Chapter 7
The old woman leads them through a quiet corridor.
The walls are carved with ancient symbols, their meaning long forgotten. At the end of the path, she stops and turns toward them.
"The dungeon you entered was not meant to kill," she says calmly. "It was meant to judge."
Shin and Ray listen in silence.
"The guardian you defeated was the dungeon itself. Those who survive are acknowledged… and healed."
Shin clenches his fist.
"So that's why our bodies"
"Yes," the woman nods. "You were deemed worthy."
Ray exhales slowly. "Then we're grateful."
The woman smiles faintly. "Go. The world is already moving. Do not be late."
Moments later, Shin and Ray find themselves outside. The dungeon entrance behind them is gone, as if it never existed.
Shin looks toward the horizon.
"Five days," he mutters. "We've already lost five days."
Ray adjusts his spear.
"Then we move fast."
They head toward the capital without delay.
The closer they get, the heavier the air becomes.
The sky darkens unnaturally. The wind stops.
Ray slows his steps.
"…Do you feel that?"
Shin nods. His instincts scream.
A deep, thunderous roar shakes the ground.
From the clouds above, something massive descends.
Black scales. Vast wings. Eyes glowing like burning embers.
A Black Dragon.
Ray swallows.
"A Catastrophic Tier monster…"
The dragon lands before them, the impact cracking the earth beneath its claws. Heat radiates from its body, suffocating and oppressive.
Shin tightens his grip.
"Running won't work."
The dragon opens its mouth.
Flames erupt.
"MOVE!" Ray shouts.
They barely dodge as fire scorches the ground where they stood moments ago. The heat alone burns their skin.
Ray throws his spear. The weapon strikes the dragon's scales and bounces off.
"No effect?!" Ray yells.
Shin charges, coating his blade with mana. He slashes with everything he has.
The blade connects.
And cracks.
Shin is thrown back by the recoil, crashing into the ground.
The dragon roars and swings its tail.
Ray is too slow.
The impact sends him flying, blood spraying from his mouth as he hits a boulder.
"Ray!" Shin shouts.
The dragon advances.
Shin forces himself up, his body screaming in pain.
If I fall here… Historia… everyone…
The dragon unleashes another torrent of flames.
Shin stands his ground.
Mana erupts around him as he raises his sword, barely deflecting the attack. His vision blurs. His knees tremble.
Ray staggers back to his feet.
"Shin!" he coughs. "The wings if we bring it down"
Shin nods.
They move together.
Ray distracts the dragon, hurling himself into danger, drawing its attention. Shin circles, pushing his body beyond its limits.
The dragon slams Ray into the ground. Bones crack.
"RAY!"
Shin leaps.
He pours everything he has into a single strike.
The blade pierces the dragon's wing.
The beast screams in agony, thrashing wildly. Its balance breaks. The massive body crashes down, shaking the land.
But it is not dead.
The dragon rises again, blood dripping from its wounds. Its eyes glow brighter.
Shin can barely stand.
Ray is kneeling, unable to lift his spear.
"This is it…" Ray whispers.
Shin clenches his teeth.
"No."
He steps forward.
"One more time."
Summoning the last of his strength, Shin charges straight at the dragon's open mouth.
Ray screams his name.
The dragon fires.
Shin throws his sword.
The blade pierces straight through the dragon's throat.
The flames die.
The massive body collapses with a final roar, shaking the earth one last time before falling still.
Silence.
Shin falls to his knees.
Ray crawls toward him, laughing weakly.
"…We're alive. Again."
Shin exhales, his body giving out as well.
In the distance, the capital's towers come into view.
The celebration awaits.
But the world has already shown its fangs.
Will Shin and Ray safe Historia?