Chapter 149: Dragon Siblings (2)
High-ranking hunters are usually very attractive. Among them, S-rank hunters are on a level that rivals celebrities. They’re wealthy, extraordinarily powerful, and they protect the world from the threats of dungeon breaks.
Naturally, such people are incredibly popular. On top of that, strict image management is in place to ease the public’s anxiety.
In other words, it’s not surprising they have lots of fans. I’d heard about this even before my regression.
‘Did Kang Soyeong create this on her own?’
Noah hadn’t had much exposure yet, and he wasn’t even officially registered as a Korean hunter. Still, the fact that he could transform into a dragon had clearly made a big splash.
‘I wonder if Yuhyun has a fan club too.’
I was a little curious. Before my regression, the most popular hunter in Korea, according to hunter broadcasts, had been the insufferable Seong Hyunjae. Well, to be precise, he was a global phenomenon. No matter what anyone said, being a fixture at the top of the rankings was enough to make him captivating. People tend to like and remember whoever’s in first place.
Ugh, still annoying.
Whoosh—
Flames burned away the poisonous mist in the air as Yuhyun dragged the last poisoned hunter over to me. I appreciated the help, but…
“Shouldn’t you be checking on Noah?”
“She’s his sister, right? She’ll handle it.”
“Hey, can you at least pretend to care about Noah? Look over there. I can’t see what’s happening.”
You agreed to be my stand-in glasses. What’s the point if you’re only watching me?
“There’s nothing to worry about. No need to look.”
Yeah, sure. Why don’t you smear some spit on your lips while you’re lying? I grabbed his face and forced him to turn his head. He let me move him without resistance, and I finally got a clear view of the three people confronting each other.
Liette stood like a dark queen, exuding an imposing presence, while Kang Soyeong burned with determination, showing no signs of backing down. And then there was Noah—standing out among the three, practically sparkling under the bright sunlight. What a nice day.
“Sweetie, are you S-rank?”
“A-rank!”
“And yet you don’t seem intimidated at all?”
“Thanks to my skill traits, I don’t feel pressure when facing dragonkin. Liette, you seem to be similar to a dragonkin yourself.”
Oh, that made sense. Kang Soyeong had been surprisingly bold with Noah, so I’d thought she might have a skill that nullified fear or fostered a sense of familiarity when dealing with dragonkin.
At her answer, Liette’s eyes narrowed with amusement. Her curiosity, already evident, seemed to deepen further.
“Just because you’re not afraid doesn’t mean the danger isn’t real. Maybe you should be more cautious, little girl.”
“She has a point.”
Yuhyun turned back to me as he spoke. Yeah, I knew that already, thanks.
“…Kang Soyeong, please step back.”
It was Noah’s voice. I couldn’t see him well—turn your head, Yuhyun.
“I appreciate your help, but it’s dangerous.”
“Don’t worry about me.”
Kang Soyeong replied confidently.
“I’ll just ride you!”
“…What?”
“You see, if I ride a dragonkin, our stats combine. If we’re compatible, it can go up to 100 percent! That would make us stronger than most S-ranks!”
Kang Soyeong’s eyes sparkled as she looked at Noah. So her Dragon Rider skill involved stat integration. Since Kang Soyeong was A-rank and Noah was S-rank, their combined stats would certainly surpass Liette’s. Even Comet, who could grow to S-rank stats, would rival many S-rank hunters in strength.
“So, please let me ride you!”
Her voice was filled with excitement and anticipation. …Was she really here to help Noah, or was she just trying to take this opportunity to ride him? Well, if she used the Dragon Rider skill, the two of them could definitely face Liette together.
“Sweetie, does that mean it would work for me too?”
Before Noah could respond, Liette cut in. Noah tensed up, while Kang Soyeong tilted her head curiously at Liette.
“Since you’re dragonkin, it probably would.”
“Should I let you ride me, then?”
“Huh?”
Liette had already closed the distance between them, standing directly in front of Kang Soyeong. She smiled softly, tilting her lips just enough to be unnerving. Black scales began to protrude faintly from her hand as she waved it elegantly in front of Kang Soyeong’s face.
“What do you think? Don’t you want to see my transformation?”
“Bl-Black scales… I thought so, but still.”
Kang Soyeong’s gaze was fixed on Liette’s half-transformed hand as she nervously swallowed. Oh, come on, look at her.
“Hey, shouldn’t we step in and get Kang Soyeong out of there? Are you just going to stand around watching?”
“She doesn’t look like she’s going to attack, so what’s the point?”
Yuhyun answered coldly.
“Still, shouldn’t you help her? You’re not close?”
“We’re not. We’ve barely crossed paths before.”
Yuhyun replied as if he couldn’t understand why I was even asking. Seriously? Well, they might not be close now, but they could become friends later. This was a great chance to earn some points.
“…Are you similar to Noah?”
Kang Soyeong hesitated as she glanced between Noah and Liette, then cautiously asked. Liette’s grin grew even wider—her laughter silent but evident.
“Very~ different.”
“What… what do you look like?”
“Seeing is believing.”
With a light step, Liette suddenly leapt backward. Hey, hold on.
“Not here!”
“Don’t worry, sweetie. I’ll shrink down!”
As if that helped. Even if she shrank, she was already taller than most men. Her body began to shift, expanding rapidly as black masses swelled outward. A head, a tail, and four limbs emerged, followed by a shrrrk as black-red scales covered her entire body. Rows of fearsome spikes jutted out menacingly, exuding an overwhelming presence.
It was definitely smaller than the last time I saw it, but even at half its original size, the body of the dragon was as large as a massive truck.
The black dragon, as if embodying the very essence of the word “ferocity,” raised its head high.
Boom—!
The tip of its casually swinging tail smashed through part of the dungeon building. If it were still its full size, it wouldn’t have been just a part but the entire structure that got crushed. And that would’ve added even more to the already mounting problems for the Hunter Association, which was barely holding itself together as it was. Well, technically, it was already adding to their problems right now.
— How is it, sweetie?
Liette’s golden eyes playfully winked. From the perspective of the onlookers, it was a chilling expression. Standing in front of her, Kang Soyeong’s body trembled. Not from fear, though—her expression said it all.
“Unnie, I love you!!”
She’s lost it.
“You’re perfect! You’re beautiful! You’re the best!”
Yep, she’s completely gone. It looked like she was ready to defect from Noah’s fan club and join Liette’s right this second. Behind the enraptured Kang Soyeong, Noah wore a half-resigned expression as if saying, “Yeah, my sister is incredible”. It was the kind of face you make after going through this kind of situation one too many times.
“Your legs—those massive, powerful legs! So thick and sturdy! And those claws—they’re terrifyingly huge, sharp, and magnificent! The spikes are absolutely flawless and incredible! Oh my god, how many of them are there, running along your back all the way to your tail? Even your thick neck is stunning! You’re so beautiful, it’s unreal!”
The dragon, looking like something straight out of a nightmare, chuckled contentedly. Kang Soyeong, seriously—what kind of lens are you looking through to call that beautiful?
— Want to hop on, my little Soyeong? Your big sister will give you a ride.
“Yes, yes! I’d love to ride you!”
As Kang Soyeong nodded enthusiastically, I snapped back to my senses. Wait a second, this can’t happen.
“Kang Soyeong, hold on!”
The Dragon Rider skill combines the stats of the mount and the rider. If A-rank combatant Kang Soyeong’s stats got added to Liette’s already overwhelming strength, she’d become completely unmanageable.
If only Kang Soyeong refrained from using her skill, things would be fine—but she was utterly bewitched right now. Her brain was in no condition to resist Liette’s coaxing. At this rate, she’d use her skill without a second thought.
“That skill, the stats—!”
As I rushed forward in a panic, my foot caught on the leg of one of the unconscious hunters. I stumbled, but Yuhyun caught me mid-fall and leapt forward, landing near Noah in an instant. However, by then, Kang Soyeong had already climbed onto Liette’s back.
“Calm down, Kang Soyeong! Using the Rider skill right now is like pouring oil on a fire!”
I thought back to when Yuhyun and Seong Hyunjae temporarily lost control after receiving the double attack skill buff. This situation could be just as dangerous, even if Kang Soyeong’s stats wouldn’t boost Liette’s power by a full 100 percent. But with Liette already itching for a fight, giving her a buff was practically asking for chaos.
“But this might be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!”
Kang Soyeong’s face was filled with excitement.
“I’ve had an SS-rank skill for so long and never got to use it properly! And now there’s a dragon this strong, this beautiful right in front of me!”
Her expression and voice made it seem like her lifelong dream was about to come true. At that point, it was clear that trying to stop her was a lost cause.
“Noah, look after my brother.”
Yuhyun’s voice was low as he spoke before leaping toward Kang Soyeong, who was perched on the dragon’s back. But Liette moved faster.
Scratch!
The dragon’s claws raked the ground, and her massive body spun as her tail whipped through the air with full force. The sheer power behind the swing, amplified by her enormous size, was enough to overwhelm even an S-rank hunter.
Instead of resisting the force of the tail, Yuhyun stepped onto one of its protruding spikes, letting himself be pushed back while twisting his body midair to safely land on the ground. Meanwhile, Noah transformed into his dragon form and lifted me into the air.
“I’m sorry about my sister…”
“It’s not your fault, Noah. Honestly, it feels like you’ve been through a lot because of her.”
Noah’s face showed visible discomfort. Yeah, no way this was the first time Liette had caused trouble. Knowing her, she probably stirred up all kinds of incidents even before she awakened.
“I should’ve made a better impression on Kang Soyeong…”
“It’s not your fault. Kang Soyeong’s tastes are just… unusual. Objectively speaking, you’re way cooler than Liette. If you ask ten random people on the street, nine of them would probably pick you.”
Honestly, Noah was way more beautiful. His golden dragon form sparkled brilliantly, with sleek, streamlined limbs and smooth, glossy scales. His small head and big, round gray eyes added to the effect.
“No matter what anyone says, I’m on your side, Noah. I wouldn’t trade you for ten Liettes.”
If there were ten Liettes, the world would be doomed.
“Move everyone to a safe place! Liette, don’t harm any civilians!”
Yuhyun glanced up at me briefly before heading toward the unconscious hunters to evacuate them.
— This is amazing, sweetie!
Liette’s delighted voice rang out. It seemed the Rider skill had activated, judging by her excitement. As her tail whipped around again, the remaining dungeon building crumbled like a house of cards.
“Right, Unnie? It’s amazing, isn’t it?”
— Yup! Does using my poison skill hurt you?
“Dragon Rider skills make the rider immune to the dragon’s attacks!”
— Oh my, how adorable!
It’s horrifying.
“Do not use your poison skill!”
I glanced around to check if everyone had evacuated. The Association better be doing its job, even if they’re swamped.
‘But seriously, how are we supposed to stop this?’
I wasn’t sure how much Kang Soyeong’s stats had been added to Liette’s, but judging from their reaction, the percentage applied seemed quite high. That meant Yuhyun alone would have a hard time handling her. Since the doubled attack skill effects couldn’t be shared yet, should I at least try applying the Teacher skill on Liette?
‘If this turns into a full-on fight, the damage will be massive.’
Maybe I should contact Seong Hyunjae and tell him to come pick up his rampaging hunter. But even that guy wouldn’t be able to stop this chaos-inducing duo without causing collateral damage.
— Let’s go, sweetie!
“Unnie, let’s ride!”
“Where exactly do you think you’re going?!”
“For a drive!”
The roads are going to be completely destroyed!
While Yuhyun was busy rescuing people, I redirected my attention and cast the Teacher skill on Noah as well. The black dragon, now carrying Kang Soyeong, stomped heavily, shaking the ground. Where on earth were they planning to go?
“Calm dow—cough, cough!”
Damn it, even shouting is exhausting. The worst problem right now is my eyesight, but overall, my condition is still far from normal. I tried to wet my throat with a mana potion, and as I did, Noah hesitated slightly before speaking.
“There is… one way to stop my sister.”
“Really? What is it?”
“Well…”
After Noah explained the method, I quickly made a phone call. While Yuhyun and Noah worked together to divert the attention of the dragon and her rider and keep them in place, a car finally arrived. Stepping out of the vehicle was none other than Song Taewon.
“Hunter Liette.”
Song Taewon looked as world-weary as ever as he raised something in his hand to show everyone.
— Shh-shh!
A tiny, jewel-like snake sparkled brilliantly as it wriggled in his large hand, clearly agitated. Liette, seeing this, immediately froze in place.
— Belare!
“…Stop this rampage immediately and return to your human form.”
Song Taewon commanded.
The black dragon lifted her head and glared at the golden one with sharp, narrowed eyes. At the sight of his sister’s beloved pet beast being exposed, Noah trembled slightly, his wings giving a faint shiver.
–TL Notes–
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