Chapter 62 — Even I Cannot Do That
Chapter 62 — Even I Cannot Do That
Translation: GodTL
The moment he returned home, an utterly exhausted Min-jun collapsed onto his bed.
Though the state of his clothes—covered in dirt and even bloodstains—was hardly suitable for lying on clean sheets, Min-jun was in no condition to care about such things.
He had forced himself to appear fine in front of Sia and Rokan, but the truth was, his own condition was far from good.
All strength had drained from his body, his head spun dizzily, and sharp pains throbbed intermittently throughout his limbs.
The fact that even after drinking Elixir—a potion boasting the highest restorative effects—his body still hadn't recovered properly only emphasized how perilous his condition had been.
"I hope Sia is alright..."
Just as Sia had been worried about him, Min-jun couldn't help but fret over her.
Though he hadn't heard a detailed explanation about Outbursts yet, he'd been told that the pain Sia experienced during one would persist even after it ended.
He considered calling to check on her, but if she'd fallen asleep, he'd only be disrupting her recovery.
So Min-jun decided to wait.
Rokan would know Sia's condition better than anyone, and until the Dragon elder reached out first, Min-jun resolved not to disturb them.
Still...
"I succeeded in wielding Dragon Words again, huh."
Much like the first time he'd used Dragon Words, he had overcome a crisis under similar circumstances through a similar process.
Was it mere coincidence? Or was it an inevitability born from the very "will" that formed the foundation of Dragon Words?
There was much to ponder, but for now, Min-jun surrendered to sleep.
His body and mind were far too exhausted to entertain further thoughts.
Three hours after Min-jun drifted off, the presence of another roused him from slumber.
And then—
"...Lord Rokan?"
"That's right. Are you feeling somewhat better now?"
Rokan's voice reached him.
The fact that Rokan was here likely meant Sia had passed the worst of it.
"I think I'll be fine after some rest."
"My apologies. I only stopped by briefly to check on you, but it seems I've needlessly woken you."
"Not at all. Thank you for your concern. By the way... how is Sia?"
Startled awake as he was, Min-jun decided to take this chance to exchange a few words with Rokan and turned on the bedroom light.
Rokan settled onto the floor and answered him slowly.
"She's improved compared to before. The pain has lessened, and with about a week of proper rest, she should recover without major issues."
"...That's a relief. When Sia first began her Outburst—"
Mid-sentence, Min-jun trailed off and lowered his head, as if unwilling to revisit the memory.
"I'm sorry to bring up unpleasant recollections, but could you tell me about what happened then? If it's too difficult, we can discuss it another time."
Speaking gently to avoid pressuring him, Rokan waited patiently.
"No, it's fine. I'll explain now."
After draining a glass of water, Min-jun recounted the events to Rokan.
Though the Dragon elder had vaguely surmised the situation, hearing it firsthand made it clear that Min-jun's survival under such dire conditions was nothing short of miraculous.
Min-jun was an ordinary human who had only recently become a B-rank Hunter.
Not only had he survived Sia's Outburst—an ordeal even Dragons struggled to endure—he had even managed to stop it.
How had he achieved such a miracle in a situation where losing his life wouldn't have been surprising?
"Perhaps... it was because Sia gritted her teeth and held on. She must have fought desperately to avoid harming me."
"Yes, that must have played a part. Even so, the fact that you returned alive is an unbelievable miracle in itself. Thank you once again—for coming back safely, and for easing Shasha's suffering."
Rokan, who rarely bowed his head to anyone, lowered it in gratitude to Min-jun—someone far beneath him in stature.
"Lord Rokan, you really don't have to—"
"Nonsense. When one receives help, it is only right to express gratitude."
Though Rokan bowing his head to him was unbearably burdensome, Min-jun ultimately accepted the elder's gesture.
But then—
"By the way, Min-jun. How on earth did you manage to stop Sia's Outburst?"
"...Huh?"
At Rokan's sudden question, Min-jun tilted his head in confusion.
Hadn't he just explained that he'd used Dragon Words to stop it?
"Wasn't it... just something that could be stopped with Dragon Words?"
When Sia had first told him about the Outburst, she hadn't gone into detail—so Min-jun had assumed that stopping it wasn't something entirely impossible for Dragons.
In fact, he'd guessed that if Rokan had been there instead, he could've suppressed the Outburst from the start.
"No. Even I cannot stop Sia's Outburst."
"...What?"
Min-jun's voice rose in shock before he could stop himself.
"...Then how did you stop her Outburst before?"
"Since we couldn't stop it, we had no choice but to endure until it ran its course. The most we could do was nullify the magic spiraling out of control... or erect barriers to prevent Sia's unrestrained spells from breaching the perimeter."
As he spoke, the memory of those times seemed to resurface, and Rokan let out a bitter sigh.
Hearing this, Min-jun's expression went blank, stunned by the unexpected revelation.
So then—
If the other Dragons hadn't been stopping Sia's Outburst all this time—
Did that mean she had thrashed in agony for a full twenty-four hours each time?
"...Our Sia... just how much... did she suffer...?"
Min-jun's eyes reddened, tears welling up before he could stop them.
Though he had never personally experienced the torment Sia endured like some annual ritual—
To think she had suffered through such unbearable pain, with no way to stop it, for so long...
"That's why I asked. You're the only one who's ever stopped Sia's Outburst, so I hoped to find a clue. Perhaps there's a way not just to suppress it temporarily, but to end it completely."
"I wish I could help Sia, but... I truly don't know how."
Just like the first time he'd spoken Dragon Words, he had simply poured his desperation into the attempt—and it had worked.
That was all there was to it.
Rokan nodded as if he'd expected that answer.
"If you remember anything later, let me know."
Rokan began preparing to leave.
After all, Min-jun didn't seem to be in any dire condition, and he'd already gathered all the necessary information about the incident.
"Lord Rokan."
"What is it?"
"I'll pour every ounce of effort I have into making sure something like today never happens again."
After this ordeal, and after hearing Rokan's words, Min-jun realized his Dragon Words were fundamentally different from those of other Dragons.
He didn't know exactly how—but that difference was why he'd been able to temporarily resolve Sia's Outburst, something even they couldn't fix.
He still had no idea how to harness that distinction, or what direction to take in honing his power.
But one thing was certain.
If he ever mastered Dragon Words completely—
He would ensure a tragedy like today never happened again.
"I'll look into it as well. How to help you achieve your goal sooner."
Deep in the mountains, hidden within a secluded Dragon's Lair.
"That emotion from back then still feels vivid. More thrilling than any game I've ever played."
"I agree. No wonder humans can't quit their trashy dramas."
Two Dragons leisurely sipped tea as they chatted.
The white-haired handsome man leisurely sipping his tea was Evan, the White Dragon—the same one who had vehemently condemned Sia's choice during the gathering of Dragons who had settled on Earth.
Opposite him sat a woman with dark skin, jet-black hair, and amber eyes—Yuria, the Black Dragon.
The two were comrades from the same dimension who had crossed over to modern Earth together.
And now, they were discussing the events that had unfolded during the recent gathering.
Though not as vehemently opposed as Evan, Yuria also held a negative stance toward Sia's desire to form an Eternal Covenant with a human.
"Even if she was once human in a past life, that doesn't justify forming an Eternal Covenant with one now."
"Past lives are past lives, and the present is the present. I can't fathom clinging so desperately to a bond from a previous existence."
"Or maybe she lied. She might have thought that claiming she was once human would sway public opinion in her favor."
"If that's the case, then she's a disgrace to dragonkind—stupid enough to deserve the title."
They snickered while disparaging Sia, but soon, the mood turned serious.
"We can't just stand by and watch a fellow Dragon stray down the wrong path. Don't you agree, Yuria?"
"If there's anything we can do to prevent such a catastrophe, we should be willing to roll up our sleeves."
"The question is... how?"
"Hah, it's not like we can just kill the human."
If they could solve the problem by simply killing Min-jun, they would have done so long ago.
From their perspective, eliminating some rookie B-rank Hunter was child's play.
The real issue was the aftermath.
Not only would they permanently sever ties with the Dragons who opposed them, but they also had no idea how Rokan and Sia would retaliate.
They wanted to avoid that outcome at all costs.
"...Still, even if we don't kill him... wouldn't it be fine to give him a little nudge?"
Yuria smirked slyly, prompting Evan to respond.
"What are you scheming now?"
"Thinking of executing justice in Dragon society by severing the bond between a pitiful, ignorant human and a foolish Dragon enslaved by twisted desires?"
"I'd love to, but for now, it's better to stay put."
Evan believed it was safer to slowly sway public opinion and drive a wedge between the two.
But Yuria had a different idea.
"We just have to poke him a little—without getting caught."
"Yuria, what exactly are you planning?"
"Hmm. What if I seduce that human boy?"
"I've always thought this, but you're not exactly sane either."
"Still saner than the Red Clan, who fell in love with a human, don't you think?"
Evan let out a disbelieving laugh, while Yuria licked her lips like a predator eyeing its prey.
"Just to be sure—Yuria, you're not actually falling for that human, are you?"
"Don't be ridiculous. I just found a more interesting toy than the ones I usually play with."
By human standards, she was flawless—beauty, ability, wealth, she lacked nothing.
Any ordinary human man would likely surrender both body and soul to her temptations.
And so, Yuria's plan was this:
Seduce Min-jun, make him develop feelings for her, then manipulate him into cheating.
Once he betrayed Sia, she would gather evidence and subtly leak it to Sia.
Not only would it be entertaining, but it would also drive a wedge between that arrogant human and the Dragon who dared to step into forbidden territory.
"Be careful not to get caught by the old-timers."
"Don't worry. Isn't it our law not to interfere in each other's personal games?"
She would create no grounds for criticism from other Dragons while skillfully sowing discord between Min-jun and Sia.
What kind of expression would that Red Dragon make upon seeing her human lover succumb to Yuria's charms?
Imagining the scene, the Black Dragon Yuria curled her lips into a sinister smile.