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Chapter 204 - Episode 206: Strike Down

Smash Down

Ilulissat Iceberg.

Admiral Robion of the National Defense University frowned deeply.

"What kind of nonsense is that?"

The person on the other end of the call was Vigar, an agent in charge of the exploration ship and affiliated with the Icelandic government.

Since they belonged to different organizations, mutual politeness was the rule.

But what he had just heard was too unrealistic to stay polite.

"Did I hear you correctly, Agent Vigar? You're telling me to stop now?"

As I said, it was too dangerous a gamble from the start. File a formal report and get approval from His Excellency. Strengthen safety protocols and prepare for variables first…

"Agent Vigar."

Robion cut him off and ran a hand through his hair.

"Weren't we in this together? We've already crossed the river! If we report without results, both you and I—who knowingly turned a blind eye—are finished! Do you think we'll ever be able to set foot in Ilulissat again?!"

I didn't say that lightly. Even considering all that, I judged it too dangerous.

"Why suddenly, after everything was going well?!"

Vigar explained what happened on the exploration ship.

He was different from the other mercenaries. He knew about that creature. He even knew our method wouldn't work.

"Haha… So to summarize? A loser who couldn't even do his own job properly is now telling others what to do?"

I'll leave the judgment to you. I'm heading to the presidential residence right now.

A vein bulged on Robion's forehead.

After steadying his breath—

"Do whatever you want, you bastard! We're already here anyway!! Just don't come begging me for a position later!"

He threw his phone.

To stop now when the opportunity of a lifetime was right in front of him?

Insane.

"What's the progress?"

"91%."

"Movement?"

"There is biological activity, but it doesn't seem conscious yet."

"That coward Vigar. Talking about being deceived… It's just a big beast. Deploy the equipment and players immediately. Start taming."

"It's slightly below the target excavation level. Will that be okay?"

"Doesn't matter. Do it now. I'm going too."

"Yes, sir."

Robion, now in his suit, headed toward the elevator.

A little later, Jokla approached with the players.

"Finally."

Emil, one of Iceland's players, stretched.

Robion smiled confidently.

Emil—a hidden-class tamer currently challenging the 80th floor range.

His taming success rate so far: 100%.

"Yes. I heard something concerning just now, but I'll trust you, Emil."

"Something concerning?"

"They said this creature could never be tamed."

"Pfft."

Emil waved his hand dismissively.

"If it were just me, I'd be modest."

He tapped the equipment beside him.

A unique item that weakens the target's mind, drastically increasing taming success.

"With this—and skilled tamers like us—it's no problem. Synchronization rate or whatever, it'll work. Trust me."

The surrounding players nodded.

"It's been asleep in ice for so long. It must already be incredibly weak. And it's not even fully conscious yet. Failure is impossible."

"Exactly. Admiral, you should start deciding which country to visit first with the dragon."

"Hahaha! Very reassuring. Your names will go down in Icelandic history. Let's move."

They reached the lower level of the iceberg.

There, a black dragon—mostly excavated except for part of its lower body.

"Damn… It's thrilling every time I see it."

"A dragon in this day and age? Tomorrow's headline is ours."

"No need for a briefing. It's simple."

Jokla activated a mind-control device toward the dragon.

Purple energy poured into it.

"It's not even moving. If it were conscious, it would struggle."

"Then I'll go first."

The tamers weakened its resistance further—though it already seemed unnecessary.

"Emil, how is it?"

"Too smooth. If it can't even twitch, it means it's already broken."

The tamers exhausted their mana and stepped back.

"My turn."

Emil stepped forward.

Facing the dragon, he smirked.

'This is mine.'

He had no intention of staying loyal to Iceland.

With a dragon, the whole world would want him.

He'd just choose the highest bidder.

He approached the dragon's head and activated his equipment.

Light flowed between the device and the dragon's forehead.

Too easy.

Easier than breathing—

…?

Emil frowned.

Why wasn't his ability reaching the creature's soul?

"Huh…?"

Less than a minute passed.

Emil stepped back nervously.

"Emil?"

Robion called—but Emil couldn't answer.

Cold sweat poured down his body.

There was no gap.

It hadn't broken.

No—it hadn't even reached the wall.

Even with expensive equipment and multiple tamers.

Then—

Two glowing eyes appeared in the darkness.

No one could scream or run.

Instinct forbade it.

Emil trembled.

Now he understood.

It had already awakened.

And waited.

For the perfect moment to escape.

A thought flashed in his mind:

Dragons are incredibly intelligent and cunning beings.

He turned—

CRUNCH!

And vanished.

The black dragon devoured him in one bite.

The entire iceberg shook violently.

"R-Run!!"

"Get out!!"

Robion activated the elevator and radioed:

"All units—prepare to intercept!!"

A deafening roar filled the space.

They had awakened something that should never be awakened.

Meanwhile…

The narrator approached Ilulissat.

The iceberg was collapsing violently.

Soon—

The black dragon Drakan emerged.

Its black scales reflected sunlight.

Terrifying beyond imagination.

Any rational person would flee.

But not him.

He had no choice.

Drakan wouldn't just give him a claw willingly.

He dove into the sea and approached from below.

The dragon was still partially trapped in ice.

Good.

Not fully free yet.

He leapt into the sky above it.

No time to hesitate.

Once it flew, the difficulty would skyrocket.

Mana surged.

Energy gathered beneath his feet.

He flipped his body downward.

"Ready?"

Not really.

But he gave a thumbs-up.

He had to go anyway.

"Here we go."

Then—

WHOOSH!!!

He shot down at immense speed.

At the perfect timing—

He flipped and struck the dragon's head with:

[Falling Star Destruction]

BOOOOOOM!!!!

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