Dragon Valley (1)
Dragon Valley.
In the past, before the continent was unified, this was the dragons' lair, home to countless dragons. Even a Demon King couldn't overcome their sheer numbers, and among them were dragons more powerful than any Demon King.
Those wicked dragons were greedy. They would occasionally descend upon the human world, threatening kings and amassing vast wealth in tribute. Refuse to hand over treasure? One small kingdom tried that—and the moment they did, they incurred the dragons' wrath, vanishing from the world that very day.
Countless kings and creatures of the continent hated the dragons and challenged them to death, but none succeeded. Among the challengers were emerging heroes, Special-rank adventurers, and geniuses hailed as legends.
So why did they all fail?
"There were four particularly powerful dragons among them: the Black Dragon, Red Dragon, White Dragon, and Blue Dragon. They say those four were stronger than even today's heroes. But it didn't end there—there was supposedly a monster called the Dragon King even above those four."
"Dragon King, huh. Sounds badass."
"According to the tales, the Dragon King was strong enough to destroy the world but didn't. They say it was because if the world ended, there'd be no more creatures left to craft treasures for them. Who knows if that's true, though."
"Makes sense. Dragons are greedy, right? Lazy bastards are all the same."
"Yeah, probably."
Sung-tae chatted amiably with Leo as they headed to Dragon Valley. The place lay at the far eastern edge, distant from their home city of Leblanc, but a long-distance teleport spell got them there in seconds.
Having learned plenty about dragons, Sung-tae voiced his doubts.
"But why'd they all disappear? You said those four dragons were monsters no hero or legend could beat. That'd make them stronger than Demon Kings, and there was an even mightier Dragon King. So why'd they go extinct?"
"Who knows. I have no idea. The stories just say they vanished one day. Rumor has it they fought over treasure and wiped each other out, but no one knows for sure."
"Greed leading to their downfall, huh."
It was entirely plausible. Weren't most human wars on Earth driven by greed too? Powerful dragons, especially the Dragon King, unable to resist their avarice, clashing with the others and mutually destroying themselves—it all fit.
"Why just the four of us, though?"
Sung-tae scanned their group. Dragons reviving sounded high-risk, yet only four adventurers headed to Dragon Valley: himself included, Garba, Leo, and that eyesore Roman. Two Special-rank adventurers, one S-rank, and a C-rank—that was it? No one else cared?
"With me and Miss Leo here, what do we have to worry about? They're probably not real dragons anyway. Rumors always get exaggerated. How could extinct dragons come back? At worst, some Demon King that looks like one. We can handle a Demon King easy."
Demon Kings really get the short end of the stick. Total punching bags. No strong ones left, huh?
Yeah, if there were any tough ones, they wouldn't be hiding at secret Demon King meetups.
Sung-tae briefly pitied the Demon Kings' plight before refocusing. "So we go to Dragon Valley, kill whatever it is—Demon King or dragon—and done?"
"No need for you to step up. I acknowledge your skill, but Demon Kings are dangerous. Just handle any surrounding monsters so they don't bother us."
Roman's "us" included only himself and Leo. Garba shot him a furious glare at the rudeness, but Roman breezily ignored her and sidled up to Leo, walking beside her.
Guess he's not just a lech after all.
Sung-tae had worried before departure that Roman might hit on Garba too. He'd resolved to beat the old man senseless, Leo or no—but luckily, Roman showed zero interest in her.
"Miss Leo, tired?"
"No, I'm fine. Thank you for worrying."
"Say the word if you are. I could give you a massage."
"Got it!"
Ugh. Total creep.
He was laser-focused on Leo alone. To Sung-tae, Roman's utter disregard for Garba shifted from mere perversion to something more dangerous. He pondered how to deal with him in Dragon Valley.
Hope this dragon sighting's the real deal. Nah, even then, he'll stick to Leo. Gotta separate one of 'em—her from him, or him from her.
That meant calling in a favor. He was marked by the old fart anyway...
"Garba, got a request."
"A request, my lord? An order would suffice."
Sung-tae slowed, whispering to her. "When we hit Dragon Valley, split off with Leo? Subtly, so Roman doesn't notice."
"Understood, my lord."
"What're you two whispering about? We're almost there."
They'd teleported near the valley entrance—mere moments away. Roman scolded them and pointed to the distant canyon.
"That's Dragon Valley."
"Whoa...!"
The vast forested canyon sprawled like a wilderness. Sung-tae had never been, but it reminded him of the Grand Canyon from internet pics—majestic enough that "Canyon" felt like an understatement. Its sheer scale awed him speechless.
"Quit gawking and head down to search. The sooner we finish, the better."
"Right."
Sung-tae's group scaled the cliffs down in seconds. Ninety-degree drops posed no issue for any of them.
Alright then...
He signaled Garba subtly. She nodded, approached Leo, and shared her search plan.
"Sticking together in this huge canyon is inefficient. We know dragons appeared, but not where exactly, right?"
"Then... split up?"
Smart girl. Heh.
Sung-tae grinned inwardly at Leo chiming in perfectly without specifics. Garba nodded back at him discreetly, then took Leo's hand.
"Come with me? My lord can go with Lord Roman."
"Sure, I'm good with that. What about you, 'Senior'?"
For the first time, Sung-tae called Roman "Senior" and asked his opinion. Roman glanced at Leo and nodded.
"Doesn't matter to me. We'll head this way—you lot go opposite. Signal us the instant you find anything. You have the means, right?"
"We'll send a signal you can't ignore."
As Garba headed the way Roman indicated, Leo followed but hesitated, glancing back at Sung-tae longingly. She wanted to go with him, but she wasn't some naive girl swayed by feelings mid-quest anymore. Swallowing her regret, she left.
"Alright, let's move."
"Yes, Senior."
The pair walked the canyon floor, towers of rock rising like skyscrapers. No room for chit-chat—the silence was broken only by dry sand crunching underfoot.
How long had they walked? Roman spoke first.
"That beastkin woman's a keeper. Knows our dynamic and acts accordingly. Must trust you a ton. She's too good for you."
"None of your business if she's 'too good' or not. And do you even have an eye for women? Still unmarried at your age?"
"Planning to soon. Travel together a bit more, find a place to settle, then a simple wedding."
"...Your delusions are off the charts."
"Not yet—but I will make it so. If you'd just disappear."
"Psycho."
A chill wind swept the canyon, sand pelting them. Neither budged, eyes locked.
Monsters began swarming around them.
Chitter.
Dozens of massive spiders scaled the cliffs, dripping green venom toward Roman's head. The toxic liquid sizzled on the ground, belching thick smoke. Keikara—A-rank minimum to hunt.
"Like I said yesterday, upbringing matters. Griping at an elder like that? Tells me all about your education."
"Look who's talking—an old fart harassing a kid. Not ashamed before your parents in heaven?"
"What're you on about?"
"Playing dumb or just shameless? How many years between you and Leo that you're sniffing around?"
Grrr...
The ground heaved like a blanket. Giant lizards emerged from below, snarling fangs bared behind Sung-tae, yellow eyes aglow. Paralyze—lock eyes, and your mana freezes, turning you into lizard chow. Far beyond average adventurers.
"Age gap's trivial in love. But your manners suck. Been dropping hints about your lack of breeding, yet no manners. Typical fly behavior."
"Earn respect by acting human. Think age alone gets you bows? Boomer mindset."
Kieeeek!
Kiik!
Monsters lunged at the glaring duo. They fought without breaking eye contact.
"Annoying pests!"
Kiiek...
A casual backswing minced the Paralyzes, scattering chunks across the canyon.
"Brute."
Kiik!
Keikara swarmed Roman—instantly exploding as their fangs pierced an illusion. The real Roman appeared atop the corpses. Or rather, countless Romans did.
"Birds of a feather, huh? That's why I followed."
"Was testing your reaction. You reeked of murder—couldn't resist. But that's my line. Who's the bold one tailing who?"
"Arrogant pup. This ain't murder. It's pest control."
Killing intent boiled as they shouted in unison:
"You're dead today."
"Whew. Monsters everywhere here."
Leo shook blood from her greatsword. Dismembered corpses buried in the blowing sand at her feet. Tension hung thick—more could emerge any second. She scanned around, then fixed on Garba, staring intently.
"Dragon Valley. I came once during my wandering training days. Wasn't this monster-infested back then. Maybe dragons really revived."
Garba stood pristine amid the blood-soaked scene—an incongruous, striking beauty. At least to Leo.
This woman shines brightest in chaos.
"Um, Lady Garba... mind if we rest a bit?"
"Tired? I'm fine either way."
The two perched on nearby rocks. Leo wasn't truly spent but kept stealing glances at Garba, lips twitching. Something to say?
Garba, sensing her hesitation, spoke first. "Something on your mind?"
"Huh? Oh, no... just..."
"Speak freely. Better than stewing."
"Ah... but..."
Leo averted her eyes, head drooping. Awkward silence fell. Garba, hating it, sipped water to soothe her throat.
As she drank, Leo mumbled softly:
"Are you... dating Senior?"
"Pffft!"
Water sprayed violently from Garba's mouth. Sunlight fractured it into a rainbow. Choking, she coughed out:
"Cough! What the—out of nowhere!?"
"I-I've seen you two... wondered if..."
"My lord and I aren't like that!"
"M-Maybe even promised marriage...!"
"Listen to me!"
Garba had never heard such nonsense. As a warrior, she'd had no time for it; serving Sung-tae now, no interest either. Me, his lover? Leo's absurdity left her reeling.
"J-Just... you seem perfect together."
"Absolutely not. I swore my life to my lord eternally—nothing impure."
"E-Eternally!?"
"I said we're not!"
She huffed indignantly, but inwardly, something stirred. Denying it felt... off. Glad? Regretful? Unsure, she glanced at Leo.
The girl's face flushed crimson, lips whispering "Thank goodness..." Worlds apart from her monster-slaying self.
No way...
Leo's relief made Garba's heart race. Is this what I'm feeling?
She denied it aloud: "Besides, my lord's human. I'm beastkin. Different races."
"Nuh-uh. Roman gave me a book with beastkin-human romances."
"A book?"
"Left it at the inn. Transcendent Love. Episodes on all kinds: human-beastkin, noble-commoner, enemy prince-princess from old divided continent days, even 40-year age gaps overcome."
Leo spoke innocently, oblivious to Roman's motives.
Garba pictured Sung-tae—pre-Ignis armor, battling her. Only I know his true form. Pride swelled. Then, his hand on her tail.
"You okay?"
Her face heated inexplicably. Leo fretted at the blush, but Garba couldn't explain, just nodding.
"Fine."
"So not dating Senior, then."
"..."
Garba couldn't ignore it now. This innocent girl liked her lord. Realizing it, her chest ached—like needles. She checked—no wounds.
What? Why does it hurt?
"Let's head out."
"Yes!"
To escape the pain, Garba resumed the search.
My lord...
Thinking of him eased it, slightly.