The Heaven-Exterminating Dragon's Hunting Method (1)
That day dawned. The final day after my declaration of war.
Around one more hour? If my demand—"the leader coming to kneel and apologize to me personally"—isn't met within that hour, it's truly war.
Hm? But is it really war? Thinking about it, yes it is. War implies masses clashing against masses... herds fighting herds, right? That's why I used the term "war," but now that I reflect, I can settle this alone from the front lines without even bringing my subordinates.
"My lady."
Hm?
"The humans have arrived."
Oh? So they do know how to apologize, at least.
I wasn't thrilled that they dragged it out until the very last day, but since they made it within the deadline I declared, I have no real complaints.
I was just about to rise and go meet the human they call North Korea's leader when—
"These aren't the humans we were expecting."
I froze.
...Then who are they?
"They're from the country called China."
China? Where was that again? ...Ah, right. The nation to the north and west of the country called Korea. Historically, it had a massive influence on Northeast Asia where my gate is located. After gates and hunters appeared, it faltered a bit alongside the nation called America. But why have they come to see me?
I'm curious what they have to say. Bring them in.
"Yes."
A moment later.
"H-hello! I am..."
A human fumbling through awkward Korean. I addressed him.
"Speak in your native tongue. I've studied human languages."
"...Thank you, Heaven-Exterminating Dragon."
"We are from the Crimson Elite Power Unit."
"We come on behalf of the current Chairman of the People's Republic of China, Mei Zhaorong."
The humans prostrated themselves tightly before me, answering politely. I asked the visibly tense humans,
"Very well. What brings you to me?"
"We heard that in 50 minutes, the Heaven-Exterminating Dragon will wage war on North Korea."
Indeed. I declared it, and they've wronged me, so it's only natural.
Even if it caused me no harm whatsoever, it was still an outright attack on me. From my position, it was like an ant prodding me, but the act itself matters. Shouldn't I at least receive an apology?
"Our Chairman wishes to offer the Heaven-Exterminating Dragon a small token of assistance."
I refuse.
"Then... Pardon?"
The humans faltered at my curt rejection. Looking down at them, I said,
"I have no need of your help."
"P-please, at least hear us out before deciding..."
No reason to. Is your 'help' something like North Korea's geography or escape routes for their leadership?
"..."
The humans fell silent, confirming my guess. It was a shame for them, but I'd been through this countless times. I'd passed through thousands of dimensions. Some had Earths in time periods like my home dimension, others with similar civilizations. I'd clashed with other nations endlessly, just like now, and "approachers" like these had been innumerable.
If that's all, begone. Your help is needless to me.
"...Understood, Heaven-Exterminating Dragon. Then please accept this."
The human proffered what looked like a communicator. I nodded to Jae Ye, who took it on my behalf.
"If you ever need anything, contact us through that."
Very well.
"Then we shall take our leave..."
I watched silently as the humans cautiously retreated and exited the gate. Then I asked Jae Ye,
So, how many is this now?
"The ninth, my lady."
The first humans to enter my gate were Americans. Then South Korea, Russia next, and surprisingly, Britain after that? Should I underrate China's abilities for arriving so late despite bordering my gate, or praise the others for beating a geographically closer China?
In any case, time's up.
By then, the promised time had elapsed.
They truly won't come?
I could forgive tardiness if it was just prior guests delaying them, but no one from North Korea ever showed. Maybe they'd set out but hit unforeseen issues? I scanned outside with my Heaven Dragon Eye, but all I saw was Pyongyang perfectly primed for war.
So, that's your choice.
Having chosen war with me, I no longer needed to hold back. I rose from my magma bath.
Time to move, then.
"My lady. There's no need for you to go yourself."
Glancing over, I saw Jae Ye standing demurely beside me. Her expression was impassive, but her brow furrowed ever so slightly in displeasure.
"If you but command it, your devoted followers will..."
Jae Ye.
I cut her off mid-sentence. She might be right. I wouldn't even need to stir; sending her and the others would handle it. But unlike me, they showed humans no mercy. It was awkward to speak of mercy toward enemies, but shouldn't we spare civilians uninvolved in this war? Besides, I had my own reason to go.
I've been lounging too much lately; my body's gone a bit sluggish. I'll handle it alone.
"...Understood. Please take care."
Of course.
I chuckled at her words and slowly walked toward the gate's entrance. I could teleport, but this was my first war in ages. Might as well do it properly.
"Oh! It's starting."
"..."
Lee Hyun shot his partner a displeased look. The partner sat beside him in human form, munching popcorn. Skatuya Blaze, the white-winged dragon, had his sleek white long hair casually tied back with a headband, dressed in green tracksuit pants, crunching away.
He turned to Lee Hyun with a puzzled face. "Why?"
"It's just... every time this happens, I can't believe you're the same species as that Heaven-Exterminating Dragon."
Both the Heaven-Exterminating Dragon and white-winged dragon were human-friendly. But comparing them revealed stark differences. The Heaven-Exterminating Dragon seemed a bit aloof from human society, calm yet radiating an otherworldly aura. The white-winged dragon, by contrast, was steeped in human culture, moody and impulsive. Living with him had revealed he often acted without much thought. Like a carefree neighborhood big bro, irresponsible and immature?
"I always wonder if you've blended into human society or just gotten corrupted by it."
"Hey, 'corrupted' is a bit harsh, don't you think?"
If he hated hearing that, shouldn't he ditch the unemployed slob fashion first? In monster fights, he was the most reliable partner, but in daily life, no bigger bum existed. Lee Hyun sighed deeply and turned back to the TV.
On screen, a massive golden mass was shaking itself off.
"Ooh. Mother's heading out after ages. Stretching her wings."
"That's stretching?"
Just then, the Heaven-Exterminating Dragon twisted side to side. The infamous "Shiba drill" move! But from that colossal body, it whipped up a gale that shook the camera.
"By the way, Blaze."
"Yeah?"
"Why didn't your mother teleport? Why exit through the gate entrance?"
He knew she could. She'd visited Seoul twice that way and even said so on stream. So why bother with the entrance?
"Jumping around in that bulky form looks inconvenient. Teleporting's better, right?"
"...Hold on, partner. You don't think of our mother as an 'earth dragon,' do you?"
"Isn't she?"
Dragons fell into three types: sky dragons, earth dragons, sea dragons. Those with wings or flight organs were sky dragons—like the white-winged dragon. Finned, webbed, or gill-equipped for aquatic life were sea dragons—like deep-sea dragons. The rest were earth dragons.
Unlike flying sky dragons or swimming sea dragons, earth dragons walked the land plainly. But they often boasted immense physical prowess or unique abilities, so never underestimate them. True tanks of the dragon world.
"Look at your mother. She's like an armadillo wrapped in gold plating."
"Armadillo, huh..."
Skatuya Blaze peered at the TV with a sour face and nodded. He'd never thought about it, but yeah, it fit.
"But partner, our mother's a sky dragon."
"...Huh?"
Lee Hyun's eyes bulged. He whipped his head to the TV, but the Heaven-Exterminating Dragon looked every bit the thick-shelled armadillo.
Where were the sky dragon traits?
"Blaze, you lying?"
"No, for real."
Skatuya Blaze shrugged and popped more popcorn, the picture of nonchalance. As Lee Hyun sighed, about to scold him—
Crack-rrk!
"Huh?"
On TV, the massive golden carapace atop the Heaven-Exterminating Dragon's back began to split. What emerged were six enormous golden wings, dwarfing even her body.
"Told you, sky dragon."
"Whoa?"
Lee Hyun, eyes wide at the screen, slapped his own cheek. Then he muttered in disbelief,
"Why didn't anyone say those shell plates were wings?!"
"You never asked."
"This guy's for real..."
As he pondered how to deal with this infuriating partner, the Heaven-Exterminating Dragon assumed position. Eyes to the sky, body crouched low, wings unfurled.
She flapped mightily and soared—
Whiiiirrr—!!
Rumble-rumble-BOOOM!!
"...Huh?"
...No flapping. Cylindrical engines at the base of her outstretched wings glowed, spewing black flames that rocketed her skyward. Before stunned humans could react, she became a star high above.
"Whew. Still got it."
"Jet engines?!"
Lee Hyun's shout echoed loudly.