Dragon Priestess (2)
Deep inside the temple, Yu-na and her group quickly boarded a magical escalator—crafted not from machinery, but from mana and spells—and descended toward the altar. Son Sang-hee and Baek Seol-hwa gazed at it in wonder. Both mages, and Sang-hee especially sensitive to mana, couldn't help but puzzle over how it worked. But their curiosity faded fast.
"Dragon statues?"
Arriving at the seven towering dragon statues that still overwhelmed any visitor, Sang-hee gasped in awe. Sadly, unlike past guests, neither she—with her mana detection—nor Seol-hwa—who sensed others through ambient heat—could tear their eyes away. Their senses had already picked up the overwhelming presence lurking right beneath them.
"Ugh!"
Yes, that colossal being no one could resist was directly below them. The sensation was like a blazing sun scorching their senses, drawing a groan from Sang-hee. They knew it wasn't hostile, but its mere existence radiated dominance, pressing down on them relentlessly. It's utterly unfair, Sang-hee thought, steadying her breath. She took the trembling Seol-hwa's hand—shaking from Bahamut's immense aura—and held it firmly. Seol-hwa calmed at the touch, her tremors easing.
"We pay our respects to Lord Bahamut."
As they steadied themselves, Yu-na knelt and bowed her head to the Dragon God below. Only then did Sang-hee and Seol-hwa truly register his presence beneath them.
"We pay our respects to Lord Bahamut."
Sang-hee knelt in Seol-hwa's stead—her body too frail to move—and bowed deeply. Seated on his stone throne, Bahamut slowly opened his eyes, surveying the group. He started with Yu-na, then Sang-hee, and finally Seol-hwa in her wheelchair, observing each one carefully before speaking.
"Is that the child?"
"Yes. Her name is Baek Seol-hwa."
"Baek Seol-hwa. A fine name."
Welcoming them with warm words and a gentle demeanor, he eased the tension. Sang-hee's anxiety lifted somewhat; she rose and stood behind Seol-hwa. Her role now was simply to witness the contract ahead.
As Sang-hee took her place, Bahamut's gaze shifted to Seol-hwa. Feeling the Dragon God's vast presence, her body began to shake again.
"…! …!"
"There is no need to fear. Cast out the dread in your heart."
"……"
Unlike Sang-hee, who could see Bahamut with her eyes, Seol-hwa was blind to him. She perceived only his crushing power and existence—a void that sparked pure panic. Sensing this, Bahamut spoke softly, reassuring her. Her trembling finally stopped. Patiently, he waited with kindness until she calmed fully, lifting her head to meet his gaze. Though her lost eyes couldn't see him.
"Are you the Dragon Priestess chosen in Pohang?"
"……Ah."
Seol-hwa tried to answer, but the mutant spider zombie's venom had scorched her vocal cords. Her voice came out rough and broken, throat burning with agony.
"You cannot speak, then. No need to strain yourself replying. But nodding should suffice for your intent, no?"
"…!"
Grateful for his consideration, Seol-hwa nodded eagerly. If words failed, gestures would do.
"Then let me ask one thing. Did you will this selection?"
Bahamut phrased his question carefully, allowing simple yes-or-no answers to accommodate her. Seol-hwa pondered deeply.
My will? None at all.
No, she hadn't willed it. Pohang's three major camps had decided without her input. She'd only learned of the Dragon Priestess plan from Seo Un-jae himself. She shook her head.
"Then, did you accept for others' sake?"
For others?
Bahamut asked if it was for others. Seol-hwa, who'd once vowed to save people, hesitated. Forced upon her, yes—but they'd made her useful when she was worthless. She could claim repayment as motive. Yet her head wouldn't nod.
Was it truly for others that I came this far?
Suddenly, Seo Un-jae came to mind—tormented by human morals and conscience. She'd comforted him, but had she truly sacrificed for him, for Pohang?
I never had a choice to begin with.
No other path existed. Even if she'd refused, Un-jae would've forced her to avert more bloodshed. Was there real altruism in that? She shook her head uncertainly.
"For yourself, then?"
For myself?
Perplexed, she hid her confusion. A sacrificial lamb from Pohang? Self-interest had never crossed her mind.
Could this contract mean something for me? A girl too weak to survive alone?
No right to it, life half-abandoned already—she'd never seriously considered it. But Bahamut asked, so she reflected. Her conclusion?
"……."
A nod. Yes.
"To survive?"
To survive. Her zombie battles? Vengeance for those who'd left her behind. She'd lost that brutal game—body and soul shattered—but wielded her staff to endure. For those using her, and herself. She nodded fiercely.
"That suffices. Your eyes see not this seat, but know this is a sacred temple of contracts, forged by my power. Here, bind with me. Gain my strength."
Contract...
She tilted her head. Meaningful for her? Powerless as she was?
"Of course, no gift is free. Through your contract and strength, I manifest in this world. In exchange, I lend you power—a pact."
Price... not frightening.
Body and mind ruined, what could she offer? To her, his "price" was trivial.
"Brought by others, yet you reached here—fate, perhaps. You hold potential to sway the world."
Me? World-shaping influence?
Impossible. She'd have beaten the spider zombie otherwise. A failure like her? Laughable.
"Chin up. Infinite potential lies in you. Prove your justice and convictions, and by my name, I vow to lend you strength."
Potential... convictions... justice...
Convictions? Once, vowing no more losses like her parents. But defeat crushed them. Infinite potential? Noble justice? She lowered her head.
"The time has come. Your eyes will brook no illusions now. Nor turn from truth."
Wh...at?
A clear blue light gathered on her face. Melted flesh regenerated; the glow pooled in her sockets, restoring Seol-hwa's eyes. Realizing it, she removed the cloth.
"S-Seol-hwa! Your face!?"
Sang-hee's shocked cry rang out. Seol-hwa felt the same. No more pus on the sodden cloth—only smooth skin, sensation returning. Healed. Even Yu-na couldn't fix it before. Back to normal.
I see. The lost light returns!
Opening her eyes, the world bloomed. Mana waves swirled visibly; she saw the Dragon God smiling mildly with serene blue eyes.
"That voice won't be lost again. Proclaim your beliefs and justice with it."
"…Ah."
Her voice returned, throat painless. Strength to shout her truths to crowds.
"None can stop you. Patience solves nothing. Salvation is seized by one's own hand."
Legs stirred—sensation flooded her lower body. No more wheelchair. Trusting the feeling, Seol-hwa rose slowly. Standing firm on both feet, she stared at the Dragon God below.
"Now we can forge a true contract. Choose. Bind with me? Or turn away?"
True contract. Yes—that's why she'd come, as Dragon Priestess.
"…I accept. The contract."
No longer others' will—hers alone. In her own voice, she declared it to Bahamut. He nodded solemnly.
"This hard-won meaning in life—I won't lose it. I want to live more!"
Live. Not die. Return to normalcy. Reclaim the lost. She'd found her path—no fleeing now. She cried the contract.
"So be it. If that's your desire, I swear to lend you strength. By my name—Bahamut."
A colossal surge of power rushed into Seol-hwa. Her dark hair bleached snow-white; her regenerated eyes shifted to Yu-na's piercing blue.
Incredible... this power. Truly mine!
Seol-hwa felt the tremendous energy coursing through her.
"So this is a contract?"
Sang-hee realized the immense power she'd sensed in Yu-na stemmed from Bahamut's pact.
"Looks like the contract's complete."
Yu-na beamed, delighted to witness from the outside what she'd experienced herself.
"Another Dragon Priestess is born here."