"Can I bring a few of you along to gang up on him?"
"Definitely not, he wants to enhance your own power."
My own power? Let me rest for a bit, and then give him a blast of Fairy Radiance?
Oh, seems like I haven't officially started learning it.
Then what am I supposed to fight with, listen to the tone of the Marine Sub-Dragon, she seems to respect Baron Nash, so his strength can't be weak.
How long does it take to train to Kildas' level? Once at that level, can I beat him?
Rhode looked at the Marine Sub-Dragon blankly, not knowing what to say for a moment.
The Marine Sub-Dragon thought he was scared and quickly comforted, "Winning is just my guess, but you'll definitely have to fight, as long as he acknowledges it... Anyway, just focus on training here, going back now is pointless."
That's the logic...
"Should I go see Baron Nash first? Get a sense of things." Rhode accepted the current situation for now, planning to communicate first.
Marine Sub-Dragon replied, "No, he won't meet you until you've defeated all the Void Beasts."
"What are the Void Beasts? Void Nest Insects? Canyon Vanguard?"
"They're certainly included, but besides them, there's also the Void Swift Crab, Void Engraved Golem, and Void Marked Tree Monster."
"???" Rhode blanked out, suddenly recalling the purple River Crab that attacked him, no wonder it just hit him...
That doesn't make sense, even if it's a test, shouldn't they assess his condition? That stupid crab indeed needs a beating.
"Is the Void Swift Crab that Gorge Swift Crab turned purple? Are the Golem and Tree Monster purple too?"
Marine Sub-Dragon said, "Pretty much, Baron Nash enhanced their power, which also affected their appearance."
"He's really put a lot of effort into this..."
Rhode understood, this was meant for him to level up by fighting wild beasts here.
To be safe, he definitely shouldn't go out in the coming days, so let's stick to this plan for now.
Just as Rhode relaxed, his stomach started growling, he looked imploringly at the Marine Sub-Dragon, wanting to ask if there was anything to eat here.
Marine Sub-Dragon thought for a moment, then said, "There's a lot you can eat, like crabs, wild wolves, little birds... Those bug-like rocks aren't tasty, neither are toads. What would you like to eat?"
"Are you sure you want me to eat them? Though that crab earlier really deserves to be boiled."
"You don't have the heart to eat them, huh." Marine Sub-Dragon made a troubled face, and then suddenly had a brainwave, "How about I cut a piece of tail for you to eat?"
"..." The suggestion was a bit stimulating, Rhode dared not nod.
"Hahaha..." Marine Sub-Dragon laughed, "The dragon tail is nicknamed sea tail, hahaha..."
Rhode couldn't help but lean back, what on earth was she laughing at?
"Huh? You didn't laugh at the sea tail joke, surely you have no sense of humor like the Mountains, don't you?" Marine Sub-Dragon seemed genuinely surprised.
"Ha... Haha..." Rhode forced a laugh, he really didn't have this peculiar sense of humor.
Turns out, Marine Sub-Dragon was that kind of gentle, patient dragon with a 'humorous' side.
"Alright, alright, just wait a moment." Marine Sub-Dragon lifted her head, "Oooh..."
A long dragon chant, and suddenly it started raining, the entire Summoner's Rift was enveloped by the rain curtain.
Meanwhile, Rhode saw several holes appearing on the stone wall inside the Little Dragon Pit, spewing out spring water that cascaded down like a waterfall.
Inside the Dragon Pit, a large patch of grass grew, with red flowers blooming amidst it. Right next to the stone wall grew a ring of lotus leaves, flowering lotus blossoms.
In places Rhode couldn't see, the grass within the Gorge grew even more lush, with more red flowers blooming.
Pools formed in some areas, where new and strange plants grew.
"Such an environment is comfortable, those guys want fire, wind, then rock, they don't understand enjoyment at all."
Taking advantage of the absence of other dragons, Marine Sub-Dragon secretly changed the Gorge to her favorite ocean-themed skin, while also critiquing their taste.
She glanced at Rhode's expression and asked, "You don't seem to like the rain much."
Rain was no concern, Rhode was already soaked. He pointed to the bandages on him, "If it keeps raining, the wound might get inflamed."
"I see, sorry, didn't notice that earlier." Marine Sub-Dragon extended her right forepaw, the tips glowing green, "This will fix it, it'll heal before the inflammation sets in."
Rhode felt a comforting warmth wash over him, the wound healing at an observable rate, possibly even more effective than Wendy's magic.
Soon, he could directly remove the bandages.
Magic Power also seemed to recover rapidly... Suited so well to the game's Ocean Dragon Soul effect.
Marine Sub-Dragon pointed behind Rhode, "Eat that, Honey Fruit, it tastes great."
Rhode turned around to see a vine that seemed very supple, hanging a bunch of large green grape-like fruits.
If he added some pattern to it, he could treat it as a Devil Fruit.
Rhode was indeed hungry, he reached out and picked one piece of fruit, which felt as heavy as holding a small watermelon.
He peeled off the thin green skin and tasted it, the flesh was soft, almost jelly-like, sweet and delightful to eat.
The name Honey Fruit really does it justice.
One piece quenched thirst but didn't fill the tummy.
Rhode picked another, and after finishing it, realized his wounds had completely healed, faster than expected.
In the game, Honey Fruit also seemed to restore Life Value.
Once full, Rhode removed his bandages, feeling almost fully recovered in Magic Power too.
He said goodbye to the Marine Sub-Dragon and waddled out through the water.
Marine Sub-Dragon asked, "What are you going to do?"
Rhode flexed his wrist, "Going to beat up that stupid crab outside."
Marine Sub-Dragon appreciated Rhode a bit more, he was already diving into training so soon, a man of action.
A pity he lacked humor.
Just imagining Rhode's earlier expression, Marine Sub-Dragon felt something was off, "Hey, do you think my joke wasn't funny? Do you have a better one?"
Rhode thought the Marine Sub-Dragon was nice, didn't want to hurt her pride too much, "I don't really have a sense of humor, only know some simple jokes."
"Let's hear it, if it makes me laugh, I'll... put in a good word with Baron Nash for you." Marine Sub-Dragon laid down, chin on her forepaw, like a child waiting for a story.
"!" If that's the case, he must give it a try.
Rhode eagerly tried to recall a joke he found humorous from Wizard Weekly and told it.
But Marine Sub-Dragon kept a straight face throughout, and once he finished, she casually waved him off, "Oh, that's it, you can go."
"..." Rhode wondered if her sense of humor was odd or if he really sucked at telling jokes, Warm had laughed quite happily at it.
As he left, Marine Sub-Dragon's expression couldn't hold, lips quivering upward.
She quickly pinched her mouth, sneaky-like peering out, then dashed into the wall's green patterns, disappearing into the Dragon Pit.
The wall's red, yellow, blue, and green symbols glowed, each symbol serving as a door.
Returning to her cozy spot, she burst into laughter, pounding the ground continually.
What a joke, really great at telling jokes!
Marine Sub-Dragon rolled on the ground, wings flapping, laughing heartily, though no one could see it.
This dragon, extremely low laughter threshold.