Cale quietly observed Raon and the Dragon Half-Blood.
The Dragon Half-Blood averted his gaze under his scrutiny.
Raon tilted his head, and Cale, who had seen everything, spoke abruptly.
"Only three of us have seen Lord Dragon's magic."
The Dragon Half-Blood stopped at those words. He could barely hide his surprise.
"Did anyone else besides me also see it?"
It was a sight that only he could capture with his eyes due to the light.
In reality, the Dragon Half-Blood had not seen the magical effect. What he had seen was the existence of the "light." Upon seeing that strange light, he belatedly recognized the magic and the unusual flow of time.
"Yes. You, me, and Raon. Only the three of us saw it. So far."
The Dragon Half-Blood's gaze shifted from Cale to Raon, and upon seeing Raon's dark blue eyes, quickly averted his gaze.
"I thought only I and the Human saw it!"
Raon's voice brightened.
Indeed, before arriving at the Black Castle, Raon and Cale thought only they two had perceived Lord Dragon's temporal magic. Especially in Raon's case, he had fully grasped it.
"Half-Dragon! Did you also see how time suddenly slowed down and that light rose in a pillar, and then energy flapped its wings? Did you? Did you see it?"
The Dragon Half-Blood, avoiding Raon's gaze, timidly replied.
"Yes. I saw it."
And he added hastily.
"But more than the magic, I only saw the shape of that light."
Raon smiled widely at those words.
"Wow! Only the three of us saw it!"
The Dragon Half-Blood didn't respond to that. Instead, he suddenly spread his bone-made wings.
"I will inspect the surrounding forest."
As soon as he finished speaking, he flapped his wings and ascended. However, he left one last word before disappearing.
"If you need anything, let me know."
And he flew away.
"Hey, wait—!"
Cale tried to stop the Dragon Half-Blood, but he quickly vanished.
"Ah."
Cale sighed.
"I wanted to tell him his name since I saw him."
He left without looking back.
Cale looked at the Dragon Half-Blood, who quickly became a black dot in the distance with a surprised expression, then turned his gaze forward. Because someone who had been quietly retreating during his conversation with the Dragon Half-Blood approached.
"It seemed like he wanted to let you know."
It was the ancient Lord Dragon, Sheritt. She had a smile that was hard to describe.
"None of us could see the light. We were only surprised by the magnitude of the great wave."
She scratched her cheek with her finger as if uncomfortable.
"After knowing that, he was lingering around the entrance of the Black Castle. It seems he wanted to tell you something."
He probably thought only he had seen it and wanted to inform Cale. However, upon learning that Cale and Raon had also seen that situation, perhaps more clearly than himself, he went somewhere else.
"Mm."
Instead of sighing, Sheritt smiled slightly. And she reached out to stroke Raon's head.
Raon spoke cheerfully.
"The Dragon Half-Blood is also really amazing!"
Well.
Cale nodded.
Perhaps, among all the Half-Dragons he had met, the one who had caused him the most trouble was that Dragon Half-Blood.
Of course, that was when Cale was much weaker than now. The Dragon Half-Blood's power when he created light arrows and entered a state of fury was considerable.
Yes.
Really if the Dragon Half-Blood had been able to fully grow, devouring the incomplete dark force implanted in him.
'It would have been incredible.'
After all, the essence of his heart comes from the blood of the ancient Lord Dragon, Sheritt.
Cale looked at Sheritt and spoke.
"It's good news. Anyway, now there's one more person who can track Lord Dragon's movements."
"Yes."
But Sheritt couldn't smile peacefully at Cale's words. Her gaze went to Raon. Raon had already let go of her hand and crossed the entrance of the Black Castle.
"Rosalyn, Mary! How have you been? Our Human is fine now!"
As Sheritt watched Raon chatting happily, Cale murmured softly as he passed by.
"Don't worry. Nothing will happen to him."
"!"
Sheritt's eyes widened, and her gaze went to Cale.
Cale showed a carefree yet firm smile as he passed by her. He could vaguely understand her thoughts.
'She must be worried.'
Worried about Raon. And whether it was out of love or hate, concern for the Dragon Half-Blood.
A Dragon is too young and has not yet experienced its second growth. And the other was just a soul in a skeleton, unable to fully use its former power.
Those who could fully see the power of the Lord Dragon that terrified the Dragons. Sheritt couldn't sleep peacefully. That's why Cale spoke to reassure her. And he also truly believed it.
'Raon is still young.'
Asking a child to fight an adult, especially the boss?
No, no matter how serious it is, that's not right, is it?
'And the Dragon Half-Blood—'
In fact, among everyone in the Black Castle, perhaps he was the weakest. If his bones and core were broken, it was all over.
'But couldn't he have stayed to tell his name? Then we could have considered his preferences, right?'
Cale murmured internally as he walked towards where his other companions were. At that moment, Sheritt's low voice was heard from behind him.
"I'm worried they might hurt you too."
Cale hesitated for a moment but didn't respond and kept walking.
"Mary, Rosalyn, I need to talk to you."
He entered the Black Castle with his companions. Sheritt watched them silently and then looked up at the sky. He saw a black dot flying around the Black Castle.
"They can't see the enemy's attack."
He closed his eyes. Everything was darkness.
However,
"It's not hell."
Sheritt had endured more than a thousand years in hell. A smile appeared on her lips.
"Even if I can't see, there are ways to protect."
A sword and a shield are different. The sword must be wielded and must stab to have meaning. But a shield only needs to exist, only needs to withstand.
"They can have meaning."
Sheritt opened her eyes and saw another Dragon.
"Don't you think the same?"
She asked the person in front of her.
"Eruhaben. What would you do? Do you think Time is absolute?"
The Ancient Dragon, Eruhaben, smiled and shrugged.
"I don't know. Maybe because I have rejuvenated, Time doesn't scare me much."
"Seeing your attitude, it seems you have indeed rejuvenated. You've become more arrogant."
Eruhaben playfully shrugged, and Sheritt gently laughed. She spoke to another approaching Dragon.
"Mila. If we join the shields and fill the gaps with dust, what would happen?"
Mila smiled calmly. She also had a son here, Dodori.
"No matter how long one exists, if there is no space for enemies, they won't be able to do anything."
Moreover, she said with a somewhat annoyed expression.
"And the opponent is a Dragon. Dragons should fight among themselves. It's not right to involve the young ones. At least, we should handle the Dragons."
Eruhaben, having heard everything, asked with a curious expression.
"Have you rejuvenated too?"
"Why?"
"Because the way you speak is quite impressive."
"Haha. Well, compared to my youth, I've calmed my temperament quite a bit."
"Yes, I've also become more serene."
"That's right. But how did you say that Lord Dragon was called?"
"Neo."
"I must remember that name. When I see him, I'll give him a good hit."
"Just one?"
"Don't you know?"
The three oldest Dragons whispered quietly. Nevertheless, Sheritt's eyes occasionally turned to the black dot flying through the sky. And that black dot, the Dragon Half-Blood, had soared into the sky to inspect the forest around the Black Castle, but he couldn't see the forest panorama well.
'Only you, me, and Raon saw it.'
Cale's words resonated in his mind.
'There are only three people who can face Lord Dragon.'
The Dragon Half-Blood was aware that perhaps he was in his weakest state. Of course, compared to the mages following Rosalyn or the ordinary warriors, even if he was just bones, he was still strong. But they could form groups.
'I am alone.'
That's why the Dragon Half-Blood, considering various relationships, thought he would be weak in facing enemies. If the Necromancer Mary were with him, he would be stronger.
'There are many enemies.'
This time they would face numerous Dragons following Lord Dragon. And alongside them, there were elves, dwarves, humans, and others.
"Hmm."
The Dragon Half-Blood planned to fight against some of them. Someone who was at his level. And he didn't think his side would lose.
"...But..."
If Lord Dragon slowed down Time, and he couldn't respond properly or even see it well, the Dragon Half-Blood thought of the figures of Raon and Cale that passed through his mind.
"...I am the most useless..."
He didn't say the last words. He just closed his mouth and continued flapping his wings. But that flapping of wings was now filled with a firmer determination. The Dragon Half-Blood fixed his gaze on a point, with his pupils full of light. It was the direction where the pillar of light had emerged.
'Only you, me, and Raon saw it.'
Along with those words, others echoed in his mind.
'Wow! Only us three saw it!'
Raon's words strangely filled his ears and wouldn't leave.
"...We..."
The Dragon Half-Blood was surprised to hear his own words and closed his mouth again. He looked around to make sure no one had heard him. Then, he abruptly stopped. The Black Castle. At the entrance of the castle, he saw a white figure looking at him. It seemed everyone had entered the castle, but she was alone watching him. It was Sheritt, the ancient Lord Dragon. The Dragon Half-Blood avoided her and flew a bit farther. However, he didn't plan to leave the Black Castle.
Going back home...
"...No."
Home. That word was difficult for him to say. Yes, better put it this way:
A place to return to.
The Black Castle was a place to return to, a place to stay. That's why he couldn't stay away.
The Dragon Half-Blood remained in the sky until he could no longer see the white figure, then he returned to his place in the backyard of the Black Castle.
-------------
Lord Dragon Neo.
He had the appearance of a human.
"Exion hasn't come."
He looked at the sky expressionlessly. His face showed some boredom.
"It seems all Three Star Dragons have ended badly."
Whispering indifferently, he slowly lowered his gaze to the ground. There, at the foot of the stairs, the Dragons were kneeling. None dared to look at him.
"There are quite a few Dragons who haven't come."
Lord Dragon Neo.
He spoke with an indifferent expression.
"My daughter hasn't come either."
Pope Casillia and the Bishops were also nowhere to be seen.
"It's time to stop paying attention to this world."
He rose from his chair in one leap. Then, he left the spacious hall and headed to the inner space behind the chair, murmuring.
"This world's time has not yet run out, but it's no longer useful, so I must end it."
Some Dragons stopped, but Neo paid no attention to them and kept walking. His steps were like those of a drunk person. However, it didn't seem like he was going to fall.
Boom.
The stone door closed behind him as he entered. Alone, Neo looked at his reflection in the mirror. Ten years ago and now, his face remained the same, as if time had stopped. As he looked at himself, he muttered.
"Cale Henituse..."
There was no smile on his lips. A faint light gleamed in his empty eyes.
"A Human on whom both the Wanderers and the Gods focus so much. They say he has the potential to become a God?"
The corner of his lips began to lift. His face, which had seemed expressionless, showed a kind of enjoyment. But what shone in his eyes was not pure joy, but something dark and sinister.
------------
"Hmm."
Cale checked the message sent by Alberu. He read the words displayed on the sacred mirror.
<The game has given a new mission. I need to discuss it with you. Also, it seems I have found information about the Birth of the Absolute God. Contact me when you have time.>
Oh. Cale thought he had done well in assigning the task to Alberu. Although he was busy, he left an important message.
<Your Highness. I also have an account now. I think I will be able to log in after the massive update.>
He should mention later that he became an NPC (Monster). He didn't want to prolong the conversation unnecessarily. Besides, it wasn't an urgent matter at that moment.
'I'll also inquire about the Hero later.'
Alberu had Ahn Roh Man, the number one in the Ranking, by his side. Moreover, Ahn Roh Man probably knew about the AI the System was seeking. He should take advantage of that.
"That's one thing, but..."
Cale turned off the Mirror screen and stood up. He had something to do.
Uuuuu---
The statue of the young monk trembled and vibrated. But Cale paid it no attention. He saw someone stepping through the beam of light that emerged behind the statue and approached, extending his hand.
"It's been a long time since we've seen each other."
The other took Cale's hand and asked.
"Are you Kim Haeil?"
The Heavenly Demon looked at Cale with great interest. A temporary portal had formed between the Central Plains and Apitoyu, and the Heavenly Demon was the first to cross that portal to reach where Cale was.
