Chapter 118: Mochi’s Old Friend

Perhaps noticing Mochi’s presence, the dragon shook its leg as though trying to make it let go, but Mochi refused to detach itself.

They continued flying like that until they finally arrived at a cave that opened up halfway up a mountain. The entrance was relatively narrow, but the inside was surprisingly spacious.

As soon as they landed, the dragon casually tossed Qiu Nuoya onto the ground. Then, opening its enormous jaws, it bit down hard on Mochi’s body.

[ What is this? It’s so disgusting! ]

Mochi’s body was highly elastic, so it was not easily crushed. However, the guild employee, who was being bitten through Mochi’s body by a dragon with all its strength, probably felt as though his life was flashing before his eyes.

[ Heyyy, don’t bite me! ]

[ Shut up! How dare a mere Slime talk back to me! I’ll eat you! ]

[ I’m not tasty, though. ]

Despite saying that, Mochi’s slime body remained remarkably tough, and fortunately, it did not seem to be hurt at all.

"Um, Mr. Dragon, where are we?"

[ This is the dwelling of the Elder of our dragon clan. Follow me. ]

The dragon that had brought them there then lumbered deeper into the cave.

At Qiu Nuoya’s signal, Mochi released the guild employee from its body. They continued toward the very back of the cave until they reached a dead end and there was nothing there except a rough rocky wall.

[ Elder, I have brought them here. ]

The dragon that had brought Qiu Nuoya and the others called out toward the wall. The rocky wall then shifted slightly, causing the entire area to tremble.

"What!?"

[ Well done. I sensed the presence of the Creator God and wondered what it could be. It seems I have been reunited with someone from long ago. ]

As the voice echoed through the cave, the rocks making up the wall slowly parted, revealing a pair of enormous, glowing eyes peering through the opening.

Qiu Nuoya instinctively took a step backward. Then he realized something astonishing. What he had assumed was a rocky wall was actually the face of an enormous dragon.

The dragon that had carried Qiu Nuoya here was already gigantic, but the dragon known as the Elder was on an entirely different scale.

In fact, Qiu Nuoya’s assumption that they had arrived halfway up a mountain had been completely wrong.

The entire mountain itself was actually a dragon that had closed its eyes and covered its face with the surrounding earth and stone.

Qiu Nuoya was left speechless. Isn’t this a little too enormous?

[ Elder, what do you mean by someone from long ago? These two appear to be young humans to me. ]

[ Hehehe. Yes, I suppose they do. But that is not the one I am familiar with. Isn’t that right, little Slime? ]

[ Huh? Grandpa, are you my friend? ]

Mochi who is perched on Qiu Nuoya’s shoulder tilted and stretched its body curiously as the Elder addressed it.

The Elder clearly seemed to recognize Mochi, yet Mochi did not appear to have the slightest idea who he was.

Mochi bounced off Qiu Nuoya’s shoulder and hopped toward the Elder.

[ Hey, you! Insolent creature! ]

The dragon that had brought Qiu Nuoya there hurriedly tried to stop Mochi, but Mochi easily dodged the dragon’s claws and continued bouncing toward the Elder.

[ So you have forgotten me too... ]

[ Hmm... You do feel kind of familiar! ]

[ You truly have not changed at all. ]

The Elder seemed to raise himself slightly as he spoke, causing the ground to shake once again.

Qiu Nuoya quickly reached out and grabbed hold of what he had thought was the cave wall, only to realize that it was actually the Elder’s rough rocky scales.

[ We used to play together like this all the time. Do you really not remember? ]

With that, the elderly dragon flicked Mochi with one enormous claw.

Mochi flew through the air like a game piece before smacking against a section of the Elder’s rocky scales.

"Whoa! Mochi, are you okay!?" The impact must have been fairly strong, because Mochi’s body had been flattened and distorted considerably.

Qiu Nuoya shouted in alarm, only for Mochi to cheerfully reply.

[ Wow! That was fun! Do it again! ]

Qiu Nuoya could only let out a helpless sigh.

Mochi peeled itself off the wall and returned to its normal shape before bouncing happily back toward them.

As soon as it returned, the Elder flicked Mochi away again.

Mochi went flying back and forth, yet each time it bounced off the Elder’s scales, it happily begged for more.

[ Yay! More! ]

When Qiu Nuoya saw it, he could not help but think that Mochi looked just like a dog happily playing fetch with a ball or Frisbee.

[ You really have not changed at all. After I flicked you a little too hard and you disappeared without a trace, I had no idea whether you were alive or dead. I am relieved to see that you have been safe and well. ]

The Elder gently rubbed Mochi with the tip of his claw, his eyes calm and peaceful. It was unclear whether Mochi actually remembered the Elder, but it happily pleaded, [Grandpa, more!]

[ To think you would grow old enough to call me Grandpa. I suppose I really have gotten old. Though, if I’m an old man, then you must be an old man too. Honestly, that’s slimes for you... ? ]

Could it really be? Is this old dragon perhaps Mochi’s childhood friend?

Mochi’s appraisal had said that it was a fragment of the oldest slime, but Qiu Nuoya had never imagined that it could have such an unexpected relationship.

"The boy who is blessed by the Creator God, I never expected that at my age I would be reunited with an old friend. I am grateful that you brought this one here."

Qiu Nuoya was surprised when the Elder’s voice suddenly changed from the strange voice that had resonated directly inside his head to an ordinary spoken voice. "Huh? You can speak...?"