Chương 141: Reborn as the Dragon — Chapter 141 - Test Subjects

Su Nian and the kobold Bolikri were standing roughly a hundred and seventy meters from the blast radius. And yet a single wisp of scent, carried over on a light breeze, had already started working on their tear ducts. Unimaginable. The despair of anyone caught inside the explosion circle didn't bear thinking about. Practice is the sole criterion for testing truth. Su Nian decided to test it immediately.

He ordered Bolikri to go find ten thick-skinned, sturdy warrior players near the Experimental Field and bring them over.... Bolikri considered itself the Black Dragon's most capable and trusted subordinate, and, naturally, the most intelligent being in the vicinity. As such, it had been consciously studying its boss. Imitating his behaviors. Learning his ways of thinking. For instance: it could absolutely just grab a human and drag them to the experiment by force. But it wouldn't do that.

"Ahem. All you humans, I have a piece of good news to announce." Bolikri stood on top of a haystack near the Experimental Field. This was the only height from which it could almost meet these humans eye to eye. Almost. Everyone except the Black Dragon Boss. It didn't like looking up at any creature. Once it had everyone's attention, Bolikri continued in a carrying voice:"Recently, our great Black Dragon master is conducting a great experiment."

"Ten thick-skinned and sturdy humans are needed as experimental materials."

"Upon completion of the experiment, each participant will receive one charcoal-grilled monster leg as a reward."

"Crunchy. Very delicious."

"Now — any volunteers?" Bolikri had painted that promise big, round, and golden, and the Sakura Players erupted into noise almost instantly. The experiment? Irrelevant. A charcoal-grilled monster leg? Extremely relevant. They hadn't eaten meat in a very, very long time. Potatoes were fine. But meat was better. Meat was always better.

"Me! I want to sign up!"

"Kobold Taijun, look at my powerful body — I am the ideal experimental material~" The speaker was a barrel-chested, broad-faced middle-aged Sakura Player who looked like he'd spent years in the gym. He'd clearly been deep into a bulk when he got pulled into this world, and hadn't had the chance to cut.

"Hmm. You'll do. That's one. Anyone else?"

"Me, me, me! Taijun, what about me?"

"I want to go too, Taijun, don't be so strict with the requirements, mages count too, right?" The portly Haruta Motono elbowed his way to the front, lobbying hard. You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version. With a charcoal-grilled monster leg dangling in front of them, the Sakura Players were suddenly the most enthusiastic volunteers in the world.

Bolikri had its ten in no time, all of them broad-shouldered, thick-waisted, and radiating the kind of energy that suggested very high HP. In truth, players' base attributes had been more or less identical when they first entered the "game." But over time, individual differences had begun to emerge. Players who'd been physically powerful in the real world gained more Strength and HP per level-up. Players could also get stronger through training. No one had figured this out yet, though.

They just assumed the gaps were left over from their real-world physiques.... As the group walked, drawing gradually closer to the dungeon and the Tyrant Stink Bug breeding room, the ten Sakura Players began to lose their composure. Unease crept in. Doubts about the experiment's actual contents started to surface.

"Kobold Taijun... if I may ask, what exactly does this experiment involve—""Wrong! It is a great experiment!" Bolikri cut him off without ceremony.

"Right, right, the great experiment. So what exactly are we testing in this great experiment?" Under the Kobold Chieftain's stern gaze, the player corrected himself immediately and obediently.

"This experiment," Bolikri intoned with great solemnity, "is a collision of sight and smell. The sublimation of all five senses. Through this experiment, you will emerge as people of far greater endurance." Its tone was grave. The mystery around the whole affair deepened.

"This... could this be the legendary Way of the Ninja?" one warrior player breathed, eyes wide with awe.

"I never imagined we'd encounter our Sakura country's ninjutsu in another world!"

"Truly," said another, with the pride of a man whose cultural heritage has just been validated.

"As expected of our Sakura country's national art, profound and far-reaching. Even the monsters of this game world have some knowledge of it. It is our honor." The Sakura Players exchanged glances and smiled. Every last trace of worry about the experiment evaporated. Anticipation surged to fill the gap. They couldn't wait to witness the Way of the Ninja as practiced in another world. And if these monsters' version turned out to be embarrassingly rudimentary, well, perhaps they could offer some pointers.

Recite a few philosophical mantras. Maybe even negotiate some benefits out of it. After all, their Sakura country was the birthplace of ninjas. They passed through the woods and arrived at the experimental site. There, they saw the Black Dragon, larger and more imposing than ever. Though, oddly, his aura didn't feel quite as suffocating today. The players didn't dwell on it. The Black Dragon's level and size spoke for themselves. By now, thoughts of resistance had long since gone cold.

They were guarded by monsters around the clock, couldn't die even if they wanted to, and escape was a fantasy. Anyone caught trying received the full shitball treatment. So they had simply stopped fighting it. Life, as one of them had put it, was like being pinned down, since you can't break free, you learn to stop struggling. Better to work quietly and wait for a rescue party. Why make enemies with shitballs?

"Master, the test subjects are ready." Bolikri took its place beside the Black Dragon, chest out, voice loud and clear.

"They came voluntarily, to contribute their humble strength to your great experiment." Su Nian glanced at the five Sakura Players, who looked not just calm but actually excited, some of them carrying a trace of quiet pride. He had no idea what Bolikri had told them. He'd fully expected crying and begging. This was better, though. Saved him the trouble of tying them up. Lively players who still had hope in their eyes would demonstrate the "tear gas" far more effectively.

A short while later, under Su Nian's direction, five Sakura Players had taken their positions over a hundred meters away. The kobolds had thrown up a temporary mud-brick structure on the spot, one entrance, one exit. The players were now sitting obediently inside with their backs to the wall.

"Motono-kun, we get to be together even for experiments~" The voice scraped past his ear like a handsaw on dry wood. Haruta Motono sat with his face shut down, saying nothing. He had been stuck to Inoue Orihime for days. Coming out for this experiment was supposed to give certain parts of himself a rest. He hadn't expected her to volunteer and follow him in. He was a mage. He shouldn't have qualified. But he was fat, and fat was apparently close enough to sturdy.

"So, Motono-kun, what do you think they're going to do to us in here?"

"It's so dark... if there weren't other players around, I'd just want to do lewd things with Motono-kun~" Inoue Orihime twisted her frame with a coy little shimmy. The bulging muscles packed onto her body let out a series of low, structural creaks. Her face, however, was doe-eyed and innocent, a faint rosy blush blooming across her cheeks. If Haruta Motono only looked at the face, just the face, nothing else, he could almost manage it.

But no amount of willpower could make him accept a tractor-pitched vocal fry and nearly four hundred jin of raw mass. God only knew how he'd survived the nights. The monsters guarding the camp didn't care what the humans got up to after dark. Their only job was to prevent suicides. Everything else was considered an internal matter. Mental Purification Center. ➤ Next: Attachment to Life