I Became the Only Reptile in the Community

Chapter 41

—–CROW—– 

Having noticed the peculiarity of the Yeouiju, he couldn’t delay any longer. Showing weakness to an enemy who was clearly targeting him was foolish.

“[Alright, Dragon King’s daughter. If you want to fight, I’ll gladly accept.]”

“F-Fight?!”

Honestly, he didn’t want to fight. It wasn’t that he was afraid of the mythical creature before him. It was the Dragon King behind her that made him hesitate.

‘But I can’t just let this go.’

If he appeared weak, she might try something. It was better to nip it in the bud. Of course, he had to keep him alive if she didn’t want to face the Dragon King’s fury.

*Gulp*

Someone gulped. The Dragon King’s daughter tentatively raised her hand. “I’m the Dragon King’s daughter. Aren’t you going to just hand over the Yeouiju…?”

“[No. If you want it, kill me and take it.]”

So, let’s fight. The thrill of battle hadn’t completely faded after his fight with the surprisingly weak spirits. He could have a good fight with her in this state.

*Rumble*

“Hiccup.”

“[Why are you just standing there? Get ready. Show me your full power, the power you intend to kill me with.]”

As he willed it, the lightning energy accumulated within him stirred the heavens. Dark clouds gathered, and lightning flickered, awaiting his command.

“B-But I’m a Water type, so I’m weak against electricity!”

“[So what?]”

Even as she said that, her movements, channeling power and preparing for his attack, were clearly those of someone accustomed to combat.  The only problem was that she was focusing too much on the sky.

“[Then take this!]”

*Whoosh!*

“That’s cheating! You pretended you were going to use lightning, and now you’re breathing fire?!”

That was because she was so obviously focused on the sky above.  The scorching flames swept towards the Dragon King’s daughter.  Not ordinary fire, but the purest, hottest, primal flames. A direct hit would easily end the fight for most mythical creatures.

*Swoosh*

Yes, for *most* mythical creatures.

“[…She split the flames?]”

But she split the flames with surprising ease.  The force of the attack, which had been a straight line, parted his flames and reached his body.  She stroked the edge of her right hand, having broken through the flames that even the spirits had avoided.

“Water might be weak against Lightning types, but it’s strong against Fire types.”

Looking closely, he could see traces of water on the edge of her hand and within the area affected by the attack.

‘She coated her hand with water and swung it?’

But to split his flames… Was she more than just the Dragon King’s daughter in name?

“Dragon King Style: Sea Splitting. Not many have forced me to use this. You should be proud.”

“[Don’t make me laugh.]” El scoffed.

It was ridiculous. She was the challenger, yet she acted so proud after using a defensive move against his attack. Well, considering the impact of the technique, it was a powerful blow she could justifiably be proud of, but it was arrogant to use it against *him*.  She was acting as if she was stronger than him.

*Rumble*

“Ugh?!”

He shook the earth, distorting the terrain.  She, standing on two feet, had to struggle for balance, and he immediately sent a gust of wind at her.

“Eek!”

*Swoosh*

This time, she split the wind with a double-handed knife-hand strike.  He had replicated the techniques the Wind Spirits had used against him, increasing their power and speed, yet she easily blocked it.  But that Dragon King Style… the more he saw it, the more he liked it.  It seemed powerful and suitable for both offense and defense, a rare combination.

“[And judging by the name ‘Dragon King Style,’ it was likely created by the Dragon King.]”

She probably learned this technique from her father, the Dragon King, as a form of protection.

‘She’s only using knife-hand strikes. Doesn’t she have any other attacks?’

He had to find out. His primal curiosity surged, urging him to observe and memorize every aspect of this Dragon King Style.

*Rumble*

“[Let’s see how you’ll deal with lightning falling from the sky.]”

“Hiya!”

A flash. The lightning, which had been waiting in the sky, finally descended upon his command, striking his opponent mercilessly.

*Boom!*

“[So, that Dragon King Style is solely based on knife-hand strikes.]”

She blocked the lightning with Dragon King Style again. However, she couldn’t block the tingling aftereffects that spread through her body. Her movements became sluggish, and her body twitched slightly.

“W-Well.  M-Maybe.  O-Or maybe not.”

Her speech was slurred, her tongue likely numbed.  He nodded slightly at her drawn-out response.

*Crackle*

“[Then let’s confirm it.]”

“Y-You crazy…”

Here it comes, round two.

*Flash*

Did she think that was the last attack?  The dark clouds pregnant with lightning still lingered above them.  Wouldn’t it be wiser to wait until the clear sky reappeared before letting her guard down?

*Splash*

Just then, right before the lightning struck, he heard a faint splashing sound.

“[So, she’s closing the distance.]”

As the lightning fell, he saw her.  She suddenly slid towards him with surprising speed.

“[Since Dragon King Style is a knife-hand technique, close combat must be where it truly shines.]”

But he wouldn’t let her close the distance so easily.  He raised the earth, creating a barrier between them.

*Crack*

But her knife-hand, the one that had split even his flames, sliced through the earth, continuing her approach.  Her speed was astonishing.  In the blink of an eye, she was close, swinging her knife-hand at his belly.

“[Hmm. Is this it?]”

*Swoosh*

“…Huh?”

Just before her hand sliced through him, his tail blocked her attack.

“H-How?”

Her eyes widened in surprise as he blocked her attack.  Or rather, was she surprised by the *technique* he used to block it?

“How can *you* use Dragon King Style?”

The technique she was so familiar with was now being used by his tail.  He had replicated Dragon King Style.

“[Is this the time to be distracted?]”

*Swoosh*

“Eek!”

Perhaps because he had the advantage in physical strength, she was pushed back.  She quickly recovered, aiming a stabbing attack with her fingertips.

*Clang*

“Even Abyssal Thrust!”

But he had already grasped the mechanics of Dragon King Style, including Sea Splitting. It wasn’t difficult to replicate.

“[I won’t kill the Dragon King’s daughter, so I’ll let you off with just an arm.]”

His sharpened tail swung towards her momentarily paralyzed arm, surprised and bewildered by his instant technique replication.

*Whoosh*

Did she sense the danger?  The ring on her neck glowed, and a massive storm engulfed the surroundings.

***

“Dragon King! The princess is…!”

“I know, so stop.”

The Dragon Princess, the beloved daughter of the Dragon King, had ascended to the surface.  The residents of the Dragon Palace were panicking, searching for the Dragon King, the ruler of the Dragon Palace and the princess’s father.

*Gulp*

But the last person she had seen before leaving was her father, the Dragon King. He felt a pang of resentment as his daughter declared her intention to leave and ascended to the surface.  He took another sip of his wine, much to the horror of his servants.  Wasn’t he worried that his daughter had gone to the surface?!

“Aren’t you worried?”

Most of them were afraid to provoke the Dragon King, but his boldest guard stepped forward and voiced everyone’s concern.

“Of course I’m worried.”

What parent wouldn’t worry about their child? The Dragon King’s worry was so great that he couldn’t even bring himself to give her a Yeouiju.

“But, I hate to say this, but my daughter isn’t that weak.”

Yes, he was worried, but that was only natural as a father. But as the Dragon King, he saw his daughter as a divine being of the Dragon Palace, possessing ample power.  She was among the top five strongest in terms of power.

“Besides, my daughter has mastered Dragon King Style since she was young.”

Well, it was called Dragon King Style, but in truth, it was a technique he had created for his daughter. Techniques he had devised himself, worried about his child who wasn’t born a dragon.  Ordinary beings wouldn’t stand a chance against it.

*Gulp*

So, she would return safely.  The Dragon King took this for granted.

*Rumble*

“D-Dragon King!”

“That wind…!”

“…”

He was shocked by the immense power of the wind surging from the surface, far greater than anything he had felt before.  Something must have happened to his daughter, whom he had just believed would return safely.  Otherwise, that item wouldn’t have activated.  The Typhoon Orb, a protective ring he had received from the Wind Spirit King in exchange for the Yeouiju.

“…I’ll go myself. Everyone, stay here.”

He had originally planned to wait for his daughter to return after calming down with some drinks, but the situation had changed.

“She’s gone quite far.”

The Dragon King shook his head, gauging the distance to the massive typhoon created by the Typhoon Orb.  Still, at this distance, 30 seconds should be enough. 

 It was an item imbued with the Wind Spirit King’s power, so it should hold for at least 30 seconds.  The Dragon King flew towards the typhoon with all his might.

—–CROW—–