Westminster Bank

All eyes were drawn to the man in the Silver Mask standing atop the Dragon Bone. Even the Subspecies Windstorm Dragon outside the plaza fixed its wide Dragon Eyes on the figure, as if trying to peer into the shadows beneath the man’s mask.

’Master Jack? How can it be him!? Why is it him!? How can a Dragon Guide like him control fire!? Or is this some special privilege of a Golden Dragon Guide?’

Everyone had seen Master Jack spread his Fire Wings and glide down from the sky. That level of precision in his control over fire didn’t seem like something a Dragon Guide was capable of.

’And what’s with the corpse of the Thunder Wolf Dragon King that fell to the ground with him? Don’t tell me that was his handiwork too? It also has a human torso on it, just like the "Baron." Could it be another "Dragon Knight"?’

Everyone was completely baffled by Master Jack’s sudden appearance. It wasn’t just them; even the Law Enforcers outside the mountain range were left speechless when they saw Master Jack descend from the sky and land on Dragon Attendant Baron’s Dragon Claw.

In their minds, a Dragon Guide was supposed to look and act the part. But the Master Jack before them, from his appearance to the way he fearlessly confronted the Dragon Attendant, was nothing like a Dragon Guide at all.

The Lidton Family Head ordered the person beside him, "This Master Jack’s identity—go investigate it, quickly."

Just then, however, Elder Pence suddenly spoke up. "There’s no need to investigate. Lidton Family Head, please inform the Law Enforcers to prepare to enter the mountains and capture Baron Constantin."

The Frank Family Head frowned. "But the Dragon Tide..."

"I have petitioned for the Griffin Knight Order; they will be arriving shortly. I believe this disaster that has erupted in the inner ring will soon be brought under control."

Elder Pence then said to the Lancelot Family Head, "Anthony will soon be avenged."

At this, it wasn’t just the Lancelot Family Head; even the Patriarchs of some of the other Old Blood Clans were visibly moved.

’To think that Elder Pence would go so far as to directly petition for the deployment of the Griffin Knight Order just to help Lancelot’s Family deal with Constantine. It seems the Hestia Family is truly intent on cultivating its relationship with Lancelot’s Family.’

’They’re planning to become allies for generations.’

For a moment, all the Patriarchs exclaimed in admiration at Elder Pence’s righteous act, praising him for daring to bypass the Templar Order and deploy the Griffin Knights just to help Lancelot’s Family get its revenge.

But in the face of the Patriarchs’ praise, Elder Pence merely smiled bitterly and turned his gaze to the Silver Mask on the screen, his expression full of sorrow.

...

In contrast to the fervent discussions about Master Jack’s sudden appearance in the outside world, Dragon Attendant Baron narrowed his eyes at the man standing on his Dragon Claw. "No wonder your figure looked so familiar back in the cavern. So it was you, Master Jack."

"I never thought you’d actually manage to counter-kill the Blood Department. Was it because of you, or that noisy fellow by your side?"

Master Jack shrugged. "Neither. To be honest, I just had a bit of a crash landing."

The moment the words left his lips, everyone cried out at once, "Look out!" A powerful gust of wind stirred behind Dragon Attendant Baron as he whipped his tail straight at Master Jack, the resulting gale tearing across the plaza!

"Die!"

A vicious glint flashed in Dragon Attendant Baron’s eyes. As he lashed out with his tail, he let out a dragon’s roar. The vast Dragon Mighty washed over them, forcing the Dragon Devourer Cultists who had Transformed into Dragons to kneel and prostrate themselves. Some of the Low Tier Trial Takers began to see stars, and even the High Tier ones felt their minds tremble.

This dragon’s roar, akin to a Mental Shock, even penetrated the screen outside the mountains and affected some of the Old Race. Many of the noblewomen were already clutching their chests and whimpering. Even some of the Dragon Guides who had put on their Dragon-Attracting Earplugs beforehand couldn’t withstand it, which just went to show the level of impact Master Jack must have been enduring at the center of the roar.

Yet, faced with the three-pronged, overlapping attack of the dragon tail, dragon roar, and Dragon Flame, the unbelievable happened.

Master Jack stomped hard on the Dragon Claw, but instead of leaping up, he flashed sideways in the other direction.

Simultaneously, flames erupted in a line from where Master Jack had stomped. The Dragon Attendant let out a pained roar, and his grip loosened instinctively. Isabella began to fall—straight toward the Dragon Spears below.

Outside the mountains, all the ladies staring at the screen simultaneously covered their eyes and let out a collective cry of despair.

But the expected sound of splashing flesh and blood never came, because a dark figure shot down even faster than Isabella was falling and caught her.

It was Master Jack.

A savage light filled Dragon Attendant Baron’s eyes. Ignoring the flames burning on his Dragon Claw, he charged directly at the mid-air Master Jack, attacking with wild abandon.

But faced with Dragon Attendant Baron’s rain of attacks, Master Jack simply held Isabella and blinked through the air at high speed. Every flash of movement was accompanied by an explosive burst of fire from his own body.

He was using the sudden bursts of flame as thrusters, simultaneously dodging the attacks and putting distance between himself and Dragon Attendant Baron.

By the time he landed with Isabella in his arms, Lucy was already there, covering his back.

Everyone present had witnessed Master Jack’s performance in the air, their hearts rising and falling with his every instantaneous flash and mid-air maneuver.

"Are... are all Golden Dragon Guides this skilled?"

A Trial Taker finally couldn’t resist asking their Dragon Guide, but after stammering for a long moment, the Dragon Guide could only manage a few words:

"I... I dunno."

...

Master Jack handed Isabella to Lucy, who eyed him with suspicion.

Isabella struggled to open her eyes. Looking at the Silver Mask, she said, "You... there’s really more to you than meets the eye."

Master Jack said, "I only play games on normal difficulty."

Then he turned to face Dragon Attendant Baron directly.

’He could see now that the Dragon Attendant’s body was that of the Fierce Dragon from the destroyed Dragon Feast cavern... No wonder it looked familiar back then. To think this Dragon Devourer Cultist was disguised as a Dragon Guide by Roy’s side all along.’