The beast was about the size of an elephant.

　It was about three meters tall. Its strong limbs were reminiscent of a feline, but its head looked like a hairy bulldog, and its ears hung down like a drop-eared rabbit.
　The bristly hair that covers its entire body is the color of flame, with a gradation from bright yellow to orange.
　But, but. Strangely, it is clad in metallic scales of varying sizes that seem to seep out from between the hairs. The dense covering on its back could be the armor of an armadillo, or the armor plates of an animal combat robot. The thick, armor-covered tail is nothing more than a weapon.
　Around its head, metallic parts rose up in the shape of a devil's horn or crown, shining distortedly in the sunlight.

　The huge beast glared at the strange corpse that appeared in front of it with blazing red eyes.

"...... Estimated threat level equivalent to grade 7.
　It's an Ignite Beast mutant, a named monster, a gorgeous molten steel beast."

　Looking up at the beast, Rene ruminates on the Adventurer's Guild information that Tracy had picked up.

　The trees in the jungle have been partially cut down, and those that remain have trunks that have been vigorously scratched.
　This is the depths of the Great Sea of Trees, the lair of the Gorge of Steel.

　In the dense jungle that stretches beneath the foot of the K'Rukal Mountains, powerful named monsters live in various places.
　Most of them are the top of the food chain in the surrounding area, tyrants that no beast or demon can stand against. Each of them has their own territory, and they seem to live in harmony with the other powerful Named Monsters.

　And this beast is the boss of the area where Rene is located.
　It is a monster that has grown to several times the size of its original race, the Ignite Beast, and has the mysterious ability to eat metal and turn it into a part of itself.
　The metallic parts that adorn his (apparently male) body are the result of the predation and absorption of naturally occurring ores and the equipment of sacrificed adventurers.

　Rene first searched for this beast when scouting for demons in the area.
　In the old days, people used to say, "If you want to shoot a general, shoot the horse first," but in the world, it is often faster to shoot the general first.
　If you make the leading names in this area your subordinates, the demons in the vicinity will rush to René like an avalanche.

　However, the "gorgeous molten steel beast" was not intimidated by Rene.
　The winged tiger had started rumbling at first sight, but this one was glaring at Rene with a menacing snarl while sending sparks of fire through its metal fangs.

　Udanosuke, who was standing beside her, put his hand on his katana and stepped forward.

"Leave it to me, Princess.
　My sword will cut through even the hardest mithril.
　I'm not going to let you get away with this.
"...... No, don't touch it, Udonosuke. Maybe he won't follow you unless you show him the difference in power one on one.
　Stay away from me so I don't get cremated.
"Ha!

　The goal is not to defeat it, but to subdue it.
　If you want to teach them the difference in ability so that even a beast's head can understand, it will have to be a one-on-one match.

"You've been invincible around here for so long, you've convinced yourself you're the best in the world. I'm going to break your nose.
　I'll break your nose. ...... Your muzzle isn't pointy enough to break it. Let's see. ...... I'll put mud on your face!
　It's too late to regret it after you've whitened your face with a mud mask!

　The beast spewed fire instead of tsking.

"Gaaaaaahhh!
"Princess, look out!

　A gale of fire spewed out from its large mouth and swept across the area where Rene was standing.
　The breath blew through the trees, turning their trails black.

　But Rene was no longer there.
　Rene evaded the breath by shifting to the side of the beast, and now a tail of steel (presumably) swung at him.
　I'm not sure if it's a good idea or not.

I'm not sure what to do.

　She stepped on the ground with her small feet and caught the blow while strengthening herself with magic.
　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're doing.
　Udanosuke immediately took cover and held Rene's head.

"Down with the order!

　Rene caught the tail, forcibly lifted it up, and slammed it down with all his might in the manner of a back throw.

　8 hours later.

　Eight hours later.

　The jungle square that had been cleared of trees was nearly doubled in size as more trees were cleared away.
　The ground around them was charred, cracked, and bumpy.

　Rene's body lay in a heap in the middle of the plaza. Her explorer's uniform is torn in many places.
　Next to him, a huge beast lies in the shape of a U, exhausted. Its tongue lolling out and it's punching out breaths.
　Udanosuke slinks closer and places Rene's head next to his body.
　A carefree demon bird flies through the reddish evening sky.

You're a ...... good boy.
"Grrrrrrr ............

　"It's a good thing that you're not the only one who has a problem with this.

　If I had used a red blade or magic attack, it would have been settled sooner.
　However, thinking that this might inadvertently kill him, Rene limited his magic to assistance and challenged him to a scuffle.
　As it turned out, his fears were largely unfounded, and Rene realized the inexhaustible toughness and stamina of the "Splendid Steel Beast.
　He was punched, knocked down, thrown, knocked down, and nearly engulfed in a breath of flame. ......
　It was a long and tedious fight, even though Rene's body was not fatigued.

　And I don't know what it was, but some kind of friendship had developed.

I need your help. Would you be interested in being my pet?

　Renai raised herself up and approached the "Splendid Steel Beast".
　He didn't seem to understand the human language and didn't respond, but when a small hand stroked his mouth, the huge beast narrowed its eyes and did as he was told.

"Hmm. This is the kind of thing that says 'the road should be paved'.



　Udanosuke is about to utter another proverb when the ghouls overpower him.

"Come, you gorgeous molten steel beast."
"Woof!
"......, you sound like that.

　The giant beast jerked up and got back down.
　It's a good idea to keep your chin on the ground and your head low.

It's a little hard to call a ...... "glorious steel beast".
　First of all, it's a nickname given by the adventurer's guild, so he may not have even heard of it.
　Maybe we should give it a more descriptive name.

　Rene held up his head and scrutinized the flaming behemoth.
　The "gorgeous molten steel beast" remained still and quiet.

　Eventually, Rene had an epiphany.

A dog ...... that breathes fire ......
　............ hotdog?

　He didn't seem to understand a word of the language, but he seemed to sense the unusual nuance and looked as if he wasn't sure if he should breathe fire in protest.