Chapter 8

Chapter 3. Black Dragon Murakan (2)

Over the past two months of transcribing, the only sounds heard in the square room were the scratch of pencils and the occasional rustle of the wind.

Thus, even though Jin had not yet seen beyond the sliding door, he instinctively felt that Murakan's glass tube had opened. In such a situation, anyone would inevitably think of that first.

'Oh, crazy. Why is Murakan waking up now!?'

Thump thump! His heart pounded as if it were not his own.

The quiet and safe basement of the Storm Castle suddenly felt like a mysterious realm where one could not predict what lay ahead. Cold sweat trickled down his spine.

Perhaps...

Did he just mishear it?

Just as Jin thought it might be a mistake, the sound of a click was heard again.

No, it was more than that. The sound of clothes brushing against the glass tube and the faint footsteps on the floor continued.

A dragon that had slept for a thousand years wouldn't suddenly start sleepwalking. It must have woken up for a reason.

Or perhaps it had finally ended its long slumber.

'Keep calm, keep calm. I haven't wronged Murakan, have I?'

He had never heard of Murakan waking up in his previous life.

If Murakan had awakened and resumed activity during this period, Jin would have known.

'Then this must be a change due to my regression. Murakan didn't just wake up; it woke up because I keep coming to the basement.'

The legend of accidentally disturbing a sleeping dragon and ending one's life is a common story heard anywhere on the continent.

Of course, while it's a common story, few people actually have their lives ruined by dragons, as they are generally very difficult to encounter.

But the lesson from this common story is clear:

Dragons have very bad tempers.

"Hey."

Jin flinched.

A low, thin voice came from beyond the sliding door. Jin was still thinking about how to handle the situation.

A few chaotic seconds passed. Fortunately, Jin decided how to act when he faced Murakan.

'Be polite but bold. If Murakan attacks me... I just need to hold on until the guardian knights arrive.'

Of course, that's the worst-case scenario.

But even if the worst-case scenario happens, he was confident he wouldn't die. He could use Solderet's spiritual energy and magic, or buy time with his quick tongue.

He probably wouldn't die.

Thinking this, his heart instantly felt lighter. Besides, who knows? Murakan might show friendliness rather than hostility.

Creak.

Jin stood up and opened the sliding door to face Murakan.

The black-haired beauty in the glass tube, whom he saw every day, stood straight, his body impressively solid, as if he hadn't slept for a thousand years.

"I, the child of Runkandel... greet the guardian of the family."

He deliberately stuttered and spoke awkwardly.

Showing a child's fear to a dragon that has existed for over a thousand years wouldn't be a bad thing. He also deliberately emphasized the word 'guardian,' as Runkandel often referred to Murakan that way.

"Hah!"

Murakan snorted.

"Guardian? Guardian? You called me a guardian just now, didn't you? Huh?"

Whoosh!

Just by speaking, the magic in the air began to vibrate, creating a small whirlwind.

"Say that again, you brat. You called me your guardian?"

Suddenly, Murakan's body, which had dispersed into black smoke, reformed in front of Jin's nose.

"Are you not Murakan? I heard that the Black Dragon Murakan is the guardian of Runkandel."

As Jin answered clearly, Murakan blinked. It seemed he no longer needed to pretend to be awkward.

"Hmm, yeah. Damn Runkandel brats... They told their descendants that about me. Haha! I can't even get angry at a kid like you. I'm going crazy, aren't I?"

As the conversation progressed, Jin felt a slight sense of relief.

'Fortunately, he doesn't seem to be the type to be ruthless even to a child.'

However, the deep killing intent in Murakan's black eyes revealed his true nature.

If Jin were in his 28-year-old body instead of a child's, Murakan would have likely broken one of his limbs without hesitation before starting the conversation.

'But why did this black dragon wake up? It can't be just because I keep coming here. Is there another special reason... Ah, maybe it's because of Solderet's spiritual energy?'

Spiritual energy, or spiritual power.

The power of shadows.

If there was something that could make a dragon wake up from a thousand-year slumber, it would be this.

Jin didn't use his spiritual energy unless it was a special situation, but a faint spiritual energy that people couldn't sense always surrounded his body.

'Come to think of it, it's common for contract holders to have a guardian dragon. Except in special cases...'

If you contract with the God of Fire, Shinu, fire dragons show friendliness.

If you contract with the God of Wind, Melzayer, wind dragons show friendliness.

This is also why Zepel is slightly ahead of Runkandel. Zepel is known to have over a hundred dragons.

Interpreted in this context, Jin and Murakan's meeting could be considered a very good situation.

'The only problem is that I'm not sure. I've never heard of a dragon close to 'shadows'...'

The current head of the Zepel family, 'Kelliac Zepel,' is known to have contracted with the God of Fire, Shinu, and to have a deep friendship with the fire dragon 'Kadun.'

The story of the Zepel family's deputy head, who has contracted with the God of Wind, Melzayer, controlling a wind dragon is also famous. Dragons tend to seek out those with similar attributes.

However, he had never heard of a story involving Solderet and a dragon.

Even during the time in his previous life when he was actively conversing with Solderet after the contract, he never heard about Murakan.

'Let's just see how it goes. It doesn't seem like a bad situation.'

If Murakan really woke up due to the spiritual energy, Jin had no reason to be afraid.

Sssss...

Sss!

Suddenly, Murakan took a deep breath, like a dog enjoying a good smell or a long-time smoker savoring a cigarette after a long time.

"Hah, yeah. What did the kid do wrong? Hmm... I feel much better after inhaling this aura. Kid! What's your name?"

"Jin Runkandel, sir."

"Right, right. Jin. Actually, I'm not really interested in your name. Anyway, you're a Runkandel, right? Then quickly guide me to Solderet's contract holder."

"Solderet's contract holder?"

"Right! This strong spiritual energy... Only a contract holder could possess it. I hope the contract holder isn't a rude brat like Temar."

Temar Runkandel.

The name of the first head of the family.

Jin almost cheered.

It seemed that in this life, things were going well with everything he set out to do. To have such a problem, which he was struggling with, brought up first!

'He definitely woke up due to the spiritual energy! Moreover, this reaction... It means I have the upper hand.'

Sniff, Sniff, Cough!

Murakan no longer paid attention to Jin. He just closed his eyes and focused on sensing the spiritual energy.

Jin thought for a moment.

Should I say I'm the contract holder? Or should I say I don't know much about it? He chose the former. The former was the better choice for controlling Murakan in the future.

The latter would be troublesome. If he said he didn't know, they would ask him to bring an adult, and if an adult came, he would have to explain the situation to the entire family, which would be a disaster.

If that happened, his happy life of transcribing visions every day would be over. The meeting with Murakan, which could be considered a stroke of luck, would be for nothing.

Whoosh.

A small flame-like spiritual energy spread on Jin's palm.

"Hmm, hmm! Oh. I feel much clearer... Huh?"

Murakan's eyes, which had been savoring the spiritual energy, widened.

"It seems I am the contract holder, Murakan sir."

"You, you, you, you... What? Crazy, this is crazy! Solderet contracted with a brat like you!?"

Murakan took a step back in shock. He seemed so flustered that he almost stumbled.

"No way. This can't be. Hey, Solderet! Are you listening? Have you finally gone mad? Come out and explain!"

While Murakan was doing this, Jin created another shadow mass in his other hand.

"My father said this power originated from the one who cast shadows over the world."

"Ugh."

Thud.

Murakan fell to his knees and looked up at Jin.

Silence ensued for a while. Jin wanted to continue the conversation, but the atmosphere was too tense with Murakan's crumbling expression.

Denial, anger, doubt, fear, despair.

Murakan's expression changed in that exact order.

"Hey... Solderet. This is a joke, right? This can't be. Say something. Why is the promised contract holder after a thousand years a brat like this...?"

Solderet remained silent.

His silence was also a concern for Jin.

They used to have frequent conversations like friends when they first contracted, but there had been no communication since the end of his previous life.

Anyway, it seemed Murakan needed time to accept this reality.

However, he is a dragon.

Despite his dirty and stubborn nature, he is a dragon that has lived for thousands of years. This means he has insight and the resilience to not be discouraged by unexpected results.

Murakan quickly accepted this absurd situation. It was the best for him.

"Hah, kid."

"Yes."

"It seems you are the one I need to synchronize with, according to Solderet's promise."

Synchronizing with a dragon!

Hearing this directly from a dragon, especially the Black Dragon Murakan, who was defeated by the first head of the family.

How excited he used to be when he heard stories of archmages fighting alongside dragons during his mage days.

His nose was almost burning, and his face was so flushed he couldn't control it, so Jin naturally bowed his head.

"If we synchronize, what will happen?"

"Hmm... You're too young to understand the details. I'm not in the right state of mind right now."

Jin nodded silently.

"First, as a friend of Solderet, I will formally reintroduce myself to Solderet's contract holder."

Whoosh...

A heavy wind sounded, and a dark aura formed in the air, enveloping Murakan's body.

He was transforming into his true dragon form. The black aura that enveloped Murakan spread like a cloud, and soon a massive black dragon filled the basement, blocking Jin's view.

[I am Murakan. The agent and friend of Solderet, and the last descendant of the first being created from shadows. According to the thousand-year promise, I will be with you from today. State your name.]

The majestic voice of the previously hot-tempered young man was nowhere to be found.

"Jin Runkandel. The third and youngest child of the Runkandel family."

Jin answered, barely suppressing his trembling heart.