'Fuck.'
No matter what Ackster said, it would just be the same thing as what Kargas' victims had already said. If he wanted to convince Kargas, this dragon-crazy maniac, he would have to come up with something no one had said before.
It wasn't easy since he didn't know what else was on that arbitrary list that Kargas used to judge someone. But since he knew a little of Kargas' tendencies, and since Ackster himself felt like saying a bunch of stuff, there were probably a couple of things he could say that would be a first for Kargas.
It was just that he didn't know if it would work.
"Dragon Slayer Kargas."
But since Kargas was already leaning toward treating him like a dragon, which meant he would put the slaying part of his moniker to use, Ackster decided he didn't have anything to lose.
"Yeah? Wait, you know who I am? Is that why you're so wary? 'Cause that sounds like dragon behavior."
Ackster sighed.
"Yes, I know who you are. I can only think of one person that's famous for actively looking for dragons, even where there aren't any dragons. The only crazy fucker that's famous for killing anything or anyone he sees as a dragon is the Dragon Slayer Kargas, the Guildmaster of the Adventurer's Guild. That's also why I'm scared of you. I don't want to die because some madman decided I, an ordinary human, was a dragon."
Ackster glared at Kargas.
"It feels like you're blaming me for something I didn't do?"
Kargas tilted his head as if he didn't understand.
"I mean, if you aren't a dragon, you have no reason not to be afraid of me, right?"
"Fuck off. I know I'm not a dragon. But I also know that you can't be reasoned with. Do you know who else can't be reasoned with? Dragons."
"What–"
"If you ask me, if there's one dragon here, it's you. Have you ever thought about that? What if the real dragon you've been looking for all this time isn't someone else? What if it's been you this entire time?"
"I-I–"
"You know I'm right, don't you? Every time you look at yourself in your mirror and see those sharp, beastlike eyes of yours, those pointy teeth made for tearing into the flesh of living prey, and that leathery skin, you have to convince yourself that you're not a dragon."
Kargas didn't really have such exaggerated features. Ackster was just spouting bullshit. But since Kargas was the type to believe in his own bullshit over anything else, no matter how baseless what he said was or how grounded in reality what he ignored was. So, why not?
"Dragon Slayer Kargas, you tell yourself every waking moment that you're not a dragon, right? Maybe you even dream about being an ordinary human. Dragon Slayer? I guess that's true since you are a dragon going around slaying other beings. A literal Dragon Slayer, that's what you are."
Ackster was actually surprised that Kargas hadn't lashed out and said anything or killed him by now, and he took a break from his rant and looked at Kargas. Since his view was upside down, it was a little difficult to read Karga's expression, so Ackster wasn't sure, but it looked a little as if Kargas was stunned silent.
Kargas' mouth gaped like a stranded fish, and his eyes stared blankly at Ackster.
"...n-no… No! It's not possible! I kill dragons! I am not a dragon!"
Ackster felt like Kargas snapped, and when he saw Kargas disappear from where he stood, he instinctively flinched and closed his eyes as he anticipated an attack. But even after several moments, Ackster didn't feel anything.
'Did I die before I felt pain?'
Hesitantly, Ackster opened his eyes and realized that Kargas hadn't attacked. He had just left, and if the shallow imprints in the ground where he stood were any indication, he had been in a hurry.
Considering Ackster had made him doubt his entire existence, it wasn't strange he wanted to leave.
"I can't believe that worked."
Ackster sighed with a smile of disbelief on his face as he relaxed and laid his head down on the ground.
Although Dragon Slayer Kargas was infamous for hunting and killing dragons, whether they be actual dragons or dragons according to him, Ackster hadn't thought he would ever encounter him just because he decided to go after the rock lizard.
It was way too much of a coincidence that the moment he had gone for the rock lizard, the Dragon Slayer was nearby.
Well, the Dragon Slayer could have been free at the moment, and with his skills, he could cross stupid distances if it were for the sake of a dragon. And the rock lizard had only popped up recently.
Also, Ackster had spent some time waiting for his body to recover by now, so it wasn't impossible.
Dragon Slayer Kargas, as the Guildmaster of the Guild, which has one of the greatest information networks in the world, could easily get information about the appearance of an earth dragon-like creature, regardless of where he or it was.
So, by the time that information had reached Kargas, wherever he was, Ackster had also picked up the request to subjugate the rock lizard. He had arrived and beaten the rock lizard relatively quickly. But by lying on death's door and waiting for his body to heal, he had given enough time for Kargas, the dragon-crazy Dragon Slayer, to appear.
It was an unlikely turn of events, but it wasn't entirely impossible.
Ackster sighed again.
Meeting Kargas had been stressful, but it had also been enlightening. He knew The Hero wouldn't stop moving just because, and that his actions would have consequences.
But it wasn't until now that Ackster realized exactly just how little he knew about the world and the details about everyone inside its' actions. The world wouldn't just sit by and watch him grow stronger as he pleased. The people who had just been characters before were living, breathing people, and nothing was stopping them from interacting with Ackster, even if he wanted to wait until he was ready.