Chapter 14 – The Evil Dragon Turns the Dungeon Boss to Cinders【Part 1】【Volume 2: Boss Challenge Arc】

Karma Abyss, the Evil Dragon and Ryuuji’s mother.

The afternoon of the day after Karma’s birthday.

A visitor arrived at their home.

“Heyyy, Karma. Happy birthday~”

The one who entered was a tall elf.

She was dressed casually, in just a shirt and chinos.

Her most distinct feature was her far-too-large breasts.

Two objects, each the size of a slime, hung from her chest.

“You again. Showing up so brazenly before the person you’re supposed to be observing. What about your mission?”

“C’mon, it’s fine. Don’t be so stiff.”

This elf was the [Observer], tasked by the king to keep an eye on Karma.

…And yet, she would frequently pop up before the person she was monitoring to make idle chit-chat like this.

“What do you want today?”

“Well, yesterday was your birthday, right? So I brought a little something to celebrate.”

The elf was holding a bottle of wine.

But Karma had no interest in that.

However, her face lit up.

Fwoosh!

“That’s right! It is! Yesterday was my birthday!”

Karma stood up and spun around on the spot.

From around her neck came a metallic sound.

jingle, jingle

“And and! You have to listen! Look at this, look, look!”

She stopped short and went right up to the elf.

Then she took the necklace she was wearing into her hand and showed it off.

“Oh? What’s this?”

“Mph-hm! This, you see, is a present from a son to his mother!”

Heh, thought the elf. Her reaction was rather flat, but Karma ignored it and continued.

“Aah! My son! My son, for his mother! For his dear mother! He gave me a preseeent! Waaaaaah!!!”

She jumped up and down on the spot like a child.

The elf chuckled wryly and replied, “Heh, good for you.”

“Heh, heheheh. Eheh, ehehe~. My son gave me a present. With this, I’ve taken another step toward becoming a real mother~”

Getting a present from my son is so motherly! That was the source of Karma’s delight.

“Right. Though, that little display just now wasn’t very motherly, maybe.”

“Ah, I want to brag about this to so many more people! That my son! Gave his mother a present!”

Her mother’s ears conveniently didn’t hear anything inconvenient.

The elf looked around the room.

kyoro, kyoro

The one person who would always come running when Mother Karma caused a commotion was nowhere to be seen.

“Hm? Where’s Ryu? I don’t see him.”

At that, Karma stopped dead and gave a composed smile.

“Ryu-kun and Sheila left for the dungeon this morning.”

Karma moved away and went into the living room.

She sat in a chair and crossed her legs.

She took a sip from the tea sitting on the table.

sip…

“Oh? None for your big sis?”

“Tch, I suppose it can’t be helped.”

Snap!

Karma snapped her fingers.

Using the [All-Creation] skill she’d gained from killing a god, a cup full of tea appeared in front of the elf.

The elf was surprised.

“What are you so shocked about?”

“Well… you’ve never served your big sis tea before.”

At that, Karma gave a faint, mocking smile.

“I am evolving every day.”

“Ah, right…”

The elf took a sip of tea before speaking again.

sip…

“So Ryu went to the dungeon, huh. Is that okay?”

“What do you mean, ‘is that okay’?”

“I mean, letting Ryu go alone… well, he has a partner, but. I was asking if you’re okay with not following him.”

At that, Karma scoffed, laughing at the elf in an even more mocking tone.

“Hmph…! What are you talking about? My son is already fifteen. It’s strange for a mother to accompany him on an adventure, isn’t it?”

Hearing that, the elf’s jaw dropped.

poka-an

“What’s with that expression?”

“…Y’know, Karma. What’s gotten into you?”

Now it was the elf’s turn to frown, this time with worry.

“Do you have a fever or something? Are you okay?”

“How rude. I’m perfectly normal. In fact! You could say I’m in tip-top shape.”

Karma laughed softly as she sipped her tea elegantly.

“I’ve had an epiphany. A mother must not interfere excessively in what her son does.”

“…”

“To believe in what her son does and watch over him. This is how a mother should be.”

Karma laughed again, fiddling with the necklace on her chest.

Meanwhile, the elf had broken out in a sweat. She stood and went to Karma’s side.

Placing a hand on her forehead, the elf said, “You really don’t seem to have a fever.”

“I told you I don’t have a fever.”

“Well, you just suddenly started acting all reasonable, so I thought maybe you had a fever and your brain was fried.”

“Are you trying to pick a fight with me? Hmph, well, I’m above such a petty squabble.”

Karma lifted the teacup with both hands and enjoyed her tea gracefully, like a noble.

“You’ve certainly grown up overnight.”

The elf sat down again, across from her.

“Well, you know. You know! I got a present from my son, and it awakened me as a true mother.”

Karma grinned.

“I received a present from my son, which means I’m a mother. A mother in the truest sense. And mothers in the normal world don’t interfere with their sons too much, right? So I will do the same.”

She had been so happy about the present from her son yesterday.

And at the same time, it had changed her way of thinking.

“To believe and watch over him is a mother’s love. Hmph! Not that you would understand.”

Karma smiled, full of confidence.

“Hmm, well, uhh…”

The elf’s expression was conflicted.

“What is it?”

“Well, your big sis is a little worried.”

“Hah? What is there to be worried about?”

“Mmm… Oh, well. Anyway, it’s about time for Ryu and the others to be getting back, isn’t it?”

“Yes, it should be just a little longer.”

Karma stood up and snapped her fingers.

Snap!

A luxurious dinner appeared on the table.

“May your big sis impose for dinner?”

“I suppose it can’t be helped. Just for today, it’s a special occasion.”

Having become a mother, Karma had gained a sense of composure.

That’s why, even with this annoying elf here, she wouldn’t get emotional and kick her out.

Yes, by becoming a mother, my heart has grown larger. Now that I have the heart of a mother, I won’t act like a child anymore.

“I see. Oh, looks like Ryu and the others are back.”

Click

The door opened.

And her beloved son and his friend returned.

Karma fought back the urge to leap at him.

Pyon!

No, no, an adult, a mother, doesn’t do such childish things.

Karma put on a composed smile and welcomed her son.

“Welcome ho—Ryu-ku……………………..”

Karma was speechless.

Looking at the Ryuuji before her.

He was…