Well, second attempt.

Luckily, I ended up in a large hayloft under the now broken roof of a barn. However, settling accounts with the farmer didn't come cheap.

Now with less money and aches all over my body, I decided to take a good gulp of water to recover and return to the starting point.

Looking up, the mountain I spent half a day climbing loomed imposingly before me. I climbed it in that time only because I was eager to defeat the dragon, but now I'm not sure if I have the same strength.

My armor is somewhat dirty, but nothing a good wash can't fix. But my pride is shattered.

I must think of a better plan if I wish to defeat him.

Looking around, the only things I have nearby are the farmer's tools, farm animals, and other useless items.

There must be something I can do with some of those things...

I've got it!

***

Alright, this will do.

In my hands, I hold the newest and latest contraption I've crafted under the teachings of my old master: A crossbow.

If I shoot this at one of the rocks inside the cave, sneak in and tie the dragon's legs, I'll have it ready to strike a decisive blow.

However, all those stacks of scrolls around him could be a nuisance.

But that won't be a problem.

I have a lighter in my pocket, and if I light the crossbow arrow on fire and shoot it at the scrolls, then they'll burn and deal great damage to the dragon, and I can take advantage to attack it when it's even weaker.

Perfect. The plan is totally perfect.

Now, to climb that mountain again.

I bid farewell politely to the farm animals and the grumbling farmer for having robbed him, while I escape from his sight with great leaps, the crossbow loaded on my back.

This body that I've obtained over the years hasn't been in vain, it's one of the greatest strengths I have. However, it's not strong enough to defeat the dragon.

But the day is not over yet. That feast will be mine one way or another.

The mountain I'm currently climbing has a total of 10 floors, with a spiraling path leading to the top. It's an incredible construction where few people reside, but they are among the most curious.

However, if any of them were to see me, I'd be in great danger, so I climb from a blind spot that nobody has in sight.

Ogres, goblins, slimes, witches, and elves are on different floors, as if it were a small village of monstrosities in one place. I know I am strong, but I've tried to fight against magic in the past and it hasn't proven feasible.

Especially not against a certain witch girl.

Still, climbing mountains is not that complicated. It's a training I started as a teenager thanks to my master. So reaching the top is just a matter of persistence.

But I admit it's tiring.

"The morning rockfall almost killed us, I think it's the ogres' fault," an elf on the 3rd floor seemed upset as she held her staff made of branches in her hands, speaking to an elderly elf with a top hat. "If we don't counterattack, they might kill us first."

I decided to ignore them, I have nothing to do with it.

"Ogres not eat nuts, OGRES EAT MEAT!" on the 4th floor, the ogres were having a fight among themselves, while others protected a pile of food by forming a circle around it.

"Meat scarce since foolish wizards invaded 9th floor. Ogres eat what there is."

A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

Another disaster I have nothing to do with.

Floor by floor, climbing up the blind side of the mountain, I ascended carefully without anyone seeing me, avoiding each species that seemed to have conflicts with one another.

Anyone could think a war would break out, but I've been spying and climbing this mountain for years. The only difference is that I'm only now daring to climb up to the 10th floor.

The home of the fearsome and gigantic dragon. The being that everyone feared and respected.

Perhaps that's why no one dared to do anything out of fear of waking it up.

Fools, if a human like me, who is about to kill it, can do it, it's just a matter of their cowardice.

After several hours, near sunset, I managed to reach the top, with hands sore from climbing for too long.

I took about a liter of water and rested outside the cave, checking my crossbow by laying it on my legs, making sure everything was in order.

That dragon is going to die in a few moments.

My years of training and growing anger, with pains stronger than others, will be worth it.

I'll avenge my village once and for all!

I held my weapon carefully and entered the cave again, using my lighter to ignite the feather I attached to the arrow to set it on fire.

Pulling the string ready to fire, a gust of wind blew from inside just like before, so I threw myself to the ground in time and protected my weapon and my head. This time nothing flew away.

My flaming arrow had gone out.

However, a small flame ignited from inside, illuminating enough to show me the figure of the fearsome dragon with dozens of scrolls spread on the ground, turning its gaze towards me.

"...You again?"

I got up from the ground as quickly as possible and tried to light my arrow again, but the feather was already charred. I had to change it quickly.

The dragon, on the other hand, just stared at me for a while.

"Why... do you come to see me, human?"

Despite his formidable voice at midday, he seemed more tired than before. Equally furious, but with less enthusiasm.

Still trying to change the feather of my weapon in complete darkness, I noticed the dragon continuing to flip through the pages of one of the manga volumes, as if my intrusion into his home didn't matter much to him.

All those books in front of him, as if someone had buried him alongside them, seemed as if... he was reading them.

I stayed silent for a moment, and beneath my disbelief, I asked:

"Do you... know how to read?"

This dragon had destroyed great kingdoms alongside my village before retiring for more than ten years, locked in a cave. Had he been doing this since then?

The dragon didn't respond, but kept turning the manga pages.

On the other hand, I noticed that I hadn't loaded enough feathers, or at least that I had dropped them during the climb.

Anyway, I still had a plan B. I must approach with caution.

The closer I am to his books, at least close enough to set one of them on fire, I might end him once and for all by engulfing him in a sea of flames.

I had to earn his trust.

"One Piece..."

I attempted to start a conversation, swallowing hard.

"What is... One Piece?" Although I knew of the existence of these comics, I had never dared to read one in my life. However, I had heard that name many times. One of the most widely read works among all races. But beyond that, my knowledge of such things was nil.

The dragon raised its gaze, blinking a few times while avoiding further advances when it had me in sight.

"You haven't read... One Piece?"

I swallowed hard, shaking my head. Any movement could anger him.

The dragon seemed surprised by my response, as if it were completely incomprehensible to him. I cautiously observed his huge eyes, searching for any hint of a change in his expression.

"It's one of the most popular stories!" continued the dragon, his tone mixing surprise with a certain disdain. "An epic tale of pirates in search of the greatest treasure in the world, the One Piece. It's strange that you haven't heard of it."

I felt a bit uncomfortable under his scrutinizing gaze. Human culture wasn't exactly my specialty, and much less comics. But I needed to keep the conversation going, so I decided to press on.

"I... have been quite busy training and preparing to... well, to face you."

That last part slipped out of me in panic.

The dragon let out a grunt that seemed like a mix of disbelief and resignation. Then, it closed the manga it had between its claws and carefully placed it on the ground.

"I understand," he murmured, as if he were talking to himself.

I have ruined it.

I ran as fast as I could towards one of his books and lit my lighter, aiming and throwing it as hard as possible, watching as it was about to collide finally.

But the rumble of the dragon's tail against the ground caused another gust of wind, extinguishing the flame.

"I guess we all have our own priorities."

I stood there dumbfounded, still holding the crossbow in my hands. I didn't hesitate to aim it at the dragon's eye and fired.

But it landed on his cheek, bouncing off as if nothing had happened.

I had failed, again.

And most likely, this would be my end now.

The dragon stared at me with its large eyes and commented:

"What if... we put violence aside for a moment and... share stories?"

Huh...?

I was surprised by the dragon's response. I expected a more aggressive or disdainful reaction. But instead of that, he seemed...

"You'll love it, I have the complete collection of hundreds of manga. One Piece, Dragon Ball, Naruto, Saint Seiya, Mashle, DR. SLUMP, Bleach, Inuyashiki, Kochikame..."

He seemed like a total geek.

This... can't be.

This dragon, just this same dragon that everyone fears and that I've sought to kill for years.

Really? Seriously, seriously... is a silly otaku?

"We can start with any of these! What do you usually read? I've spent a lot of time here, reading and reflecting. And I've accumulated quite a number of interesting stories! Would you like to hear some?"

I slowly lowered my weapon and decided to sit on one of the rocks.

"Killing you is just embarrassing..." I put my hands over my face, having shattered all my fantasy epic that I had built for years of revenge, while on the other hand, the dragon kept talking.

This was hell.