The black dragon was stunned. Standing before her was the very person who had nearly taken her life.
Where had they even come from? And why couldn't she sense his magical energy? Were they too weak… or too powerful?
Magical energy was a clear measure of strength—the more one possessed, the stronger they were overall. When someone far weaker encountered an overwhelming magical presence, it could even harm them physically.
So, unless a person deliberately released their magical energy, it was difficult to tell how powerful they truly were. That uncertainty was the only reason the dragon hesitated to attack. Was the person in front of her suppressing their power… or was there simply nothing to sense?
But what shocked her even more… was his speech.
He was speaking fluent Dragonic—a language only dragons should be able to use. Some rare humans might learn a few phrases, but full fluency? That was unheard of.
"H-How… How can you speak Dragonic?" she asked, genuine surprise in her voice.
***
The beast before me had violet eyes and scales that shimmered slightly in the sunlight. According to [Argus Sight], it was still just a fledgling—barely a child by dragon standards.
It was going on about me speaking a different language or something. But wasn't I just speaking normally? Wait… what language was I speaking?
Now that I focused on it, it did sound different… or did it? Either way, I didn't care—as long as people could understand me.
"Does that really matter?" I asked flatly. "The real question is whether or not I should spare you."
"H-Human… do you realize how valuable my life is—"
"Yes."
Its eyes widened in surprise. "W-What…?"
"Then why are you trying to kill me?!"
I pressed my knife gently against its throat, leaning in close to meet its eyes.
"Because your body contains something I want."
"P-Pervert…" it whimpered, watery eyes trembling.
'…Oh.'
Being called a pervert by a dragon was new. What did I even say? Sure, its body did contain abilities I'd gain if I killed it, but was I missing something here?
The dragon began to cry.
"I should've listened to mother… I can't believe I'm going to die to a perverted human… I should've used my [Origin Skill] to eat you the moment I saw you…"
"…Wait, you have an [Origin Skill]?"
That caught my attention. I thought I was the only one.
The extermination document I'd found in the duke's mansion said humans had magic and skills, but there'd been no mention of [Origin Skills]. So why did this dragon have one too?
"…Why should I answer? You're just going to kill me anyway."
I sighed and slowly removed the blade, slipping it back into my bag.
"See? I'm not going to harm you if you just answer a few questions—"
Before I could finish, it took to the skies.
"Foolish human! Did you really think you could command a dragon?! Die for your insolence!!"
It dove at me, jaws wide open.
I activated [Blood Puppeteer].
Now, the dragon was groveling at my feet, its head pressed against the ground.
"Let me go!! If my mother finds out about this…"
It kept ranting about its mother, its clan, its revenge… I was getting a headache. I was just trying to ask a few questions, but it wouldn't shut up.
Fine. Time for a different approach.
"…Estervolt."
The dragon froze.
Its expression twisted in disbelief. Fear flickered behind its eyes no matter how hard it tried to hide it.
"W-Where did you learn that name…?!" it stammered.
"Let's just say… it was a lucky guess."
"No, that's impossible… Not even my mother—" It cut itself off, lips trembling.
Something was off. Just hearing its name completely changed the atmosphere around it. Why? Wouldn't anyone just be curious if someone knew their name?
Why was this arrogant fledgling so terrified?
"Human… just—just don't say my name again… and I'll… I'll give you my body like you wanted…"
'Oh? What's this now?'
Was it fear? Obedience? Or was there something special about that name?
"Forget that whole 'body' thing," I muttered. "Just answer a few questions, and I'll let you go."
It nodded obediently, now looking more like an abandoned puppy than a proud dragon.
I sighed. Right now, I looked like the villain bullying the weak.
I deactivated [Blood Puppeteer] and began my questioning.
"So… what exactly is an [Origin Skill]?"
That was what I truly wanted to know. The [Origin Skill] had saved my life, made me stronger, and ever since I awakened it, it kept activating on its own whenever I killed something. Even the headaches I'd been getting—were they connected?
The dragon finally answered.
"I thought humans were supposed to be smart. Guess some of you are just… defective."
'I'll let that one slide.'
"[Origin Skills], also known as [Laws], are fragments of the True Origin—the Original King who created the world," it said. "He used up so much magical energy to shape the world that his soul shattered. The pieces that remained… became [Origin Skills]...
that's what my mother said."
So [Origin Skills] were fragments of the world's creator?
That explained a lot… but not everything.
"Then why can monsters like us possess [Origin Skills]?" I asked.
"I don't know," it replied. "My mother always said it was based on luck. That… and how much magical energy you're born with."
'Luck…?'
Something so powerful… based on luck?
But then again, Earth wasn't any different.
Everything was luck. Where you're born. Who you're born to. Even how long you live. But maybe… that's what made people unique and fun to kill...
At least I understood a bit more now. Still, one question lingered.
"And… the mirror. Can everyone see their Status?"
"Status? What's that?"
The dragon tilted its head in confusion.
So I was the only one who could see those strange words reflected in the mirror? Was it just the mirror back at the mansion? Or would any mirror show the same thing?