Chapter 1: Thrown into the Forge at the Very Start

"Just kidding, Ryuu—we were never friends!"

Ryuu's pupils contracted sharply. He had just heard something that sent a chill down his spine. The so-called hero, the one he had fought beside, had just declared that Ryuu would be thrown into the forge—as material for the Holy Sword of Demon Slaying.

"Sorry, Ryuu, I don't want this either... but it's for the sake of saving the world!"

"Yeah, Ryuu, don't be so stubborn, alright? If it were me, I'd have jumped in already."

"I feel bad for you, Ryuu, but try to see the bigger picture—for everyone's sake!"

Ryuu's eyes widened as he listened to the voices around him. The people he had fought alongside now looked at him like he was nothing. Cold. Indifferent. Like strangers.

Just last night, they had all been sitting around the campfire, laughing and talking about what they would do after defeating the Demon King.

Yes, Ryuu had been summoned to this world—but not as the hero. He was a sidekick, an extra, just another background character meant to support the real hero, Nitta Haruto, the one chosen by the goddess.

Even as a follower, Ryuu had been given the opportunity to choose his abilities and bloodline. Without hesitation, he had selected the Hybrid Dragon bloodline, along with Word Spirit and Berserk Blood as his skills.

Through countless battles, Ryuu had shed blood time and time again, saving his so-called comrades from certain death. In return, he had become their second strongest fighter, the one they relied on most in desperate situations.

And now, they were throwing him away.

---

Ryuu turned toward the goddess, standing calmly before him, her celestial features betraying no hint of sympathy.

"Lady Goddess, do you seriously expect me to sacrifice myself for your little blacksmith project?"

"There's nothing else we can do. You chose the Hybrid bloodline. Right now, you're the only one in existence with dragon blood—so you'll have to do."

"W-What? But... what if there are others with dragon blood?"

"Sorry, but according to my knowledge, the only one left besides you is the Demon King himself."

The goddess spoke with a cold arrogance that sent a dagger through Ryuu's chest. Everything made sense now.

When he had first chosen his bloodline, the goddess had presented him with three dragon-related options: Hybrid, Candle Dragon, and Ancient Dragon. He had chosen Hybrid without hesitation—because it looked the coolest. He hadn't even considered the consequences.

And now he understood why two people had been summoned instead of one.

There was no natural dragon bloodline in this world. The goddess had created one.

And Ryuu—the "lucky" recipient—was nothing more than a raw material for the Holy Sword.

---

"So that's how it is... You really planned this well, didn't you, Lady Goddess?"

"Ara~? I don't know what you're talking about, Ryuu-kun."

Ryuu let out a bitter laugh. It had been decided from the start.

The sword-forging furnace behind him wasn't a choice—it was his fate.

He turned to Haruto, the so-called hero. The look in Haruto's eyes was void of hesitation. He had known all along.

Haruto had never trusted Ryuu. Perhaps it was Ryuu's combat prowess, or perhaps it was because they were from different worlds.

When the goddess had told Haruto that Ryuu would be the perfect sword material, Haruto must have been thrilled.

After all, why care about someone who was just a disposable tool?

A smug grin curled on Haruto's lips. His tone was light, almost amused.

"Alright, Ryuu, we won't forget you. Now, why don't you do us all a favor and jump?"

---

Ryuu swept his gaze across the others.

He had always known that Haruto was a selfish bastard, but what truly broke him was seeing the silence of those he had once called friends.

Kova, the No. 3 fighter—the one Ryuu had saved from a horde of monsters. Ellie, the team's support mage—the one he had nearly died protecting in the ghost caverns.

Neither of them spoke up for him.

They just watched.

He could understand now. Brotherhood? Camaraderie? All just empty words.

And then, his gaze fell upon the one person he had once cared for the most.

"Sayuri... do you think I should jump too?"

Her lips trembled. "I... I'm sorry, Ryuu... No one wanted this!"

That was the final straw.

A storm of rage and grief exploded within Ryuu, consuming every last shred of hesitation. His golden irises burned with an eerie glow, crackling like embers in a wildfire.

"Everyone, stay back! He's about to go berserk!"

"Sayuri, put up a shield!"

"I... I know!"

A bright light radiated from Sayuri's ring, forming an invisible barrier around the party.

Haruto and Kova readied their blades, eyes locked onto Ryuu like he was a dangerous beast.

Ryuu stood still, his golden gaze sweeping over them, devoid of emotion. The weight of his presence alone made the air feel heavy.

"Ryuu, don't make us do this!"

"Hah… and what choice are you giving me?"

Haruto didn't hesitate. With a single motion, he raised his divine blade—Excalibur Bruce—and slashed.

Ryuu knew he couldn't take the hit directly. That blade ignored all defense.

With a swift dodge, he evaded the attack and drew his own weapon—Wrath.

A massive black saber, one of the Seven Deadly Sins, forged from his own blood and countless battles. The moment he swung it, it let out a deep, guttural dragon's roar.

The same weapon that had saved them all… would now be turned against them.

He lifted the blade, his golden eyes burning like the sun. Behind him, the sword-forging furnace roared.

At that moment—he was no longer a forsaken warrior.

He was a demon standing against the world.

"If someone must burn in this forge today—then let it be YOU!"

---

"Not a chance!"

Haruto immediately began chanting advanced magic, his voice steady, as if he were facing a monster.

Kova and Ellie stepped forward, preparing to intercept.

Ryuu let out a scoff. He had seen their battle formation countless times.

He already knew its weakness.

His heart pounded. His blood burned.

A thin layer of dragon scales formed over his skin—an instinctive response from his bloodline.

But he knew the cost. The more he relied on it, the closer he came to losing himself.

"Ellie, look out—!"

Before Kova could finish his warning, Ellie collapsed into a pool of blood.

Ryuu always targeted the healer first. That was the first lesson of battle.

Next... was Kova.

Ryuu lunged forward. Kova's sword, wreathed in wind magic, clashed against Wrath.

But it wasn't enough.

With three swift strikes, Ryuu's blade pierced straight through Kova's shoulder.

A deep, agonized scream rang through the battlefield.

A swordsman who couldn't wield his blade was just a lamb waiting to be slaughtered.

But just as Ryuu prepared to strike again, a faint green glow began to heal Kova's wound.

His expression darkened.

"Sayuri..."

The girl who couldn't even look him in the eye was now healing his enemies.

And then—Haruto's voice echoed behind him.

"Kova, get out of the way!"

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