The night had faded, and the first light of dawn stretched across the burned remains of the village.
Dong stood silently near the village square, his hands clasped behind his back, eyes fixed on the distant horizon. The villagers gathered around him exhausted yet filled with admiration.
They were waiting for the arrival of the kingdom's elite unit.
Dong's expression remained calm, though his thoughts were heavy.
"How much longer are they going to take?" he wondered, his patience thinning with each passing moment.
Behind him, Alica shifted uncomfortably, wincing as she rubbed her leg.
"Young master… my legs are hurting," she said softly.
Dong glanced at her, his tone firm but not unkind.
"I didn't tell any of you to stand beside me. It's your choice."
Alica lowered her head but smiled faintly.
"You protected our village, young master," said one of the men. "You slew that monster when no one else could. Standing beside you is the least we can do."
Alica nodded, her voice gentle but full of sincerity.
"And… you saved me too. So for me, this is special."
Dong looked at her for a moment, then sighed quietly.
He didn't reply but in his heart, a faint warmth stirred beneath the cold calm of his face.
Dong stood silently near the ruined square. Around him, the surviving villagers waited anxiously their eyes fixed on the eastern road.
In the distance, a line of armored riders appeared through the mist. Silver armor gleamed in the morning light the Kingdom's Elites had finally arrived.
Dong exhaled quietly. "Finally… now the real game begins."
He watched as the soldiers dismounted. Three of them bore the aura of S-rank, and at their center stood a man in a black-and-gold cloak an SA-rank Elite General.
The general approached with a forced smile. "Young Master Dong, are you unharmed?"
Dong's gaze was cold, unreadable. "I'm fine," he said flatly, then his eyes narrowed. "But tell me… were those weak guards earlier trained under you?"
The general stiffened. "Yes, Young Master. They were my men. I admit they were weak."
Dong stepped closer, voice lowering, sharp as a blade. "Weak?" He tilted his head. "No. You're weak. You act strong, but your strength is just borrowed glory. Even your so-called Draco bloodline it isn't truly yours. You're nothing more than a lowly pretender… a pathetic one."
The general's face twisted in fury. "Young Master, please mind your words!"
Dong didn't flinch. His hand moved before anyone could react a crisp SLAP echoed through the air.
Silence fell.
The Elite General froze, stunned, a faint mark blooming across his cheek.
The soldiers behind him stared in disbelief.
Even the villagers fell into a stunned hush unable to comprehend what they had just witnessed.
Dong's tone remained calm, almost indifferent.
"I don't have time for your pride. Prepare the carriage. I'm leaving."
He turned away, walking past the still-shocked soldiers toward the villagers.
"Alica," he said gently, placing his hand on the girl's head. His touch was warm, calm a sharp contrast to the cold power he'd shown moments ago.
"I'm leaving now. I hope no one disturbs your village again."
From his cloak, he pulled out a small, leather-bound book and handed it to her.
"This is something I wrote last night," Dong said quietly. "It contains fire and water magic, from elite to mythical rank. And within it… are also three legendary magic skills. Learn from it well."
Alica's eyes widened in awe, her small hands trembling as she accepted it. "Young Master… thank you! I'll learn everything I promise!
Dong gave a faint smile, his eyes softening just a little. "Good."
He turned toward the road, raising his hand in farewell. The villagers bowed deeply, their voices filled with gratitude and reverence as the black carriage rolled away through the mist carrying the young master who had saved their lives, and shaken even the elites of the kingdom...
("A single slap from the right hand carries more truth than a thousand words from the weak.")
("The difference between us isn't strength — it's purpose. You fight for pride… I fight for truth.")