Lord of Rot

The deal with the merchant Deni wouldn’t be over so easily. Taking inventory of the goods and handling subsequent arrangements were not matters that could be settled in a few words.

Leech directed Corpse Ghost Guy to leave.

He didn’t rush to open the box containing the curio. Since the thing inside was alive and might escape, there was likely no place in all of Burning City more secure than his grotto.

’There’s still someone watching from the shadows. I can have Guy go out for a bit first. I can’t let anyone connect me to him.’

More than the curio, Leech was concerned about the warning from the Black Ball. He planned to use Guy as bait to lure whoever was watching out into the open.

Guy would take this opportunity to wander around. After attracting enough attention, he would leave the city directly.

After receiving Leech’s command, Guy placed the curio box in the room. He then began wandering through Burning City, acting as if he was about to leave and just wanted to buy some local specialties before going.

Meanwhile, Leech quickly sent Aina into the room to retrieve the curio.

Aina had to avoid being noticed by any animals, especially rats. Ever since seeing someone who could control them the previous night, Leech had lost all trust in small creatures.

He ordered Aina to wait at the courtyard gate and stop anyone who tried to enter. Then, he opened the entrance to the Water Nymph’s grotto and jumped inside.

SPLASH.

The surface of the water gently parted as a golden arm emerged.

The Water Nymph, clad entirely in gold, slowly surfaced. Water trickled down her golden skin, dripping back onto the pool and creating ripples.

The sight of her form, entirely made of gold, was somehow even more striking than if she had been naked.

”Hello, Leech,” the Water Nymph said.

”Hello,” Leech smiled and nodded in response.

”What’s this?” She possessed a curiosity that ordinary Corpse Ghosts lacked.

He replied, ”A curio.”

”Like that helmet?”

”Yes,” Leech nodded. ’Although the Wind Cavalry helmet seemed to be too low-grade and was immediately rejected by the Water Nymph, a curio is still a curio—a fine treasure from the Magic World.’

He said, ”The thing inside seems to be alive.”

Hearing that it was alive, the Water Nymph approached curiously. She didn’t step onto the shore, but instead stood on the water’s surface on her tiptoes. Leaning forward, she peered at the box in Leech’s hands, her gem-like eyes seeming to try and see what was inside.

Leech held the iron box out a little closer to the Water Nymph. ”I’m going to open it, okay?”

”Mhm.” She gave a slight nod.

CLICK. He opened the box.

A streak of yellow light shot out, heading straight for Leech’s left eye.

But his reflexes were incredibly fast. With a quick snatch of his left hand, he caught something about the size of a newly hatched chick.

”Release me!” The little thing could talk.

Leech looked down at the little gadget in his hand. It was a dragon—with four legs, a pair of wings, and brass-colored scales. The horns on its head were disc-shaped, it had a sharp spike on its chin, and its entire body had a metallic sheen.

To be precise, it looked like a brass figurine in the shape of a Giant Dragon.

It made one wonder if it could even win a fight against a baby chick.

Seeing Leech’s face get closer, the Brass Dragon opened its mouth.

’Could it be Dragon Breath?’ Leech thought, startled, and instinctively flinched.

POOF—!

A small flame spurted out.

Leech: ”...”

’Wait, this isn’t a brass figurine. It’s a brass lighter.’

”Release me, or I shall devour your flesh and blood!” Seeing its attack was useless, the Brass Dragon struggled violently and roared at Leech.

’This Brass Dragon obviously isn’t real. If the Black Ball actually had a dragon, it would’ve sold it for cash long ago. Why would it give it to me?’

Besides, Leech couldn’t feel even a hint of the pressure that a ”Legendary” creature two Life Levels above him should exude.

’Even a chicken peck hurts. This thing can’t do any damage at all.’

Leech dangled the Brass Dragon by the tip of its tail with his right hand. The dragon tried to twist around and bite him, but Leech unexpectedly started swinging it around vigorously.

By the time he stopped, the Brass Dragon’s wings were drooping and it was clearly dizzy, having lost all will to fight back.

’Is that it? It’s not even as strong as a chicken,’ Leech thought as he held the Brass Dragon by its tail before placing it in his palm.

The Brass Dragon, which had been too dizzy to stand just a moment before, suddenly spread its wings and shot off.

”Hahaha! I am free!”

As it flew, it taunted Leech, ”Fool! When I return to the Land of the Dragon, I will summon millions of my brethren to burn this human city of yours to ashes! We will exterminate all of humanity! Mwahahaha!”

Leech hefted the iron box in his hand. Without even needing to aim, he casually flung it.

’With his master-level throwing skill, he could hit his target every time, even with his eyes closed.’

THWACK!

The flying Brass Dragon was struck instantly, falling to the ground along with the iron box.

”Congratulations.” Leech walked over, bent down, and picked up the Brass Dragon by its left wing as if it were a dead chicken. ”You’ve lost your freedom again.”

”You monster!” The Brass Dragon bared its teeth in fury, staring at Leech’s malicious grin.

But its only remotely threatening Dragon Breath was as powerful as a lighter turned up to its highest setting, and it wasn’t even windproof. A wave of a hand could put it out.

”Alright, let’s talk about you,” Leech said, holding the Brass Dragon. ”I’ll give you some time to introduce yourself. Tell me what use you have, otherwise...”

The Brass Dragon cut in, ”Otherwise, you’ll lock me back in that pitch-black prison? Heh, ridiculous. I am of the Dragon Race. Why would I fear your threats?”

Leech shook his head. ”No, no, no. I happen to need a curio to craft something. You may be a bit useless, but you still count as a curio, right? If I melt you down and merge you into a new body, you’ll disappear.”

”Hmph, a threat? If... if you insist...” the Brass Dragon said with disdain, ”then I shall be merciful and enlighten you.”

It put on an arrogant front, but it was really just a wuss.

Leech was curious if all real dragons were like this fellow. ’Then again, probably not,’ he thought. ’Dragons are powerful, legendary creatures. They have every reason to be proud, and it’s unlikely they would ever encounter something that would make them cower.’

The Brass Dragon said, ”As you can see, I am of the noble Dragon Race.”

”You’re not a dragon. A dragon couldn’t possibly be this weak.”

”I am a Dragon Soul! Of course I am a dragon!” The Brass Dragon lifted its head arrogantly, giving Leech a scornful look. ”Humans have short lives and even shorter insights.”

Leech flicked the Brass Dragon on the head. ”Tell me something useful. What’s a Dragon Soul, and what can you do?”

”A Dragon Soul is what a dragon’s soul becomes after death. Couldn’t you guess? As for my abilities, I can breathe fire, fly, and I possess all the powers of the Dragon Race. Hmph, scared now, are you?” the Brass Dragon said smugly. ”Offer me treasures, and I might just spare your life.”

’Dragons are apex predators. How could their souls be so weak?’ Leech didn’t believe it for a second.

”So you’re useless,” Leech said. He was already wondering what traits a Corpse Ghost made from the Brass Dragon curio would have. ’Hopefully, it won’t just be a big talker.’

The Brass Dragon was at a loss for words.

The Water Nymph, who had been watching from the side, suddenly asked, ”Leech, is that really a dragon?”

”Yeah.” Leech dangled the dragon by its tail and placed it on the Water Nymph’s golden palm.

”Let me go, let me go!” The Brass Dragon struggled.

When it turned its head and saw the Water Nymph, it froze. ”Powerful and enchanting Your Grace, you are as dazzling as gold! Please allow me to stand guard by your side.”

Leech reached out and picked the Brass Dragon up. ”Changing your tune pretty fast, aren’t you, kid?”

”Release me! Do not be so uncivil in the presence of Her Grace!”

The little creature seemed to greatly respect the Water Nymph. Then again, it might just think Leech was a tough customer and was trying to sweet-talk the nymph for help.

He put the Brass Dragon back on the Water Nymph’s palm. ”I’ll leave this little thing with you for now. Don’t let it run off.”

The Water Nymph nodded.

”Escape?” The Brass Dragon scoffed. ”Only a fool like you would run away. To be able to stay by Her Grace’s side is my great fortune!”

The Brass Dragon turned its head and said to the Water Nymph, ”Your Grace, kill this brat. He dares to bully your most loyal servant.”

The Water Nymph didn’t answer, just quietly watched the Brass Dragon with her gem-like eyes.

Those words, however, provoked Leech. He reached over, grabbed the Brass Dragon by the tail, and started swinging it around again.

He swung it until its brains were practically scrambled before stopping.

”Your Grace, help, Your Grace...”

”Your Grace can’t save you,” Leech said, holding the Brass Dragon up to his eyes. ”Less nonsense.”

”Hmph. Since you’ve begged so sincerely, I shall reluctantly agree.”

”Oh, I’m so grateful,” Leech said sarcastically, casually tossing the Brass Dragon. It flew in an arc before splashing into the water.

”Aaargh! I’ll kill you! I hate water!” The Brass Dragon thrashed about. ”Just wait until I get back to the Land of the Dragon! I’ll bring millions of Giant Dragons...”

”You’d better start saying something useful,” Leech said, picking up a rock and acting as if he were about to throw it.

The Brass Dragon flinched, flew out of the water, and landed in the Water Nymph’s palm. ”Your Grace! I am willing to stay with you forever!”

It now knew exactly who could save its hide.

The Water Nymph, however, showed little interest. She just stared quietly at the Brass Dragon, her gaze making it feel uneasy.

”Well, you two get along,” Leech said, then added as an instruction to the Water Nymph, ”If this little guy causes any trouble, let me know. I’ll euthanize it.”

”Okay.” The Water Nymph nodded decisively.

All she knew was that Leech was her closest companion, so his requests would certainly not bring her harm.

”Your Grace, please rest assured, my loyalty to you...”

Leech opened the entrance to the grotto. Just before it closed, he could still hear the Brass Dragon droning on.

For now, the little Brass Dragon seemed useless. But since it was related to dragons, Leech’s inner scavenger told him to keep it around. ’Who knows,’ he thought, ’maybe it’ll lead me to a real dragon?’

’If I collect enough junk, I’m bound to find a real treasure eventually!’

Aina, who had been quietly standing guard outside the grotto, saw Leech emerge. She obediently walked up to him and tilted her head, as if to say, ’I’ve been watching the whole time!’

’Are all Corpse Ghosts this adorably clueless?’

Leech started to raise a hand to pat Aina’s head, but then he remembered her poisonous nature and slowly lowered it.

”It should be about time on Guy’s end,” he said to Aina. ”Let’s go. Time to close the net.”