Within the Demon Race's Mandor Empire, in the town of Tamos.

This sizable town served as a midway relay point between Falmond and the Demon Capital, Irusil.

Real-world time synced with the in-game time of *Light of Mystery*, so it was now peak hours for most players. The brightly lit tavern buzzed with chatter, thick with crucial intel.

Dungeon locations, special event triggers, monster spawn points, leveling zones, rare items... nearly everything could be gleaned here.

Besides players, NPCs also sold information for a living. Whether they were data constructs or true natives of this world remained known only to the system and the game company.

"**The Church canceled the bounty for rescuing the Healing Saintess.** They claimed someone already submitted verified intel," Knight Arlan said, placing two cups of juice on the table in a dim corner. He slid opposite "Blade Monk" Maoning without invitation.

This overlooked nook was perfect for solitude—unnoticeable unless you knew to look.

"... ..."

Maoning had been quiet these past days. She removed her helmet, revealing a delicate young face, and sipped her drink with downcast eyes.

The Blade Monk’s true appearance was an online secret. With her hidden ID and high-level Stealth skill, few ever noticed her.

Seeing her dejected state, Arlan sighed. His thick, pillar-like arms rested on the table as he opened his mouth to ask about her plans—when a system alert chimed.

"...Huh? Your friend ‘White Wolf’ is online? ...Wait! Hold on!"

Before Arlan could process the news, Maoning shot to her feet. She strode out decisively, not glancing back.

***

On the outskirts of the Demon Capital Irusil, in a secluded manor.

The golden-haired Demon Lord Silva sat cross-legged in her master bedroom. Incense smoke curled around her, calming the restless dragon blood within. Her breaths came heavy yet steady, like the rhythmic inhalations of a slumbering leviathan.

Suddenly, her eyes snapped open. She turned sharply toward the window—just in time to see the full moon hanging above the Demon King’s Castle observatory.

Her gaze locked onto the source of that distant aura. The desire she’d barely tamed now surged violently within her.

Like churning magma. Like a tidal wave.

"**Dragonkind... Dragonkind! True Dragonkind! Hahahahaha!**"

Silva, the Dragon Devourer, couldn’t contain her ecstasy. Her lips curled into a wild grin; her molten-gold draconic eyes burned with hunger and triumph.

"I thought it impossible... yet it’s real! Then rebellion is inevitable!"

"My Lord."

Her subordinates had also sensed that strange life energy—a radiance rivaling the moon itself. Their shock mirrored hers.

"**Summon the army! Target: the Demon King’s Castle!**"

Silva’s maniacal laughter shook the entire manor. Officers, long prepared, snapped to attention and began mobilizing troops.

***

By the time Ledyah sensed trouble and abandoned her snack box to race to the observatory, the ritual had ended.

Pure white holy light receded, leaving only a flawless, pristine egg standing silently at the center.

"Your Majesty."

Astolfo followed closely behind Ledyah, his expression grave. Maids and court mages trailed after them, alerted by the disturbance.

The royal guard remained outside the central castle—without Ledyah’s command, they dared not enter.

"**Everyone withdraw.**"

Ledyah’s tone brooked no argument. She blocked all but Astolfo from entering the observatory, her face grim as she advanced toward the dragon egg.

The closer she got, the stronger the lunar aura became. It felt like approaching a benevolent goddess.

Yet she’d felt something similar before—two nights ago, when Noah first absorbed the moon’s essence.

Ledyah recognized the ritual circle beneath the egg: a forbidden ceremony using dragon blood as a catalyst to transcend into a nature spirit. It was meant to purify one’s magic, forge a perfect body, and unlock hidden potential.

Its "forbidden" status wasn’t due to broken laws, but near-impossible execution—a theoretical formula rarely realized.

*Why would Noah undergo this? Why alter it to use dragon blood?*

Ledyah reached the egg cautiously. Her slender hand extended, trembling slightly as if afraid to disturb what lay within.

The moment her fingertips brushed the shell, a hairline crack appeared. It spread rapidly beneath her touch—then shattered explosively.

A wave of pure, potent energy erupted. Ledyah was thrown backward over ten meters by the blast.

Slowly lowering her arms from her face, she froze at the sight before her.

A pure white figure rose from slumber. Delicate wing membranes unfurled like silk, and a fluffy white dragon tail swayed gently against her thigh.

Moon-pale hair cascaded over shoulders. Flawless features, slender limbs—all bathed in moonlight, glowing like the moon’s own incarnation.

Her perfect form shimmered with a milky luminescence, as if sculpted by a divine hand beyond mortal comprehension.

Her eyes, slightly narrowed, held clear blue irises like polished gemstones—serene, ethereal, untouched by the world.

Above her brow, twin horns curved like carved jade, proclaiming her draconic heritage.

She drew a deep breath. Her generous curves shifted subtly, and even her exhale seemed to carry a chill.

"... Noah?" Ledyah whispered, uncertain yet certain.

The girl’s face echoed Noah’s features—and those formidable assets remained unchanged. Ledyah was confident she could spot Noah in a crowd by that alone.

The girl’s gaze swept over her—icy, regal. This wasn’t the gentle Holy Maiden Ledyah knew. It was a being of equal pride and majesty: a Demon King.

Ledyah straightened instantly, shifting into a battle stance. She braced for what came next.