I Became an Illegal Cheat User

129 – The Dragon’s Nest (1)

There is a dragon in this world.

A stroke of unexpected fortune, quite literally.

But I’m sure I’m the only one who thinks that way.

It’s no wonder, as dragons are the ultimate species, possessing a physique and abilities stronger than any other race.

Though most lost their lives due to the god’s slaughter, and the rest barely escaped, fleeing to the hidden world.

Still, they were undeniably the apex predators that ruled an era with terror; they cannot be taken lightly.

Even if the dragon is in a recovery phase, injured, it’s still a calamity for my peers, aside from me and the main characters.

Of course, even if the difficulty of this hidden world has skyrocketed, it’s not immediately dangerous.

It’s likely hiding somewhere to recover, so the chances of encountering it are extremely low.

‘Still, just in case, I should give a warning in advance.’

A single warning to reduce the possibilities. There’s no reason not to.

As soon as I thought that, I spoke to Terra, who was walking ahead, holding As’s hand, and with whom I shared a mental connection.

‘Terra. Don’t look back, just listen.’

[Please go ahead.]

‘As you know, this isn’t exactly a situation where I can use my smartwatch, right? So could you send a message to the group chat for me?’

[Yes, understood. What message should I send?]

‘Let them know that I’ve confirmed the presence of a dragon in this hidden world, so everyone should be cautious. Oh, and if possible, focus on completing your roles, but if the situation becomes unfavorable, don’t hesitate to return to the real world immediately.’

[Message sent. Is there anything else you would like to convey?]

‘No, that should be enough. So, what’s the reaction from the others?’

[Not everyone has checked yet, but those who have are all in shock.]

It’s no surprise.

Who wouldn’t be astonished to hear there’s a dragon in the hidden world we entered for academy practice?

[And everyone says they will follow your instructions, Master.]

‘That’s a relief.’

I let out a sigh of relief inwardly.

The duel season from the first semester.

As a result, through an event that swapped students between classes, a few from Class A were exchanged with those from Class B.

I had thought that the newly promoted members of Class A might have some resistance to my words.

Fortunately, it seems they are all willing to heed my warning, which puts my mind at ease.

‘By the way… where is Noah? Why hasn’t he joined us yet?’

I clearly boarded the carriage heading to the capital yesterday.

Still questioning Noah’s whereabouts, whom I had yet to see, and who had not yet arrived at the capital, I asked Terra.

“Terra. Is there any message or contact from Noah?”

[No, there isn’t.]

“Then please send a message asking Noah where he is.”

[Message sent successfully.]

And not long after.

[Master, a message has arrived.]

Noah’s reply had come.

[I will display it in your field of vision.]

“Okay.”

Terra’s messages vanished, replaced by a message that filled the space like a holographic chat window on a smart watch.

────────────────────

[Noah]

– I apologize for worrying you, Lee Yoo-jin.

– I intended to contact you yesterday, but I thought everyone would be asleep since it was late at night, so I refrained from reaching out.

– Therefore, at this moment, just as I was about to message you today, your message arrived, prompting me to respond immediately.

– I am currently on my way to the capital. I estimate I will arrive in about three hours.

– Ah, you might be wondering why I said I boarded the carriage yesterday but am only heading there now.

– The reason is as follows: Yesterday, I boarded the carriage to the capital with the help of a kind stranger. However…

────────────────────

…Wow, seriously.

I read the message with a look of exasperation.

“No, Noah…”

Isn’t this a bit too long, even for him?

But this isn’t the end.

It’s still expanding in real-time.

That means Noah keeps sending messages.

“I shouldn’t think this, but… Noah… he really is a tiring type.”

Of course, Noah doesn’t act this way with everyone.

Sending long messages like a chatterbox or dragging out my words applies to me and the main characters.

To others, I might engage in conversation, but I only spit out the necessary information, bluntly. I don’t insert unnecessary details like the message you’re reading now.

In gaming terms, I need to hit a favorability score of over 50% for Noah to engage in friendly conversation… to become more talkative.

‘It’s funny that a guy like him is so reserved around the Saintess.’

As my mother, her favorability score must be over 90%.

‘Well, she’s not a friend, so it must be awkward to chat about this and that.’

But does Noah know?

That Gloria, who longs for her son, actually hopes for that.

I recalled the image of the divine grace and kindness that Gloria exudes, smiling brightly every time she looks at Noah, and I scanned through Noah’s messages, which were still being updated in real-time.

‘So, to summarize…’

Yesterday, I boarded a carriage heading to the royal road.

But it turned out that the carriage was not headed for the royal road, but rather to a bandit’s hideout.

It turned out that the carriage we were riding in was a trap set by bandits to rob passersby.

Of course, my strength was halved, but there was no issue in subduing the bandits.

However, another problem arose: we discovered people who seemed to have been kidnapped in the hideout’s basement.

And since the condition of those people was quite poor, we ultimately gave up on heading to the royal road that day to treat them.

Only after confirming that everyone’s condition had improved did we continue on our way to the royal road.

‘Once again, I’m on my way to the royal road, having boarded the carriage thanks to the help of some kind soul… isn’t that right?’

Truly a saint.

In reality, and here as well.

You can’t just leave the injured and hurting behind.

I marveled inwardly at the valid reason for not joining that day and Noah’s actions of kindness even here, and I asked Terra to respond.

────────────────────

[Lee Yu-jin]

– Already experiencing such tumultuous events, you’ve had a tough time.

– Noah, please send me a message when you arrive at the royal road instead of calling.

– I’m currently being dragged to our royal castle, so I can’t take calls.

[Noah]

– Yes, understood.

– I will send a message when I arrive at the royal road.

[Lee Yoo-jin]

– Ah, and you don’t need to find a place to rest.

– Asuka has rented out the entire inn where Lee Seo-yeon stayed.

– The inn will be visible after you enter the royal city; just walk along the road for about three minutes. It’s a fancy building with a sign shaped like the wind, so you won’t get confused even if there are many buildings around.

[Noah]

– Oh… understood.

– I will head straight to the inn as soon as I arrive in the royal city.

[Lee Yoo-jin]

– Alright, then I’ll see you in a bit.

[Noah]

– Yes, I’ll see you shortly.

────────────────────

The chat window disappeared.

Tera had deleted it on her own, confirming that the conversation was over.

She let out a short sigh.

‘Now that I’ve given him the meeting point, he shouldn’t stray off course.’

Of course, the same thing that happened yesterday could happen again.

I had encountered bandits and thieves several times on my way to the royal city, so I can’t guarantee that Noah won’t face such troubles.

Still, with the meeting point designated, we can definitely meet.

Whether Noah is late or we are late.

There’s only one set meeting point.

I thought this as I looked around.

And then I began to listen closely to the sounds I had been ignoring.

“…Look over there. It’s the hero.”

“The emblem on his forehead… that little kid must be the designated hero this time.”

“Tch… he looks like he’s only ten years old. I wonder if he can even catch the Demon King.”

“Right? He looks so frail that I wouldn’t be surprised if he died to a mere soldier, let alone the Demon King.”

“The goddess must be indifferent; designating a kid like that as a hero… is she trying to get us all killed?”

“At this point… I’d rather he die quickly. Let someone stronger become the hero.”

…Crazy b*stards.

Is that something to say to a child who has been forced to become a hero?

I grimaced at the nauseating voices of the people around me, as if my ears were rotting.

Asuka and Arthur, who were walking beside me, felt the same way.

And then there was Lee Seoyeon.

“……”

With a cold, expressionless face, she was staring at the people. Her hand gripped the hilt of her sword at her waist.

“Lee Seoyeon, hold on.”

I gently patted Lee Seoyeon’s hand, which was radiating an aura as if she would draw her sword and swing it at any moment.

At my touch, the murderous intent emanating from her gradually diminished.

In turn, the knights and soldiers who were surrounding us and looking at Lee Seoyeon with tense expressions relaxed their grips on their swords a bit.

“Lee Seoyeon.”

“……I understand.”

Only after I called her name again did she finally release her grip on the sword.

Still, her gaze remained fixed on the people spouting words no different from filth towards As.

‘…It’s a relief that Seoyeon still can’t fully control the Dainsleif.’

If the seal of the Dainsleif had been broken and she could use all its powers, everyone here would have been dead by now, completely drained of blood.

I let out a sigh of relief inwardly and patted Seoyeon’s hand once more. Then, as if waiting for my gesture, her hand intertwined with mine.

At that moment, the faint but still lingering murderous intent within Seoyeon calmed like a gentle spring breeze.

‘I guess we’ll have to keep this up until we reach the castle.’

Though Seoyeon had calmed down, the harsh words about As were still ringing in my ears.

Just as I was thinking this.

Another hand intertwined with mine.

Asuka, seeing that I was holding hands with Seoyeon, had done the same.

I felt a soft and warm sensation on my back.

Arthur, who had been walking beside Asuka, had started to walk closely behind me.

[I’m envious. I want to hold Master’s hand too. I want to rub my chest against your back. But since As is here, I can’t…, how unfortunate.]

…Don’t you start too.

I’m feeling quite awkward right now.

‘Could it be that I have to endure this until we reach the castle?’

Holding hands is one thing, but having someone do that from behind is quite uncomfortable…

Walking is not a problem.

Even if my strength is limited, matching my steps is easy.

But the full sensation I feel on my back… that’s the real… troublesome issue.

“…Arthur, I’m having a bit of trouble walking right now… could you back off a little?”

“……”

“Arthur…?”

There’s no response.

It seems he has no intention of listening to me at all.

‘Ha, this is driving me crazy.’

I let out a deep sigh. And inwardly,

‘The East Sea’s waters and Mount Baekdu…’

To shake off my worries.

A method of mental management for men.

I began to recite the national anthem.

&

&

&

“…Soon, you will have an audience with His Majesty. So… I would appreciate it if you could refrain from those undignified actions.”

The man, the captain of the knights and soldiers, spoke with a grimace as if he had seen something he shouldn’t have in front of the royal palace and the audience room.

At those words, Asuka, who had been clasping her hands together and pressing her chest against my back, and Lee Seoyeon, both let out short sighs, as if Arthur’s presence was a disappointment.

And only then.

‘…I’m alive.’

I was finally able to stop singing the national anthem, which I had been repeating from the first to the fourth verse.

“Phew.”

On the street, having avoided social death, I let out a long sigh of relief and looked at the door to the audience room.

A door as massive as the castle gates, adorned with gold and decorated with jewels.

‘…Insane.’

It was a level of extravagance that made me frown.

No matter how much it’s for the king’s majesty, a showy kind of luxury, it’s just too excessive.

‘Even greed wouldn’t go this far.’

But because of that, I could be certain.

The king of this world.

A king so extravagant that he decorates doors with gold.

That king is also a servant of the dragon, just like the man before us.

Of course, since I haven’t checked for scales, it’s not certain.

Still, the reason I am so convinced is because of the golden door I am looking at right now.

‘Perhaps it’s because he serves such a master; his desires are overflowing.’

The arrogance and greed possessed by dragons are greater than any other race.

Maybe that’s why those who become servants of such dragons have their desires amplified to an extreme.

As evidence, the man who brought us here.

He appears ordinary, unlike other people, which is uncharacteristic for a dragon’s servant.

The sword he wears at his waist, and the armor draped over his body.

Both are absolutely not ordinary items.

Tera said.

At first glance, the sword, which looks incredibly ornate, is made of mithril, known for its highest magical conductivity.

The armor, which shines brilliantly from how well it has been oiled, is made of adamantium.

Literally, these are items far too precious for someone not particularly strong to possess.

Yet the man wears them openly.

As if to say, “Look at me, envy me,” he dons this sword and armor.

Desire for power.

Desire for attention.

Those two emotions were amplified within the man.

In that way, seeing the luxurious door makes me think of the king as a servant of the dragon as well.

I thought this as I watched the door slowly opening. I took in the interior that was beginning to come into view.

And then.

“Wow.”

I gasped.

‘Surely that thing can move?’

Sitting in a massive chair adorned with gold and jewels, like a door.

Let me know if you need anything else!

The sight of the king,

with an immensely corpulent body

filled with flesh and fat.

“Finally, you’ve arrived.”

The king,

gnawing on a chicken leg like a pig’s trotter,

opened his greasy mouth.

And, with a sound that made my stomach churn,

he smacked his lips loudly,

constantly letting bits of food

spill from his mouth as he spoke.

“Smack, smack, welcome to my castle,

hero. And.”

The king’s eyes,

gleaming with a murky yellow light,

turned toward us.

“O foreigners who have entered this world.”