The Black Dark Dragon (1)
Let's recap the flow of events.
Even the Mage Tower, the rankers, and the Holy War Alliance were powerless against those dragons. And it wasn't just them. Humanity's science, which had swiftly dealt with monsters bursting from collapsed rifts—
The kings of all creation. Before dragons, everything was useless. It was utter despair.
But the crisis resolved with the arrival of a single man. As if he had foreseen it all.
Even after revealing himself after just a fortnight.
By the unchanging Lee Hoyeol, no less.
It was a spectacle.
The roaring dragons assembled before Hoyeol. Bowing their heads.
And then vanishing back through the portal as if nothing had happened.
Hoyeol had always exceeded imagination. But to send dragons away with a single word?
No one could have predicted it.
Yet it raised an enormous question.
Speculation was inevitable.
Hoyeol unexpectedly vanished for a fortnight? The implication was simple.
Something even he couldn't foresee had occurred.
The arrow pointed to one word.
Sure enough, the Black Dark Dragon.
The name the dragons howled in unison.
Nothing but the Black Dark Dragon.
That was the most plausible guess at the moment.
Of course, there were occasional counterarguments.
Title: But isn't that Black Dark Dragon thing kinda like...
Author: Anon
Content: Doesn't that sound kinda like Hoyeol...?
But there was such a thing as common sense.
No matter how superhuman Hoyeol's feats, the opponent was a dragon.
Fine, let's concede a hundred times over.
Suppose Hoyeol grew enough in a fortnight to be called a dragon.
It still didn't add up.
Dragons who had lived eons. For them to weep for the Black Dark Dragon meant it had immense influence over them.
Even for Hoyeol—
A fortnight was far too short.
No rebuttals followed.
It was an airtight speculation by common sense.
They just couldn't let go of the lingering doubt.
...It kinda fit, didn't it?
Both pitch black—that was the common thread.
But it wasn't evidence.
From there, it was faith.
So they could only hope.
Just a home—?!
Sorry, but that's never happening...!
I knew it would come to this. Of all the epithets, Black Dark Dragon...
It overlaps too perfectly with endless deep darkness!
'Good thing I desperately shut him up.'
If Kud Hanas had uttered even a word.
I would've been forced to accept that horrific epithet without rebuttal.
And with Grandfell's unyielding pride, which hides nothing.
He might've spilled the origin of "Black Dark Dragon."
And the Claudy family secrets too.
That would've been my end, Hoyeol...
In the Yusra Kingdom's office.
After sending Elcidoir away, I was deep into backlog paperwork.
King Hakuna handled more than his share—saved my life.
Otherwise, I'd be stuck for days.
"Did I not say a day would suffice?"
So brazenly eloquent, really.
Thanks to non-stop flipping through documents.
It's mostly sorted.
Now, time for a self-check?
The dragons gave such a grand farewell.
A few things remain unseen.
Status window after ages.
Most glaring: the "Black Dark Dragon" title.
Can't just whine it away.
Let it go.
More importantly:
'Experience penalty...?'
Relief it's not visible.
Level up raised required EXP, so drop isn't obvious.
Absolute loss is the same—smoke and mirrors.
But level held: blessing enough.
'19 more levels.'
This fluttering jacket sleeve-up.
Naturally checks epic Dawn Set effects.
19 levels—daunting EXP needed.
But who am I?
Akshan's sole survivor.
Inherited legacy exists.
Yes, my hard-saved piggy bank.
Quirnburk Mechanical Tower.
Even now.
Hunting demons, piling EXP and fame.
'Recover just one.'
Level 700? Plenty possible.
So hurry, Hoyeol.
Tomorrow, Last Adventurer penalty ends.
Handle real-world backlog, straight to Arcana Continent.
Of course, priorities there too.
'Truth be told, until moments ago.'
Top priority: Claudy Mansion visit.
Reason? As said.
Before wretched Black Dark Dragon legend spreads across Arcana.
While I can still show my face.
Easier to scout.
But.
"Before dawn, darkness is but a facade."
I learned.
"Unveiling darkness can wait."
The misunderstanding around the Fruit of Good and Evil.
Class quest popped—demon-related culprit certain.
Demons? Grandfell can't ignore.
Feet turn to Sisli.
Of course.
''The heir of a great house fell to demons. Grandfell Claudi Arpeus Romeo, sole survivor, became a demon hunter for revenge.''
Claudy fell to demons too.
But as Grandfell said.
Haven't witnessed Claudy with my own eyes yet.
Plus Grandfell's noble pride.
Won't prioritize family over greater cause.
"Timing in education is crucial."
Anyway... preaching oddities at Mage Tower? Full educator now, Grandfell?
As I grumbled inwardly, gripping the quill again.
Knock knock—
"?"
Suddenly, someone rapped the office door.
*
With Hoyeol's appearance, the dragons quietly withdrew.
Humanity escaped extinction.
Emotions were uniform: shock, relief, joy...
But one in billions felt differently.
Likewise, one in billions for over a decade.
Arcana official ranking 1st: Skal.
"...Alexander, this isn't a dream, right?"
Dragons worldwide!
Skal thought his dream realized.
Details unclear, but profound thanks to Hoyeol first.
"My deepest gratitude, Sir Hoyeol...!"
Inevitable.
Skal guessed Hoyeol's fortnight absence.
Yes.
Class quest All Dragons Summon, then world quest.
Old Dragon's Final Flight
📍 The dying old dragon resolves. To burn its end for its kin's future.
📍 The continent trembles at the old dragon's rebuke.
📍 Witness the old dragon's end.
(Failed)
Quest goal: failure.
But meaning unclear.
Did old dragon truly end? Or failure because not?
Skal couldn't know.
But dragons in reality.
Over ten.
Quest success or failure? Irrelevant.
"It exists. For real!"
Proof his goal wasn't illusion.
Belief he could reach it swelled his chest.
Beyond: soaring on such massive dragons...
"...Alexander, pretend you didn't see this."
Eyes reddening.
Skal was overcome.
Thus?
Missed dragons' wail.
A single tear.
"Ugh."
Legs trembled from intense scent.
Endured, viewed as dragon knight.
Found clue.
"...Black Dark Dragon."
Class quest to world quest.
To Black Dark Dragon.
Clear storyline.
Then.
To find Black Dark Dragon.
With dragons' help...
"Might build affinity."
As Skal moved to act.
Suddenly, Hoyeol appeared.
Resolved untouchable crisis instantly.
Skal froze.
"Could it be, even this time...?"
You know about Black Dark Dragon too?
"Forgive my impudence...!"
Skal wanted to rush Hoyeol, ask.
From dying old dragon.
To Black Dark Dragon info.
Mountains of curiosity.
But knew.
"Procedure. Procedure. Never forget procedure."
So he waited.
Before Golden Palace.
For Hoyeol's return.
"Please, Sir Enoch!"
To Lion Heart knight Enoch, now familiar.
Conveyed request.
Wish to see Sir Hoyeol for this matter.
Reply soon came.
Skal's desperate gaze to Enoch.
"...How did it go?"
.
.
Door knocker: Enoch.
Precisely, bearer of Skal's news.
Yes, dragon knight Skal.
'Regrettable, Skal.'
Knew Skal's tearful dragon sincerity.
Me mounting dragon first? Unforeseen.
'Quiet cats don't always reach the stove first...'
Even I didn't expect.
'Ignorance is bliss sometimes, Skal.'
No need to tell.
Grandfell might not care.
But I, Lee Hoyeol, am considerate salaryman.
Besides, without Skal.
No Yunak Seus news.
'Related pieces, quests overlooked.'
Skal's aid yielded results.
Reciprocate.
I intoned as always.
"Give and take."
Wondered why not sooner.
Give and take, but.
I know.
No matter how capable.
Alone insufficient.
'Skal is key asset.'
Class: dragon knight.
Potential rivals Grand Archmage Jessie Haynes.
Perhaps Skal-dragon bond.
Via Holy War Alliance commander's weight.
Thus.
Unscheduled meeting, but ears open.
If valid purpose, meet.
...What?
"Sir Skal wishes to ask about the Black Dark Dragon."
Why, of all dragons, Black Dark Dragon?!
.
.
Clink—
"...Y-Yes?!"
Skal's teacup hand slackens.
Bolt from blue.
Hoyeol declared colder than ever.
"I assure you."
"No matter what occurs."
"You shall never reach the Black Dark Dragon."