The Unknown Existence

Summoning a dragon requires mastery at the ninth circle.

While those attempting it merely mimic the act, a dragon is still a dragon.

With my mana stat at 5, I could never dismiss it as trivial.

"Ha ha! Watching you squirm is quite delightful!" one of the mages taunted, reveling in their apparent victory.

Yet, my gaze was not on him.

I was entranced by the majestic form of the dragon hovering above.

Growl!

Its sharp, slitted pupils locked onto me, and its wickedly curved claws twitched as if ready to seize an enemy. Each breath shimmered with blue scales that glinted like precious gems.

It felt alive.

Though conjured by magic, this dragon gazed at me as if it were a true being, letting out a low growl.

Knowing there was no escape or evasion, I swallowed hard, feeling the weight of dread settle in my throat.

"L-Lord…!"

"Stay back!" I commanded firmly.

"W-What do you mean?!"

"Their target is me. Staying close will only lead to your demise. Keep your distance and don't interfere."

"Ah…"

As an 'Immortal Gambler,' I could withstand one attack.

But the dragon would remain active until its summoner ceased supplying mana.

The best way to eliminate the dragon was to disrupt the mages' connection, but that damn barrier made even that difficult.

'Five seconds until my trait reactivates…'

I couldn't give up now.

I visualized the battle unfolding in my mind.

The key point was that if I took another hit before those five seconds were up, I would die.

That fact was painfully clear in the face of the dragon's overwhelming power.

'If I can't break their connection, I'll have to endure.'

Four-circle mages had summoned a dragon.

Even if they didn't show it, their mana was likely being drained rapidly.

If I could just hold on for five seconds at a time, there might be a chance for victory.

Fanning the flames of determination within me, I opened my mind once more.

[Using magic: 'Concentration'] [Trait: 'Tenacious Challenger (S)' activated.] [All stats temporarily increase by +10.]

Crackle!

Golden currents surged wildly, yet the dragon seemed to find it amusing.

Its teeth bared in a grin that twisted its mouth into a mocking smile.

I concentrated lightning energy into my palm.

"The elemental affinity of water is lightning. Here's your dose!"

[Using magic: 'Lightning Strike'.]

Crash! Boom!

Just as the dragon descended beneath the clouds, a blinding golden beam struck its head with an ear-splitting crackle.

Perhaps due to its nature, the current spread across its body but only made it flinch; no real damage was done.

Instead, it seemed enraged.

Roar!

In an instant, the dragon lunged at me with blinding speed.

I barely had time to react before its face loomed over me as my trait activated.

[Trait: 'Immortal Gambler (S)' activated.]

"Damn…!"

I quickly dodged away to create distance between us.

The mages looked on in disbelief at my seemingly unharmed state.

"What's going on? Why is he unscathed?"

"This is strange. It looked like he was hit."

"We just need to strike again. Everyone focus!"

Growl!

The dragon seemed agitated now; its eyes narrowed dangerously.

With its jaws wide open, it charged at me again as if ready to swallow me whole.

"You won't get away with the same attack twice."

Thud!

Having felt its speed once before, I managed to evade relatively easily this time.

The dragon's face slammed into the ground, sending debris flying and creating a cloud of dust that obscured my vision.

I covered my nose and eyes with my sleeve while tracking its movements.

'It's behind me!'

[Trait: 'Immortal Gambler (S)' activated.]

This is unbelievable…

I had anticipated this but dodging was impossible now.

It seemed intent on kicking up dust and maximizing its speed.

'So this is what a dragon can do…'

Thud! Crash!

The dragon weaved between ground and air effortlessly, increasing its pressure on me.

With dust swirling around us, I had no choice but to rely on sound to track its movements.

By reacting just a moment too late, I found myself caught before I could evade its jaws again.

[Trait: 'Immortal Gambler (S)' activated.]

"Damn!"

Fortunately, it took time for it to prepare each attack; it had wasted over five seconds creating confusion with dust clouds.

Thanks to that delay, I escaped without sustaining any damage.

[Trait: 'Immortal Gambler (S)' activated repeatedly.]

"What the hell…?! Why isn't he falling?!"

"Something's off. We need to finish this now."

Frustrated by my resilience against their repeated assaults, the mages began channeling even more mana into their spells.

Suddenly, the dragon halted its charge and raised its massive head high.

'Is it going for a breath attack?!'

Its long body coiled around me like a serpent encircling its prey.

Its scaled form formed a perfect circle around me while its head loomed above like an ominous shadow.

In essence, it had completely trapped me within its space.

Soon enough, water energy began gathering rapidly within its maw as it prepared to unleash its breath attack.

'This is insane! How much training have they done…?'

They claimed they honed their skills to capture Arahan; this wasn't mere boasting after all.

Summoning a dragon and wielding its magic belonged to an entirely different realm of power altogether.

The Billy family was indeed sharpening their blades for Arahan's heart.

"You've dodged like a rat! But this spell cannot be avoided!"

From beyond the dragon's body came the mage's voice echoing through the air.

I knew well enough that evasion was impossible now; its body enveloped me entirely without any gaps for escape.

It aimed to trap me completely before unleashing its breath attack upon me.

'Is this where it ends…?'

There seemed no viable options left now.

While 'Immortal Gambler' could block single-instance damage, it couldn't protect against sustained damage over time.

Even if I could withstand an initial hit, continual breath attacks would pierce through my defenses without mercy.

Staring into the creature's eyes with gritted teeth, I muttered under my breath,

"Damn it…"

Crackle!

Even if death awaited me, I resolved to fight until the very end; gathering lightning energy once more with both hands until golden beams cascaded down continuously around me.

[Using magic: 'Lightning Strike'.] [Using magic: 'Lightning Strike'.] [Using magic: 'Lightning Strike'.] [Using magic: 'Lightning Strike'.]

Each strike sent currents racing through the dragon's body as glimmers of blue light transformed it into something akin to a golden thunder beast.

With every bolt that struck it flinched but remained steadfast in maintaining its spellcasting momentum.

Instead of retreating from me in fear, it seemed more determined than ever to unleash its fury upon this pesky insect that dared challenge it!

Roar!

[Using magic: 'Lightning Strike'.]

Boom! Crash!

"Hah…"

Having poured every ounce of mana into that last strike left me breathless and drained completely dry.

It might sound absurd but after casting spells continuously I felt as though I grasped some understanding about 'dual casting.'

Masters often gained profound realizations just before death; perhaps I was experiencing something similar too—though what good would that do right now?

'No more… It feels like all my mana has vanished completely…'

A crushing fatigue weighed down on my legs as they trembled beneath me; still forcing myself upright took every ounce of willpower remaining within me.

Straining to lift my gaze toward the high-flying dragon felt like an insurmountable effort now—yet somehow still necessary!

"…"

I stood at death's door—a moment where life and death hung by a thread so thinly drawn between them...

Yet strangely enough…

I felt neither fear nor regret about what lay ahead...

'Is this what enlightenment feels like?'

Perhaps numbness had settled within me after facing numerous brushes with death since arriving in this world…

'What happens after death?'

As I sensed impending doom approaching from above—the thought crossed my mind suddenly…

Would I return home again? Or would I simply cease to exist?

'How fascinating… To remain indifferent even before death approaches.'

That was exactly how I felt—merely observing events unfold without any anxiety whatsoever…

Boom! Crash!

As soon as the dragon unleashed its breath upon me…

In that very instant…

Another realization dawned upon me—a miracle unfolded right before my eyes!

[Trait: 'Archmage's Blessing' activated.] [The soul of 'Unknown Existence' awakens.]

As the dragon's breath enveloped Zed in darkness, screams erupted from all around him.

His companions watching from afar stood frozen in shock.

Riu sank down onto his knees with trembling voice whispering,

"No..."

Despite Zed's resilience against such an attack seeming impossible—he had fought valiantly and endured remarkably well...

"Gah...!"

Tears streamed down Riu's cheeks—hot droplets spilling forth from his eyes.

He mourned losing such a dear friend while grappling with guilt for being unable to help him.

"You were truly incredible... More than anyone deserved..."

His tears fell like raindrops onto hard ground below.

Zed had pulled him out from his life on streets—giving him hope for something better.

He found family again—and tasted good food while wearing decent clothes.

Even knowing he wasn't as fortunate compared others never showed on his face once.

Riu owed Zed far more than he could ever repay...

"I-I tried so hard... To repay you... But how can I do so now...?!"

"Lord Zed is still alive!"

"…Huh?"

Was he imagining things? Zed lived?!

Turning his gaze followed where everyone else stared—there stood Zed himself!

"Wha...? Wha?!"

Riu wiped away his tears; excitement replaced despair as he jumped up eagerly.

He truly lived—unscathed!

Riu wanted nothing more than rush over—but disbelief held him back momentarily.

What astonished him even further was how differently the dragon behaved now...

'Why is it acting like that...?'

The once-menacing creature lowered itself closer towards Zed's level instead of looming ominously above him.

It crouched down low—a position meant solely for someone shorter than itself...

"What's happening?! Why isn't it attacking?!"

Mages shouted out questions filled with confusion—but no answer came forth from them either!

Zed remained unfazed; his eyes devoid of focus yet shimmering brightly with Arahan's crimson glow reflecting within them...

Arahan—the first head of house—stared intently at Dragon's form before him!

Startled by their meeting gaze—the mighty creature shivered slightly before bowing low before Zed!

To outsiders witnessing this scene—it appeared utterly surreal!

Why would such divine beings bow down before mere mortals?

At that moment—a resonant voice echoed inside Zed's mind.

Only he could hear what others could not comprehend...

"Wha...? Why is this happening?"

"The spell is breaking...!"

Without hesitation—the dragon thrust itself towards summoning circle where Zed stood!

Its sudden movement indicated nothing less than fleeing from something far beyond comprehension...

While others gasped in awe—the gaze of an absolute being fell upon them all—their fates sealed under watchful eyes...