Evil Dragon Hunter

Fifteen levels up. Even after entering the 400s, there hadn't been any dramatic level-ups. But overwhelming experience points like these don't care about that.

The level of that being that should never have been awakened was a whopping 900. Even after sharing kill contributions with Tethern's Black Contractor and the players, this was the reward.

"Numbers are meaningless to me."

……Isn't now the time to be thrilled rather than smug?

Anyway, time to invest the points. As always, I was about to dump them all into magic when I paused.

……It's been a bit eventful, hasn't it?

I don't believe in superstitions. I won't waste precious points on one-by-one frivolities. I'd ignored luck like it was bitter medicine.

And what was the result? Demon kings pouring out in droves. Thinking it was a labyrinth, I ran into a dragonkin monster. I'd nearly sunk into pride more times than I could count.

Yeah, just one point. Lucky seven—looks good.

Don't be stingy, Hoyeol. For your mental health, this is way better.

Rationalizing for a moment, I lifted my teacup.

Clink—

"It's not merely enjoying tea. 'Tis savoring the flow of time alongside it."

Not something for ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠me—a guy doped up on elixirs—to say. Good thing it was just to myself.

I shifted my gaze to the quest window.

Quite a few. Other players struggle with even one, yet I have seven in progress. Of course, some were already completed.

Only one fully done, huh.

The war quest with the dwarves and Demon King Phlauroth. Naturally accumulated contributions come to mind. Let's see how to use them.

For now, the situation differs from Yusra Kingdom or Frost. My relationship with the dwarves was already maxed out.

Bound by oath.

So, maybe other rewards? Of course, no amount of head-scratching will confirm without meeting them.

Among the others worth rechecking…… the new one, naturally.

Other players got [Dragon's Trace].

Mine was different from the start. Probably thanks to my high kill contribution.

And back then, pride-blinded, I hadn't noticed…… [Evil Dragon Hunter] was a world quest. On par with the World Tree Seed quest.

The content suggests as much.

'Wicked dragonkin.'

That being that should never have been awakened. A ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠bad seed, indeed.

I knew it from the way I glared.

"Overly kind to the evil dragon, was I."

……Was that kindness?

Anyway, Tethern sacrificed themselves to seal it in the labyrinth for a reason.

The quest content alone lets me guess the progression.

'Zero Mountains.'

Arcana Continent's skyscraper. Back when Arcana was just a game, it starred in every ad.

The Zero Mountains pierced the heavens. Their majesty swelled the chest just to behold.

Plus the legend of dragons at the peak! An irresistible setting for any player.

But the problem: no player ever reached the summit. The recommended level was absurd.

Not even the base—you'd drop out immediately.

Zero Mountains, that terrifying place. And the first goal is the summit?!

Is this even meant to be cleared?

Once again, I realize: so-called "world-class" quests are nothing compared to a true world quest……!

Of course, I'd cheesed the World Tree Seed one before. But luck is just luck.

"One ascends the mountain simply because it is there."

Unneeded improved memory. I spout some quote I picked up somewhere.

Not wrong, sure.

'Gotta rift up to climb or whatever.'

But not being wrong can make it more infuriating. Sometimes I hate my own mouth.

I tilt my teacup deliberately and check my items.

First, spoils from high contribution.

……A thoroughly awkward spoil.

Level restriction first: 800. An unreachable gap—who knows how many more demon kings I'd need.

But I'm seasoned; I expected it. Situations like this are routine.

Why, spoils from demons way above my level. Most had insane restrictions.

I'd faced it before. Dug my well, my escape hole: Enchantment studies.

'But no effect to extract!'

Incorruptible. Unattached to material things. Otherwise, I'd whine in frustration.

Still, calmly reading the description, I get it.

'No effects, but immense destructive power.'

System doesn't lie. If it rivals any weapon, it does.

Though it feels taunting. Such power, unusable due to restriction—what a waste.

Infuriating, maybe. But I don't dig one well only.

Swords don't have to be wielded equipped, right?

I pulled [Wicked Earth Dragon's Fang] from inventory. Circled my magic.

"Exploitation is all in the method."

Many ways to swing a sword.

Fwoosh—

I manipulated the earth dragon's fang with magic.

Of course, power would pale compared to equipped. Can't infuse sword aura without gripping.

But sufficient.

"Where there are flaws, virtues reside."

With reversal magic, form is irrelevant—change at will.

Crack—

I split the fang into pieces, then reversed to original.

An 800-restricted item, destructive power unmatched…… My fingers itch to test.

"One must know time and place."

Can't cause a ruckus in the antique Mage Tower office.

Save testing for next rift. I shelved regrets, checked next spoils.

Deathqui. The true-named demon that possessed a player. Demon king spoils purified via exorcism ritual.

Before that, think rationally. Which demon king's spoil to purify first?

All three had no equip restrictions. But clear level gaps among droppers.

'By that metric, [Blazing Eye of Malice] first.'

Highest-ranked of the three: Phlauroth's.

But Grandfell's finicky aesthetics swayed my choice.

"Balance is paramount."

Just too grotesque to touch. Excuses come easy.

Yes. I purified the middle one: [Map of Oblivion Drawn in Blood].

Just order. I'll purify the rest anyway.

Calmly confirmed info.

Truly infinite potential.

Basically, locate any "something" desired?

Myriad possibilities flash: rare elixir spots thought legendary. Pinpoint wanted items.

'Limits exist, of course.'

Reality and Arcana are separate worlds. Knowing location doesn't mean instant access.

Unless using the one-time teleport…… but no need.

"Time's noble flow resolves all."

Note location, act when rift pops. Teleport unlikely needed.

Thoughts sorted…… satisfying.

Demon king spoil indeed.

'Might surpass even the Pentagram of Pure Knowledge.'

Others promising too. But no more broth-chugging.

Tight schedule ingrained. All blinking messages checked.

Time to fulfill chief mage duties.

First, tower exit applications.

Clink—

Setting down teacup. I sat straight, flipping parchments one by one.

Scribbled with quill as always.

"Still pointless exit purposes."

Scritch—!

"Rejected. Senior Mage Bensy William."

"Honestly, didn't think we'd clear it…… But y'know, that vibe. Just glancing at the quest window fills you up."

"It's got 'dragon' in it, so I feel like a ranker. Right?"

"More than that, fighting with Hoyeol. And it's all on video—gonna pass it down generations like a heirloom."

……Video as heirloom?

If overheard, shocking. But with "dragon" now, world focused elsewhere.

Notably, Player Official Ranking #1, Skal's moves.

Level 445, Skal!

Hoyeol's info, including rank, private. Skal never ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠dropped #1.

Speculation pegged Hoyeol at 900+, tempering Skal interest.

"Reporting from New York!"

This time different. Central Park. Reporters swarm skyscraper.

Global correspondents rant at cameras.

"Skal, long a recluse, appearing is unprecedented."

"First public since cataclysm."

"But major guilds calm. Expected this."

Any player knows Skal.

His class: knight-line. Dragon Knight.

Murmurs—

Skal emerges. Western features unmasked by shades.

Belying mystique, boldly faces cameras. Snatches mic thrust forward.

Tap-tap—

"Ahem. As dragon knight, I have words."

……Way off expectations.

How'd he maintain mystique?

Head-tilting audacity. Purpose crystal-clear.

"No business with scrubs. Lee Hoyeol, I wish to speak with you."

"……?"

"Esteemed Evil Dragon Hunter."

"……!!! "

Not enough with endless deep darkness. Now a ray in endless deep darkness. Thought end, but now Evil Dragon Hunter?

Skal's bombshell added an embarrassing moniker.

Yet protagonist Hoyeol remained frozen at Mage Tower desk.

His eyes scanned exit applications.

Senior Healing ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Mage Bellie Yusia's.

Gaze swept purpose.

Same as always. No joy or sorrow, no prolonged deliberation.

Hoyeol left his office.

Click—