Chapter 476

When Zeon returned home, he immediately began preparing to leave again.

Preparation, however, only meant checking the items stored in his subspace and restocking whatever was missing.

As Zeon opened his subspace, Tesserinas eyes gleamed.

She had spotted the dragons eye embedded in the Inferno Gauntlet.

Is that a Red Dragons eye?

It is.

You hunted the dragon yourself and took it?

No. I found it in a dungeon. The place had once been a vault where someone in Kurayan stored the eye of a dragon theyd slain. The vault got dungeonized, and thanks to that, I got it rather easily.

You were lucky. Getting a Red Dragons eye that easily judging by the mana radiating from it, that dragon mustve been an immensely powerful being.

Doesnt that bother you?

What do you mean?

It was a dragon, same race as you.

Of course it doesnt feel good. Our attributes differ, but as you said, were both dragons. Still that was its fate. If it couldnt return completely to the embrace of mana, thats its own failing.

Still, isnt that a bit cold? Its one of your kind.

At that, Tesserina smiled faintly, amused.

She flicked a finger as she explained.

We consider ourselves perfect beings. Were born with great power, and the older and larger we grow, the stronger we become. We dont need effort or nurturing, merely existing completes us. Theres no need for another dragons help, no reason to form connections. Under those circumstances, indifference isnt strange at all.

Sounds desolate.

For the world, thats for the best. If we ever formed deep bonds, looked after one another, then humans, elves, and all the others in Kurayan wouldnt have survived. For the sake of every other race, we must live completely isolated.

Do all dragons think that way?

Its our general nature. But who knows? A mutant might appear someday, humans have those too, dont they? .

Fair enough.

Zeon agreed with her reasoning.

That gauntlet, its quite an item. It looks human-made, but the craftsmanship is extraordinary.

I was lucky.

Still, its efficiency isnt as good as it could be. Mind if I take a look?

Zeon glanced at her for a moment.

He had taken off the Inferno Gauntlet only twice, once to embed the Red Dragons eye, and once for a mid-upgrade.

Aside from those moments, he had never removed them.

When he hesitated, Tesserina smiled reassuringly.

Ill only fix the inefficient circuits. I swear I wont touch anything else.

All right.

Trusting her, Zeon handed the gauntlets over.

Without them, his hands felt strangely bare.

A soft light bloomed from Tesserinas palms.

Silver radiance seeped into the gauntlets, and glowing mana circuits surfaced along the metal.

Just correcting the mana circuits will raise efficiency by at least thirty percent.

That easy?

Im a dragon, remember?

That sounded a little arrogant.

Its fine, its true.

She laughed but never broke focus.

Zeon fell silent and watched her work.

Under the silver light, the intricate circuits on the gauntlets surface slowly shifted.

Done, she said after a moment.

The light vanished. The glowing circuits faded from sight. To the eye, the gauntlets looked unchanged.

Tesserina handed them back.

Try them on.

Right.

Zeon nodded and slipped them over his hands.

Instantly, his expression changed.

Just as shed said, he could feel the difference, the mana flow was smoother, almost seamless.

Energy streamed through the gauntlets without resistance.

He felt as if he could activate a skill the instant he thought of it.

Hed have to test it to be sure, but it already felt incredible.

Thank you.

Its the least I can do after everything youve done for me. So, did I earn my meal?

More than enough.

Heh.

Pleased by his answer, Tesserina smiled in satisfaction.

Then,

Knock, knock.

Someone rapped on Zeons door.

Expecting anyone?

Not really.

Zeon tilted his head.

The only one who ever dropped by was Levin, but Levin was busy inspecting the subspace warehouse Tesserina had made.

Zetoya and Lemura were swamped with matters in the underground city.

And he was supposed to meet Borin and the others later at the open field where the raid team was gathering.

No one should have been coming here.

When Zeon opened the door, a middle-aged man hed never seen before stood outside.

His blond hair was neatly combed back, his blue eyes steady, his beard trimmed to perfection. He leaned on a staff crowned with a blue jewel, an image of refined elegance.

Beside him stood a beautiful female secretary.

The gentleman greeted first.

Good day. My name is Grain.

Grain?

Yes. This is my secretary, Leona. Ive heard much about you, Zeon, but this is our first meeting face-to-face.

You came looking for me?

Indeed. The Sand Mage himself.

I dont even know who you are.

Ah, right. Perhaps youd know if I said Im Number Two of the Numbers?

Numbers!

Zeons expression hardened.

Grain, however, kept a soft, unbothered smile.

Apologies for dropping by unannounced.

What brings you here?

Standing like this makes my legs tired. Mind if we talk inside?

Zeon sighed lightly and stepped aside.

The Numbers werent people one could treat lightly, especially the second member, stronger than the twin sisters or even the late old master.

Someone of that rank couldnt simply be turned away.

Thank you.

Grain said, inclining his head before stepping in.

His secretary bowed apologetically.

Im so sorry, Mr. Zeon! I told him it was rude to come without notice, but he never listens

Its fine.

Thank you. As expected of the Sand Mage, your heart is as vast as the desert itself.

Leona looked around, impressed.

So this is the famous fortress of the Sand Mage. An honor to see the inside.

Please, stop overreacting, Leona. Youre embarrassing me.

Why? Im just stating facts.

And when you do, what does that make me look like? Im still the Master of Gravity, you know.

So what? You keep causing trouble. Youre nowhere near as famous as Mr. Zeon.

Thats because I take on secret missions. Ugh, forget it, talking to you is pointless.

Shaking his head, Grain suddenly noticed Tesserina.

A lovely young lady. Are you Zeons girlfriend? Or perhaps you live together?

Just friends.

Friends? Then perhaps I

Sorry. Not my type.

Ah

Grain hung his head, visibly wounded.

Leona promptly kicked him in the shin.

Pull yourself together, old man! Dont you feel ashamed flirting with someone young enough to be your daughter?

Age doesnt matter in love!

Love? Please. Youre acting like a mutt in heat.

Hey! Is that how you talk to your dads friend?

Exactly. If you were my dad, youd already be dead by my hand.

Tch

Grain could only click his tongue, speechless.

Zeon gestured for them to sit.

Please, have a seat.

Thank you.

Much appreciated.

Once they sat on the sofa, Zeon asked directly,

So, what brings you both here?

Straight to business, I see. Not even offering water first?

Letting a Numbers member into my home is already risky enough.

Ha! The great Sand Mage playing modest, yet I see no fear in your eyes. Very well, lets get to the point. I want to join the raid on the Vampire Dungeon.

How did you even know about that? The North Districts keeping it top-secret.

Please. Im a Numbers member, you think I wouldnt know?

And why do you want to enter the Vampire Dungeon?

Orders from above.

He pointed toward the city hall visible through the window.

The mayor?

Exactly. He believes something vital might be hidden in that dungeon. And when the mayor gives an order, I obey. So Id appreciate it if you didnt hold it against me.

I dont.

Good to hear.

Then is your secretary joining as well?

No. Only me. Leonas just my secretary.

Understood.

That easy? Youre not refusing?

Its not like I could refuse anyway.

He was a man sent by Jin Geum-ho, the mayor of Neo Seoul. Turning him down would only sour relations with city hall.

I appreciate the understanding.

But youll still need permission from the North District.

Heh. I already stopped by on my way here. Queen Serien approved it gladly.

Gladly?

Well, helping conquer a vampire dungeon that could turn into a catastrophe, whod object to that?

Then thats fine.

So, no problems?

None. As long as that dungeons closed, I dont care who joins.

Excellent.

Grain smiled in satisfaction.

Normally, adding an outsider to a raid was a sensitive matter.

The team that discovered a dungeon owned full rights to it, every item and resource found inside belonged to them.

Everyone knew how valuable dungeon loot could be.

If another team joined midway, it meant disputes over shares and rights.

Thats why most raiders preferred to clear dungeons on their own, even at the risk of dying.

Whatever price Grain had paid to secure his entry, Zeon neither knew nor cared.

What mattered was that his presence would make the conquest easier, and that was enough.

Then Grain pointed at Tesserina.

Will this beautiful lady be joining the raid as well?

That

Tesserina cut in.

Yes, Ill be going with Zeon.

I thought so.

Grain looked at her with an odd gleam in his eyes. Tesserina met his gaze, expression unreadable.

Whats that supposed to mean?

Nothing. Just that the journey will be far more pleasant with such a lovely companion.

Pleasant? Since when are dungeon runs pleasant? Sounds like a twisted hobby.

To me, dungeons are like that. Either way, its an honor to travel together.

I have no idea what youre talking about.

It means, Ow!

Leonas kick cut him off.

Thats enough, old man!

What? Whatd I do?

Dont say youre enjoying going to a dungeon with a young woman! Have some dignity!

Its not like that

Stop talking before the whole neighborhood hears you.

Damn it, you brat.

Their bickering filled Zeons house from wall to wall.