<156. No Such Thing as a Bad Dragon (28)>
There is no dragon undeserving of respect.
This has been the long-held belief of the ancient dragon, Jenkinson.
Though it might be argued that his views were not much different from other dragons who boasted of their species' nobility, Jenkinson's perspective was slightly different.
Most dragons proclaim the superiority of their kind. However, Jenkinson believed that all sentient beings deserve respect, and therefore, dragons should also be treated with such respect.
Yet, the results of his actions did not always manifest in an equal manner for all. He did not advocate equally for all species, instead choosing to represent and prioritize the interests of dragons. Just as human organizations work for the benefit of humans, Jenkinson felt it was his duty to represent dragons, and he did so without hesitation.
Therefore, when a dragon bearing eggs was in danger, it was right to help that dragon first. Normally, he wouldn't have hesitated.
If only he hadn't heard about Minjun's situation.
Jenkinson, deep in thought, employed his usual method to make his final decision. Unlike his kind, who often acted with unfounded confidence, he was a dragon who would double-check even the strongest bridge before crossing it. So, he considered the worst-case scenario.
"What if I can't resolve the situation even if I step in?"
In that case, Jenkinson would also need to call for reinforcements.
First, he considered who might step up to rescue Minjun if he didn't. The answer came quickly. "No dragon would." Even those who supported him wouldn't intervene in a danger a single ancient dragon couldn't handle.
Then, what about helping Inais? Again, the answer was clear. "No dragon would." With the dragon lord's position vacant, there was no one who would come to her aid. Dragons were like that. Some might even welcome the death of her unborn offspring.
"But…"
Jenkinson pondered further.
But what about non-dragons?
"There is no dragon to help Inais. But there is someone among other species."
For Inais, Jenkinson knew someone he could ask for help. This friend would likely gripe about accumulating more debt before even repaying the existing ones but would ultimately help.
"If the situation isn't too severe... if he still has some strength left, I could ask him to help Inais after resolving his own situation."
Unlike a dragon bearing eggs, Minjun might help if possible, especially if there was an appropriate incentive. Not because he cared for Inais, but because it was Jenkinson asking. Just as he had helped before, with the Edeliness case, the Jang Taejoon incident, and the Lair theft.
Although the situation with Inais might worsen in the meantime, without knowing the full picture, Jenkinson decided to take the gamble.
"I'll check on Minjun first."
Jenkinson trusted in the bond of trust built over centuries. Thus, he believed in his own judgment.
Pop!
With a flash, his form vanished.
Amid a burning thirst, Minjun was delving into the memories of the spirits.
The darkness that enveloped him still roiled. However, the wound on his neck had healed, and nothing more seeped out.
As he sifted through the minds of the deceased Toads, something dawned on him.
"…!"
He widened his eyes and quickly turned his head. The spatial seal had been released. It was not Endelion's magic artifact that isolated this space from the outside, but the darkness that Minjun had unleashed.
He sensed something beyond it. Something that hadn't been there before was now approaching.
What Minjun felt was a warmth that thawed the frozen tundra. It was as if his frozen cells were being revitalized. He couldn't hide his joy, pulling his cheeks taut as he bared his teeth.
In his excitement, Minjun laughed.
"…The scent of a dragon!"
Jenkinson was baffled.
"What in the world is this?"
In his urgency, he had arrived in the heart of Seoul in his true dragon form. It was the location of Minjun's building. The police and soldiers, who had been urgently evacuating citizens due to the strange phenomena, were startled by the sudden appearance of the ancient dragon. They didn't realize that this dragon was just as surprised as they were.
"A shadow monster?"
The source seemed similar, but something was different.
Much deeper and denser darkness.
The black substance surrounding Minjun's building formed a dome, covering everything. Even an ancient dragon like Jenkinson hesitated to enter.
Then it happened.
"…?!"
Like a sudden tide, the darkness expanded. And Jenkinson...
"Grrr!"
...was swallowed by it before he could escape.
What followed was a disorienting flicker of sensations. In his 2,000 years of life, Jenkinson had never experienced such a bizarre phenomenon. His mind raced with tension.
"This feels similar to a shadow monster. So, is this magic cast by Minjun? I've never seen such sorcery. The situation must have been that dire. Could the enemy also be inside? But if he's pulled me in here too… then it's clearly a call for help!"
Minjun must be in danger and in need of Jenkinson's assistance. If Minjun was controlling the darkness, Jenkinson couldn't think of any other reason for being pulled in.
Cautiously, he cast a communication spell.
"Minjun, where are you? Let me help you!"
The response came in an unexpected form.
"Ah, Minjun!"
It was a strange sensation. The darkness still writhed, filling every direction, but within it, Minjun suddenly appeared. It was a familiar face, but the expression was not.
"…Minjun?"
He asked cautiously.
"Are you okay?"
Minjun, who would normally start a battle by sacrificing an arm or something, didn't seem to have any visible injuries. It was surprising, given that he had just created such a large-scale spell.
"Is there any place you're hurt?"
Minjun answered calmly.
"I was, but I've healed."
"Ah, I see. If it healed that quickly, it must not have been a major injury."
Jenkinson genuinely felt relieved. It seemed there was no serious danger to his friend's safety.
"What on earth happened? Who attacked you?"
A strange light flickered in Minjun's eyes.
"Something you don't need to worry about. I've already dealt with all of them."
Jenkinson was puzzled. If they were insignificant enough to be dismissed like that, perhaps they were some dark sorcerers with a grudge against Minjun? They must not have valued their lives. It seemed like a new form of suicide.
The massive black magic surrounding them could have been used to deal with other dark sorcerers. Jenkinson recalled that dark magic masters sometimes absorbed the dark power of other magicians. Though it was not a spell Minjun favored, there must have been a reason to do so.
As Jenkinson reached this point, another urgent matter flashed through his mind like a lightning bolt. There was no time to waste. The ancient dragon made a final check.
"Are you really okay?"
Hearing these words, Minjun looked at Jenkinson with a peculiar expression and gave a slight nod.
Jenkinson's intense gaze scanned the massive dragon's form. As his eyes moved toward the head, they met Minjun's. He thought to himself.
Just about 2,000 years old… a dragon.
His throat felt dry.
"It's a relief. I can't tell you how worried I was."
Jenkinson's voice mixed with relief.
The dragon's low growl was pleasing to Minjun's ears. It sounded like beautiful music. A wave of nostalgia washed over him.
The old days.
He missed the times when he hunted dragons peacefully.
"All these shadow monster-like entities around here, they were all summoned by you, weren't they?"
He missed those peaceful times of dragon hunting.
"I thought so. I'm really relieved. But..."
Minjun kept his gaze fixed on the dragon's throat as it moved with each word. He missed the moist flesh hidden beneath each scale. He knew exactly which scales to remove to draw blood.
He took a step forward. Moving closer to Jenkinson, hunger twisted within him. It was an unbearable emptiness. The pulsing urge pressed down on his throat, and the unshakable craving shook his head.
"Inais, you know her, right? Her lair in the jungle is burning for some unknown reason. Communication is impossible, so we can't determine what's happening."
He stared at the twitching muscles. Swallowed dryly. Just 25 centimeters would be enough to reach the carotid artery. A stab of that depth would reach the throbbing blood vessels. The warm blood gushing out swirled on his tongue like a mirage.
Minjun wanted it.
At this moment, more desperately than ever.
"As you know, it's not a situation where I can ask other dragons for help. If the lord, who is her mate and the father of her child, were alive, things would be different... Moreover, with that position vacant, there is no authority to enforce anything."
Minjun tilted his head. It was awkward and strange. For a dragon to speak so fluently.
"Then, you…"
Does a dragon need such linguistic skills?
No, it doesn't.
The moment he decided.
"······!"
The darkness Jenkinson had inhaled came into play. The ancient dragon's eyes clouded in an instant.
Minjun spoke.
"Come here."
Swiftly!
Disoriented, the ancient dragon lowered its body. Its massive form moved smoothly. It lowered its elongated neck in front of Minjun. With its head resting on the ground, it closed its eyes as if preparing to sleep comfortably.
The exposed nape.
Minjun reached out. It felt like his whole body was boiling. A thirst that seemed to create cracks inside him, eventually shattering him into pieces. It was time to quench it. It was right in front of him. Craving the dragon's blood and flesh, Minjun extended his hand, ready to tear apart the dragon's body.
At that moment, a voice whispered from within him.
Originally, there were no speaking dragons in the world.
Minjun knew the voice's identity. It was the other half that had negotiated the disposal of the Toads earlier. It replied in a blunt tone.
"Yeah, why wouldn't there be? It wasn't necessary."
But now it speaks? Demonstrating sophisticated linguistic skills indicative of cognitive ability.
"What are you trying to say?"
It was like throwing cold water on a hot meal. Minjun tried to ignore the voice. But it didn't relent. It emphasized.
Dragons have already gained intelligence.
"Yes, it's an intelligence that can be easily taken away."
It's almost like the intelligence we gave back.
"If intelligence is considered a skill, it's a precarious one. We have the ability to take intelligence from dragons, tame, and slaughter them. If we have the ability to eat, then what's the problem?"
The voice countered.
They are already sentient beings.
Minjun felt his irritation rise.
"Where exactly are you going to set the standard for intelligence? Just because they can think, they shouldn't be eaten? Because they have a similar level of intelligence to us? Should we then condemn lions for sinking their teeth into a buffalo's neck? The intelligence levels of those two creatures are comparable. They are simply preying on those with similar intelligence. Isn't that truly dreadful?"
It was a pointless and fallacious argument.
"Or is there another reason? Should we also condemn Orcs for eating pigs? The phenomenon of closely related species being divided into predator and prey due to differences in intelligence and abilities? And the intelligence gap between Orcs and pigs is comparable to that between pigs and cockroaches. If we keep lowering the standards, we'll end up needing to ensure the survival rights of amoebas too."
Don't brush it off with nonsensical logic. You're angry because you want to eat but are being stopped from doing so.
"You keep trying to compromise."
How about this? The voice presented another argument.
"What?"
You've already sworn. Not to eat Jenkinson. And to find a reason not to eat dragons in the future.
"······."
Minjun realized why he was so angry.
Because he had made a vow.
His head felt like it was going to explode from the desire to quench his thirst with dragon blood, but he knew he had shackled himself.
The voice persuaded.
Noble words should not be treated so lightly, even if they are self-promises.
"You persuaded me not to distinguish between the superiority of intelligence, and now you are urging me not to eat by emphasizing the superiority of my position."
Is that so? Then how about this. Recall what happened the last time you broke your vow. You swore not to reveal the location where your kin slept. But you broke that vow. Think about what happened as a result.
"Damn it!"
Minjun had no choice but to admit it. Even if he ignored the nonsensical words of the voice. A firm conviction had already taken root in his mind. There was no need to create more reasons. The reason was already within him.
He couldn't eat.
At least, Jenkinson couldn't be eaten.
There was no clear plan for what to do with the dragon species in the future. Because he had not yet found a reason not to eat all of them. But for now, he focused on the present. At least he couldn't bite Jenkinson's throat here.
"So, can you help me? To save Inais."
Jenkinson did not sense any lapse in consciousness.
As he regained his composure and looked at the ancient dragon, Minjun replied in a slightly twisted tone.
"…Yes, I will help."
The dragon's face brightened.
"Oh! Thank you so much. For this, I will offer you a talent…"
"I know the coordinates. I'll go alone."
The dragon looked puzzled.
"No, there's no need! It's a dragon issue, so I should naturally…"
"If you get involved with those there, you won't come out unscathed. It'll become troublesome."
"What? So, you… do you already know what's happening there?"
Instead of answering, Minjun fiddled with the magic artifact in his hand.
Offering a talent?
"And I don't need any payment."
At that moment, Jenkinson was stunned.
"Who are you?!"
<156. No Such Thing as a Bad Dragon (28)> End