Chapter 2

“…This is quite the situation…”

What a ridiculous predicament.

Stepping through the gate, I find myself in a trap room straight out of the game, complete with an ominous message on the door. And now here I am, inside the maze from the game.

How am I even supposed to process this?

“Looks like… there aren’t any other guild members around. Did I end up here alone?”

With my habitual polite speech now firmly ingrained, Yujin stood up and looked around.

“If this is anything like the game… there’s probably no exit or anything.”

After all, this was a trap room in the game. There was no way it would have an escape route.

What’s more, in the game there was a return system that allowed players to leave the maze if they got trapped. Normally, people would just use that to get out…

“The problem is, I can’t do that.”

That’s something Yujin can’t do.

In the game, the return system was a kind of divine protection granted only to those who entered through the maze’s entrance. It was said to be the gods’ mercy, ensuring that mortals could survive even if trapped in the maze.

But Yujin didn’t enter through the maze’s entrance – he came through some mysterious door in the gate.

Even if we count that as the maze entrance, Yujin had no memory of receiving any divine protection. Usually, those who receive such blessings have glowing tattoos on their hands.

Yujin’s hand was completely clean, without a mark.

“…Troublesome.”

While he didn’t have any particular reason to keep living, dying pointlessly in some unknown place wasn’t exactly what he had in mind.

Yujin decided to at least look around.

All he could see were countless stone coffins and bones in the vast space… But it was indeed quite spacious.

“…If only I’d bothered to investigate more thoroughly in the game when I had the chance.”

His phone was gone too. All he had were the clothes he’d been wearing before.

Taking a deep breath, Yujin moved forward. He could check out the other coffins later, but his eyes were drawn to an altar surrounded by bones ahead.

He decided to check that out first.

When he reached the altar, Yujin discovered something resting atop it.

“…What’s this?”

It was an object resembling a jewel, radiating a deep crimson energy.

On the outside, it emitted a beautiful red glow, while on the inside it seemed to draw in light like a black hole, giving off a dark abyssal shine.

Mesmerized, Yujin approached it.

Reaching the very front of the altar, he placed his hand on the gem-like object…

『So you’ve finally come.』

“!”

A voice spoke to him.

It was authoritative yet strangely benevolent, sweet enough to melt one’s brain.

Struggling to hide his surprise, Yujin looked at the object he had touched.

“Who are you?”

『Hmm? I’m impressed. Most mortals would panic and become defensive… You’re remarkably calm, child.』

“Haha… Facing things beyond comprehension isn’t exactly common, but it’s not entirely unfamiliar either.”

To which Yujin managed a laugh in response. The voice sounded intrigued.

『Interesting… Child, may I ask you a question?』

“I’ll answer anything I can.”

『Hehe… Good. Then child, who am I?』

“…”

Hearing this, Yujin fell silent.

Who was the owner of this voice coming through the gem-like object? What even was this thing?

This object, unlike any jewel, radiated a cosmic beauty. What could it be?

Looking up, Yujin noticed:

The massive bone structures arching over the altar like pillars.

And the name of this place…

Realizing it, he spoke.

“Tiamat.”

The name of the dragon leader among the transcendent forces during the great war, according to Maze Academy lore, and the name of this tomb.

『…Heh… HAHAHAHA!』

Speaking the name caused the voice to burst into laughter.

It was clear and joyous, genuinely amused.

『Hahaha… You catch on quickly, sharp mind and keen intuition. I approve.』

“…What an honor.”

Effectively acknowledged.

The voice had confirmed itself as Tiamat.

The god among gods in the history of Maze Academy.

She asked:

『Hehe… Aren’t you surprised, child? That the owner of the voice you hear was once the leader of a race in the war among transcendants?』

“…I am. Everything about this situation is surprising.”

Thinking about it, just entering a game-like space defied understanding. At this point, it was easier to let go and accept it.

Though Yujin thought this aloud, Tiamat still sounded intrigued.

『Truly remarkable. How can you remain so calm facing me? Or do you think the remnants of a defeated warrior unworthy of surprise?』

“Not at all. It’s just… When humans face something beyond their comprehension, they tend to become unnaturally calm. It lacks a sense of reality, you might say.”

『No, child. You’re different. Your heart is extraordinarily tranquil and peaceful… As if emptied out.』

“…Is that so? I don’t feel particularly different, but if a great being says so, perhaps I am.”

『Most amusing. After waiting so long sealed in this tomb… The visitor who finally arrives proves unexpectedly interesting.』

“However long you’ve waited, anyone finding a tomb after the Great War would be intriguing.”

『Hehe, true. But even so, most mortals would grow tiresome quickly. Their reactions become predictable after the initial excitement.』

“That could be.”

Living a life where everything is predictable must be incredibly boring. Yujin readily agreed.

『Which brings me to asking… Child, what is your name?』

“My name?”

『Yes, consider it an honor. A transcendent asking for a mortal’s name signifies recognizing them as worth remembering.』

“…”

Considering this, Yujin paused briefly before speaking.

“Yujin… Han Yujin.”

『Han Yujin?』

“Strange?”

『Hmm… Yujin is your name, Han your surname?』

“Yes.”

『Now that you mention it, you do resemble someone from the Eastern lands. May I inquire – are you of elven heritage?』

“No, I have no relation to elves.”

Elves, commonly known as forest fairies, are a humanoid race known for their average beauty and longevity compared to humans.

Of course, they’re considered fantastical creatures on Earth and don’t actually exist. There was no way Yujin could be part elf.

『Ah, yet for someone not of elven descent, your skin is rather pale and your features quite cute…』

“Cute… really…”

It was the first time since childhood he’d heard such a comment from anyone other than his parents. Could his appearance have changed from his previous life?

Though Yujin wondered this, his appearance hadn’t actually changed from his past life.

Originally, Yujin’s mysterious aura and inscrutable attitude made people wary, but physically he was faultless.

Even dragons, whose aesthetic differs from humans, maintain similar beauty standards.

Isn’t it similar to how humans view dogs or cats? Though humans aren’t animals, we can still judge whether their appearances are cute or pretty.

This meant dragons could similarly judge the cuteness or beauty of human and other mortal appearances. To Tiamat, Yujin appeared exceptionally handsome.

“…Ah, thank you.”

『I merely spoke what I perceived. By the way, child, is there nothing you wish to ask me?』

“To ask…”

Given how casually she permitted questions, Yujin thought he might truly have made a good impression. Or maybe she’d been very bored.

“First… what is this?”

Looking at the gem-like object he had touched, Yujin asked.

“When I placed my hand on this, I heard your voice…”

『Ah, this thing you mean.』

“Yes. It clearly isn’t ordinary, but I have no idea what it is.”

To this question, Tiamat responded unexpectedly nonchalantly.

『It’s my heart.』

“My… heart?”

Could this jewel-like object really be a heart? Its form and composition seemed far from typical cardiac function.

Sensing his doubt, Tiamat provided further explanation.

『A dragon’s heart isn’t like an ordinary creature’s. It’s more akin to a reactor core, an organ producing infinite mana and representing a dragon’s ultimate power. It’s also the source of all a dragon’s abilities.』

“I see. So it’s quite absurd then – the reactor core of the leader of dragons.”

The reactor core of dragons, the core of a dragon… the core of a dragon, perhaps?

“Why did touching the heart allow me to communicate with you?”

『…Hmm?』

“? Is something wrong?”

At his question, Tiamat replied curiously.

『Nothing serious. You declared it absurd but seem more curious about how my heart connects us rather than coveting it. Most mortals would greedily try to take such an ultimate treasure.』

“Haha, coveting something beyond one’s capability is a sure path to a short life. Besides, given its connection to you, Lady Tiamat, I fear what punishment might come from taking it rashly.”

『Even accounting for that, one might still feel tempted, even if briefly. Yujin… you truly are fascinating.』

Seems he unintentionally piqued Tiamat’s interest further. Her tone felt even more friendly now.

Tiamat continued:

『Hmm… Now you asked why communication became possible. Simply put, before dying I sealed my soul within my heart.』

“Sealed…”

『During the Great War, I was defeated and my body perished. But I couldn’t simply die peacefully, could I? Even accepting defeat, I needed to plan for the future.』

In short, to prepare for the future, she survived in a form with her soul sealed within her heart. Tiamat continued:

『Whenever someone visits my tomb in the future, if they prove loyal, I intended to give them my heart. I planned to create a new dragon. A dragon’s heart is the source of all their powers. If consumed and made their own, it would birth a new dragon. Especially as mine, the heart of a dragon leader, it would create someone with tremendous potential.』

“I see.”

So she wanted to give her heart to a loyal follower to create a new dragon… makes sense.

“But I wonder. Do you have any means to force someone who consumes your heart?”

『…?』

“Um? Why the confusion?”

A sense of Tiamat’s puzzlement entered Yujin’s mind. He questioned:

『Did you hear all I said?』

“? Yes, I did, but…”

『One who receives my heart becomes a dragon. Any mortal gains the qualification to become a transcendent.』

“Yes, that’s what I heard.”

『…Don’t you desire it at all? Given your current circumstances, you practically meet the conditions already.』

“But I don’t follow you, Lady Tiamat.”

She said she would give her heart to a follower to transform them into a new dragon. However, Yujin didn’t follow her.

It seemed questionable whether the conditions were truly met. Originally, Yujin had no intention of becoming a transcendent or dragon.

He was a regular citizen content to retire before 30, cultivate bonsai trees, live leisurely, and pass away peacefully.

There was no need to become some dragon or transcendent. Actually, he had no particular reason to aim upward or even to live.

For someone living day by day without any pressing reason to die, becoming a transcendent to challenge the heavens was mere idle talk.

『……』

Tiamat could only remain silent, having nothing to say.

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