Chapter: 34
“What kind of event would you like to participate in?”
“Number 8.”
“Yes, you can go over there.”
I moved on after receiving the indifferent guidance. A tinge of bitterness lingered.
Back in my day, if someone said they were picking number 8, at least someone pretended to be surprised.
But now? It’s like everyone has lost their spark of interest.
“Oppa, fighting!”
“Yeah. I’ll be back.”
Truly, our Maria is one of a kind.
Considering the spectacle about to unfold, I wonder if this really warrants such grand cheering.
“Why is it that I cannot do what you wish?”
“Maria, and you too, Astraea. You’d pass more easily in other events. There are always those ‘what ifs’, you know.”
But for me, this is the most certain option.
Monsters definitely have their own ways, after all.
Geumjok crossed the gate, complaints of Cheonma echoing behind.
*
The virtual guardian in charge of event number 8: the Demon Dragon, O-Fake.
This guy once showed up out of nowhere, attacking outsiders in the Demon World, and became the stuff of nightmares.
The one who slayed that nightmare was none other than the dragon slayer, Louis Vuitton. It’s in honor of this triumph that this preliminary round for event number 8 was conjured.
I threw a quick glance at the floating instructions, nodded a little thank you to Louis Vuitton, and stepped forward.
The origin of this event, and the fact that all you have to do is stab a dagger into the chest, was only possible thanks to him dispatching the Demon Dragon in one fell swoop.
‘The first pattern of the Demon Dragon is to flick off ants.’
As I faced the creature that lay there, staring at me without moving, memories of the past came flooding back.
Upon entering the virtual space, the dragon uses its wings to test if you’re fit to face it.
If you falter under the gale, you’ll be struck before you can even respond, and if you’re blown back out of the entrance, it’s automatic disqualification.
···
There isn’t even the softest breeze. Just as described, the dragon lay motionless.
Anyone familiar with the dragon’s patterns would probably be shocked by this point.
‘I wonder if there are any spectators?’
I pushed aside the regret of not being able to peek outside and kept moving forward without hesitation.
After enduring the wingbeat and proving my worth, the dragon’s symbolic breath will come flying at you.
It’s a catastrophe that contaminates not just beings, but the space itself, tainted with mana.
It can pollute items and equipment, rendering them useless. You definitely need to dodge, not block!
Such an attack covers a wide area in this confined and enclosed space. It’s not called the Wailing Wall for nothing.
But again, the dragon remained eerily silent.
Closing in, right before my nose, until the dagger plunges straight into its heart.
Phew—
CRRAAAAAAAAW!!!
The dragon unleashed a resounding roar that resonated throughout its domain before breaking apart into sparks of light.
From the dragon’s standpoint, it must’ve felt extremely unfair. After all, it’s just a ragdoll that could’ve been crushed with a finger, ignoring its breathing altogether.
Thanks to a mere lethargic judgment, it could do nothing but take the hit.
But what can you do? If you want to argue, whether it’s Louis Vuitton or Momma Tong, they should’ve won fair and square!
“Brother!”
As soon as I exited the virtual space, Maria spotted me and came bounding over like a little kangaroo.
Given the way she’s peeking out, suspiciously hopeful for something, it seems she managed to complete some task of her own.
Even though I took my sweet time and lollygagged, she got back before me, who faced no risk whatsoever. That deserves a commendation right there.
“What about Astraea?”
“She was throwing a fit to do the same as you, but I just convinced her to try something else.”
Looking at it now, there was more than one thing to praise.
I ruffled Maria’s hair, the one who seems to be the most grown-up in our household. As her hair fluttered, her face lit up with a smile.
“Let’s see… you tried Event 8, and actually… succeeded? Success…?”
At that moment, a progress agent approached to finalize the results. His over-the-top surprise is quite rewarding indeed!
I watched him with satisfaction as he fumbled with the record and even contacted someone.
“Let’s go back when Astraea comes out.”
“I think she’ll catch up with us if I go first.”
“There, you…”
“Huh?”
While playfully pinching Maria’s cheek and waiting for Astraea, a big man appeared and quietly spoke up.
A black-haired giant with an overwhelming presence, whom I didn’t even notice was with Sally, thanks to the size obscuring him.
I tilted my head in confusion. Just as I was wondering, Sally mouthed something that looked like “gochujang?” It clicked—the head of the Adventurers’ Guild!
“Me?”
“Yes, you… did you just pass Event 8?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
It seems he arrived immediately after getting the news.
I savored the speechless response from the branch manager for a moment. As Sally sneakily threw up a V sign, I subtly nodded back.
“Where is that wretch? How dare you manipulate me with mana threads and force me about?!”
“Maria. I’m sure you turned her around.”
“But it was quick.”
The branch manager didn’t say anything more. After a short nod to Maria, he joined Astraea.
If that gentleman showed up personally, surely I don’t need to harass him further. Even if I did, Sally would take charge.
I calmed Astraea, who seemed ready to unleash her Heavenly Demon Technique in a public space and headed home. I could only wish for some buzz about this in the main event.
*
CRRAAAAAAW!!
Having rewatched the scene of the dragon getting stabbed for the umpteenth time, I rewound the video back to the start.
It’s astonishing no matter how many times you see it. That dragon, totally helpless, unable to move at all.
Later, when someone else entered, the dragon was perfectly fine. There wasn’t a hint of a glitch. So clearly, it wasn’t a trick, after all.
‘Even if I stepped in right now, I wouldn’t pull that off.’
Sure, I could catch it in an instant, but completely immobilizing that Demon Dragon? No way!
Are dragons really the type to shrink back from those stronger than themselves?
If you want to subdue one with sheer force, you would need to bring in Nephilia of Legend or Louis Vuitton, the Dragon Slayer, who thrums with the scent of dragon blood.
‘Scarecrow child…’
I’d heard all the news, but when I met him face to face, it didn’t strike me that hard.
Except for the fact that he passed Event 8, what left an impression was rather the girls beside him.
Yet that scarecrow challenged the dragon and cleanly claimed victory.
‘He had a pretty cool demeanor.’
Even after earning the title of Dragon Slayer.
The kid didn’t seem to take his achievement seriously at all, treating it like it was no big deal.
He spent more time praising his comrades instead.
‘And there was someone similarly intriguing…’
Sally—who else but her, the one who picked number 8.
At that time, I was too preoccupied to notice. But looking back, Sally was genuinely nervous, and at a certain point, she suddenly regained her composure.
No need to dig into memories either. The question of whether someone would break through 8 this year has been floating around since the topic arose.
Sally was already convinced he would succeed.
‘Maybe Sally was the one who encouraged me to choose number 8…’
A chuckle escaped me. Does asking for the toughest item and getting it granted count as cheating? It’s such a gray area.
What kind of trick did he use to charm a receptionist who he had no real connection with?
Now that I think of it, that guy, the Scarecrow, how is it that his womanizing skills seem more extravagant than most successful men?
Looking at his party, he only has two stunning beauties. Yet if you consider the high-profile connections he boasts—a princess, a saintess, a knight commander—all jaws drop. Rumor has it, he’s even close with the palace’s archivist, whose face is barely known?
Does he have some sort of seduction skill?
“Hah… what.”
The Sovereign shook his head at what he thought was an outrageous leap.
What, a scarecrow with charm skills? Even if such a thing existed, shouldn’t he ride the trends before it gets stale?
—”Why don’t we produce S-class adventurers with star potential too?”
It’s already a time when prophets have taken the lead.
Putting that aside, it’s undeniably a good plan. Just by being a scarecrow, it excels at drawing attention, and its impact on the continent is significant already.
—”We can tweak some parts a bit and adjust the rules flexibly. The goal is always to make an impact!”
It’s been 20 years since I embraced the adventurer life. It feels like ages since I held a book I hadn’t even glanced at before.
As the head of the Adventurers’ Guild, I want to see what aspects of the S-rank promotion exam I can influence.
Thud-
“I guess I’ll have to consult with Sally.”
I closed the first page and activated the communication port. A book is indeed so much different from documents you just skim over before stamping.
If it’s passionate, youthful Sally, she’ll be fine. If not, well, I just need to make it all work. After all, the branch manager isn’t her; it falls on me, Sovereign.
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