Battle of the Black Dragon

Summary of previous events

Black: "Guh!?"

White: (Something’s wrong. Why is this happening? What is he planning? I can’t tell! What is going on?)

This is impossible.

I knew it.

I understood it.

Still, was there no faint hope, however small, that things might turn out differently? I cannot say no.

Yet as expected, such a lenient outcome was not granted.

If such leniency were possible, then the hardships endured so far should have lessened somewhat.

They did not.

Therefore, this world is not as gentle as I had hoped.

The conclusion drawn from that is my defeat.

I knew it.

I understood it.

Yet still, to feel it now—this sensation is unbearable.

The difference between me, who abandoned choice and stagnated through long years, and the other, who pressed forward without pause.

White, Shiro.

Once merely a reincarnated soul.

A being who achieved transcendence to godhood—something no one in this world had ever accomplished before—by utilizing the system.

Even if aided by the system’s power, it performed a miracle: a mere biological entity ascending to godhood.

Whether the being itself comprehends the magnitude of such an achievement is questionable, yet D deliberately bestowed a name upon it and sought to summon it as a subordinate.

Is this what humans call a genius?

Among our dragonkind, the concept of genius does not exist.

Dragonkind grows stronger simply by living, progressing toward godhood.

We are a race destined to become gods, our strength directly proportional to our age.

Among our kind, those of the same age are equal in power; we cannot overcome dragons of higher ages, nor do we lose to those of lower ages.

This is dragonkind.

Nor is this unique to dragonkind.

Most gods, to varying degrees, have strength that correlates directly with the length of their existence.

From my perspective, a fledgling newcomer holding their own—let alone surpassing me—is inherently unjust.

I understand clearly the frustration humans feel when confronted with disparities in talent.

Spatial magic favors them.

They managed to draw me into their domain through surprise, but that influence is gradually being overwritten.

It will not change immediately, but once my domain is fully overwritten, the tide will turn.

The longer it takes, the more disadvantageous it becomes.

Yet, failing to press the advantage immediately after the surprise assault meant a prolonged engagement was inevitable.

And I knew full well that prolonged engagements favor them.

White seems to overestimate me.

Certainly, in terms of divine rank and raw energy总量, I am superior.

But whether that translates directly to combat effectiveness—no, the answer is no.

Dragonkind learns knowledge and skill from elder dragonkind.

Yet I had no elder dragonkind to teach me.

Self-taught, my abilities will fall significantly behind those of other dragonkind of my age.

I have no combat experience against equals or higher.

No—this is not unique to me.

Dragons, Celestials, Demons.

Since the three divine races reached equilibrium, entering a cold war era, young dragonkind have had no opportunity to engage in battle.

Even if this world had remained functional and other dragonkind had not departed, I would still have had no chance to fight a divine being of equal or higher rank.

I lack combat experience—by a decisive margin.

In contrast, Shiro has fought beings of equal or higher rank since before becoming a god.

Even if this battle is the first as a god against a god, the experience of having fought through such conflicts remains.

The difference is substantial.

And above all, I am not at full capacity.

The greatest reason Shiro overestimates me is likely that he sees only my maximum energy capacity.

To Shiro, that must indeed appear immense.

I have not lived this long without purpose.

The longer a dragon lives, the higher its status as a god.

By that measure, I am moderately powerful.

He mistakes my power for the magnitude of a vast vessel near the sky.

Hmph. A joke.

Indeed, yes, if I had stored within me the maximum energy I am capable of holding, the difference in combat experience would have been irrelevant—victory would have been assured.

But there is no way such energy remains.

If it did, it would have been used to regenerate this planet, without question.

Ah, yes.

I have poured nearly all of my power into regenerating this world.

A small amount of power reserved, in anticipation of unforeseen circumstances.

All for the sake of releasing Sariel as quickly as possible.

What stands here is no more than the dregs of the god Guriiedistidies.

Not weak enough to lose to someone like Potimas, yet not strong enough to defeat a deity of equal rank.

Shiro must think this is a battle with little chance of victory.

You wouldn’t think I’m the one with little chance of victory, would you?

Perhaps a touch of arrogance on their part might have made things slightly easier for us.

Admit it.

If this continues, I will be defeated.

A trump card is not nonexistent.

Yet even with that consideration, it remains severe.

All I can do is buy time and chip away at Shiro, as much as possible.

Then, pour all effort into that.

Even if you are but a remnant, I, older than you by centuries, will not be so easily dismissed.

I entrust the rest to you, Dustin.