The cave started rumbling, small boulders falling from the sides as if it were about to erupt like a volcano at any given second.
The cave's entrance burst open, and a majestic creature emerged — its massive body writhing in fury. The wyvern's scales glistened like molten lava, a deep, fiery red that seemed to pulse with an inner flame. Its wings — two pairs of leathery appendages — unfolded like dark, membranous sails. The forward pair, half the length of its body, beat with a slow, deliberate rhythm, while the smaller rear pair fluttered with a higher pitch, creating a discordant harmony. The wyvern's face, a snarling, snouted visage, radiated malevolent intent, its eyes blazing like hot coals.
With the wyvern bursting out of the cave, a loud noise echoed across the mountains — loud enough to reach Kai and the Blacksmith.
"What the hell was that?" Kai asked, his face pale with fear.
The Blacksmith, however, only smiled. "Oh, I sure do know what that was."
"Then tell me — what was it?"
"That's what I like to call entertainment."
Kai blinked, confused, but before he could ask again, the Blacksmith grabbed him by the shoulder and teleported them both to the so-called "entertainment's" location.
"Aha! So here you are," the Blacksmith said, grinning. "I was getting really bored these days."
He faced the wyvern and readied his weapon — an ordinary-looking blacksmith's hammer made of dark wood and metal. Ordinary, except for the faint glow running along its handle.
"Ready when you are," he said calmly.
The wyvern hovered in the air, unmoving.
"Huh? What's wrong? Too scared?"
Still, it didn't react. The Blacksmith sighed. "Fine, I'll do this my way."
He raised a hand to his eye.
A shimmering blue beam of light shot out from his eye and struck the wyvern. A string of glowing red letters appeared above the creature's head — visible only to him.
[Name: Koromagi]
[Age: 512 years]
[Race: Dragon]
[Type: Fire]
"Oh, so you're a fire type too!" the Blacksmith chuckled.
Kai frowned. "Huh? How did you know that?"
"Well, let's just say… I have a skill for that."
Before Kai could respond, the wyvern suddenly clapped all four of its wings together, unleashing a massive gust of hot wind mixed with flames.
The Blacksmith teleported away effortlessly, appearing a few meters behind the creature, while Kai dove behind a massive rock for cover.
"So you finally decided to move," the Blacksmith taunted. "I would've killed you if you stayed still for two more minutes."
He reappeared behind the wyvern and slammed its tail with his hammer, sending the creature crashing into the ground. As the wyvern tried to lift itself again, it felt an immense force pinning it down — the Blacksmith pressing its tail to the earth with his hammer.
The wyvern roared, releasing a blinding beam of fire from its mouth. The Blacksmith's grip loosened, and the creature seized the chance to fly high into the air, far beyond human sight.
But dragons had sharp eyes. When it looked down, it saw no trace of the Blacksmith. It relaxed, assuming its fiery breath had vaporized him — until it looked up again and froze.
The Blacksmith hovered in the air right in front of it, completely unscathed — not a single burn or wound.
"What made you think you can defeat me?" he said coldly. "Even the most evil demons of hell fear me."
The wyvern trembled, but before it could react, the Blacksmith swung his hammer.
He struck once — the right side of its head. Then again — the left. Then from below. Each hit made its massive head whip in the opposite direction.
Finally, he raised his hammer high, packed it with terrifying energy, and brought it down in a crushing blow. The impact sent the wyvern plummeting, its body crashing through the ground until it sank ten feet deep.
The Blacksmith teleported in front of its head. The creature's eyes fluttered open weakly.
"You're still alive? Impressive," he said, amused.
He turned toward the cave, its roof blown apart. The wyvern, desperate, tried to stop him by swinging its tail — but halfway through, it fell limp.
"Hm… there must be something precious to you inside that cave," he murmured. "Interesting."
"Hey, Blacksmith!" Kai called. "Is it safe for me to come out now?"
"Oh, I forgot you were here. Don't worry — that monster's practically dead."
But just as he said that, two smaller wyverns emerged from the cave. They looked similar to the mother — one purple, one orange.
"Don't they look kinda cute?" Kai said, smiling as he stepped forward to pet them.
The mother roared weakly, trying to stop him. She opened her mouth, fire gathering again — but the energy faded, and she collapsed completely.
"So, that's what you were protecting," the Blacksmith said coldly. "Too bad I'll have to kill them too."
"No! Stop! What are you doing?" Kai yelled. "They didn't do anything to you! Leave them alone!"
"Huh? You think you can stop me? That's hilarious."
"But they're innocent — they have potential!"
The Blacksmith tilted his head, thinking. "…Fine. I'll spare them. But on one condition."
"What is it?"
"You have to block one of my attacks."
Kai's eyes widened. "What? You're too powerful!"
"I'll go easy on you."
Kai groaned. "Ugh… fine. I'm ready."
"You're dumber than that dead beast over there," the Blacksmith muttered. "Alright then—strike me, demon!"
The Blacksmith's grin widened. "As you wish."
He lifted his hammer, and a violent wind spiraled around him, the pressure so strong his feet sank into the ground. Kai raised his sword, bracing himself.
When the Blacksmith released the blow, a massive shockwave tore through the air, sending debris flying everywhere.
Kai's sword met the wave head-on. The impact roared like thunder. His arms trembled, his feet sliding back through the dirt, but he held on. Sparks of blue and red energy clashed violently around him.
The ground cracked beneath his feet — but he didn't yield.
Finally, the shockwave faded. Kai stumbled back, panting heavily, his sword glowing faintly blue.
"Argh! Okay, fine — I'll spare them," the Blacksmith said with a sigh.
"See? I'm not that weak!"
"Whatever."
The wyvern stirred again. Weakly, it lifted its head and opened its mouth, revealing a small, fiery orb. The orb floated toward Kai's sword and was absorbed with a hiss.
His blade flared with new life, glowing with fiery energy.
Inside the sword, a phoenix-like spirit — a swirling being of red and orange flame — coiled around the weapon, its eyes snapping open as the wyvern's power merged with it.
Back in the real world, the sword erupted with roaring fire. The Blacksmith stepped back, shielding his eyes from the heat.
"Ah," he murmured with a grin. "Now that's interesting."
Kai stared at the sword. "What was that? Did I just unlock a new power or something?"
"Seems like it," the Blacksmith said. "Could be an enchantment… or maybe…"
"…a spiritual awakening?"
"What are you talking about?"
"…Nothing," the Blacksmith smirked.
Then, without warning, he teleported behind Kai, snatched the flask hanging from his waist, and jumped into the air.
"Hey! Where did the venom go?" Kai shouted.
"Looking for this?"
"Give it back right now!"
"Or what? Hahaha!"
The Blacksmith disappeared in a flash.
Kai groaned. "How am I supposed to get back to base now?!"
He kicked a rock in frustration. "That damn guy — I'm gonna beat his ass once I get home."
Muttering curses under his breath, he wandered into the forest, searching for a way back. After fifteen minutes of walking, he noticed a strange patch of ground ahead. Before he could react, it gave way beneath his feet.
The earth split open, swallowing him whole.
He screamed as he fell, the hole sealing itself above him. The world went black. Then—
Thud.
He hit the floor, groaning. "Huh… that didn't even hurt."
He stood up, brushing himself off. But his eyes widened.
The surroundings had changed.
The cave had become a demonic hell. Hundreds of monsters, demons, dragons, and beasts were rumbling in one direction. The ground quaked beneath their march.
Kai stood frozen, his heart pounding in his chest.
"What… what is this place?"
Then, through the chaos — a soft, trembling voice echoed faintly.
"…Help…"
Kai spun around. "Who's there?!"
The voice came again, clearer this time.
"Please… help me…"
Kai's breath caught. The sound faded into the distance, leaving only the roar of fire and beasts.
And then — silence.