"What the hell is this?"
'That's seriously gross, isn't it?'
After selling the crystal bones from the defeated beasts to Duke, we pushed through the village where we'd first clashed with the Lycan horde and followed the river. There, we encountered a wall that looked like solidified slime. I tried kicking it down, but my foot got stuck and wouldn't budge. Grabbing my knife, I slashed at it a few times, and the wall crumbled, freeing my leg.
'That was so uncool~'
"Shut up, leave me alone."
Following the path beyond the destroyed slime wall, a large windmill came into view. Beyond that should be the lake where the freak Moreau lurks... Another slime wall blocked the way, so I smashed through it and proceeded deeper. A sign read "Laboratory." What kind of lab is this...? Entering the windmill, it seemed to connect to an underground area. I had Evelyn watch my back as I advanced toward the passage labeled "Lake Elevator."
'Hey, Ethan.'
"What?"
'That mama's boy freak—he seemed like the weakest of the four, right?'
"...I won't deny it, but even the weak ones are dangerous. You let your guard down, and they'll stab you in the back."
'Says the guy who got punched from behind. That's convincing.'
That surprise punch from Jack—it's still a trauma. If I don't want to die, I absolutely can't let myself get caught off guard. That's why Evelyn's a lifesaver.
'Ehehe~ Praise me more, praise me!'
"Yeah, yeah. You're cute—except for your personality."
'Ehehehe... Wait, was that praise?'
"It was praise."
Though that personality ruins it all. We found the elevator, and I pulled the lever to descend. Underground again. Thanks to the baby, I've had enough of this for a while.
'We're going really deep.'
"Feels like we're heading straight into some subterranean world."
'If it's like Journey to the Center of the Earth, dinosaurs might show up. Scary!'
"Who knows what'll come out—ghosts, snakes... or maybe a monster."
'If it's a monster, take it down cool like in Kamen Rider Dragon Knight!'
"The one Mia liked? How many years old is that show...? You know dramas too, not just movies?"
'I love Arrow and stuff. For movies, Sam Raimi's Spider-Man 2 is my favorite!'
"Again, how old is that? The big bad loving heroes—what irony."
'But the hero who saved me is you, Ethan, right?'
"...I'm no hero type."
We bantered like that until the elevator reached the bottom. Stepping off, we entered what looked like a mining tunnel. Following the tracks that seemed meant for mine carts, a creepy voice echoed from ahead. I recognized it instantly—it was Moreau's, even though I'd only heard it once.
'Oh, Ethan! Flask!'
"What?"
At the very end, in a room-like area, a flask sat on a table right by the window. I squeezed through the narrow passage and grabbed it. Then, in the back, a shadow stirred... It was Moreau. He seemed to be watching TV(?), but then he started vomiting while praying to Mother Miranda.
"'Eww...'"
"Ah... Mother! For you, I'd do anything... You!"
"I'm taking this."
We both recoiled in disgust, but he noticed us. Flask in hand, I declared it. No way I'm leaving this with you lot anymore. As I turned to leave, Moreau frantically tried to stop me.
"W-Wait! That's Mother's precious child..."
"Don't screw with me. It's not hers. Rose is our daughter."
'Yeah, that's right!'
"Y-You... Don't you have questions?"
'Duke knows everything, so no need to ask.'
"Exactly. No questions. See ya."
"W-Wait. Please wait... Please... Without that... They'll mock me. I... I want to outsmart them."
'Rose isn't some "thing"!'
"Don't treat my daughter like an object. Drop dead, you puke freak."
Shaking off Moreau's pleas, I headed out with the flask. But then, slime walls started closing in. That bastard—he was trying to pin me down and trap me. What a coward.
'No need to deal with that gross thing. Let's get out of here fast!'
"You won't escape... You seem smart, but this is my territory... You... won't get away... anywhere...!"
"You monster!"
'It's closing in more and more!'
"Waitttt! I won't let you goooo! You sneaky thief! Apologize—it's too late nowwww!"
"I don't wanna hear that from kidnappers!"
'It's gross, and just hearing the voice is kinda scary!'
I slashed at the slime walls with my knife while aiming for the exit. The path to the elevator was completely blocked, so I took a detour and made it outside. This is... the opposite shore from the windmill? There's a boat, but no key.
"Where's the key...?"
As I started scouting the area for clues, Evelyn struck a smug pose, chest puffed out.
"...Just asking, but what's up?"
'Ethan, you haven't forgotten my powers, right? For a simple key—not some complex one like the four-winged fetus—I can just mold and harden it to fit.'
"Oh, right. Please."
'Leave it to big sis~!'
She extended her index finger, which turned Molded, extending the mold. I sliced off the tip with my knife, inserted it, and turned—the engine roared to life. You're seriously versatile.
'My mold has the hardness to destroy steel structures! Heh!'
"You really saved me. Let's go."
I boarded the running boat and pushed forward. The windmill side was blocked, but there had to be a way out. Through the slime-coated cave, we reached what looked like a sluice gate. A massive shadow loomed on the water's surface. I stopped in a panic, and right where we'd have been, something enormous burst out in attack.
"What was that...!?"
'Jaws!? ...But way grosser.'
"Could that be the monster Duke mentioned lurking in the lake...?"
To avoid getting attacked, I steered the boat to a dockable spot, got off, and walked the pier. Spotting a weird area enclosed in plastic sheets(?), I entered. It opened into a space filled with computers and equipment.
"What is this place... some kind of research lab? What are they studying?"
'Ethan, danger!'
"Guh!?"
Along with Evelyn's warning, someone choked me from behind. I threw them over my shoulder, slamming them down—it was a guy wearing night-vision goggles or something. But he kicked me away, pinned my arm, locked the joint, and pointed a gun at me.
"Stay still! What are you doing in heavy gear like that!?"
"Dammit, what the hell!"
"Ethan. Surprised to see you here."
'Chris...!?'
The hold loosened, and turning to the familiar voice, there was Chris—first time since he took Mia's life. Evelyn glared at him with murderous intent.
"Reuniting here is a shame."
"Chris, you... You killed Mia... What the hell is going on!? My daughter, taken by you guys, got torn apart by some weirdos! Are you in cahoots with them!?"
'Answer, or I'll curse you!'
"...We're not with them—"
"Captain. Abnormal tremors detected outside. We need to move now."
"Tremors? Source?"
Chris started to say something, but a subordinate interrupted, giving no answer. Dammit... But this could be my chance to learn the truth. No way I'm letting it slip.
"Unknown, but staying here means Miranda finds out."
"Hey, wait. Miranda? You know her?"
"Shut up, Ethan. This doesn't concern you."
"How doesn't it!? My wife was killed, my daughter's suffering horribly! If we're not involved, who is!?"
'We kinda get you're against that Mother whatever!'
"No more meddling. So, sample results?"
"Indeed linked to the special fungus—"
Then, movement in the lake behind us. Something was charging at high speed. Seeing it, Chris rushed toward me in panic.
"What the...?"
"Get back!"
'Huh?'
Shoved by Chris, I flew aside just as the monster fish struck. Chris got caught in the attack, and the shockwave sent me into the water. I barely climbed out. This is... wreckage floating on the lake?
'Chris... saved Ethan?'
"Looks like... What the hell..."
"Waiiitttt..."
What appeared was Moreau—robe shed, his back grotesquely swollen like a tumor, writhing with tentacles and fish-like eyes in a mass of flesh. His limbs had webbed, half-fish features. Truly a monstrous freak. Was that the monster fish from earlier...?
"'So gross!'"
Evelyn and I screamed in unison.
Hey there, this is the author. Evelyn uses a lot of Japanese references, but they're all coincidences or overinterpretations—she's never actually read the originals. Instead, she's familiar with American movies and dramas.
This time, it's the encounter with Moreau. And then...? I hope you enjoy it.
This punchline was decided from the start of writing. Mia and Evelyn loving heroes is an original setting—as a backlash from being in an evil organization.
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