Wounded Dragon (2)
“Kieeeek!”
It had been over three hours since Lee Seong-guk and my drones latched onto the wounded dragon's back, soaring through the skies. I'd forcibly pried open its eyelids to drag the beast into my territory. It thrashed wildly along the way, spewing fire into the air and veering off course, but after more than three grueling hours, we were finally nearing my domain.
[Jump when I give the signal! Got it?]
“Your Excellency?!”
[Don't worry! The drones will catch you, so just jump the second I say!]
“Understood, Your Excellency!”
The Han sisters clutched their radios on the rooftop, pulse rifles set to sniper mode, standing by. The 1st Guard Unit kept residents indoors. And for the worst-case scenario, I'd positioned Im Jui right at the barrier's edge.
“The barrier's coming into view now—get ready to snipe!”
“Yes!”
“Don't shoot randomly—aim for the belly! There's still an unhealed wound there. Hit that spot.”
“Got it!”
“Kieeeek!”
The barrier loomed below, but we were too high up. To take it down, I'd have to lure it to the ground. One method came to mind, but with Lee Seong-guk aboard, I couldn't risk it.
[Jump now!]
“Yes, Your Excellency! Jumping!”
Lee Seong-guk used the dragon's head as a springboard, leaping into the air. I sent one of the four drones clinging to its eye to grab his shoulder.
[Got you! Hang tight—I'll get you to safety!]
“Your Excellency! Thank you!”
Now to slam this thing straight down. Simple enough. I'd jammed a plasma cutter into the gap at its eye, creating a slight opening. My three drones targeted that crevice with dissolving liquid orbs.
Bang!
Six shots of dissolving liquid fired, sticking to the eye before detonating and seeping into the crack.
“Kiek! Keeek!”
Sizzle!
Fired point-blank, the drones were drenched too, but their coatings held—smoking but intact.
The dragon staggered midair, spinning wildly before stalling and plummeting earthward.
Crunch.
The dissolving liquid's effect faded, shattering the coatings as well.
“It's dropping! Don't miss!”
“Yes, Master! We'll fire the second it hits the ground!”
Boom!
“Kiiie...”
The impact shook the earth like thunder. We'd dropped it right at the barrier's edge, but dust clouds obscured everything.
“Your Excellency, visibility's blocked—I can't see!”
“Hold! Wait for the dust to settle—don't fire blind!”
I'd relocated Lee Seong-guk far from the site. Drone scans confirmed zero visibility for sniping. Im Jui stood silently at the barrier, coated in dust, awaiting orders. The Han sisters gripped their rifles on the rooftop, poised to strike.
As the dust thinned, the crashed wounded dragon came into view.
“Master...”
It had sensed danger instinctively, coiling to shield its belly.
Crackle!
“Kie... ek.”
I recalled the last drone, all four now jammed with plasma cutters into its eye. It groaned in agony but refused to expose its weakness. I needed a plan. This mad beast would hunker down until it recovered, then fly off.
Think. Force it to show its weak spot.
“Do-hyun! The Governor's gone outside!”
[What?!]
Glancing down mid-thought, I saw Im Jui beyond the barrier, facing the coiled dragon.
[Governor Im! What are you doing? It's not time—get back inside!]
“Kie...!”
The dragon twitched at her presence, shaking slightly before inhaling deeply. I shouted at her.
[It's about to breathe fire! Get in! Hurry!]
Blue light and smoke welled in its maw. Boldly, Im Jui charged under its jaw, crouched, and clenched her fist.
Krunch!
She unleashed an uppercut with all her might.
“Keak?!”
Head snapped skyward, the dragon floated briefly, scattering blue flames.
Crackle! Boom!
The Han sisters seized the moment. In that split-second exposure, they nailed the weak spot with pulse fire.
“Kieeeek! Kieek!”
It shrieked horrifically, collapsing with earth-shaking force. Drones peeled from its eye revealed two massive holes in its belly.
[It's... over.]
Blood fountained from the wounds, pooling beneath as organs spilled out.
“Grrr...”
Sensing death, it spat blood, drawing its final breaths. Soon, Moondancer—the last of Korea's twin terror dragons—would end its turbulent life.
“Good work, everyone. Head in and calm the residents... Han Seol, stay on the rooftop.”
“Yes!”
Im Jui bowed to the drone before entering the barrier. Without her, we might've lost it.
“Grr...”
Its breaths grew faint. I floated a drone before it.
[What's your deal? They say strong ones are smart—can't you understand? Why the rampage...?]
“...”
It just exhaled weakly.
[Yeah, talking to a monster... On the way here, I realized—you weren't avoiding humans. People say you hid from us then suddenly attacked, but I see it differently.]
I aimed the remaining dissolving shots at the gut wound.
[You were just... waiting for your prey to weaken. Right?]
Bang!
A minute after firing into its innards, Moondancer fell silent. Death confirmed, I fetched Lee Seong-guk to the barrier.
[I'll issue your pass—crash here tonight.]
“Your Excellency! Truly grateful, but... I must report back to the Association immediately!”
[Do what suits you.]
“Your Excellency!”
[Yeah?]
He knelt before the drone, bowing deeply.
“I'll remember your feat until my dying breath. Thank you. Thank you!”
After sending him off, I recalled the drones and opened my eyes.
“So... what about the corpse?”
The moment I checked the Monster Hunter window, something unlocked.
[New facility unlocked]
“Master! You did it!”
“Do-hyun, Your Excellency is humanity's hero now.”
“Nah... just finished off a dying one.”
Tension released, exhaustion hit hard.
“Haa... Anyway, that's bullshit.”
“Pardon? Something wrong?”
“Nah, spiders and birds gave nothing, but a dragon unlocks stuff.”
“Do-hyun! Something else opened!”
“Yeah, let's check.”
Starting from B2, I scanned floors.
“Here.”
It was one of the two locked armories in the 2F Command Center.
Creeeak.
“Oh my.”
“Hmm...”
Six swords hung inside. Not ordinary—from the intel flowing in—but functions unknown.
“Wandō? Japanese sword? What're they called?”
I knew little about blades, but they resembled katanas. Gold or silver fittings, identical designs.
Radio crackled.
“Your Excellency! Guard Captain Jeong Su-hwan here! Told residents it's over—ordered bedtime!”
“Thanks. Tonight, you and the guards handle inner barrier watch.”
“Yes, Your Excellency!”
I drew one.
“Whoa... heavy.”
“Master, may I try?”
“Sure.”
“Definitely hefty for a sword...”
“Bring one out.”
“Yes!”
Testing time. Called Im Jui, set up a boulder, handed to Han Seol first.
“Draw it.”
Shing.
Plain blade.
“Shall I swing?”
“Yeah.”
She two-handed it down on the rock.
Clang!
Bit deep but stuck midway.
“How's it feel? Anything special?”
“Sharp, sure... but not amazingly so.”
“Lemme try.”
Residents unregistered—no biometrics. It drew fine. Now with mine active.
Kiiiiing.
“Master!”
“Whoa...!”
Blade glowed blue.
Heavy, but legs braced, grip tight—I cleaved.
Slice.
“Huh?”
Rock bisected, sword buried. No resistance—like air.
SF lightsaber vibes.
Authorized Han Seol, Han Byeol, Im Jui. Passed one to Han Seol.
“Draw again.”
“Yes.”
Shring. Kiiiiing.
Blue glow.
“Swinging!”
She slashed repeatedly. Rock parted like water.
“Your Excellency, this...”
“Melee-only, but stronger than pulse rifles?”
Game-changer. Imagined Im Jui dual-wielding—chills.
“Good. One each for you three—wear always.”
They knelt in unison.
“Your Excellency! Thank you!”
“Master! Truly grateful!”
-Your Excellency, I'll carry it always and think of you.-
Better them than weak me.
“Alright... back up.”
“Your Excellency, more to check?”
“Yeah, weird sensation lingers. More rooms open.”
Killing it was right. Home, distributed swords—with belts from the armory.
“Convenient.”
“Master, how's it look?”
Han Byeol spun, sword at hip.
“Like a wuxia novel.”
Laughs exchanged, we headed to 3F. 1-2F locked; only 3F left.
Hydroponics room—opened third locked door.
Creeeak.
“Ah!”
Massive info flooded my mind. Han Seol and Han Byeol steadied me.
“Master!”
“Do-hyun!”
“Ahaha!”
I stood at the door, laughing like a madman.