Title: Dragon Age
From the eastern horizon, a horde of dragons soared through the crimson sky. At the front were two colossal beasts—each the size of the dragon that Kumamoto had slain earlier. It was clear now: the fallen dragon had been one of the Dragon King's three great champions.
The two mighty dragons grasped their sovereign—the Dragon King—in their talons, carrying him lazily through the air. The King's massive wings flopped beneath him like a cape, and a mischievous grin stretched across his face.
As he landed near Kumamoto, the Dragon King chuckled and said mockingly,
"Yoo, bloody monster! You really killed the second-best warrior of the Demon World's second region—and that was just the smallest part of it. But I don't mind… you're quite beautiful. Fighting someone like you might actually be fun."
Kumamoto drew a broken knife from his belt.
The Dragon King blinked. "With that? Seriously?"
Kumamoto cursed.
"Shit..."
But without hesitation, Kumamoto launched forward with a kick. Just before the attack landed, the Dragon King paused.
"Give up your revenge, boy. You've grown strong—strong enough to survive Earth. Isn't that enough?"
"No."
Kumamoto's voice was cold.
The Dragon King tried to grab him—but Kumamoto swiftly dodged, and the two warriors crashed to the ground.
Kumamoto rolled and prepared another strike, but the Dragon King was faster. He lunged behind Kumamoto and slammed him down with a brutal chokeslam.
If Kumamoto hadn't shielded the back of his head with his arms, his skull would have shattered.
Still airborne, Kumamoto used the momentum to wrap his legs around the Dragon King's jaws, locking them shut. His hands gripped the beast's arms, restraining him.
But then, other dragons from the King's court emerged, grabbing Kumamoto and prying him off. The pain was unbearable, and Kumamoto had no choice but to let go.
Gasping, he stumbled back, grabbed a nearby rock, and smashed it into the Dragon King's eye. The King roared in agony.
Seizing the moment, Kumamoto leapt up, grabbed the Dragon King's face, and slammed it into the ground. He mounted the beast and unleashed a flurry of furious fists—
BAM! BAM! BAM!
The ground cracked beneath them.
But the Dragon King struck back with a vile move—a kick powered by his monstrous tail. Kumamoto flew backward and crashed into a boulder. Blood gushed from his wounds.
The Dragon King smirked and charged a massive flaming punch, propelling himself forward with devastating speed. As the fist closed in, Kumamoto caught it, twisted it mid-air, and hurled the King into the ground.
The impact left the Dragon King stunned.
"No one… has ever hurt me like that…" he muttered.
At that moment, Kumamoto realized something.
"If I can destroy his wings... I might just win this."
But how?
Then he saw the corpse of the dragon he had slain earlier. Sprinting toward it, he dodged a barrage of fireballs launched by the furious Dragon King.
"Why are you running, bloody monster? I was just starting to enjoy this!" the King laughed maniacally, releasing a massive fire charge.
Kumamoto ducked behind the dead dragon and used it as a shield. Grabbing a massive fang from its mouth, he clenched it between his teeth.
With a running leap, Kumamoto launched himself at the Dragon King, grabbing his legs and swinging around to his back. He drove the fang deep into the base of the King's wing and dangled from it like a hook.
The wings tore—ripping violently—and the Dragon King crashed to the earth.
Kumamoto climbed onto his chest and unleashed another brutal storm of punches. The ground shattered beneath them.
Sensing the King was on the verge of death, Kumamoto paused.
"Tell me—where is the Weapon Master?"
But the Dragon King was dazed, whispering to himself,
"How... can a human defeat me…?"
Suddenly, he screamed,
"Aaaaaaaaaaaargh!!!"
A blinding light burst from his body. His wings extended, and his scales turned pure white. He ascended, but before he could rise too far, he faltered—his strength failing.
"How… how could I reach my limit so soon?" he muttered, collapsing again.
Kumamoto, exhausted and bleeding, landed one final punch on the King's face.
"WHERE. IS. THE MASTER?"
The Dragon King coughed and replied,
"You're asking the wrong person. Anyone could've told you… You were tricked. But you defeated me, and for that…"
He raised a claw and summoned a great beast.
"…I will grant you one of my dragons. It will take you to the Weapon Master."
A majestic dragon landed before Kumamoto and bowed. Kumamoto climbed aboard, ready for the next chapter of his journey.
As he flew off, the Dragon King muttered to himself:
"…He truly is a bloody monster…"