Chapter 292
Chapter 292
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ace
Chapter: 292
Chapter Title: Part 91. With Spear and Shield, Into the Eye of the Storm (3)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Black Dragon.
A member of the dragon clans in the dimension of Ascalifa, the realm of dragons. The only unique species that doesn't dwell solely in Ascalifa but roams across various dimensions. They're the 'dimensional vagrants' notorious for causing the most trouble in countless worlds.
And they were the dragon clan Yoo Ji-tae had slain the most.
The moment he confirmed the towering figure before him was a Black Dragon—and the fact that it referred to him as its 'sworn enemy'—countless questions flooded his mind.
So many that he didn't even know where to begin.
"Your sworn enemy...? I have no idea what you're talking about."
「Don't play dumb?」
The dragon replied telepathically.
The first suspicion was the purple eyes.
"We've met before, haven't we?"
The woman he'd bumped into by chance at the shop selling wyvernnix flowers. Mew. And the Black Dragon with the same eye color in the wizard tower she belonged to.
It was more than a hunch.
So Yoo Ji-tae subtly probed the dragon.
"Was buying that last wyvernnix flower such a grudge?"
「No.」
The dragon answered naturally.
「But can I not call an intruder trying to steal my lair from this point on my sworn enemy?」
Mew's response.
The truth value floating in Scales Eye (SS) was true.
Then laughter followed through their mental link.
「Talk about rotten luck. Of all days, the one I went out because the weather was nice, and I run into a Federation lackey right there...」
She'd openly admitted to being Q.
There was no such thing as pure coincidence—only inevitability hidden within.
In the end, Yoo Ji-tae had gone there for the dragon.
And that's how he'd crossed paths with her.
"You probably know this already, but before I carry out my duties, I'll identify myself. I'm a 5th-grade agent of the Federation. 'Season.'"
「I've heard all about you. The prophet Season.」
"From Edrei?"
「Yes.」
"From now on, I'll commence an official investigation as a 5th-grade Federation agent. I'd appreciate your full cooperation. Your name."
He tossed out the words to cut the small talk.
At that moment, Yoo Ji-tae expected the Black Dragon to resist. The Black clan was as ferocious and cunning as the Red clan, rivals in savagery. If so, he'd find a pretext to beat her down and loosen her tongue.
But unexpectedly, the Black Dragon complied.
「Mew.」
He even sensed amusement in her mental tone.
Perhaps she saw it as a game of pretend.
In other words, she was being cheeky.
He didn't care either way.
"Identity?"
「An adult Black clan dragon.」
"Age."
「By this world's reckoning? Who knows. Somewhere between 300 and 1,000 years old?」
"Young. Why are your eyes purple?"
「Mutation.」
True.
As Yoo Ji-tae silently recalled every Black Dragon he'd encountered—matching names, faces, ages—one by one.
Mew laughed mentally.
「What? Gonna ask for ID again?」
A mocking tone. Yoo Ji-tae ignored it.
But he was certain once more.
Among the 27 Black Dragons he'd hunted across nearby dimensions during his 'Overlord Hunt,' there was no 'Mew.'
"Why'd you buy the wyvernnix?"
「Do you really have time for this leisurely interrogation? Things must be chaos outside by now.」
The Federation could handle that.
"Answer the question."
「Do you know anything about my clan?」
"That you're irredeemable dimensional vagrant trash? Yeah, I know plenty."
No metaphor. Wherever Black Dragons existed, those worlds suffered under them.
Unlike other clans, who, upon reaching adulthood, were bound by the fragments of origin and rarely left Ascalifa, Black Dragons had no such restraints.
Even as adults, they spread across dimensions, wreaking havoc.
His words clearly irked her.
Edge crept into the Black Dragon's mental voice.
「……Watch your tongue when you speak of my clan.」
"Don't like it?"
「I said it again. Mind your words. Before I truly deem you my enemy and tear you apart.」
The Black Dragon's mind seethed quietly with rage.
Yoo Ji-tae stared into her purple eyes without responding. Then Mew added,
「...I bought the wyvernnix because I liked its scent. First time I smelled it after coming to Earth. It calmed my emotions.」
"Emotions?"
「I've long wanted to be more like humans. Born in a way that makes it impossible. But the wyvernnix scent lets me pretend, if only for a moment.」
Every truth value in Scales Eye was true.
She'd bought it purely to regulate her emotions.
Astonishing. For a Black Dragon, who hated everything, to be soothed by mere flower fragrance.
"How'd you slither your way here?"
The second suspicion.
How was a Black Dragon on Earth?
Up to his 7th regression, no Black Dragon had ever appeared on Earth. Nor had he influenced other dimensions.
If it was a regression variable, there was only one: the Great Evil.
Yet the Apocalyptic Clock (EX) gave no warnings.
「By chance. Through a dimensional twist.」
"Dimensional twist? When?"
「By this world's reckoning, I've seen five springs now.」
Five years. The same timing as the dimensional twists the hatchlings had endured. Scales Eye confirmed it true.
Yoo Ji-tae frowned.
"Explain in more detail. So I can understand."
「Nothing special. We're the only clan free to roam dimensions. I was the same. Wandered too far, got caught in one, and ended up here.」
"Alone?"
「Have you ever seen Black clan travel with company?」
He had. That's why he asked.
"Answer."
「Alone.」
Yoo Ji-tae paused, thinking.
Two of three suspicions addressed. Answers received.
1. The Black Dragon was Mew.
2. She'd been swept in as a variable of the 7th regression.
And the final third suspicion.
"You'll have to come with me to the Federation now. Charges: anti-Federation conspiracy. Inciting illegal protests. Over 57,000 counts of murder. Plus illegal arms trafficking and more."
「Gonna lock a dragon up somewhere?」
"We'll see. Last question."
Yoo Ji-tae slowly compressed the space as he advanced. The 72nd floor, expanded into a sub-dimension the size of two soccer fields, echoed with his heavy military boots: thud, thud.
"Answer carefully. Your fate depends on it—life or death."
He amplified his killing intent, voice dropping low.
From here, his questions delved into what had pissed him off for over half a year. Irritation laced them.
"Why did you, as 'Q,' antagonize the Federation?"
Thud...
"Why lead the anti-Federation terror group Quasar?"
Thud...
"Why sow discord between the Federation and military powers like G12?"
Thud...
"Why train underage kids as Quasar suicide bombers? Why bomb Christoph's young grandson to death..."
Thud.
"What reason to rip apart world-class superhumans trying to stop you? Why fire the Downfall? Why reduce the wizards of this tower to this state?"
His steps halted before the Black Dragon's massive foot. Looking up, he ramped up his killing intent. Any bullshit answer, and he'd sever that ankle first.
But her response was beyond expectation. Mew's mental laughter rang out.
「My sworn enemy. You dare ask me something so absurd as a question?」
"What?"
「You're saying I did all that? For real?」
Yoo Ji-tae's brow furrowed.
「Look. Me, posing as this 'Q' character, antagonizing the Federation. Rallying Quasar, even training kids. Blowing up some random brat. Slaughtering top superhumans. Stuffing this tower's wizards into my lair one by one? Me, this lazy, noble 'dragon'? What dragon lives that diligently?」
"......"
「I've been alone here for five years since setting foot on this land. We're a wandering clan, but we crave a place to settle. I did too. So I sought out a few with similar scents. Yeah, like the humans you call 'demons.'」
The Black Dragon spread her wings wide.
「Build me a house, I said.」
"House meaning this lair?"
「Started as a shack. They wanted a deal? Being a kind Black Dragon, I figured out what they craved. Easy. Dragons can read memories and emotions. Guess what they wanted? Obvious. Power.」
「Humans grow stronger by banding together in society. And they unite best against a common enemy. Conveniently, haters of the Federation were everywhere.」
「So I just helped like-minded folks connect. To support each other. Then the humans started wanting me around. All sorts.」
"...All sorts?"
Yoo Ji-tae's eyes narrowed.
「Where'd you meet Edrei? He's always lurked in the shadows with anti-Federation groups. Hated Callioban. Same with these wizards. They volunteered as bait. Gave me a spot and materials for the lair, in exchange for magic research help. Then told me to use them as I saw fit.」
「Back to your questions. Why antagonize the Federation as Q? Slaughter kids? Spark terrorism everywhere? Stuff wizards in my lair? Fire the Downfall?」
「How should I know? I didn't do it. I've never been your so-called 'Q' even once!」
An indignant tone.
Laced with mirth.
Q was a phantom. Mew claimed.
「I just handed them the knife.」
「The rest? Humans did it themselves.」
Finishing, Mew laughed uncontrollably through their mental link, as if it was hilarious.
A somewhat hollow answer.
Scales Eye confirmed it true, of course.
Meaning the grave robbers of Seol Bitnara's tomb were third parties. Even the Downfall shot was some Mexican official's choice to protect Mew in the wizard tower.
「After five grueling years of backbreaking work to build my lair. You show up backed by the Federation. Now you'll take it. So you're my sworn enemy.」
Always like this.
Even a typhoon shaking the earth and churning the seas.
Its eye remains unknowable.
Yoo Ji-tae nodded. Everything Mew said was true. Her emotionless explanation even distanced her further from the 'Evil.'
Not surprising. She'd undeniably accelerated global currents, intentionally or not.
"Got it. My questions are done."
「So? Curiosity sated? Wanna make a deal?」
"Deal?"
「Tell me what you want. I'll grant it. In exchange, leave my lair alone. I'll move somewhere quiet and remote. Don't hunt me down.」
"Can't do that."
「What?」
Anyway, he'd learned what he needed.
Time for business.
"Sorry, but I can't let you go."