Show Me Your Stats!-Chapter 122

"...Let’s keep moving. Every second is precious now."

Jinas gritted his teeth and urged the two to hurry. They couldn’t afford to waste the time Ayra had bought with her life on the line.

"Um, Captain... what’s that red light coming from the lord’s manor?"

"Could it be a sign that the gods are angry?"

A soldier helping evacuate the townspeople asked hesitantly in a low voice. Having spotted the blinking red glow atop the lord’s manor, the evacuees were murmuring in unease, their steps faltering.

"No. It’s a signal that a horde of beasts is near. Move to the shelters at once."

Because the fact that a dragon had appeared had to be kept secret until the very last moment, Bloom gave a stern, decisive reply. Jinas and Hera also ran about in all directions, hurrying the evacuation efforts.

Bothered by the townsfolk heading to the temple, Jinas made his way there again to urge them toward the quarry instead—but all he got in return was a snort of derision from Theon.

"The faithless may tremble in the face of tribulation! But this temple shall not be defiled by foul beasts. The gods are watching over us."

It seemed they intended to lock the temple doors and rely on the stored red incense to drive the beasts away. Jinas couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. That might work on low-intelligence monsters—but they were dealing with a dragon. It wasn’t about to stroll past an intact, well-situated building like it didn’t exist.

Still, there was no way for Jinas to persuade the congregation packed into the temple to come to the quarry. He had no choice but to turn away. As he stepped outside the temple doors, someone called out to him.

When he turned around, he was startled to find it was Act. The High Priest, who had been silent throughout Theon’s entire sermon, now studied Jinas’s grim face closely and asked,

"...Are you certain it's a beast horde approaching?"

"A beast horde would’ve been preferable."

Act frowned, confused. It seemed he couldn’t quite imagine a situation where a beast horde would be the better outcome. But after reading the fear and despair in Jinas’s expression, his own face turned grave.

Jinas took a few steps before turning back again, just in case.

"If, by any chance, you change your mind—come to the quarry. Once the time has passed, it’ll be too late, even if you want in."

"...Thank you for the warning. But the temple will handle its own affairs."

It was the unpleasant reply he’d expected, but Jinas still hoped the temple would come to its senses—even if belatedly.

Who knew how long he ran about, helping evacuate the townspeople? Then a heavy thud echoed from deep underground. A moment later, an earthquake shook the city.

Fortunately, it wasn’t a strong one, and only some debris fell from rooftops here and there. Earthquakes were common in the region, so the townspeople didn’t panic—but the air grew even more tense and uncertain. Jinas had the distinct sense that this was no coincidence. Was the lord still locked in battle with the dragon?

‘Please... let her return safely.’

With that fervent hope, he continued urging the townspeople along. Ironically, the earthquake seemed to have spurred on those who had still been hesitating, and the pace of the evacuation picked up.

Just when would the dragon arrive in the city? Was the lord still safe?

Jinas watched the evacuation line with a troubled face, then turned toward the lord’s manor. He needed to check whether Gretel was handling things properly on that end. Leaving Bloom and Hera in charge of the field, he rushed toward the estate—when it happened.

"Hey."

His ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) mind was so preoccupied that he didn’t even register at first that someone was calling to him.

"Hey. You Ayra flunky. Can’t you hear me?"

"What...?"

Flunky? Jinas had never once in his life been addressed like that—not before, and certainly not after becoming Chief Administrator. He whipped his head around—and a man stepped out from the darkness.

Hair and eyes like fire, vivid and burning. He’d only seen him once before, but that face was unforgettable. Jinas’s complexion turned a ghostly pale.

"...The dragon!"

The only thing he could do was not collapse on the spot. He staggered back. The dragon stepped fully out of the shadows, wearing a blank expression. The flickering torchlight revealed something else—he was carrying someone in his arms. Though caked in dirt and blood, the clothing was unmistakable. A silver lock of hair spilled from beneath a hood pulled low.

"N-no way..."

Seeing that pale, limp face, Jinas trembled. He thought Ayra was dead. That the brutal dragon had murdered her, and now carried her corpse back to the estate in a cruel display.

Rage surged faster than fear. Even as the dragon glared at him like an enemy, Jinas didn’t flinch. The dragon spoke in a cold, sharp voice.

"If your ears are working, go get a healer. Now."

❄

Skreee!

Seabirds cried overhead. Warm sunlight filtered through palm fronds, gently heating the skin, while waves lapped softly in the distance.

"Lady Ayra, your drink."

"Mmh."

Without even looking, Ayra reached out, and a careful hand placed a chilled cup in hers. Ice cubes clinked pleasantly. She took a sip of the sweet drink, and the heat that had been hazing her mind melted into a pleasant warmth.

"Fruit."

"Here. It’s been prepared in advance."

A servant held out a plate, neatly filled with peeled and sliced fruit. Juicy, bite-sized pieces. Two other servants stood at her feet and shoulders, fanning her diligently and sending cool breezes her way.

It felt like paradise. A faint smile tugged at Ayra’s lips. As another servant wiped her arms and legs with a cool wet towel, he asked in a fawning tone, "Did something good happen, my lady?"

"Of course something good happened. The dragon is finally mine."

When she turned her head, her hand was suddenly gripping a length of rattling chain. At the end of the chain sat Janus, wearing a collar.

He gave the collar a little tug, fingers to his throat, and smirked.

"Are you that happy to have me, Ayra?"

"Obviously!"

You have no idea how long I’ve wanted a dragon. Ayra had just become the first mage to achieve the dream of every beast freak—no, beast researcher. As if to drive the point home, she stuck her bare foot out arrogantly.

As if reading her thoughts, Janus obediently dropped to his knees and shuffled forward, chain clinking. Like her foot was something precious, he placed it carefully in his hands.

Then, starting with her pinky toe, he licked it. It wasn’t submission—it was provocation.

He didn’t blink. Just stared up at her as he rolled her toes in his mouth. Even with grains of sand in his mouth, he swallowed them like sugar, eyes crinkling in a smile. Then he bared his sharp teeth—and dragged them across the top of her foot with a slow, chilling scrape.

Despite having just drunk something, Ayra’s throat went dry. She licked her lips unconsciously. Janus’s tongue, having been teasing her toes, slipped lower to the tender arch of her sole. A strange shiver—half ticklish, half pleasure—crawled up her legs. Haa... She sighed, drowsy.

Then tilted her head.

...Wait. Why is Janus here in the south? Isn’t he supposed to be in Solar?

The moment she had that thought, a round object dropped from a nearby palm tree. No—it wasn’t a coconut. It was round and glutinous like a rice cake.

[A gift from your hardworking Spirit GM!]

A tiny sign popped up, held aloft by Pebble, floating gently down on a parachute. Ayra blinked in stunned realization.

So that’s why everything had felt too perfect.

"...This was a dream?"

And just like any dream, the moment she realized it wasn’t real, the paradise unraveled.

Ayra awoke.

"Ugh..."

The moment her consciousness returned, her whole body ached like she’d been beaten. Her head throbbed with a splitting migraine. As she groaned and twisted, voices stirred around her.

"L-Lady Ayra! You’re awake?"

"My lord!"

Her head already felt like it was going to explode, and the noise only made it worse. She winced and furrowed her brow. Perhaps sensing that, the room suddenly went quiet.

Instead, a warm hand settled on her nape—like a heating pad.

"Here? Or a bit higher?"

She gave the faintest nod. Fingers slipped into her hair and began gently massaging her scalp and neck. The tight muscles gradually loosened, and her scowling brows relaxed. Her breathing calmed, and sleep nearly returned—until her eyes suddenly snapped open.

"What... the hell?"

She groaned and turned her body.

The first thing she saw was a familiar face. Impossibly handsome, staring straight at her as she woke.

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Still drowsy, Ayra blinked. For a second, she wondered if she’d just dozed off at Janus’s place.

But when someone called out "My lord!" she turned her head—and finally realized she was in her own bedroom in the lord’s manor.

Her retainers were all there, standing around with stiff faces, eyes darting between her and Janus. No—three of them were still standing properly.

Jinas sat at her bedside, pale with fear but upright. Hera leaned by the window, half curious, half wary. Gretel peeked nervously from behind the door.

And Bloom...

Bloom lay crumpled on the floor, sword still in hand, as if he’d been trying to attack someone before being knocked out cold.

Only then did Ayra’s brain start working again. She remembered challenging Janus, betting everything on one final blow—and blacking out.

With a jolt, she threw off the blankets, tumbled out of bed, and rushed to the window.

She had to check—her territory—was it still standing?