-Aetheria Forest—a land where beauty and danger entwine like vines, its mystical glow both mesmerizing and treacherous. Dazai stood amidst its towering trees, his expression indifferent as four slimes lunged at him. With a flick of his wrist, crimson flames erupted from his palm, reducing them to nothing in an instant-
Dazai: "Mana in this world is basically like withdrawing money… as long as you have something in the bank or keep increasing it over time, you can keep withdrawing. Well, I guess I'm don—"
-Before he could finish his thought, a slow smirk curled on his lips. A familiar presence loomed, the air shifting with an overwhelming force-
Dazai: "Seems like the wheel of money is rolling for me alone… heh. Never thought a dragon would show up on my first day—let alone you…Dreadmourne."
-Above him, the Abyssal Tyrant descended. Black scales devoured the light, its massive wings stirred storms, and its eyes burned like dying stars. Obsidian horns crowned its skull, and its maw dripped with voidfire—a flame that did not burn, but erased. Each step shattered the earth beneath it, and its barbed tail carved through the ancient trees like butter. Legends did not call Dreadmourne a destroyer; it was an eraser—leaving behind nothing but silence and ruin. With a single beat of its wings, a violent gust sent Dazai flying back-
-Landing smoothly on a tree branch, he merged water and fire within his hands, summoning a thick mist. But Dreadmourne was no mindless beast—one powerful flap, and the mist was gone. The dragon's chest swelled as flames gathered in its maw, ready to reduce Dazai to ash-
-But it was too late.
Suspended midair, Dazai met the beast's gaze, his hand extending forward as he uttered-
Dazai : "Authority… bow down."
-Like a weight had been forcibly doubled a hundredfold, Dreadmourne crashed to the forest floor, its body pinned as though the world itself had deemed it unworthy to stand. Dazai landed gracefully, hands tucked in his pockets as he walked toward the colossal dragon, leaping onto its snout-
Dazai: "Oh look… a dragon got beat by a fourteen-year-old. Sucks to be you, huh?"
-His smirk sharpened-
Dazai: "So, why attack me? Your kind doesn't attack unless provoked… if I remember correctly. Talk, or I'll be using dragon hide for my next gear."
-A low growl rumbled from Dreadmourne, hot breath exhaling in surrender-
Dreadmourne: "Humans… always arrogant in victory, yet soil their boots when a foe surpasses them. We dragons never came to your lands… You invaded ours. You took our queen—my mother."
-Dazai's smirk twitched before he let out a slow, amused clap-
Dazai: "Such a tragic tale… and yet, it really doesn't concern me, now does it? You attacked me first. Let me guess—big bad group wore black? Sounds like typical fools. But I don't align with idiots… So, I'll help you."
-Dreadmourne let out a booming laugh, entertained by his arrogance-
Dreadmourne: "You are foolish beyond your years… you truly believe you can—"
Dazai: "Did I not just make you bow? One of the most feared dragons? Yeah, I could kill you and cash in my guild reward… but I'm feeling generous."
-Silence.
Dreadmourne exhaled deeply before shifting—her massive form shrinking, shifting, reshaping-
-And then she stood before him.
In her human form, Dreadmourne was the embodiment of fierce beauty. Her rich brown skin glowed softly, golden eyes burning like liquid fire. Long, obsidian-black hair, streaked with molten gold, cascaded down her back. She wore a deep crimson silk dress, light and flowing, its delicate black embroidery mimicking dragon scales. Every movement exuded grace and dominance—like a storm lingering just before its breaking point-
-Dazai tilted his head-
Dazai: "Hah. Almost every woman—even beasts—are taller than me. Guess that's my fate."
-His smirk returned-
Dazai: "Alright, my little crimson helper. Here's the deal—you want your queen back? I help you, you owe me something in return."
-Her golden eyes narrowed. Her voice was smooth yet laced with restrained fury-
Dreadmourne: "You are a cruel man. Not even a pause to admire my beauty? Fine, little human… If you can do as you claim, I shall grant you your desire."
-Dazai's crimson hair flickered under the ambient light. His sea-blue eyes gleamed with something between mischief and thrill-
Dazai: "Then I'll need something—a trace of your queen's mana. Something I can track."
-In a flash, she was upon him-
-Gripping his scarf, she yanked him forward, her fingers tilting his chin up. And before he could react—Her lips crashed against his.The kiss was not gentle. Not hesitant. It was raw, intense, a storm of swirling energy passing through them, intertwining. Mana surged into Dazai's very core, a powerful current unlike anything he had ever felt. His eyes widened as he abruptly pushed her off, coughing slightly-
Dazai: "What the hell was that?! Are you an animal—wait, dumb question, you are one—"
-Dreadmourne let out a soft chuckle, a rare smirk playing on her lips as she exhaled-
Dreadmourne: "You asked for mana. The only way for a human to truly feel a dragon's mana is through direct contact…"
"And the only part of you left uncovered… was your lips."
-A pause.Dazai wiped his mouth before sighing, then smirked-
Dazai: "Touché, dragon… touché."