NOVEL NEXT Chapter 54
“Take care out there. And don’t let the Saintess catch you again like last time. Still, I envy you—a life where getting beaten up by the Saintess is even possible.”
The man scowled fiercely at the voice that sounded genuinely envious but said nothing, instead walking away silently.
After leaping across several buildings, he arrived at an abandoned village devoid of any trace of life.
[STOP THE REDEVELOPMENT IMMEDIATELY!]
[CONGRATULATIONS ON THE REDEVELOPMENT APPROVAL!]
Old banners with contradictory messages hung tattered in the wind, scattered around the empty village. It appeared utterly deserted—no stray cats, no signs of activity. On the surface, it seemed like an ordinary, abandoned place.
But then—
Boom!
“…!”
At the sound of a distant explosion, the man instinctively drew his sword. The earth-shaking noise erupted again, even louder this time, shaking the village to its core.
Cautiously, he moved toward the source of the sound.
Turning a corner, he froze, his eyes widening.
The area was littered with crushed and shattered debris, scattered haphazardly as if something massive had wreaked havoc.
The man frowned deeply at the familiar sight. He had thought it was possible, but the confirmation left a bitter taste in his mouth.
A dragon—a creature he had never expected to appear in this world—had made itself known.
Exhaling sharply, he closed his eyes, seeking the dragon’s presence. The moment he sensed it, a sudden movement behind him caught his attention. He spun around, swinging his sword at the source of the disturbance.
But just before he could strike, he stopped.
He had no choice.
“…A hatchling?”
“Ma-mma?”
A tiny dragon with bright red eyes stared up at him, its gaze round and unblinking.
“…”
The unexpected sight left the man momentarily stunned. It was a young dragon, barely more than a child.
Yet, even so, a dragon was a dragon. How it had come to appear in this world was a mystery, but that didn’t matter.
Dragons were enemies.
They had been in the past, and they still were in this world.
Gripping his sword tightly, the man prepared to strike.
But—
Wooo-ooosh.
“…!”
A cascade of red magic circles materialized above him, blocking his attack. The man’s expression darkened as he recognized the familiar sight.
“So, this is how you choose to call your dragon?”
“Because this is the only way my dear Rim will listen!”
“It seems like Rim understands just fine without such theatrics, doesn’t it, Rim?”
“Ma-mma!”
Out of the scattered debris, a man and a woman appeared, stepping into view.
Both were faces he recognized. One—specifically the man—was someone he had glimpsed only briefly in the past while fleeing.
Regardless of their identities, this was not a situation the man was pleased with.
“Hello, Dragon Slayer,” the woman greeted him cheerfully, despite the tension.
“You’re alone today?”
Before she could finish her sentence, the man surged forward, swinging his sword at her.
*****
Clang!
“Whoa, close one.”
I gulped, stepping back as the blade stopped just short of my face.
“Guild Master, are you going to keep losing focus like this?”
Appearing seemingly out of nowhere, the Hero blocked the blade effortlessly, then swung it wide, sending the Dragon Slayer flying backward.
I turned to her with a smile. “So, you decided to follow me after all?”
“The shop’s closed, and I was bored,” the Hero said, planting her sword into the ground with a scowl.
“So I thought I’d watch the show. And this is what I walk into?”
Her reprimanding tone made me sulk.
“What did I do?”
“As a Guild Master, are you planning to get a hole punched through your stomach?”
I almost mentioned that I’d already been stabbed in the stomach by the Dragon Slayer but decided to keep my mouth shut.
“Actually, Guild Master already got stabbed by the Dragon Slayer once, Boss,” the Grand Duke chimed in, ruining my effort to keep that detail hidden.
“What?” The Hero turned to me, frowning deeply. “Guild Master, is what Yoo Daegong said true?”
“It’s true, I guess.”
The Hero’s frown deepened. Gripping her sword again, she stood ready and muttered, “So, that’s why you’ve been chasing that Dragon Slayer brat around—to get your revenge?”
“…”
It seemed the Hero misunderstood my intentions. Not that she was entirely wrong; revenge was definitely part of it.
“So, what now?”
“What do you think?”
I grinned at her question.
[The Holy Sword, Glory’s Blade, awaits its master’s call.]
I swung the sword in my hand with a crooked smile.
“Like you said, I’m going to go after that brat and take him down.”
The Dragon Slayer was unpredictable—a ticking time bomb. I had to deal with him before he caused more chaos.
At that moment, the “Ma-mma Monster” spread its wings wide, as if agreeing with me.
“Ma-mma!”
“Guild Master, stop using such crude language! Our Rim is listening and learning!”
Honestly, no matter how many lifetimes that creature lived, “Ma-mma” was probably all it would ever say.
But Yoo Daegong was still holding it tightly and diligently trying to teach it to say, “Dad.”
“A-prr-ma!”
“Ha! Look, my dear. It said Dad!”
“…”
It didn’t seem like it was going well, but whatever. Right now, catching that Dragon Slayer brat was the priority.
The Dragon Slayer, who had been sent flying earlier by the Hero, stood back up and adjusted his grip on his sword.
“…Your numbers.”
“They’ve increased,” I replied with a grin. “And they’ll keep increasing.”
Once I caught the Dragon Slayer, I’d make sure to pay him back for stabbing me. Then, with the Demon King’s help, I’d bind him with one of those forbidden pacts or whatever it took.
After that, I’d track down that pesky Martial Artist who’s been laying low somewhere.
Just thinking about it made me feel better. Smiling brightly, I asked, “Dragon Slayer, just in case—do you have anything to say to me?”
“…”
It didn’t seem like he did.
This was our third confrontation. There was no way I was letting him slip away this time.
I folded the three fingers I had been holding up, clenched my fist, and launched myself forward.
“…!”
The Dragon Slayer barely dodged the blade that was suddenly in front of him, stepping back to avoid the strike.
I had to give him credit—he was quick.
Though, I was faster.
Spinning my body, I swung my leg toward him. The dull sound of impact rang out as the Dragon Slayer coughed dryly.
His glare seemed to scream, Do you know how to do anything other than kick people?
I shrugged at his accusing gaze.
What? There’s a saying, isn’t there?
A sword is just a distraction—the real attack lies in the kick.
“Guild Master, focus!!”
“Ma-mma!!”
Faced with the tip of the sword nearly grazing my face, I pursed my lips.
The golden magic circle shimmering brightly seemed to unnerve the Dragon Slayer for a moment, but he quickly furrowed his brows in irritation.
“…The mage isn’t even here,” he muttered, his voice low and deliberate.
I couldn’t help but smirk at his comment.
“Do you think there’s only one mage around? Even among swordsmen, there are at least two here—including you.”
The Demon King didn’t count since he wielded a spear instead of a sword.
The Dragon Slayer’s expression twisted even further at my words. Ignoring him, I tilted my head toward the Grand Duke.
| Pr. Northern Grand Duke: You can thank me later, but maybe watch what’s in front of you first!!! |
It seemed odd that he was holding the Dragon Slayer tightly in place and still complaining about it. But I realized why soon enough.
“Guild Master!!”
Fwoosh!
The Dragon Slayer, who had been securely bound by the Grand Duke’s magic, was suddenly free. A streak of blood trickled down my cheek.
Although I wiped it away with the back of my hand, and the bleeding stopped quickly, it left a stinging reminder of his escape.
“That was easier than I thought,” the Dragon Slayer murmured, flexing his fist with a curious expression.
“…?”
I braced myself for another attack, but instead, he seemed strangely relaxed, testing his hand like he was pondering something.
“You,” he suddenly said, pointing at the Grand Duke.
“M-me?” The Grand Duke stammered, caught off guard.
“Do it again.”
“…?”
The Grand Duke frowned deeply, turning to me for guidance. I stared at the Dragon Slayer in disbelief, mirroring the Grand Duke’s baffled expression.
What was he trying to pull? And why was he targeting our Grand Duke of all people?
The Dragon Slayer, however, seemed to lose interest in me altogether. Swinging his sword through the air, he let an unfamiliar smile creep onto his face.
“Do it again. You heard me,” he said, this time with an edge of irritation in his voice.
The Grand Duke noticed it, too. He hugged Harim tightly and retreated a step, sending me a nervous message.
| Pr. Northern Grand Duke: Why is this guy acting like this? This is terrifying. |
| Pr. Guild Master (Godslayer): It’s freaking me out, too. |
| Pr. Northern Grand Duke: If you’re scared, what am I supposed to do? TT-TT |
The Dragon Slayer, usually so curt, had completely shifted his attitude—right after the Grand Duke used magic.
Wait a second. Could it be—?
“Grand Duke.”
“Yes?”
Stepping between him and the Dragon Slayer, I quickly sent him a message.
| Pr. Guild Master (Godslayer): Try using magic on him one more time. |
| Pr. Northern Grand Duke: But I’m scared T-T! |
| Pr. Guild Master (Godslayer): If he tries anything funny, the Hero and I will step in. |
Even the Hero, standing on high alert, had her sword raised toward the Dragon Slayer.
The Grand Duke glanced between us nervously before gulping audibly.
| Pr. Guild Master (Godslayer): Harim’s watching you, Grand Duke. Be brave and show your dependable side! |
“Ugh…!”
Grumbling under his breath, the Grand Duke finally squared his shoulders and shot a fierce glare at the Dragon Slayer, as if mustering his courage.
With a flash, golden magic circles began forming around the Dragon Slayer.
“…”
Enveloped by the shimmering array of golden magic, the Dragon Slayer’s lips curled into a faint, enigmatic smile.