21. Dragonius Fulmen

Seiito stared in disbelief at the colossal form lying dormant before him—a Dragon, of all things, slumbering on the 60th floor. The sheer size of the beast was overwhelming, its scales shimmering like molten gold, its presence suffocating even in its sleep. Seiito's mind raced. A Dragon? How the hell was I supposed to kill a Dragon? He didn't have Dragon Slayer Magic; he wasn't some legendary Dragon Slayer born for this.

Where's that summer boy when I actually need him?

His thoughts flickered to the absurdity of his situation. Even with his newfound arsenal, it didn't feel like enough to face this monstrosity. A Dragon wasn't just another monster—it was a force of nature. But here it was, blocking his path like a living nightmare.

Seiito sighed, his gaze drifting beyond the Dragon to the massive, ornamented walls looming behind it—a castle. Of course, there was a castle down here. As if this cursed tower couldn't get any weirder.

What the hell is a castle doing on the 60th floor…?

His mind churned with questions, but none of them mattered right now. The only thing that stood between him and that castle was this Dragon. Seiito's lips twisted into a menacing grin, the weight of his exhaustion and fear fading into a cold, focused rage. No matter what stood in his way—whether it was a castle, a dragon, or even the gods themselves—he would kill it. He had to.

The weakness that once haunted him was gone, replaced by something darker, something ruthless.

"Dragon or not," Seiito muttered, his eyes burning with determination, "you're just another enemy to be crushed."

"Heal!" Seiito charged forward, recklessly hurling a cloud of poison mist at the sleeping Dragon.

The toxic vapor swirled menacingly around the beast, but in an instant, the Dragon's eyes snapped open, glowing with ancient fury.

With a deafening roar, it dispersed the mist with sheer force, the shockwave of sound and wind sending Seiito flying backward.

"What the—?!" Seiito spun midair, somersaulting to land on the cracked stone floor below, his breath ragged, eyes wide with shock.

The power behind that roar… wasn't something he could have anticipated. The ground trembled beneath his feet as the Dragon began to rise, its gargantuan body shifting, its claws cracking through the stone as it stood to its full, terrifying height.

Jagged rocks split under the weight of its massive frame, and the very air seemed to vibrate with its raw, untamed energy.

For a fleeting moment, Seiito felt his confidence waver. The sheer presence of the creature in front of him was enough to shake his resolve. This was no ordinary enemy.

This was a dragon—legendary, divine, and utterly overwhelming. But he couldn't afford to retreat now. The flames of doubt burned inside him, but he gritted his teeth, pushing those fears deep down.

He wasn't the weak, helpless boy he had once been. Not anymore. Not after everything he had been through. He wouldn't let anyone else surpass him. He wouldn't let death take him. He would kill this dragon.

"I'm not dying here," Seiito growled, his hand trembled as it formed into a single fist. His body ached from the impact, but his spirit roared louder than the beast before him. The flames of defiance flickered in his eyes as he stared down the monstrous creature.

No matter how massive, no matter how ancient—this dragon was just another obstacle. And obstacles were meant to be destroyed.

Seiito raised his hand toward the colossal Dragon, his magic surging to life. Flames erupted from his fingertips, roaring with violent intensity, and in an instant, the Dragon was consumed in a sea of fire.

The inferno blazed mercilessly, the heat distorting the air, turning the stone beneath the beast to molten slag.

As the fire raged, Seiito's mind flickered back to that harrowing encounter with the Pyrrhagon. He could still feel the suffocating heat, the agony of being swallowed by unrelenting flames—the moment he stole that power for himself.

He grinned, the flicker of victory glinting in his eyes as the Dragon disappeared within the fiery tempest. "Let's see you walk away from this," he muttered under his breath, savoring the thought.

But something was wrong.

Through the crackling inferno, a pair of golden eyes pierced the fire, steady and unyielding. The flames curled harmlessly around the Dragon's massive frame as though they were little more than warm air. It didn't thrash or roar—it didn't even flinch.

Seiito's grin faltered. "What…?"

The Dragon shifted within the fire, its scales glimmering like molten gold, untouched by the blaze. It slowly raised its head, meeting Seiito's gaze with a look of pure disdain, as if the boy's magic was beneath even its contempt.

The flames shrank away, unable to cling to its ancient body. A low, rumbling growl reverberated through the air—a sound more chilling than a roar. The Dragon's glare was heavy with mockery, its gaze speaking louder than words: 'Was that supposed to hurt?'

Seiito's heart skipped a beat. The fire was supposed to incinerate the Dragon. It should have turned to ash. And yet… the beast stood there, untouched.

"No way…"

Seiito's fire had no effect. The roaring flames he summoned licked harmlessly against the creature's shimmering scales, vanishing into embers as if they had never existed. Not even a scratch. But that was expected—it was a dragon, after all.

This one, however, was different. It wasn't fire it wielded.

A bolt of searing lightning crackled between the dragon's teeth, illuminating its golden scales. Electricity coursed through its massive body, every twitch of its wings humming with volatile energy. This wasn't a fire-breathing beast—it was a Lightning Dragon.

Seiito wiped the sweat from his brow, his mind racing. He knew his current arsenal wasn't enough. His attacks would bounce off this monster, and unless he did something extreme, the battle was as good as lost.

There was only one way.

His gaze narrowed as the dragon snarled, its electric maw brimming with raw power. He had to get hit.

Seiito clenched his fist, every nerve in his body screaming at him to run, to dodge, evade, survive. But running wasn't an option. He needed to steal the dragon's magic—absorb its skill and make it his own.

And to do that… he had to endure it.

A cold shiver ran down his spine. He knew how painful it would be. Lightning wasn't like fire—it didn't just scorch the skin. It tore through muscle, shattered nerves, and left the body convulsing long after the pain had faded. But there was no other way.

The dragon reared its head, electricity sparking across its jaws like a storm ready to break. Its amber eyes locked onto Seiito with primal malice.

"This is going to hurt."

Seiito exhaled slowly, grounding himself. The trick was to take the hit without dying. He rolled his shoulder and flexed his fingers, preparing for the coming impact. One shot. That's all he needed.

"Alright, you oversized lizard…" he muttered under his breath, eyes burning with grim determination. "Give me everything you've got."

The dragon let out a deafening roar, and in the blink of an eye, a bolt of lightning erupted from the ceiling. The world lit up in an instant—a blinding, white-hot flash that swallowed everything.

Seiito didn't move.

The lightning struck him head-on, ripping through his body like a spear of pure energy. His muscles seized instantly, every nerve in his body alight with searing pain. Agony tore through him—his vision blurred, and his breath caught in his throat as his heart stuttered under the assault.

He bit down hard, the taste of blood filling his mouth as his teeth sank into his lip. The smell of burnt flesh hit him next—his own. But he refused to scream. He wouldn't give this monster the satisfaction.

The air crackled and hissed as the dragon's magic surged through him, but Seiito held on. His knees buckled, his vision flickered, but his mind remained sharp.

This is it…

His blood boiled, his heart pounded in his ears, but through the unbearable pain, he felt it—an unfamiliar surge. Like a spark igniting deep within, the dragon's magic responded.

He could feel it now—the power of lightning. It surged through his veins, wild and untamed, ready to be bent to his will.

The dragon roared again, expecting its prey to fall. But Seiito…

Seiito stood.

His breath came in ragged gasps, his body trembling with the aftermath of the assault. Electric sparks danced across his skin, weaving through his fingers like threads of pure energy. He clenched his fists, feeling the newfound power thrumming beneath the surface.

It worked.

"Not bad…" he whispered hoarsely, his lips curling into a dangerous grin.

The dragon's eyes widened, recognizing the shift in the battle.

"Your power is mine now."

Seiito raised his hand, electricity crackling between his fingertips. The pain hadn't vanished—it clung to him like a second skin—but now it didn't matter. He was alive, and more than that—he was stronger.

"Let's see how you like a taste of your own magic," Seiito muttered, stepping forward, lightning coiling around his arm like a serpent ready to strike.

The dragon roared in defiance, but Seiito's grin widened.

The real fight was about to begin.

A bolt of lightning crashed into the dragon's skull, exploding with a deafening crack. The monstrous beast reeled back, its enormous body slamming into a boulder with a thunderous impact, shattering the rock into pieces.

"ROOOOOAAAARRR!!" The dragon's voice thundered through the cavern, ancient and furious, vibrating the walls and sending tremors through the ground. Its golden eyes blazed with disbelief, flickering with hatred. This was impossible—an insect, a mere human, wielding its own magic.

"HOW DARE YOU USE MY POWER AGAINST ME, MORTAL?!" The dragon's voice reverberated, carrying the weight of centuries, its words soaked in rage and indignation.

Seiito froze for a heartbeat, stunned. "It… it can talk?" he whispered, his mind reeling. But the dragon gave him no time to process the revelation.

With a furious roar, it opened its maw and unleashed a crackling torrent of lightning, the bolts tearing through the air, surging straight toward Seiito with deadly precision.

"Tch!" Seiito threw himself to the side in raw desperation, but not fast enough. The edge of the lightning blast grazed him, searing through muscle and bone, locking his body in a wave of paralyzing agony.

"Ghhrghhh?!" Seiito's muscles spasmed violently as the shock radiated through him. He gritted his teeth against the pain and managed to cast Heal, the spell barely stabilizing his convulsing body.

But the dragon was relentless.

Its massive tail whipped through the air like a battering ram, crashing down with unstoppable force. The impact hurled Seiito through the cavern, slamming him into a jagged boulder.

CRACK! 

The stone shattered on impact, and Seiito hit the ground hard, gasping for air. Pain erupted from every corner of his body—his ribs ached, his vision swam, and the metallic taste of blood filled his mouth.

He coughed violently, red streaks splattering the ground. The dragon loomed over him, its immense frame casting a shadow of overwhelming power. Golden eyes seethed with divine fury, a god's punishment embodied in the form of this monstrous beast.

"This is how I die, huh?" The thought flickered in his mind. But then a grin crept across his battered face—a wild, dangerous grin. 

As if...

He pressed a trembling hand to his chest. "Heal."

The soothing light washed over his body, knitting broken bones and burned tissue. But Seiito wasn't done. With a flicker of defiance in his eyes, he opened his mouth, and lightning erupted from his throat.

A searing bolt of electricity, identical to the dragon's, surged forward—wild, violent, and unrelenting.

"RRROOOOAAAARRR!!!" The dragon's roar turned into a cry of shock and rage as it was blasted backward, its massive body colliding with the cavern wall, sending tremors through the earth.

The dragon scrambled to its feet, fury burning in its golden gaze. "THIS DAMN HUMAN… HE'S USING MY POWER AGAINST ME?!"

Seiito wiped the blood from his lips, his grin never fading. "What's wrong?" he asked, his voice hoarse but laced with menace. "Not so fun when someone else breathes lightning, huh?"

Electric sparks danced around his body, snapping at the air like restless serpents. He stood tall, defying the ancient beast before him, determination burning in his eyes.

"This fight isn't over yet."

The dragon snarled, its entire body trembling with rage and disbelief. For the first time in centuries, a human—a mere mortal—stood before it, not as prey, but as an equal.

Seiito took a step forward, lightning crackling at his fingertips.

"I'll kill you!!" the dragon roared, its voice a thunderous boom that shook the very air.

With a mighty flap of its wings, the colossal beast ascended into the storm-darkened ceiling. Lightning crackled along its golden scales, each bolt racing across its body like serpents of pure energy. Its golden eyes, burning with hatred, locked onto Seiito with a gaze that could shatter lesser souls—a gaze that promised obliteration.

Seiito narrowed his eyes, the air around him thick with tension. He could feel the weight of the dragon's fury pressing down on him like an invisible hand, suffocating and inescapable. This wasn't a threat. It was a death sentence.

High above, the dragon's massive chest expanded, the swirling power within it building to a terrifying crescendo. The storm overhead mirrored the beast's fury, black clouds swirling violently as arcs of lightning danced through the sky.

"[Divine Lightning Spear!!]"

The Dragon's roar thundered through the labyrinth, shaking the very walls of the ancient stone chamber. In a flash of brilliance, it summoned a spear forged from pure lightning, the air crackling violently around it. The spear thrummed with raw, unchained power, arcs of electricity snapping like wild serpents across its length. Golden eyes narrowed with unshakable confidence—this attack was absolute, unstoppable.

With a swift, vicious motion, the Dragon hurled the spear. It shot through the air, a bolt of divine wrath, streaking toward Seiito at a speed beyond comprehension.

Seiito's instincts screamed. He threw up his arms, summoning a thin, flickering shield of healing magic around himself—a desperate, golden glow enveloped him, barely enough to brace for impact. His heart pounded in his chest like a war drum, but he gritted his teeth and stood his ground.

BOOOOOM!!!

The spear struck with the force of a god's judgment. The impact unleashed an explosion that shook the labyrinth, shattering pillars and sending shockwaves through the stonework. A roaring storm of dust, debris, and rubble swallowed everything, leaving the battlefield cloaked in an oppressive silence.

The Dragon's grin stretched wide, satisfaction gleaming in its ancient eyes. The Divine Lightning Spear had claimed countless lives—none had ever withstood its might. It tilted its head, savoring the presumed victory.

But then—

Crackle.

A jagged spark of mana ignited within the swirling dust cloud, followed by another, and another, coiling through the air like threads of electricity. The Dragon's grin vanished, replaced by creeping disbelief. Its senses screamed in alarm.

"It can't be..." the beast muttered, golden eyes narrowing as the dust cloud began to disperse.

A figure emerged—battered but unbroken.

Seiito stood, shrouded in arcs of divine lightning, his breath heavy but steady. The golden aura surrounding him pulsed with violent energy, pushing away boulders and scattering debris as though the earth itself bent to his will. In his grasp, he held the very weapon the Dragon had hurled at him—the [Divine Lightning Spear], now glowing fiercely in his hands.

The Dragon's eyes widened, horror dawning like a dark storm across its ancient face. "Impossible!"

FIUSH!

Seiito moved without hesitation, his body a blur of swift, precise motion. He hurled the spear back at the Dragon with lethal intent, the weapon flying through the air faster than a thunderclap.

The Dragon barely had time to react.

"RAAAAHHHHH?!!"

The spear struck true, driving deep into the beast's abdomen. Lightning exploded from the wound, dancing across its scales in furious torrents. The Dragon roared in agony as the spear detonated inside it, unleashing a cataclysmic burst of power that shattered its colossal body. Blood, bone, and scales were flung across the chamber like shrapnel, raining down in a crimson storm.

The once-mighty beast collapsed, fragments of its ruined form scattered across the ground.

Seiito stood amidst the carnage, drenched in the Dragon's blood. A dark grin curled across his lips, his eyes gleaming with the exhilaration of newfound power. He flexed his fingers, feeling the residual energy still crackling in his veins.

"Thanks for the new arsenal," he muttered, his voice low and cold, devoid of sympathy for the ancient creature now reduced to nothing more than bloodied fragments.

Level up. Level 18.

Name: Seiito
Class: Healer
Level: 18 (+5)
Title: None
Vitality: 100
Strength: 105
Endurance: 95
Magic: 185
Agility: 90
Status Rank: D+
Skills: Heal (D), Heal Touch (C), Blood Stop (F)

Seiito stood amidst the dragon's remains, his breath ragged, his heart pounding like a war drum. Then, it hit him—a flood of energy coursing through his veins like a tidal wave. His body surged with new power, an overwhelming torrent of XP washing over him. The numbers in his mind skyrocketed, notifications flashing before his eyes in rapid succession.

"I... leveled up? No... I leveled up this much?"

It was staggering. He had never imagined that killing the dragon would yield this absurd amount of experience. His senses sharpened, his awareness expanded, and his body felt... different. Stronger. Faster. As if the limits that once held him back had shattered in an instant.

A grin spread across Seiito's face—wide, triumphant, and dangerous. The rush was intoxicating. He could feel every upgrade settling into place, like a blade honed to perfection.

He clenched his fist, testing his newfound strength. The air cracked around his knuckles, and he knew, instinctively, that a single punch could reduce a boulder to dust. He felt the tension in his muscles, coiled and ready to release like a spring, each movement now lighter and more precise. His body was a weapon—deadlier, faster, and far more dangerous than before.

"Not bad..." he muttered, rotating his shoulders and reveling in the ease of movement. His limbs no longer felt like they were dragging through water; they moved with the precision of a blade drawn from its sheath.

He bounced lightly on his feet, testing his agility. His steps felt weightless, as if gravity itself had loosened its grip on him. Every fiber of his being hummed with potential, his mind racing at the thought of what he could now achieve. There was no hesitation, no doubt—only hunger.

"Yeah... this is good." He exhaled slowly, his grin deepening into something darker, more predatory. "This is what power feels like."

Whatever doubts or fears he had before were gone, burned away by the thrill of becoming stronger. The dragon had been just a stepping stone—a necessary sacrifice on his path. And this surge of power... it was only the beginning.

His gaze drifted toward the towering castle that loomed beyond the battlefield, its massive, ornamented doors standing ominously under the pale light of the labyrinth. The power he had gained from the Dragon stirred within him, eager for what awaited inside.

"You cursed human..."

The low, growling voice reverberated through the air, thick with disdain.

Seiito's eyes flicked around, scanning every shadow, his muscles coiled like springs. His heart drummed in his chest as he cast healing magic over himself, the golden aura wrapping around his battered body. Every sense sharpened, ready to strike at any moment.

And then...

A dark chuckle echoed from the shadows—low and mocking. It carried the weight of something ancient and far too powerful to be ignored.

"Relax, human. The battle is over... I am already deceased."

Seiito froze, his blood running cold. He spun around, and what he saw left him stunned.

Standing behind him, where the dragon's body had once been, was a man—no, something far more dangerous. A humanoid figure with an otherworldly presence. Two spiked horns jutted from his forehead, gleaming gold beneath the faint light. His long, golden hair flowed down his back, wild and radiant, framing a face that was too perfect, too beautiful to belong to a mere mortal. His piercing golden eyes locked onto Seiito's, sharp and cold, as if they could see through his very soul.

The dragon—no, this dragon in human form—smiled with an unsettling calm, as if Seiito's presence was little more than a curiosity to him.

"You..." Seiito whispered, his voice thick with disbelief. It was eerie—facing a being who had just been a massive, terrifying beast moments ago, now standing before him like a handsome noble from a fairy tale.

"Surprised?" The dragon's voice was smooth, with an edge that hinted at ancient wisdom and cruelty. "This is what remains of me—just a memory, an echo of my true self."

Seiito narrowed his eyes, trying to push down the unease that gnawed at him. The man's presence wasn't just unsettling; it was suffocating, as if the air itself bowed to him. It was the kind of beauty that didn't soothe—it made Seiito's skin crawl.

"This... feels wrong," Seiito muttered, more to himself than anyone else. The sight of such elegance emerging from the brutal monstrosity he had just fought felt surreal—unnatural.

The dragon chuckled softly, amused by Seiito's discomfort. "Ah, I see. My human appearance disturbs you." His grin revealed a hint of malice. "It's strange, isn't it? For something so monstrous to wear a face like this."

Seiito scowled, uneasy under that intense golden gaze. "What do you want?"

The dragon took a slow step forward, his movements fluid and graceful, yet each step carried the weight of centuries. "I merely wished to see the one who dared take my life... and stole my power."

Seiito's heart skipped a beat. There was no hostility in the dragon's voice, just cold amusement—as if he found Seiito's defiance entertaining.

The dragon leaned in, its golden eyes narrowing with a flicker of intrigue. "Bold... No wonder she took an interest in you." His voice carried the weight of ancient knowledge, laced with amusement—and something else.

Seiito's eyes sharpened, suspicion threading through his thoughts. "She?" His brow furrowed, unease gnawing at the edges of his mind. "Who the hell is she?"

The dragon's smirk deepened, maddeningly cryptic. "You'll find out soon enough, mortal..." He paused, savoring the moment like a predator toying with prey. "...if that's what you remain. But after witnessing your power..."

His words hung heavy in the air, leaving Seiito with more questions than answers. Then, without warning, the dragon's form began to unravel—golden embers dissolving into the wind, as if even his existence were slipping into legend.

Frustration flared in Seiito's chest. He stepped forward, fists clenched tight. "Don't go spitting riddles before you vanish, bastard!" His voice was low and sharp, like a blade drawn too soon.

The dragon chuckled, the sound deep and mocking. "Answers? I have none for you, human." His dissolving form flickered like the last embers of a dying flame. "But if you want the truth... go to the castle."

The remnants of his essence drifted away, scattering like ash in the wind. "Your questions will be answered there—if you're ready for them."

And with that, the dragon was gone—faded into nothing, leaving behind only the chill of his presence and the weight of his final words.

Seiito stood still, fists slowly unclenching. His heart pounded in his chest, not from fear but from the maddening allure of the unknown. Who was 'she'? Why did the dragon know of her—and why did she care about him?

Maybe it was her, the miracles...

Seiito drew in a slow, deliberate breath, filling his lungs with the cold, heavy air around him. The weight of the battle, the dragon's words, and the unknown that lay ahead pressed down on him like a vice. His chest rose, steady but strained, as if inhaling the burden along with the air itself.

Then, with measured control, he exhaled—a long, deliberate release that felt like shedding the remnants of fear and doubt.

The sound of his breath echoed faintly in the stillness, trailing off like the final note of a song before silence. His shoulders eased, but not in relief—only in preparation.

"Now..." Seiito whispered, brushing blood from his cheek with a casual swipe. "Let's see what this castle is all about."

Without another word, he stepped forward, each footfall heavy with purpose. Lightning coiled around his fingertips like restless serpents, ready to strike at a moment's notice.

The doors of the castle loomed over him, ancient and foreboding.

And Seiito walked toward it, ready for whatever awaited beyond.