kill the ant?

I wonder why.

At first, I was considering of killing it.

But when I think again about it, if I did so, my home will also be destroyed.

Who's stupid enough to blow up his own house just to kill a single ant.

Well, I might.

To begin with, it's probably not easy to hold back even if I was confident of it.

No matter how good I controlled my breath, there will definitely be a huge explosion if I use it.

If that's happened, then bon voyage my home. Yes, bye-bye.

I did think of killing it using my fang and claws, but that also NG.

That's because it's gross.

Even if it's a small ant, this guy is still huge, you know?

There's no way I'm going to touch it.

Putting it in my mouth is out of the question too. It's dirty.

That's why I was hoping to resolve this in a peaceful manner.

Meanwhile, while I was thinking about it, the ant seems to have finished all of the gemstones.

Then, get out right now.

This is my house.

No insects allowed.

But the ant is staring intensely at me.

Not budging even an inch.

What's wrong?

You’re completely healed, why haven't you left yet?

You want me to shoot breath?

Are you sure you want me to do that? I won't do it though.

After staring at each other for a while, the ant slowly moves closer.

Huh?

What, what are you trying to do?

Don't, don't get close to me!

If it isn't for the size, I wouldn't be afraid of it.

It's physically disgusting!

And the next thing I know.

『Jiu Ｈ meet Ｉ kui ｓｆｌＩＵＪＦgaga Ｒ mon Ｓu ｓｃ giuuga』

Ow!

What was that just now?

I was shocked by the loud sound running through my head.

While rubbing my temples, I look at the ant in front of me.

Could it be this guy?

『…………ca………….n…………』

Hm?

Again, it rang.

But less noise than before.

『Can………….you hear me?』

This time I can clearly hear it.

『Jiryuu-sama, thank you for saving me. 』

Then, the ant in front of me gently lowered its head.

……………..Yes?