Chapter 123
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 123
Chapter Title: Dragon Taming
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Jinwoo's group followed the path Kite had indicated, trekking through the forest.
No need to spell it out—they were heading to the cave where the dragon lived.
"Feels like just yesterday I was hunting to survive on that uninhabited island. Now we're off to take down a dragon."
"You're right about that."
Even Jinwoo remembered fleeing from goblins when he'd first crash-landed on the island.
He didn't regret that choice.
He'd been far too weak back then.
And he hadn't known Hilde's true capabilities yet.
But things were different now.
He'd grown to S-Grade level.
And every woman by his side was an A-Grade powerhouse.
'Not just pretty faces.'
Jinwoo took a fresh look at each of them.
Hilde, Shin Seomhwa, Han Soyoung.
Truth be told, their skills didn't even matter.
Beauties like these were worth keeping around for their looks alone.
But they were also exceptionally talented.
Jinwoo couldn't ask for more.
"...Senior, your eyes look a bit lewd."
"Do they?"
"Like a wolf right before the hunt."
Han Soyoung's complaint wasn't far off.
He thought about embracing them every day—and he often did.
Of course, he didn't always have all three at once.
Sometimes it was just one or two.
'No need to force it anymore.'
Their libidos had been well-trained by him, so they weren't exactly holding back either.
With more of them now, they were the ones pouncing first more often lately.
Needless to say, he didn't mind.
It was proof they wanted him just as badly.
"If you're that desperate, we could slip back there for a quick 'ahhhn!' "
"Just walk."
He gave Han Soyoung's cheeky ass a firm squeeze.
The springy give through her thin white fabric was pure bliss.
He'd be lying if he said the urge to pin her down right then didn't hit him.
But the situation called for restraint.
Even Jinwoo planned to hold back for now.
"Hiiing... Senior rejected me... So mean..."
"You've been extra chatty today."
"Huh? Me?"
Han Soyoung's shoulders twitched.
'Is she an idiot, or just brutally honest?'
Han Soyoung's hips and chest were generously proportioned for her petite frame.
Smart wasn't the word he'd use, even as a compliment.
Though that naivety had its own charm.
"Scared?"
"W-what? It's a dragon! Of course it could be scary!"
Han Soyoung seemed genuinely anxious.
Her antics were just her way of stalling.
"It's fine. Once you try it, it's no big deal."
"...I don't trust that line from you, Senior. Sounds like something you'd say before dragging a girl to a hotel."
Well, damn.
Even accounting for his history of lies and threats, that was harsh.
"A dragon's just a big lizard anyway. Don't worry too much."
"Yes, no matter what happens, I'll protect our precious healer."
"Hmm... If you two say so... I'll muster a bit more courage then."
Han Soyoung drew strength from Shin Seomhwa's words and Hilde's reassuring embrace from behind.
Jinwoo felt like his treatment had taken a nosedive.
"The reactions are way different when I say it."
"Difference in usual behavior."
"...I'm pissed, but I got nothing."
He'd make her beg for milk play later.
They were chatting idly as they walked the forest path when—
"Looks like we're here."
Jinwoo spoke up, eyeing the cave ahead.
No signs of life or animal tracks nearby—probably for a reason.
Makes sense. No creature bold enough to cross a dragon's lair.
'But it doesn't feel that impressive.'
The mana he sensed wasn't overwhelming.
Though his detection wasn't top-tier.
"Feel anything?"
He asked Shin Seomhwa, the mage.
"One strong mana signature. Nothing else."
"How strong?"
"Pretty big. Definitely above me, but not by a huge margin."
Shin Seomhwa was already aiming for S-Grade as a mage.
That was no slouch.
But an odd assessment for a dragon's reputation.
"Anyway, let's head in."
The group proceeded slowly inside.
The cave was wider than it looked from outside.
How far had they gone when—
"Hm?"
Zzzt-crackle!
A bolt of lightning shot from the side.
Jinwoo deflected it with telekinesis.
Telekinesis—an early skill he'd acquired.
As his mana and level grew, so did its power.
"Hmph, a mere insect blocks my attack? How insolent. Hm? Never seen your kind before."
A woman?
The group gripped their weapons and turned toward the voice.
Jinwoo's eyes narrowed at the figure that emerged.
'That... must be the dragon?'
A red-haired woman stood before them.
Long locks reaching her shoulders.
Magnificent horns sprouting from her head.
And a throat pouch proclaiming her massive size.
She looked younger than expected.
But it was exactly what you'd picture if a dragon turned human.
'Team Leader.'
'Yes?'
'You said nothing else here but that woman?'
'Yeah... that's what I sensed.'
Even Shin Seomhwa seemed a bit uncertain.
For something they'd approached so tensely, the enemy lacked any majesty.
'The classic polymorph?'
A monster that could transform its body.
Rare among intelligent beings.
Dragons known for polymorph were famous, though.
Common in fantasy tales too.
"You don't even greet me? Not orcs or dark elves, then. Sent by the elves?"
"You could say that."
"Hmph~ Even so, insolent whelps before the great dragon."
She really was the dragon living here.
Jinwoo glared and spoke.
"You're the dragon the dark elves worship?"
"Can't you tell from these proud horns? I am Luci, heir to the great dragon clan."
Luci puffed out her chest proudly.
Her ample breasts jiggled with the motion.
'At least she can talk.'
Despite the lightning ambush.
Good—she was capable of conversation.
He'd worried the dark elves' dragon might not grasp human speech or logic.
If so, there might still be room to talk.
"I heard you used a contract to control the orcs. That true?"
"Hmph, 'control' is too grand. Just a pact."
"A pact?"
"Bound by our souls—unbreakable. Long ago, the orcs surrendered and swore fealty. I delegated to the dark elves since ruling was a hassle."
Just as Kite said—the orcs obeyed dark elves due to this backstory.
Their clan's near-extinction from a lizard's laziness? Absurd if you thought about it.
"We're here to break that pact."
"Hm? Why? I'd wager it's the only special contract I ever bothered with for insects."
To her, even the curse of absolute obedience was a 'favor.'
Arrogant as expected of a dragon.
"The dark elves are gearing up for war. We're in a position to oppose them, which means endless fighting until one side's wiped out."
"Hmph~"
"The orcs fighting on their side would get annihilated too. Neither we nor the orcs want that. Cancel the pact, set them free. You don't even need them anyway."
If she'd had some ulterior motive, it'd complicate things.
But Luci had basically ignored the orcs.
If she didn't care enough to notice their doom, releasing them shouldn't matter.
"Nah, I don't wanna."
But Luci crossed her arms and shrugged indifferently.
"...Why not?"
"No grand reason. I just don't like your attitude, coming here to beg."
"What?"
Luci thrust her chest out smugly.
Then declared haughtily:
"Kneel, bow your head, and plead! Maybe then I'll consider it!"
"........."
Jinwoo stared blankly at Luci for a moment.
He'd expected something grander from a dragon.
Was she just throwing a tantrum?
"H-hey! Why're you looking at me? I'm not that bad!"
He'd instinctively glanced at Han Soyoung, who protested immediately.
She seemed to feel a twinge of guilt from the description.
Arrogant, looking down on others from a pedestal.
That was exactly Han Soyoung when they first met in the ruins.
'But even that saintess is my personal onahole now.'
Jinwoo stretched lightly.
Truth be told, he'd never planned to let this slide peacefully.
Diplomacy would be nice, but... those breasts were too magnificent to leave untouched.
"I'll handle the fight."
"You sure?"
Jinwoo gripped Adol—his first weapon in ages—and nodded.
"Team Leader, support me from afar. Han Soyoung, buffs. Hilde, watch our backs."
"Leave it to us!"
How strong was a dragon, really?
Jinwoo kicked off with battle lust surging.
Boom!
'My body's frighteningly light.'
Emperor's Decree, Saintess's Blessing.
Plus various items.
His boosted stats felt real now.
"W-what the—?!"
Caught off guard by his fierce momentum?
Luci flinched back and spewed fire.
Fwoosh!
But Shin Seomhwa's golden threads batted the flames aside.
The web-like strands pierced holes in the massive fireball.
Jinwoo slipped through the gap and closed in instantly.
"Eek!"
Dragon physiology gave her solid physical stats, at least.
She reacted to his speed.
Unlike elves or orcs, who couldn't even track him.
'But her reactions are sloppy.'
High base specs, low combat experience.
Living on this cramped island, it made sense.
Elves and orcs wouldn’t provoke a dragon anyway.
"Ugh! My body?!"
Telekinesis halted Luci's retreat.
He channeled amplified mana into his fist and struck.
Thud!
Mana-infused punch lands clean!
"Guh!"
Luci's body folded around the unguarded hit.
Her durability was impressive—even his enhanced blow, stronger than what felled Kite, didn't drop her instantly.
'Still a long way to go.'
She was a dragon.
She'd already shown lightning and fire magic.
Who knew what else?
No point giving openings.
'Grab the horn, knee strike—overwhelm her.'
As Jinwoo seized her unbalanced horn—
"Ahhn!"
A cute moan rang out.
Jinwoo paused instinctively and looked down.
Luci trembled, face flushed red.
A reaction all too familiar to him.
A woman struck in a sensitive spot.
"N-no! Y-you coward... Where'd you learn to channel mana like..."
"Mana?"
"Ahhn! S-stop! Damn it! I swear I severed your mana..."
Helpless with her horn gripped, Luci writhed.
Jinwoo tested by infusing mana via Golden Finger into the horn.
"Hyaaahn! N-nooo! H-horns are sensitive!"
She squealed like a virgin, unable to resist.
Holding her tight, Jinwoo called to Shin Seomhwa.
"Team Leader, mind binding her? Pack the threads with mana."
He glanced at Luci and muttered,
"Especially tie this 'handle' nice and snug."
Seemed the island-ruling dragon's weakness was her horns.