Chapter 163
Chapter 163
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 163
Chapter Title: Chuunibyou Dragon Expert
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Chwaaaaaak────!!!!!!
"Oh."
"Wow."
Admiring the spray shooting up this high, I kept my eyes fixed ahead.
The water still swirling around the dragon even after it had burst forth. Sharp pupils gleaming from within.
The pressure it was emanating was no joke. And it wasn't aimed at me, but at the demon? This was definitely worth spectating.
I pulled out popcorn and 3D glasses from [Inventory] and handed them to Raphael. Then I grabbed the same set for myself.
"Total blast."
"What is it? Is that dragon stronger than Benia?"
"Dunno. Gotta watch and see."
"Then you should've accepted the blessing!! Why'd you say you didn't need it!!"
"No, it's true I already have a ton of blessings. I already have the Dragon's Blessing too. But looking at it now, I kinda regret passing on this one."
"My words have never been wrong. You should listen to me when I tell you things."
"Yeah, yeah. Sorry. Won't happen next time~"
"Right. Don't do it next time. My words are as good as the heavens. Got it?!"
"Like the heavens."
"Different, but not different."
"Ah, no, that's─"
And then Levatein, nestled in my arms, kept peppering the dumb blond with questions. Naturally, she was decked out in the same getup as us.
Listening to the blonds dive into yet another explanation, we sat along the path to the beach, eyes glued to the dragon.
The demonic energy pulsed briefly, and the demon's form fully transformed. I wasn't confident I'd win against her in that state, but the dragon showed up, so total thanks.
This demon's true identity was one of the villains driving the main story in the original work, a key player in the major plotline of the 'Demon Lord's Revival.'
Why such a character was here was easy enough to guess, but none of my business. Now that the dragon had appeared.
This guy was getting sidelined from the story. Things should get easier from here on out, right?
All I had to do was munch on my popcorn and enjoy the show.
"...What are you doing?"
"Spectating."
"Spectating, right."
"..."
Why? What? We're not doing anything weird. Everyone who was freaking out and running earlier is spectating now too, so why the look?
I'm hurt? I'm the sensitive type?
"You were all for running earlier."
"Isia."
"...What."
"People have to adapt to change. The time for running is over. Dragon's here. What we should do now isn't run—it's spectate. Embrace the change."
As I said that, Raphael nodded beside me. The little blond below her did the same.
Of course, me too. Felt a bit weird nodding at my own words, but they were spot on.
"..."
Moved by my words or whatever, Isia sidled up next to me. She cleared her throat a few times, as if it wasn't entirely her own will.
Brushed back her hair and sat down beside me.
Excellent choice. I grinned and offered her the popcorn.
Isia took the popcorn and 3D glasses, glancing between them and me─
"I like caramel flavor."
What are you doing.
"Yo."
Seriously, what.
＊＊＊
In the end, Isia went with caramel flavor and was now munching popcorn with 3D glasses on. Tuning aftermarket when stock is peak.
You don't know the coolness of original flavor? Pitiful.
"Isia, you don't get it. Popcorn's gotta be cheese popcorn."
"I like sweet stuff. But seriously, why is this so good?! It's not regular popcorn?!"
Because it's infused with dragon mana, of course it's delicious. Couldn't say that, so I just told her it was her imagination.
Ignored her grumbling that it didn't feel like imagination... If I say it is, it is.
My words are the most justified in the world, right after Levatein's.
Of course. Gotta give it to her. I fed popcorn kernels one by one into Levatein's tiny mouth. The trick is to pop the next in right after she chews.
"..."
What was that look? Ignoring Isia squinting at me like I was weird, I kept watching the dragon in the distance.
It's been like that for a while now. The intimidation is insane. But it does nothing. Just stands there.
Only those sharp eyes visible through the spray. The water naturally forms the dragon's shape─
"This close up, it's weird. Yo."
Isia voiced exactly what I was thinking. Yeah, it was definitely off.
It was unmistakably a dragon. Appearance, killing intent, surging mana. All dragon.
However.
"Do dragons hide their bodies like that? Books say they're arrogant. Stepping up for lesser beings is weird enough, and hiding like that─"
"Now that you mention it, yeah. Let's hear from our chuunibyou dragon expert who's researched dragons."
"That's not me, right?"
Don't look away. I pressed down hard on the damn blond's head and affirmed Isia's words.
Dragons are like that by nature. Arrogant types who think they're supreme beings. Which they kinda are, but they don't act like this.
When they appear, they declare, 'I am so-and-so from wherever!!' first thing. Hiding their body? No way.
Even Benia, after taking a fatal wound, didn't hide herself. She was right there as is.
"Not moving either."
And since appearing, zero movement. If it were a dragon from my settings. It'd have said something like, 'Invading my domain.' or 'Are you prepared.' and offed the demon instantly.
"This is really weird."
"Seong-hoon. What if it's a spirit mimicking a dragon?!"
"Nah."
Not that. I considered it, but the mana and vibe were pure dragon.
What the heck was it? While Isia and I huddled, pondering. The demon facing it off seemed to sense the oddity too.
At first, the guy hesitated like he was about to bolt, but now stared straight at the dragon. Probably thinking the same as us.
"Should we run now?"
"Why? It's getting good. If the demon attacks that dragon, won't we see its true nature?"
Honestly curious, but if the dragon folds, we're next. Maybe running's the play here.
Honestly super curious though.
"Ah."
"What suddenly?"
A possibility flashed in my mind, but nah, couldn't be.
I shook my head. Said it was nothing and sat back down.
"Isia."
"Yeah... No. Sure."
"Nothing in the world can mimic a dragon, right?"
"If there was, dragons would've wiped 'em out. Yo."
Listening to Isia's explanation, I broke into a cold sweat. Nah. No way. Yeah. Not it.
If my hunch was right.
"Might have to fight."
"Seong-hoon."
"What."
"I'll follow your lead."
Appreciate it. Isia nodded beside me.
No. I'd be fighting solo anyway.
＊＊＊
The demon looked up at the dragon. Eyes peering through the spray. Dense mana pouring out.
Terror from the downward gaze. Everything screamed dragon. Every bit of presence from that being advertised it as one.
However.
Nothing else about it was dragon-like.
Was it even alive? Felt like staring at a wooden puppet someone propped up.
"..."
Even the mana and dread had grown familiar now. Made sense? The dragon's presence she knew.
Could kill with a glance. Choke the breath out of you.
'Weak.'
But this was weak. Definitely presence. At first, couldn't even meet its eyes.
Now she could stare. Even convert the emitted mana to demonic energy. Was that possible?
'Can you get used to a dragon's presence?'
No. If so, no one would fear dragons.
In the tense situation, under crushing pressure, the demon quickly assessed. Brain pulling together limited info.
Drawing conclusions.
And the result was─
"What are you?"
This thing wasn't a dragon. Scams happened everywhere.
People impersonated gods to start cults. Posed as professions to scam money, or faked status for perks.
She was certain. This dragon—or at least the water spray before her.
Wasn't a dragon.
With the demon's leap, the water jet tore apart. Far too easily for something called a dragon.
Couldn't believe it was dragon scales, nullifying magic and blocking physical attacks to a degree.
No blood spurted. No scream.
The dragon form disintegrated back to water. The glowing eyes lost their spark and vanished.
'As I thought.'
She hadn't been wrong. Relieved her instincts held, the demon scanned her surroundings without pause.
Had to quickly find whoever caused this mess and chase down Lee Seong-hoon. The human who tamed a demon.
If she didn't kill him now, who knew what countermeasures he'd prepare.
'Where?'
Amid the cascading spray, she kept scanning even midair. No letting her guard down.
Mimicking a dragon, using presence, emitting dense mana.
Something copying dragon authority—even weakly—couldn't be weak. Did it even exist?
Amid unsolved riddles. She found it.
In the water. Hard to see, but her eyes caught it. A human shape.
Girl with twin tails. Build like she was just over ten. Panicked expression.
Outwardly human. But instinct told the demon otherwise. Not human. Higher being than her—a dragon.
She got that, but no draconic dignity.
"You."
Reason was obvious.
Demonic energy blanketed her body. Spreading energy manifested as authority. It surged toward the girl.
"A hatchling, huh."
Everything clicked. Weak presence. Grand illusion to hide small frame. Dense mana output. Only an immature dragon—a hatchling—could wield authority like this.
Simple answer drew a smirk from the demon.
"Wrong opponent."
Regular demon or human would've fled. But not her. She assessed, seized the best outcome.
All but one thing.
"Yeah, tell me about it."
She whipped her head at the voice beside her.
A man stood there. Black hair whipping in the air as he appeared from nowhere.
A grinning man holding a blazing scythe. Pure white light gleaming from it.
"Met the wrong opponent myself. Luck's all used up."
As the man's words ended, the demon's arm was sliced off. Forming authority tumbled into the sky.
"Even elixirs make no difference."
The man positioned himself protectively before the hatchling.