Chapter 423
Chapter 423
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 424
Chapter Title: The Dragon's Proposal
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As I stepped out of the hideout, a black dragon could be seen approaching from the far end of the sky, flapping its enormous wings.
The ominous magical energy grew stronger the closer it came, and deep fear etched itself onto the faces of the demons.
“D-Dragon? Why is a dragon here…?”
The sudden appearance of the dragon threw the demons into panic.
I felt a pang of bewilderment myself as I watched it flying straight toward us.
The fact that it had tracked me all the way here was proof that they had the means to hunt me down.
It meant one of my key escape plans—fleeing from Cruas—had just vanished.
My mouth went dry, but I scanned the demons around me.
“Don’t worry. It’s probably here for me.”
“…Why would a dragon come for the king?”
“We’ll find out soon enough. You all stay here. I’ll go alone.”
“We’ll come with you.”
I turned at the voice.
It was Seonhwa and Haryeong, along with a few demons who had decent combat skills, all looking at me.
I gazed at them for a moment before nodding.
Since the dragon had come all this way, a fight was inevitable.
They would surely be helpful.
With that, I stepped beyond the hideout’s barrier and ran toward the dragon.
The closer I got, the more immense the pressure became.
The demons following me hardened their expressions, struggling to withstand it.
［At last, we meet, Seed of Chaos…］
As the distance closed, it flapped its massive wings and addressed me.
［I am Cassis Draw… retainer to Cruas, King of All Dragons and Arbiter of the World.］
Cassis Draw.
Its name hadn’t been mentioned in the original story, so this was my first time hearing it.
But the magical power emanating from it surpassed even the Disaster-grade beast I’d faced before, the “Plague Beast.”
The unexpected strength made me tense.
Then its gaze shifted to the demons behind me.
［…More pests than I thought.］
Shwoooo!
Suddenly, a massive surge of magical power erupted from its body.
At the same time, an overwhelming pressure crushed down on the ground.
“Urk!”
The demons hurriedly drew up their demonic energy to resist, but they stood no chance against the aura of a Disaster-grade beast that wasn’t even a mage.
“Kraaah!”
［Begone.］
Woooong!
Kwaaaang!
The magical power radiating from Cassis swept through the surrounding area with devastating force.
It was an astonishing display of raw power.
The demons who had followed me collapsed, unable to endure it, leaving just me and Cassis alone in an instant.
［…Now we can talk properly.］
Cassis muttered in satisfaction.
I glanced at the demons writhing in pain on the ground before speaking.
“…You. How did you find me?”
［Through the Mark of Fate connecting you and Lord Cruas.］
“Mark of Fate?”
［Indeed. You are bound to Lord Cruas by a destiny called ‘Nemesis.’ It’s a thread of fate that won’t break until your heart stops.］
…What? That existed?
The situation was worse than I’d thought.
If it could track my location, it meant I couldn’t avoid a direct confrontation with Cruas.
Feeling a sinking despair, I slowly began gathering my magical power for the fight ahead.
But then it spoke.
［No need for caution. I’m not here to harm you. I lack the authority to do so anyway.］
At those words, I released the magical power I’d been building.
“…Then why are you here?”
［I’ve come at Lord Cruas’s command to propose a deal.］
Cruas was proposing a deal to me?
“What kind of deal?”
［End your own life.］
“What?”
I couldn’t believe my ears.
…Did I hear that right?
［You seem to know a fair bit already, so I’ll tell you plainly. My master, Lord Cruas, intends to judge you for disrupting the world.］
I fell silent, waiting for it to continue.
［And the day of judgment is near. He has gathered an immense amount of the Power of Fate to pass sentence on you. No matter how you struggle, death is inevitable.］
“…So what? Since I’m going to die anyway, just kill myself nicely? You think that makes any sense?”
This was the most absurd proposal I’d ever heard.
I’d hoped for something tempting since it called it a “deal.”
［You know nothing.］
Cassis said.
［All mortals except you are bound by the chains of fate. Even my master, Cruas—the Apostle of Mystery—is no exception.］
［To kill you, he has borrowed the power of chaos that constitutes the world. If he uses that power to judge you, unimaginable chaos will befall the world.］
So, to sum it up:
Die peacefully, or resist and bring chaos to the world before dying.
［For you, death ends it all. But the mortals left in this world will suffer. Many will live in agony amid the new chaos. I doubt you want that.］
I’d thought it was nonsense at first, but its words were surprisingly persuasive.
If my death truly was unavoidable, wouldn’t ending it peacefully, as it suggested, be better?
Since regressing, I’d built countless bonds in this world.
Not just with major characters like Lee Seojun, but also deep connections with people like Han Seyeon.
And deep down, I genuinely wanted them all to be happy.
I didn’t want them plunged into chaos or grief by my death.
In that case, maybe quietly fading away would be…
［…Will you accept my proposal?］
In response to the dragon’s question, I raised my middle finger.
“Fuck off. What kind of bullshit is that?”
Sacrificing myself for everyone like some hero?
I had zero interest in that.
Before falling into this world, I was just an ordinary guy who enjoyed hero stories—not someone who wanted to be the hero.
［Achievement unlocked: ‘Gave the Dragon the Finger.’］
［Reward: 3,000 points acquired.］
［…So the deal is off?］
“Lizard. Shut up and listen.”
Its gaze fixed on me at my words.
“I’m not dying. No matter if you borrow chaos to destroy the world or pull some other crazy stunt. I. Will. Not. Die.”
［…］
I glared at it and continued.
“And I’m going to kill all of you. I’ll use every method, every resource I have, to wipe out your entire clan.”
This was my resolve—my true feelings.
“So keep that long neck of yours clean.”
A brief silence fell.
Cassis stared down at me, seemingly at a loss for words.
［…An outrageous fool has come to this world.］
Soon, it spread its massive wings.
A storm-like gale whipped up around us.
［Seed of Chaos, I’d love to crush you myself right now… but I lack the fate and qualification for that. Farewell for now.］
Cassis rose higher into the sky.
［When all fates converge upon him, I will come for you…］
With that, Cassis vanished somewhere.
I stared blankly at the empty sky where it had disappeared, then let out a small sigh.
“…Hoo.”
As I exhaled shortly, I sensed a presence beside me.
“…My king.”
It was Haryeong’s voice.
As an S-Rank demon, she had endured Cassis’s magical power well.
“I heard everything. We need an explanation.”
Seonhwa approached and asked the same.
I’d dodged the question before, but now I had no choice but to come clean.
“It’s exactly what you heard. The Disaster-grade beast Cruas is targeting me.”
Haryeong fell silent for a moment, then muttered softly.
“Chaos…”
Then she said to me.
“…Does the king possess chaos?”
As a close aide to the King of Prophecy, Haryeong knew some of the world’s laws.
She had shared bits of information with me before, related to Jin Cheon-u’s plans.
“Yeah.”
At my confirmation, deep confusion filled her eyes.
Then, in a small voice, she murmured to herself.
“The chaos the First King spoke of…”
That was when it happened.
—…It should’ve been around here, right?
Everyone’s attention turned toward the sudden commotion.
Human magical power.
Agents from the Association were approaching this location.
They must have detected the magical power from Cassis’s appearance and sent an investigation team.
I slowly surveyed the surroundings.
The demons swept by Cassis’s power were still unconscious on the ground.
If we stayed like this, we’d run into the Association.
“I’ll buy time. Take everyone back to the hideout.”
“…My king?”
Seonhwa called out to me.
“I won’t overdo it. And that bunch? I can handle them alone.”
I sensed the magical power coming from beyond the mountain.
Twelve in total.
Only one was an S-Rank wizard.
Without even using [Moon’s Shadow], stalling them would be easy.
“My king, at least let me stay and help.”
“No need. Didn’t you see my power at the succession ceremony?”
Seonhwa nodded, seemingly speechless.
“…Understood.”
Seonhwa began gathering the unconscious demons around her.
I walked toward the approaching agents.
“…Perfect timing. I had something to take care of anyway.”
At the top floor of the Wizard Association, in the chairman’s office.
Intelligence Team Leader Yang Ji-tae was reporting to Kim Jin-cheol.
“The dragon’s magical power detected near the East Sea has vanished. Unfortunately, tracking failed.”
“…Well, I half-expected that. The location was random anyway.”
Kim Jin-cheol responded coolly, as if he truly wasn’t too bothered.
Not that he wasn’t concerned—more like he hadn’t gotten his hopes up.
Yang Ji-tae, who had been watching him, spoke up.
“More importantly, there’s something you need to know.”
Kim Jin-cheol turned a questioning gaze at Yang Ji-tae’s suddenly cautious tone.
“What?”
“Kim Sun-woo was at the site where the dragon’s magical power was detected.”
“…What? Kim Sun-woo?”
For the first time, Kim Jin-cheol showed agitation at the unexpected name.
“What happened?”
“Well…”
Yang Ji-tae trailed off.
“He took down all the agents single-handedly. And he even used the Frenzy Flower, the symbol of demons, right in front of them.”
“Frenzy Flower… That must’ve caused a stir.”
“Yes. This has solidified the opinion within the Association that Kim Sun-woo is a demon.”
“Tch. In the end, he’s losing his humanity too.”
“…Pardon?”
“Nothing. Don’t mind it.”
At this point, Kim Jin-cheol no longer had the sway to convince other agents that Kim Sun-woo was human.
They’d just dismiss him as a stubborn old man.
“Good work. You’re dismissed.”
Kim Jin-cheol turned toward the window as he spoke.
“…Chairman. There’s one more thing to report.”
He turned back at Yang Ji-tae’s voice.
“Another one?”
“Yes. After clashing with the agents, Kim Sun-woo left a message for you.”
“…Hm? Kim Sun-woo? For me?”
Kim Jin-cheol blinked in surprise.
“What did he say?”
Yang Ji-tae looked troubled as he replied.
“He said… Cruas will invade Seoul within a month, so take care…”