Chapter 21
Chapter 21
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 21
Chapter Title: Taming the Dragon (3)
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1.
The Demon Race possessed immense power from birth.
That trait was reflected even in the game, where a level 1 Demon Race player could match mid-tier human players around levels 10 to 15, showcasing extreme power inflation.
Of course, balance was maintained to some extent by adjusting stat growth rates, so by the time players reached ranker level, racial differences were negligible.
However, this created one issue.
Once players hit ranker level, they typically headed to the Demon Realm or Heavenly Realm for better leveling spots. The Human Realm rarely saw anyone above level 200.
So what if a Demon Race player around that level crossed into the Human Realm and caused chaos? Even if a few high-level players stepped up as vigilantes to snipe them, it was impossible to catch them all.
With vast maps and countless players, total surveillance wasn't feasible—it was inevitable.
Thus, the most anticipated scenario was this:
Demon Race players monopolizing hunting grounds, massacring civilians indiscriminately, or extorting tolls...
They could pull off all sorts of nonsense if they really tried, but fortunately, during my active playing days, nothing like that happened.
'More precisely, they couldn't let it happen.'
The reason? One NPC.
⚠️ HERESY INQUISITOR ⚠️ 👤 Level: ??? ❤️ HP: 5 billion 💙 MP: 10,000 ⚠️ Special: All attacks deal 2x damage to Demon Race. 📜 Description: Hunter dispatched by the 'Holy Order'—hostile to all Demon Race players. This monster rivaled a level 200 foe in stats. For the Demon Race, already vulnerable to holy-element damage at 4x, it inflicted an additional 2x multiplier—a insane NPC.
Its level was unknown and HP relatively low, but its true annoyance lay in its attack power.
Special: All attacks deal 2x damage to Demon Race.
In other words, Heresy Inquisitors dealt transcendent 8x damage to Demons.
The moment a Demon Race player appeared in the Human Realm, these guys swarmed in, shredding everything in sight.
'And not just one—they come in packs...'
They didn't stop at one wave either; they kept coming until the player died.
Demon Race players invading the Human Realm could vicariously feel like raid bosses getting ganged up on.
Even if those players came decked in cheat-tier gear, doped to the gills with buffs.
'Even I couldn't handle a horde. If it were the game, taking down one would summon two more, then more, endlessly multiplying.'
Ranker-level Demons might have holy-resistance gear or skills, but lower tiers were outright barred from rampaging in the Human Realm.
Thus, the feared scenarios never materialized.
Rankers who could slaughter Inquisitors were too busy defending their rankings to wreak havoc elsewhere.
'This isn't exactly the game, so no endless hordes of hundreds, but it's still dangerous.'
So I had to hide my Demon identity at all costs.
Luckily, Cyan's appearance was nearly identical to a High Elf's, so looks weren't an issue. Still, Louis had sniffed me out, making it a point to address.
Ignoring such details could snowball into bigger problems later.
"How exactly did you figure it out? Transform doesn't change my appearance much."
"...The mana signature's different. You might not realize it, Lady Cyan, but Transform is just artificial mimicry. No matter how precise, someone with the same ability like me can tell... the difference."
"You can distinguish it? High Elves wield potent mana too, similar to Demons, making it hard to spot visually."
"We dragons have sharp eyes. We can pick up even the subtlest hints... yes."
Sharp eyes, huh.
In-game, spotting Transform-disguised Demons had two main methods.
One: Observing skill effects. Demon players' effects had slightly desaturated colors compared to other races.
But distinguishing that was practically impossible—maps varied in lighting, and scrutinizing flashy effects for tiny differences wasn't human work.
Usually, players used Appraisal Scrolls to detect active Transform magic. Louis wouldn't have one, nor could he run Appraisal constantly like me.
'So it's the visual cue.'
Dragons soared the skies, so their eyesight was exceptional.
That was lore-emphasized.
Even hawks had about 9x human vision; dragons, faster and bulkier, likely surpassed even ostriches, the sharpest sighted birds.
It made sense.
I'd cast spells in front of him multiple times before, and today I'd spammed Graviton right under his nose...
Not noticing would've been weirder.
"...Hm, no big deal then. Sorry for startling you. Even I find my identity leaking troublesome."
-Snap!
I recast Transform to hide my horns again.
If only I could tweak hair color or ears to blend better, but no dice. Current state would have to do.
Louis couldn't hide his horns or tail either—same boat.
Plus, his status mirrored Demons: hated by humans. He got it.
No worries about him spilling. Worst case, a command would seal his lips.
"It's fine. We're dragons too, after all... yes."
Anyway, moving on.
"Louis."
Time to address what'd been bugging me.
"Yes, Lady Cyan."
"Drop the forced polite speech. The stuttering's grating."
"Got it. Lady Cyan."
Much better.
Dragons were arrogant pricks, never polite.
Louis, a young hatchling, was milder but still unused to it.
Not sneering like our first meeting was progress enough.
Otherwise, I'd have Back-of-the-Blade Struck him into compliance—stubborn beasts need the rod.
"But didn't you mistake me for a High Elf at first? Called me a 'mere' one, I recall."
"...I haven't even lived a full century properly, but no High Elf solves problems with fists like you, Lady Cyan."
Louis looked queasy, like bad memories surfaced.
Probably the chill—sunless spot. Reptiles like dragons hated cold.
Makes sense.
Curiosity sated.
Just to be sure, I asked if my behavior risked exposure.
I could dodge Appraisal Scrolls and adjust spells, but un-High-Elf-like actions invited suspicion.
Bumping into street-wandering Inquisitors? Bad news.
"Your personality fits High Elves, though. They're all twisted like you, Lady Cyan."
"You saying mine's twisted?"
"N-No! I mean, you act the part perfectly... or perform well...?"
"Joking. No need to panic."
"...Didn't sound like one."
Good—Louis saw no red flags in my mannerisms or speech.
He'd encountered High Elves solo wandering and found my vibe matching.
Wonder what High Elves were like...
No major worries then. But now, something else nagged.
'Twisted personality, huh.'
He said I matched High Elves' warped psyches. No lie detected.
High Elves isolated in forests for centuries often snapped; most suicided.
Definitely not normal.
Mentally off, somehow.
And me too.
'Honestly, yeah. My actions don't scream normal.'
I'd acted on whims, High Elf or not.
First arrival here, black market Louis meet—same deal.
Killed hundreds without a pang.
Just squished bugs.
Made me wonder if I was broken.
Six months solo in lifeless wilds—personality intact? Tough.
Plus, this body wasn't my birth one from parents.
It was Cyan's—my created character.
Maybe I'm not the original 'me' anymore.
'Not impossible.'
Back on Earth, I read a book like that.
Protagonist brain-damaged in accident, gets transplant, wakes miraculously.
But daily unease builds; questions if he's truly 'himself' with another's brain.
Irritable, speech shifting—makes sense.
Story revolved around it.
Soon, he learns it's a psychopath's brain; notices mimicking it, goes mad.
Rough plot, yeah.
Key here: What defines 'me'?
I'm not partial brain—full Cyan body, head to toe.
'Who am I, really...'
Maybe I'm Cyan, not the old me.
'Me' might be delusion.
-Snap.
"...Lady Cyan, you okay?"
Lost in thought, Louis grabbed my hand. Sudden.
"What's up?"
"Your hands are shaking..."
"Mine?"
Checked myself.
'Why...?'
Hands trembling for real. Fatigue too. No clue.
"...Ah."
-Crackle!
I dropped the surrounding barrier hastily.
That 'invincibility' skill was a mana-hungry 6th-circle spell.
In-game, gear and potions kept it near-permanent; not here.
About five minutes—half my mana gone?
'Shaking stopped. Close call; could've collapsed.'
Another issue.
Game had HUD for HP/MP; easy management.
Now, gut feel only—trickier.
Hold off mana-intensive spells till adapted.
Demon penalty: full mana drain temporarily weakens stats. Careful.
Great power, great flaws.
"Don't mind that. Overdid mana use."
"Glad it's nothing..."
—Over there! They ducked into that alley!
"Company coming."
Several approaching—not one. Footsteps, presence: at least four.
Four?
One male, rest female.
Rings a bell...
-Snap!
"Found the kidnapper! Hand over the child you—huh?"
Emerging: brown-haired swordsman with blade, trailed by priestess, elf, dwarf.
"...Lady Cyan?"
"Yeah. Small world, running into you here."
The adventurer party from the forest.
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