Episode 1

On a night where moonlight glittered with a brilliant glow, a shadowy figure pierced the luminescence—a form of intense dread endowing every loathsome aspect of human fear. Immense in stature, clad in black scales like armor signifying strength, it wielded a towering tail and a mouth that spewed forth flame.

Its head bore the likeness of a reptile but sprouted two horns, a being named a dragon, and not just any dragon—it was known to all as the dragon of destruction.

It is said that this world harbors many dangers to humankind, and among them, the dragon of destruction stands prominent.

With wings unfurled, the dragon plummeted down where a city beneath met it with screams and chaos extraordinary in nature.

Named Antares, this city in the realm of Elysium was where fledgling adventurers resided; adventurers were those who toiled in guilds to earn their keep, though many trades were available, most chose the path of monster hunting. Neither large nor small, the city was encircled by lofty walls intended to bar monsters, though these proved insufficient against a rampaging dragon.

The dragon roared and laid waste to anything in its path, be they homes of the townsfolk or the adventurers who assailed it in droves.

"How can a dragon be in a starter city... you must jest," one adventurer spoke, only to be countered by another.

"I know not, but surely, we face death. After all, this city is but home to weak adventurers, and battling a dragon is akin to seeking a lover—both pursuits fraught with difficulty."

"Do not entangle your personal life in such dire straits," bellowed a veteran adventurer named Kazel.

Bald-headed Kazel bore a burly figure, not of fat but of pure muscle honed daily. He donned simple leather armor and wielded a greatsword capable of cleaving monster flesh in twain.

Sorcerers began to unleash their mastered spells while clerics chanted their prayers, bestowing healing magic. Concurrently, Kazel sprinted and leapt as high as he was able, his sword swinging down only to clash with scales as hard as steel, heralding a known but unspoken fate.

Kazel's sword shattered.

"No... and I've yet to settle its installments."

"Speak not of personal affairs."

In response to Kazel's action, a surging kick sent him flying twenty meters back before he lay under the star-filled sky.

Healers sent forth their restorative spells.

"Heal."

Following Kazel's defeat, casualties mounted; some even paid with their lives.

"I'm fine, go save the others."

"Understood."

Kazel, clutching his broken sword, bled anew, and though no time to feel it, blood boiled through his veins to his head; however, as he poised to rush forward, a figure halted him.

Surprise painted Kazel's face, recognizing the one behind him.

She was Vivia Legal, an S-rank adventurer from the capital known as the kingdom of Elysium's premier dragon slayer. She wore a radiant silver armor with a visor-covered helm and in her left hand, a sword with a blade gleaming ominously.

"Leave it to me, instruct everyone to withdraw."

Kazel, acquiescing, called for a retreat as adventurers who recognized Vivia beheld her like a beacon of hope amidst darkness.

They stood back as Vivia calmly ensued, her armor-clad footsteps resounding. Everyone marveled, especially as behind the helm was a maiden.

Watching Vivia's advance, the dragon loosed a fiery orb, but unlike the rest, Vivia sustained the blow and dismissed it with a mere flick of her sword.

Her title as dragon slayer was no exaggeration.

Vivia surged forward, delivering a slashing cross cut that gashed the dragon, spurting blood from a grievous wound. In agony, the dragon lunged for Vivia, attempting a deadly bite.

Unconcerned, Vivia caught it with a single hand, as if trivial. Pushing the dragon's head away, her sword swung with no warning.

SHWICK.

A dragon's head hit the ground lifelessly, blood spurting skyward like a fountain.

"Did we triumph?" queried an adventurer, but as they beheld, the dragon's body arose, took its head, and reattached it.

"This is why I loathe the dragon of destruction," Vivia muttered, sword swinging again to no avail; the dragon had already fled into the distance.

"For now, it won't return."

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