Still Just Immature
NyaNya had been in a great mood lately. Among the people tackling quests at the nest, she'd proudly claimed first place—and she was even receiving the dragon's favor. Not just any dragon, but an incredibly cute one. One that made you want to squeeze her tight just looking at her. At this rate, hugging her at least once didn't seem impossible.
Who's this guy?
A stranger appeared before the beaming NyaNya. Sure, plenty of users visited the dragon's nest, but even to NyaNya—who treated the place like her own home—this was a new face. A suspicious man wearing a skull mask that covered half his face. Dressed in ominous dark gray mage robes, he gave off an unsettling vibe for some reason.
"...Who are you?"
"None of your business. You're the one who made the mana core, right?"
"Yeah, but who are you?"
"Good. Then take me to the dragon."
"...Why should I?"
NyaNya glared at him in disbelief. He looked strong enough, but with this rude attitude, even she—who got along well with everyone at the nest—couldn't treat him nicely. Besides, Lea wasn't in the mood to see anyone right now... Whummm...
"!"
Before she knew it, a skull-shaped staff was in the man's hand. The skull's mouth opened, and a gray magic circle began forming in midair.
Fireball?
NyaNya's eyes widened as she hurriedly pulled out her wooden staff and cast a spell.
"Then die."
"Defense!"
BOOM!!!!
The fireball collided with the protective barrier. It was far more powerful than anything a low-level mage could muster, but it couldn't pierce the bluish shield enveloping NyaNya.
The man—Husk—tapped his staff on his shoulder and let out a surprised chuckle.
"Your casting speed is freakishly fast. And you blocked my fireball with a puny Shield."
"...What the hell are you doing!"
"So if I snag that mana core, I'll be able to do the same?"
"You think Lea—the dragon—is gonna teach you after this crap?"
"Oh, I think she will."
Whumm! Whumm! Whumm!
Three magic circles floated up around Husk.
"If I'm better, why would she waste time on trash like you?"
＊
"...Ha... sir."
"Joas. Posted three more today."
"Ring-nim..."
"Ah, but if I post too many bait threads, I'll get banned... Hmm. Just one more? One more..."
"Haring-nim!"
"Eek?!"
Haring jolted up from her seat at the sudden noise. Her mana circulation training—done in a water-like trance—cut off, leaving her dizzy as her senses snapped back to normal. Turning her head, she saw Yongba beside her and Hidni waving from afar.
"What? You scared the crap outta me."
"It's just wild. How do you gal while doing mana training? I can't even do it on purpose."
"Why not? Just do it."
"Couldn't for me."
"Multitask. Breathe in, breathe out, gal. Can't ya?"
"Guess you're special, Haring-nim."
"Hehe. Think so? So why'd you call?"
"Fight broke out."
A fight? What fight? Haring blinked, then noticed how eerily empty the nest looked. Usually, everyone was milling about training, but today it felt deserted.
Clang! Boom! Rumble...!
Come to think of it, explosions were echoing from afar...
"Over there?"
"Yep. Can't miss a show. That's why we called."
"Ooh, nice nice. Who's fighting?"
"See for yourself."
Yongba and Haring hurried to the scene, where the other seven trainees had gathered. They were huddled in hiding spots, peeking at the brawl. The fighters were...
"NyaNya and... who's that?"
"Husk. Rank 7 ranker."
"Rank 7..?"
"Yes."
Yongba settled into a good spot and answered while pulling snacks from his pouch and munching away. The other dragon warriors did the same. Haring felt something off but took a snack anyway.
"Why're they fighting? Outta nowhere? Why's he even here?"
"Dunno."
"?"
"Heard a loud bang during training, ran over—boom, they're at it."
"Didn't stop 'em?"
"Lea said leave it."
"Lea did?"
"Yep."
Haring turned. On a high rock with the best view sat Lea, watching with an inscrutable expression. Amused? Annoyed? It was ambiguous. Haring had never seen that look before—it felt oddly unfamiliar.
She turned back to the fight.
"You gonna keep turtling forever?"
"Tch... With our specs this far apart, what're you even saying!"
"Die nicely. Dragon's probably hoping you will."
Husk's spells were slow but potent. A top-tier rank 7 player with hidden and unique items, near third-job change—he was strong even without a mana core. Most mages his level couldn't touch him.
"Urk..."
BOOM!!
"...Gotta admit, your shielding's solid."
NyaNya, meanwhile, had superior casting speed and mana regen. No matter how Husk poured on pricey gear and skills, she whipped up spells in a blink. Most fizzled against her Shield; for the big ones, she just layered more. He attacked endlessly, she defended—stalemate.
Haring munched Yongba's snacks and muttered.
"Why's NyaNya just defending? Hit back hard."
"Probably her first PvP. Monsters sure, but player-vs-player? New territory."
"True, but... she could land one, right? She's learning magic from Lea."
"From what I hear, Husk's good at defense magic too. To attack properly, she'd drop shield..."
"Scary, huh."
"Exactly."
To hit Husk effectively, NyaNya had to briefly drop shield and go all-in on offense. She couldn't juggle both yet. For a PvP newbie, baring herself like that was terrifying.
She's just a normie.
Unlike savvy gal vets like Haring, NyaNya had that everyday player vibe. Not ready for mutual destruction yet.
Bang!
Cornered, NyaNya's shield cracked; she took a hit and fell.
"Ahh!"
"Go NyaNya-nim!"
"Don't lose!"
"Get up!"
"Attack! Attack!"
The trainees cheered, but it didn't help much. Husk just smirked, raising his staff triumphantly.
"Over? Useless forever without that core."
"......"
"Dragon ditched you too, huh?"
Husk grinned up at Lea. Even with NyaNya half-down, Lea watched impassively. Her dangling legs swung... then stopped.
"Dragon! I win! Take me as disciple!"
"Hmmm..."
"This kid just lucked into the mana core. Give it to me—I'd do way better!"
"I see."
"Right! So teach me the circulation method too..."
Lea nodded.
"Still just immature."
"What?"
"Use it."
Tzzzzz...
Blue chill poured from NyaNya's bosom. Cold enough to make Husk—and the peeking trainees—shiver.
Husk backed away, assessing. What? Unique weapon? Dragon power-up? Hidden piece? Some unknown force surged from her; one thing clear—block it now or die.
For the raid, he'd saved his ace: three spells plus consumables fueled a massive incantation.
Inferno.
Husk's strongest move. It'd blown off an ogre lord's arm—he was more confident than ever.
NyaNya gripped her blue staff and whispered.
"...Me."
"One-shot. Ten shields won't save you."
"...Me too..."
"What're you mumbling..."
Crack.
"I got cheaty gear toooooooo!!!"
Legendary Staff, End of Frost.
The glacier's power that birthed the ice elves centuries ago erupted.
The entire mountain froze—Husk included.