Matan's Shooter

However, now is not the time to be picky about hot or cold rice! The fortunate thing was that there were no human players around to witness it. For a moment, as I trembled and imagined how amused Kijeong would have been if he had witnessed this situation, I replied to Bahamut.

“Yes, my lord. I pledge to uphold justice and execute righteousness as a member of the Metal Dragon clan.”

“Are you willing to be a part of the Metal Dragon clan and become a member of my lineage as the 8th generation Platinum Dragon Lord, Bahamut?”

A member of the Metal Dragon clan. And part of Bahamut’s family.

A tingling sensation flowed through me like a spine. Even if I tried to suppress it, it was an excitement level comparable to the first time I held the Black Ves.

“Yes, my lord.”

“You have sufficiently proven your dedication and skill to the Metal Clan. All the spectators agree.”

“Yes, my lord!”

All the dragons surrounding the table shouted in unison. Among the roaring voices, there was the deep and resonant one belonging to Bailiphus.

“Bailiphus, the Executor, and the thirty-two members of the clan have given their consent to proclaim. The human hero, you…”

Bahamut nodded and placed his hand on my shoulder.

“From this moment forward, you are a part of our family.”

[The enemy of the Metal Dragon clan]

Quest completed.

Boom!

And another achievement exploded in my mind. The solemn atmosphere swiftly changed. They engaged in conversations with each other, filled with admiration and excitement.

“To think that I have never seen such a thing during my time as a Hatchling, and now I’ve seen it twice since becoming an Adult!”

“How long has it been since humans witnessed one of us becoming their family?”

“This is the first time Lord Bahamut has spoken like this! Well, then, what about partners?”

I remained on my knees, unsure of when I should stand up, and eavesdropped on their conversation. The dragons fell silent at the mention of partners. Once again, it was the High-ranking dragon among the Metal Dragon clan, Executor Bailiphus, who spoke up.

“In the case of Alexander, I was there. But in the case of Leeha, what will you do, my Lord?”

“Guffaw, that’s true. You are my lineage and a member of our clan, but… I can’t have a partner, can I?”

“Well, of course not. If it’s Lord’s partner, then all of us…”

“That’s right, that’s right. If that happens, our family tree will be in chaos.”

“Indeed.”

Even Bailiphus was so taken aback that he looked around. But as the person involved, I could quickly think of one thing.

“A partner?! In the case of Alexander, and the expression ‘partner’… Alexander must have gone through this and then been promoted to Dragon Knight!”

Perhaps he had fulfilled some request from Bailiphus and cleared a quest to become a member of the Metal Dragon clan. If Alexander also had an achievement, it would have been expressed as the “Follower of Gold Dragon Bailiphus.”

Then, what about me?

“Could it be that I can ride and travel with the Dragon Lord?”

Me, riding the dragon lord who has enough destructive power to make even the Bluebeard scared and run away?!

Of course, I wasn’t a fool.

The reason Bailiphus is confused and talking to Bahamut is probably because of that. Such a situation would not occur.

“Let’s see… If Leeha’s partner, who should it be? Ah, yes, yes, that’s right.”

Bahamut looked around the dragons and clapped his hands.

I waited for Bahamut’s decision with an excited heart.

“Red is from the Color Clan, so not that… Silver Dragon? No, no. Copper Dragon or Steel? Gold Dragon wouldn’t be bad either, even if it’s not at the level of Bailiphus. It would be fun to travel with an Adult-level dragon.”

In his mind, Leeha was already imagining himself riding a dragon, soaring through the sky, and using the Black Ves. If that became a reality, he would possess destructive power far beyond the days of hanging in the air and shooting with Jinglejang’s legs.

And the only one capable of piercing through that shield is the attack of Leeha! A partner who is more reliable than any other user in both aerial and ground combat, with the ability of teleportation and shield-breaking!

“You said you protected the Blaugrune, so I guess that makes you Blaugrune’s partner, doesn’t it?”

Bahamut’s absurd and bewildering remark shattered that delightful and joyful imagination.

“I’m not quite sure what you mean, my Lord,” Bailiphus even tilted his head in confusion.

However, Leeha sensed something from the mischievous voice of the old man known as Lord Bahamut.

“No way… B-Blaugrune, what… Blaugrune is dead. This doesn’t make any sense.”

“It was truly a regrettable incident. Um… Nevertheless, our family, Leeha, has avenged the partner, so how commendable is that?”

With every word that Bahamut uttered, countless question marks filled Leeha’s mind.

“Please, please don’t say that. Please, oh please!”

As if reading Leeha’s thoughts, Bahamut grabbed his shoulder and lifted him up.

“I entrust you with our future, my lineage.”

What meaning did Bailiphus read from Bahamut’s actions?

When the Executor started applauding, all the dragons around followed suit. Bahamut cautiously extended his head forward.

The quiet murmurs whispered into Leeha’s ears, unheard by anyone else.

“Since you already possess Blaugrune’s Dragon Heart, it doesn’t matter if we do this, right?”

“Ah…”

Was it because of that…?

Bahamut was already aware that Leeha had shared the Dragon Heart. By trying to utilize the Dragon Heart once, he missed the chance to become a true dragon and a partner.

But who could be blamed?

Leeha could only let out a short sigh without saying anything. With this, the opportunity for a Musketeer to become a Dragon Knight would be lost forever.

Damn it!

Since the confirmation of Kuzugunak’s assassination, there was no reason for the dragons to remain in this place any longer. The ceremony of accepting Leeha into the Metal Dragon clan had also come to an end, and they began to return to their respective lairs.

While everyone was returning, Bailiphus remained behind. The Golden Knight engaged in conversation with Bahamut and Bluebeard, discussing the matter of taking Kuzugunak’s head and retrieving the corpse of the Red Dragon using a Necromancer. While the dragons exchanged such stories, Leeha checked their achievements.

The first achievement they confirmed was the one that appeared right after Kuzugunak’s assassination:

Congratulations!
The glory of a Dragon Slayer can only be attained by those who have destroyed a Dragon Heart! You are the unique and unparalleled Ancient Dragon Slayer within the Middle Earth continent. Dragons will naturally sense the aura of a Dragon Slayer emanating from your body. You can proudly display your majesty to all races beyond humanity.

Rewards: 21 Stat Points, Permanent Buff – Aura of Dragon Slayer

You are the first registrant of the Achievement , which grants an additional 200% effect to the existing benefits.

Effect: 42 Stat Points

“Oh… That’s how it is. Dragons don’t respawn. And it’s S-rank… unbelievable.”

Even named monsters may appear periodically like ordinary field bosses. However, Kuzugunak is a monster that will never respawn, and only the first person to register the achievement will be recorded in the Hall of Fame.

Until now, the highest rank Leeha had received was A+. After confirming the S-rank and reading the contents, Leeha was once again astonished after a moment.

“21 stat points buff? What’s this? A+ was 18 points! Wasn’t it supposed to increase by one point for each rank?”

B+ had 15 points, A- had 16 points, A had 17 points, and A+ had 18 points.

Naturally, when I heard it was S-rank, I thought it would be around 19 points, but this time, three stat points were added at once. And of course, considering the multiplier effect of the Hall of Fame, the numerical value was truly overwhelming!

Congratulations!
By utilizing the received Dragon Heart, you have inherited its power and finally been recognized as a member of the Dragon Clan! As you ascend from being a mere recruit to a dragon, all Metal Dragons will welcome you. Of course, let’s not forget the opposite is also true.

Rewards: 18 Stat Points, +10% Affinity with all Metal Dragons, -10% Affinity with all Color Dragons

You are the second registrant of the Achievement .

Upon the third registrant’s entry into the Hall of Fame, an additional 200% effect will be applied to the existing benefits.

Effect: 36 Stat Points, +20% Affinity with all Metal Dragons, -20% Affinity with all Color Dragons

“Received Dragon Heart, I see. So, it’s related to the Achievement ‘Enter the Dragon Gate.’ Hyein probably didn’t get it, so it’s only Alexander and me. Affinity is now settled. It’ll be around minus three hundred with the Color Dragons. Leeha.”

…

Hyein has never received a Dragon Heart.
Unless she has the Achievement ‘Enter the Dragon Gate,’ she wouldn’t have been able to obtain this achievement either. A faint smile formed on Leeha’s lips.
But that wasn’t the end of it.

Congratulations!
You have been assigned your dragon partner by Bahamut, the king of Metal Dragons. From this moment on, you and your designated dragon become an unparalleled partnership in this world, upholding justice and executing righteousness on this continent. All beings of the continent anticipate and await the sublime meaning that transcends race.

Rewards: 36 Stat Points
Skill – Summon (Partner)
Skill – Call (Partner)

(This achievement does not have a Hall of Fame.)
As Leeha became a member of the Metal Dragons, his partner, Blaugrun, may no longer exist in this world, but in terms of records, he became Leeha’s ally.
“Hmph, just as I expected! I knew it!”
Leeha let out a cry in his mind. If only Blaugrun were still alive!
He could have summoned him whenever Leeha needed or instantly teleported to him! It would have been like gaining an emergency escape skill that surpassed the teleportation among the Three Musketeers!
But Blaugrun wouldn’t come back to life.
Leeha consoled himself with the fact that he had gained a lot of stat points and then looked at the final achievement.

Congratulations!
You have become a member of the Platinum Dragon, Dragon Lord Bahamut, the 8th generation Platinum Dragon of the Middle Earth continent. He may not be your companion or master, but as the elder of a family, he will welcome you as a member of his family. At least to Bahamut, you are one of his family members, just like any other Metal Dragon, and he will strive to protect his family.

Rewards: 25 Stat Points
Skill – Platinum Shield
Skill – Halcyon: Bahamut

“Young Lord? Even S-rank alone was amazing.”
It was the moment when Leeha confirmed this achievement. Bam!