◈ Episode 248. Nothing Happened (1)

[Class Quest: The Tree of Good and Evil].

At the brink of extinction, the World Tree bore fruit to sow seeds.

However, against the will of the World Tree, the fruit was divided between good and evil instead of coexisting together. Last Demon Hunter. It is only you who can find the sinner who has separated good from evil.

─Train your weak body. (Repeat)

─Enter the land of the elves, Sisley. (Ongoing)

A class quest that just popped into my mind.

I look at it.

I nod in agreement.

“Where there is light, there is shadow.”

The world can’t be all good.

There is evil, of course.

The Mother of Arcana must have known that.

‘That’s why the tree of good and evil was formed.’

The World Tree’s error, the Fruit of Good and Evil.

When put into context, what the Tree of Good and Evil contains is the seed of the World Tree. However, the problem began when the tree of good and evil came to fruition differently than the World Tree intended.

Now, let’s recall our memories from the Predator Swamp.

When I sprouted the seed of the World Tree.

I didn’t feel any malice.

I only felt warmth.

That warmth must have been ‘good’.

[World Quest: Seed of the World Tree]

Perhaps the seeds listed in the World Quest all contain is ‘good’.

Is there a reason I’m so sure?

There is, and it’s right there in front of me.

“……He must have swallowed his mother’s fruit.”

Too bad.

The dragons must have devoured the “evil fruit,” where only malice remains.

In that sense, it’s really evil, the demon who doesn’t know who he is.

‘If only, if only they would obey.’

The dragons, including Eunaxus, would have never known the truth.

They would not have known the truth.

Unaware that the thing sprouting from their flesh.

They would have died unaware of the seeds of evil.

‘It’s not for nothing that Grandfell don’t speak to demon.’

Not a people for conversation, you demons.

Who are you anyway?

A big demon who tried to cause strife between the World Tree and the dragons.

First, the quest objective points to Sisley, the land of the elves, where the first World Tree took root. As if the Dragon Shrine wasn’t enough, the land of the elves.

‘There was at least a reliable ally here like Eunaxus.’

Among the elves, the only one on my side is…….

Elsidor, who tends an elixir garden in the Yusra Kingdom, is the only one who is on my side, but at least I can point to the Hierarchy of Blessings.

‘In the end, we have no choice but to solve it one by one.’

The Demon Hunter’s sense of smell.

Genealogy of the World Tree.

And finally…….

The halo of Claudi.

I can only make the best of what I have and move on.

Just like we’ve always done.

In that case, I suppose I should answer the dragons’ questions.

I cut to the chase.

“I’m afraid you’ve been pranked.”

“……What do you mean, pranked?”

“What you have swallowed is not the seed of the True World Tree.”

I kindly recounted the story of the Tree of Good and Evil.

Not as the World Tree intended.

The fruit you ate contained nothing but evil.

I said.

“You will not have to die.”

“……!!!”

That’s not all.

Unworthy of the title of King of All.

You don’t have to cower.

“You may glide through the skies at will.”

The Arcana continent is currently being infested by demons who have no idea what they’re doing.

The sight of dozens of dragons flying in unison will instill manners in even the most inferior demons, won’t it?

“You may roar as you please.”

An occasional piercing would be a nice touch.

Of course, the Arcanians would be surprised.

I think they’ll be pleasantly surprised.

Even if legendary dragons are to be feared.

They’re not as bad as demons.

“It would save me a lot of work.

I didn’t mean that in a snobbish way.

‘Wait a minute…….’

……What’s with the reaction, guys?

Including Eunaxus.

They all have moist eyes…….

Could it be because you were shocked?

Is it because the fruit you’ve been swallowing is fake?

It was a moment when I was inwardly shocked.

……I heard an ominous voice.

“Have you finally realized?”

There’s a reason I call that voice ominous.

It was a familiar voice.

It was Kudhanax, who had given me the name Dark Dragon.

It was definitely the voice of a dragon doing something……!

Why doesn’t this ominous premonition turn out to be wrong?

Kudhanax speaks.

“It is only Claudi who understands us, then and now! Behold. Only the Dark Dragon has watched, understood, and accepted our feelings!”

To be used.

To admit it, to accept it.

Claudi’s overly dazzling halo?

…… Let’s call it undeservedly gracious, yes.

By the way.

How about that Dark Dragon nickname……?

Of course, my heartache could not be conveyed.

In response, Eunaxus opened his mouth.

“All Dragons. We have once again been favored by Claudi, Lee Hoyeol Claudi. How shall we repay this unfathomable debt, my brothers!”

From the Dark Dragon, to Lee Hoyeol Claudi!

‘What a total mess…….’

I feel like I’m being drained of life just listening to you.

How loud is that voice?

I’m terrified that someone might overhear.

But the dragons couldn’t have been more sincere.

“……No one ever told us that.”

“You don’t have to die.”

“We can do as we please.”

The dragons were no longer bowing their heads to oaths.

According to their own will.

They were truly bowing to me of their own will.

How was I to know?

“The Dragons will follow Claudi.”

At the same time as Eunaxus’ declaration.

Before my eyes.

The message came to me.

[You have gained command of the Dragon, King of All].

[Elder Dragon, Eunaxus and the other twenty-one dragons]]

[Current Status: Awaiting Command]

The Arcana continent, the strongest power.

I have enlisted dragons as allies.

I can’t help but rejoice.

‘Let’s say we go back to the Zero Mountains and back to Earth.’

There, I met a man named Lee Hoyeol Claudi.

What if they howl a grotesque name?

What if they mention the name of the Dark Dragon……?

‘I don’t have the confidence to go around with my face.’

But my anguish.

The dragons could not possibly understand.

At a time like this, their loyal gaze is a burden…….

I shifted my gaze to the message.

[current status: awaiting command]

They look like they want me to do anything.

‘But I can only go so far.’

It’s not because of the rising shame.

It was because of the manifestation of [『Absolute Zero』] that prepared for death.

I have an affinity for the cold attribute, enhanced by an elixir, and a life regeneration rate that surpasses that of humans thanks to the Blessing of the First World Tree.

[Caution: Vitality is too low].

As expected, there is no turning back.

Elder Senios’s magic is……!

How on earth did you endure this pain?

Damn, when you closed your eyes.

If only you had shown the slightest sign of pain.

I would have done something different.

‘I admire you in so many ways. Really.’

And not to be outdone.

Grandfell doesn’t show anything until the end.

You’re amazing, too.

I turned to Eunaxus.

“Before I give my orders, I will ask you, Eunaxus.”

“Speak comfortably.”

“Will you survive?”

“…….”

Just as I am dying.

Eunaxus’ dragon heart, which was running in vivace, was also gradually coming to a halt. It was a wound that could not be healed by the weak old dragon’s recovery power or my own anomaly.

However.

What if dozens of dragons gathered their strength together?

I looked at the dragons behind Eunaxus.

Goooooo─

The dragons’ bodies emanated an enormous energy.

It’s not just magic.

I, a mere mortal, cannot recognize it.

A unique energy emanating from the dragon hearts.

Eunaxus’s eyes widened.

” ……You’re giving me the energy of eternal life?”

How could they?

Everyone is reflecting in their own way.

As a form of remorse, they were offering Eunaxus their own blessings of eternal life, including Frostnax, who had belatedly crawled into the dragon shrine.

‘Do not think of refusing.’

Even if I did gain command.

I can’t lead dozens of dragons alone……!

Even if you’re impressed by Grandfell style of speaking, and you’re silent for now.

You might change your mind later, right?

I don’t feel the same way when I go into the bathroom as when I come out.

They don’t say that for nothing.

I added to Eunaxus.

“Live, Eunaxus.”

“……!”

“A living legend isn’t so bad.”

They don’t say it’s better to be dead than alive for nothing, do they?

Of course, in this moment.

I couldn’t disagree more.

I’d rather be dead……!

Tired of living, thanks to the blessing.

I feel so much pain that I think it would be better to die.

‘……This is more painful than opening the circle.’

I never thought there would be more pain than if I swallowed the elixir and fainted at the same time. Now it’s hard to even stand up straight. Let’s see, let’s quickly find a place.

By the way, till the day you die, you pompous ass.

“The scenery is not bad.”

With that, I lean back against the pillar of the shrine.

My body is slowly freezing from the inside out.

White breath spews from the corners of my mouth.

I chatters nonchalantly.

“Not enough to enjoy tea.”

He pulls out a green tea bag.

But it’s not for cold water.

A cup of hot green tea on the go is fine, right?

Not so much.

It’s too cold.

I can’t think straight.

“Eunaxus, may I ask for some tea?”

I didn’t realize it until after I said it.

Oh my god……!

Asking a dragon to make tea.

I’m the only one in all of Arcana history, really.

“As ordered.”

Yikes.

I steeped a bag of green tea in a pot of water heated by the stove.

I will be the only one who committed such atrocities not only in history but also in the future.

Still.

‘……Well, that wasn’t so bad, was it?’

I had just entered the Arcana continent.

As long as the [Last Adventurer] effect exists.

If I’m going to die, I’m going to die well, I told myself.

‘This is a pretty good life, isn’t it?’

In the flickering light of the day.

I look back at my achievements in this entry.

First, the encounter with Eunaxus.

I’ve gained a level thanks to my demon hunt.

It’s a small gain, but it’s less than I expected.

‘I thought they were going to swarm.’

Considering the death penalty, that’s a disappointment.

Perhaps it’s not the level that matters.

More importantly, I’ve cleared up a misunderstanding between the World Tree and Dragons.

‘Isn’t it a sense of pride in building up the family?’

Eunaxus physically.

It is also fortunate that the Elder Dragon’s honor has been restored.

Besides that.

‘……I can’t be ignorant.’

That Claudi has been materialized on the Arcana Continent.

I also realized the setting for Claudi.

In short, what was to come has come.

So for this time, let’s just be grateful.

There’s no telling what kind of halo we’ll be surprised by next.

Hmm.

With that thought, I picked up the teacup.

The teacup was warm.

Damn it, I don’t even have the energy to sip.

In the end, in my growing anguish.

One more time.

I lost the teacup…….

Clink!

With a piercing sound.

I hear the urgent voices of the dragons.

Well…….

[You are dead].

[Death penalty applied].

[Experience gained is reduced].

[Your title, ‘The Last Adventurer’, is triggered].

[You are immediately returned to reality].

I told you all there was nothing to be surprised about.

.

.

.

Swoosh─

I slowly opened my eyes and realized that I was on the top floor of a magic tower.

So, I’m back without my cup of green tea.

Back to reality.

Buk-buk─

I shook off my frosted jacket.

Well, at least I look better than I did when I was covered in blood.

Thanks to that, nothing happened.

I don’t know if I can stop pretending.

Why would I even think about it?

Isn’t it obvious?

‘I’m afraid.’

No, I’m ashamed.

I’m ashamed that my deeds on the Arcana continent have been……!

But my hope soon went in vain.

I had a feeling.

……It’s so quiet.

Even though it is quiet, it is very quiet.

There was no movement in the tower.

I wondered if it was late at night when all the work was done.

I checked the time…….

What is this?

It’s not the time that matters, but the date?!

‘The moon has changed……?’

It’s been a half a month since I entered?!

Two weeks?

Yeah, well, it could pass.

I had just returned from a rampage in a place where my sense of time was not intact, whether it was the Dragon Shrine or the Absolute Zero, but there was another reason for my surprise.

It was the disaster alert message that had just arrived.

-Dragons appearing across the planet

At the same time.

Breaking through the barriers of the Magic Tower.

A thunderous cry could be heard.

It’s a sad dragon cry, as if swallowed up by sorrow.

I realized I was dead.

……What, does they think I’m dead?

Did it just tear through the dimension and fly in at that moment?

The Magic Tower moved to stop a dragon like that?

I’m really going crazy.

This guy’s fortune.

Why can’t I get a breathing space!

.

.

.

The world trembled in fear.

Dozens of dragons roamed the skies.

That alone was a terrifying sight.

They were crying out desperately.

“This isn’t the end of the story……!”

“Well, what an amazing dragon that is.”

“Is that why they’re crying out, because they’ve let their guard down……?”

It was.

I closed my eyes in the dragon shrine.

Vanishing without a trace.

The Dark Dragon……!