The Claudy Heir Returns
Honestly, I couldn't help but wonder if I'd said something unnecessary. Discipline should be tailored to the recipient. It wasn't because it was a dragon that posed the problem. The issue was that there was no room for dialogue from the start. Why? Look at it now.
Kroooaaargh!
The frost dragon—Proznax—was unleashing its piercing roar in a fit of rage. This was no situation to act leisurely.
I gazed at the flurry of messages popping up chaotically.
The first World Tree's blessing rejects Dragon Fear.
Records from the Dragon-Mage War described it in detail. The dragon's cry, its Dragon Fear, had made even the Mage Tower's wizards—boasting immense mental fortitude—tremble in terror.
In that sense, I was deeply grateful for the World Tree's blessing... but.
The problem is that I—of all people—spoke those words.
My stubborn pride demanded I uphold every word I uttered. And Gwichul, mirroring its master, refused to change form even against the frost dragon.
—Master, controlling my power is proving difficult. The goal is not to slay, but to discipline.
Because of my loose tongue, both Gwichul and Yunak Seus were suffering immensely.
Unaware or uncaring of my inner turmoil, Gwichul continued.
—In that regard, Master, you are truly admirable.
Admirable, my foot—who are you mocking?! Here I was, pouring every ounce of my soul into this clash.
Still, it was a relief. If Proznax had the fiery vigor of youth, Yunak Seus possessed the cunning of vast experience.
"Where do you think you're fleeing?!"
Proznax relentlessly pressed the melee. Yunak Seus turned its smaller frame into an advantage, barely dodging mid-flight to create openings for my switch to strike.
Vivace's effects, no doubt.
But both Yunak Seus and I knew our time was short. Its heart could stop dead in the next dive without warning.
In that light, my grand pronouncement had been disastrously ambitious. Realizing my place.
'Reaching the Dragon Temple at my current level.'
Regrettably... I had to admit it. The frost dragon was just the beginning. Per Yunak Seus, dozens of dragons had gathered for the All-Dragon Assembly. Even if we thoroughly schooled Proznax and cleared [Piece, Frost Dragon's Snowy Mountain], another would likely emerge immediately.
Flap!
Suddenly, a rippling white outer wing filled my vision. Yunak Seus pulled away from Proznax, then addressed me.
"I knew it would come to this."
...You've realized it, huh? Unlike Gwichul, blinded by loyalty, Yunak Seus had appraised me objectively through a dragon's eyes. With centuries behind it, how could it not see? My pitiful level, tricks aside.
And yet, oblivious, I'd blustered on.
'Discipline this, punish that.'
That's why we must watch our words...! My face burned; I had nothing to say. True to form, I couldn't self-reflect. Instead, I murmured steadily.
"Is that so."
Yunak Seus pressed on.
"Thus, I apologize. Even with Claudy's grace, this aged body cannot properly confront kin. Knowing that, I could not refuse your mercy. Forgive me."
...What? That's what you meant?
'Then it's fine.'
Relief washed over me at last. I'd worried it might resent me for dragging it into this without the strength. No need for forgiveness, Yunak Seus. If anything, I wanted to ask.
"Yunak Seus."
"I am listening, Lee Hoyeol Claudy."
"Do you truly harbor no regrets."
"May I ask your meaning?"
"Even if your heart stops with the next wingbeat. Even if you plummet endlessly into the snowy depths. No regrets remain?"
Yunak Seus chuckled deeply.
"Regretfully, I suspect I will."
Its gaze burned fiercely.
"Debts to repay abound. To be pushed back by a mere fledgling—to lament my frailty. My withered flesh is all I curse."
Is that so?
I replied calmly.
"Change of plans. Long battle, withdrawn."
"Withdrawn...?"
"Many need discipline. I'll teach swiftly."
If that's its resolve, I could intensify the punishment. Thus, among the 'thirty ways to fell a frost dragon,' the simplest and most efficient.
But first.
"One last question."
"Ask freely, Claudy."
"Are you accustomed to the cold?"
"...?"
It might seem absurd. But it's crucial, Yunak Seus.
Recalling Senios's strategy guide.
However, the true counter to ice magic is not fire magic.
It is ice magic itself.
Unlike fire magic, subjugated by fiercer heat, advanced cold magics hold no superiority over one another.
Cold alone cannot decide the victor. Cold has clear limits.
And appended at the end.
In that sense, I regret.
Had I existed in the Mage Tower during the Dragon-Mage War, it would not have knelt to frost dragons.
I assure you, I would not have yielded to such beasts.
As if foreseeing the future. Truly Senios the elder.
Even if I slumber eternally beneath eternal snow.
Limits exist. Cold cannot triumph over cold.
Proznax, whether your cold has reached its limit—we'll see upon clash. But mine has, assuredly. To [Absolute Zero].
As Yunak Seus distanced itself, Proznax flew into the open sky—unlike before. Next phase, undoubtedly. The follow-up attack was predictable.
Fear, then naturally, breath.
Fwoosh!
Sudden heat. Flames flickered at Yunak Seus's maw, poised to counter the frost breath with its own.
But no need, Yunak Seus.
"It's fine."
"...?"
"Stand down."
"...!"
Fwoom...?
Even at my words, Yunak Seus struggled to swallow its breath. Fellow dragon—it knew the devastation of dragon breath well.
But really, it's okay?
Any other breath, and I'd panic too.
For cold breath, with [Absolute Zero], even a direct hit would leave me unscathed.
Such was the situation, yet my sense of gravity never faltered anywhere.
I opened solemnly.
"Thus, I command you, Yunak Seus."
"This ancient dragon shall obey Claudy's will."
"Do not close your eyes without my leave."
"...!"
"Live until my return."
Absolute Zero. Overused as it was, I knew its precise effect. Not mere freezing of targets. Absolute cold that froze even time where targets—and Absolute Zero—existed.
Yes. I planned to grapple Proznax in Absolute Zero, where time itself halted...!
Utterly reckless beyond pettiness, but no other way came to mind. Before Vivace wore off, clearing [Piece, Frost Dragon's Snowy Mountain] demanded this sole path.
Actions over words, as always. No detailed explanation, but Yunak Seus nodded.
"...As you command."
Good, wait for me.
I summoned mana, standing mid-air. Shifting gaze from receding Yunak Seus to Proznax.
Crackle!
Approaching. The frost dragon's chilling breath, cooling all.
I activated the anomaly without delay: Absolute Zero.
As Senios had. From myself. From my heart. Encircling circle. My breath. Air's moisture. Finally, to Proznax.
Expanding Absolute Zero's domain. Messages cluttered my view.
'Indescribable Cold' manifests upon you.
'Indescribable Cold' rejects the cold breath.
Time's flow distorts under 'Indescribable Cold' influence.
'Indescribable Cold' manifests upon Frost Dragon, Proznax.
Frost Dragon, Proznax's time flow distorts under 'Indescribable Cold' influence.
In Absolute Zero, where time halted, only Proznax and I existed. Like a 'consciousness' space, perhaps.
From exorcism rituals to the Spacetime Salon.
I'm accustomed to such realms. You too, Proznax?
"...What have you done to me, vermin."
Proznax stared not at me, but Yunak Seus. Time's distortion made the frozen elder dragon feel uncanny, like a painting. Then it glared at me, unscathed amid dissipating cold breath, spitting enmity.
"You dare play childish tricks."
Hallucination, perhaps? Proznax widened its eyes. Fitting a lord of all beasts. Its regal mind repelled illusions and ailments with a mere glare.
Regrettably.
"No trick, hatchling."
As said, this isn't play. Eternal discipline until you mend your ways.
"You dare...!!"
Spewing cold breath everywhere changes nothing. As I said—your cold can't harm me within Absolute Zero.
Melee too.
Strictly, Yunak Seus wasn't halted—we were. Events in Absolute Zero were meaningless.
No wonder it's hard to grasp. Even a millennium lived, this is your first, Proznax?
But familiar to me. Similar experiences.
Yes. Mu-geun.
Mage Tower basement. Where even devil-worshipping elder mages lost sanity, I calmly sipped tea and read.
My steadfast poise held even in frozen time.
I spoke.
"Until you realize it yourself."
"...You!"
"I'll wait, however long. Hatchling."
As always.
"Well prepared for such scenarios."
Producing a green tea bag (for cold water)...
....
"...Was that your intent?"
Yunak Seus beheld the frozen forms. Hoyeol and Proznax. Finally grasping the words.
"Acclimated to cold... that's what you meant...!"
It yearned to dispel that ineffable chill. Or plunge in if not. But impossible. The cold enveloping them was a different 'dimension,' barring all approach—including its own.
"Foolish, Yunak Seus..."
What of an ancient dragon's wisdom? Failing to grasp even that intent...!
Yunak Seus knew not what transpired between the frozen pair. But it rallied its crumbling heart. Hoyeol's words remained.
—"Live until my return."
Thus, it waited.
"By oath, I shall wait."
Even if.
"For eons eternal."
....
Ten millennia blurred days into sameness; Yunak Seus lost track of time waited. Yet time flowed unmistakably—in distorted Absolute Zero and beyond.
How to be sure? A black silhouette materialized mid-air, whispering to frozen Hoyeol.
"Diend, mission complete per lord's command."
Reporting results.
"Found it."
That word.
"The Claudy estate."
Sufficient to awaken.
The frozen memory of 'Claudy successor' cracks.
....
Absolute Zero thaws with cracks.
Amid thawing Absolute Zero, I reeled in shock. Diend's words resurfaced forgotten Claudy lore—vast settings bubbling to memory's surface.
"To all dragons."
Thus...
"I, successor of Claudy, have returned."
This loose tongue was merely the beginning...!