My name is Zelan, a Chosen Hero.

I stand among the strongest in the current ranks of Chosen Heroes. Behind me walks Leo—my sworn brother, with whom I’ve braved life and death.

Three years ago, guided by the System, I obtained the Alpha Holy Sword—a blade forged from the power of the Leyline Veins.

It glowed with a soft, all-encompassing green light.

The Holy Sword recognized my soul and bound itself to it.

Two years ago, Leo found me. We teamed up to slay evil dragons.

Since fighting side by side, we’ve been undefeated and unstoppable.

In two years, we’ve slain ten evil dragons of Gold rank or higher—including one at Grandmaster level.

But that’s not enough. Merely Grandmaster level is far from sufficient!

For the glory of all humanity. For our future. I must slay the head of the evil dragons—the infamous Dragon Queen, Elise.

Five years ago, the Dragon Queen erected an arena on Dragonroar Isle. Any who wish to challenge her may come and issue a duel.

Every duel is a life-or-death gamble.

In five years, scarcely any Chosen Hero has survived a duel with Elise. Leo is among the rare few who escaped—thanks to his unique spatial teleportation magic. If he chooses to flee, almost nothing can hold him.

Yet even knowing the mortality rate exceeds ninety percent, Chosen Heroes still flock to challenge her.

I came too—resolved to die.

After all, the anthem of humanity is the anthem of courage!

If every Chosen Hero hesitates and fears the strongest, humanity will never dare resist beings like the Dragonkin. Faced with oppression, we’d only retreat endlessly.

It’s said the Aide Kingdom has already chosen this path—ceding land, paying tribute to the Dragon Empire, seeking favor to avoid becoming prey.

At this thought, a raging fire ignites in my chest. I know nations face different circumstances. Perhaps the Aide Kingdom had no choice. I shouldn’t judge.

But before we are citizens of different lands—we are all human!

Why must humanity beg protection from the Dragon Empire? Why must our nations become its vassals?!

I will never let Dia Kingdom fall to such shame!

My courage embodies Dia Kingdom’s spirit! My resolve carries humanity’s unyielding will!

The crowds cheering my victorious returns remain vivid in my mind. Wasn’t it I who time and again reclaimed human dignity from dragon claws?

This time—it’s your turn, Dragon Queen!

This arena will become the tomb you built with your own hands!

Though Leo described her, seeing the Crimson Dragon Queen in person still stole my breath—her aloof grace, her chilling pride.

She was beautiful. Dangerously so. Like a thorny rose. Her dragon horns were the sharpest thorns. She wore an elegant dark crimson Gothic dress. Beneath the intricately embroidered hem, her crimson tail shimmered with eerie light. Above heeled boots, sleek black stockings traced the curve of her long legs.

By appearance alone, she was an unrivaled beauty.

“Begin,” she said.

Her crimson slit pupils held solemn dignity—and a trace of disdain.

I tightened my grip on the sword.

Held my breath. Focused.

Launched a basic attack!

She dodged it effortlessly.

Not bad. Dragon Queen—your agility’s impressive.

I pressed forward with swift strikes. Growing impatient, she raised a hand. A magic rupture bullet materialized instantly—point-blank, blindingly fast. Barely any reaction time.

Alpha Assault!

My body flashed into a green streak, evading the blast. Just as my blade neared Elise—*slap!*—she swatted me away.

What?!

She actually broke me out of Alpha Assault?!

*Boom!*

Sent flying ten meters.

I tumbled midair, landed steady—unharmed.

Activated Highland Bloodline!

Dragon Queen—witness the pinnacle of human swordsmanship!

Behind me, Leo wasn’t idle.

Support magic washed over me. Speed surged. Strength sharpened. My dynamic vision crystallized—every flicker of Elise’s movement slowed to clarity.

This weightless rush… like soaring on my sword.

Leo. Of course. We’re the ultimate duo.

With your aid, we *are* the strongest.

The momentum from slaying a Grandmaster dragon roared back. Confidence and courage blazed within me.

Alpha Assault: Extreme Speed!

In a single thought—I shot forward like lightning.

This time—I *will* strike her.

Leo warned me: in dragon form, Elise emits a thin crimson barrier. Any weapon touching it shatters.

So I sheathed my Alpha Holy Sword in Infinite Sword Qi—shielding the blade, keeping its core from her scales.

Die!

Elise—I know your patterns clear as day!

Leo survived you time and again. He revealed every move. I *will* defeat you!

Queen of the Evil Dragons!

——————

*If I keep playing with this reckless boy… will it tarnish my image before Naya?*

Elise decided in an instant.

She shed her human limits—transforming into a colossal crimson dragon, letting the fool strike her scales.

*Clang!!!*

The Chosen Hero froze. His Holy Sword hadn’t even scratched her armor.

Damn it! So close…

No matter. I still have Highland Bloodline. And Leo’s teleportation—if worst comes to worst.

But in a blink—I was pinned beneath her claw.

Time-stop?!

Zelan hadn’t processed it. Slammed to the ground. Utterly bewildered.

*Leo! Help! Save me!*

*You have teleportation magic—SAVE ME!*

Silence. No reply to his silent plea.

Desperation clawed at him. Delay longer—and he’d be crushed.

“Damn it! Holy Sword!”

Pinned under the dragon’s foot, he thrust the blade forward.

One last move: project his soul into the sword.

He’d never dared this before. If his body died… his soul would never return.

Elise watched the green-glowing sword rise. Lifted a forelimb.

*What Holy Sword?* *Crush it.*

“What?!”

His soul snapped back into his body. Struggling under her claw, he watched his Holy Sword dissolve into emerald particles.

“My… Holy Sword…”

In his trembling pupils—black despair flickered.

Was the gap truly this vast?

Her power defied every Dragonkin classification.

Why… why was *I*—one of humanity’s strongest—so fragile before her? Like an ant?

Zelan’s eyes burned with unwillingness, with confusion.

*Where is Leo?*

*You promised: “Entrust your back to me. I am your shield.” With your magic, you could turn the brink of death into your gateway.*

*So… what are you doing now?*

*Watching me crushed beneath the Crimson Dragon Queen?*

*Watching me die?*