Chapter 97

“Shall we play a game?”

The Dragon King poses a question to us. I should respond that of course we shall, as we must hunt him down anyway, but for some reason my mouth won’t open easily.

Just making eye contact with him is overwhelming. This gives us a glimpse of the true power of Dragon King Endros – truly the undisputed strongest being without question.

“Hmph… So you resorted to such a petty trick!”

Our brave hero Saleyr raises his sword high and shouts courageously. Quite admirable, though perhaps reckless.

“Sneaking into someone’s bedroom while they dream to launch a surprise attack doesn’t seem like something you should be proud of.”

“…”

“It’s not that I’m criticizing. The world isn’t won by the strong, but by those who win. It’s natural for predators to hide their claws when hunting prey.”

Endros maintains a calm tone, while Merlin and I swallow hard. A strange tension fills the air.

“However, any great predator must fully understand their own level. If you couldn’t even see through this old man’s illusion, do you really think you’re ready to face me with your sword?”

“…We’ll see about that when we clash. Don’t get too cocky, Dragon King.”

“Indeed, youthful spirit. Very well, I’ll oblige you. But don’t expect any mercy.”

With that, the Dragon King takes a single step forward. The ground crumbles and the ceiling shakes.

“Katarina! Victor! Igor! Everyone, prepare for battle!”

The heroes dash off like arrows. Merlin casts a wind buff on them, allowing them to move swiftly. I watch calmly from the sidelines as Langwang joins forces with the party.

The stage is set. Now it’s time to sit back and watch how they defeated the Dragon King in their past life.

Kwajik!

Jjeojereok!

The Dragon King’s massive paw slams into the ground, sending shockwaves toward the charging heroes. They nimbly dodge each one.

“Great binding force of the earth, bind this beast! Gravitation!”

Merlin’s spell activates, causing Endros to sink heavily into the ground with a Kwoong! His weight has increased tenfold, causing the earth beneath him to collapse.

“Reverse Gravity.”

With a simple incantation, the Dragon King creates an anti-gravity field, nullifying Merlin’s spell.

“Good job, Merlin!”

Though Merlin’s attempt to restrain the king failed, it successfully drew his attention for a moment. Seizing the opportunity, Saleyr swings his greatsword directly at the Dragon King’s heart – the Dragon Heart.

Meanwhile, Igor and Katarina leap onto the dragon’s wings, while Victor aims his spear at the creature’s eyes.

Wait, where’s Langwang? There’s no way that mountain of muscle could hide…

“KRAAAH! My leg! I’ll rip it out!”

“Y-Yohan! What are you doing there?!”

Cwaddeudeok!

Before anyone noticed, Yohan had grabbed the Dragon King’s ankle with his muscular arms. The ground beneath him cracks strangely.

Langwang lets out a wild warcry, lifting the dragon’s leg as if performing a deadlift. The massive creature begins to wobble.

“…”

Caught off guard by the human king’s incredible strength, the Dragon King grunts. Langwang twists the ankle, causing the dragon to lose balance and fall over, kicking up another dust cloud.

This time, the hero party doesn’t hesitate despite the obscured vision. Each veteran warrior knows their position and attacks accordingly.

Kwaang!

The dragon’s scales aren’t something mere metal can penetrate. Only Saleyr’s sword managed to pierce the black skin, while the others barely scratch or nick the tough scales.

Puk!

Victor, who aimed for the eyes, gets sent flying by the dragon’s claw. When he hits the wall… his left arm is nowhere to be found.

“AHHHH! Everyone be careful! His claws are mutating!”

Victor clutches his severed shoulder as he warns us. Following his advice, I look toward the dragon’s claws.

“You young ones have decent teamwork.”

The Dragon King rises again. One of his claws now curves like a scythe, dripping with blood – clearly the weapon that cut off Victor’s arm.

They took a few minor injuries but managed to sever one of our party member’s arm.

“Electric Storm!”

Pajijik!

A bolt of lightning strikes from empty air, hitting the Dragon King. He doesn’t flinch as electric currents course through his body.

What a monster. Fortunately, he seems to be holding back. If he had gone all out from the start, the situation would be much different now.

“You’re quite something.”

The Dragon King looks down at us with an unfathomably deep gaze. Anticipating potential danger, I stay close behind Merlin to protect him.

“We’re pretty decent fighters.”

“Dragon King, don’t get too confident after just that exchange. We still have…”

“A hidden ace? Of course, one wouldn’t challenge me without preparation. Very well, having seen your abilities, I shall change the battlefield.”

Uuuuung.

Space distorts around the black dragon. I hold tightly onto Merlin to keep him from getting lost in the anomaly.

“Earthquake.”

Kuguung.

The earth screams and collapses. The massive cave begins to crumble, with boulders falling dangerously from all sides.

“Nuclear Launch!”

Pyeo-eong!

Fiery explosions erupt. Flames engulf everything, erupting like a volcanic explosion. Merlin quickly summons a barrier before the fire reaches our skin. While I have multiple protective layers, it seems the hero party doesn’t.

Kwakwakwakkaang!!

Unable to withstand the shockwave, the mountain explodes. Trees, dirt, and rocks spew out in all directions, turning what was once a cave entrance into an open basin. Though visibility is zero due to the dust and debris.

Damn, I underestimated the Dragon King by thinking he’d use high-level spells consecutively. How did Saleyr’s party defeat such a monster?

“Everyone retreat! I’ll help Victor!”

“Nyah!”

“Suoka! What about us?”

“Follow Saleyr’s orders! I’ll protect Merlin!”

Right before getting crushed by falling debris, the Dragon King roars and clears the area before heading outside. Holding onto Merlin who’s maintaining everyone’s barriers, I follow closely behind.

Kurureung!

“Im-It’s impossible… How could an entire mountain…”

“Cough cough… Merlin, be careful. You’re too frail, even a small hit could be fatal.”

[Roarrrrr!]

Out in the open, the great dragon lets out a thunderous roar that shakes the very air. Perhaps we shouldn’t have provoked this sleeping tiger.

“Katarina! Igor! Yohan! Merlin! Suoka! Are you all safe?”

Saleyr’s sharp voice cuts through the air. Fortunately, it seems everyone survived the explosion and earthquake.

“Yes, yes! I’m with Suoka!”

“Tch, everyone’s location except Merlin and Suoka is unclear. No choice! Merlin, let’s go to Plan D! Those who can hear me, execute Plan D immediately!”

“…What? Plan D…?”

“There’s no other option! We don’t have time! We’ll buy you time, so prepare ‘that magic’ quickly!”

Saleyr’s words make Merlin’s pupils shrink in panic. What is this Plan D? And what is ‘that magic’?

“H-Huh, but Plan D is… Ugh…”

Merlin seems extremely reluctant, trembling even. If someone who trusts Saleyr absolutely reacts this way, Plan D must be incredibly dangerous, likely carrying significant risks.

“Nyah! Got it! Plan D!”

“Cat Familiar? What’s this Plan thing?”

“Follow me! Sync with me! We just need to buy time! And when I give the signal, we need to retreat! Nyah!”

“This works too! Focus on the dragon’s heart area! Saleyr already wounded it.”

From somewhere still obscured by lingering smoke, Igore and Langwang’s voices can be heard. Seems they’re both fine. Langwang’s always been worry-free due to his sturdy physique.

“…Since everyone agrees, I have no choice. O cosmic forces encompassing the world, I call upon thee. Bring forth stone from the farthest reaches. My purpose is destruction and annihilation, and nothing shall stand in thy way…”

Merlin seriously focuses on casting a spell, unlike his usual method of simply muttering names. This indicates whatever magic he’s preparing isn’t ordinary.

For some reason, the incantation sounds familiar. I feel like I’ve heard it before, though the memory remains hazy. If I listen a bit more, I might recall it.

“Hryaap!”

Kwaang!

A sound like cannon fire echoes as Langwang lands a direct hit on the Dragon King’s side. The same attack that destroyed a forest earlier now detonates against the dragon’s flank.

“…!”

Even the seemingly invincible Dragon King sways. Watching closely, it seems Langwang truly is the strongest among this group. Since the fight began, only he has consistently landed effective blows on the Dragon King.

“Good job! Nyah!”

Igor, who infiltrated beneath the dragon’s wing, throws a dagger at the thin area connecting wing to body. However, when the dragon flaps its wing creating a gust of wind, the dagger is blown away harmlessly.

Following this, the dragon counters with the same claw attack that severed Victor’s arm earlier. But Igor skillfully dodges out of range.

“Dragon King! Taste my blade!”

“You brats…”

While Igor and Langwang distract the dragon, Saleyr ascends to the top of its head. With a single swing of his descending sword, a red line appears across the Dragon King’s previously impenetrable forehead. However, the dragon merely turns its head, knocking Saleyr off with ease.

Hwiiring-

“Kuh…!”

“To think someone who can’t even fly would dare approach from above. What kind of fighting etiquette is that?”

Now defenseless while falling, Saleyr is completely vulnerable. The Dragon King doesn’t leave him be. His long tail whips around, striking Saleyr forcefully.

Victor throws his spear with all his remaining arm’s strength, but the three-meter-long spear barely makes a dent against the dragon. After rolling several times, Saleyr’s arm lies twisted at an unnatural angle – it’s broken.

“Y-Young lord!”

“Merlin! Don’t break your concentration! It’s Plan D!”

“Ah…! Ugh… Great fragment descending from the heavens, wrapped in flames, righteous judge of evil, descend upon this land and bring down this mighty beast…”

Losing his composure momentarily upon seeing Saleyr’s broken arm, Merlin regains focus thanks to Saleyr’s quick reprimand. Resuming his chant, green magical energy around Merlin grows stronger. The magical symbols become clearer.

Hmm, “great fragment descending from the heavens”, “wrapped in flames”, “originating from the cosmos”, “stone coming from the farthest reaches”… Could it be? Only one thing comes to mind – a meteor. Known as “Meteo” when cast as magic, it’s one of the highest-tier spells.

Could he really be summoning Meteo now to finish off the Dragon King? That’s why he’s staying out of the frontline?

Some questions remain. If Meteo falls, won’t it affect allies as well? Perhaps that’s why Merlin hesitated initially. But continuing like this, with the overwhelming gap between us and the Dragon King, defeat is inevitable. Igor did mention retreating upon a signal earlier.

How a 6th-circle magician like Merlin can cast a 7th-circle spell like Meteo is another mystery, but geniuses tend to break conventional limits and establish new theories that shatter worldly standards.

“So, that’s what it was…”

Sweat beads form on Merlin’s forehead. It’s not just from concentration – the intense heat from the sky is the main cause. Wiping the sweat from his brow, I look up.

Kuguugu-

Indeed, it’s Meteo. A giant meteor wrapped in flames approaches us. This super-sized spell could potentially destroy an entire country. It’s plummeting down from the heavens.

“Finally…!”

“Nyah! Yohan, prepare to evacuate!”

“Phew, Dragon King. It was fun. Farewell.”

“It’s coming! Get ready!”

The meteor accelerates rapidly toward us. Though its size far exceeds what a 6th-circle mage should be capable of, since it’s Merlin, I guess that’s acceptable.

Now I understand. This is how the party defeated the Dragon King in their previous life, and why everyone except Merlin and Langwang died. The Meteo was responsible.

Will this life’s hero party meet the same fate under the Meteo? Unknown. Since I’ve interfered, history may change slightly here. Those who were supposed to die might survive, leading to a disaster.

” Hmm.”

I’ve decided. When the meteor collides with the ground and everyone’s vision is obscured by the storm, I’ll secretly kill the hero party. That way, history will proceed as originally intended.

As I fiddle with the tarot card in my pocket…

“No…”

Merlin mutters beside me, voice dazed. The meteor is almost upon us. The heat feels like it could melt my whole body, so I wrap myself in my mantle for protection.

“Just now… ‘No’? What’s not supposed to be?”

“It’s not… mine! I didn’t summon this!”

Everyone!

With all his might, Merlin screams at the top of his lungs. The magical energy surrounding his body disappears completely.

Hold on, if this meteor wasn’t summoned by Merlin… then who exactly summoned it…?

“Ignis Versus.”

The Dragon King intones deeply in a low voice.

Flames rise from the ground, binding the escaping hero party.

They struggle to break free, but the fiery ropes are both tough and durable.

Quickly assessing the situation, I leap toward Merlin without hesitation. Please let my protective barrier absorb the impact.

The enormous meteor collides with the vast ground.

“Meteo.”

With a quiet incantation, the world is enveloped in a searing white light.

*

Haa.

What exactly did the previous life’s hero party do? How could they possibly defeat a Dragon King on this level?

In the end, they all died without putting up much resistance.

At least thanks to me, Merlin only fainted instead of dying… Is Langwang alive? Can’t see where he’s buried. Let’s hope he survived.

“Young demon, you alone remain conscious.”

“That’s right, Endros. Thanks to your Meteo spell, my whole body aches.”

“This old dragon did warn you. To match me, you must stake your life.”

Damn, it hurts. Whatever the previous hero party did remains unknown, but if I didn’t have my ten-layered barrier, I’d probably be on my way to the afterlife by now.

I pull out the tarot card in my hand. My head spins, but I must correct the distorted history before anything goes wrong. If the saintess fails to be born, this life will have been meaningless.

The Dragon King must die. I am the only one still conscious here. Therefore, I must kill the Dragon King myself.

He massacred most of the hero party, made the human king disappear, and knocked out the promising young magician Merlin in one strike.

I must defeat this monster alone.

Jworrreok-

No need for long speeches. I draw a single thin card. A card slightly different from the standard 48 tarot cards.

In the center of the card is a drawing of a jester wearing a mask. Where other cards would have symbols, numbers, or letters, five vertical English letters are engraved instead.

J.O.K.E.R.

The most peculiar, special, and bizarre card in my possession.

Time to return to the past.

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