The Mysterious Child: An Adventure Tale Beginning with Numerology

Ema Smasrick couldn't believe the scene before his eyes.

Until then, he had thought the young S-rank adventurer's ability was at best slightly below that of Furat Zambaldaar, another S-rank adventurer. After all, he was only about 14 years old. Even if he was a rumored rookie in the adventurer world, Smasrick didn't think a fellow human could be that strong.

Moreover, during their journey, he had seemed like just an ordinary boy. Surrounded by exceptional talents - a skilled sheep-person mage, a 10-year-old noble with transfer skills and negotiation prowess from the Mataisa Kingdom, the dragon princess herself, and a mysteriously strong slime - Smasrick hadn't had the chance to witness the boy's own power.

But that impression was overturned.

The battle, which Smasrick's eyes couldn't even follow, resonated only with sounds and impacts. Witnessing an ability that could exchange blows with the Dragon King himself, Smasrick, who had seen Furat fight, was made aware of the literal difference in class.

And above all, the intimidation skill unleashed on the dragon species.

Even though it wasn't directed at him, just the aftereffects made his legs shake too much to stand.

This boy was on a different level entirely.

Smasrick realized he had completely misjudged the boy who was showing a fight that seemed to be on par with the Dragon King. If the nobles of Bargia tried to eliminate Ruruk, they wouldn't stand a chance.

"...He's too strong."

What nonsense about being a boy who had just become an S-rank adventurer.

His ability was already on par with SS... no, perhaps even matching the SSS rank of the adventurers' guild leader.

If both he and the boy managed to return safely from this place, Smasrick would have to do everything in his power to avoid becoming enemies with him. That would be for the sake of Bargia, and an absolute necessity.

Smasrick made this decision as he watched the battle unfold.

■ ■ ■ ■ ■

Nagi, too, was captivated by the battle.

She had intended it as a joke to trouble him a bit.

Ever since they met, Ruruk had been teasing Nagi constantly. She understood that he was kind at heart, but being constantly joked with when she couldn't fight back was a bit irritating.

But the Dragon King had become angrier than expected, and it had escalated into a life-or-death battle.

What was unexpected was not just the Dragon King's short temper, but his strength.

Until now, the strongest being Nagi had encountered was Saturn. The high-ranking demon that even Ruruk had to flee from once.

However, the Dragon King would probably kill Saturn in an instant. Even Nagi, confident in her dynamic vision, could barely follow his movements. His physical abilities alone were faster than Saturn's high-speed movement skill.

And above all, the overwhelming power to punch Ruruk several kilometers away.

Demons and dragons hate each other. That's the rule set by the gods. Yet only demons are unable to leave their territory, while dragons can fly anywhere on the continent.

She had thought it was an unreasonably unfair rule.

But Nagi felt relieved.

She realized that demons hadn't incurred the Dragon King's wrath thanks to that confined environment. If they left their territory and provoked the Dragon King, they would have no chance of winning. Unless a royal-rank demon conveniently appeared, there wouldn't be even a sliver of possibility to stand against him.

"...But Ruruk, who's keeping up with him..."

She hadn't thought he was this strong.

Ruruk, who uses mystical arts, has overwhelming defense and mobility. And he hasn't even used the attack skills he's shown before.

In terms of unfathomable power, Ruruk and the Dragon King were similar.

She decided to properly apologize later for causing trouble.

But Nagi couldn't imagine herself actually saying that.

She could thank Seori for saving her from Saturn's curse, but she was too embarrassed to say it to Ruruk. For some reason, she always ended up speaking harshly to Ruruk. She couldn't express her gratitude properly.

As she tried to follow the ultra-fast battle with her eyes, she clenched her fists tightly.

"...Don't lose."

Nagi herself didn't notice the words that unconsciously slipped out.

Although she couldn't imagine how this battle would turn out, she prayed.

Even though she couldn't be straightforward, Ruruk had accepted her as someone who had reincarnated into this other world, as someone who had fallen into the path of carnage. Usually, he was an annoying man who always joked around and got on her nerves, but she knew he would help her when she lost her way.

She understood that kindness well enough.

A warmth like that of her brother.

Nagi continued to stare intently at the battle.

■ ■ ■ ■ ■

Vasky Bargiria was inwardly amazed.

Until now, there had been almost no one who could fight him on equal terms.

In his 400 years of life, he had only gone all out twice. Once when Vasky was young, he challenged a newly awakened Demon King he had found.

The result was a draw, and that Demon King became his friend.

The second time was after becoming the Dragon King, when the Mystic King visited and fought him.

That was less of a fight and more like sending a breeze against a willow. None of his attacks had any effect at all, so he gave up fighting altogether. They were said to be of the same royal rank, but that one must have been even higher, a supreme existence... perhaps even reaching the level of a demi-god. The difference in ability was too great.

Having gone through these two experiences, Vasky understood how powerful he was.

True ancestor dragons possess the strongest physical bodies with the blood of the Dragon God flowing through them, but among them, Vasky's [Absolute Conqueror] held extraordinary power. He prided himself on not losing to anyone short of a Mystic King-level entity.

But what was this boy?

Barely reaching the level of a royal being, yet possessing enough power to exchange blows with him, the Dragon King. He doesn't seem to be going all out, yet desperation seeps through. 

He should be strong, but doesn't appear so. What a strange boy.

Perhaps angered by the Dragon King's words and actions, the boy had knocked out all the dragon retainers with a single intimidation skill.

Witnessing this power firsthand, Vasky felt a strange surge of excitement envelop him, and he lunged at the boy to strike him yet again.

With each blow, the barrier blocking the impact grows stronger.

The same is true for Vasky. His [Dragon Aura Envelopment] enhances his bodily functions the more he moves, allowing him to continue striking the boy.

However, he couldn't break through that defense which he had supposedly broken once before.

"Hey, isn't this enough?" the boy says.

"I understand your concern for your daughter. Everyone loves their child. But Dragon King, you're too fastidious. Someday Seori might get married and have children, you know? When that time comes, do you intend to kill Seori's marriage partner too?"

"Shut up! What do you know!"

Vasky raised his voice unintentionally.

Seori is his precious daughter.

To begin with, true ancestor dragons with the blood of the Dragon God don't easily have children. It took him 200 years with multiple wives to have his first child.

Seori's mother was a single-attribute dragon, but she couldn't withstand the strain of giving birth to a true ancestor dragon's child and died immediately after giving birth to Seori.

Probably when the next child is born, the mother won't be able to withstand that burden either.

Knowing this, his wives are still trying to leave behind Vasky's descendants.

All of this is to prevent the extinction of the true ancestor's bloodline.

If Vasky doesn't have any more children, Seori is the only one who can inherit the true ancestor's blood. If the true ancestor's blood dies out, the balance of the world will collapse.

If Seori has a child with a human, of course that child would inherit the true ancestor's blood. But a weak human couldn't protect the child. Seori has a robust physique as a true ancestor dragon, but her body will change after giving birth. That's what becoming a mother means.

What Vasky was looking for was a being with the lifespan and power to protect Seori and her descendants.

"Can a mere human like you protect my daughter - my grandchild! It is the mission of us true ancestors not to let our blood die out!"

"Don't be ridiculous! Don't make Seori cry for such an uncertain future!"

Their fists clash.

Something is strange.

Vasky's [Dragon Aura Envelopment] is activated. His speed and power should be gradually increasing, yet the boy was starting to respond to his attacks more and more.

To begin with, it's strange that he can fight evenly with Vasky, the Dragon King. There's no way a mere human could obtain such stats. It doesn't make sense.

Vasky's frustration was only growing.

"I won't give my daughter to the likes of you!"

"If Seori wishes it! The permission of a foolish parent isn't necessary!"

The fist he thought he had caught slices through the air.

The next moment, Vasky was sent flying by a punch.

How many hundreds of years has it been? Since he was properly hit and the inside of his mouth was cut.

Even though his endurance value should be as high as possible, this boy managed to inflict damage.

Not only is the transfer skill troublesome, but the fact that the opponent has found a means of attack has become the trigger to upset the balance of the battle.

Until now, it had been one-sided pummeling.

But from now on, there would be risks for Vasky himself.

Thinking about this, it was no time to hold back.

"Boy... I'll praise you for making me get serious."

"What are you saying, raising death flags like that? Let's put our fists down already, shall we?"

"Nonsense. If you want to stop me, prove that you're stronger than me!"

Vasky howled to the heavens and used his [Transformation] skill.

He starts returning from human to dragon form.

His form was that of a golden, shining giant dragon.

The true ancestor dragon who governs the power of lightning. That is Vasky Bargiria.

"Ruaaaaaaaaah!"

The moment he turned into a dragon, he unleashed his breath at the boy without hesitation.

The breath, which had become wider in range than when he was in human form, had enough power to blow away the mountain opposite — but.

"Do both parent and child have environmental destruction as a hobby?"

The boy stands there unfazed.

A memory from the past flashes through Vasky's mind. That transcendent being who couldn't be moved a single step no matter how much he attacked. That girl who looked human but was like a god.

"I said let's stop already. I've been telling you I didn't come here to fight you."

"If you want to have your way in this world, show your strength! That's what it means to be strong!"

"Hah... I see. Well, if that's how it is, don't complain no matter what happens, okay?"

"What are you acting so composed about? Your attacks are nothing before my scales—"

Just as Vasky was about to say that, it happened.

The boy held out his hand in front and gathered power.

At that moment, the world shook.

"[Legend Manifestation — Dragon-Slaying Sword]"

What appeared in the boy's hand was a single sword.

It looks like just an ordinary longsword with no special features — but.

This is bad!

Vasky's instincts were sounding an alarm.

That is an existence beyond logic. Probably a mythical-class weapon. In other words, it's a weaponization of a concept that could kill even gods.

Vasky barely managed to resist the urge to turn his back and flee, not knowing where the boy had been hiding such a thing. It was his pride as the Dragon King.

However, his retainers couldn't do the same. Those who were even slightly conscious all fled, each trying to be the first. They couldn't remain calm in the face of that threat which would probably kill their existence as dragon species just by touching it — no, even by having its tip pointed at them.

The boy dangled that sword loosely and said once more:

"You're strong, Dragon King. Probably far beyond what I could match with just my own power. I have to resort to such underhanded means just to have a proper conversation."

"...You bastard, where did you get such power? That sword is meant to destroy us dragons, created by the demon god — I can feel a wave of power condensed from thousands of years. It's doubtful even the gods could create such a thing."

"Sorry, but that's a trade secret."

If the boy could freely use this power, all dragon species would probably perish with a single swing of this sword.

It was then that Vasky finally realized that the fight had been meaningless from the start.

If the boy had intended to go all out, it would have been their side that died.

Vasky slowly descended to the ground.

He changes his body back to human form, becoming a muscular man.

"...Alright, alright. I admit defeat."

"You're admitting defeat? That's unexpected."

The boy's eyes widened.

Vasky sighs.

"Well, even I'm not stupid. I may think I'm stronger than almost everyone else as the pinnacle of the strongest species, but I'm not quite the strongest in the world."

"So there are opponents even you can't beat?"

"Well, yeah. Like the Mystic King."

"Ah... my master. That's certainly true."

The boy nodded in understanding.

Vasky's voice cracked.

"You bastard, don't tell me you're that woman's disciple!?"

"Well, yeah. I call myself her top disciple."

"You should have said that earlier! How terrifying!"

If he had known that, he wouldn't have laid a hand on him in the first place. He understood that even Vasky would be instantly killed if he incurred the Mystic King's wrath.

"H-Hey, boy... if possible, could you keep this matter secret from the Mystic King?"

"Yes, yes."

The boy smiled wryly.

"So, Dragon King, what do you intend to do about Seori? I plan to continue adventuring with her."

"Do as you like! I don't care what humans do for fun in the first place, and I have no complaints if someone on par with me is with her."

"Good, that's what I was waiting to hear."

"But if anything happens to Seori, I won't let you off easy. Also, don't lay a hand on her without my permission."

"I understand."

The boy nodded with satisfaction, then immediately disappeared along with the sword.

He probably transferred back to the castle.

"Damn... bringing out something so dangerous."

Vasky lets out a sigh of relief as the concept of dragon-slaying vanishes.

Scratching his head, he floats up and looks down at the castle garden from the sky.

The boy who had returned by transfer was laughing, surrounded by his companions. Seori was also in that cheerful circle.

"Time sure flies, really."

The daughter who used to call him "Papa, Papa" just a few years ago is now infatuated with a boy.

Feeling somewhat lonely, Vasky also flies back to the garden.

"Hey, you lot. In my mercy, I've decided to acknowledge that boy. If his lifespan extends, I might even consider accepting him as a son-in-law... What's with you all? Do you have something to say to me?"

Vasky tilts his head, feeling strange gazes.

Facing the Dragon King, the boy and his companions all shouted in unison:

"Put some clothes on first!"

"Ah."

The Dragon King had forgotten that he became naked when returning to human form.