Like a Dragon (4)

Dragon (龍). Born as the king of all things, it looks down upon everything. Yet no one blames the dragon's arrogance. For dragons possess an almighty power that makes even their arrogance seem humble.

To such dragons, defeat and humiliation were unfamiliar concepts. The ancient elder dragon, who had lived through eons, was no exception. Yunak Seus was the same.

Even if her mother's plan stemmed from her own death. Even if it meant meeting her end at the hands of her betraying kin. Such a fate was far from welcome.

Honestly, it filled her with resentment. But she had desperately turned a blind eye to it. Did a wretch like her even have the right to feel such indignation?

She ceaselessly belittled herself. Yet in the moment her dragon heart began to falter.

Her final dragon fear, cried out like a scream. That roar undoubtedly carried her fury.

'Shameful...'

Grandfell must have recognized that fury. Yunak Seus could not lift her head. She knew the meaning behind Hoyeol's words.

'Declaring it as discipline and punishment...'

Was he truly going to accompany this old elder dragon in her final moments?

It was an honor far beyond her deserving. Yunak Seus could not easily accept.

'...You will undoubtedly be in danger.'

As she had said, she had failed to persuade her kin. They not only defied their mother's will but even ignored the pact with Grandfell...

One could tell from how they had reduced her—the one who announced Grandfell's return—to this state.

Yunak Seus felt her heart pounding fiercely.

'Moreover, I deserve death...'

She could sense it in her own heart. This was a final burst of vitality. Her dragon heart could stop at any moment. She could die at any time without it being strange.

So it wouldn't matter how she died... but.

'Grandfell, not you.'

She was thinking that when a voice came.

"Are you afraid, Yunak Seus?"

"...!"

"Of the death approaching."

The calm words struck true. She had lived eons, thought herself prepared for death at any time. Yet before the shadow of encroaching death, had she not trembled in fear?

And now was no different.

'I am afraid.'

Her heart, which might stop at any moment. She feared it might drag Grandfell into danger.

That was why she hesitated to answer.

Thus, she could only be shocked.

"If you fear, then I shall stand with you."

"...What do you mean?"

"I shall witness the moment you close your eyes."

The meaning was simple. Whether for discipline, punishment, or to sate her fury. He truly meant to advance together.

Even into crisis.

Yunak Seus could not comprehend.

"Why go so far ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠for me...?"

The response came as if it were obvious.

"So that you shall not be forgotten."

"...!"

"So that you may live and breathe eternally in legend."

You do not die when you die. You live forever as legend.

In this moment, Grandfell offered the warmest of final farewells.

Truly an honor beyond measure.

Yunak Seus bowed her head.

"This elder dragon understands Grandfell's will."

But one thing had to be made clear. That she had no right to accept such an offer.

Yunak Seus continued.

"Yet this decrepit one lacks the strength to guard you. The path I take may lead you into danger, Grandfell."

Understanding his intent was enough. Thanks to that grace, she no longer feared death.

There was no need for him to fly into the jaws of death with her.

But at the immediate reply, Yunak Seus fell silent.

It was no words for one about to face dozens of dragons.

"No need for concern."

"...?"

"Even if dozens, hundreds, thousands of dragons turn against me."

"...!"

"I do not die."

I do not die. At least not on the Arcana Continent...!

I needed to exploit that cheat-like effect efficiently. Especially now that I could travel back and forth to the Arcana Continent.

In that sense.

'This death must not be in vain either.'

I was already prepared for death, after all. Wasn't it natural?

Heading to lecture dozens of dragons on decorum. Not one or two, but dozens.

I had a conscience too. I held zero expectations of emerging unscathed.

That said.

'Good thing I have the real Last Adventurer title.'

Grandfell's stubbornness was no joke. His old-man tendencies wouldn't let him overlook disciplining dragons through punishment.

If this happened in the Zero Mountains on Earth?

'...Horrifying just to imagine.'

So for now, count it as fortunate. That this unfolded on the Arcana Continent.

Of course, that didn't mean I could be purely thrilled.

As I conversed with Yunak Seus, it slowly sank in. The presence of Claudy tightening around me...!

I'd truly been in denial. Even guessing that "great lineage" was Claudy.

I'd denied it to the end. Because no matter how I thought about it, it made no sense.

Grandfell's settings manifesting was absurd enough. But the Claudy family too? That was a whole different scale.

'...I really want to deny this reality, my dark history, for real.'

Grandfell had surely ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠said it.

-"I shall not believe until I confirm with mine own eyes."

Judging on others' words alone? Even if from Yunak Seus.

Such was impossible for Grandfell's lofty pride.

Thus, unless he found the Claudy mansion. He wouldn't accept any tales of Claudy rashly.

However.

'My situation's a bit different...'

Damn, all sorts of thoughts crowding in.

But in times like this, think simply. Tackle facing issues one by one, Hoyeol.

I eyed the message.

The quest objectives: two. First was the base goal, second likely the extra from my variable cube.

Temple of Dragons, huh. Felt like no ordinary place at a glance.

"The dragon assembly occurred at ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the Temple of Dragons."

Per Yunak Seus. It was a special space accessible via the Zero Mountains' summit.

Thinking in Arcana system terms...

'Final content unlocked by clearing Zero Mountains.'

Mountain after mountain, literally.

But it made sense. Elves had their homeland, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Sisli. Dragons having their own space, Temple of Dragons, wasn't odd.

Just worrying.

'Crushing rocks with eggs before we even start...'

Worried my egg-self might crack first.

Recall Zero Mountains info on Earth. Recommended level: [Not Recommended for Anyone].

A place beyond even that? Alone, I wouldn't dream of entering. Even dreaming, I'd fail.

'Zero Mountains no longer exist on Arcana Continent.'

But with Yunak Seus, no big issue now.

Why? Dragons tear dimensions.

Soon, Yunak Seus sought permission.

"Forgive the commotion."

Then roared.

Krraaaack—!

Space tore open. I watched silently.

No sign on my brazen stone face. But I was plenty dumbfounded inside.

'Some tear with full power...!'

Yunak Seus opened a dimensional rift effortlessly, even collapsing.

The difference in bloodlines. That's diamond-tier beyond gold.

As I swallowed a sigh discreetly.

Yunak Seus bowed to me.

"Grandfell, enter first."

...Me first? Wait, hold on.

Any reason it has to be me?

From what I heard. Dragons at Temple of Dragons wouldn't be friendly to me.

Even so, shouldn't familiar Yunak Seus show face first...?

That thought when.

Yunak Seus continued, eyeing her shoulder blades.

"I lack the face to show myself like this."

Ah, not that—her wings torn by kin.

Couldn't lead the way. But no worry, Yunak Seus.

You flawless types wouldn't know. Ways to cover flaws? Endless in this world.

'Ahem. Not boasting, but me.'

Demon hunter. This loose-screw class, clawing here?

No one more workaround-savvy than me.

"Raise your head, Yunak Seus."

I continued to High El.

"High El, drape these wings upon Yunak Seus."

What wings? Obviously.

One of twelve magitools rented from Mage Tower. The familiar emitter of a hundred colors.

Outer Wings of a Hundred Hues.

Yunak Seus, you might not know. Most magitools have no restrictions beyond level.

Usable by any race.

"High El obeys her lord's command."

Whoosh— High El placed the outer wings on Yunak Seus's vast back.

Fwaaah—!

Light burst from the wings. Replacing her severed ones.

No—far more radiant, splendid. Transforming into wings fitting her size.

Seeing it, I thought inwardly.

'...Senior Kiko, I get the effort.'

Only I rented Outer Wings of a Hundred Hues from Mage Tower.

Marcelo said other mages couldn't utilize even 10% of its performance.

Enchantment senior Kiko, for me. And enchantment research.

Had added a new effect to the wings.

The new effect: Flight.

'Truly grateful...'

But imagining wearing it? Utterly horrifying.

Jacket flapping wasn't enough—wings fluttering like real ones.

Face already burning.

I spoke quickly.

"Do the new wings please you?"

So don't even think of refusing, Yunak Seus.

"...?"

Yunak Seus flapped them a couple times as she wished. Then spoke.

Her voice sank deeply.

"I shall clear the path."

Didn't like the flashy design, so curt...?

Such worry arose, but unavoidable, Yunak Seus. No leisure to mind tastes.

'Alright, me too.'

Cast magic. Follow diving Yunak Seus.

Let's see. Mana regen?

As I checked remaining mana.

Thud!

Yunak Seus not just bowed—but prostrated before me...?

Then uttered.

"Grandfell, to this lowly elder dragon Yunak Seus, please. Grant the honor of soaring with you upon the wings you bestowed?"

Words that'd faint dragon knight Skal...!