Chapter 73

In the Cheekin Mountains, which were also known as the "Dragon's Nest" and located in the Free State of Hameln, many dragon species lived. Even the Earth Dragon, considered the weakest of the dragon species, was ranked at level 6. It was clear what would happen to an ordinary person who ventured into the mountains, more so than seeing a fire.

In such a dangerous place, a man walked whistling. The ears on his head and his impressive tail suggested that he was a wolfman.

The man's nose twitched in response.

"Come out. You can't fool my nose."

As the man spoke, a dragon, about twelve meters long, with distinctive red scales, a fire dragon, burst out from between the trees. The fire dragon's eyes, which were completely those of a predator, looked at the man, but the man showed no sign of panic. He shouldered the hammer on his back and smirked.

The fire dragon's pride, which had been cultivated since birth as a strong being, was provoked by the man's insolent smirk, and fire began to leak from its mouth.

"Heh heh, the fire lizard is getting angry. I'm surprised."

The fire dragon, enraged, swung its right hand with a speed that was unbelievable for its size, but the man was already gone, leaving a large crack in the ground.

"Clad in iron, eroded by steel, bow your head to the weight of 'Heaviness.'"

The fire dragon's movements slowed due to the third-tier enchantment spell 'Heaviness' cast by the man. However, even a weakened dragon did not lose its fighting spirit; it only grew stronger.

Fire began to gather in the fire dragon's mouth as it prepared to unleash its most powerful weapon, the breath of fire. But the man's movements were too quick. He instantly closed the distance to the fire dragon and swung his hammer at its right leg. The fire dragon thought its tough body and strong scales would withstand the blow, but it was a miscalculation.

The man's hammer was the 'Steel Dragon Hammer,' made from the scales of the dragon species with the hardest scales. The hammer easily shattered the fire dragon's right leg.

"Kagagagaga!"

The fire dragon's scream echoed throughout the area. As it writhed on the ground, it searched for the man who had shattered its leg, and a shadow fell over its face. The man was smirking above the dragon's head.

"Even a fire dragon is nothing against me."

The man crushed the dragon's head with the hammer technique 'Crush,' and blood bloomed on the ground.

"Heh heh, what a dirty flower."

The man, no longer interested in the fire dragon, resumed his whistling and walked away.

---

"Hey, everyone. Am I the last one here?"

"You're late! For a newcomer to be the last to arrive, you've got some nerve."

"To keep the elders waiting, that's not good."

"Pu pu~ Goh-chan, that's not good~ Meri-chan and the old men are all angry."

The man, who had just completely crushed the fire dragon, bowed his head humbly, a stark contrast to his earlier demeanor.

The place where the men were located was deep within the Cheekin Mountains, a place that required navigating through numerous dragon species to reach.

"Heh heh, please forgive me. It's not easy to come to such a dangerous place. I did my best."

"Dangerous place? Here? There are only cute pets here."

The woman, a dragonwoman, slammed her tail, which was covered in the characteristic scales of her race, on the ground in displeasure. Around her, Earth Dragons, fire dragons, and steel dragons were obediently following. Upon closer inspection, the dragons were trembling. The wolfman inwardly thought, "Monsters."

"Goh-chan, as a disciple of the Immortality Sect, you shouldn't call this place dangerous."

The elf woman spoke in a bright tone, but the dragonwoman did not hide her displeasure.

"Indeed. However, Gohria is a new disciple. Merit, don't be so angry."

The dwarf man tried to calm the atmosphere, but the dragonwoman's anger did not subside.

"Is this scum on par with us as a disciple? Are you mocking us?"

The dragons' trembling intensified due to the dragonwoman's anger. It was no wonder; behind the dragons, there were piles of their fallen comrades, all killed by the dragonwoman alone.

"Heh heh... Miss Merit, please don't be so angry. I want to know my first mission as a disciple."

Gohria, perhaps trying to calm the dragonwoman, spoke humbly.

"Goh-chan's job is to bring a human boy."

"Huh? A human boy? You must be joking."

Gohria's right hand, which held the hammer, tightened.

"Hmm, the human boy has black hair and black eyes."

"Black hair and black eyes..."

"Furthermore, we have information that the Holy Jardaluk is targeting this boy.

There aren't many humans with black hair and black eyes. Nine out of ten—"

"Even a scum like you should understand by now.

That country is on the move. Kill anyone who gets in your way and quickly kidnap the boy."

"The human boy is in the city of Kama in the Udon Kingdom. With Goh-chan's speed, you should be able to get there in a week?"

Gohria released the tension in his right hand. Initially, he was furious to learn that his first mission as a disciple was to kidnap a human child, but if the Holy Jardaluk was involved, it was a different story. He could wreak havoc, and the thought of it made him smile involuntarily.

"Since I've given you your mission, let's head back."

"Goh-chan, do your best on your first job. Meri-chan, what about the lizards?"

"Huh? No, I don't need them. If you want them, you can give them to Azelotte."

Merit said this and left.

"Poor lizards. I'll take care of the cleanup, so don't worry."

The dragons, now realizing there was no threat, stood up and glared at Azelotte.

"Hmm, you're just lizards, unable to recognize the difference in strength."

The dwarf man, perhaps knowing the outcome, shook his head and walked away.

"Hehe~ I'll help you kill them."

Azelotte, blushing, smiled and raised her right hand toward the dragons. In the next instant, lightning rained down over several dozen meters.

The spell cast was the fifth-tier black magic 'Swift Lightning,' and it was clear that it was cast without incantation, indicating the use of incantation cancellation.

The dragons, known for their high magic resistance, were helplessly pierced by the lightning. Satisfied with the charred bodies of the dragons, Azelotte skipped away.

Gohria, the only one left, muttered to no one in particular, "Monsters..."