Chapter 123
Chapter 123
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 123
Chapter Title: The Dragon's Heart
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■ Name: Seo Woo-jin.
■ Job Aptitude: Demon King [Immeasurable].
■ Level: 76.
■ Skills: [Demon King Transformation-Inactive], [Supreme Dragon Transformation], [Swiftness], [Berserk], [Yama], [Sky Piercing Sword], [Twelve Heavenly Swords], [Magic Nullification Proclamation], [Beast of the Apocalypse], [Divine Dragon Eye], ……(omitted).
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"Level..."
Raising even a single level had been so difficult, yet killing the female dragon had shot him up a whopping twelve levels.
"Heh."
A hollow laugh escaped his lips.
No hero could rival Seo Woo-jin now.
Even Baek Si-woo was nearly twenty levels behind.
With the grades overwhelmingly in his favor as well...
"No wonder I felt power overflowing."
Compared to when he'd used 'Demon King Transformation'—now listed as inactive—he was incomparably stronger than his past self.
But it wasn't just the levels.
"The female dragon's heart."
The heart of the supremely mighty female dragon had infused him with immense mana.
Had he not been in 'Demon King Transformation' state, he might have endured agony beyond death to evolve his body once more.
Fortunately, he'd skipped the pain and reaped only the benefits.
"Plenty of new skills, too."
They'd been streamlined once at level 50, but now they were piling up again.
Maybe they'd consolidate again at 100.
"Speaking of which, is this from absorbing the female dragon's heart?"
One new skill stood out: 'Divine Dragon Eye.'
The word "dragon" naturally drew his attention.
Seo Woo-jin tested it out.
"Divine Dragon Eye."
The world changed.
Not as intensely as 'Demon King Transformation,' but the influx of information through his eyes was beyond imagination.
It wasn't mere eyesight.
With 'Divine Dragon Eye' active, he could perceive everything within a certain space.
In other words, he could dominate that space.
Of course, he couldn't wield abilities like Grand Duke Briana or Gerald.
A blink deactivated it.
'This could be useful.'
In daily life, sure—but in battle, invaluable.
Full awareness meant perfect responses in any situation.
Unless facing the world's absolute top tiers, no one could stand against him.
Seo Woo-jin smiled in satisfaction.
Despite the chaos, everything had worked out.
All that remained was defending the city until the Sword Sage and Shadow Duke arrived to dispel the magic.
'Five days at most.'
As long as no other monster like the female dragon showed up, he was confident.
It wouldn't be breached.
* * *
"...Say that again."
Mohiaddin's eyes narrowed.
He could scarcely believe what he'd heard.
"Please punish that bastard."
Rashid stood before his father, demanding boldly.
His battered face had been treated and restored to its usual neatness.
But the humiliation was unbearable, so he demanded punishment for Seo Woo-jin.
"Do you even know who he is, saying such nonsense?"
"I heard. He's a hero, right? What does that matter?"
To Rashid, whether Seo Woo-jin was a hero or Demon King was irrelevant.
What mattered was that the man had struck him, and revenge was due.
"He assaulted a noble. He deserves proper punishment."
Rashid's demeanor was confident.
He believed his father would punish Seo Woo-jin without question.
As always.
"...Rashid."
But Mohiaddin's expression was grave.
The father who always took his side was nowhere to be seen.
Realizing this, Rashid's face stiffened slightly.
"You admit the man you want punished is a hero? Then you must know he fought the female dragon alone to save this city and its people."
"Of course. But the empire's laws are inviolable. Laying hands on a noble demands payment..."
"You fool!"
Unable to stomach his son's drivel any longer, Mohiaddin bellowed.
"Even if you're immature, to spew such rubbish in this crisis, prioritizing your feelings! I raised you wrong—wrong!"
He'd known it all along.
No one knew better than him that he'd failed as a parent.
Yet he'd never changed it.
He loved his son too much.
Even facing a deathmatch, he'd prioritized his son's safety.
But no more.
Letting this slide would lead to irreparable disaster.
Mohiaddin steeled himself.
"Imprison Rashid immediately. No water until he repents!"
"F-Father!"
Rashid cried out in shock.
"You can't do this! Why punish me instead of him...?"
"Silence!"
Mohiaddin shut his son down.
He glared at the hesitant soldiers.
"What are you waiting for? Imprison him now!"
Only then did the soldiers grab Rashid's arms.
Rashid thrashed and screamed to be released, but none dared under Mohiaddin's fierce gaze.
Overpowered, he was dragged from the office.
Watching, Mohiaddin sighed.
"Heh—"
It defied common sense.
Rashid was spoiled and ignorant, but how could he demand Seo Woo-jin's punishment?
Rashid was the one at fault.
He'd swung a sword at a hero's neck.
He was lucky not to have been killed on the spot—gratitude was owed.
Yet a few punches warranted punishment?
Such immaturity.
'I hope no further trouble arises.'
He worried Rashid might do something foolish without coming to his senses.
And that anxiety soon became reality.
* * *
"Let go."
Rashid shook off the soldiers' arms.
Unlike before his father, they released him easily.
"Hoo—"
Free, Rashid took a deep breath.
Fury boiled over.
"Bring my sword."
The soldiers exchanged glances.
To them, Rashid was the grim reaper.
He'd swung his blade at those who displeased him—not once or twice.
Some had died.
Whispers had kept it from Mohiaddin.
This only emboldened Rashid further.
Defy him, and they might be next.
But Mohiaddin had ordered the imprisonment himself.
"However..."
"Bring it! Or shall I take your heads?"
His murderous glare made them flinch.
He meant it.
Fearing Rashid's threat more than Mohiaddin's command, they fetched his sword.
"How dare they..."
Alone, Rashid ground his teeth.
Murderous intent darkened his eyes.
Seo Woo-jin's face flashed in his mind.
The bastard noble who struck and humiliated him.
"Hero? So what."
He was a noble.
His father was merely a viscount, but still an imperial noble with lands.
Heir to this city and more—beaten by some hero? Unbearable.
"I'll kill him."
If his own strength fell short, he'd borrow others'.
And he knew those with such power.
'No matter how strong he is.'
He'd heard Seo Woo-jin fought the female dragon alone, but dismissed it.
Focused on treatment, he hadn't seen it—thought it just a large lizard monster.
Rumors said Seo Woo-jin died fighting it.
After his father led the sortie and it was slain...
Rashid assumed the city's knights killed it.
Ignorance of the situation and rejection of facts bred the misunderstanding.
'Dark Elves could kill him.'
Demon King's followers like Dark Elves could handle a mere hero easily.
Father would kill him if he knew, but Rashid was confident he'd go undetected.
Chaos made it simpler.
'Once these idiots bring my sword, I'll make contact.'
He'd used Dark Elves many times before.
To eliminate annoyances, satisfy desires.
Same now.
Just dispose of the irritant via those filthy hands, as usual.
Rashid thought.
Unaware of the consequences.
* * *
"It's quiet today."
"Thanks to you."
Mohiaddin's words left Seo Woo-jin awkward.
This mess stemmed from him, after all.
"I hope it stays this way."
But unlikely.
He recalled the demonic energies sensed during 'Demon King Transformation.'
Dozens heading for the city.
Most faint, but some potent.
Timeline...
'Earliest tonight. Or tomorrow morning.'
Battle would resume then.
Not as dire as the female dragon, but no complacency.
'Still, with levels up, it shouldn't be too hard.'
Turning disaster to fortune.
Before, many would've tensed him up; now, manageable.
"I hope so too."
'Hm?'
Mohiaddin's grim expression, despite agreeing.
"Something wrong?"
Damage from the female dragon was minimal; recovery underway.
No reason for such gloom—weird.
"Hmm."
Hesitating at the question, Mohiaddin suddenly bowed.
"I'm sorry."
The abrupt apology flustered Seo Woo-jin.
He pondered what for.
Nothing.
If anything, he owed the apology.
He'd upended the man's life.
"Not sure what this is about."
Tilting his head, Seo Woo-jin prompted. Mohiaddin sighed and spoke.
"It's about my son. I heard he gravely erred against you."
"Ah..."
Rashid's obnoxious noble face resurfaced.
Trivial amid crises, so forgotten.
"No need to apologize."
He'd smashed the punk's face—payment made.
No cause for Mohiaddin to bow.
But he disagreed.
Repeatedly apologetic, Seo Woo-jin sensed something amiss.
Likely Rashid-related.
Seo Woo-jin's eyes narrowed.