Chapter 14 — The Dragon's Hoard
A Little Too Comfortable
The morning started normally.
Which, for Zach Grace and his party, meant chaos.
"Incoming!"
Zach ducked.
A massive club swung over his head.
He immediately stepped forward and drove his fist into the monster's stomach.
BOOM!
The creature flew backward.
Kazuma rushed past Zach.
"Move!"
He drew his sword.
SLASH!
The monster stumbled.
Aqua raised her staff.
"Turn undead!"
"That's not undead!"
Kazuma shouted.
Aqua froze.
"Oh."
The monster charged toward her.
Darkness stepped in front.
CLANG!
The attack slammed against her shield.
Darkness didn't move.
"Is that all?"
The monster attacked again.
Darkness blocked.
Again.
Blocked.
Again.
She smiled.
"How wonderful."
Kazuma stared.
"She's doing it again."
Zach ignored him.
"Megumin!"
Megumin stepped forward.
She raised her staff.
"Explosion!"
Zach immediately grabbed her shoulder.
"No."
Megumin frowned.
"Why?"
"Because there are six monsters surrounding us."
"So?"
"You're going to blow up everything."
She lowered her staff.
"Fine."
Instead, Aqua cast a support spell.
Zach moved.
Kazuma attacked from the side.
Darkness held the frontline.
Megumin used smaller spells.
Within a few minutes, the monsters were defeated.
Silence.
Zach looked around.
That was it.
The entire mission had taken less than twenty minutes.
Kazuma sheathed his sword.
"Easy money."
Aqua smiled.
"I told you our training was working!"
Megumin nodded proudly.
"Naturally."
Darkness raised her shield.
"We handled them efficiently."
Zach didn't respond.
He looked at the defeated monsters.
Then at his party.
Something bothered him.
They were getting comfortable.
Too comfortable.
The Problem With Easy Missions
The party returned to Axel several hours later.
Their mission had been classified as mid-tier.
The reward wasn't terrible.
But it wasn't exactly impressive either.
At the guild, Luna greeted them.
"Welcome back."
Kazuma placed the quest completion paperwork on the counter.
"Finished."
Luna looked surprised.
"Already?"
Kazuma smiled.
"We're getting pretty good."
Aqua proudly crossed her arms.
"We have trained tremendously."
Megumin nodded.
"I could have ended the mission with Explosion."
Zach sighed.
"That's exactly the problem."
Everyone looked at him.
"What?" Kazuma asked.
Zach crossed his arms.
"We're getting complacent."
Kazuma's smile disappeared.
"Complacent?"
"Yeah."
Zach looked at the party.
"Think about our last few missions."
He counted them.
"The mine."
"The Demon King's General."
"The cabbage quest."
"And now this."
He looked at the reward.
"We're strong enough to handle these missions without really being pushed."
Kazuma frowned.
"Is that a bad thing?"
"Not necessarily."
Zach paused.
"But if we keep doing missions we're already comfortable with, we're going to stop improving."
Darkness nodded.
"I agree."
Aqua raised her hand.
"So do I."
Megumin smiled.
"I also agree."
Kazuma stared at all three.
"Seriously?"
Aqua nodded.
"We need stronger opponents."
Darkness agreed.
"If we face greater challenges, we will discover our weaknesses."
Megumin raised her staff.
"And I wish to demonstrate the full magnificence of my Explosion against a worthy opponent."
Kazuma looked at Zach.
"You've created monsters."
Zach smiled.
"We're adventurers."
Kazuma sighed.
"Fine."
He pointed at Zach.
"But if we die, I'm blaming you."
"Fair."
Choosing the Next Mission
The party went to the guild's mission board.
Zach scanned the available quests.
Mid-tier.
Mid-tier.
Mid-tier.
High-tier.
He stopped.
"There."
Kazuma immediately became nervous.
"What?"
Zach pointed.
A quest notice was pinned near the top.
Dragon's Hoard Subjugation
Threat Level: High
Objective: Defeat or drive away a dragon occupying an abandoned mountain fortress.
Secondary Objective: Recover stolen treasure.
Recommended Party Strength: High-tier adventurers.
Reward: 100,000 Eris + recovered treasure.
Kazuma stared at the paper.
"No."
Zach looked at him.
"We haven't even discussed it."
"I've discussed it with myself."
Aqua leaned closer.
"A dragon."
Megumin's eyes sparkled.
"A dragon."
Darkness smiled.
"A high-level opponent."
Zach looked at Kazuma.
"Three against one."
Kazuma sighed.
"You've already decided."
"We're taking it."
Kazuma groaned.
"Why do I even bother?"
Luna approached them.
"You should be careful with that mission."
Zach nodded.
"We will."
"The dragon hasn't been identified."
Kazuma froze.
"Wait. You mean we don't know what kind of dragon it is?"
Luna shook her head.
"Only that it has occupied an abandoned fortress and accumulated a large treasure hoard."
Zach looked at the quest.
"Then we'll prepare accordingly."
Kazuma sighed.
"Great."
Preparing for the Dragon
The next day, they began preparing.
Zach checked their supplies.
Healing potions.
Mana potions.
Food.
Rope.
Camping supplies.
Extra weapons.
Aqua made sure they had enough holy water.
Megumin carried her staff.
Darkness inspected her armor.
Kazuma checked his sword.
Zach also checked his own equipment.
His Vegito-inspired martial artist outfit had survived every battle so far.
He tightened his gloves.
His training with Mr. Popo had changed the way he fought.
He didn't waste movement anymore.
He could sense spiritual energy.
And his mind was calmer during combat.
But this mission would test all of it.
He wasn't going to underestimate the dragon.
"Everyone ready?"
Darkness nodded.
"Yes."
Aqua raised her staff.
"Ready!"
Megumin smiled.
"Completely prepared."
Kazuma sighed.
"Unfortunately."
Zach smiled.
"Let's go."
The Road to the Fortress
The journey took most of the day.
The fortress was located deep in the mountains.
The further they traveled, the quieter the area became.
No travelers.
No monsters.
Not even birds.
Kazuma looked around.
"I don't like this."
Zach nodded.
"Neither do I."
Darkness tightened her grip on her sword.
"We're getting close."
Megumin suddenly stopped.
"Wait."
Everyone froze.
"What?" Zach asked.
Megumin pointed ahead.
"Something is coming."
Zach closed his eyes.
He focused.
Spiritual energy.
Several presences.
He opened his eyes.
"She's right."
Kazuma drew his sword.
"How many?"
"Eight."
Darkness raised her shield.
Aqua prepared her magic.
Then creatures emerged from the trees.
Goblins.
Orcs.
Lizard-like monsters.
A large ogre.
And several armored beasts.
Kazuma stared.
"That's not a monster."
He pointed.
"That's a monster party."
Zach nodded.
"Formation."
Everyone moved automatically.
Darkness stepped forward.
Zach stood beside her.
Kazuma moved to the flank.
Aqua positioned herself behind them.
Megumin stayed toward the rear.
The monsters charged.
Monster Party
The first wave crashed into Darkness.
BOOM!
Her shield stopped the attack.
Zach immediately stepped around her.
One monster swung.
Zach ducked.
No wasted movement.
He stepped inside its guard.
THUD!
A Ki-enhanced punch sent it flying.
Kazuma rushed past.
SLASH!
He cut down another.
Aqua raised her staff.
"Blessing!"
A magical aura surrounded the frontline.
Darkness charged.
She slammed her shield into an ogre.
CRASH!
The ogre stumbled.
Zach followed.
A spinning kick struck its jaw.
The creature fell.
Megumin fired a concentrated spell.
A burst of magic knocked several monsters backward.
"Nice!"
Zach shouted.
Megumin smiled.
"I have been practicing."
Kazuma looked impressed.
"You're actually using smaller spells now."
Megumin crossed her arms.
"Explosion is still my greatest weapon."
"We know."
The monsters regrouped.
The ogre roared.
Several charged at once.
Darkness stepped forward.
"Behind me!"
The monsters slammed into her shield.
She held.
Zach moved around her.
Kazuma attacked from behind.
Aqua healed Darkness whenever necessary.
Megumin provided ranged support.
It was almost effortless.
Not because the monsters were weak.
Because the party had become coordinated.
They didn't need to shout every command anymore.
They knew where everyone would be.
Zach saw an opening.
Kazuma attacked.
Darkness blocked.
Aqua supported.
Megumin fired.
Zach finished.
One after another, the monsters fell.
Finally, the ogre was the last one standing.
It charged.
Darkness planted her feet.
Zach stood beside her.
"Together."
Darkness nodded.
The ogre swung.
Darkness blocked.
Zach stepped in.
He drove his fist into the monster's stomach.
BOOM!
The ogre fell.
Silence.
Kazuma looked around.
"That was…"
He paused.
"Actually easy."
Zach smiled.
"That's teamwork."
Darkness nodded.
"We're improving."
Aqua smiled.
"I told you!"
Megumin raised her staff.
"Now let's continue toward the dragon."
Kazuma sighed.
"Why do I feel like the easy part just ended?"
Zach looked toward the mountains.
"Because it probably did."
The Dragon's Hoard
The fortress appeared at sunset.
It was enormous.
Ancient stone walls surrounded the mountain.
Several towers had collapsed.
A massive entrance stood open.
Zach could feel something inside.
Powerful.
Very powerful.
He closed his eyes.
The spiritual energy coming from the fortress was enormous.
Kazuma noticed his expression.
"What?"
"Something's inside."
"How strong?"
Zach opened his eyes.
"Strong."
Kazuma sighed.
"Great."
They entered.
The interior was dark.
Their footsteps echoed.
Then they heard something.
A deep growl.
The entire fortress trembled.
BOOM.
Dust fell from the ceiling.
Aqua swallowed.
"That was big."
They entered a massive chamber.
And there it was.
A dragon.
Its scales were dark red.
Its wings were enormous.
Its claws dug into the stone floor.
Behind it was a mountain of treasure.
Gold.
Jewels.
Weapons.
Ancient artifacts.
The dragon opened its eyes.
"Intruders."
Its voice shook the chamber.
Zach stepped forward.
"We're here to drive you out."
The dragon laughed.
"You?"
It looked over the party.
"Four humans and a crusader?"
Darkness raised her shield.
"We're adventurers."
The dragon laughed harder.
"You will become part of my hoard."
Kazuma whispered.
"Can we just leave?"
"No."
"I had to ask."
The dragon spread its wings.
Zach lowered his stance.
"Everyone."
The party prepared.
The dragon roared.
And attacked.
Dragon vs. Party
The dragon's first attack was fire.
A massive wave of flames filled the chamber.
"Barrier!"
Aqua created a magical shield.
The fire slammed into it.
BOOOOOOM!
The barrier cracked.
Darkness stood behind it.
Zach stepped forward.
He focused his Ki.
The flames parted around him as he pushed through.
He charged.
The dragon swung its claw.
Zach ducked.
One step.
Two.
No wasted movement.
He drove a Ki-enhanced punch into the dragon's jaw.
BOOM!
The dragon's head snapped sideways.
It roared.
"YOU DARE!"
Its tail swung.
Zach jumped.
Darkness blocked the tail.
CRASH!
She was pushed backward.
Kazuma rushed in.
"Now!"
He attacked the dragon's leg.
His sword bounced off its scales.
"What?!"
The dragon kicked.
Kazuma flew across the room.
"Kazuma!"
Aqua healed him.
"I'm fine!"
The dragon opened its mouth.
Fire gathered again.
Megumin stepped forward.
"Explosion!"
She fired.
BOOOOOOM!
The explosion struck the dragon directly.
Smoke filled the chamber.
For a moment, there was silence.
Then the dragon emerged.
Burned.
Angry.
But still standing.
Megumin stared.
"…That was disappointing."
Zach looked at her.
"You damaged it."
"Not enough."
The dragon roared.
It attacked everyone at once.
Zach blocked claws.
Darkness protected Aqua.
Kazuma searched for weak points.
Megumin cast spell after spell.
Aqua healed everyone.
But the dragon was too powerful.
It kept pushing them back.
Zach was breathing heavily.
His arms were bruised.
His Ki reserves were dropping.
The dragon charged.
Zach stepped forward.
He sensed it.
The dragon's spiritual energy.
Its movements.
Its intent.
Everything Popo had taught him became useful.
He didn't think.
He reacted.
The dragon's claw came down.
Zach moved.
The claw missed.
Zach stepped inside.
BOOM!
Punch.
Kick.
Elbow.
Knee.
He attacked the exposed scales.
The dragon roared.
Kazuma saw the opening.
He attacked.
Darkness struck.
Aqua strengthened them.
Megumin prepared another spell.
"Zach!"
He looked toward her.
"Give me an opening!"
Zach nodded.
"Everyone!"
They understood.
Darkness charged.
She blocked the dragon's claws.
Kazuma attacked its legs.
Aqua strengthened both.
Megumin began gathering magical energy.
Zach stepped backward.
The dragon roared.
Then charged directly toward Megumin.
Darkness intercepted it.
CRASH!
The impact shook the chamber.
Kazuma struck.
Aqua healed.
Megumin continued charging.
Zach watched.
His breathing slowed.
He had learned how to fight with an empty mind.
He didn't need to rush.
He needed to wait.
The dragon lunged.
Zach moved.
He stepped forward.
His hands came together.
He pulled them toward his side.
His Ki began gathering.
The energy grew.
Blue-white light formed between his palms.
Kazuma looked over.
"What is he doing?"
Aqua's eyes widened.
"I don't know!"
Megumin stopped.
Zach remembered something from his old world.
Something he had watched countless times.
Goku.
The Kamehameha.
He had practiced the basic principles of Ki projection.
He had learned how to manipulate Ki.
But he'd never attempted this.
Not seriously.
Not in battle.
He took a breath.
He felt the energy.
He focused.
He controlled it.
He didn't force it.
He guided it.
His hands shook.
The energy grew.
"KA…"
The dragon turned toward him.
Zach planted his feet.
"ME…"
His Ki surged.
"HA…"
The dragon charged.
Zach's eyes narrowed.
"ME…"
Everything became quiet.
His mind emptied.
His body stopped moving unnecessarily.
His Ki became one concentrated force.
Zach thrust his hands forward.
"KAMEHAMEHA!"
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!
A massive beam of blue-white Ki erupted from his hands.
The entire chamber shook.
The dragon was struck directly.
It roared.
Its claws dug into the stone.
It tried to resist.
Zach pushed harder.
His arms trembled.
His Ki reserves were draining rapidly.
The beam continued.
The dragon was pushed backward.
"AAAAAAAAAGH!"
Zach gritted his teeth.
"I…"
His body screamed.
"…won't…"
The beam intensified.
"…let you…"
The dragon's resistance broke.
"…hurt my party!"
The Kamehameha consumed the dragon's position in a massive explosion of light.
Then—
Silence.
The beam disappeared.
Zach fell to one knee.
His arms shook uncontrollably.
The chamber was filled with smoke.
Everyone stared.
Kazuma's mouth hung open.
Aqua's eyes were wide.
Megumin looked genuinely impressed.
Darkness slowly lowered her shield.
Then the smoke cleared.
The dragon lay motionless.
Defeated.
Zach stared at it.
"I…"
He looked at his hands.
"I actually did it."
The system appeared.
[New Technique Successfully Created.]
[Kamehameha — Level 1.]
[Technique Classification: Ki Wave.]
[Power Output: High.]
[Ki Consumption: Extremely High.]
[Warning: Current mastery is insufficient for repeated use.]
Zach smiled.
His first Kamehameha.
Not copied perfectly.
Not mastered.
But his.
Kazuma slowly walked toward him.
"Zach."
"Yeah?"
"What the hell was that?"
Zach laughed.
"Something I've been working on."
Megumin stared at the destroyed section of the chamber.
"That was incredible."
Aqua nodded.
"I think I like that attack."
Darkness smiled.
"It was powerful."
Zach slowly stood.
"Everyone okay?"
Kazuma nodded.
Aqua healed everyone.
Megumin was exhausted.
Darkness's armor was damaged.
But everyone was alive.
They had done it.
Together.
Zach looked toward the dragon's hoard.
Then back at his party.
They had taken on a mission far beyond the enemies they were used to fighting.
They had struggled.
They had nearly been overwhelmed.
And they had won.
Not because one person carried everyone.
Because everyone had played their part.
Zach smiled.
"Let's collect the treasure."
Kazuma immediately perked up.
"Now you're speaking my language."
Aqua rushed toward the treasure.
"Gold!"
Megumin walked toward the hoard.
"Perhaps there are magical artifacts."
Darkness inspected the dragon.
Zach laughed.
The party had grown stronger.
But more importantly—
They had grown together.
And somewhere inside Zach's system, another notification appeared.
[High-Tier Mission Completed.]
[Dragon Subjugated.]
[Party Teamwork Increased.]
[Combat Experience Gained.]
[Major Technique Unlocked.]
[Kamehameha — Level 1.]
Zach looked at the notification.
Then smiled.
This was only the beginning.
The next time he used the Kamehameha—
It would be even stronger.
But for now, there was a dragon's hoard to collect.
And, for once, even Kazuma wasn't complaining about the mission.
Because there was a mountain of treasure sitting right in front of him.
"Zach."
"Yeah?"
Kazuma pointed toward the treasure.
"Tell me we get to keep this."
Zach looked at the enormous pile of gold.
He smiled.
"After the guild takes its share."
Kazuma's smile disappeared.
"Never mind."
And just like that—
Their victory celebration was ruined.
End of Chapter 14