Chapter 59: The Drake’s Den

What’s a dragon?

In folklore, it’s a mythical creature from Western tales.

In fantasy novels or games, it’s different.

“The ultimate creature.”

The mightiest being in the realm, master of magic, guardian of the world.

A true final boss, adorned with grand titles—that’s a dragon.

Often the game’s boss monster or the novel’s endgame king.

And that dragon is Zone 4’s boss.

“How am I supposed to handle a dragon?”

Ridiculous.

A dragon in a smith’s mine?

How’s a lowly smith like me supposed to deal with that?

Though, a mine and a dragon…

It kinda fits.

Dragons, greedy for treasure, often lair in gold mines or dwarven strongholds… Ugh, never mind.

Anyway.

“A real dragon?”

“I’m not sure if it’s a dragon, but its appearance matches your description.”

“Oh, you don’t know what a dragon is. Did it look like this?”

• Except for slightly more vestigial wings, yes. It’s a bit smaller.

“Not a full dragon, then.”

A shred of mercy?

Not an ancient dragon, at least.

With degraded wings, maybe a drake—a dragon variant.

Whatever it is, it’s a tough opponent.

“A dragon’s too much for just us.”

Like Zone 3, taking one assistant to clear it wasn’t happening.

I decided to prepare thoroughly.

“Crafter 1!”

[Using Production Skill.]

[Select the shape of the item to craft.]

“Shield!”

[Specify the details of the shield’s shape.]

[Choose the material for the shield.]

[Crafting begins.]

First, shields.

Not one—four shields.

As thick and sturdy as possible.

Able to withstand dragon claws and dragon breath, with boosted fire resistance.

Fire resistance wasn’t hard.

Zone 1’s mined ores included Firestone, high in fire resistance.

[Crafting complete.]

[‘Flame Barrier’ obtained.]

[Flame Barrier]

Type: Shield

Grade: SS

Restriction: Level 50+

Description: A special shield designed to block a dragon’s fiery breath.

Defense: 600

Abilities:

1. Heat Resistance – Greatly increases fire resistance.
2. Fire Wall – Defense and fire resistance rise when multiple Flame Barriers are linked within range.
3. Stability – Reduces knockback from enemy attacks.

Fire Wall.

Modeled after Crafter 1’s Stronghold ability for the mass-produced tower shields.

These shields were meant for four to wield together.

“Gather up!”

At my shout, assistants assembled in the corridor.

Miners and Zone 3 crafters and disassemblers.

Well, they came more from my thoughts than my voice.

“Crafters 1 and 2, Disassemblers 1 and 2. Take these.”

“Shields?”

“Yes. We’re entering the mine. Hold the shields and block the dragon’s attacks. Got it?”

“Understood.”

Crafters 1 and 2, and Disassemblers 1 and 2, who’d only ever swung hammers, accepted without hesitation.

I’d give detailed orders in the mine.

Next, the mining team.

“Hand over your weapons!”

“Understood.”

They presented their pickaxe, scissors, axe, and sword.

I’d upgrade them, starting with the pickaxe.

The pickaxe and axe were SSS-grade adamantium weapons, but they weren’t enough.

Now, I’d enhance them into Dragon Slayers.

For a dragon-killing weapon.

“What materials?”

Dragon Slayer.

Not my first time.

A few days ago, an Association Hunter requested one for a draconic monster.

Back then, I puzzled over it.

The solution was simple.

Dragon materials.

Dragon teeth, bones, or similar.

That’s the standard for a Dragon Slayer.

You need dragon materials to kill a dragon—what a paradox.

“Oh, lots of materials.”

The auction had more than expected.

Until recently, dragon materials were scarce and pricey.

The Gate Burning must’ve flooded the market.

Good news for me.

[Draconic Serpent’s Fang]

[Sea Dragon’s Fin]

[Wyvern’s Claw]

Mostly from lesser or variant dragons, but good enough.

True dragon materials rarely hit the auction and cost a fortune.

I bought a few promising ones.

[Using Enhancement Skill.]

I started upgrading.

First, Pippi 1’s sword.

Like Zone 3, where the axe worked best, Pippi 1 would be the main dealer.

[Select the part to enhance.]

The material.

For the Dragon Slayer, I infused Pippi 1’s sword with a Wyvern’s Claw.

It seemed the most weapon-appropriate among the auction’s dragon materials.

I added adamantium.

Freshly mined yesterday, after not appearing since the mine’s golems strengthened.

[Enhancement begins.]

Clang!

As I hammered, the Wyvern’s Claw melted into Pippi 1’s sword.

The blade took on the claw’s pale hue.

Adamantium added a shimmering metallic sheen.

The adamantium extended the enhancement time.

[Enhancement complete.]

[‘Adamantium Blade (DS)’ obtained.]

Finally done.

[Adamantium Blade (DS)]

Type: Sword

Grade: SSS

Restriction: Level 50+, Pippi 1

Description: Crafted by Hephaestus’ heir for Pippi 1, using adamantium, the finest mineral. Infused with a wyvern’s claw, it gains Dragon Slayer traits.

Attack: 600

Abilities:

1. Pippi – Greatly increases attack against beast and reptile monsters.
2. Butcher – Improves quality and quantity of meat and hides when using butchering or skinning skills.
3. Precision Strike – Damage increases with repeated hits to the same spot.
4. Dispel – Can’t use magic but counters and destroys magical elements.
5. Adamantium – Unbreakable.

Dragon Slayer – Deals bonus damage to draconic monsters.

An enhancement, not a new craft, so it didn’t become a full Dragon Slayer.

It gained Dragon Slayer traits.

No matter.

Dispel counters dragon magic, and since dragons are reptiles, it deals extra damage.

The description’s long, but performance matters.

“Now, the rest!”

I enhanced the pickaxe, scissors, and axe.

[Enhancement complete.]

[‘Adamantium Pickaxe (DS)’ obtained.]

[Enhancement complete.]

[‘Obsidian Scissors (DS)’ obtained.]

The mining team received weapons with Dragon Slayer (DS) abilities.

These four would be the attack team.

Preparations were complete.

Almost.

My gear.

With four tanks and four melee dealers, balance required—

“I’ll be the ranged dealer.”

I began crafting a crossbow, the easiest ranged weapon.

I felt my assistants’ sharp gazes.

[Entered Hephaestus’ Mine.]

The Dragon Raid Team—Dre Team—was formed.

Four crafters for shields.

Four miners for attacks.

Me.

And Spark on my shoulder.

A neat ten-member team.

“Everyone, board!”

The Dre Team climbed the cart.

But…

“Uh, four of you hang outside? Can you manage? Or we go first and summon you.”

“We’ll hang on.”

The cart was cramped.

We’d never packed so many.

The crafting team clung outside.

Their first mine trip, and it starts rough—felt bad.

“Engine on!”

I moved the lever, and the cart sped up.

The tracks were repaired.

The cart glided smoothly, unhindered by golems, reaching Zone 4 quickly.

At the track’s end, we followed Pippi 1.

“Here.”

We arrived.

I peeked cautiously around a corner.

Dim lighting, but I saw it.

Pippi 1 was right—reptilian slit pupils.

Scales.

Tattered wings.

Sharp claws.

A monster resembling a dragon.

[Mine Drake]

“A drake?”

A Mine Drake.

Drakes are degraded dragons.

Similar in appearance but unable to use magic, with animal-level intelligence.

Vestigial wings prevent flight, and they’re smaller than true dragons.

Still, no room for complacency.

Even degraded, a dragon is a dragon.

Half of half a true dragon’s strength, but far stronger than most monsters.

“At least it’s not a real dragon.”

A silver lining?

Expecting a true dragon, a drake felt relieving.

“Ready?”

“Yes!”

I turned to see the crafting team with shields and the mining team with weapons, perfectly positioned as briefed.

A drake is at least Rank 4.

Beyond my level to tackle.

But—

“Let’s go, Dre Team!”

I trust my gear.

The ten-member Dre Team—

No, eight, excluding me and Spark—charged fiercely at the drake.