Evil Dragon Veldora Tempest

Veldora observed the battle unfold with great interest.

Ifrit was a true master of fire. His every movement exuded flames, his form shifting and flickering as though he were fire itself. He wielded his element with such skill that it was hard to separate the spirit from the inferno it commanded.

Rimuru's first attempt at countering him was Water Blade—a mistake.

Hmph. A poor choice.

Veldora had expected better. Water Blade was a high-speed slash of water infused with magicules, a technique designed for severing physical matter. But an elemental was a spiritual entity—physical attacks were meaningless. Even if Ifrit hadn't evaporated the attack instantly, it still wouldn't have caused damage.

Rimuru, however, was quick to adapt.

Veldora could feel his sworn brother running rapid calculations in his mind, searching for a new strategy. The way Rimuru conferred with his own skills was... fascinating.

And then, before Rimuru could act, one of the adventurers stepped in.

"Icicle Lance!"

The woman—Eren, if Veldora remembered correctly—launched a sharp spear of ice toward Ifrit.

Ahh, most impressive.

It worked, but only against Ifrit's clones. That attack alone would never finish the fight unless it struck the main body.

Still, the humans were persistent. Despite knowing the odds, Eren and her companions prepared another spell. They had no hope of victory, but their boldness was admirable.

And then—

Rimuru did something completely insane.

He jumped in front of Ifrit—protecting the spirit from Eren's next spell!

Veldora's eyes widened.

"What is he thinking…?"

Then, in the very next moment—

"Icicle Shotgun!"

A blast of countless ice shards exploded from Rimuru, erasing every one of Ifrit's clones in an instant.

Even Veldora was stunned.

He just… stole her magic and altered it on the spot?!

Rimuru wasn't a magic user—not that Veldora knew. So that could only mean one thing:

He had acquired the skill the moment he was struck by it.

Veldora let out a low chuckle.

"Simply stunning."

Ever since the beginning, Veldora had known that Rimuru's skills were highly suited to strategy and analysis. He had suspected his sworn brother was an efficient thinker, but this—this was beyond even his expectations.

"I must admit, his ability to analyze is at least the equal of my [Inquirer] skill... if not greater."

And the synergy of his abilities…!

"Predator," which devours everything.

A second, unknown skill that can instantly analyze and recreate what he absorbs.

Veldora suddenly felt a little jealous.

"Wait. Is it just me, or is this an extraordinarily broken combination of Unique Skills?!"

He had never seen anything like it. Such an ability was beyond rare—it was unfair. Rimuru could theoretically gain any power just by coming into contact with it.

And Ifrit must have realized this, too.

For the first time, the flame spirit hesitated.

But then, he launched his ultimate attack—

"Flare Circle!"

A massive, all-consuming flame burst outward, engulfing the battlefield. It was a wide-area attack, designed to leave no room for escape.

Veldora smirked.

"That was a mistake, Ifrit."

And yet...

"Oh, well... I had a good run."

"...What?!"

Rimuru thought he was finished?!

Veldora wanted to roar in frustration.

"You fool! You have resistance to heat! This attack means nothing!"

Ifrit had chosen a wide-range flame attack.

That was the worst possible move against someone like Rimuru.

If he had focused all his power into a single, concentrated blast, then—perhaps—he could have burned through Rimuru's defenses.

And, finally, Rimuru realized it.

"Sorry, Ifrit. Your flames are worthless against me."

Bold words from someone who had just given up moments ago.

But Ifrit flinched. That moment of hesitation sealed his fate.

Rimuru acted swiftly, activating Predator—and in an instant, Ifrit was devoured.

Veldora grinned.

With Ifrit now inside Rimuru, he could sense the spirit's presence. And though Ifrit was supposed to be sealed away in his own space, But Veldora extended his will—reaching outward, pulling him closer.

A forceful method, perhaps, but…

"Heh... It can't be helped."

.........

....

...

Ifrit felt a shiver run through his core—

Before him sat the Storm Dragon.

The sheer pressure radiating from the dragon's massive form was overwhelming. His scales, dark as midnight steel, reflected an ominous sheen in the blue. His golden eyes burned with an intensity that seemed to pierce through Ifrit's very essence.

This was not a being Ifrit could afford to take lightly.

And yet…

Why?

Why was he here?

Ifrit swallowed his confusion and forced himself to speak.

"Storm… Dragon…" His voice was barely a whisper, flickering like a dying flame.

Veldora grinned, his fangs gleaming in the dim light.

"Kwaaah ha ha ha! So you recognize me, huh? Not bad, not bad! Well, I suppose an elemental of your level would have at least heard of my greatness."

Ifrit clenched his fists.

He had never felt fear before—not even when facing Demon Lords. He was an absolute existence, a Greater Spirit of Flame, an embodiment of destruction itself.

But now…

Standing before this legendary catastrophe, he couldn't help but feel small.

"Ifrit, how do you feel about serving me?" Veldora spoke.

Thus, the Storm Dragon Veldora gained his first subordinate.

......

...

...

Right now, Veldora and Ifrit sat in front of the screen, watching Shizu's final moments.

Both of them had popcorn in hand, as if they were in a movie theater. Ifrit spoke about his life with Shizu, his voice carrying a mix of guilt and nostalgia.

As Veldora listened, he came to understand everything.

Apparently, Ifrit had never been a good match for his host, the woman named Shizue. Not in terms of synchronization—she had managed to contain him—but in their very nature. Ifrit was loyal to Demon Lord Leon, worshipping him without question. Shizu, on the other hand, despised Leon with every fiber of her being.

With such opposing wills, they were doomed to clash. It was only through Shizu's skill that she kept Ifrit's power locked away, but that also weakened her. She was unable to fully wield his mighty flames. If the two had truly shared their minds and power, Shizu's abilities would have been on another level. Maybe then… she wouldn't have reached the end of her life so soon.

Veldora sighed, shaking his head. Fate was cruel.

On the screen, Rimuru was using Predator to absorb Shizu's body, her form dissolving into his. But Veldora felt something else—a lingering presence.

A soul.

Without hesitation, he reached out with his will, just as he had done with Ifrit. This time, he focused even harder, pulling at the fading spirit before it could disappear completely.

However, Veldora quickly realized something was wrong. Shizue's soul was slipping away—not because of any external force, but because she *wanted* to go. It was as if she had already accepted her fate, surrendering herself to the inevitable.

Veldora gritted his teeth, trying to forcefully hold her together, but with his powers restricted, it was nearly impossible. No matter how strong he was, saving someone who had no will to live was beyond his reach.

Then, he heard it—a faint, gentle voice.

"Please… let me rest."

The great Storm Dragon, one of the most powerful beings in existence, let out a deep sigh. He had tried to bargain, to reason, to persuade… but in the end, there was no undoing what had already been set in motion.

"If this is what you seek, then I will not stop you." Veldora's voice was unusually quiet as he let go of his will, allowing Shizue's soul to finally slip away.

"Rest in peace, Shizue Izawa."

"Thank you."

With those final words, her soul began to disintegrate, fading into nothingness.

—

—

—

{Acquired Extra Skill [Synthesis]}

Veldora heard the mechanical voice echo in his mind.

—

—

—

(Footsteps echo softly in the distance.)

A young girl lifted her face, eyes searching.

Then, she saw them—shadows of familiar figures. With relief, she smiled.

"There you are! Don't leave me again!"

But the shadowy women only shook their heads, pointing toward something beyond.

And there—

"Mother!"

Her heart swelled with happiness as she rushed toward the waiting figure.

Perhaps it was merely an illusion, a dream born from her own longing…

But in that moment, she was reunited with her mother.

Her long journey had finally come to an end.

—

Veldora watched the scene unfold, his golden eyes solemn.

For the first time since his birth, the Storm Dragon felt the sting of sorrow.