#1011 The Little Dragon of the Hill

My name’s Champagne.

Glintz Dragon Champagne.

But I’m not as strong as the other dragons.

Nor as courageous.

I stay away from fights, watching other dragons clash from a distance, wishing it would all just end soon.

When all the dragons were fighting over who would succeed my father, I ignored the trials I was supposed to take and hid away in my dungeon.

Time passed, and I heard through the grapevine that my father was defeated by some dragon I didn’t know, who then became the new Geyser Dragon. Nevertheless, I didn’t do anything about it.

There was more conflict among the remaining dragons about whether to accept the new emperor dragon, but I stayed out of it.

Can you blame me? Fighting is scary.

Getting punched hurts, getting burned is hot, and worst of all, if you lose, you might die!

No way, not for me!

I don’t want to fight! I don’t want to fight!

...So, for the past few decades, I’ve been living as a recluse in my dungeon.

My home is in the mountain dungeon humans call Mt. Ta-Kao.

Dragons like to live in mountain dungeons, you know.

Most dragons would probably want a bigger, fancier dungeon, but I feel more comfortable in a small one.

I don’t need a study, wine cellar, tea room, or home theater.

One room is more than enough for me.

Plus, it’s easier to clean.

The only hassle is those humans who keep coming into the dungeon.

Adventurers, they call themselves.

These strange people willingly enter dangerous places, risking life and limb.

From my perspective, I can’t understand them.

Humans are weaker and more fragile than dragons and die so easily. Yet they dive into danger like it’s nothing. Crazy, right?

When adventurers are roaming around, I hide in a secret room in the dungeon.

Because if they find me, there’ll be a fight.

If it came down to a fight, I’d probably win. But if they charged at me all desperate, there’s a chance I might end up with a scratch or two.

And even if I fought back, the last thing I want to see is some human getting roasted by my fire breath, screaming their lungs out as they die. That’s just… no thanks.

So, I hide from them, desperately hoping they don’t find me.

I know it’s not very dragon-like.

I’m a dragon, but I’m cowardly and scared, avoiding trouble at all costs.

Other dragons would laugh at me or call me a disgrace to our kind.

But I can’t help it. Scary things are scary.

The squabbles over the new Geyser Dragon were finally starting to settle down, and I was beginning to hope that maybe, just maybe, we could enjoy some peace and quiet for a change.

But then, out of nowhere, something unsettling happened.

And, of course, it was because of humans. Again.

One day, a large group of them entered the dungeon and started killing monsters at an alarming rate.

This has never happened before.

Could it be adventurers? Those pesky folks have wandered into my dungeon a few times before, but all they ever did was gather a bit of the resources that pop up inside and maybe take down a few monsters along the way.

This time, they were wiping out all the monsters.

And they succeeded.

I was relieved when they left, but then a terrifying thought struck me right after.

Could it be that they’ve finally figured out that I live in this mountain dungeon?

And now they’re coming to take me down?

Maybe all those monsters they took down earlier were just part of their warm-up?

As the dungeon guardian, I’ve got some control over the monsters here.

If those humans are planning to take me down, it makes sense they’d expect me to throw my minions at them as a defense.

And, well, that’s exactly what I’d do.

Ideally, I’d let the monsters handle it and just hide away in the back, safe and sound.

But now that plan’s out the window.

Those adventurers wiped out all my monsters yesterday.

So, at the moment, I’ve got zero troops.

The humans successfully weakened my defenses ahead of time.

Sure, new monsters will eventually form from the accumulated mana, but that takes days.

And getting the dungeon back to its former glory with a decent monster population could take ages.

Until then, I’m totally exposed…

If those humans decide to attack, I’ll have to face them myself, won’t I?

No way, no way, no way, no way, no way, no way, no way!

Scary, scary, scary, scary, scary, scary, scary, scary, scary!

I’m sure I’d be foaming at the mouth and collapsing in no time!

Maybe the humans thought they could defeat me because I’m such a coward?!

Normally, there’s no way humans could take down a dragon.

But maybe, just maybe, they thought they had a chance against a wimpy, scaredy-cat dragon like me.

I don’t even know if I could fend them off.

Maybe they’re clearing the obstacles now, so they can come after me next time.

It might be dangerous to stay here any longer…!

That’s what I thought.

So, there’s only one thing to do.

Run away.

If I leave this mountain dungeon and hide, the humans won’t be able to chase me.

But if I do that, I can’t stay in this dungeon anymore, right?

Then what?

It’ll take time to find a new dungeon to call home, and what if someone’s already living there?

Do I fight them for it?

If I could do that, I’d just fight the humans!

While I was dithering and worrying, the humans arrived!

Actually, they came the next day!

A whole group of humans barged in!

There were quite a few of them, and they split into two groups to climb to the top!

The top is where the mana gathers the most in this mountain dungeon.

It’s naturally the guardian’s spot, which means it’s basically my spot.

So if they’re heading there, their target is me!

Waaaaaaaah, no, no, no!

I’m in serious trouble!

What should I do, run away?

But I already know from simulations that there’s nothing out there for me.

At this point...!

Do I have to fight?!

All right, bring it on!

Even I can do it if I’m cornered!

I’ll show them that a cornered dragon can bite back like a wildcat!

Let’s go to battle!

Rawrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!

Okay! Like I said, the enemy is closing in in two groups!

One group’s taking a flat, short path, and the other’s on a long, steep path!

Who’s taking the steep path? Are they stupid?

But naturally, the ones getting closer to the top are those on the flat route!

In tower defense, you hit the closest ones first! So, flat route group, get ready!

I spread my dragon wings and launch a surprise attack...

...Huh?

Why’s there a dragon over there, too?

Whoa, they’re fighting back?!

The other dragon’s fighting back!

Its breath is so hot!

Why am I getting attacked by a dragon when I was trying to attack the humans?!

And this dragon is strong?!

Who is this?!

How is there such a powerful dragon climbing with the humans? What’s going on?!

Oh no, I can’t hold on even for a moment!

I’m losing...!

I’m going to get crushed...!