Leave It to Me

The newly unlocked system, [Legend]. Its effect is to manifest the acquired legend into reality.

But manifesting doesn't mean I transform into the real Black Dark Dragon. Even if Grandfell's way of speaking omits the subject like it's breathing.

I'm looking straight at the subject.

That's right. It's not me who manifests as the Black Dark Dragon. It's the 'legend' that originates from me.

Perhaps because it's a legend I've manifested with my own will. I don't even need to turn around to confirm it.

I can feel it clearly.

'Even if that weren't the case.'

Agentress's pupils reflect my image like a mirror. The Dawn Jacket flutters calmly. And behind it, a massive black form writhes.

That's my manifested legend, the Black Dark Dragon.

'No wonder I couldn't put it into words.'

No matter how much I explain it a hundred times, would anyone understand? It's faster to just show it once.

But even I, who manifested the legend, flinched.

It was just too big to be the Black Dark Dragon...!

'...What the hell?'

I'll be honest. When I saw the message that I'd acquired the legend 'Black Dark Dragon Lee Hoyeol', I wasn't happy.

Beyond the shame, I doubted whether I could properly utilize that legend.

'Because it seemed like it would just look flashy on the surface.'

As I always say, my specialty is knowing my place. What's more, during the fierce battle—no, the disciplining—in the Peace [Ice Dragon's Snowy Mountain] against Proznax, I'd vividly felt the size difference between dragons and humans.

'Even if [Natural Enemy Relationship] had activated, I probably would've lost.'

Even though it wasn't in perfect condition, I couldn't inflict significant damage on Proznax even with Yunak Seus's combined assault.

Honestly, without Senior's strategy guide... I might've crossed to the afterlife after just a few exchanges.

'It's not just about combat power.'

From another perspective, it's the same. Unlike dragons who come and go between the Arcana Continent and reality like it's their backyard, I have to pour out so much mana manifesting a portal that it borders on mana exhaustion.

And even that wouldn't have been possible without mimicking the access device's structure.

So I gave up expectations early. Me, who only looks the part on the surface. Even if I manifested the Black Dark Dragon legend, it'd just look even more superficial.

But.

'...This is a bit different from what I expected.'

First, let's clear one thing up. Looking flashy on the surface isn't wrong.

As I said, the manifested Black Dark Dragon is enormous. Of course smaller than Yunak Seus, no, Proznax. Actually, compared to all dragons.

The Black Dark Dragon manifested behind me right now dwarfs them ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠all in size. So it's no wonder Agentress, who called Yunak Seus a lizard, is shocked.

Obviously. With that massive bulk, its gaze must be sky-high. Indeed, befitting the Black Dark Dragon that looks down on everything.

'The real deal...'

The legend 'Black Dark Dragon Lee Hoyeol' lives up to its name.

"I've never seen or heard of such a lizard!!"

It seems she no longer has the leisure to scheme. In a way that makes her previous compliance seem laughable, Agentress speaks with overt hostility.

The answer is easy, but I don't really want to say it.

'Even so, from my own mouth...'

That's my legend. The Black Dark Dragon. Boasting about it feels a bit...!

So I borrowed Grandfell's style of speech. I spoke nonchalantly.

"Are you not seeing it?"

"...!"

"It is precisely what you behold."

As if responding to my words, the manifested Black Dark Dragon moves. It flaps its enormous wings once.

That alone creates tremendous wind pressure.

'...Whoa.'

I say it again: I'm not the Black Dark Dragon. The legend originating from me has become the Black Dark Dragon.

I hold control over that Black Dark Dragon, but I can't micromanage every single movement.

To put it simply...

'It's like gaining one more loyal avatar.'

Unlike High El, Diend, or Gwichul. Once manifested, it's obvious to anyone. An undeniable, massive avatar.

"I shall confirm one final time."

I've gone this far, swallowing my shame to kindly show you. So you understand now, right, Agentress? That you're now forced to take responsibility for your words.

"With this, I shall believe your relations have been restored."

"...".

Is it because she said it herself? Or shocked by the Black Dark Dragon? Agentress shut her mouth, looking resentful, and didn't retort.

'Dragon-elf forced reconciliation success.'

For some reason, Agentress's expression overlaps with my childhood nemesis, the one we used to fight with.

Back then, we'd be forced into hugs and made to reconcile.

'Thanks to that, I understand the feeling.'

No choice. Bluntly put, it's a rift in emotions spanning thousands of years. I have no confidence in slowly mending that deep chasm.

This is my best effort. And someday, even this will be a fond memory, right? Just like how I reminisce about fighting my nemesis.

'Agentress might not, but Yunak Seus will be happy.'

In that sense. Now, what I need to focus on is the Black Dark Dragon behind me.

First, check my remaining mana.

Perhaps because it's a completely new, unique system.

'For now, no mana consumption.'

Since I've manifested it, I should test its limits.

More importantly, I need to figure out why. Why it's not just superficial. Why it's on par with—no, surpasses—a real dragon.

I have a hunch.

'Legends aren't proportional to my own strength.'

The more widely it spreads, the stronger the legend becomes...

Let's look at it from that angle. How far and wide has the legend of Black Dark Dragon Lee Hoyeol spread?

Thinking that way, it starts to make sense.

'It started from a dragon's maw...'

And not just any dragon. From the Dragon Fear of Kud Hanas, the Earth Dragon who lived in the same era as Yunak Seus.

Thanks to that booming voice, the epithet Black Dark Dragon became known before all dragons. Then through High El to the dwarves. Through the dwarves to the emperor. Through the emperor to the empire, to the Arcana Continent.

Plenty terrifying, but it doesn't end there. A completely different world. The adventurers' world, my home. Reality, where tales of the Black Dark Dragon never cease.

If anything, even more so than the Arcana Continent. Reality is safe compared to the Arcana Continent ravaged by demons. Not to mention, science exists here to spread any news instantly worldwide. Like breaking news or SNS...!

Thanks to that, Black Dark Dragon hype has circulated billions, tens of billions of times at minimum.

So when the [Legend] system unlocked, the Black Dark Dragon grew in real-time, without limit.

Finally. A legend echoed in two entirely different worlds.

Yes, the legend 'Black Dark Dragon Lee Hoyeol' became a legend as [『Strange』] as its name...!

'Perfect understanding.'

One-line summary: The Black Dark Dragon is the manifestation of all the hype and rumors surrounding me. Naturally, it doesn't fall short compared to real dragons.

I realize anew.

'I've unlocked something insane.'

The [Legend] system is no joke.

Of course, with such a powerful effect, the duration wouldn't be long.

It was just the duration ending. But really, all talk and no action.

I expressed my feelings in Grandfell style.

"A legend is truly a legend only when it wanders the world."

Can't you hold back the bravado for even a day without getting itchy, Grandfell?

Anyway, now I know for sure. [Legend] is a skill with infinite potential.

'I can't be satisfied with just the one I unlocked.'

Right now, only 'Black Dark Dragon Lee Hoyeol' exists. But who knows if I'll acquire more legends in the future?

In short, a highly versatile ability. Let's see.

Now that I've grasped the new ability...

Organizing my thoughts, I looked at Agentress.

Shall we head to our destination, Sisli?

*

Sisli.

Rumble─

Agentress emerges from the portal. Hoyeol steps out behind her.

Exactly as planned. She'd brought an insolent human to Sisli.

Yet Agentress felt neither joy nor relief. She was barely suppressing her surging emotions.

The reason was simple.

'I endured it.'

Claudy. And her mother's blessing. She could endure even those two humiliations.

'Why a lizard...?'

But the third humiliation. A dragon appearing behind him?

Agentress still couldn't comprehend. It wasn't an illusion conjured from mana. Nor was it a real dragon.

If asked how she knew.

'...I've never seen such a black and massive lizard.'

Especially those excessively large wings—they'd leave an indelible impression if seen even once.

But one thing bothered her. That gaze looking down on all things was unmistakably like a dragon's.

Crunch─

That gaze that made her feel inferior.

Agentress glared at Hoyeol.

From right after the news of Claudy's return until now. What had happened between the man and the lizards?

And.

'While that was happening...'

What had she and her kin been doing?

Agentress, on the verge of explosion. What drove her madder was her kin's reaction.

'Rejoicing? Fools.'

Weak. Utterly weak. How could they rejoice in this situation?

Her kin were content just returning to Sisli. Unaware of her mother's blessing right before them. Depending on her for everything.

Gnash─

Agentress bit her lip.

'...Is this my failure too?'

Had lingering too long in the overly perfect Sisli poisoned her kin?

As Agentress struggled to calm her agitation.

Hoyeol spoke.

"Indeed, as expected."

Agentress retorted inwardly.

'You would know.'

How perfect Sisli is.

Sisli is incomparably perfect to the pathetic Arcana Continent. Because it's the land chosen by her mother, the World Tree.

No matter how high the expectations, Sisli exceeds them...

"It's exactly as I didn't expect."

...Fuming!

"!"

Agentress's head told her: Revealing hostility now would only heighten his wariness. With her mother's blessing present, she and her kin couldn't defy him anyway.

'...Unnecessary action that builds suspicion.'

But her heart screamed. She could endure insults to herself. But Sisli, chosen by them and rooted by her mother.

She absolutely couldn't tolerate insulting Sisli.

In the end, Agentress couldn't hold back.

"Do not insult Sisli with that insolent tongue."

Even if they failed her mother's expectations. The fact that her mother took root and was buried in Sisli remained unchanged.

"You know nothing of Sisli."

The moment Agentress glared fiercely at Hoyeol.

Hoyeol's gaze shifted from Sisli's scenery to her.

Then, calm words followed.

"The one who knows nothing is not I."

"...What?"

"Can you not hear it?"

What could she hear?

"The demons' mocking laughter."

"...!"

Mocking laughter? Demons in Sisli? She couldn't comprehend.

Sisli is a hidden, unknown land. Only she, her kin, and the lizards know of it. How could inferior demons set foot here?

With that sentiment, as she looked at Hoyeol.

He continued.

"A misconception, it seems."

"Misconception? What do you mean?"

"Sisli is not your land."

The most shocking words.

"It has been the demons' land from the beginning."

.

.

.

The demonic presence washing over my entire body. As a demon hunter, I could be certain.

The demon in Sisli is no ordinary one.

Proof appeared as a message.

Yes. It wasn't the Good and Evil Fruit that started it. The primordial ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠being, the World Tree, was tainted by evil from the beginning.

'Primordial evil. Flashy name.'

But it doesn't matter. If the roots are wrong, correct them from the roots.

'Who do you think I am?'

That's right. The final demon hunter. Possessor of all knowledge on plants in the Arcana Continent, including the World Tree.

Finally, the master of [Piece, Garden of Dignity].

The ultimate expert for this ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠complicated situation.