The sheer pressure radiating from the dragon was enough to crush anyone. Its very presence made the world fall silent, as if nothing else existed anymore. That kind of overwhelming aura was reminiscent of the legendary Ragnarok. Yet, even that presence seemed to be gazing at Rick—almost as though it was mocking fate itself.
The hunters were far from pleased. Their bodies froze, paralyzed by fear. Hands trembled, cold sweat dripped down their faces, and their minds spiraled into confusion.
"What… how? Is this the dragon described in history? Could it truly be him? And if so… why is he here?"
But before they could find an answer, their thoughts shattered. They could not function properly after seeing a calamity that had only ever been whispered about in legends. And yet, somehow, they recognized him instantly.
How could they know him after seeing him just once?
The answer lay in an ancient book—Humanity's Betrayer.
That book told the story of a hero who once existed during the great Human–Demon War. A hero who, in the end, betrayed humanity… and gained immortality.
Thousands of years ago, when humanity stood against the demon hordes, the records tell of many heroes representing their nations and races who will lead there respective nation and race's army to fight demon on frontline. But there was one hero above all others—a representative of the dragon race, the son of the Dragon King, and heir to the throne. He is now known as Ragnarok, the Immortal Dragon. In those ancient days, he was beloved by all races. He was the first to lead his army into battle and was counted among the Seven Lights—champions destined to guide their people to victory.
But that glory shattered overnight. Word spread that Ragnarok had slaughtered an entire human camp and allied himself with demons. The moment humanity heard the news, they branded him The Betrayer of Humanity.
His true likeness was recorded forty-five years ago in a book titled Waking Disaster: Heaven Destroyer, Ragnarok. It told of his merciless destruction of an entire nation—supposedly for no reason other than amusement. The book's illustrations depicted a dragon cloaked in crimson scales, eyes like molten rubies, and a deep scar carved into his chest.
Both the book and his story were buried in history, erased from humanity's records. They remained forgotten—until an explorer stumbled upon them in the ruins of an ancient kingdom. After translating the text and publishing it decades ago, the tale spread like wildfire, becoming so famous that even children could describe him.
That was why the hunters—and Rick—recognized the figure before them now. The same crimson dragon from the book had appeared in the flesh.
Upon seeing Ragnarok, Rick's breath caught.
"Ah… is this the end?"
But even as despair threatened to crush him, he gritted his teeth.
"No… I refuse to accept it."
Driven by sheer will, Rick began to move again—crawling forward, forcing his battered body to obey, as if trying to wring one last breath of defiance from his soul. He struggled. Every inch forward left a smear of blood across the ground. Tears welled in his eyes as pain consumed him, his body trembling under the weight of his injuries. Around him, corpses lay silent. The light in his vision began to fade.
Ragnarok stood unmoving, watching. Seeing Rick fight for his life stirred a thought within him.
"I was resting in the mountains… and yet, I felt it—a presence. A familiar presence I will never forget. One steeped only in hatred and chaos. I followed it here, and instead of a great foe, I find… a child being hunted by humans. But that presence… it came from him."
The Immortal Dragon's gaze sharpened. "Before I speak to him… I should clean up the trash."
Without warning, the hunters' bodies ruptured from within, as if something inside them had detonated. Flesh and bone burst outward, ending their lives in an instant. A strange light enveloped Rick, knitting his wounds closed.
Rick gasped as his pain faded. The dragon had healed him—yet the act felt ominous, as if Ragnarok was only restoring him so they could speak.
Ragnarok's deep, resonant voice rolled through the air, heavy and commanding.
"Kid… what is your name?"
Rick froze. The voice was so powerful, so overwhelming, it seemed to come from another world. Hesitation clung to his tongue, but finally, he forced the words out.
"Ri… Rick Van Vleck. That is my name."
The dragon's voice rumbled again.
"Don't be afraid. I have no wish to kill a child who has not yet seen even a glimpse of the world. I only wish to ask you something. Answer my question… and I will let you go."
Rick blinked in surprise. The infamous Heaven Destroyer—the villain described in countless tales—was speaking with a calm, almost gentle tone. After a long pause, he nodded."Okay… I understand," he said firmly.
Now… after all this time when i think about that time it surprises me just how much time has passed since then.
Even after all this time, I have yet to find the answer I sought the day i was born. I was alive—but I still didn't know what it truly meant to live. What does it mean to love someone? To love yourself?
I have loved many people in my life's… yet I still don't know what to say about life itself.
What is life? What is our purpose? Why do we exist? Does our existence carry any meaning at all?
In this world, overflowing with mystery, I cannot accept the idea that we were born merely to live and then die—nothing more.
Humans… they baffle me. Born into a world they did not choose, they live their days bound by systems they themselves created—nations, governments, laws. At times, they seem like rulers of the universe. Yet, they cannot create peace without conflict, nor value without currency.
Some live in such misery that they welcome death. And yet… others cling to life with all their strength, even when everything around them tells them to let go.Some clinging to the fragile hope that perhaps—someday—their lives will improve. That maybe one day, they will be happy. There are those whose kindness goes unreturned, and those whose cruelty cannot be fathomed.
We are all human, yet we do not share the same life. Some die without ever discovering what life truly means to them. Many never even define it in their own terms.
I do not know what is truly right or wrong. I do not claim to understand life or love. All I know is that I have loved—and that love was real.
This is not just the story of a boy named Rick. This is my story.
I was born in defiance of humanity, rejected by the world itself, shunned by gods who never cared to explain the meaning of life. And yet… I searched. This is the tale of my pursuit of truth—of peace, of humanity, of the reason for my existence.
Rick… he was the starting point. The one who set my journey into motion.
The story of Rick is the point where it all began—where I first stepped into my adventure. And perhaps, one day, I will find my reason for being… my existence. Maybe then, I will be able to look back and tell my past self what it truly means to live.
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