Red Drake (2)
But taming it was as difficult as it was rewarding. To hunt a drake solo without me, players would need to be at least 200 levels higher on average than now. Even then, the hype around raiding this Red Drake wouldn't have died down. So if I succeeded in taming it, I'd be the sole owner of this badass flying mob for the next few years, no question. Drake riders would still be super rare even after that.
[Arrived at Terra Village, east of Rozentas Castle.]
Even considering the early dawn hour, there were hardly any users around. The Centura Volcanic Zone in Rozentas territory was a fairly high-level area. The mobs had hefty HP and attack power, forcing party hunts. But it was perfect for 'patrols'—checking boss respawns, as users called it.
If a hunting ground had mobs with no downsides, it'd inevitably get abandoned. Centura's mobs traded high HP and attack for slow movement speeds or immobility penalties. Even the fastest, the flame lizards, were slower than a regular mage's speed. Only the Red Drake had blazing mobility, letting high-level raiders ignore other mobs and sweep the zone freely.
If someone lucked into spotting it first, they'd lure it to a hidden spot and regroup with patrolling party members for the raid. Scanning the area, I spotted a few users kiting massive mob trains at high speed.
This might be tougher than I thought. I need a one-on-one with the Red Drake, but can I be the first to spot it among all these patrollers? I was too naive.
From my research, Red Drake respawned between 8 and 16 hours. Curious about the last raid time, I approached a knight user passing by.
"Hey! Mind if I ask when the last drake popped?"
"Huh? New here? Like anyone's spilling that! Pfft!"
The chatty prick just scoffed and bounced, dragging his mobs. Hyunjung was right. Taming a Red Drake wasn't about if it was possible—it was about being first to find it.
And even if I did, more headaches awaited. If other patrollers spotted me mid-taming and jumped in, it'd cancel instantly.
I'd need serious luck. My enthusiasm deflated fast, just as Hyunjung arrived.
"So, what do you think? Seeing it yourself, it's no joke like I said, right?"
"First hunting ground where patrollers outnumber hunters. Why so many at dawn?"
"Scales spiked in price. One drop nets over ten million won—who wouldn't go nuts? No guild controls the zone, so everyone's swarming."
"Hyunjung, can you block for me during my taming attempt like planned? If not, maybe we bail quick..."
"Boss raids usually give priority to the first party. But quasi-bosses like this? National rule is to DPS first for loot rights. Not sure."
"Figured."
"If we spot it first, I'll talk or tank to buy time. But two or more rushing in? We're screwed. Heads up."
Any drake someone else found first was useless to me. Just prevent interlopers on ours. But even that looked dicey.
"Let's patrol first. Map the terrain, vibe, plan strategy. If force fails, offer cash? Like 10k gold to stay out."
"Mr. Moneybags now? Lmao, when did my cheapskate bro get so generous? Not bad, though. Might work on some."
We set off mapping the volcanic zone. Started separate for coverage, but soon stuck together. Too many patrollers—had to react instantly on sight for a taming shot.
An hour in, zero kills, three laps later, tension eased into boredom.
"How do patrollers do this daily? Most strike out empty-handed."
"See now, Jihwan? How snag one of the two daily spawns first? Let's call it after today. Total time sink—no way we succeed."
"Quit whining after one lap? Keep it up, no ride for you later."
"Ride what?"
"The Red Drake, duh! Lmao."
"There he goes, chugging kimchi soup again? Wait... holy shit, it spawned!"
"Cut the jokes on patrol, man. Scared me."
"Not joking! Rush it before others swarm!!"
His tone snapped serious. I whipped around—bam, Red Drake right where we'd passed, like magic.
Towering over 4 meters, savage face. Wings twice its height. Scales gleaming red from reflected magma. It hunkered like a massive flame blob, radiating menace.
But no time for awe. Had to tame before anyone showed.
"Jackpot! Hyunjung, I'm committing—block hard!"
"You got it! Damn, thought it'd take a week—first day spawn! You're one lucky bastard!"
Taming Monster's first condition: target HP under 10%, one-on-one only.
The toughest hurdle for strong monsters. Like, "Prove yourself in fair combat!" Limited viable pets—no field bosses, rare ogres or basilisks.
Even soloable ones had a 10-second cast while tanking hits solo. Why few strong tamed pets.
But I nailed every condition. Hardest—first spot—cleared on day one right in front!
My heart raced like old times.
"Kieeeek!"
Mana Shield absorbs 2,212 magic damage.
Aggro pulled as I closed in—it whipped its head and spat a fireball. No dragon breath, but solid ranged.
Quick Movement!
Shadow Step!
Stealthy Strike!
Continuous Slash!
Self-buffs up, dodged the fireball with Shadow Step, closed in, unloaded heavy skills. It swiped back with claws.
683 physical damage.
720 physical damage.
1,514 physical damage.
Quasi-field-boss normals hit hard! Bites doubled it. But versus enraged orc lord? Half as weak. My MP over 30k made its red nameplate look pathetic.
Weak Point Capture!
MP dipping? Weak Point Capture flipped it skyward.
Whoa, insane! Mana's refilling like crazy!
HP tweaked to 25% via weight gauge for Unyielding Valor attack boost. Weak Point doubled down—mana sucked up wildly. Its HP bar melted like under long-cast spells.
Half gone already. Quasi-boss flyer, but thin HP pool! Explains solo patrollers.
This pace: 10% in 20 seconds. 30 total with cast—plenty MP left.
"Whoa! This spawn's here!"
Everything smooth—till another voice. Heart dropped.
"D-don't come closer! I'll fight if you do!"
"Fight? Solo a drake raid? Go guild war if you want!"
Knight and healer rushed despite Hyunjung. Guild threats boxed him in.
"No! Don't hit! I'll pay—10k, no 20k gold!"
"Hah! Gold my ass!"
Bribe failed—they slashed my drake.
"You bastards! This was my shot!!"
"Chill, man. First attack in a week for us!"
"Whoa, soloed half HP? New ID—high-level?"
"His holy knight spotter buffed/healed!"
Irrelevant to me—their DPS plunged HP under 10%. I spammed Taming Monster...
Skill use conditions not met.
Skill use conditions not met.
Cast wouldn't even start. Damn it. So close.