Chapter 84

I dug around the water dragon grass and moved the soil away.

Gradually, its entire form became visible.

The part of the dragon buried in the soil was about the size of a small to medium species.

It wasn’t particularly large, but it wasn’t small either.

It was a decent size.

As I continued to dig and move the soil, I realized something.

Despite being buried in the soil—perhaps because of it—the dragon’s scales were pristine, without a single scratch.

All the while, I had been listening intently.

...

The breathing from the water dragon grass in front of me was now clearly audible.

It continued steadily, but no words could be heard.

I touched it and called out a few times, but there was no response.

Eventually—I unearthed the entire dragon part of the water dragon grass.

"Phew..."

"Hehehehe, good work indeed."

"It’s... alive, right?"

"It’s really thriving."

"Hmm."

I furrowed my brow and then chuckled.

I felt as if I had been caught off guard.

Seeing the motionless dragon, I began to doubt whether it was alive.

However, as Chris said, the "water grass" part above was thriving, and even without a response, it was clear that it was alive.

"What a mysterious creature."

"The world is full of mysteries. I’m the epitome of mystery."

"Originally, I doubted whether you were even a living being, since you don’t eat, reproduce, or die."

"Hehehehe, indeed, I am a questionable living being."

Chris was greatly amused by my remark.

Her tail was thumping the ground repeatedly.

I thought about it.

I became a bit stubborn.

If I asked Chris, I would probably get an answer.

But after seeing the mysterious water dragon grass, I wanted to figure it out on my own.

First, I recalled the events that happened "just before."

It was about Patricia.

The contract magic usually requires blood. However, Patricia’s temporary body had no blood.

So, as an alternative, I used the mimicry skill to transform her into a human form and sealed the contract with a kiss.

That was... probably the closest example.

"Resin might come out..."

I muttered to myself.

I wanted to obtain the power to create dragon tools from the water dragon grass in front of me.

Since it was in the form of a dragon, it might be possible through a contract.

If I were to make a contract, I would first need to mix blood... but since it’s unclear whether it’s an animal or a plant, and it could be both, cutting the skin might result in resin instead of blood.

So I decided against a blood contract.

Instead, I would use the same method as with Patricia.

I cast the mimicry skill on the water dragon grass.

The water dragon grass in front of me quickly changed its form.

It turned into a beautiful woman.

Her hair was about three times her height, spreading out like a sheet.

The super long-haired beauty was sleeping peacefully.

"Hmm."

I thought for a moment and then approached her.

I felt a bit guilty, but for now, I couldn’t think of any other way.

"Chris, please."

"Sure thing."

I had Chris spread the magic circle, approached the long-haired sleeping beauty, and gently pressed my lips to hers.

"Hehehehe, you’re truly a trusted friend to choose this method with this partner."

Right after Chris’s words, a bright light emanated from the body of the long-haired sleeping beauty.

It was the familiar light indicating the formation of a contract.

Then—the light was absorbed into my body.

I felt my power increase.

I gained a new skill from the contract.

I could clearly feel it.

I remembered the story Chris told about "selling hair" and pulled out a few strands of my own hair.

I gripped them tightly, closed my eyes, and focused.

Then—the hair split.

It absorbed some of the energy I had stored for dragon transformation and changed.

What appeared was a saddle.

A saddle to attach to a Baraul species, designed to improve the comfort of passengers.

In other words—a dragon tool.

"Hehehehe, it was a success."

"...Yeah."

I nodded clearly.

With this—I could make money.