Ch.223Chapter 223 – Red Devil Dragon (1)

The first thing I saw were red scales.

A massive body, seemingly endless, continued to rise from the lava.

And then the eyes.

One was a yellow eye with a reptilian pupil that I had seen before.

And the other eye.

It also had a reptilian pupil, but there was one difference.

“A scar?”

It wasn’t just any scar.

An X-shaped scar carved above the eye.

And another scar etched at its edge.

There were three scars in total.

The neck of the dragon with a large scar on one side of its face finally emerged completely, and soon it bent its head to look down at us.

“We are in the presence of our master.”

Led by Lirina, Lorona and the other two knelt down.

Despite their bodies being bound, making the movement awkward, they still managed to kneel.

The red dragon, silently looking down at them, soon turned its gaze to me.

[These ones were insufficient after all.]

“I suppose so.”

I glared quietly at the dragon while speaking softly.

The dragon looked down at me for a moment.

Then it opened its mouth.

[…!]

No sound was heard.

But I could tell what it was using.

The true nature of the sound was Dragon Fear.

A roar infused with the dragon’s energy assaulted us directly.

‘This, crazy bastard…!’

If it suddenly unleashed something like this, some of my companions wouldn’t be able to endure it.

I quickly checked on my companions’ well-being.

-Thud

The first to react was Perry.

He fainted immediately without a word.

Next, Lara collapsed.

“This is a bit…!”

Asam fell next.

After the three who couldn’t resist the Fear fainted, Eina fell to her knees.

Looking behind, I saw Beatrice with a slightly pale expression, and behind her, Eve, Sera, and Chris were enduring the Fear while slightly hunching their bodies.

And even further back, Mask was calmly withstanding the Fear.

When the dragon’s Fear finally stopped, Sera took a deep breath.

“Whew…!”

She was slightly sweaty but seemed to have endured it safely.

And then, the next moment.

There was a splashing sound.

“Urgh…!”

Clutching her chest, Eina began to dry heave.

Thanks to having a replicated dragon’s heart, she seemed able to withstand the effects of the Fear, but it appeared mentally taxing as she began to vomit while tears streamed down her face.

And immediately after.

A hot wind blew.

[There are still those who stand.]

Where the dragon had been just moments ago, a giant in red armor, easily over 3 meters tall, appeared.

As the giant slightly raised its foot, it lifted a halberd.

“Kay, don’t… block it, dodge!”

Eve shouted in surprise.

However, by the time she shouted, it was already too late.

-CRASH!!

By the time I heard Eve’s words, my halberd was already blocking the red-armored giant’s fist.

The power was incomparable to the kick Lorona had delivered earlier.

‘…I guess this wasn’t enough after all.’

With just one strike.

With just one kick, the shaft of my halberd broke.

‘Like I’d just take it.’

I thrust the broken shaft toward the armor, then swung the head of the halberd like an axe.

When the armor and the axe part collided, there was a cracking sound, and as the impact hit me, cracks began to form on the blade of the axe.

[It’s useless.]

The next moment, the red armor kicked at me, and I raised both arms to block it.

Simultaneously, my body was instantly sent flying backward.

As I flew, I saw a golden shield belatedly appearing where I had just been, and below I could see Chris, Eve, and Sera with dumbfounded expressions.

And I saw Beatrice quickly trying to throw an iron chain.

“Helmet!”

Her purpose was likely to quickly pull me down as I was defenseless in mid-air.

But the chain was deflected right in front of my nose.

“What…”

[Do not interfere.]

Leaving only those words, the red armor rushed at me.

It began to thrust its fist toward my head.

And toward that fist…

I too, threw a punch.

-CRASH!!

[Finally brought it out, have you?]

The red armor quietly remarked, looking at the white dragon armor that had formed on my arm.

And the armor that began generating from my arm soon enveloped my entire body.

Then I gathered magic in my other arm to create a magic sword, and swung it.

-Whoosh!

The red armor slightly twisted its body to avoid the attack, and I immediately began pursuit.

I created a sword in my other arm as well and swung it, and the opponent also began to gather magic to defend.

-Clang!

-Clash!!

Sparks flew each time the blue magic swords protruding from my forearms collided with the red armor.

We fought, sending red lightning sparks flying at each other, wielding blue magic.

I deployed my wings to get behind the enemy, and continuously struck with my fists and swords.

The defense barely dodged the rapidly thrown punches and delivered a kick.

The longer the fight went on, the more hits I landed on the enemy.

However.

The red armor was silently enduring my attacks as if they were nothing.

‘This isn’t working.’

Seeing the opponent showing no signs of injury, I realized I needed a different approach.

To create some distance, I kicked the enemy’s chest.

With a feeling like kicking a wall, I backflipped and landed, and the red armor quietly spoke to me.

[You have skills worthy of your boasting.]

It was still a condescending tone.

Apparently, these attacks were causing no harm whatsoever.

[I ask. Is this all you have?]

“Of course not.”

I began gathering magic to collect lightning.

Continuously gathering the sparks that were occurring into one point, I prepared for my next attack.

And then, the red armor appeared before me.

[…No one would leave such an attack uninterrupted.]

The red armor swung something, and I quickly flew backward to avoid the attack.

The movement was so fast that my body moved before I could see the enemy, but when I looked at the opponent, one thing caught my eye.

‘Did the armor’s form change?’

Until just now, the red armor had red gauntlets on its arms.

But now one arm had changed into a whip-like form.

And then, that whip converged and soon changed into the form of a lance.

[Let’s see if you can dodge this too.]

With those words, the lance was quickly thrust at me.

Normally it shouldn’t have reached me, but its tip extended and began to attack me, and I quickly moved my body to avoid the attack.

And after dodging a few more attacks, the next moment.

Knowing that my attack preparation was complete, I launched it straight at the red armor.

-CRACKLE!!!

Fierce sparks struck the red armor.

And lightning continued to concentrate toward its center.

Within the concentrated lightning, the red armor was unable to move.

Watching this, I quietly muttered.

“Impact.”

The concentrated lightning caused an explosion, and the red armor was engulfed in it.

At the sudden flash, my companions, Lorona, and her sisters began to cover their eyes.

‘Now’s the time.’

In that moment when everything was swallowed by the flash.

Aiming for the moment when the enemy would be immobilized by the attack.

I moved my wings.

In an instant, I flew to where the enemy had been, drew my magic sword again, and swung it.

And, breaking through the light, a red gauntlet appeared.

-Grab!

It was a hand that grabbed my magic sword, and I quickly dispelled the magic sword and retreated again.

By then, the flash began to subside, and from within it emerged the red armor, slightly scorched but still intact.

[……]

The red armor silently looked at the hand it had extended earlier.

And then, quietly said.

[You aimed for the right eye.]

The armor quietly looked at me.

“I said I’d crush your eye.”

I answered quietly while taking a combat stance again.

“Next time, I’ll definitely crush it.”

When I spoke quietly with killing intent, the armor stared at me blankly for a moment.

And then, it laughed loudly.

[Keh-kekekeke…!!]

It was the same teeth-grinding laughter I had heard earlier.

And as I glared at it for a while, thinking about my next move, a voice was heard.

[For now, this will do.]

With that voice, the red armor was engulfed in flames.

It grew larger and larger, eventually transforming into the shape of a massive red dragon.

“You…”

[Dispel your armor.]

The dragon quietly said.

[Do not waste your time meaninglessly any further.]

“That’s rich coming from someone who attacked out of nowhere and now claims to be concerned about me.”

[I have no need to worry about the likes of you.]

After saying that, the dragon quietly looked behind me.

[But their expressions are pale.]

“……”

Looking back, I saw my companions with pale expressions, just as it had said.

Eve and Beatrice were seen holding onto Sera and Chris.

“…There’s no guarantee you won’t attack.”

[At least for the time being, I don’t feel like seeing blood.]

Looking back at the dragon, it solemnly said.

[Dispel your armor.]

I glared at it for a long time.

It seemed like no ordinary self-centered creature, which made me very reluctant to simply comply.

As a result, an unwanted silent battle of nerves unfolded, and as I was contemplating what to do, someone placed a hand on my shoulder.

“Kay.”

With a pale face, Eve was quietly looking at me.

And right behind her, I could see the faces of Sera and Chris.

After seeing Beatrice watching the dragon from a slight distance, I finally looked at Mask, who was seen nodding her head.

“It’s better to keep that promise.”

I quietly dispelled the armor.

And while looking at the dragon, I quickly spoke to Chris.

“Take care of the people who collapsed.”

“Mr. Kay.”

“Kay-nim, um…”

“I’m fine. Go ahead.”

Sera and Chris looked at me for a long time.

But perhaps thinking there was no time for a silent argument with me, they finally bowed their heads and quietly said.

“…Don’t overdo it. Breathe out slowly. We’ll be back soon.”

“And first, please take this.”

Sera handed me a pill.

Soon I saw Chris gathering the unconscious people and healing them with holy magic, and Sera giving medicine to Eina.

I could see the complexion of the unconscious people and Eina improving.

‘…Damn it.’

And quietly, I swallowed the medicine Sera gave me.

An incredibly bitter taste spread in my mouth, but at the same time, I felt my heartbeat stabilizing slightly.

“Kay.”

“I’m fine.”

I calmed the worried Eve.

And looking back at the dragon, the dragon quietly said.

[First, I welcome you to my lair. I acknowledge that you have the qualifications to set foot here.]

It didn’t sound welcoming.

Slightly irritated by the still condescending tone, I quietly asked.

“Qualifications?”

[Yes.]

The dragon quietly answered.

[With a few exceptions, I had no intention of letting weaklings who cannot even overcome my gatekeepers into my lair.]

“So there are exceptions.”

I thought about being sarcastic but decided against it.

In any case, that self-centered dragon would clearly not even care if I was sarcastic.

“Let me ask why you called us here.”

[Meeting you was the main reason. One who carries the power of my kind.]

First it called me a hybrid, but now…

Come to think of it, the way it addressed me had subtly changed to a slightly more affectionate tone at some point.

[As I formally recognize you as a guest of my lair, there is no reason to keep you standing here. Lorona. Guide them.]

“Yes.”

Turning around immediately, I saw Lorona and her sisters getting up, dusting off their arms.

It seemed they had easily freed themselves from the restraints Sera had placed.

“Shall I guide them to the inner part of the lair?”

[Do so.]

The dragon answered lightly, then looked at us again.

[Follow Lorona. I will provide you with a place to rest.]

“Please come this way.”

Lorona said with a deep bow.

I was about to follow her but stopped for a moment and looked at the dragon.

[What is it?]

“Your name. I haven’t heard it until now.”

At my words, the dragon looked at me for a moment.

[Rubrum.]

The dragon quietly said.

[For brief details about me, ask the person beside you.]

Seemingly satisfied with that much, the dragon quietly turned away.

“Where are you going?”

[You need not know.]

Not going to tell me, huh.

The dragon disappeared into the lava.

After watching it until the end, I clicked my tongue once and looked at Eve.

“Do you know who that dragon was?”

“If the name is Rubrum… I have a guess.”

Eve said with a slightly pale expression.

“Honestly, it’s a being that only appears in stories I heard as a child.”

“Stories?”

“The story of a giant red dragon who lost one eye to a hero.”

Eve quietly said.

“The Crimson Dragon Rubrum.”

“Once, a legendary dragon who fought on the side of the Demon King against the hero.”