Chapter 52 Dog Tank Rock and the Guardian Room
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
After finishing breakfast, I sipped my coffee while watching Sayaka teach Sheena how to sort the trash.
On the TV in front of the sofa, soothing music played alongside scenes of mountain ranges and beaches bursting with nature.
Probably one of those “100 Great Scenic Views” DVDs or something.
Being stuck in this closed-in dungeon, watching peaceful footage like that really helps clear my head. Sayaka sure knows how to keep things pleasant.
By the way, this coffee I’m drinking—Sayaka brewed it with a coffee maker she brought. She told me she bought the same one her family uses because she heard I liked coffee. Apparently they even sold decent beans, too—my guess, she got them from the staff dorms or the headmaster’s office.
It tastes worlds better than the paper-cup coffee that comes with the breakfast trays. Sayaka doesn’t miss a beat.
I need to watch myself; I’ve never had someone be this thoughtful before, and I can feel myself getting dependent.
Sayaka really is a dangerous woman—the kind that ruins men.
Up until now, I’ve only ever seen women as tools to vent lust.
My first partner was a woman who treated me kindly ever since I was brought into the child soldier training facility.
Turns out she was the soldiers’ shared s*x slave. When the adults told me that, I was crushed. Looking back, that must’ve been my first love.
After that, I stopped pretending and just kept using her.
When I turned sixteen, I was even “rewarded” with a girl and made her mine alone. I didn’t let the other soldiers touch her. We probably looked like we had something, but it was never love. Hard to imagine love blooming when she’d been kidnapped, raped, and enslaved by me for over two years.
Later, when I was involved with a drug cartel, they gave me women too—addicts who went along with it for the drugs.
Every woman I approached after that, it was always about s*x. They never took it seriously either. I’ve lived my whole life surrounded by people like that.
That’s why Sayaka’s straightforward affection hit me so hard.
But I can’t forget—this is just the effect of the Subjugation Crest. A spell that binds emotions, all at the Queen’s whim.
Once I return to the surface, it might be broken. I’ll need to be ready to handle the emptiness when that happens. I can’t let myself get too attached.
With that reminder, I drained my coffee and headed to the service room.
Inside, Sayaka helped me put on leather armor and gear.
Sheena followed us, staring blankly as I suited up.
When I finished, I poured some of my mana into a Magic Sealing Crystal¹ to summon Rock.
The crystal flashed red, and in the next moment, Rock appeared—now transformed into a Kobold General wearing leather armor.
”!?”
Right then, Sheena suddenly moved—quicker than I’d seen her before. She jumped back and drew a knife.
That wasn’t an amateur’s reflex. It was the movement of someone trained.
The proof? The knife she grabbed came from one of the treasure chests in the room. I’ve never seen anyone pick up a weapon and guard up that smoothly unless they’ve had combat training.
Her eyes locked straight on Rock. Gone was the vacant look she’d had before—her expression hardened, posture tense.
Sayaka and I froze, startled by her sudden shift.
Rock, on the other hand, stepped forward, shield up, guarding us both.
A loyal dog through and through. Glad I didn’t just use him as a meat shield.
I placed a hand on Rock’s shoulder and called out.
”Sheena, it’s okay. This Kobold is under my Subjugation. Think of it like he’s been tamed, alright?”
Remia once said that she based the Magic Sealing Crystal on taming magic used in another world. If Sheena came from there, maybe she’d understand.
”…Yes.”
Looks like she got it. She lowered her knife and returned to her original spot.
Then, just like before, she stared at me with those same empty eyes—expressionless, motionless.
Still, that reaction earlier… definitely military precision.
The manual did say the resurrected act based on memories from life. So she probably remembers her old skills, not just basic needs like eating or sleeping.
Judging from that movement, she might have been a soldier or adventurer once.
”Rock, it’s fine now. Sayaka, help him take off his leather armor.”
I gave Rock a nod and motioned to Sayaka.
”Yes, though that really surprised me,” she said.
”Heh, me too.”
It reminded me of those prank shows I saw as a kid—when a mannequin suddenly started moving.
I laughed at the thought, and Sayaka chuckled with me.
She walked up to Rock and, cooing about how cute he still looked despite his bulky frame, began helping him out of his armor.
Meanwhile, I grabbed the iron full-body armor and large shield I’d left in the corner.
The moment I held the armor, I realized I had no idea how to put it on him.
Yesterday, I figured it’d work the same way as leather—just slip it on—but spreading the plates out, I couldn’t make heads or tails of it.
I had a general idea, but not the order.
I decided to give it a try anyway and walked over to Rock, who was now out of his leather armor.
Sheena followed silently behind me.
When I turned, I noticed her gaze flicking toward the armor in my hands.
”Do you know how to put this on?” I asked.
”…Yes.”
”Oh? So you were a soldier or adventurer?”
”…Yes.”
”I see. Then could you armor up Rock for me?”
”Yes.”
I set the armor down by Rock’s feet and stepped back.
Sheena split the armor pieces and fitted them on Rock with practiced efficiency.
”You’re good at this,” I muttered.
Her movements—calm, deft—looked like someone who’d been a knight, maybe a Beastman country’s female knight. That kind of ease comes from long experience.
Before long, Rock stood there, a towering figure in full iron armor.
”Now that’s a general!” I said.
Rock looked even bigger now, towering and gleaming.
”You look amazing, Rock-chan. You’re so strong now—you’ll protect our master perfectly,” Sayaka said.
”Woof!”
”Ahh, even your bark sounds tougher! You’re so cool, Rock-chan!”
”Wufun.”
”Thanks for your help, Sheena,” I said.
”…No.”
Still the same blank tone, same dull look.
”I see. If I run into something I don’t get, I’ll ask you again.”
Even without a will of her own, she helped me on her own initiative. I hadn’t ordered her to. She just acted. Probably a good person, once.
At that moment, I felt she and I might end up working together for a long time.
* * *
”Alright, go, Rock! Smash through them!”
”Wooooof!”
At my order, Rock charged forward, shield and spear raised, roaring as he barreled straight into three goblins ahead—sending them flying one after another.
I strolled up behind him and brought my machete down on the necks of the ones rolling on the floor.
When Rock finished charging, he turned back and drove his spear into the chests and throats of the fallen goblins.
Right then, a small door ahead burst open, and three more goblins with clubs rushed out.
”Fireball!”
I cast the spell the instant they appeared, catching all three in flames.
”Rock!”
”Woof!”
Rock dashed forward at my call and finished off the still-breathing goblins.
Yeah, this is getting easier.
As I watched Rock gather up the Magic Stones, I couldn’t help grinning. Today’s fights were going smoother than ever.
At first, I’d fought normally, using Rock as a frontline shield—but then I realized: goblins with clubs wouldn’t stand a chance if he just charged them head-on. Sure enough, he wiped them out in seconds. Battle time dropped fast, and I saved plenty of mana.
We’d been exploring for nearly six hours, and I still had almost eighty percent of my mana left.
Partly because my rank had gone up and my total capacity increased, but mostly thanks to Rock being able to handle entire groups without me casting spells.
Didn’t think it’d work this well.
Then again, Rock’s over five feet tall—bigger than any goblin—and almost twice as wide. Pure muscle. Now imagine that same beast charging in full armor with a massive shield. To the goblins, he must look like a runaway tank.
They see him first and freeze. His roar makes them falter. Then, by the time they realize they’re in trouble, he’s already slammed into them—sending them flying, sometimes skewering the unlucky ones.
If any survive the hit, either Rock or I take their heads.
Thanks to all that, our progress today’s double what it was yesterday. At this rate, we’ll find the Guardian Room before the day’s out.
Assuming no traps or puzzles, anyway.
I pocketed the Magic Stones he brought and checked the small room where the goblins came from. Inside a wooden chest, I found a Grade 5 Mana Recovery Potion.
Then, with Rock leading, we turned the next corner—and there it was: a wide, green wooden door I’d seen not long ago.
Three meters high, two wide, with carvings of a goblin holding a sword etched across it.
”Yeah, this has to be the Guardian Room.”
”Wufun.”
Looks just like the boss doors we saw at the Area Guardian chamber. No gimmicks this time—thank god. Searching through another maze would’ve been hell.
”So, judging by the carving, we’re up against a sword-wielding goblin. Depends how many flunkies it’s got.”
Not that it matters. With Rock on our side, we’ll be fine.
”Rock, once we’re in, I’ll fire off my spell. Wait for my signal, then flatten the minions.”
”Bark!”
”Alright. Let’s do this.”
Rock gave an eager reply, and I laid my hand on the door.
—
Summary:
The protagonist reflects on his dark past as a soldier and his growing dependence on Sayaka before summoning his loyal Kobold, Rock. Together with Sayaka and the mysterious resurrected Sheena, they fight goblins and discover the entrance to the Guardian Room.
—
Character Insight:
The protagonist shows self-awareness about his trauma and dependence, hinting at emotional growth. Sayaka’s caring nature contrasts his cynicism, while Sheena’s behavior reveals lingering remnants of her former life.
—
Behind the Scenes:
This chapter blends introspection with battle strategy, transitioning from downtime to exploration pacing typical of dungeon arcs.
Notes:
• Sayaka – The academy’s premier beauty and a member of the swimming club. Currently classified as a Rank 1 Slave. She is seventeen years old and a virgin. E-cup. She has blue, short, boyish hair. Her best friend is Sanae.
• Sheena – Beastman Soul-less Doll with rabbit ears and a large chest. Flawless face, approx 165cm height, F or G cup, narrow waist, large hips, and a fluffy tail longer than a rabbit’s.
• Rock – A male Kobold summoned from a Magic Sealing Crystal. He has grey fur, round eyes, and a face resembling a Shiba Inu. He wears a leather jacket and a pilot’s cap
• Remia – A cheerful and mischievous succubus with long purple hair and a massive breasts reaching ‘explosive’ levels. Acts as a guide and explains slave systems. Knows Sanada by reputation. Rank B Mana Capacity. Intelligent and persuasive.
Please bookmark this series and rate ☆☆☆☆☆ on here!
Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
Leave a Reply