Dragon Scale

Magic Tower, 4th floor outskirts.

Kim Jehyun arrived at the spot where he had previously obtained Dragon Skin.

The power enhancement for each dragon legacy happens at the place where it was acquired.

Kim Jehyun gazed at the status window floating before his eyes.

With Dragon Scale's proficiency surpassing 30%, that message had been added. So Kim Jehyun had headed straight back here.

He'd thought he wouldn't need to come back anytime soon.

But as if mocking that notion, he'd returned in no time at all.

This is where ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠I took down the duplicate last time.

He recalled the trial for acquiring the fourth legacy. The test where he'd faced rematches against all the enemies he'd fought so far. Aside from the final one, it had gone more smoothly than expected.

"No way I'm doing the same trial again, right?"

He still didn't know for sure. Kim Jehyun prodded Alkasha lightly.

"Alkasha, got any idea what this is about?"

—Hmph. This body does not know everything. Power enhancement for legacies is a first even for me... Thou shalt have to experience the trial thyself to find out.

Alkasha trailed off at length. She had a habit of doing that when flustered.

She really has no clue.

He clicked his tongue briefly. Even a scrap of info would have helped.

Kim Jehyun glanced around. Just like when he'd claimed the legacy before, he could sense a draconic aura nearby.

There it is.

He spotted the massive boulder and headed straight for it. It was the same rock from last time. Having been here once, he found it without wandering.

"The aura feels even clearer than before."

It wasn't flattery. The energy emanating from the boulder was far more precise now than on his first visit.

—'Tis because thou hast grown, no doubt.

Kim Jehyun chuckled at Alkasha's words. Spot on. Feeling his own growth fueled a surge of confidence from deep within.

Yeah, just you wait. I'll catch up soon enough.

He thought of the masked assailant who'd ambushed him. Mana Core Stage 7? He'd hit that in no time.

Alright then...

Steel ing his resolve, Kim Jehyun stood before the enormous boulder. As he placed his hand on it, a brilliant burst of light—visible only to him—exploded outward.

He closed his eyes amid the flood of blinding radiance, then opened them.

* * *

A space about 100 pyeong in size. The ceiling, floor, and three walls were shrouded in blue light.

Same place as last time.

Kim Jehyun confirmed it as he looked around. A thought flashed through his mind.

So it's the exact same trial again?

He felt a spark of anticipation. If it was identical, he could breeze through the power enhancement. Last time, the difficulty had been mild except for the final round out of ten.

A figure began to materialize in front of him.

"...!"

Kim Jehyun's expression twisted at the sight of the trial opponent. He'd never imagined this guy would show up.

"What the hell are you doing here?"

Standing before him was the masked man he'd recently fought—Oh Kyungjun.

At Kim Jehyun's words, the figure—Oh Kyungjun—cracked his neck side to side. Then he lunged, fist flying straight at Kim Jehyun.

Boom.

A thunderous roar echoed as Kim Jehyun was hurled backward.

"Kuh."

A short groan escaped his lips. Caught off guard, he'd hastily conjured a shield and summoned Dragon Scale. No major damage, but the impact left his insides churning.

This entity wielded the exact same power as the masked man from that day.

I have to take this guy down?

Kim Jehyun stared in disbelief. Even judging by physical prowess alone, this foe surpassed S-rank. A head-on fight in his current state offered slim odds of victory.

What the hell are they thinking... Whoa.

Mid-grumble, he flung himself backward. Oh Kyungjun was charging in.

"Damn it, give me a second to think."

Fine. It's a mountain I have to climb eventually anyway.

Win or lose, Kim Jehyun decided to go all out against Oh Kyungjun. He was curious how far his power could take him.

Truth be told, he hadn't truly exchanged blows that day. He'd only blocked one attack.

And even that showed a massive gap...

But this duplicate seemed weaker than the real deal. It appeared to rely solely on that sturdy body—no other tricks.

"Alright, let's do this for real."

With those words, mana erupted explosively from Kim Jehyun's body. Lightning crackled on his left, flames roared on his right. Dual-casting two spells, he thrust his hands toward Oh Kyungjun.

Crackle. Whoosh!

The trial space filled with flames and lightning.

* * *

"The test subject?"

Jeon Jung-sik spoke in a curt tone to the man grinning and spinning in circles before him.

"Ah, that? Handed it off to Jang Boyoung ages ago."

Oh Kyungjun flicked the candy in his mouth as he replied.

Jeon Jung-sik watched impassively before speaking.

"But... you made a huge mess of it. Did it have to be so flashy? I asked for it to be handled quietly. Some of our Death Squad members even got captured by the Magic Tower."

His words carried a reprimand. This commotion wasn't what he'd wanted. He'd only asked for one subject for Jang Boyoung's experiments—Seo Cheol-hee. Yet Oh Kyungjun had caused a massive scandal.

Jeon Jung-sik wasn't pleased.

Should've handled it myself.

Then it would've been a clean snatch—no wiping out a whole clan.

And poking the Magic Tower's nose... more harm than good.

The Tower Master was far more terrifying than Oh Kyungjun seemed to think. Oh Kyungjun believed he could take him, but once he saw the real face, he'd realize he was just a kitten yowling before a tiger.

Anyway, Jeon Jung-sik disliked how this had played out. But Oh Kyungjun saw it differently.

"I brought the test subject like you asked, didn't I? And it wasn't easy, you know."

He clenched his right fist and mock-patted his left shoulder, playing the fool.

With no reaction from Jeon Jung-sik, he continued.

"Besides, so what? ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠They're all gonna die eventually anyway. Just trimming the numbers early—big deal?"

"...That's not the point."

Jeon Jung-sik frowned again at Oh Kyungjun's flippant attitude.

"This is too much. I do you the favor, bust my ass, and all I get is grief?"

Oh Kyungjun narrowed his eyes at Jeon Jung-sik. Helping out and getting this treatment soured his mood. Tension chilled the air between them.

Then a clear, bright voice cut in.

"Hey, hey, what's with the mood?"

Jang Boyoung ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠wedged herself between them, her mere presence thawing the frost.

"Aww, Jung-sik, ease up. Kyungjun did his best, y'know. And Kyungjun, you brought the subject without a scratch—good job."

"Right?"

Oh Kyungjun's eyes curved into crescents at her words. He winked back.

"Yeah, yeah, turns out the guy you nabbed is even better for experiments than expected. Sit tight—this big sis is gonna deliver something amazing."

"Ooh! Can't wait. If even you say that, Leader Jang, I'm dying to see it."

The icy vibe melted like spring under sunlight. Even Jeon Jung-sik got swept up, shaking his ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠head helplessly.

Oh Kyungjun thought to himself as he watched.

Kim Jehyun... That bastard's kid—I gotta snag him or erase him for good.

Without Kim Jehyun, he wouldn't be catching flak from Jeon Jung-sik now. The Tower Master couldn't maintain that mana barrier forever. They wouldn't have found a trace.

In the end, their losses were Kim Jehyun's fault.

His abilities outclassed others at similar levels. He'd even subdued a triad leader.

Like the Tower Master in his prime. No... maybe even more monstrous.

Oh Kyungjun upgraded his assessment. If he could recruit him, perfect. Otherwise, crush the bud. He reeked of becoming something beyond the Tower Master.

Even handling the Tower Master is tough enough as is.

A few others rivaled the Tower Master's might, but another from the Magic Tower would complicate their grand plans terribly.

I've slacked off too. Time to focus on training.

Meeting the Tower Master had lit a fire under him.

* * *

Kaboom.

Explosions rang out nonstop. Kim Jehyun and Oh Kyungjun traded relentless blows in a brutal slugfest.

"Ptoo. Feels like I'm the only one taking damage here."

As combat hit a brief lull, Kim Jehyun spat blood from his mouth and muttered.

Oh Kyungjun's speed was beyond his control to dodge or not. So he'd gone simple:

1. Keep shields up constantly, tank with Dragon Scale.

2. Blast Oh Kyungjun with magic nonstop.

Simple is best. Crude, but optimal here.

But Oh Kyungjun's body was just as tough. Kim Jehyun poured out spells without cease, yet the duplicate shrugged them off.

Can I even drop this guy?

The doubt crept in.

If only I could summon a spirit...

Regrettable. Spirits wouldn't manifest here. Pure magic only.

Still, gains: nonstop casting honed his efficiency.

Thud. Thud. Boom.

His spells drumming Oh Kyungjun's body, the duplicate's fists pounding his—endless echoes.

Then.

This sensation...

Tanking hits nonstop, a tickle stirred in Dragon Scale.

Hummm.

Vast energy boiled from Dragon Scale.

A message appeared.

"...!"

In that instant, Kim Jehyun understood. How to unleash Dragon's Wrath.

His eyes flashed.

Thick golden light exploded from his body.

Kabooooom.

A massive golden beam surged toward Oh Kyungjun.