Chapter 117
Chapter 117
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 117
Chapter Title: Happy Birthday to You (3)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Looking at the map that Tubby and Skinny had marked for me.
I arrived near the new criminal organization building.
"What the hell, there are people at the entrance. Everyone stop for a sec."
I raised my arm upward, signaling the heroes to halt.
And then, I kept a close eye on the person who had come out to welcome us.
'Hmm, something feels off. A villain?'
Muscular build.
A massive sword slung across his back.
One eye faded in color.
He exuded an aura that screamed power just from a glance.
I raised my voice toward the man in the distance.
"Hey, you there. You come out to greet us 'cause you knew we were coming?"
"..."
The man stared at me silently for a long while.
'His gaze is kinda creepy.'
Not my type.
A guy's stare isn't exactly flattering.
Right as my mood soured a bit.
"Better to rough you up just enough."
The man muttered under his breath and drew the sword strapped to his back.
And then.
Crack-!
He stomped the asphalt and launched himself like a coiled spring.
Swinging the massive sword at me, he growled.
"Are you a Dragon?"
"...!!"
...He knows about Dragons?
I twisted my waist Matrix-style to dodge the huge blade.
Then, barely evading his follow-up strikes, I fell back.
"What the hell are you doing, asshole?"
"Answer the question. Are you a Dragon?"
"This guy's lost it."
He's completely off his rocker.
Especially that one eye staring at me—pure madness.
Reminded me of some back-alley gambler.
'Anyone who's gone deep down some obsession rabbit hole ends up with eyes like that.'
It was the kids' birthday today—I needed to get back quick.
But it felt like this would drag on longer than expected.
"Why does crap like this have to hit on a day like today?"
Sigh-
I let out a breath and turned to the heroes waiting behind me.
"You all head to the spot marked on the map. I'll take this guy."
Even with all these heroes, it wasn't a great matchup.
This dude was tough enough that even I, with Dragon magic power, was struggling.
'If that was him holding back... this fight's gonna be rough.'
Worst case, I might not make it to the kids' birthday party at all.
With that, I sent the rest of the heroes off elsewhere and locked eyes with him alone.
Only then could I ask casually.
"That bit where you asked if I was a Dragon—what's the angle?"
The man replied without a flicker of expression.
"Exactly as I said. Are you a Dragon out for amusement?"
He even knew about amusement.
This guy knew Dragons inside out.
I broke into a cold sweat and answered.
"Nope. Not a Dragon."
"Then is there a Dragon nearby?"
"...No."
"That's odd. If you're not a Dragon, there's no way you'd have that magic power."
He hoisted the massive sword high again and bellowed.
"Then I'll gut you and find out who you really are."
"You're just a psycho bastard! What the hell are you?!"
"A Dragon Slayer."
With that, he slashed straight for my gut.
I summoned my Dragon magic power and leaped back fast.
But the self-proclaimed Dragon Slayer gave me no breathing room, swinging relentlessly.
Sometimes on rhythm, sometimes off—erratic swordplay that was hell to dodge clean.
Scratches raked my tough skin, blood welling up in spots.
'Sure, my regen'll fix it quick... Wait...?'
No healing.
Wounds from his attacks just kept bleeding—no recovery.
As I panicked a little.
He said it like it was obvious.
"Only a Dragon can kill a Dragon. This sword's forged from Black Dragon fangs. No using Dragon magic regen."
"Damn...!"
I backpedaled, sweat pouring.
One thought solidified in my head.
'Is this guy a legit Dragon Slayer...?'
Looked like he'd actually offed some Dragons.
He wasn't even breaking a sweat against me.
If he wanted, he could've ended me easy.
Only one reason he hadn't.
"Before I carve open your belly—tell me. Spill the Dragon's location nearby. Do it, and you live."
The Dragon.
My daughter's whereabouts.
Panting hard, I flipped him off.
"...Fuck off."
"Foul mouth. Don't wanna waste time. Won't talk? Then you die."
In that instant, the Dragon Slayer's one eye flashed.
The sword's back edge—something I could've sidestepped—slammed my waist like a truck.
"Ghak-!"
Pain like nothing I'd felt before ripped through me.
My body rocketed into an old building.
Boom-!
"Cough—damn..."
Blood trickled from my mouth.
Couldn't move if I tried.
The Dragon Slayer approached slow, asking again.
"Tell me the Dragon's spot now. I'll spare you."
"Kuhk-"
I'd always put my life first.
Above all else, survival mattered—I'd clawed my way up from rock bottom.
But.
'How could I ditch my kids?'
Meeting them changed me.
Life got happy, days fun, dreams of watching them grow.
No way I'd toss them aside to save my skin.
Trembling, I raised my arm and gave him the bird.
"Fuck... off..."
"Same answer. Then, farewell."
Whoosh-
The massive blade hurtled to bisect me.
'Wanted to see those dummies grow up more.'
Regret gnawed.
Sorry for leaving them parentless like me.
With final regret, I whispered.
"My daughters... couldn't even say happy birthday..."
"..."
He froze.
Did my kid mention shake the Dragon Slayer?
Eyes wavered a sec, sword halted.
But he steeled quick, rearing back for the kill strike.
No more delays—this time for real.
But that split-second pause bought time?
"Hey, hands off him!"
Crackle-!!!
Lightning crashed from the sky, spearing the Dragon Slayer.
He staggered, head snapping toward the voice.
"This lightning... this magic power..."
"Dragon Slayer picking on a regular dad with kids? Lame as hell for the title."
"Yellow Dragon...!!"
Ha-
Yellow Dragon.
Yunari eyed him with mischievous glee.
Dragon Slayer glanced at me, then shot Yunari pure hate.
"This human's magic—from you?"
"Yeah, that? Gave it for kicks. Bored. Figured it'd be fun. But you killed the vibe. Amusement's toast."
Grind-
Dragon Slayer gnashed at her breezy reply.
The sound chilled—raw Dragon hatred.
"You Dragons never change. Frolicking lightly, sowing human-world chaos. That's why I loathe you."
"Ha, my fun's your business how? Jealous I'm solo? You're rocking your Dragon Slayer gimmick too."
"...Talk's pointless."
Crackle-!
Magic storm wreathed his sword.
Yellow Dragon pointed at me.
"You chill. Wake up, it'll all be done."
Zap-!
Electricity arced from her finger.
Hit me—body went limp, eyes drooping.
Missed the Dragon Slayer vs. Yellow Dragon clash.
But no one-sided stomp, I knew it.
'Damn...'
***
Eyes open again.
"Huh? Dude's smiling? Good dream?"
Wound-riddled Yunari grinned before me.
Ditched the flunkout vibe—pure playful Yellow Dragon.
Hit her straight.
"That Dragon Slayer... what happened to him...?"
"Him? Bolted. Spotted top heroes inbound with Association Chairman backup."
"Good..."
Yellow Dragon safe—relief.
But she wasn't pleased.
"Nah, not good."
"Why...?"
"Dragon Slayer's ice-cold type. That revenge fire, but doesn't rage out on a Dragon right there. Plays long game for payback."
"Ah..."
"And I gotta wrap this Yunari gig! Flunkout was a blast! Gutted."
Hmph-!
Yellow Dragon pouted, stomping thuds.
Buildings around? Wrecked.
'Typhoon hit or what...'
Whole block flattened.
Glancing 'round, she showed up hauling a Yunari lookalike human.
"What's that...?"
"Yunari dummy. Dead from now on. Incident casualty."
"Gotta go full dead...?"
"Fun needs closure. Else you never stop. Amusements live on bookends."
She wedged the Yunari dummy under rubble.
Hand out to me.
"Hospital for you. Body's wrecked. No regen."
"You, Yellow Dragon...?"
"Heal up. Nap, then new fun. Concepts galore."
Heh heh-
What gimmick next?
Yellow Dragon: awesome, terrifying.
"Oh yeah. Time?"
"Now? 'Leven? Noon-ish?"
"Bad... Work done, yeah?"
"Yup."
"Gotta jet! Thanks. Hit you up later!"
"Hey, that shape—not hospital where!"
"Stuff to do!"
Dodged her hospital nag, bolted.
Day not over yet.
Kids' birthday cheers.
'Messy sight.'
But.
First dragon kid birthdays.
Dragged creaky bod, grabbed door-hidden cake.
Creak-
"Daddy's home! Happy Birthday! Kids, happy birthday!"
Dragon spawn first birthdays.
Passed 'em tasty cake.
Waiting kids beamed.
"Daddy! Here for our birthday—"
"One minute left, Daddy. Not precious to you—"
"Father, welcome! Been waiting...?"
"Mang-! Maaang..."
But short-lived.
Wound-sight froze 'em.
Propped my crumpling bod, asked.
"Daddy, body why! Wh-who! Who did this to Daddy! I'll kill 'em for you!"
Hwaryeon raged—horns crimson.
"Trash humans... dare... hurt Daddy...?"
Suryeon shocked?
Outside: rain-hail roar.
"Ah, Father... th-these wounds...! I-I'll lick 'em better...! No pain— Wh-why no heal...? Wh-what now... Ah, Father can't die..."
Choryeon licked frantic for heals.
No dice—pupils quaked panic.
'Home sweet peace...'
Best spot home.
Birthday on time—win.
Eyes heavy, murmured.
"Happy birthday, all..."
"Ah, Daddy!"
Flop-
Bod puppet-dropped.
Fading mind.
Kids' frantic yells only.
"Ah, Daddy! Who wrecked Daddy! I-I'll slaughter 'em!"
"Hwaryeon sis. Calm. Th-think, solve smart... Ah, hospital—take Daddy... I know spot..."
"H-Hurry Father to hospital! Can't die! No way! World sans Father? Ugly! Bi-Birthday cake...! Wish time...! Save Father please...! Please...!"
Thus.
Kids' urgent hospital dash voices last.
Lights out full.