Chapter 18: Black Dragon
Before Noah and Althea could touch the towering, intricately carved doors, they groaned open of their own accord. The sound echoed through the darkened corridor behind them, sending a faint shiver down Noah's spine.
The threshold yawned wide, revealing only a deep, oppressive darkness within. Hesitant yet determined, Noah and Althea stepped inside. As their boots echoed softly against the stone floor, a transformation occurred. Crystals embedded along the walls and ceiling began to glow, casting the room in hues of blue, purple, and silver. Their light rippled outward, gradually unveiling the chamber's haunting beauty.
Towering crystals filled the vast space, but they were no ordinary stones. These crystals were meticulously carved into the forms of humanoids—each unique, detailed, and eerily lifelike. Noah’s sharp eyes quickly picked out the distinct shapes: an elf with pointed ears and an elegant pose, an orc with bulging muscles and fierce tusks, a stout and bearded dwarf, several humans of varying attire, and even a scaled lizardman poised as if mid-battle. The array was vast, as though representing a gallery of fantasy races.
The surreal scene stretched in all directions and the crystalline figures glittering in the mystical light. It was as if they had stepped into an otherworldly exhibit, one that celebrated the many races of legend while also trapping them in a timeless stasis. Noah couldn't help but wonder if these crystal sculptures had once been alive, their forms frozen by some unspeakable curse.
Althea’s breath hitched beside him, her voice barely above a whisper. “What is this place?”
Noah’s grip on his sword tightened. His gaze swept the room, half expecting the figures to move or some other trap to spring from the walls. "A warning," he muttered grimly. “Or a graveyard.”
Their footsteps slowed as they advanced further, the weight of the chamber pressing down on them. The air felt thick, charged with an unseen energy that prickled at Noah’s skin and set his instincts on edge.
Noah scanned the room nervously, his voice low but sharp. “Where is the boss?”
He had been using the term "boss" ever since his childhood, a habit born from sneaking onto his father’s lap and reading stories about dungeons. Those tales had been rife with fantastical creatures and game-like logic, but now, after his harrowing experiences, the word carried a far grimmer weight. Dungeons were no game. They were nightmares made real.
Before he could ponder further, a voice thundered through the chamber, resonating in his very bones.
“MORTAL VISITORS, IS IT? HAVEN’T HAD ANY LIKE THOSE IN YEARS.”
The sheer depth of the gravelly voice froze Noah where he stood, and a bone-chilling fear gripped his chest. Althea’s fingers clamped onto his hand, her grip trembling. He turned to her and was startled to see her usually confident face pale and stricken with terror.
“A-above…” Althea stammered, her voice barely audible.
Noah followed her gaze upward, and his breath caught in his throat. Looming above them, its massive head blending with the ceiling, was the unmistakable visage of a dragon. Its jet-black scales shimmered faintly in the glowing light of the crystals, each scale the size of a small shield. The dragon’s maw was filled with jagged teeth as large as spears, and its glowing crimson eyes glared down at them, brimming with malice and disdain.
As Noah’s eyes adjusted, he began to take in the rest of the dragon’s form, and what he saw left him staggered. Its entire body was so enormous that it filled the entire chamber, as though the dungeon had been built solely to contain it. Its colossal wings stretched across the walls, the tips embedded deep into the stone by massive iron nails. The chains wrapped around its limbs were impossibly thick, each link larger than Noah himself. Its four legs, bent and muscular, plunged into the earth like ancient pillars, reinforcing the suffocating feeling that the dragon was not merely in the room—it was the room.
The dragon’s very presence pressed down on them like a mountain. The air grew heavy, and an overwhelming sense of dread seeped into their minds. Noah’s legs buckled beneath him, and he collapsed to his knees, gasping for air. Althea fared no better, clutching her chest as her breaths came in shallow, ragged gasps.
Noah tried to steady himself, his vision swimming. Every instinct screamed at him to run, but his body refused to obey. The sheer magnitude of the creature’s power was more than anything he had ever encountered. This was not just a boss—it was death incarnate.
Noah’s thoughts spiraled into despair as he knelt on the cold stone floor, his entire body trembling under the oppressive weight of the dragon’s presence.
We’re dead. We’re already dead.
That was the first thought to claw its way through the haze of fear gripping his mind. There was no way they could fight that. It wasn’t a battle—it was a massacre waiting to happen. His breaths came in short, panicked gasps, and for a moment, his mind teetered on the edge of hopelessness.
But then, as he tried to steady himself, a sliver of clarity pierced through the fog. We’re not dead yet.
The thought struck him with startling force. The dragon could have killed them the moment they stepped inside, crushed them like insects under its massive claws. Yet it hadn’t. That meant there was still a chance—however slim—a chance to survive.
The realization gave Noah just enough strength to lift his head, his gaze locking onto the dragon’s massive crimson eyes. They burned like twin suns, radiating an intensity that made him feel as if his very soul was being laid bare. Fear threatened to consume him again, but he forced himself to hold the creature’s gaze.
His vision blurred, and he wiped at his face with a trembling hand. His fingers came away slick with blood. He wasn’t just crying—he was bleeding from his eyes, and likely his ears too. The dragon’s oppressive aura was tearing him apart, but he couldn’t falter now. He had to say something. Anything.
Through cracked lips and a throat tight with terror, he managed to rasp, “Why haven’t you killed us yet?”
His voice was barely above a whisper, but it echoed in the cavernous chamber, carried by the unnatural stillness that surrounded them. Noah’s heart thundered in his chest as he awaited a response, every beat reminding him that as long as it continued, he was still alive—however tenuously.
Noah’s mind raced, desperately grasping at any sliver of a plan as the heavy gates behind them slammed shut, sealing their fate in the chamber. The sound echoed like a death knell, and his heart dropped further. His eyes darted to the massive chains coiled around the dragon’s monumental frame. They were thick as towers, engraved with intricate runes glowing faintly with suppressed power.
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He wanted to believe the chains meant safety, but he wasn’t naive. If this dragon wanted them dead, the chains wouldn’t stop it. He clenched his fists, trying to will the fear out of his trembling body.
Then, with a sound that resembled a low rumble of annoyance, the dragon attempted to crane its gargantuan neck forward. The chains creaked and groaned in protest, holding firm and halting the movement. A sharp, huffing breath followed as if the dragon had decided the effort wasn’t worth it.
Noah’s breath hitched as the dragon exhaled softly, its immense lungs creating a wind that brushed against his and Althea’s trembling forms. That simple action carried with it a wave of otherworldly power, causing Noah’s knees to buckle. He caught himself, barely, and turned his attention to what came next.
The air shimmered in front of the dragon’s snout, and a figure began to coalesce—a massive humanoid form over three meters tall. Its body was composed of dark, swirling energy, its skin a deep obsidian hue. Crimson eyes, striking and piercing, stared down at the two teenagers. Despite its incorporeal nature, the avatar radiated a tangible, suffocating presence.
Noah felt the unbearable pressure in the atmosphere begin to lift as the dragon stopped breathing, its focus seemingly shifted to the entity it had summoned. The avatar straightened and regarded them with what could only be described as mild curiosity. Then, with an utterly disarming tone, it spoke.
“Greetings, mortals,” it said, the deep timbre of its voice reverberating through the chamber. “I am the Darkness Dragon... but please, call me Pompom.” The absurdity of the name was matched by the friendly inflection in its voice.
Noah blinked, frozen in disbelief. Pompom? The incongruity was almost too much to process, but the oppressive presence of the avatar kept him firmly grounded in reality. He shook himself free of his stupor, reaching out to help Althea to her feet. Her pale face mirrored his own mix of shock and disbelief.
He turned his attention back to Pompom, who stood there with a serene, almost amused expression. Noah’s mind scrambled to piece together a plan. The avatar—this ‘Pompom’—was no doubt immeasurably powerful, stronger even than the Bone Golem they’d barely managed to defeat. And the Bone Golem had nearly killed them.
However, it wasn’t as bad as their experience with a certain quadruple of elite skeletons.
Noah’s voice trembled as he addressed the towering figure. “Why are you… talking to us?”
Every word he spoke felt like an offering to a god, a plea for mercy. He couldn’t shake the feeling that their survival hinged entirely on what happened next.
The massive, incorporeal figure crossed its arms and grinned, its red eyes gleaming with a mischievous light. “Ah~! Anyways,” Pompom said with a jovial tone, “where are your manners? Introduce yourselves!”
Noah, still reeling from the sheer absurdity of the situation, forced himself to speak. His voice was steady, though his heart pounded wildly. “My name is Noah.”
“And I am Althea,” she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper as she clutched Noah’s arm for support.
Pompom tilted his head, the gesture was oddly human despite his ethereal form. “That’s nice to hear! You kids sure are tough... I’ve scaled the levels of this dungeon to be adjusted eight levels higher than yours,” he said, chuckling lightly. “It was meant as a very difficult challenge, yet not impossible. So, is it fun?”
Noah’s mind raced. The dragon wasn’t just playing with them—he was testing them. Somehow, flattery felt like the only safe route. Forcing a nervous smile, he replied, “It is fun.”
Pompom’s grin widened, and he clapped his massive hands together, the sound echoing through the chamber like a thunderclap. “I am glad you liked it!”
Noah’s stomach twisted at the dragon’s apparent delight. If Pompom could manipulate the levels of the monsters, it meant he had some degree of control over the dungeon itself. That, coupled with the dragon’s whimsical nature, painted a picture of someone treating this entire deadly ordeal like a game.
The avatar seemed genuinely pleased, his jovial tone putting an unsettling contrast to the grim reality Noah and Althea faced. Noah’s mind churned as he tried to glean every piece of information he could. The stakes couldn’t have been higher, but for now, it seemed, the dragon was content to indulge its amusement.
The chamber's tense atmosphere grew suffocating as Pompom's playful demeanor twisted into something sinister. The dragon's avatar grinned broadly, its red eyes glowing with an unsettling glee.
“Hey, Althea, is it? I want to see your pompoms…”
Althea blinked in confusion, her pale face now a shade whiter. “W-what?” she stammered.
“Your breasts,” Pompom clarified, his tone as casual as if discussing the weather.
Noah’s body tensed like a coiled spring. His fists clenched so tightly they trembled. “If you plan to humiliate someone,” he said through gritted teeth, his voice shaking with restrained fury, “then don’t do it to her.”
Pompom’s grin widened. “Oof, chivalry! Haven’t seen it in a long time too. Awesome…”
Althea tugged at Noah’s sleeve. Her voice was trembling, barely above a whisper. “N-Noah, d-don’t… P-Pompom, why are you doing this?”
“Why?” Pompom replied, feigning a contemplative look as he scratched his chin. “I am a black dragon. I am evil incarnate, duh… Ah~ I have an idea!” His voice shifted, brimming with exaggerated enthusiasm as he turned back to Noah. “Noah, is it? Fuck her.”
The room plunged into silence, the dragon’s words ringing in their ears like a cruel joke that no one could laugh at. Noah and Althea froze, disbelief etched across their faces.
Pompom tilted his head, as though they hadn’t heard him. “Are you deaf or what? Shag her. Do it. Come on, don’t be a bore! Do it! Do it! That’s way more fun than just dying, right?”
The avatar's laughter filled the chamber, reverberating off the crystal-shaped walls, each sound wave chipping away at the fragile sense of sanity Noah clung to. He stared into those glowing red eyes, realizing that this wasn’t just a game to the dragon—it was a cruel, calculated spectacle meant to break them in every way possible.
Pompom lounged midair in a half-seated position, his massive frame radiating an aura of dominance and apathy. He lazily summoned a cluster of glowing purple grapes, which hovered in the air, feeding themselves to his projected form. Around him, women in risqué outfits, conjured from his will, floated seductively, their presence amplifying the suffocating tension in the room. A dangerous, sweet-smelling aroma spread through the chamber, clawing at Noah's senses. He felt a primal heat rushing to his lower body, his fists trembling with shame and frustration.
“Come on,” Pompom drawled, his crimson eyes flickering with boredom. “Life is a beautiful thing, isn’t it? The sacred act of lovemaking is as glorious as it is fun. Or…” He grinned slyly, “...maybe you aren’t confident in your abilities? Sheesh, so young yet lacking spine. Go on, treat me like air and move on to the action. Pants down, legs open, do it.”
The dragon chuckled darkly, shaking his head as though they were children failing to grasp a simple concept. To be fair, they were indeed children. “This dragon hasn’t had entertainment for millennia. Hey, kids, do you know? I used to be a big shot in the Greater Universe. But some bastards from the Lesser Universe dragged me here, and now…” He sighed dramatically. “I’ve been lonely for such a long time. Entertain this old man, okay? If you perform admirably, I might just let you go. So go on... fuck each other’s brains out.”
Althea’s grip on Noah’s arm tightened, her voice trembling as she whispered, “N-Noah, I don’t mind it if it’s you…”
Her words struck him like a blow. They weren’t empty or forced. In the countless moments they had fought together, bled together, and relied on each other, Noah instinctively understood the depth of her feelings. He wasn’t ignorant—he had known, somewhere deep down, that they shared something powerful. And he felt the same.
But that was precisely why he knew this was wrong.
Noah raised his head, glaring defiantly at Pompom. “Althea is an amazing woman,” he began, his voice steady despite the overwhelming fear gripping him. “She has natural pink hair. She’s cute. She’s caring. She likes to tease me. She protects me. She cares for me. She heals me when I’m in pain. I have fun when I talk to her. I care for her too. I like her. She’s important to me.”
Beside him, Althea flushed a deep crimson, her eyes wide with disbelief. “W-what? H-hey, that’s too much, isn’t it?”
Noah continued, his words gaining strength with every syllable. “I cherish her, and I won’t let you ruin that memory for me.”
He turned his full attention to the dragon’s avatar, his voice resolute and unyielding. “That’s why my answer to you is this: Fuck off, you lecherous overgrown lizard.”
Althea let out a shaky laugh, muttering under her breath, “Shit, we’re dead…”
Noah thought the same. His heart pounded against his ribs as he prepared for the worst. But it was a matter of principle—something he wouldn’t compromise, no matter the cost. He wouldn’t let Pompom tarnish what he and Althea shared.
Their connection was just that important and sacred.
In a word, Althea was his precious friend.