Traitor (4)
The Death Dragon.
Referred to as the "First Calamity" in the original story.
A tragedy among countless trials, a boss that drove numerous supporting characters to their deaths… Truly a creature befitting the epithet "death."
The Gallimard Academy boasted a size comparable to a small city.
Even such a peaceful and cozy landscape was mercilessly trampled under the calamity's wings.
The atmosphere of the story spiraled into despair.
Its shocking nature made it a frequent topic of discussion among users.
That despair was not easily forgotten.
[Category: Free Board]
[Title: Looking back, the Dragon episode is still…]
Truly the embodiment of despair.
Trustworthy supporting characters died left and right.
I wondered if it was even possible to defeat it.
Meanwhile, they kept showing the collapsing academy buildings.
That sense of despair was overwhelming.
It felt like the stench of blood was wafting through the monitor.
Seeing familiar faces rolling around as corpses felt strange.
It was heartbreaking to see the main characters wailing at the end.
It's the only episode I can't replay.
[Agreed. It's so heavy, I can't bring myself to revisit it.]
-> Each character's death was so tragic.
[That incompetent Headmaster should just die already.]
-> Getting roasted again today, I see... JOAT.
-> He gets flak every time a story element unfolds.
-> The usual wwe (what we expected).
[It truly is an episode devoid of hope.]
-> It feels like even the remaining vestiges of the academy setting were crushed.
-> Even after successfully defeating it, there was only emptiness.
An episode filled with only wounds.
Only torn sprouts remained where the calamity had passed.
It felt like wandering through a nightmare the entire episode.
[Category: Free Board]
[Title: I've been thinking about why the Dragon was particularly intense…]
I think the deaths of the faculty members played a big part.
In the beginning, they were truly dependable allies.
They helped us when we were in trouble, gave us advice on our abilities, and we formed a bond with them.
Then, those mental pillars were mercilessly killed.
It's inevitable that both the protagonist and the player would be devastated.
The supporting characters we relied on were completely wiped out.
On the other hand,
That despair was also impressive.
With no one left to rely on, it felt like the fate of the world rested solely on the protagonist's shoulders.
The desperate struggle amidst despair was etched in my mind.
[Regardless of personal preference, it's undeniable that the episode was well-made.]
-> I personally liked it too.
-> Grimdark vibes.
[The Dragon was ridiculously strong for a mid-game boss.]
-> The faculty members managed to defeat it by the skin of their teeth, but if they hadn't stopped it, a few countries probably would have been wiped out.
-> For real, even the academy, where the continent's best are gathered, was reduced to this state.
[It was shocking that only 30% of the faculty survived.]
-> It was only possible to defeat it because it was the Academy.
-> If it had spawned in a normal area, the death toll would have easily reached 100,000.
-> The professors are incredibly competent.
-> The fact that the student casualties were under 100 is a miracle in itself.
-> There's a reason why the faculty members are so highly regarded.
Calamity, or death.
I was facing the creature that embodied all those epithets.
A gigantic form filled my upward gaze.
"…"
Its sheer size was overwhelming.
At least 50 meters tall, wings that covered the entire collapsed temple, a massive tail swaying heavily…
A creature the size of an apartment building stood before me.
Its body dripping with blood and gore.
Its size filled and overflowed my pupils, evoking a primal fear.
Even the usually composed Fox and Princess were frozen in place.
I clicked my tongue softly.
‘The worst-case scenario I had envisioned.’
Our eyes met.
Staring into the reptilian eyes stained with blood, an indescribable chill ran down my spine.
The murderous aura permeating the entire underground seemed to dominate the area.
My reason was being chipped away in real-time.
It had been a while since I felt such a dense aura.
I gathered shadows at my fingertips.
‘Dragon.’
A creature classified as transcendental from the start.
A curse was cast upon its corpse.
Death, fueled by human malice, was unleashed, leaving only a monster craving slaughter.
It was too high in its own right to be simply called a chimera.
Power beyond reason.
And execution.
With a slight exaggeration, it was almost on par with a [Star].
Frowning, I muttered,
"Dealing with this takes precedence."
The plan had gone awry.
If I wasn't careful, the tragedy of the original story might repeat itself.
I had to stop it here and now.
I called out to the girls.
"Are you two… alright?"
The girls came to their senses belatedly.
Their reactions were somewhat subdued.
It seemed they were overwhelmed by the horrific murderous aura.
They nodded, wiping away their cold sweat, but their legs trembled as if they were about to give way.
It seemed too much for girls who hadn't finished growing.
Still, they were admirable.
‘They endured it.’
Their eyes were alive.
The temptation to flee, their reason crumbling under fear, their consciousness fading…
Even amidst all that precariousness, they stood their ground.
Each tightly gripping their swords.
They must have sensed it.
If such a monster were allowed to reach the surface, only a terrible disaster would await.
That's why the Fox and the Princess couldn't retreat.
A kind of foolish bravery.
"…I'm okay. I just felt a little nauseous."
"Yes. I won't run away."
Their altruistic nature.
The goodness within them overcame even fear.
Their resolute gazes met mine.
"Because I trust you."
"I want to be helpful to Judas."
The fruits of their taming.
Their black and blue eyes held firm determination.
Perhaps it was a testament to the bond we had built.
Even on the brink of life and death, they believed without a doubt.
That I could resolve this.
"Heh."
A chuckle escaped my lips.
I couldn't disappoint such expectations.
I deactivated my output.
With lies swirling around me, I declared,
"Then… shall we begin?"
I stepped forward.
It was time to conquer even death.
***
Time was of the essence.
If I looked away even for a moment, the calamity would head for the surface.
I had to stall for time until I could deliver the finishing blow.
The crimson and platinum girls gripped their swords.
And then, they took resolute steps toward the death before them.
The distant death also looked down at them.
"Here it comes!"
A shout came from behind me.
Following that, a breath laden with blood and flesh poured over my head.
Charlotte stepped forward and simultaneously unfolded her domain.
Vines made of steel enveloped the surroundings, protecting them from the breath.
Several explosions echoed amidst the violently colliding magical powers.
A heavy residue.
Kuuuuuung—!
"Hold it steady!"
A red afterimage darted forward in front of the struggling Princess.
The Fox, now clad in flames.
Intense heat swirled around her.
Irene shot forward like a bullet, then swung her flame-engulfed sword.
The blade, compressed with high temperature, sliced through the darkness and advanced.
The attack collided immediately after.
Kwaaaaaang—!!
The dragon's focus wavered, albeit briefly.
Thanks to that, the breath attack missed its mark.
Having narrowly escaped the crisis, the Fox and the Princess prepared for the next attack.
Both of them were seasoned in actual combat, as they coordinated their actions reasonably well even in this dangerous situation.
They signaled each other.
"Yes. Just like that, please."
"Easier said than done…! These flames have their limits, you know?"
"If you can't, we'll just die here."
"…Damn it."
The Fox clad herself in flames once more.
The situation wasn't bad.
They were each fulfilling their assigned roles well.
Their plan was simple and clear.
Charlotte and Irene.
The two of them would buy time against the dragon, while the Snake, with his finishing blow charged, would step in.
It was similar to the method they used to eliminate the [Conductor]'s creations.
The girls gave it their all.
Solely to distract the dragon.
KuoOoooo—!!
An ear-splitting shriek.
Was it enraged?
The dragon's rampage intensified with time, and the underground landscape transformed into hell.
Only the stench of rotting flesh lingered in the air.
Nevertheless.
"O sword."
The girls continued their combined assault.
"Be stained."
The Princess continuously expanded her domain.
The steel garden she cultivated covered the area, forming a barrier to protect them.
It was meant to defend, even if only briefly, against the dragon's occasional breath attacks.
Simultaneously.
Kuddddeuk—
Thick vines restricted the dragon's movements.
The intertwining stems wrapped around its wings and legs.
Though they broke against the dragon's struggles, they continued to regenerate, their sharp tips stabbing and cutting into its skin.
Of course, most of them were blocked by the dragon's tough hide and shattered.
But that was enough.
"Haah, haah…!"
Perhaps the intricate control was taking its toll.
The Princess suddenly started bleeding from her nose.
However, she couldn't even bother wiping it away, focusing all her attention on maintaining her domain.
Thus, while momentarily hindering the Dragon's movements…
"Ugh…!"
The Fox clashed directly with the calamity.
Her superior speed was her advantage.
She maximized it, swinging her sword.
The crimson flames, a testament to her training, seemed to inflict stinging blows on the dragon.
Also, unlike before, her ability usage had become more diverse.
Chwaak—!
She momentarily created a smokescreen to obscure its vision.
She unfolded a curtain of flames.
She shot scorching blades of energy from a distance.
She put on a dazzling performance against the dragon, doing her best to keep its attention away from the Snake and the Princess.
The girl shone brightly.
"Over here!"
Kwaang—!
Flames struck the dragon's face.
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