Chapter 8: Black Dragon Murakan (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 8: Black Dragon Murakan (2)
For the two months he had spent transcribing, Jin had heard nothing but the scratching of his pen and the occasional whistle of the wind.
So, even before looking past the sliding door, Jin instinctively knew that Murakan’s glass coffin had opened. Anyone in his position would have reached the same conclusion.
‘Oh, crap. Why is Murakan waking up now?!’
Thump-thump! His heart hammered against his ribs so hard it felt like it would burst from his chest.
The silent, safe basement of Storm Castle felt as though it had instantly transformed into a perilous magical realm. Cold sweat broke out along his spine, sending a shiver through his body.
Perhaps…
Could he have just misheard?
The moment Jin entertained the possibility, another clicking sound echoed through the room.
No, it was more than that. He heard the sound of fabric brushing against glass, followed by the unmistakable sound of feet touching the floor.
A dragon that had slept for a thousand years wouldn't suddenly start sleepwalking. He had clearly awakened with a purpose.
Or perhaps his long slumber had simply come to an end.
‘Stay calm. Keep it together. It’s not like I’ve committed a crime against him, right?’
In his previous life, Jin had never heard of Murakan waking up.
If the dragon had awakened and resumed his activities back then, there was no way Jin wouldn't have known.
‘Then this is a change caused by my regression. Murakan didn't just wake up; he woke up because of me, because I keep coming down to this basement.’
There was a proverb heard all over the continent: "Disturb a sleeping dragon, and your life is forfeit."
Of course, while it was a common saying, few people actually had their lives ruined by dragons. Dragons were, for the most part, incredibly difficult to encounter.
However, the lesson of that tale was simple:
Dragons have terrible tempers.
"Hey."
Jin flinched.
A low, thin voice drifted past the sliding door. Even so, Jin’s mind was racing, frantically calculating how to handle the situation.
A few chaotic seconds passed. Fortunately, Jin managed to decide on the attitude he would take.
‘Be respectful, but act bold. Even if Murakan attacks me… I just have to hold out somehow until the Guardian Knights arrive.’
Of course, that was the worst-case scenario.
But even if the worst happened, he was confident he wouldn't die. He could buy time with Solderet’s spirit power and magic, or perhaps with his silver tongue.
He probably wouldn't be killed.
Once he reached that conclusion, his heart felt significantly lighter. Besides, who knew? Murakan might show favor rather than hostility.
Slide.
Jin stood up abruptly, opened the sliding door, and faced Murakan.
The handsome, black-haired man he had seen every day inside the glass coffin was now standing tall. His physique was impressively solid, making it hard to believe he had been asleep for a thousand years.
"A-A child of Runcandel… greets the… Guardian of the family."
Jin intentionally stammered, his words slightly slurred. He figured showing a child’s fear to a dragon that had existed for over a millennium wouldn't hurt. He also made sure to emphasize the word "Guardian," as that was how the Runcandel family often referred to Murakan.
"Ha!"
Murakan let out a scoff.
"Guardi-aaa-n? Guardian? Did you just say Guardian? Huh?"
Whoosh!
The mere act of him speaking caused the mana in the air to vibrate, creating small vortices.
"Say that again, you damn brat. I’m your what?"
In an instant, Murakan’s body dissolved into black smoke and reformed right in front of Jin’s nose.
"Are you perhaps not Lord Murakan? I have always heard that the Black Dragon Murakan is the Guardian of Runcandel."
When Jin answered clearly, Murakan blinked. It seemed there was no longer a need to fake a stutter.
"Phew, right. Those damn Runcandels… so that’s how they described me to their descendants. Haha! I can’t even get mad at a little peanut like you. This is driving me crazy."
As the conversation reached this point, a sense of relief washed over Jin.
‘Fortunately, it seems he’s not the type to be merciless toward a child.’
However, the thick bloodlust lingering in Murakan’s black eyes spoke volumes about his true personality. If Jin had been his twenty-eight-year-old self instead of a child, Murakan would likely have broken one of his limbs before even starting the conversation.
‘But why on earth did this Black Dragon wake up now? It can’t just be because I’ve been coming in and out of here. Is there another reason… Ah, could it be Solderet’s spirit energy?’
Spirit energy. The power of shadows.
If there was anything that could rouse a dragon from a thousand-year slumber, that had to be it.
Jin didn't use spirit energy unless it was a special circumstance, but a faint aura of it—undetectable to normal people—always surrounded his body.
‘Come to think of it, a god’s contractors are usually accompanied by a Guardian Dragon. Except in special cases….’
Those who contracted with Shinu, the God of Fire, received favor from fire-wielding dragons. Those who contracted with Melzaier, the God of Wind, received favor from wind-wielding dragons.
That was one of the reasons the Zipple Clan was slightly ahead of Runcandel. The Zipples were known to have over a hundred dragons allied with them.
In that context, this meeting between Jin and Murakan could be considered an excellent turn of events.
‘The problem is that I’m not entirely sure. I’ve never heard of a dragon closely associated with "Shadows" before….’
The current Patriarch of Zipple, Kelliark Zipple, was contracted to Shinu and was known to be close friends with the Fire Dragon Kadun. It was also a famous story that the Vice-Patriarch of Zipple, contracted to Melzaier, commanded a Wind Dragon. In that way, dragons tended to seek out those with similar attributes.
However, Jin had never heard any stories regarding Solderet and dragons. Even in his previous life, during the time he frequently conversed with Solderet after their contract, he had never heard of Murakan.
‘Let’s just dive in. This doesn't seem like a bad situation.’
If Murakan had truly awakened because he was drawn to the spirit energy, Jin had no reason to be afraid.
Inhale…
Sniff!
Suddenly, Murakan began taking deep breaths, like a dog intoxicated by a pleasant scent or a heavy smoker lighting up for the first time in ages.
"Ha, right. It’s not the kid’s fault. Mm… breathing in this energy makes me feel much better. Kid! What’s your name?"
"I am Jin Runcandel, Lord Murakan."
"Right, right. Jin, is it? Actually, I don’t really care about your name. Anyway, you’re a Runcandel too, right? Then hurry up and lead me to Solderet’s contractor."
"Solderet’s contractor?"
"Yes! This thick spirit energy… there’s no way someone could have this unless they were a contractor. I just hope the contractor isn't an insolent jerk like Temar."
Temar Runcandel.
The name of the First Patriarch.
Jin almost cheered out loud. It felt as though everything in this life was going exactly his way. To think Murakan would bring up the very issue Jin had been wondering about!
‘He definitely woke up because of the spirit energy! Moreover, this reaction… it means I hold the initiative.’
Sniff, hmph!
Murakan no longer paid any attention to Jin. He simply closed his eyes and focused on savoring the spirit energy.
Jin thought for a moment. Should he say he was the contractor? Or should he claim to know nothing? He chose the former. It was clearly the better choice for manipulating Murakan in the future.
The latter would be a headache. If he claimed ignorance, Murakan would demand to see an adult. If he brought an adult, there would be no way to avoid explaining the entire situation to the family.
If that happened, his happy life of transcribing secret manuals would be over. His meeting with Murakan, a stroke of luck in its own right, would also go to waste.
Flicker.
A small, flame-like spark of spirit energy bloomed on Jin’s palm.
"Inhale, exhale! Ohhh. My mind is clearing up… Huh?"
Murakan, who had been savoring the energy, snapped his eyes open.
"I believe I am the contractor you are looking for, Lord Murakan."
"You, you, you… what are you? Crazy, this is insane! Solderet contracted with a brat like you?!"
Murakan recoiled in horror, so flustered that he stumbled over his own feet.
"This makes no sense. This can’t be right. Hey, Solderet! Are you listening? Have you finally lost your mind? Come out and explain this!"
While Murakan ranted, Jin created another clump of shadows in his other hand.
"My father told me that this power comes from the one who cast the first shadows upon the world."
"Ugh."
Thud.
Murakan slumped to the floor and looked up at Jin.
Silence hung in the air. Jin wanted to continue the conversation, but the look on Murakan’s face, which was crumbling before his very eyes, made it impossible to speak.
Denial, anger, suspicion, fear, and finally, futility.
Murakan’s expression shifted in exactly that order.
"Hey… Solderet. This is a joke, right? This can’t be happening. Say something. Why is the promised contractor of a thousand years a mere brat…?"
Solderet remained silent. His silence was something that had been bothering Jin as well. Back when they first contracted, they had spoken frequently, like friends. But from the moment just before Jin’s death in his previous life until now, Solderet had not said a single word.
Regardless, it seemed Murakan needed time to accept this reality.
But he was a dragon.
Even if he had a foul and eccentric temper, he was a dragon who had lived for thousands of years. This meant he possessed an insight and an indomitable spirit that would not be crushed by unexpected outcomes.
Murakan quickly accepted the absurd situation. For him, it was the only choice.
"Sigh… Kid."
"Yes."
"It seems that, according to my promise with Solderet, the one I must work with from now on is you."
Working with a dragon!
He had heard those words directly from a dragon’s mouth. And not just any dragon, but Murakan, the Black Dragon defeated by the First Patriarch.
Back when he was a mage, his heart had fluttered whenever he heard rumors of great mages who fought alongside dragons.
The bridge of his nose grew hot with emotion. Unable to control his expression, which threatened to flush with excitement, Jin naturally lowered his head.
"If we are to work together, what exactly—"
"Phew… you’re too young for me to give you the details. And my head is a mess right now."
Jin nodded silently.
"First, as a friend of Solderet, I shall formally introduce myself to Solderet’s contractor."
Whoosh…
With the sound of a heavy wind, a pitch-black aura began to envelop Murakan’s body as he transformed into his true draconic form. The black energy that swallowed him spread out like clouds, and soon, a massive Black Dragon—large enough to fill the entire basement—dominated Jin’s vision.
[I am Murakan. Representative of Solderet, his dear friend, and the last descendant of the first beings forged from shadows. According to the thousand-year promise, I shall be with you from this day forward. State your name.]
The hot-tempered young man from moments ago was gone, replaced by a majestic, resonant voice.
"I am Jin Runcandel. The thirteenth child of Runcandel, the last-born."
Jin answered, barely suppressing the trembling of his heart.