Chapter 34. Hedgehog Summoner
The reunion between Rizenova and the Drifters was the worst.
“Doomba, Doodoomba…”
“Let’s… dance joyfully!”
The Drifters awkwardly wiggled their hips like puppets on strings. It was clear they were being forced to dance.
Watching them, Rizenova shouted out.
“Therio! Ayulla!”
“…Doomba?”
“Excitedly…?”
At that cry, the Drifters stopped dancing and turned their heads.
Their despair-filled faces slowly brightened with joy.
“Lord Rizenova?”
“Commander…!”
But that was only for a moment.
［Who told you to stop dancing!］
At the hedgehog’s sharp shout, the Drifters resumed their dance with frightened expressions.
Chanting, “Doomba! Doodoomba!” as they moved.
【Pururu】─What are they doing?
【Yumi】─Ah, it looks like the hedgehog is forcing them to dance.
【Mysticism】─😐
As I stared blankly at the absurd scene, lost for words, the Centaurides carrying me spoke while looking at the hedgehog.
［That’s a Hedgehog Summoner. Everything around it is a spirit summoned by the Hedgehog Summoner.］
“Spirits? Those things?”
【Pururu】─?
【Yumi】─They look like creatures from the Abyss.
I observed the monsters surrounding the hedgehog.
Their bodies were melting, limbs were attached in odd places, and their facial features were extremely distorted.
For something called a spirit, their appearance was bizarrely grotesque.
【Pururu】─Don’t lie. How are those spirits?
【Yumi】─Spirits can look like that too. You’ve never actually seen one, have you?
【Pururu】─I don’t need to see one to know those aren’t spirits. ㅡㅡ
【Yumi】─What do you know? If a native of the labyrinth calls them spirits, then they are. Don’t deny reality.
【Pururu】─Shut up. Don’t ruin my fantasy.
The Centaurides added more to her explanation.
［Of course, they aren’t ordinary spirits. The Hedgehog Summoner summons corrupted or dead spirits that have fallen into the Abyss.］
【Pururu】─So, they weren’t real spirits after all. They’re corrupted spirits. Phew.
【Yumi】─So they’re more like undead spirits from the Abyss.
【Mysticism】─😟
“…So, except for the hedgehog, all of those are summoned creatures, right?”
［That’s correct.］
The Hedgehog Summoner had summoned a total of ten creatures.
Their estimated danger level was B-rank.
‘If the detected danger level is B-rank, that means the real danger level is S-rank…’
For a monster to summon that many S-rank creatures…
Did that mean the Hedgehog Summoner itself was an SS-rank entity?
I examined it closely.
Its estimated danger level was B-rank, the same as its summons.
‘So, the main body must be weak.’
I released my focus and sensed its danger level again, which had significantly dropped.
As I expected, just like how Poison Apple’s danger level was detected as B-rank because it could become stronger under specific conditions, the Hedgehog Summoner’s danger level was high because of its powerful summons.
‘We can handle this. We have the Black Magma Slime, which is SS-rank… no, A-rank.’
As I finished evaluating our strength, Rizenova gripped his Execution Sword tightly and stepped forward.
“Lord Gauntlet. We must save them immediately.”
I nodded.
Just as I was about to signal the Magma Slime, the Hedgehog Summoner shouted at us in a shrill voice.
［Hey! Why are you just standing there staring at us!］
I thought it wasn’t paying attention to us, but it was clearly irritated.
［If you want to dance with us, just say so! We don’t stop those who come to dance, but we make sure no one leaves!］
【Pururu】─Why hold onto people who want to leave? ㅅㅂ
【Mysticism】─😅
The Hedgehog Summoner didn’t seem hostile. It didn’t seem like an aggressive monster.
Still, we had to save the Drifters first.
I quietly gave the Magma Slime an order, then turned my attention to the hedgehog.
“Hey, Hedgehog.”
［I’m not a hedgehog!］
“You’re not a hedgehog? Then what are you?”
［…Actually, I am a hedgehog.］
【Yumi】─?
【Pururu】─What’s with this guy?
“So, it’s okay if I call you hedgehog, right?”
［Do as you please.］
The Hedgehog Summoner scratched its head and nodded.
I pointed behind it with my finger and asked.
“Hedgehog. There are two people back there you’re forcing to dance. Could you let them go?”
［No! I can’t do that!］
【Pururu】─Haha, feisty little hedgehog.
【Yumi】─Cute…
【Mysticism】─😋
【Pururu】─Don’t start drooling.
The Hedgehog Summoner frowned deeply, but it wasn’t threatening.
In fact, it just looked cuter.
“Why not?”
When I asked in a gentle tone, the Hedgehog Summoner stomped its feet and replied.
［They tried to kill me! They need to be punished! I’m going to make them dance for a long time until they reflect on what they’ve done!］
“They tried to kill you?”
［That’s right! I just wanted to dance with them and talk, but they suddenly attacked me!］
【Yumi】─Did Rizenova’s comrades attack first? If so, they deserve what’s happening.
【Pururu】─If those terrifying spirits approached me, I’d attack them too.
【Yumi】─But just because they look scary doesn’t justify attacking them.
I agreed with Ha Yumi.
From the sound of things, the Drifters were the ones at fault.
In other words, they were in this situation because of their own actions.
Still, what could I do? I had to help them since I had already promised to assist Rizenova.
“Hey, Hedgehog. I’ll apologize on their behalf. Can you forgive them?”
［No! I won’t forgive them that easily!］
“Even if…”
I pointed behind him again.
The Hedgehog Summoner turned to look and let out a shriek.
［Doombaaaaat?!］
Its spirits were melting away.
They were being engulfed by the Magma from the Black Magma Slime.
I had secretly told the Magma Slime to take care of them while I distracted the hedgehog.
I lowered my hand and asked the Hedgehog Summoner again.
“So, will you forgive them now?”
【Pururu】─Why even ask? There’s only one option left. Lol.
［…］
“If you say you’ll forgive and release them, I’ll spare your life.”
［I’ll forgive them… please spare me.］
Thankfully, the monster knew when to give up.
***
Rizenova and the Drifters had an emotional reunion.
Afterward, Rizenova explained everything to the Drifters, saying that I had saved their lives and helped them find their way.
The Drifters bowed deeply and expressed their gratitude.
“Thank you, Lord Gauntlet!”
“We won’t forget this debt!”
【Yumi】─They speak normally?
【Pururu】─So Rizenova was just a weirdo with a concept all along.
For some extra information, the Drifters’ names were Therio and Ayulla. Therio was male, and Ayulla was female.
They didn’t look much different from Rizenova, except for Ayulla’s slightly noticeable chest.
Anyway, as they thanked me, the Hedgehog Summoner crouched down on the ground, muttering.
［Doombyuu… all my friends are dead…］
It looked utterly miserable, its voice trembling as tears welled up in its eyes.
【Pururu】─Now I feel bad. Geon, why don’t you comfort it?
I crouched down beside the Hedgehog Summoner and spoke.
“Hedgehog. When a summoned creature dies, it doesn’t actually die, right? Normally, they just return to their original world. It’s not a real death.”
Were its summoned creatures different?
For a moment, I wondered.
［Oh! That’s right! They just return to their world! I can summon them again whenever I want!］
【Pururu】─?
So, they weren’t really dead after all.
They had simply returned to their original world.
If they had actually died, Solorb would have reacted.
The Hedgehog Summoner seemed to have just realized this.
【Yumi】─So cute. Haha.
【Pururu】─It’s not cute; it’s dumb.
【Yumi】─You don’t get it. That dumbness is what makes it adorable.
With its energy restored, I grabbed the Hedgehog Summoner and placed it in the palm of my hand.
Subtly, I pressed my finger against the mark.
［Doomba?］
The Hedgehog tilted its head in confusion.
Ignoring it, I held the hedgehog out toward the Drifters.
I told them, after all, they were the ones who were wrong first, so they should apologize sincerely.
The Drifters exchanged glances, then nodded, following my instructions without complaint.
“We were wrong.”
“We’re sorry.”
［Hmph!］
I also told them to thank the hedgehog for essentially protecting them and to express their gratitude properly.
“Thank you.”
“We are really thankful, and we’re sorry.”
Once again, they followed my instructions without resistance.
If they had tried to brush off their apologies, I was ready to punish them, but there was no need for that.
Both of them sincerely apologized and thanked the Hedgehog Summoner.
［Hmph!!］
Though it had said it would forgive them, the Hedgehog Summoner still turned its head away, cheeks puffed out.
It didn’t seem ready to accept their apologies wholeheartedly yet.
【Pururu】─Just accept it already.
【Yumi】─I’d have a hard time forgiving someone who tried to kill me too.
［Enough apologies! I’m leaving now, so live well!］
The Hedgehog tried to slip out of my hand.
But I tightened my grip, quickly holding it in place.
［D-Doomba?! What are you doing! Let me go!］
“Wait a second.”
I couldn’t let it go yet.
The mark had only turned about halfway green.
‘It’s transforming quickly because it doesn’t have any hostility toward me, but if I force it to stay, it might get angry and slow down the process.’
After a moment of thought, I came up with a suitable plan.
I called the Drifters over.
“Excuse me. Ayulla, Therio.”
“Yes!”
“Yes, Lord Gauntlet!”
“I don’t think the Hedgehog’s anger has fully subsided yet… Instead of just saying you’re sorry and thankful, how about showing your sincerity through action?”
I suggested they dance again, this time with real sincerity.
Not half-heartedly, and not with reluctance. If they danced sincerely, the Hedgehog might forgive them.
I glanced down at the Hedgehog.
“Hedgehog, don’t you think seeing a heartfelt twerking session would help you forgive them?”
［It might… But what’s twerking?］
“A dance where you wiggle your butt.”
［I see! Then I’ll enjoy watching it!］
【Yumi】─You think twerking will really make it forgive them? Its heart changes so easily.
【Pururu】─Living in a reed field makes its heart like a reed too.
【Mysticism】─🤭
And so, the Hedgehog’s departure was postponed.
There was no hostility, and the taming was progressing smoothly.
“Are you saying we have to dance again?”
“We’re sincerely sorry and grateful, but this is…”
The Drifters hesitated, looking embarrassed.
But Rizenova scolded them sternly.
“Shame on you. Do you think words alone are enough to atone for your crime of trying to take a life?”
“…”
“…”
“The shame you should feel isn’t about the dance. It’s about your cowardice in refusing to take responsibility for your reckless actions. Stop showing your ugly side and dance with sincerity.”
With that, they hung their heads in shame and changed their attitudes.
“…Understood. We will show you a sincere dance this time.”
“We’ll do our best…”
【Pururu】─Dance time!
【Yumi】─Are they really going to dance again? Doomba! Doodoomba!
【Mysticism】─🤪
And so, with resolute expressions, the Drifters began to dance with sincerity.
We took our seats on the ground.
Holding the Hedgehog Summoner in my left hand, I watched the Drifters’ crude twerking while working on my Bestiary.
Recalling the spirits I had seen earlier, I made my notes.
—
■ Hedgehog Summoner
– Actual Danger Level: S-rank.
– Current (Nerfed) Danger Level: B-rank.
– Ability: Summon Undead Spirits from the Abyss.
Doomba! Doodoomba!
—
By the time I finished my notes, the Drifters were still dancing.
The Hedgehog was clapping its flippers like a seal, enjoying the performance.
［Shake harder! Doomba, Doodoomba!］
“Doomba! Doodoomba!”
［Shout with joy!］
“Shout with joy! Doomba!”
［Dance joyfully!］
“Dance joyfully! Doomba!”
【Mysticism】─🤪🤪🤪
【Pururu】─Haha, this is madness.
【Yumi】─Hey, no cursing!
Finally, a big smile spread across the Hedgehog’s face.
At the same time, the red mark on its body turned completely green.