HPDBC Chapter 296
Chapter 296
[Translator - Peptobismol]
[Proofreader - Demon God]
Chapter 296
―Beep!
In the chaotic living room, Gaia zipped through the air.
“Ahaha!”
Brielle darted after Gaia, laughing.
Their impromptu game of hide-and-seek filled the house with noise and energy.
Gaia and Brielle were never bored for long.
When Brielle worked on her alchemy research, Gaia would sit beside her, seemingly pondering alongside.
Not that Gaia could actually help—she simply perched there, her presence alone sparking ideas for Brielle.
When Brielle’s short bursts of concentration ended, they would run around the room, playing together.
Watching Gaia flit about the small house, Zeon couldn’t help but feel sorry for her.
A creature born to soar freely was confined to a cramped space—it was tragic.
Zeon stood up and spoke.
“Let’s go out today.”
“Huh? Where to?”
“Somewhere Gaia can fly freely, and you can run around to your heart’s content.”
“Is there such a place?”
“We’ll find one.”
“Then let’s go!”
―Beep!
Brielle and Gaia answered in unison.
Zeon chuckled as he donned his robe.
Brielle put on her pointed hat and robe, ready to leave.
Gaia slipped into Zeon’s subspace temporarily.
With everything prepared, they left the house.
The two quickly exited the slums and headed into the desert.
Once they were far enough that Neo Seoul was no longer in sight, Zeon opened his subspace to let Gaia out.
―Beep!
Gaia chirped happily, clearly delighted to be in the vast desert.
She flew circles around Zeon and Brielle, reveling in her newfound freedom. Watching Gaia, Zeon regretted not bringing it out sooner.
Brielle, too, laughed joyfully as Gaia darted through the sky.
“Gaia!”
Brielle spread her arms wide, chasing after her.
Gaia swished her tail and fins playfully, staying just out of reach.
Both were clearly enjoying themselves. @@@@
But this place was still too close to Neo Seoul.
There was a chance someone passing by could see them and report it to City Hall.
They needed to go somewhere completely out of sight.
Zeon said.
“Let’s go a bit farther.”
“Okay!”
―Beep!
Again, Brielle and Gaia answered in sync.
Gaia then turned its gaze to Brielle.
―Beep!
“Huh? You want me to ride on your back?”
―Beep-beep!
“Really? Are you sure?”
―Beep-beep-beep!
“Alright! But if I’m too heavy, you have to let me know.”
Gaia nodded her large head as if to say she understood.
Cautiously, Brielle climbed onto Gaia’s back.
Even with her weight, Gaia flew smoothly, unaffected.
Zeon used his Sand Stride to move ahead, and Gaia, carrying Brielle, followed behind.
On Gaia’s back, Brielle stretched out her arms, feeling the wind rush past.
“Woohoo! Can’t you go any faster?”
―Beep!
Gaia picked up speed, swiftly overtaking Zeon and soaring high into the sky.
Using some unknown principle, Gaia flew effortlessly, unaffected by gravity, as though she were swimming through water.
“Do they ever come down to the ground? Or do they spend their whole lives up there?”
“Those hummingbirds? They’re born in the sky and die in the sky.”
“How is that even possible? Don’t they ever need to rest on the ground?”
“I wonder about that too.”
Even for monsters, those that lived in the sky defied common sense.
Unlike ground or subterranean monsters, their ecosystem was a complete mystery.
This was why Zeon rarely used his ability to ascend into the sky.
There was no telling what might appear, and it wasn’t worth the risk.
For him, the vast skies remained an unknown frontier.
Zeon patted Gaia’s head and said.
“Until Gaia grows up, we should avoid flying too high.”
“Agreed.”
―Beep!
Once Gaia fully matured, even the most fearsome sky-dwelling monsters wouldn’t pose a threat. But who knew when she would reach the size of her parent, Moby Dick?
Brielle glanced around and asked.
“By the way, where are we?”
Caught up in their excitement, they had strayed far from Neo Seoul.
“We’re probably a few hundred kilometers away from the city.”
“Wow! We came that far in such a short time?”
―Beep?
Both Brielle and Gaia were stunned.
Zeon smiled.
“Don’t be so surprised. Flying cuts down time and distance.”
“So how do we get back? Are we flying again?”
“Gaia seems a bit shaken. Let’s walk back.”
“That’ll take ages.”
“We have nothing but time.”
“Well, I guess we can treat it like a picnic. Walking doesn’t sound so bad.”
Brielle nodded, agreeing with the plan.
For ordinary people, walking hundreds of kilometers would be a monumental challenge, but neither Zeon nor Brielle were ordinary.
They were also used to traveling through the desert.
“Let’s go!”
“Okay!”
The two started walking.
Zeon led the way, determining their direction.
Brielle followed, chatting endlessly with Gaia, ensuring the journey was anything but dull.
“That was amazing. The Bullet Hummingbirds were scary, but flying through the sky was unforgettable.”
―Beep!
“You want to go again?”
―Beep-beep-beep!
“Maybe when you’re a bit bigger. It’s too dangerous for now.”
―Beep!
“You think it’s fine? No way! We shouldn’t take unnecessary risks. Life is precious.”
Brielle gently comforted Gaia.
The sight of the little Elf chatting with the flying whale was endlessly endearing.
Even under the blazing sun, the walk wasn’t boring.
“Huh?”
Just then, Zeon sensed something strange.
A peculiar sensation tickled the soles of his feet, prompting him to stop and look down.
“What is it?”
―Beep?
Brielle and Gaia turned to him curiously.
Zeon tilted his head and replied.
“I think there’s a dungeon beneath us.”
“A dungeon?”
―Beep?
“Want to check it out?”
“Yes!”
―Beep!
[Translator - Peptobismol]
[Proofreader - Demon God]