The Blade That Moved Instinctively

The blade moved on pure instinct. Amid a steady rhythm, frost from the swirling sword edge danced around my entire body like a whirlwind.

Woooong—!!!

The chill seeping into the blade astonishingly pierced straight through the Spirit Devourer's breath.

In that instant, a window popped up as if it had been waiting. Amid the list of skills glowing with brilliant golden light, the words I'd been hoping for appeared crystal clear.

Without a moment's hesitation, I clicked the skill button.

"Hup…!!"

Just before the breath's chill could engulf me, I thrust my sword into it with all my might.

Crack…!

Craaack…!!

Craaackcraaackcraaack…!!!!

Dozens of thin ice sheets layered atop one another from the sword tip, blocking the Spirit Devourer's breath.

Kwaaagaagaang…!

Kwaang…!

Kwaaagaagaagaagaang…!!

A deafening roar echoed as snowflakes scattered in every direction.

"Do-hyun…!!!"

Aishira's cry rang out.

"Everyone, attack!!"

Hunter shouts erupted around us, arrows flying from all sides.

Kwaang—!!

Kwaaaang—!!!

Explosions from divine beast arrows and thunderclap grenades on their tips ignited crimson flames.

The Spirit Devourer let out a scream of pain. The more it thrashed, the more white smoke billowed like a blizzard.

"This game's a real bitch…."

I muttered a wry smile from inside the dragon's maw.

"This spell costs 100 mana points just to cast once."

Crackkk…!

Kaggggrrrk…!!

The creature's jaw strained to crush Nute, its teeth clashing loudly against the frost with each bite.

"Y-you blocked it?"

Aishira stared at me in shock, eyeing the magic shield unbroken even by the dragon's teeth.

"It's a Legendary-grade skill. Normal mana might've shattered it… but Nute forged with spirit-infused mana is different."

Zzzt…!

Zzzztzzzt…!

As if echoing my words, faint sparks flared around Nute, repelling the dragon's teeth.

"It has to be this good. I even gave up Yong-gong Geom-sik to save a skill slot. Once the spirit mana fades and my mana returns to normal, I won't be able to use it anyway."

The Spirit Devourer's eyes trembled. Green blood oozed from between its scales.

Not just from the spirit mana in Nute—the divine beast arrows from the hunters were forcing its inner spirit power to burst through its skin toward its heart.

"Divine beast powder, the full moon ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠night, my mana, the White Dragon's ice attributes, and a Legendary-grade ice defense art like Nute… What are the odds of all these conditions aligning?"

Puuk—!!!!

I stabbed Tesaro's sword into the dragon's exposed palate.

The Spirit Devourer released Nute in agony, rearing its head back.

Now.

Kwajik…!!!

I drove Amur's shortsword into its cracked reverse scale.

A flash of light sliced through as the reverse scale shattered into pieces.

The Spirit Devourer opened its mouth to scream, but only a metallic rasp emerged. Red blood poured like a waterfall from the gaping hole where the reverse scale had been.

Over 70,000 damage. No level 100 dragon could withstand that strike.

'Dragon hunting content was an event years away anyway. Even in my dreams, it took years before I could hunt the Spirit Devourer.'

Kuuuung…!!!

Yet the monster's head slowly tilted toward the ground. Red blood trickled down Amur's shortsword embedded in its reverse scale.

'I've pulled those years forward.'

I clenched my fist tightly, steeling my resolve.

Purrrr…!!

With its reverse ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠scale destroyed, the Spirit Devourer shook its agonized head, breathing raggedly.

I snatched Tesaro's sword from its maw and climbed atop its head.

Just before the full moon buff ended, I gathered every last drop of mana.

Slaash—!!

As I plunged the sword into its nape, it thrashed with a grotesque screech. Spirit mana pierced toward its heart like spreading poison. With its reverse scale gone and stamina depleted, its scales could no longer block the mana.

Kuung—!!!

The ground shook. At last, the White Dragon's head collapsed lifelessly.

"…."

"…."

The hunters stared in disbelief, even having witnessed it firsthand.

"We won."

I sat on the dragon's lolling head like a throne and declared it to them.

As if answering my words, system windows chimed relentlessly. Then—

Waaaaaaaaah—!!!

The silence shattered as the hunters raised their bows overhead in unison, roaring in triumph.

A dazzling burst of light exploded above like fireworks, drawing my eyes to a single word unlike any before.

"A Legendary-grade class…."

I stood with one foot on the fallen dragon's forehead.

Plenty of time. I smacked my lips, eyeing the cluttered system windows.

Now for the rewards.

"Moving the dragon's corpse is impossible… Better leave it here and contact each tribe."

"The elders will lose their minds when they hear."

"Better than failing the dragon hunt. As long as the old folks don't keel over from shock."

"Heh. Indeed."

Leaving the fallen Spirit Devourer, the hunters headed back to their tribes.

"And you?"

"I'll stay here. Got work to do."

Aishira nodded at my words.

"Makes sense—you're the star of this dragon hunt. You have the right to inspect the corpse. Thanks to you, we fulfilled a long-held wish."

"No problem."

She extended her hand.

"And…."

She tilted her head shyly, speaking awkwardly.

"Thanks for saving me."

"If you need my help, come anytime. And that sword is yours. It suits the dragon slayer."

"Thank you."

Her gaze held unmistakable trust.

"We probably have much to discuss."

I nodded, lightly shaking Amur's sword.

"If you visit Naba Tribe, don't forget Ran-hu Tribe."

As Aishira's farewell ended, Tonpe approached.

As we shook hands, the quest completion window appeared.

'Right, Tonpe's quest too.'

I gave a wry smile. I'd been so focused on the dragon hunt I'd nearly forgotten him, but thankfully he was safe.

'Gotta visit for the quest reward anyway. Plus, Ran-hu Tribe seems connected to Gullak.'

Recalling their talk of Ran-hu betraying Gullak, I hit complete.

"Sure."

"Yes! You must come!"

Tonpe's eyes sparkled as he looked at me.

"Here's a map with our tribe's location. It'll help."

He bowed repeatedly even after handing it over, until I patted his shoulder and shooed him off.

"See you later."

With Ran-hu gone, all tribesmen left Lang-a Fortress. Finally alone, I exhaled in relief.

"Phew… Free at last."

Smacking my lips, I began reviewing the system windows for my hard-earned rewards.

"First…."

The Legendary-grade class caught my eye first. Probably the first in the server to find one.

'Dragon Slayer… Tempting job. Using the Spirit Devourer White Dragon's power would give ice attributes, synergizing well with Nute.'

It appealed, but I slowly shook my head.

'Not enough.'

Dragon Slayer was Legendary, but its rarity would fade compared to others over time. The continent had six great dragons—maximum six Dragon Slayers possible.

'If I soloed all six, it'd be worth it… but with eight major clans forming raids easily, monopolizing them is tough. Plus, the killing blow condition means clans could funnel it to specific members. Easy to get.'

'Too good to trash, but after ditching Yong-gong Geom-sik, grabbing it just for Legendary status is reckless.'

Not canceled yet, I dragged the window down to ponder more.

"Hm?"

Then it appeared—the looting window for Lanselro's corpse, previously hidden.

Dragon scales, dragon heart, dragon fangs… Boss-worthy materials galore, but one grabbed my eye.

"…What's this?"

I pulled out the pure white orb from the item window.

Woooooong…!!

"Wh-what the—?!"

In that moment, the pure white orb began trembling as if alive.