In Toriko With A Chat Group

[You spent two days doing nothing but soaking in hot springs and relaxing your body.]

[But an unexpected event is about to shatter this peace—Axel has been attacked by a Red Dragon and is now on the verge of destruction.]

[The Adventurer's Guild has gathered numerous adventurers to discuss how to deal with the Red Dragon.]

"The Red Dragon attacked Axel, and its next destination is Arkantretia!"

"We must prepare for battle immediately!"

"How do we even prepare?! That's a dragon! Haven't the main city's knights or powerful adventurers been dispatched yet?"

"It's over! We're doomed! We have to run while we still can! Before the dragon destroys Arkantretia, we have to flee!"

In an instant, the Adventurer's Guild fell into chaos. Everyone was gripped by panic and confusion, unsure of what to do.

"Everyone, please calm down!"

"Please, calm down!"

Leona tried her best to shout and stabilize the adventurers' emotions.

But as a mere receptionist, her voice held no authority. Instead, her attempts only seemed to make the situation more chaotic.

Even she started feeling fearful from the mounting pressure. She desperately searched the crowd for a familiar figure.

But no matter where she looked, she couldn't find him.

"Hata Kei!"

Leona couldn't help but wonder if Kei had already fled. Despite his fame, the enemy was a pure-blooded Red Dragon!

Being afraid was only natural, right?

...

Meanwhile, in the Hot Springs.

"The Adventurer's Guild is in chaos? What's happening?"

Kei was soaking in the hot spring, savoring the various benefits of the renowned Arkantretia's springs.

Even as he bathed, his system provided useful prompts.

[Soaking in healing-effect hot springs for a long time increases body vitality and restores mental fatigue.]

Kei intended to enjoy his hot spring bath, but his peace was interrupted by a nun who barged in, bringing news of the chaos at the guild.

"I heard that Axel was attacked by a Red Dragon, and it'll be coming here soon!"

"Everyone's evacuating! Haven't you heard the news yet?"

The nun asked. She had originally intended to try persuading Kei one last time to join the Axis Cult but was surprised to find out he knew nothing about the crisis.

"Nope. I haven't been to the guild recently, and I work alone, so I don't really know any other adventurers."

Kei genuinely had no idea about the Red Dragon attack. That's the downside of being a lone wolf.

"So what are you planning to do? Are you going to evacuate with us to the capital, or will you stay in Arkantretia?"

The nun asked.

"Hmm, the guild should have posted a quest to hunt the Red Dragon, right? It shouldn't be scared off by my scent, should it?"

Kei stood up from the water.

"Ah! P-pervert!"

The nun shrieked, her fingers splayed over her eyes. But after taking a closer look, her interest quickly faded. After all, Kei was fully clothed.

"Why are you yelling? You barged into the men's bathhouse, and I haven't even said anything about it. Now you're calling me a pervert."

Kei stepped out of the hot spring and dried his clothes instantly using Hamon energy.

"Thanks for letting me know, but I'm still not joining the Axis Cult."

"Wait, you're not seriously planning to accept the Red Dragon hunt, are you?! That's no Lesser Dragon you're dealing with!"

"And from what I've heard, this Red Dragon is supposed to be an especially powerful one! Going alone is just suicide!"

The nun hurried after Kei, clearly distressed. While she wanted to defeat him, she didn't want him to go off and die!

"That only makes me more interested! If the Red Dragon is that powerful, then the bounty must be incredible!"

Kei's eyes sparkled with excitement. He suddenly understood—maybe his recent rest was all part of fate's plan to prepare him for this battle!

Fate had already decided everything! So, he must go and take down that Red Dragon!

"You're going to die! You're really going to die!"

The nun felt like she had made a huge mistake by telling him about the Red Dragon.

Kei said nothing more and continued on his way to the Adventurer's Guild.

...

"The civilians have already begun evacuating! Shouldn't we be leaving too?"

"Does this mean we'll have to live off the land from now on?"

"But hasn't the capital sent reinforcements yet?"

Leona was frantically contacting her superiors while reporting the chaos at the Adventurer's Guild. But right now, the higher-ups were too focused on Axel to care about Arkantretia.

"What should I do? How can I calm everyone down?!"

"Oh, God! Please, tell me what to do!"

Leona was utterly lost, to the point where she began praying to any deity—whether it was Eris or Aqua—begging for guidance.

"Excuse me, I'd like to accept the quest to hunt the Red Dragon."

The doors of the Adventurer's Guild swung open, and the moment those words were spoken, the hall fell dead silent.

"Mr. Kei!"

Leona's eyes teared up with relief, and she practically ran from behind the counter toward him.

"Mr. Kei, you've heard about the Red Dragon, right?"

"Please help me calm everyone down! With your reputation, everyone will listen to you!"

"Leona, take it easy. First, get me the quest form for the Red Dragon and register me for the task. Then leave the rest to me."

Kei said, repeating his request with calmness.

"Huh?"

Leona blinked, her mind unable to process Kei's words for a moment. "The Red Dragon? Hunt... quest?"

Kei nodded.

"No, Mr. Kei, are you seriously planning to face the Red Dragon alone?! That monster is impossible to defeat alone!"

Leona cried out in disbelief.

"Why does everyone react like this? What's so bad about a Red Dragon? Isn't it just a slightly stronger lizard?"

"What's the difference from other monsters? It's just a bit stronger. Why are you all so terrified?"

Kei truly didn't understand why everyone feared the Red Dragon so much. If they were talking about something like a Heavenly Azure Dragon, then he'd show a bit of caution.

But a flying lizard with wings? Just take it down, roast it, and have a feast!

"No, no, no! It's not just a big lizard!"

"Red Dragons have extremely high magic resistance. Most magic has no effect on them."

"Their powerful muscles can easily shake the earth, and their claws can tear through any armor! Especially their most devastating attack—their Dragon Breath!"

"It's said to be the Purgatory Flames that can burn everything to ashes! It's not just some overgrown lizard!"

The adventurers in the guild all joined in, frantically explaining.

"So what? In my eyes, it's just a big lizard. Enough talk, I'm the one taking the quest, not you guys."

"Now register me! I'm heading to Axel to slay that Red Dragon right away!"

(End of Chapter)

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