Kael looked at Ray, his voice low and uneasy. "Yeah… the black dragon's behind those mountains, in a cave. The mountains are like a wall between us and him." His face was pale, fear clear in his eyes.
Ray patted his head gently. "You don't need to worry. I'll go alone, take his head, and end this for your people. After that, you can live peacefully."
Emily's expression tightened with concern. "You're going alone? Ray, that thing isn't just some monster. Even a direct descendant of a god couldn't defeat him. Don't underestimate it."
Kael spoke up before Ray could answer. "It's fine. You're forgetting two things, Emily. First — Ray already has the power to kill dragons. And second — Vaelthys couldn't beat that thing not because she's weak, but because she's holding back to protect us. Ray doesn't have to hold back. He'll end this."
Emily's shoulders sank, her smile fading.
Ray noticed and gave her a soft pat on the head. "Trust me. I'll be back before you know it. Okay?"
Her voice was barely a whisper. "Okay…" She nodded, but her face was still clouded with worry.
Ray grabbed his sword and left the room.
Mabel watched him go, then turned to Kael. "Will he be alright? It's a dragon, you know that."
Kael forced a grin. "He'll be fine. It's Ray — this'll be easy for him."
Mabel didn't look convinced. "I hope nothing happens to that boy."
---
Ray climbed the jagged mountains, reaching the peak. Below, the world changed.
The land stretched out, a vast, lifeless plain of blackened rock, smothered in thick, swirling clouds. No sun. No life. And in the heart of that desolation, a massive cave — carved from the earth itself, standing alone like a monument of death.
He slid down the mountainside, landing hard on the barren ground.
As he approached the cave, the air thickened. A choking, dry fog curled around him, seeping into his lungs with each breath. A suffocating, unnatural pressure radiated from within.
He stopped at the cave's entrance. Two glowing eyes blinked open in the darkness, followed by the faint outline of a nose, wreathed in shadows. The creature exhaled, and black fog poured from its maw.
A figure emerged from the mist.
His upper body was bare, muscular, and human-like — but his lower half wasn't. A thick tail slithered behind him, his legs wrapped in jagged, stone-like fragments. His eyes, deep and black, flickered like a lizard's.
"So…" the figure's voice was low and rumbling, filled with amusement. "You've come to kill me. Isn't that right?"
Ray's eyes narrowed. His expression turned cold. Without wasting a second, he drew his sword. His red eyes flared brighter than before.
In a flash, he was in front of the dragon, blade slicing straight for the creature's neck — but the dragon caught the blade between two fingers.
"Well, well, well… impressive." The dragon grinned, excitement gleaming in his dark eyes.
He flicked his hand, sending Ray hurtling backward. Ray crashed through the earth, slamming into the mountain side.
A hand burst from the rubble. Ray climbed out, his sword now coated in black flames. He planted it at his side, mockingly tilting his head.
"You done talking yet?"
The dragon's grin widened.
Ray raised his sword and swung it down — a massive wave of black fire roared toward the dragon.
The beast dodged, barely. "Phew… that might've been a problem if it hit me."
Ray appeared in front of him again, faster this time. His sword blazed as it slashed toward the dragon's neck. This time, the dragon didn't dodge.
The blade connected.
It didn't matter. The dragon didn't even flinch.
"You done?" the dragon sneered, before spinning and kicking Ray across the battlefield.
Ray hit the ground hard.
The dragon chuckled. "So you're the famous one, huh? Ghost Hunter, right?"
Ray's eyes darkened. He exhaled slowly, then… sheathed his sword, planting it in the ground beside him.
The dragon paused, confused. Then realization dawned.
"You were holding back… measuring me." His smile twisted into a snarl. "You arrogant little—"
The dragon's body began to twist and crack, bones shifting unnaturally. His true form unfolded — enormous, black scales glinting in the dark mist, eyes glowing brighter than ever. His roar shook the mountains. The ground trembled.
He disappeared — reappearing behind Ray in an instant. A massive claw swung toward him.
Ray blocked it with his arm, absorbing the blow. The force still sent him flying.
The dragon hovered mid-air, inhaling deeply before exhaling a torrent of black fog. Fire followed — a burning sphere hurtled toward Ray. The blast erupted in a blinding explosion.
"Foolish human," the dragon spat. "You can't stop me. Now your people will burn too."
He turned to leave — but Ray was already behind him.
A punch slammed into the dragon's neck, sending him soaring skyward.
The dragon coughed blood, stunned. "What… was that?"
Ray landed back on the ground. His body tensed, life force surging to his legs. The ground cracked beneath him as he leapt with enough force to shake the mountains.
The dragon barely had time to react. Ray met him mid-air. Their fists collided. The sky exploded in white light.
The dragon crashed to the earth, broken and bloodied. His wings burned, useless. He couldn't heal.
Ray landed before him. His voice was low, cold. "Why did you come here? Dragons don't leave their lairs for nothing."
The dragon coughed, laughing bitterly. "You're strong… like he said. I was afraid — afraid of the God of Vampires. He defeated me… ordered me to wait here. To give a message to the one who beat me."
Ray's expression didn't change. "What message?"
The dragon's voice lowered, amused even in his dying breath. "He said… 'You're not worth it. Your brother has more worth than you. Come find me. His name is Velkrathos.'"
Ray froze. His face drained of color. His hands shook. Sweat dripped down his forehead. He stumbled back, pale. His sword fell from his hand.
Kael and Emily appeared, running toward him.
"Ray! We heard the explosion! Are you okay?"
Ray swallowed hard, forcing his mask back on. He picked up his sword and, without a word, beheaded the dragon.
He wiped his face, voice steady again. "Yeah. I'm fine. Told you, Kael — easy fight."
The dark fog began to clear from the land.