The Legendary Dungeon Master

Chapter 14: Chapter 14: The Dragon’s Gaze

Arin and Saira continued deeper into the dungeon. The tunnels started to become a bit larger. It was getting warmer with each step. Arin looked around. ”I’ve noticed something.” Saira glanced at him. ”What?”

”The monsters are different.” ”They should be,” Saira replied. ”The goblins upstairs were small, the wolves stronger. It’s only natural for them to be different here.” Saira nodded. ”The deeper we go, the stronger the monsters will be.”So if we keep going...”We will face stronger enemies.”

Arin sighed. ”I was hoping you’d say the opposite.” Saira ignored him. After walking for some time, Arin decided to ask another question. ”Saira?” ”What is it?” ”Can all monsters think like you?” ”No.” ”Can all monsters talk?” ”No.” ”Then why can you?” She thought about it for a moment. ”The stronger the monsters are, the more intelligent they are.”

Arin nodded. ”So weaker monsters have instincts.” ”Yes.” ”And the stronger ones?” ”They can create settlements. They can make tools. They can even build small villages.” Arin was surprised. ”So, monsters have societies?” ”Some of them.”

Saira replied. He smiled. ”This world just gets more interesting by the minute.” ”It will only get better.”

Suddenly, the Dungeon Map appeared. A few red blips appeared ahead. Arin stopped. ”Something is coming.” Saira looked towards the tunnel. After a moment, three large wolves came out of the darkness. Unlike the previous wolves, these ones had black fur and red eyes. Each one was as tall as Arin. Arin immediately used Monster Appraisal.

[ Shadow Wolf

Level: 11

Threat: Moderate ]

”So that’s how it is,” Arin said. The wolves growled and one charged at him. Arin raised his sword and the wolf jumped at him. He sidestepped and, instead of just attacking the wolf, he focused. Mana gathered around his arm and his blade glowed. He brought it down on the wolf’s side and sent it flying. Arin was impressed.

”So that’s how Mana Control is done.” The other two wolves attacked at the same time.

Arin ducked under the first one’s attack and kicked the second one in the gut. The last one tried to bite his shoulder, but a black blade appeared and impaled the wolf. Saira calmly lowered her sword. ”I thought I had that one.” ”It was fast,” Seira admitted. ”I noticed.” They finished off the last two wolves.

[Monster Defeated.]

[Experience Gained.]

Arin smiled. ”I’m getting used to this.” ”You are improving,” Saira said. Arin looked at her. ”Was that a compliment?” ”Yes.” ”I should write that down somewhere.” She continued walking. ”I regret saying it.” Arin laughed. ”You have a strange sense of humor.” ”I do not.”

She said looking forward. ”You smiled yesterday.” ”I did not.” ”You laughed too.” Silence.

Arin grinned. ”I’ll take that as a victory.” They continued deeper into the dungeon. It suddenly got quiet. Too quiet. There were no monsters, no dripping water, no sound other than their own footsteps. Saira stopped walking. Arin noticed it right away. ”What is it?” She slowly drew her sword and smiled. ”Dragon.” The word echoed in the tunnel and a deep growl answered it. The ground trembled and heavy footsteps approached.

BOOM.

BOOM.

BOOM.

Arin’s eyes widened. ”I know that sound...” A giant figure appeared in the darkness. Golden eyes, black scales, and huge wings folded against its body. The same dragon. Arin took a step back. ”You!” he said, tightening his grip on his sword. The dragon looked at him and its eyes narrowed. For a few seconds, neither one of them moved. Then the dragon lowered its head. Arin frowned. ”What?”

The dragon took another step forward. Saira remained calm the entire time. Arin prepared himself for another attack, but the huge beast suddenly kneeled on the floor. Its head was near Arin’s feet and a deep voice echoed in the cave. ”Forgive me.” Arin blinked. ”What?” ”I failed to recognize you.” There was a tense silence in the room. Arin looked at Saira.

She didn’t seem surprised at all.

In fact, she looked amused. Like this was a joke. The dragon slowly raised its head and looked at the black mark on Arin’s right hand. ”The Dungeon Master’s Mark...” the dragon said. ”It truly exists.” Arin looked at his hand and then at the dragon. ”You attacked me before.”I did.”You almost killed me.”I did.” ”And now you’re apologizing?” ”Yes.” Arin frowned. ”I don’t understand.” The dragon lowered its head again.

”I mistook you for an ordinary human.” Saira finally spoke. ”He has recognized the mark.” Arin looked at both of them. ”So...” he said. ”You both know what this mark is?” Saira shook her head. ”We recognize it.” The dragon nodded. ”But we do not know its origin.” Arin sighed. ”You only seem to know only half of the truth.” The dragon remained on its knees.

”I await your judgment...”..Master.”

Arin was silent for a moment. One demon calling him Master was surprising enough, but now a dragon was doing the same. He looked at Saira and then at the dragon. Finally, he pointed at himself. ”Can someone please explain what is happening?”