◈ Episode 252. The Dark Dragon (1)

Let’s look back at the events.

The dragons were beyond the control of the Magic Tower, the Rankers, and the Holy War Alliance. Not only that. Even human science, which had been quick to deal with the monsters that leapt from the collapsing rift.

-Hundreds of billions of dollars worth of aircraft couldn’t even approach them.

-Nearly crashed on its wings.

-It’s faster than a sonic missile, how can we hit it?

The king of all things.

No use against a dragon.

It was literally hopeless.

But the situation was resolved by the appearance of a single person.

It was as if he had seen this coming.

Even if he showed up after 15 days.

It was with a passion that was no different from usual.

It was spectacular.

The roaring dragons gathered in front of him.

Their heads bowed.

And then, as if nothing had happened.

He disappeared through the portal once again.

Hoyeol had always been more than anyone could have imagined.

How could he send a dragon back with just a word?

It was something no one could have predicted.

At the same time, it was a big question.

Speculation was bound to follow.

-What the hell happened in the last 15 days?

-What happened?

-I don’t know what…….

It wasn’t another player, it was Hoyeol.

Hoyeol unexpectedly disappeared for 15 days?

The meaning is simple.

It means that something happened that even Hoyeol couldn’t have predicted.

The arrow could only point to one word.

-At that scale, it can only be a Dark Dragon, right?

-You’re so sure of it?

-No, just the name says it all, doesn’t it???

It’s a Dark Dragon.

The name the dragons roared in unison.

There was only the Dark Dragon.

-I think Hoyeol may have found a clue about the Dark Dragon.

-Lol, otherwise the dragons wouldn’t have gone home so quietly.

-That’s very plausible for a cerebral creature haha

-A Dark Dragon is enough to keep Hoyeol hanging on for 15 days.

That was the most plausible guess at the moment.

Of course, it happens.

There were a few articles that suggested otherwise.

[Title : Something about a Dark Dragon, or something]

[Author: ㅇㅇ]

[Contents : That somehow doesn’t look like sir Hoyeol……?]

No matter what, there was a line of common sense.

Even if it was Hoyeol, who had performed beyond common sense.

Isn’t the opponent a dragon?

-Even if you are Hoyeol, that’s a bit…….

-How can a human be called a dragon? That’s not true.

-It’s physically impossible.

Okay, a hundred concessions.

Suppose Hoyeol grew up to be called a dragon.

He had grown to the point where he could be called a dragon.

It still didn’t make sense.

-Dragons shed tears???

-Dragons cry for humans? That’s ridiculous.

-What’s the point of crying?

-So what about Hoyeol, who was fine as usual?

A dragon that has lived for nearly eons.

They shed tears for the Dark Dragon.

It means that the Dark Dragon had a tremendous influence on them…….

Even if it’s a favorable relationship.

-Even so, is such a thing possible in just 15 days?

It was a very short time.

There were no rebuttal comments.

It was inevitable.

It was a flawless guess based on common sense.

But it just wasn’t something I could let go of.

……Doesn’t that sound plausible?

-The Infinite Darkness and the Dark Dragon…….

-Doesn’t that sound like a connection?

-I hear and see it again……?

Because they both seemed to have something in common: they were both dark.

But that wasn’t evidence.

Yeah, it was just a matter of faith from there.

So just hoping for the best.

-I believe you will also unravel the mystery regarding the Dark Dragon.

It’s just a homen…….

*

……What, just a homen?!

I’m sorry, but that will never happen……!

I knew it would be like this.

Even if they gave me another name, I’d still be called a Dark Dragon…….

It’s a strangely fitting image for an infinite deep darkness, isn’t it?

‘It was a good job to keep it closed.’

If Kudhanax had said anything.

I would have been unable to refute it.

I would have had to admit to the terrible nickname of the Dark Dragon.

And, as is Grandfell’s pride, he hides nothing.

The origin of the Dark Dragon nickname.

And about the Claudi family.

There are so many possibilities for me to reveal it without hiding anything.

That was almost the day of my memorial service, Hoyeol……..

The throne room of the kingdom of Yusra.

I was in the midst of catching up on work after dismissing Elsidor.

King, Hakuna lived because he did more than his job.

If not for that, I would have had to hold on for several days.

“I told you, one day is enough.”

Just plain good with words, really.

Anyway, thanks for the nonstop paperwork.

I’m pretty much done organizing.

In that case, should I look back at myself?

Thanks to the dragons for giving me such a grand homecoming.

There are a few things I haven’t gotten to yet.

[Name: Grandfell Claudi Arpheus Romeo]

[Title: Last Adventurer, Sublime, Transcendent, Dark Dragon]

[Class: Demon Hunter]

[Level: 681]

[Stats]

Strength: 159 / Agility: 155 / Magic: 577 / Luck: 12 / Aesthetics: High / Tenacity: 2

[Points held: 0]

A quick glance at the status window.

The most annoying thing about it is the title, “Dark Dragon”.

But whining won’t make it go away.

Let’s move on.

But there’s something more important.

‘What about the EXP penalty……?

First of all, I’m relieved that it’s not noticeable.

I wonder if it’s because the experience requirement has increased as I’ve leveled up.

I didn’t notice much of a drop in experience.

The absolute amount of experience dropped is the same, so it’s not like it’s a big deal.

I’m just glad my level didn’t drop.

’19 more levels to go.’

I try to put my arm through this flapping jacket.

Naturally, I’ll be able to see the effects of Epic-tier items and the Dawn Set. Level 19 might seem like a long way off, given the amount of experience required.

But who am I?

Akshan’s one and only survivor.

Thanks to this, the legacy of Akshan exists.

Yes, my life savings.

I have the [Quernberg Machine Tower].

Even at this moment.

A machine tower that could be hunting demons, gaining experience and prestige.

‘Even if I find and retrieve just one.’

Level 700, it should be possible.

In that case, let’s hurry up, Hoyeol.

Tomorrow, the [Last Adventurer] penalty will be gone.

As long as you take care of the things you’re behind on in real life, you’ll be able to re-enter the Arcana Continent immediately. Of course, you’ll still have to follow the procedure in Arcana.

‘Actually, until just now.’

First things first.

The most urgent purpose was to visit Claudie’s mansion.

Didn’t I tell you why?

Before the legend of the damned Dark Dragon spreads across the Arcana Continent.

While I could still carry my face.

I thought it would be more convenient to witness it.

But.

“In front of the dawn, darkness is like a facade.”

You found out, right?

“Lifting up the darkness is something you can do at any time.”

What misunderstandings arose surrounding the Tree of Good and Evil.

Even when the class quest came up, it had to have something to do with the demon or something related to the demon.

If it was a demon, then the unstoppable Grandfell would be headed for Sisley.

Of course.

『Heir to a great family, the family fell to the demon. The sole survivor of the family, Grandfell Claudi Arpheus Romeo, hereafter known as Grandfell, became a demon hunter to avenge his family’s demise.』

Claudi’s family fell to the demon as well.

But as Grandfell said.

I have not yet seen Claudi with my own eyes.

Besides, his noble pride.

will not allow me to prioritize chores over a greater purpose.

“The time of education is also important.”

Anyway…….

Since the time you preached eccentricity at the Magic Tower, you have become a very capable educator, haven’t you, Grandfell? It was the moment when I grumbled inside and picked up the feather pen again.

Tok-tok-

“?”

There was a knock on the door to the office.

*

The group of dragons that had quietly retreated with the arrival of Hoyeol.

The moment humanity escaped the brink of extinction.

The emotions of the human race were all the same.

Surprise, relief, joy…….

But one in a billion.

There was someone who fell into sentimentality that was far from humanity.

Likewise.

For decades, it’s been called one in a billion.

It was Skal, number one in the official Arcana rankings.

“……Alexander, I’m not dreaming, am I?”

Dragons all over the planet!

With that, Skal thought his dream had finally come true. He wasn’t sure what exactly happened, but he started by thanking Hoyeol profusely.

“I thank you, Sir Hoyeol……!”

No wonder.

Skal had his own suspicions as to why Hoyeol had disappeared for 15 days, and he was right. It was because of a World Quest that had come up after the Class Quest, Convocation of the All-Dragon.

[World Quest: The Old Dragon’s Last Flight].

The dying Old Dragon was determined.

He would burn his last breath for the future of his people.

The continent will tremble at its rebuke.

Witness the end of the Old Dragon. (Failed)

The quest objective was a failure.

But I’m not sure exactly what that means.

Did the dragon really meet its end, or did it fail because it didn’t.

It was impossible for Skal to know.

But the dragons were real.

And now there were more than a dozen of them.

It was okay whether the quest was successful or failed.

“It was there, really!”

Proof that his goal wasn’t an illusion.

It was exhilarating to think that I might one day reach that goal. And beyond that, the thought of flying on a massive dragon like that…….

“……Alexander, pretend you didn’t see this.”

So much so that my eyes turn red.

Skal was thrilled.

I wonder if that’s why.

Skal heard the dragon’s cry.

He could not hear a single word.

“Ugh.”

His legs trembled from the intense cry.

He swallowed hard and tried to see the situation from the dragon’s perspective.

And then I found a clue.

“…… It’s a Dark Dragon.”

From class quests to world quests.

And finally, the Dark Dragon.

There must be a continuing storyline.

If so.

To find this thing called the Dark Dragon.

What if we help the dragons……?

“Maybe we can get to know them.”

With that thought, Skal was about to take action.

As if on cue, Hoyeol appeared.

In an instant, it organized a situation that no one else dared to touch.

Skal stopped dead in his tracks.

“No way, this time too, Sir……?”

Does he know something about the Dark Dragon as well?

“I’m ashamed to say it, but……!”

Skal wanted to rush over to Hoyeol right now, if only to ask.

From what happened to the dying old dragon.

To the information about the Dark Dragon.

He had so many questions.

But at the same time, I knew.

“Procedure. Procedure. Procedure.”

So I waited.

In front of the Golden Palace.

For Hoyeol to return.

“‘Please, sir. Sir Enoch!”

And the Knight of the Lionheart, who has completely become acquainted with me.

I have a message for Enoch.

Because of this business, I would like to see Sir Hoyeol.

His reply was not long in coming.

Skal turned to Enoch with anxious eyes.

“…….What happened?”

.

.

.

It was Enoch who knocked on the door.

Enoch, to be precise, with news of Skal.

‘Yes, it is Skal the Dragon Knight.’

‘I’m so sorry, Skal.’

Enoch was close to tears.

Because I knew that Skal was serious about dragons.

I never thought I’d ride a dragon before him.

‘It’s not like the kitten is the first to climb into the bunkhouse…….’

It was unexpected even for me.

‘Sometimes ignorance is bliss, Skal.’

Well, I don’t need to tell you that.

I don’t know about Granfell.

I, Lee Hoyeol, a sociopath who knows how to be considerate, right?

Besides, if it weren’t for Skal.

I would never have gotten the news about Eunaxus.

I would have missed the Hidden Piece and the quest that led to it.

Skal’s cooperation has paid off.

I owe him my cooperation.

I muttered, as always.

“Is it giving and receiving?”

Why didn’t I say that?

Giving and receiving is also giving and receiving.

I know that.

No matter how good you are.

I know I can’t do it alone.

‘Skal is a special power.’

The hidden class, the Dragon Knight.

It’s safe to say its potential goes far beyond Jesse Heinness the Archmage.

Maybe, just maybe, Skal and Dragon can get along.

It might be the weight of the Commander-in-Chief of the Holy War Alliance.

In that case.

Although it was a meeting that was not planned in advance, I opened my ears.

I was willing to meet with you if you had a worthy cause.

……But, what?

“Lord Skal tells me that there is something he wishes to ask you about the Dark Dragon.”

Why, the Dark Dragon, of all dragons, of all things!

.

.

.

Slippery─

“……huh?!”

The teacup slips from Skal’s hand.

A cold wall of force.

It was because Hoyeol declared as coldly as ever.

“I assure you.”

“No matter what happens in the future.”

“You cannot reach the Dark Dragon.”