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The Black Dragon Zaerkan possessed a certain pride.
While he wasnât on the level of Yuren even in his prime, a warrior considered equal to the Dragon Lord, Zaerkan held a position of power.
He was known for his destructive tendencies, earning him the moniker âThe Raging Dragon.â The title was a testament to his formidable strength.
Zaerkan held an unshakeable belief in his own invincibility.
He was certain that no one, aside from another dragon, could defeat him. And yet, this human...
âDecapitated in an instant? Me?â
A dragonâs scales were an impenetrable armor, an unyielding fortress. It was no exaggeration.
Piercing a dragonâs scales was an incredibly difficult feat.
That was how Yuren had managed to hold off countless demons single-handedly.
While Zaerkan wasnât as powerful as Yuren, his defenses were still formidable.
However, this had also been the source of Zaerkanâs arrogance.
He had believed himself invulnerable, allowing the human to attack, leading to this humiliating defeat.
Zaerkan felt his life force ebbing away.
He would die here.
Not at the hands of a fellow dragon, but by a lowly human, a creature he considered beneath him.
[I, Zaerkan, will not allow this!]
Ironically, his pride, bordering on arrogance, extended his life.
Tendons from his severed neck writhed like tentacles, reaching towards his body.
His severed head slowly lifted, reattaching itself to his body.
As if the decapitation had never occurred, Zaerkan regenerated, his body restored to near perfect condition.
Even dragons couldnât survive decapitation. It was an undeniable fact.
Yet, Zaerkan felt no unease, no sense of the unnatural.
[Very well, Iâll admit it. Mortal, you almost killed me. Though it was nothing more than a pathetic, insect-like struggle.]
âYouâve surpassed the realm of living beings. Youâre closer to a demon. What have you done?â
Despite the unbelievable sight before him, Hans remained calm, his question directed at Zaerkan.
Even Zaerkan was impressed by the humanâs composure.
He was like a finely honed blade, a sharp contrast to the other races, especially the humans Zaerkan so despised.
The dragon chuckled.@@novelbin@@
[I made a deal. They tampered with my body, but it doesnât matter. Thanks to them, I can tear you to shreds.]
âSo it was them again!â
Hans felt a sense of dread.
He had become accustomed to seeing demons regenerate from fatal wounds, but the issue here was the cooldown period.
Thanks to the holy sword, Hans hadnât needed much time to climb onto the dragon and deliver the fatal blow. But the time stop ability had a cooldown, and he needed to stall. rAâ¦oÌ£bEÌş
He had achieved his objective.
Zaerkan, believing the fight was over, began to move.
He had seen through the Mud Guardianâs true nature, and had indulged its desire for a final, honorable duel.
âHeâs not just strong. He possesses the virtues of a true hero.â
He was on the battlefield, risking his life.
Facing the possibility of death, could anyone show mercy to a creature reduced to a monstrous form?
Logically, there was no reason to.
Even if it had once been a hero, it was now a man-eating monster.
To engage it in an honorable duel was strategically foolish.
Yet, Hans had done so without hesitation.
And in that moment, the holy sword had witnessed Hansâs true strength.
He possessed not only heroic virtues, but also overwhelming power.
He had cut down the Mud Guardian with speed the holy sword couldnât even perceive. It was swordsmanship at its pinnacle.
But what truly impressed the holy sword was Hansâs character.
He so readily gave away what he had earned.
â Child, you have no name. Only your master can bestow one upon you.
â But...what if my master is a bad person?
â I foresee you will become a heroâs sword. He appears noble, but he is lonely.
â â...â
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â I hope you will become his friend, his companion in this world.
The holy sword hadnât understood those words then, but it did now.
Even now, facing a dragon, one of the strongest creatures on the continent.
It recognized this Black Dragon. It had witnessed it in the mythical age, a monster that had preyed on countless races.
The Raging Dragon.
And yet, against this legendary monster, Hans fought without fear. Against a creature that couldnât be killed by decapitation.
Was he truly fearless?
[N-no...Impossible! I...defeated by an insect...!]
The holy sword didnât register the dragonâs death.
One moment, the Raging Dragon was a formidable foe, the next, its body lay in pieces. Hans calmly pierced its heart, ending its life.
The Raging Dragon was dead.
And Hans stood above it, victorious.
He was the embodiment of a mythical hero.
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[Translator Notes]
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