Debuff Master

“The Mighty and Majestic One’s grace is as immeasurable as the ocean!”

“Your grace is as immeasurable as the ocean!”

Siegfried and the others managed to narrowly avoid getting killed by the ancient dragon’s flames.

“But why were you fighting here?” Vulcanus asked.

“We were fighting over the rights to control the Geyser of Life, Mighty and Majestic One,” Siegfried replied with a bow.

“Geyser of Life?”

“Yes, it is that large lake over there.”

Siegfried pointed at the site where numerous pieces of heavy equipment were abandoned. Avant and the Death Crafters were excavating the ground earlier before running away with their tails tucked between their legs.

“Kekeke!” Vulcanus laughed.

“Argh!”

“Ughhh!”

“M-My heart is…!”

The ancient dragon’s laughter sent out low resonance sound waves that dealt excruciating pain to the Adventurers. Their senses went numb as if they had just heard a tiger's roar right in front of their faces.

As expected, there was a reason Vulcanus was a Level 998 Ancient Red Dragon.

“If I may ask, what is it that my lord finds amusing?” Siegfried asked.

“That Geyser of Life you humans are talking about is just ordinary water infused with the mana coming from my body.”

“H-Huh?”

“Hmm… It’s a bit uncomfortable to continue talking in this form,” Vulcan said.

It seemed that his neck was aching from having to look down, so he used Polymorph and turned into a human.

‘Huh? Isn’t that the God of Blacksmiths Vulcanus?’ Siegfried recognized the polymorphed appearance of the ancient dragon as the image of the God of Blacksmiths depicted in pictures and murals.

Ironically, it seemed that the ancient blacksmiths had no idea that the god they revered was none other than the Ancient Red Dragon, Red Beard Vulcanus.

“Actually, this place that you call the Geyser of Life is just a pool of water above what should be my grave.”

“P-Pardon me, my lord?”

“No, this entire place is my grave,” Vulcanus said, scanning the entire Cheyenne Plateau.

“G-Grave…?”

“Yes.”

“What do you mean by "grave," my lord?”

“It is exactly the grave you are thinking of. I am a dragon that has existed since time immemorial, and I'm the ancestor of all red dragons. My generation has long passed, and I have served my purpose. Thus, it is only right for me to return to the Great Nature’s embrace.”

“But if I may ask, my lord. How come my lord is still here?”

“That is…” Vulcanus muttered. Then, he scratched the back of his head awkwardly and replied, “It seems I have become an object of worship, causing me to turn into a half-god.”

“...!”

“I should have died and returned to the Great Nature’s embrace, but my powerful body isn’t returning to dust.”

“I-I see…”

“Thus, I have built myself this large grave and slept. I slept until my body started returning to dust.”

“Ah!”

“The mana and fire attribute energy coming from my body turned this entire place into what it is today, and that thing you call the Geyser of Life is most likely a gathering of my scattered mana.”

“O-Oh…”

“I’m not a fool to build my grave in this kind of place, right?”

“I agree! There is no way a mighty and majestic being like my lord would do something like that!” Siegfried exclaimed, bowing his head. Then, he asked carefully, “Will my lord ascend as a god once your body returns to the Great Nature’s embrace?”

“I believe that’s what will happen. If… my body disintegrates…” Vulcanus replied with a grimace.

“Haha… I think it is not easy for my lord to pass on… Hahaha…” Siegfried laughed awkwardly.

It was then.

“Excuse me…” Yong Seol-Hwa said, approaching carefully with the Hammer of Creation in her hand.

‘Oh right! Seol-Hwa’s quest was to meet the God of Blacksmith in the ruin underneath the Geyser of Life!’ Siegfried suddenly remembered.

The God of Blacksmith had already been revealed to be the ancient red dragon, Vulcanus, so Yong Seol-Hwa’s class was already as good as guaranteed.

***

“This insignificant creature greets the Mighty and Majestic One,” Yong Seol-Hwa said as courteously as possible and showed respect to Vulcanus.

“And who might you be that you have my rib in your hand?” Vulcanus asked, raising a brow.

“I stumbled upon it by chance.”

“Oh?”

“I was well aware that this hammer was made from a great one’s ribs, but I did not imagine I would have the honor of meeting the great owner of this artifact.”

“I, too, did not think that I’d get to meet my descendant.”

“H-Huh? I am your descendant, my lord…?”

Yong Seol-Hwa couldn't hide her surprise upon hearing that she was an Ancient Red Dragon’s descendant.

“Of course. Whoever possesses that hammer is my descendant.”

“I-It is an honor, great one.”

“Although you possess my hammer, you don’t possess my skills.”

“P-Pardon me…?”

“How can you call yourself a blacksmith with your meager skills? How can you be my descendant?”

“I apologize…”

“But since you possess my rib, then you shall inherit my skills as well. I will teach them to you.”

“R-Really?!”

“Certainly,” Vulcanus replied with a nod.

He walked closer to Yong Seol-Hwa and placed his hand on her forehead.

“You are my descendant. Thus, you shall become worthy of being my descendant.”

As soon as his Vulcanus' words fell…

Sseuuu…!

Yong Seol-Hwa’s figure emitted a radiant pink light.

Flash!

The class change effect manifested, and strings of messages popped up in front of her eyes.

[Alert: Congratulations!]

[Alert: You have successfully changed classes! Your class has changed from Legendary: Radiant Blacksmith to Hidden Class: Dragon Blacksmith!]

[Alert: Epic Code 002 has been activated!]

[Alert: You are now a special player possessing an Epic Code!]

[Alert: Those in possession of the Epic Codes will play a crucial role in the game’s main scenario!]

Yong Seol-Hwa was stunned upon seeing that she had changed classes to Dragon Blacksmith.

“O-Oppa!” Yong Seol-Hwa cried out.

“Huh?”

“I changed classes!”

“What?”

“It’s a Hidden Class!”

“What?! Really?!”

“Yes! Let me show you!”

Yong Seol-Hwa shared the string of messages and the details of her new class with him.

[Dragon Blacksmith]

[The Descendant of Red Beard Vulcanus, who is a dragon that has existed since time immemorial and is the ancestor of all red dragons.]

[Position: Melee, Support, Blacksmith, Magician, Alchemist]

[Description: The pinnacle of all blacksmith classes. This class is the ultimate blacksmith. Upon clearing the awakening quest, the user can unlock its full potential to reach its final form.]

[Main Weapon: Blunt Weapon]

[Main Armor: Leather Armor]

[Potential]

[Attack: ⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬜⬜]

[Defense: ⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬜⬜]

[Agility: ⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬜⬜]

[Utility: ⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛]

[Crafting: ⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛]

“Oh!” Siegfried exclaimed out of sheer delight after reading everything shared to him. Then, he said, “Congratulations! You got a Hidden Class, too!”

Siegfried was sincerely happy that Yong Seol-Hwa managed to obtain a Hidden Class.

The two celebrated Yong Seol-Hwa's new class before eventually calming down.

“Thank you very much, Mighty and Majestic One!” Yong Seol-Hwa exclaimed, bowing low to the ground.

“Kekeke!” Vulcanus cackled in response.

“O Mighty and Majestic One,” Siegfried said with a bow. Then, he asked carefully, “Will my lord now return to slumber after being woken up by the mess we have caused…?”

“Hmm… I probably should.”

“That is indeed a shame…”

“Oh?”

“We have inconvenienced my lord with our petty fights, but it is a great honor to meet such a mighty and majestic being.”

“What is it you’re trying to say, insignificant creature?”

“If I may, this insignificant creature would like to have the honor of inviting my lord to my insignificant kingdom I rule.”

“Invite? Me?”

“Yes, Mighty and Majestic One.”

“Hmm… An invitation…”

“This insignificant creature would be delighted to have the honor of serving my lord to the best of my pathetic abilities before my lord returns to the Great Nature’s embrace but…”

“Oh!” Vulcanus exclaimed. Then, he said with a grin, “It has been a long time since I’ve seen someone as well-mannered as you!”

“T-Thank you for your kind words, my lord…?”

“Keke! You are someone who knows what respect is all about! I can’t help but praise you for being so respectful when you’re nothing but an insignificant creature!”

“My lord praises me too much.”

“Alright! I shall go and have a look at your kingdom!”

“It would be my honor and my kingdom’s honor to serve my lord!” Siegfried exclaimed, rubbing his hands together.

'For some reason, oppa looks like…’ Yong Seol-Hwa's train of thoughts trailed off.

In her eyes, Siegfried looked like a waiter at a nightclub serving a VIP customer.

Ding!

Perhaps that was the reason why a message popped up in front of Siegfried’s eyes.

[Alert: Congratulations!]

[Alert: You have obtained a new title, Despicable Treacherous Retainer!]

[Despicable Treacherous Retainer]

[A title given to those who excel at currying favors with those more powerful than them.]

[Type: Title]

[Rating: Unique]

[Effect: +25% Success rate when currying favor with NPCs.]

“Ah…” Siegfried muttered in despair upon reading the details of his new title. All he did was try to appease the Ancient Red Dragon for his survival, but he actually ended up receiving a title with such a treacherous name.

***

The war over the ownership of the Geyser of Life ended with the Mandate of Heaven Guild emerging victorious. Vulcanus decided to backfill the hole to prevent the Geyser of Life from drying up.

“Great work, nephew.”

“Thank you so much for your hard work, oppa.”

Yong Tae-Pung and Yong Seol-Hwa earnestly thanked Siegfried.

“We have to help each other during difficult times,” Siegfried replied with a smile. Then, he asked, “Oh right, I will be escorting dragon-nim to the Proatine Kingdom. Do you want to come along, Seol-Hwa?”

Yong Seol-Hwa shook her head and replied, “No, I just obtained a new class, so I ought to spend some time studying my new skills.”

“Oh, you do?”

“Yes, oppa.”

Actually, Yong Seol-Hwa wanted to go with Siegfried to the Proatine Kingdom. However, she was a wise woman capable of thinking a few steps ahead.

‘Oppa’s wife might sense something. He won’t be comfortable around me and might put some distance between us if his wife becomes uncomfortable with me.

'I shouldn’t get anywhere near the Proatine Kingdom for now. Let’s not disturb his personal life in the game,’ Yong Seol-Hwa thought. She already thought of how Siegfried had started a life in the game with an NPC and decided not to intrude upon it.

“Oh, well, I guess it’s up to you,” Siegfried replied with a shrug.

Unfortunately, he seemed completely oblivious to what she was thinking.

“Kyu! Owner punk! Will it be alright?” Hamchi asked.

“Hmm? What’s alright?”

“Can we take a red dragon to our kingdom! Kyu!”

“I’m not sure,” Siegfried replied with a shrug. Then, he rubbed his chin and said, “There shouldn’t be any problem if we treat him well, right? Who knows? We might even gain something expensive from him.”

“Kyu?”

“And Master is in the kingdom, so it’s fine.”

Siegfried didn't think even for a second that Deus could lose to Vulcanus, who was merely Level 998—no, he was actually looking forward to it. He wanted to witness what would happen if Deus, who had proclaimed himself to be invincible, met Vulcanus, a Level 998 Ancient Red Dragon.

“Hoho… You really are evil, hyung-nim,” Seung-Gu said with a grin.

“H-Huh? Me? Why? What did I do?” Siegfried asked, pointing at himself and looking flustered.

“Hoho! I know what you’re planning, hyung-nim.”

“What am I planning…?”

“You’re actually…” Seung-Gu said. Then, he drew closer and whispered, “...planning to bring that ancient red dragon to the Proatine Kingdom and…”

“...?”

“You're going to make Elder-nim beat it to death, so you'll get to keep the loot for yourself, right?”

Seung-Gu was trying to say that Siegfried was trying to let Deus do the dirty work while he kept all of the profits to himself.

“M-Me?”

“I know everything, hyung-nim. There’s no point pretending with me.”

“But I’m not…”

“Come on~ You don’t have to act around me,” Seung-Gu said, not believing a single word he was saying.

Hamchi nodded and chimed in too, “Kyu! You’re the smartest piece of shit alive, owner punk! Your personality is absolutely the worst! Kyuuu!”

Siegfried felt wronged being accused of something that did not even cross his mind.

“Hey! I’m not! That’s not it!”

“Kyuuu! You’re the pinnacle of treachery!”

“I’m learning new things from you every single day, hyung-nim!”

It was then.

Flash!

Vulcanus returned after backfilling the excavated hole and appeared right in front of Siegfried.

“Heok?! T-This insignificant creature greets the Mighty and Majestic One!” Siegfried exclaimed and hurriedly fell to the ground to show his respect while breaking out into a cold sweat.

“So, respectful human.”

“Y-Yes!”

“Where’s your kingdom located?”

Siegfried hurriedly took out a map and pointed at the Proatine Kingdom’s location. “It is right here, my lord!”

“Ah, it’s that one? Then let’s go,” Vulcanus said nonchalantly. Then, he muttered, “Warp.”

Flash!

A bright light flashed and Siegfried’s party completely disappeared without a trace along with the Level 998 Ancient Red Dragon.

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