Greytile Town (Part 7)

The mist thickened as I climbed deeper into the heart of the Eastern Mountains.

This wasn't the usual kind of fog that drifted lazily through the trees on a cold morning. No. This was heavier—clinging to my skin, dampening my breathing, seeping into my clothes. Every step I took crunched against fractured rock and old bone, the faint metallic tang of blood stinging the air.

I slowed my pace, gripping my staff tighter. The others were far behind now. I'd separated from the party hours ago, choosing to press on alone.

This part of the mountains wasn't a place for anyone else. I was the only one reckless enough—or maybe stubborn enough—to keep going.

"…This mist is too dense." I frowned.

I exhaled slowly and extended my hand. Greenish winds coiled around my fingertips, threads of mana weaving into shape.

"Gale Surge."

A blast of wind erupted from my palm, scattering the mist like curtains ripped from a window. For a brief moment, I could see clearly.

And that's when I found it.

There, at the center of a jagged clearing, lay the creature I had sensed all this time. Coiled tightly around itself like a serpent, its massive body shimmered beneath a layer of crystalline scales. Even in the dim gray light, the dragon gleamed. Pale blues, dazzling whites, faint purples—its crystalline armor refracted every glimmer into a rainbow of cold brilliance.

"The Crystal Dragon…" I breathed.

Even lying still, wounded and resting, it was awe-inspiring.

Its long neck curved with a kind of regal grace as it slowly lifted its head. One massive eye swept across the clearing, lazily scanning its surroundings. Around its coiled body, the corpses of monsters lay in heaps—twisted, broken things whose blood soaked into the rocky earth. I watched as crystals sprouted across the dragon's wounded flanks with each slow, rhythmic pulse of its throat. The wounds were knitting shut, its strength returning with every breath.

I stood frozen, my heart pounding. Not from fear. From recognition.

"…I've encountered this monster before," I whispered.

Memories crashed through me—uninvited and raw. The first time I arrived in this world… this dragon had been there. A sudden chill raced down my spine. I could still remember that old fear. But this time was different.

I steadied my breathing. My hand flicked instinctively as I whispered, "Appraisal."

A window snapped open in my vision, framed in faint golden light.

Name: Crystal Dragon

Level: 150

HP: 1,789,786 / 3,450,000

MP: 220,600 / 300,000

Skills: Crystal Regeneration, Mana Beam, Crystal Protection, Physical Resistance, Crystal Barrier, Earth Magic, Fire Magic, Flight, Predator Instinct, Mist Cloak, Fear Aura, Sturdy, Dragon Rage.

"…That's a lot," I muttered. My voice cracked. Not sure if it was awe or dread.

I'd fought plenty of monsters. A few dragons too—lesser ones. But nothing with this many skills stacked on top of each other. It was like staring down a raid boss. The kind that needed a full party, hours of prep, and a week of grinding just to have a shot at victory.

But here I was. Alone. Face to face with something that still had nearly two million HP left. Enough to kill me three times over.

And yet… I tightened my grip around my staff. My breathing slowed. My pulse leveled out.

I knew why it was here. Rin had explained it back at the guild. The destruction of the Crystal Dragon Dungeon—leveled by the Pleiades Strike—had forced the dragon to flee. Now it was here, licking its wounds. Resting. Vulnerable.

If you could call a level 150 ancient dragon with nearly two million HP "vulnerable."

This was my shot. Before it fully recovered. Before it took to the skies again.

I reached into my pouch and pulled out the Dragon-Slaying equipment I'd finished crafting last night. A set designed specifically for this battle. Simple in appearance, but layered with enchantments. I slipped on the gloves, fastened the belts, and pulled the hood over my head.

Then I drew my weapons.

The Lightning Blade Dagger pulsed faintly with crackling arcs of blue-white energy.

The Poison Stinger glowed a deep green, the serrated edge gleaming wickedly.

"[Strength Enhancement]. [Agility Enhancement]. [Magic Amplification]. [Resistance Boost]. [Focus State]," I whispered, casting each buff in quick succession.

My body felt lighter. Faster. Stronger.

The world sharpened into perfect clarity.

I was ready.

I took a step forward. Then another.

The dragon's eye snapped toward me.

Its gaze pinned me in place, a crushing weight pressing down on my very soul. But I kept moving.

"Let's do this," I murmured.

I sprinted across the clearing, the Lightning Blade Dagger flashing in my right hand. Mana surged into the dagger's edge, amplifying the crackling energy around it.

"Meteor Bolt!"

A roaring sphere of fire and force shot from my staff, screaming toward the dragon's chest. It struck home—an explosion of flame and smoke engulfing its massive torso.

But I was already moving, circling to its flank.

The dragon reacted faster than I'd expected. Its tail lashed out.

I barely saw it coming.

"—Gah!"

The impact slammed into my side. The world spun. Pain exploded through my ribs as I crashed into the rocky ground, jagged stone tearing at my cloak.

I rolled to my knees, coughing. Every breath was agony.

But I forced myself up. I wasn't done yet.

The dragon's throat pulsed with a white-hot light. Its chest swelled.

No time.

"Barrier Dome!"

A shimmering shield of energy snapped around me just as the dragon's breath exploded. Crystalline fire roared against the barrier, a white inferno crashing into my defense like a tidal wave.

The barrier cracked. Splintered.

"Hold!" I hissed through clenched teeth, pouring every drop of mana I had into the shield.

Finally, the breath attack ended.

The barrier shattered in the same instant. But I was still standing.

Panting. Shaking. But alive.

The dragon tilted its head, curious. Maybe surprised I was still breathing.

I wiped the blood from my lip and grinned. "You're not the only one full of surprises."

The dragon took a step forward, claws digging deep into stone. Crystals bloomed along its legs, reinforcing its already-impossible defenses.

This was going to be one hell of a fight.

I shifted my stance and sprinted forward again.

I appeared at its flank, the Lightning Blade Dagger leading the charge.

"Lightning strike!"

The dagger shot forward, a pulse of lightning erupting from the blade as it stabbed deep into the soft joint between two massive crystal plates. The dragon roared, twisting violently.

But I wasn't finished.

With my left hand, I drove the Poison Stinger into the same wound, twisting hard as venom seeped into its bloodstream.

A second roar shook the air—deeper, angrier.

"Feel that?" I smirked. "You should. That poison was brewed just for you."

The dragon whipped around, jaws snapping. I kicked off its side and vaulted backward, landing in a crouch just out of reach.

I took a deep breath and charged again.

Before that..

"What?"

I saw it right before my eyes… The monsters just learned a new skill.

"Poison Resistance?"