The Black Dragon Aragon
On top of a massive pillar that rose like a plate, a pitch-black mass was stretching as if waking from sleep.
It had enormous wings that seemed to span dozens of meters from side to side, and crimson red eyes as large as Yoo Taejeong's entire body.
The creature threw its head back as if roaring, exuding an overwhelming presence, before folding its wings and looking down at Taejeong.
> Barbaric human, now I see you haven't reached level 500.
"You are…."
> Black Dragon Aragon. Otherwise known as one of the Seven Lights of the Dragon Realm.
Black Dragon Aragon. One of the Seven Dragon Gods, known as the Seven Lights in the unified dimensions.
An ancient race from the distant past, not long after the dawn of time—one of the dimensional gangsters that once dominated the entire dimension.
Aragon, who boasted power rivaling the heavens themselves, had incurred the wrath of the 72 seats of the Holy City and was being hunted by Odin. With someone's help, he had hidden here, only to be sealed away as payment for that aid—an ill-fated dragon god.
Why was he called ill-fated? Back then, he thought he'd escape soon enough. He saw this place as merely a temporary hideout.
But it turned out this was Taewang Taikan's test planet, and luring him here was one of the 72 seats' schemes.
In the end, what should have been a light punishment became eternal imprisonment the moment he entered.
"Are you… a monster, by any chance?"
It was a stupid question from Taejeong, but he had no choice. This was the first time he'd encountered a monster that could speak.
> Monster? Comparing me to those lowly scum? Do you want to die?
In an instant, tremendous killing intent crushed down on Taejeong's body. An terrifying pressure that made it impossible to even twitch a finger.
He hurriedly explained himself.
"Ah, no, that's not what I meant."
> Tch. To think I'm stuck here, putting up with this treatment from a mere human. But your barbarity is truly impressive. Breaking through the wall? You're the first one to enter like that since this place was created.
"Really? It was just so damn complicated. What kind of rules did they even plant here?"
> Rules? There's no such thing, human.
"No rules? Then how the hell are we supposed to find the way? Don't tell me we have to check every single one of those paths."
> A stupid question. How many entrances are there here? You think anyone's doing that? Humans who awaken via the Awakening Stone are designed to gain the Labyrinth Exploration skill at level 500. That's how anyone can easily find the exit. But you unluckily entered without reaching that level. I figured you'd just die, but seeing you here... fascinating. Humans really are clever in their own twisted ways.
"What? It was that simple…."
Taejeong never imagined the answer would be something so ridiculous.
He'd assumed there was some formula or rule—something incredibly complex. Even Gerard, comparable to a supercomputer, hadn't figured it out.
A simple skill? The past ten days of grueling trial and error felt utterly hollow now.
"Guess I cleared the previous quest too early. Alright, so what now? The quest didn't say anything about catching something specific. I met you like it said, though…."
Taejeong muttered with feigned seriousness, and Aragon replied with clear irritation.
> Your tone is grating, human. Everyone who's come here has shown me respect. Staring up at me like that is uncomfortable. They all groveled on the floor, trembling.
Taejeong realized his mistake and smiled as he spoke.
"R-Really? You just feel kinda friendly to me, haha. Should I grovel now?"
> Hmph. Spare me the groveling. Now, speak. What do you want to know? I'll answer one question, anything you ask.
"A question? What do you mean all of a sudden?"
Taejeong tilted his head at the unexpected offer.
Aragon rolled his massive eyes and replied.
> You didn't obtain Tiran's treasure?
"Tiran… oh, you mean that."
Tiran's Treasure. The item he'd gotten after killing the hydra.
A parchment with unfamiliar words written on it. He remembered it vividly, but to confirm, he called out to Gerard.
"Recite everything I told you to save from back then."
12th dimension, Sirius, Paraman Archipelago, 72 seats, proxies, the watching eyes.
"Good. So I can ask about one of these."
Taejeong pondered carefully. One question only. He had to choose the most important.
But since he knew nothing, everything seemed crucial. After much deliberation, he picked one.
"Sirius. Tell me about Sirius."
The unknown being who had awakened him. The one whose voice he'd at least heard.
Taejeong wanted to know who he was.
But Aragon's reaction was odd.
> Sirius? Why are you curious about that?
"Why? You said I could ask one thing."
> Exactly. Why Sirius of all things... don't tell me you….
"…?"
Aragon's eyes flashed wide at the baffled Taejeong. He scanned him intensely for a while, then reared back in shock.
> Impossible. Sirius got involved? Sirius….
"What are you talking about?"
Aragon ignored Taejeong's question, muttering to himself.
> He's set the board. Of course. Revenge against the Holy City. Heh heh heh. Things are getting interesting. He's back... he's back.
Now Aragon was even letting out eerie chuckles alone.
Taejeong asked again.
"Hey. What's the Holy City? What's the board? And revenge?"
> Those are things you shouldn't know. I can't answer anything about Sirius right now.
"Wait, you just said one question…."
> I did. But if you're Sirius's proxy, it's different. If I answer about him and the quest completes, that data flies straight to the Holy City's central system. Know what happens then?
"…?"
> You die. Very soon.
"What the…."
> Simply put, you exist here but might as well not. You're disguised as someone else very cleverly. Your true form can't be revealed to the world yet. That's all I can say. Any more is dangerous. Now, my answer to your question: Cassandra's Sky Tower will descend to the earth three years from now. On the first day of the Blood Festival. One continent vanishes. The time is the 20th solar term, just before sunset. This information belongs only to those here. Revealing it ends all quests and strips your awakening powers.
"What the hell… My question wasn't that…."
As Taejeong tried to protest Aragon's arbitrary response, an alert sounded, silencing him.
You have completed the quest.
A new quest has opened.
"Hey. What's this Sky Tower? Blood Festival? Explain it so I can understand…."
> Watch your mouth, human. Best to erase what you just heard from your mind. Using Forget Memorize could be one way.
"I don't even know what you're talking about…."
> Take this.
A fist-sized gem dropped in front of Taejeong. He picked it up and instinctively asked,
"What's this?"
> Call it a small gift from me. Succeed, human. You must succeed for me to see the light of day again. Farewell... Sirius's proxy.
With those words, a blinding flash filled Taejeong's vision. It was so intense his arms rose instinctively to shield his eyes. When he lowered them, he was no longer in the labyrinth but in a town square facing a gate.
More alerts rang out simultaneously.
You have acquired the Wisdom of Experience.
Labyrinth Exploration
B6-1 Unmanned Bomber
Multi-Purpose Zeno Blaster
Skills unlocked alongside the level up. Taejeong realized the gem he'd been holding had vanished.
Having gone through so much in an instant, he stared blankly at the gate.
He felt like he'd learned a lot, but couldn't pinpoint exactly what.
"Gerard, you heard all that, right?"
Affirmative.
"He called me Sirius's proxy. I get the gist that he's set something up. But…."
Taejeong almost spoke unconsciously but flinched and shut his mouth. Aragon's warning flashed in his mind.
"Did you hear Aragon's answer to the question too?"
Cassandra's Sky Tower, sir?
"Oh. So it's fine for you to know?"
I am one with Master. Mentally shared, but bound as skill data, so we're considered as one. Thus, I'm unaffected by those restrictions.
"I see. But why bring that up out of nowhere? I didn't even ask."
Perhaps that was what you were meant to ask about, not the Sky Tower.
"Yeah. But if he knew that, why did Sirius go out of his way… Maybe he left a hint for Aragon. To recognize me?"
We can't rule out that possibility.
"Alright, whatever. First, let's head back and sort this out. I'm starving; can't think straight."
Returning to the guild after exactly ten days, Taejeong reported in briefly since it was late and headed straight to his lodging.
Park Se-ah, who was preparing for bed, jumped in surprise to greet him.
"Oh my god, Boss? Is that you?"
"Already forgot my face?"
"Forget? I was so worried!"
"Why worry? I'm not a kid. I don't screw up that easily."
"That's not what I… whatever. While you were gone, the guild was in an uproar."
"Why? What'd those bastards do now?"
"No, it was because of you, Boss."
"Me? Why?"
"You took a four-day leave and didn't come back for ten days. Everyone was worried sick. The total commander and some executives were ready to storm Gold Lion or Invincible, thinking they did something. We even had an emergency executive meeting today over it."
"Really? I did report at the entrance, but things dragged on. Made myself look bad again. Oh, did you tell So-young?"
"No. I was gonna wait a bit longer before saying anything."
"Good call. That girl worries over the littlest things."
"More importantly, your face… you look like you haven't eaten."
"If that's how I look, you nailed it."
"Pardon?"
"Got any leftovers? I'm starving to death."