Bloodstains, dura mater.
Wemi Hamo could not believe the scene before her eyes.
"… They're all Japanese adventurers. All of them are dead."
It was inevitable.Suzuki Haruto and Inoue Seigo, who had been sent ahead,were lying dead in the most miserable condition imaginable.And not just them—The subordinates they had gone with were also all dead.
"The mage seems to have resisted somehow, but the Japanese one who used a spear didn't even manage a proper defense.""… He died without putting up a fight.""Yes. There are no signs of battle or struggle."
Inoue Seigo died with a spear piercing through his heart.His legendary-grade spear was horribly broken,as if it had snapped clean in two under overwhelming brute strength.It was a terrifying sight.
"Unbelievable… Just how strong are they?"
This went far beyond what Wemi Hamo had estimated.One person had taken out two rankers and the mid-levels who followed them.The plan had collapsed.There was no time to come up with a new one.There was only one option:
"Track the traces and move. Now!"
Tracking and killing Han Yoosung—no matter what it takes.The faces of the Destroyers following Wemi Hamo were filled with hesitation.They had no idea how strong the opponent was.Was it really the right decision to pursue such a being?
'The risk is high. But… we have no choice but to take it.'
If they could complete the epic quest, who knew how much stronger they could become?Before that happened, they had to stop him—somehow.If necessary…
'…Even if I have to use what the Lord of Calamity gave me.'
Wemi Hamo glanced briefly at her gauntlets and then stomped the ground.With no time to spare, she charged desperately deeper into the lair.And yet, she couldn't shake off the creeping unease.The fear that they might already be too late.
[Are you prepared to become the last king of a ruined world?]
The solemn voice of a statue echoed through the cavern.Hatchling Ban Ong, hearing the question, replied:
—"Kyuu-rohk?"
[From the looks of it, it seems you do not understand.]"But I was just thinking the same thing."
He tilted his head, clearly not understanding a word of it.
In hindsight, it was only natural.He was a hatchling—of course he was a hatchling.A dragon soul that had died still in its egg, never having even hatched.It hadn't been more than a few hours since it gained anything resembling consciousness.There was no way it could understand such words yet.Even if it were called a "descendant of dragons," that much was simply impossible.
[Hatchling, you who are destined to become the king of a ruined world…]—"Kyuru-rok…?"
[Sigh… Pitiful. Truly tragic.]
The statue let out a heavy sigh.Clearly, it hadn't anticipated this kind of situation.A hatchling this immature, this newly awakened—this had to be the first time such a one had come.But that didn't mean there were no solutions.
[Young one of dragonkind. It is far too early… but still, we shall share our knowledge and experience with you. You, at least, might be able to understand after that.]"So they've decided it's useless trying to explain it. Took the easy route."[Indeed. A rather convenient feature for a statue, wouldn't you say?]
Not a bad thing.Thanks to it, they could finally make some progress.
Soon, a red aura began to pour out of the statue and was absorbed into the hatchling.The hatchling closed its eyes and focused.And when it opened them again, the once-empty, naive gaze was gone—Replaced by a glimmer of intelligence.
[Now you can understand our words, can't you? Listen well, young dragon. You were born with the destiny to become a king of the ruined world. At the same time, you also carried the fate to die without fulfilling that destiny.][But now, you have overcome that fate.]
The single remaining eye of the statue glowed a deep red.
[Within this statue lies the power we prepared for that time. According to the ancient pact, you shall now shoulder the task of Reconstruction.]—"Kyururok!"
The hatchling nodded, as if to show it understood.Seeing this, Kakasha muttered, "Not sure it really understands…"Truth be told, Han Yoosung was thinking something similar.
And right then, the statue spoke words that could not be ignored.
[And once you have received that power, a trial shall come upon you. One that neither we desired nor anticipated.]
"A trial? What kind of trial, exactly?"
Han Yoosung recalled the message he had seen when accepting the Epic Quest—It had hinted that the nature of the trial could change in the future.This was his chance to find out what kind of trial awaited them.
[According to the pact, when a new Dragonborn Lord is born…the being that once brought this world to ruin will reappear.Your trial will be to join forces and defeat that being.]
Han Yoosung stroked his chin thoughtfully.The objective had definitely changed.
In his previous life, the final trial had involved the Seers offering dragon souls to the altar for judgment,while the Destroyers tried to sabotage the ritual by destroying the altar.
"So they've added a boss monster of sorts."
He could say it had become more difficult.Still, it wasn't enough to shake him—He had been prepared for this much.
[It's likely that being has grown weaker over the long years since it last destroyed the world.Even so, it won't be an easy opponent.][Consider this carefully before deciding.]
—"Kyuuuuu…"
The hatchling lowered its head, clearly deep in thought.Han Yoosung leaned against the wall, watching the little creature wrestle with its decision.
"So basically, 'If you think you can handle it, then take it,' huh?"[Put simply, yes—that's about the size of it. Honestly, these dragons! Leaving such a heavy burden on someone so young…]
'And it mentioned "Reconstruction"… Just what exactly are we supposed to rebuild?'[Isn't it obvious? The reconstruction of the species, of course. This world's dragonkin are extinct—utterly wiped out.It's now a world where only disembodied dragon souls remain.]
Han Yoosung rubbed his chin, sinking into thought.
'Rebuilding an extinct race… is that even possible?'[If one is a Dragonborn Lord, it might be.But it would take an unimaginable amount of effort and time, that much is certain.]
'So that's what this task means…'
A task that only a Dragonborn Lord could carry.Han Yoosung leaned against the wall, quietly watching the exchange between the hatchling and the statue.There wasn't much time.He could sense the enemy's presence not far off.
[Young one of dragonkind. You must become the king of your kind,embrace all the dragon souls, and find a place to rebuild your race.][So I ask you again—are you prepared to become the king of a ruined world?This path will be harsh, perhaps unbearably so.If you feel you cannot carry it—]
The heavy voice weighed down on the hatchling like a storm.
[If you think it will crush you—then step back now.You will not be blamed.]
—"Kyururok…"
The hatchling bowed its head, lost in thought.It may not have fully understood all the statue's words—But it seemed to grasp at least the weight behind them.
The burden of rebuilding a race.
Even for a young hatchling, it was a burden heavy enough to cause hesitation.
[That little one… is looking at you.]"Huh?"
At Kakasha's words, Han Yoosung turned to look toward the hatchling.Its eyes were filled with desperation—As if silently pleading for an answer.Han Yoosung shrugged.
"You're looking for answers from someone you met less than a day ago? What do you expect me to say?"[So cold! Humans really are bloodless and tearless creatures…]
—"Kyururok…"
Kakasha clicked her tongue, and the hatchling drooped sadly.But what else could be done? It was the truth.They hadn't even known each other for a full day, and there was no emotional bond between them.Han Yoosung had merely helped the hatchling grow quickly—nothing more.He wasn't in any position to give guidance, nor did he intend to.
"Life-altering decisions shouldn't be made on someone else's advice.The choice is yours, hatchling. Make it with your own judgment."—"Kyururu…"
Han Yoosung lifted his sword and turned away.The presence of enemies had drawn near.He could hear them now—The thundering footsteps of many, the sound of urgent shouting.Destroyers? Guardians?He couldn't tell.Either way, they were enemies until proven otherwise.
"…Still, if I had to leave you with one more thing to think about—"
Suddenly, Han Yoosung was pulled back into his memories.He remembered himself—wandering alone through a world already fallen to ruin.When despair and hopelessness had swallowed everything…What had he done then?What path had he chosen to walk?
"…It's a hard road, but I believe it's worth it."
Just like when he had abandoned the throne of the Eye and turned back time.It wasn't advice, not really.Too vague, too personal to mean much to someone else.But even so, the hatchling seemed to take something from it.It fell into thought, quiet and still.
Then, after a moment of hesitation, it nodded.
—"Kyurok."
[…Very well, young one of dragonkind. I accept your decision.]
From the statue surged a crimson light, impossible to describe in words—A power so intense, its true magnitude couldn't even be guessed.That power flowed into the hatchling.
[From here on, you will walk a harsh path.And I am sorry for placing such a burden on you.But if there's anything you desire—anything you hope for—please…]
Rumble…!
With a great roar, the massive statue began to collapse.And at the same moment, a red shell—like hardened flame—wrapped around the hatchling's body.The process of evolution had begun.
[Forgive us, who have passed on such a heavy burden to you.]
With those final words, the statue completely crumbled—And the powerful dragon souls it had contained began to scatter and rise.As they ascended, one of the souls briefly brushed past Han Yoosung.
[Human… are you the guardian of this hatchling?]"Not exactly a guardian… but I guess you could say that, for now."[Then allow me to thank you first. This hatchling was never meant to make it this far.But you've changed its fate…]
Indeed, in his previous life, that had been the case.The Red Hatchling had never met a true protector,and had never even come close to evolving.It was likely snatched away by someone—used up and discarded.If he remembered correctly, its death had served the Destroyer faction.There hadn't even been any mention of a surviving dragon soul.
[Soon, the path of that child and your own will diverge.But you will meet again—And when you do, even if only briefly… please help that child.]
Han Yoosung didn't respond with words.He simply nodded.
The great dragon souls, each radiating overwhelming power, offered their gratitude as they ascended skyward.
BOOOOOM!
A massive explosion rocked the cavern—A giant hole had been blown open in the ceiling.Beyond it, only a dark, storm-covered sky was visible.
And then—
"They're here! Wemi Hamo is over this way!""Attack immediately!"
The tightly shut doors burst open, and Wemi Hamo and the other players stormed in.The moment they saw the giant egg and Han Yoosung standing before it,they unleashed every skill they had at once.
Han Yoosung didn't react at all, even as the storm of attacks rushed toward him.Because there was no need to.
[Epic Quest
Crack!
At the same moment the egg encasing the Red Hatchling shattered,the barrage of fierce attacks finally struck Han Yoosung.
BOOM—BOOM—BOOOM!
The entire cavern trembled as dust and debris exploded into the air.
"Keep attacking! Don't give him a single moment to recover!"
They couldn't let Han Yoosung regain his footing.Wemi Hamo continued barking orders while advancing forward herself.Her figure suddenly burst forward with a flash—A swirl of black flame coiled around her form.
Fwoooosh!
A leg wreathed in roaring black flame sliced through the air, aiming to crush Han Yoosung from above.The impact detonated, flames erupting outward.
But Wemi Hamo didn't stop there.From her gauntlets, black fire surged again as she unleashed a relentless flurry of strikes,not even giving him time to breathe.
And yet—
Not a single one of her attacks reached Han Yoosung.
As the dust finally settled,what appeared beyond it was Han Yoosung—surrounded by two massive pairs of wings.
Blood-red, like freshly spilled crimson,those wings had shielded him from the torrent of attacks,blocking every last blow in his place.
A look of dismay crept across Wemi Hamo's face.That barrage just moments ago—she had poured everything she had into that relentless assault.And yet, the wings didn't bear so much as a scratch.
"…Wemi Hamo, you'll make a fine first opponent for a test run."
This wasn't good.The situation had turned dire.
Wemi Hamo kicked off the air in a panic, trying to retreat,but Han Yoosung's hand reached her first—clamping onto her leg like a vice.
"You die here."
Crunch!
Her greaves, reinforced with high-grade armor, bent like cheap tin.And in the same motion, Han Yoosung slammed her down with brutal force.
BOOOOM!
"Guh—ack!"
The impact sent her flying like a broken doll.
And in the very next moment—
THWACK!
Han Yoosung closed the distance in the blink of an eye,and with a thunderous kick, launched Wemi Hamo into the wall like a missile.
She struck the stone like lightning—embedded deep and unmoving.
Only one thought echoed in her mind:
'What… what in the world just happened?'
Was this truly power a single player could possess?How?How could anyone unleash such strength?
Wemi Hamo lifted her head—And in that moment, she understood.
—Krrrrrrrr…
Han Yoosung stood motionless.And behind him…A colossal dragon soul had manifested, looming in full majesty.
That form—The unmistakable presence of a Dragonborn Lord.
That was the answer.