Could You Slay the Kraken?

After hearing the full story, it turned out the guards were actually adventurers hired by the beach house.

With drunken tourists sometimes getting rowdy, they needed people who could handle themselves in a fight.

Come to think of it, he recalled seeing a request for help posted somewhere.

So that had been a recruitment notice for security guards.

"I take this job every year around this time, but nothing like this has ever happened."

A tanned, well-built adventurer spoke up.

"It started with the fish catches dropping off. Then, a little after that, monster fish started showing up."

"The ones with the spike-shaped heads?"

"That's the ones. Yeah, you've seen 'em too, huh? Well, they're not really dangerous as monsters go, and they're edible, so that part was fine. This beach stays open for anyone, as you can see."

Apparently they'd also been using nets to keep the creatures from reaching the shallows.

Since this was a popular tourist destination, they didn't want to shut it down over a few low-risk monsters.

And from what he heard, the nets in the deeper waters had been catching most of them effectively.

This wasn't just about the beach house—the amount of gold coins changing hands in a single day made the reasoning perfectly understandable.

Though a posted warning would have been nice.

"At the time, we chalked it up to just one of those things. We tried to investigate the source, but couldn't pin it down. But recently, the monster you all fought—that Kraken—appeared offshore. Seems to have it out for humans, because it's been smashing fishing boats left and right."

"It never came to the beach before?"

When Yohane asked, the burly adventurer shook his head.

"No chance. If a monster like that showed up at the beach, swimming would be the last thing on anyone's mind. They'll probably ban swimming starting tomorrow."

That was a fair assessment.

Azu herself had been grabbed by the Kraken and dangled upside down in the air.

If Alexia hadn't been there, it could have been dangerous.

Though with a sword in hand, Azu probably wouldn't have been outmatched.

"Still, you people can fight. Glad nobody got hurt."

"I can't take credit—these three are the adventurers."

He jerked his thumb over his shoulder at the three of them.

They certainly didn't look the part, but all three were formidable.

"Huh."

The man clearly wanted to ask what their relationship was, but held his tongue.

He seemed perceptive enough.

"I'd like to hear more about your fight with the Kraken. Mind coming with me?"

"Fine by me. Just—not dressed like this."

All four of them were still in swimsuits.

Wearing this at the beach was one thing, but sitting through something resembling an interview in this getup was another level of embarrassment.

The stares on his slaves weren't helping either. He'd at least like to put some cover on.

"Got it. I'll wait, so go ahead and get ready."

They grabbed their belongings and cover-ups.

The chairs could wait.

Yohane glanced at the girls again.

Putting on their tops reduced the amount of exposed skin, but their legs were still bare.

Alexia's pareo covered hers, but the other two had no such option.

If anything, it probably drew even more stares now—but there was nothing to be done about it.

They followed the tanned adventurer.

His name was Zukashi, and he apparently specialized in ocean-related quests.

Specialization, huh. That's something I never considered.

His own shop was called a tool shop in name only—he stocked a little of everything because he'd always figured casting a wide net was the best approach.

What would specialization look like for Azu and the others…?

The images his mind conjured from their appearances were decidedly improper.

It'd bring in money, sure, but they wouldn't be able to maintain their current relationship.

In terms of track record, monster extermination was the obvious answer.

But aside from exceptional cases, monster hunting was essentially labor—trading time for payment.

Looking at the results of all the quests he'd had Azu and the others complete, it was decent work for filling their downtime, but making it their main focus didn't leave much room for dreams.

When he factored in the real money they'd earned, labyrinth exploration was indispensable.

Walking behind Zukashi, the man—apparently allergic to silence—struck up conversation about all sorts of things.

He knew these waters as well as any fisherman and went on at length about what made this stretch of ocean so wonderful.

The local attractions and regional specialties were a fine way to pass the time.

After a short walk, they were led into a station.

It was a simple hut. Curiously new-looking, though.

It was probably erected just for the tourist season and dismantled afterward.

That way there'd be no maintenance costs and no worry about it falling apart.

Zukashi seemed to be the one in charge. He spent some time there explaining what had happened.

They were even offered coconut, which came as a mild surprise.

After the full account was given, the mood turned serious.

"Look, this is just a request, but… would you be willing to lend us your strength? I only saw the tail end of the fight, but you've clearly got serious skill."

"… Isn't that what you lot are here for?"

"It is, but our job's mainly security. Taking on a monster like that is a whole different story. I could handle it, but the rest…"

He glanced around the room.

Most of the adventurers looked uncomfortable.

They clearly hadn't signed up expecting something like this.

Zukashi himself was well-built, and probably capable. His authority as the leader was well-earned.

But among the rest, some looked like novices.

They could probably handle a few of those weak fish monsters, but going after a big target like the Kraken was another matter entirely.

"What's the pay?"

"I can't give you a number on the spot, but I think we can offer something worth the risk. The landowner and I go way back. He'll want that Kraken gone just as badly. I'll negotiate. And anything you gain from the fight is yours to keep, obviously."

It wasn't a bad deal.

"Azu, what do you think? Can you win?"

"I can."

No hesitation at all.

"We'll be fine."

"Alright… Do you know where it is?"

"We've been narrowing it down. Didn't expect it to come all the way to shore, but given the direction it fled, it shouldn't be hard to find. I'll send word as soon as we've got a location."

"Understood."

With that, the discussion was wrapped up and they left the hut.

They'd been talking longer than expected. The sun was already starting its descent.

"Let's head back to the inn. Nothing more we can do today."

"Yep. So much for our vacation."

"We aren't cursed, are we?"

"Surely not…"

Chatting idly, they made their way back to the inn.