The Tyrannical Dragon Le Ganus
The Tyrannical Dragon Le Ganus.
As his name suggests, he's a ferocious dragon who fully inherited the Dragon King's cruelty from his youth.
In a way, he's said to be even more brutal than the Dragon King himself—a tyrant not just with a foul temper, but backed by power to match.
Above all, in terms of faction size, he stands above his three siblings.
According to Giryu's explanation, his followers are packed with equally eccentric types, just like their master.
Like that Sperado faction before, they're centered around monsters with bizarre ideologies.
'So no need to hold back against them, then.'
Discriminating between monsters based on whether they have wings or not? What a joke.
The only criterion for discriminating among monsters is strength.
Time to show these idiots that clearly today.
Tail Strike SA
[Land here.]
The griffon glanced at me at the tap on one of my necks.
[Here, sir?]
[Yeah.]
The griffon looked reluctant as I nodded calmly.
[I thought you were just planning to scout?]
I shrugged lightly at his question.
He seemed momentarily speechless, so I urged him again.
[Get down already. Stay back—it might get dangerous. If things look bad, head back first.]
[...You don't need my help?]
[Hmm...]
As he obediently set me down on one edge of the floating island, I tapped the ground lightly with my foot.
[Doesn't feel like it'll collapse right away.]
[Pardon?]
[If it starts to crumble, then come help.]
I walked off, leaving the griffon staring blankly.
From where he'd dropped me, the center was quite a distance away.
Better to go alone from here, lest he get caught up.
'Come to think of it, I still don't know his name.'
I glanced at the griffon watching me worriedly.
Someone of his caliber surely had a name.
We'd gotten fairly close during the flight, yet I didn't even know that much.
Should ask on the way back.
'That said, we're pretty close now, but no reaction at all.'
Are they really this unprepared?
[They probably never imagined anyone from Lehatna's side would come this far, let alone from the Island Dragon. Their defenses look weak because of that.]
I nodded quietly at the ninth head's calm analysis.
I agreed, but still—this seemed excessive.
Even with my Stealth, they shouldn't be this oblivious.
Are they weaker than expected? Or just lacking strong guards?
A bit disappointing, but I had a job to do.
At the center now, I stretched and loosened up.
Sensing clusters of monsters around the massive rock formations.
No one on Giryu's level, but there was an SA-rank.
The layer lord, maybe?
Looks stronger than Sperado at a glance.
Better handle him before takeoff.
"Hiss—"
I released Inhwa's Art, and my three heads drew in breath.
Three breaths might be overkill, but better too much than too little.
The SA-rank monster, huddled in its nest, jolted up at the sudden mana surge.
An owl-like, plump avian monster.
Looking bewildered, it scanned around wildly.
Spotting me, it flapped away in panic.
'Too late.'
The prepared breaths erupted at once.
They engulfed it, its nest, and shattered the entire rock mountain.
"Kaaak—!!!"
"Pii, piii—!!!"
"Lub-lu—!"
The monsters finally noticed the assault and fled in chaos, but too late—they were already caught in my breath.
No escaping now.
'Huh... dodged nicely, though.'
I stopped the breath and turned.
There was the owl, eyes bloodshot, wings flapping furiously, glaring at me.
In that split second, it'd somehow evaded.
Not fully unscathed, but impressive enough.
At least better than Sperado.
[Who dares?! You lowly earth-crawler, attacking my nest...!]
His roaring telepathy echoed in my mind—same trash talk as Sperado.
Just another sky-scum.
'Flying up there is a problem, though.'
Should've finished him grounded, or ripped those wings off.
'Eh, just a minor hassle.'
Not Giryu-level, so no real threat.
Anyway.
"Piii—!!!"
"Kyaaa—!"
"Lub-lu—"
Monsters swarmed in at the commotion.
They looked like swarming flies—almost made me chuckle.
'Rejoice, righty. Feast time today.'
[Chicken goooood—...]
Right head crowed happily at the sky-filling horde.
[Lowly earth-crawler! I won't forgive you!]
With the furious owl's cry, countless flying monsters charged.
Mostly S-rank+, a dizzying sight that'd terrify any hunter.
But not threatening to me.
Like flies, as I said.
"Piii... Gahk—!"
Right head chomped one mid-charge, crunching messily.
*Crunch*
The vivid sound of flesh and bone made the others falter mid-air.
Finally realizing I'm no ordinary foe?
Too slow.
Whoosh—
My tail whipped like a lash, slicing air.
Those hit exploded on impact.
Tougher ones survived barely, but flew off gravely wounded.
A third gone in seconds—the owl's face twisted oddly.
"Hiss—"
I smirked at his dazed look, prepping the next attack.
Bad luck for him—this wasn't over.
"Shaa—"
The fourth head rose quietly.
Insights from the Giryu fight honed it.
Wind magic rank too low for his exact feat, but I could mimic.
Plus, I had more than wind.
Combine lightning, others—surpass him.
Time for my first real test of mental combos.
"Shiii—"
Other heads joined the fourth in casting.
I'd mixed magics before, but never this scale.
Tricky with different elements, but doable.
Idle heads kept the foes pinned.
They'd lost morale after the sweep, but better safe.
Can't let them flee my debut.
Hope they cooperate nicely.
Whoooosh—
Gale winds howled.
Fierce lightning-storm dragged clouds, birthing a tempest.
[He's summoning a storm!]
[Like Stormbird Giryu!]
[How can a lowly earth-thing wield a storm?!]
Similar to Giryu's, but weaker in power.
Enough for these sky-trashes, but not for me.
I layered lefty's ice into the raging gale.
Chilling bite amplified it twofold—still not enough.
Far from matching Giryu's wind pinnacle.
Even with two extras, lacking.
'Then add more.'
Wind, lightning, water(ice)—now fourth: earth? Fire? Light? Poison?
No—darkness.
Thick shadows seeped into the hurricane.
It voraciously sucked in surroundings.
The floating island trembled uneasily.
Seemed ready to collapse under pressure.
But I pressed on.
Petrified or insta-killed escapees with Magic Eyes.
They dropped limply—I added more magic.
Now light.
Harsh clash with darkness made blending tough.
Limit here?
Power already surpassed Giryu's, but unsatisfactory.
Just a bit more tweaking...
BOOM—!!!
Overloaded magics resonated, exploding massively.
Swallowed the frantic owl and all nearby.
Dazzling light, colossal blast.
Kr-boom!
The island shattered inevitably, debris raining.
A griffon streaked through powerfully.
'Kept his promise.'
Told him to flee if dangerous, yet he came for me—commendable.
I see why Giryu treasures him.
Stayed till the end despite chances to escape—likable.
'Definitely asking his name.'
Repeating to remember, I hastily cast Inhwa's Art to mount.
Mana strain from overdrive made it hard, but I shifted in time.
Thud.
Safely aboard, he weaved through collapsing island and magic aftershocks.
Undeterred, he kicked air relentlessly.
Flap-flap—
Safely away, he raised his voice.
[How can you fight so recklessly?! You nearly got yourself killed!]
A bit cheeky for an SS-rank facing me, but recalling his final dash—hard to scold.
I'd gotten carried away; it was risky.
Risk self-inflicted, no excuses.
[No more overdoing it. Lucky I was nearby—if not?]
[Ground was softer than expected.]
[...Don't you think you're beyond specs, Nix sir?]
[Can't half-ass a fight.]
[...Fair enough. But at least look after yourself.]
I nodded at his quiet advice.
And asked what I'd meant to.
[So, what's your name?]
[...My name?]
[Who else here?]
[...Pelte.]
[Right, Pelte. Thanks today. Looking forward to more.]
[...Please don't overdo it next time.]
I patted his neck lightly at the worried addendum.
He's grown on me.
Maybe invite him along later.
[Anyway, Pelte—let's go.]
[Heading back?]
[Nah. Not done enjoying yet.]
[...After all that?]
[Little more practice, and I'll get the hang.]
[...That was just 'practice'? Absurd.]
[You'll manage it too, someday.]
[No idea when I'll reach your level. So, down below?]
I nodded at Pelte's quiet question.
He hesitated, then nodded reluctantly.
[Fine. My orders from Giryu sir are to assist you. Wherever you want, I'll go.]
[Even if it ends in death?]
[Yes. Whatever the end, I'll fulfill my orders.]
[I like that.]
Thud.
Patting his shoulder lightly, we took to the skies again.
Next stop: layer 90.
Another Le Ganus territory, like here.
Underwhelmed this time—next, real chaos.
Hoping for solid results. Earnestly.