The golden dragon raised its proud head high, its scorching breath filling the air. Its gleaming, golden eyes narrowed as it glared down at the intruders trespassing into its domain—mere ants beneath its gaze.
Nero noticed that, from the moment the dragon appeared, Megumin and Yunyun had been trembling uncontrollably, their faces pale.
Is this… [Dragon's Fear]?
Dragons, apex creatures among all lifeforms, naturally exuded an aura known as [Dragon's Fear]—a pressure that crushed weaker beings through sheer difference in existence. Comparable to the divine presence of gods, it was an overwhelming suppression.
Only a few among them—Nero, Alice, and…
"Nero! We hit the jackpot! This is a Golden Dragon!" Aqua exclaimed, suddenly ecstatic. "Among all dragon species, it has the highest sell price! Eating its meat lets you jump several levels in one go! Its blood can be used to brew a super-rare elixir—the Level-Up Potion! And its absurdly tough horns and scales can be crafted into top-tier weapons and armor! This thing is basically a walking treasure trove!"
Aqua, who'd been quaking in fear the entire journey, whining like a spoiled child about wanting to go home, had now become the most energetic person in the group.
Ah, she must be desperate for money after losing everything at the casino, Nero thought, rolling her eyes.
"Golden Dragon?" Nero tilted her head slightly at the name.
She couldn't help but think of Wang Qiu'er—the Golden Dragon Child. Could this be one of the Dragon God's nine sons? If I pull its spine out, could I turn it into the legendary Golden Dragon Spear?
Hmm… on second thought, maybe not. Spears don't have the best track record…
The Golden Dragon, as if sensing Aqua's greedy, almost predatory gaze, opened its massive maw and let out an earth-shaking roar.
"ROOOAAAARRR!!!"
The deafening roar snapped Aqua out of her gold-lust-fueled daze. When she realized the dragon's gaping maw was inches from her, her face paled.
"Eek! Nero, save me!"
Before Nero could process what was happening, Aqua bolted behind her like a frightened child.
At that moment, the dragon's massive claw came crashing down.
BOOM!
A single strike from a dragon was enough to crush most creatures with ease.
Dragons were often described as capable of shaking mountains and holding up the heavens. And now, Nero was experiencing that legendary strength firsthand.
The ground beneath them shattered from the sheer force of the dragon's blow. The shockwave whipped up a violent wind that sent Megumin, Yunyun, and Aqua flying, unable to resist the force. The entire mountain trembled as the dragon's claw left a massive crater in its wake.
At the center of the impact zone, Nero stood with half her body buried in the ground, veins bulging on her arms and face. Her hands gripped her massive sword tightly, barely holding back the mountain-sized claw pressing down on her.
"Damn… this thing's got some serious power," she muttered through gritted teeth.
With her meager Strength D, there was no way Nero could physically contend with a dragon's strength. Only a Herculean figure like Heracles, who had once carried the heavens on his back, could achieve such a feat.
But… Nero had [Imperial Privilege].
As the weight bore down heavier and heavier, Nero felt her arms and back nearing their limit. Yet, even as her body screamed in protest, her lips curled into a defiant smile.
"I am the Emperor of Rome! Nero Claudius! There is nothing I cannot do!"
"Heracles could bear the weight of the heavens themselves! How could I, as Emperor, falter before a mere dragon? Watch as I send you flying—!!"
[Monstrous Strength].
[Valor].
[Mana Burst].
With a thunderous cry, Nero's small but determined frame surged with power, pushing the dragon's claw upward.
The Golden Dragon, startled, widened its golden eyes in disbelief. How could this tiny creature—this supposed insect—have matched its strength?
A moment later, Nero charged forward. Her emerald-green eyes reflected the dragon's massive form as she raised her crimson-black sword and struck.
[Anti-Dragon].
[Beast Slayer].
[Colossus Hunter].
The blade flashed, and molten gold blood spurted forth like a fiery geyser.
If this had been a game, the Golden Dragon's health bar would have plummeted in one massive chunk.
"ROOOAAAARRR!!!"
The dragon's anguished roar shook the heavens. Trees toppled, clouds scattered, and the air trembled with its cries of pain.
Its pupils burned crimson with rage. No longer a calculated predator, it was now a rampaging beast consumed by fury.
Claws, fangs, and tail—all of its mighty weapons were turned loose in a blind rampage. The once sparse forest around them was now entirely leveled, reduced to a barren wasteland.
As its tail swept toward her, Nero quickly leapt back, narrowly avoiding the crushing blow.
But her earlier attack had left a mark on the dragon—both physically and mentally. Its bloodied, gleaming scales bore a deep wound, and its enraged gaze locked onto Nero with unrelenting hatred.
Flapping its massive golden wings, the dragon surged toward her, claws extended.
Nero sidestepped the attack, only to find herself shadowed by one of the dragon's enormous wings.
[Muscle Rejuvenation].
[Physical Alteration].
[Innate Durability].
WHAM!
The wing struck Nero head-on, sending her flying like a cannonball. Her crimson dress fluttered as she soared through the air, eventually crashing into the ground with enough force to create a massive crater, dirt and debris exploding everywhere.
"Cough! Ack-cough-cough! Damn it, that was a hard hit… Feels like my bones are about to fall apart…"
With some effort, Nero climbed out of the crater, dusting herself off. She jumped a few times, stretched her back, rolled her shoulders, and even cracked her neck.
"Good thing I used [Imperial Privilege] to gain those defensive buffs at the last second. Otherwise, my dainty frame wouldn't have survived that hit," Nero muttered, inspecting herself.
"Hmm! As expected of me!"
Using her Clairvoyance skill, Nero scanned the battlefield. She noticed a bloody streak marring the dragon's right wing—the same wing that had struck her earlier.
Though she was covered in dirt and slightly disheveled, Nero stood tall and proud, her posture unyielding. Her lips curled into a confident smile, her sharp little fang glinting in the light.
"What a shame… I couldn't chop off your wing in one go. Oh well, I'll just have to land a few more hits," she said, her tone casual yet brimming with battle lust.
"ROOOAAAARRR!!!"
The dragon's furious roar echoed once again. It was unclear whether it understood her words, but it seemed to take them as a challenge.
Nero tilted her head, pondering something.
"If I can use [Imperial Privilege] to get defensive buffs, doesn't that mean I can also get damage reduction or invincibility buffs the same way?"
She rubbed her chin thoughtfully, her expression turning sour.
"Ugh… does that mean I took that hit for nothing?"
With a pout, she muttered, "That really hurt, you know!"
---
T/N: IMPERIAL PRIVILEGE IS SO BROKENNNNNN
check out my first fanfic! Is It Wrong To Stay Composed In A Dungeon!
...
If you're reading this, then you've wandered all the way to the end. I'm impressed. Stories are like wine—meant to be savored, not rushed. So if you took your time? Thank you.
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Go on. Be generous. They've earned it.
Until next time—read well, rest often, and maybe come visit me at the Hostess of Fertility sometime.
– Syr ✨