Ancient Red Dragon Subjugation (1)
The description in the book went like this.
Etherean. An ancient elven kingdom that existed before the Holy Kingdom, where the World Tree's main body once stood. Back then, the nation had boomed into an empire thanks to its massive population and the elves' belligerent nature. As for their culture... The unique point was that only male elves could become kings. Males were rare at birth, but it apparently wasn't a big deal in an era of overflowing numbers.
"So... it's a tale passed down only orally, not in official histories?"
And the World Tree's main body? Does that mean the one now isn't the original?
[They met their end at the hands of a colossal dragon, and the few surviving elves found a World Tree sapling to found the Holy Kingdom.]
What the hell... I can't wrap my head around it. If there's such a massive history and event, why don't modern elves know about it—or even try to find out? Dismissing it as mere folklore doesn't add up; too many pieces fit too perfectly. Plus, those elves inside the gate called themselves Etherean.
...Guess I'll have to go in and see for myself. This book was hard to come by, courtesy of that elf earlier. No way there's more detail...
Flip—
As I absentmindedly turned another page.
[Treasures of Etherean]
Huh? Treasure?!
Jackpot—I found the most important page. What goodies did you leave behind, mighty Etherean Empire?
[Etherean boasted three legendary treasures.]
The sword imbued with moonlight, Moonlight Sword.
The World Tree Crown, granting partial command of the Mother's power.
And finally, the Luna Carta, a map that finds paths by moonlight.
"Luna Carta?"
Of these, the Moonlight Sword is still a treasure to modern elves. The crown... that's probably the one on HarvestBounty's head. So the only one worth grabbing is this Luna Carta.
I have no intention of starting a war with a species over their famous treasures. Unless I really want it, that is... but not right now.
[Luna Carta]
Finds paths by moonlight. Wonder what it does exactly.
Flip—
"Huh?"
[Etherean's ■■]
The next page was inexplicably unreadable. Words were there, but unrecognizable. Magic? Nah... I'd pierce through magic. This felt more like... a divine power.
Could this be the Curse of Oblivion? Forgetting immediately after reading... That'd explain why magic resistance doesn't cut it.
But why affect me? I'm not an elf.
[From Etherean's ■■, it ■■s ■■. Thus, eternally seal ■■. If ■■ sprouts—]
"...What the hell is this?"
Incomprehensible sentences. Staring won't help.
...Time to get up.
Thud—
"Mm... Goldie-nim...?"
"Wake up. Let's go."
As I closed the book and stood, Terra looked up at me with sleepy eyes from her nap beside me.
...Since when was she asleep?
"Huff... huff..."
"You okay?"
"Y-Yes... I'm fine, unnie...!"
The next day. We'd entered the gate and decided to clear this area first, like yesterday. Except...
"Your angle's sloppy. Against something that size, aim for the chest over the neck."
"Hiiik... Y-Yes, got it...!"
Thanks to Ha-eun's strong will to train whenever possible, she was handling the appearing monsters.
It's great she's so diligent, but... isn't she pushing too hard? I even used a World Tree's Leaf on her this morning for muscle pain.
Slash!—
Gate cleared.
One Step Closer to the World Tree's Truth
"Huff..."
"Good work. Take a break."
"Y-Yes...!"
Alright... Gate's cleared, so time to find those elves again? Hmm, but where?
"...Dragon."
"Yeah?"
"Look over there."
I followed Bern's pointing finger.
"A forest fire...?"
A massive plume of smoke rose, invisible until now. And then...
—————!!
A colossal roar echoed.
"Oh no..."
Thud—
"Eek?!"
"Stay put."
I covered Ha-eun's ears. Might not affect the other two, but it could her.
"Dodge the dragon."
"D-Dodge...?"
"It used its roar as an attack. That power would've knocked out anyone nearby."
"That was just raw breath, no mana. Anyway, using breath too means it's seriously dangerous."
I glanced at Ha-eun. That smoke's from yesterday's red dragon, no doubt. I'm fine, Bern and Terra should be okay... but not her. B-rank awakener or not, she's no match for that beast. Totally different from Terra's case.
If I get hyped and brawl it out, can I guarantee her safety? Better send her back now.
"Ha-eun, you should head back—"
"No, we'll go together."
"...What?"
I frowned at Bern cutting me off.
Typical swordsman, interrupting like that.
"A sword shines in real combat to grow."
"I get that, but it's too risky for her."
"Didn't you ask me to train her? Opportunity's here."
He looked down at Ha-eun resting.
"What'll you do?"
"I... Unnie...? What should I...?"
Bern frowned for the first time, displeased.
"A swordsman chooses their blade's path and moves."
"..."
"Growth isn't accidental. Nor do stepping stones last forever."
I crossed my arms, eyeing them both. Ha-eun's my future gem. She needs strength for treasure-making... but dying first? Pointless.
Slower, safer. For treasure's sake—and as a person—I didn't want to lose her to greed.
...That's why I wanted a contract.
As I watched Ha-eun, Bern stared at the smoke.
"Don't block growth with your greed, Dragon. Assuming everyone's like you is dangerous."
That sparked something. Ha-eun, glancing between us, stood shakily.
"Then... I want to go. Might sound irresponsible, but I want to get stronger. At least as strong as my brother..."
Now I can't just say no without looking bad. And... this "oppa" she keeps mentioning. After this, time for a real talk. Her voice shakes every time.
Something's up.
"Tch... Fine. If anything happens to Ha-eun, Holy Kingdom or not, I'll burn it all. Got it?"
"Amusing. Planning to become like that dragon? I'm the kingdom's sword. Won't let it happen."
"And don't obsess over 'stronger than X.' Aim beyond."
Bern drew his sword, poised to dash toward the smoke.
"I'll go ahead."
Bang!—
He vanished from sight instantly.
"...Unnie?"
"Sigh..."
"Sorry for being stubborn... but—"
"Yeah, like I said last time, you followed me for your own reasons."
And succeeded spectacularly. Sword Saint training, even briefly.
...I hate these heavy talks, usually.
Beep—
"So. You have a goal in mind?"
"Yes..."
"Stronger than your brother?"
"..."
Her face turned serious.
"Won't pry more now. Situation's tense."
Withdrawal: 3,000,000 won
Details: [Body Enhancement - Gold] skill usage fee
Heading to a dragon feels like the abandoned mine gate. Except this Body Enhancement on Ha-eun costs way more.
"Eh...?"
"Focus on scouting first."
Chasing Bern, we raced toward the smoke. City walls and a circling dragon came into view; I pulled out Hermes' Fragment.
"Bad."
Dragon fear's aftermath? Countless elves littered the ground. Most too late.
"Ugh..."
I found a conscious elf, used a World Tree's Leaf. Helping them smooths things.
"You okay?"
"Ugh... You...?"
"This Etherean, right? Explain."
"It... Hiiik?! H-Horns? Dragon?!"
Should've hidden with magic...?
"Calm down. I'm... a dragonkin. Here to help."
"H-How can I trust—"
"See this? Healed you with it. Recognize?"
"Mother's leaf...?"
Her eyes widened; after a pause, she blurted desperately.
"D-Dragon! A red one flew in suddenly and..."
"Any warnings?"
"Ugh... Mother's saplings dug up everywhere. We'd been on alert, but..."
Flap!—
Useless against that. How could elves stop it? That size... Colossal Dragon? Bigger than my true form?
Kaboom!—
It dove into the walls, lungs filling with mana for another roar.
Damn, dangerous...?
"Terra! Cover her ears!"
"Yes!"
I clamped Ha-eun's.
—————!!
"Ugh... That punk's rude. Roaring right in my face? Crossed the line."
"..."
"Why stare?"
"N-Nothing, Goldie-nim..."
Up close, definitely no ordinary red dragon. That presence screams a title.
Swish—
"Hm?"
Its slit pupils locked on me. Then...