Evil Dragon Fafnir (1)

The first thing Choi Siwoo thought was that this was a problem. Beyond his line of sight, Namgung Ryun—pale as a sheet—had curled into a tight ball.

"……"

He scratched his temple awkwardly.

"Um, Guild Leader…?"

"……"

"Guild Leader Namgung Ryun?"

"…Just a moment, just a moment… leave me alone…"

"……Alright."

Namgung Ryun, forehead pressed against the wall, couldn't hold back her rising shame and let out a low groan. She wished there was a hole to crawl into. She even considered using her own ability to punch through the wall and flee.

'Agh, so embarrassing!'

She covered her face with both hands and stomped her feet. Then, huddled on the floor, she started rolling back and forth.

Choi Siwoo said something flustered from behind her, but it didn't register at all.

'Hngh!'

She gnawed on her fingernails as she thought. At 29 years old, a spinster who'd never even dated a guy, and here she was, mistaking a 17-year-old boy's words for a confession. She felt pathetic.

Then she jolted upright with a gasp. 'W-Wait, am I… desperate for a man?'

It could be… Her parents had started nagging her about it being time to get married. She'd boasted that she'd snag a guy she liked, but…

Still! 'No matter how I look at it, he said something that could totally be misunderstood!'

Spend the night together? Even to an outsider, it sounded like an invitation to fool around.

She'd even psyched herself up to give him her first time… 'Can't even get mad properly. Sigh.'

As Namgung Ryun stewed in her frustration, the orange-haired girl, Ryu Chae-hwa, was in the same boat—unable to contain her own embarrassment and curled up just like her. Their flailing made them look like sisters.

Choi Siwoo just chuckled softly at the sight.

Time passed, and it was deep into the night. Everything was serene and still.

Beyond the door, Kang Him-chan and Ye Dong-tak stood guard like sentinels. Namgung Ryun spoke first.

"…So, to sum up, to activate the watch, we need to spend a few hours together…?"

"That's right."

Choi Siwoo gazed at the Mongma's Pocket Watch.

It ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠had been the MVP during Illusion Dream, but truthfully, it could only unleash that much power because Illusion Dream was a special domain.

'It's not actually that powerful an artifact.'

If it were, it would've been at least A-rank, not C+.

To replicate a similar effect in reality required charging time—which was why he'd suggested spending the night together with Namgung Ryun.

'That said…'

"Guild Leader?"

"Y-Yes?!"

"Do you usually sweat a lot in your hands? It's a bit damp…"

"Oh, uh, it's just my constitution…"

"I see."

Namgung Ryun swallowed dryly and stared at the beautiful young man lying right beside her.

She too was a veteran among veterans, having wrestled with monsters for ages. At 15, he was in the full bloom of youth. She'd chosen weapons and armor over makeup and pretty clothes. After 14 years on battlefields where she'd killed and been nearly killed countless times, a pretty boy like this was hazardous to her heart.

Choi Siwoo seemed unfazed, but she was busy soothing her pounding chest, which felt ready to burst.

How could she not be tense? In a cramped room. Under one blanket. Close enough that their noses could touch.

'W-Warm.'

She could feel the soft yet firm texture of his hand, the gentle warmth.

She'd fought alongside countless men, but never in an atmosphere where anything intimate could happen. No time for sweet-and-sour nonsense when enemies could pop out anytime… and they all saw her as a comrade, not a woman.

'And now, I—a woman like that—with this pretty boy…'

A strange, ambiguous mood hung in the air. One slip of reason, and things could escalate right there—when a cute yet sharp voice rang out.

"Guild Leader? Anything more is forbidden!"

The voice belonged to none other than Ryu Chae-hwa. From the corner of the room, the wide-eyed girl was glaring daggers at them.

The reason for the girl's presence? Nothing major.

"I'll keep my eyes wide open and watch, so no funny business!"

Namgung Ryun shot back incredulously at Ryu Chae-hwa's declaration.

"…Hey, Chae-hwa. You're supposed to be watching this guest. Doesn't it look like I'm the one in the most danger here?"

"…True, but no matter how I think about it, you seem more dangerous, Guild Leader."

"……"

For a moment, Namgung Ryun was speechless. Even she had to admit she was the biggest threat.

"Mmm… hehe…"

Another hour passed. Deep into the wee hours. Unable to fight off sleep, Ryu Chae-hwa had drooled and toppled over sideways.

Choi Siwoo quietly tucked a pillow under her head and slipped her into bed, smiling faintly.

"She's sleeping soundly."

"She's still in elementary school, after all."

"…I've got one question about that."

Choi Siwoo turned to Namgung Ryun with a serious expression.

"Why put her on the front lines already? No matter how talented she is, from what I know of Namgung Mir's moves, she wouldn't reach out to a child like this."

"…It's a long story…"

With a sigh, Namgung Ryun recounted Ryu Chae-hwa's past.

Originally, the girl's parents had been Namgung Ryun's direct subordinates, heroes in their own right.

"They were both incredibly capable… and even more trustworthy."

But they perished in an unexpected demon ambush—right in front of their beloved daughter's eyes.

"……"

"I couldn't just abandon the child after she lost her parents overnight."

"…So you hired her…"

"Yeah. I planned to just sponsor her at first, but her abilities were so outstanding. If she's going to walk this path anyway… better to get practical experience early."

Namgung Ryun gave a wry smile and stroked the head of the drooling Ryu Chae-hwa.

"That said, maybe because of it, she has a tendency to push herself too hard."

"…Too hard?"

"Yeah. There's a big hole in her heart. She thinks she has to prove her worth to avoid being abandoned. It's her driving force… but also her chains."

"Chains…"

Namgung Ryun nodded and trailed off with a hesitant 'Maybe…'

"If that drive twists into dependency—or one-sided love—it could lead to bad outcomes."

"…Twists…"

"Kids who force others into their hearts can be dangerous."

As she wiped the drool from Ryu Chae-hwa's mouth, Namgung Ryun continued.

"Who knows. Someday she might go blind for some guy and betray me."

Choi Siwoo held back his words, shook his head, and pulled the watch from his pocket.

"All set."

"Remember the precautions?"

"Fafnir… right?"

Namgung Ryun nodded as if reconfirming.

"Right now, I'm completely dominated by the Evil Dragon's curse in my mental realm. I haven't gone in alone because I can't use any power there."

"The dragon's curse."

"It was the final boss of an SS-rank gate. Even weakened to just a fragment of its soul, it's no pushover."

Namgung Ryun shook her head reluctantly with a sigh.

"…Normally, I wouldn't trust a kid like you alone, but…"

"No time. Don't worry. I'll get it done."

She gazed at him silently and nodded faintly. Choi Siwoo replied with a smile.

He drew out the Mongma's Pocket Watch from his bosom. A purple wave rippled—perfectly charged.

Choi Siwoo approached, pulled Namgung Ryun into an embrace, and placed the watch between them.

Her face ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠flushed crimson, but even knowing this was necessary, she mumbled in protest.

"…D-Do we have to do it this way?"

"The range is narrow. We need maximum contact. Closer, Guild Leader."

"……"

The watch's hands spun furiously. As if by promise, they collapsed together, consciousness slipping into the beyond.

The moment Choi Siwoo opened his eyes, a nose-searing stench hit him—like rotting flesh.

A swamp, by the look of it. Even the sky's sun seemed decayed. He quickly assessed.

'Swamp… bones and shed dragon scales everywhere. Definitely the Evil Dragon's lair.'

He tested his body. '…Slow.'

His flesh felt heavy, like massive chains bound his limbs. Fortunately, Cecilia's beloved sword and emergency items were intact.

'Worse than I thought.'

Corruption spread like veins beyond the walls. Hard to believe this was once a normal person's mental realm.

In Choi Siwoo's memories, Namgung Ryun had failed to overcome the Evil Dragon's curse, living a life of torment.

Suddenly, a familiar voice.

"Choi Siwoo!!"

Inside a cage like a birdcage, Namgung Ryun was shackled.

Her ragged clothes looked ready to tear, chains from neck to limbs—perfect for misunderstanding her tastes.

'…No power at all.'

No trace of mana; she was as helpless as a civilian.

Confirming her position, Choi Siwoo subtly shifted his gaze.

A stunningly beautiful woman stood by the cage as if she'd always been there. Tanned skin brimming with healthy allure. Light blue hair with a refreshing vibe. Her demonic eyes gleamed arrogantly, proving her otherworldly nature.

The pressure of one born superior weighed down. Her vast mana rippled like a stone in a lake.

"Rushing over at the sudden presence… looks like an unexpected guest."

"…You're Fafnir?"

Her eyes twitched at Choi Siwoo's question, but she shrugged it off.

"I'll overlook you uttering my name so casually. You've brought a meaningful gift; I can afford that mercy."

"…Gift?"

The woman—no, Fafnir—nodded and bared sharp fangs at the caged Namgung Ryun. Unbridled rage in her growl. Volcanic fury in her mana. Wrath in her murderous glare.

"Yes, a gift. This bitch couldn't have waltzed in here on her own. Must be some human male—you, with your silver tongue. I was just fretting over this. I couldn't break this cage bound to the mental realm… but now someone to smash it for me."

Outraged, Namgung Ryun bellowed.

"Who's calling who a dog, you fucking lizard! You're the shittiest one! Get out of my head without paying rent!"

"Shut up! You think I'd let a filthy human wench who scarred a dragon's body slide?!"

Fafnir cleared her throat with a huff, then flashed a deep smile and beckoned Choi Siwoo.

"No words for my gratitude. Thanks to you, I get revenge… and a fresh start in a new body."

Namgung Ryun's face hardened at Fafnir's words. Noticing, Fafnir smirked.

"You finally get it, you dumb bitch?"

"You scaly bastard… no way?"

"That's right. Think slaying an Evil Dragon ends with mere death? Absurd. I'll kill you—the core of the mind—and claim this body."

Fafnir eyed Namgung Ryun up and down, clicking her tongue in mild dissatisfaction.

"Hate to admit it, but your original and this flesh are enticing enough for males. Consider it an honor. That virgin body? I'll turn it into the world's sluttiest whore. At your age, never knowing a man? A major flaw."

Namgung Ryun's face turned beet red as she screamed.

"You fucking lizard! What the hell do you plan?!"

"Quit yapping! This is payback for killing my children. A queen must serve as prime broodmare. Don't worry. I'll fill you with superior seed ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠from a strong stud, birthing my legions."

Conversation over, Fafnir turned a seductive smile on Choi Siwoo. Her serpentine tongue flicked lewdly.

"What's your name?"

"…Choi Siwoo."

"Choi Siwoo… Upon second look, you're exceptional."

Step by step, Fafnir advanced joyfully.

"Even I, of the great dragon clan, admire your looks. Power's immature… but no big deal."

She spread her arms.

"Come, kneel and kiss my hand. Then kill that bitch—"

"—Kay. Ready?"

"…Huh?"

The instant he got the response, Choi Siwoo's figure vanished.

Splash—! Fafnir's eyes widened in panic at the spray.

Slash—!

A sharp sound echoed. Air tore with a burst.

Fafnir's shrill scream rang at the ominous momentum. Dozens of sword auras filled the swamp; rotten dead trees soared skyward like a storm.

Even Namgung Ryun gaped in shock.

"……"

Sheathing his sword, Choi Siwoo slowly turned.

"…Guh, kuhk…"

Fafnir clutched her nape, trembling.

He clicked his tongue involuntarily. 'Underestimated her.'

The sensation in his hand was sure. Perfect distance, power—a flawless strike. But dragons were no joke.

Thick, dense navy scales had sprouted around her nape. Without them, he'd have severed her head clean off.

"How dare you…"

Unable to contain her fury, the Evil Dragon radiated intent to rip him apart. Her surging killing intent rippled in dense blue waves.

'Dragon Fear.'

The aura of a dragon at the pinnacle of life.

"Hoo…"

Facing it head-on, Choi Siwoo spun Cecilia's sword once and assumed stance. He lowered his hips.

Boom!

And charged forward.