You could only access the true Dragon Clan once you stepped foot inside Dragon City.
Dawei didn't expect to be immediately dropped into the lair of the Red Dragon Queen, Ikedala, the moment he arrived—but here he was. And while her attitude wasn't openly hostile yet, it was just one flicker away.
Indifference... then irritation... then enmity. That's the slope.
"The next tier after indifference is dislike," Dawei muttered, "and then it's full-on hostility. Good thing I got here before Random Star kicked off the human invasion. Once the war starts, everyone from the human side will probably be flagged hostile. And then what? Bye-bye, Dragon City access. Hello, death respawn."
He exhaled in relief. At least I got here first. The situation wasn't ideal, but he had a window—a narrow one—to establish rapport. Even if she was indifferent now, a few well-placed favorability boosts could change everything.
Suddenly, a deep voice laced with heat and suspicion rang out.
"Human… why have you come to Dragon City?"
A wave of sulfur-scorched air rushed at him. Dawei felt the heat of her breath like standing near a volcano vent. He raised a hand instinctively, already feeling the tension crackling in the air.
"I was just passing through," he said quickly, "and out of curiosity, I—uh—just wanted to see the city."
Ikedala's gaze narrowed.
"Are you insulting my intelligence?" she hissed.
[System Prompt: The Red Dragon Queen Ikedala is irritated by you.]
Dawei flinched. One sentence. One freaking sentence.
Yep, definitely not the kind of queen to suffer fools—or small talk. Still, the fact she was talking at all meant she was open to negotiation.
He wasted no time. With practiced ease, he pulled the Bounty Hunter Badge from his inventory and held it up.
"As a bounty hunter, I'm sworn to fight against evil. Outside the city, I saw signs of the Black Dragon Legion amassing. I came as a former ally. I want to help."
That made her pause.
Ikedala's ancient eyes shimmered with confusion, maybe even nostalgia.
"...Bounty hunters," she said softly. "I thought your kind had long faded from the annals of dragonkind's memory."
[System Prompt: The Red Dragon Queen Ikedala has dropped her hostility.][System Prompt: Quest Stage Updated – "Black Dragon Invasion" has entered Stage Two.][New Quest Acquired: Gain Ikedala's Trust]
Bingo.
Dawei straightened. This was it—the start of something big. As with all elite NPCs, trust was never handed out for free. But this one had clear triggers.
"I mean no disrespect when I call you this, but… friend," Dawei said carefully, "can you tell me what happened here?"
Ikedala exhaled slowly, and for the first time, her voice softened.
"Thank you… for remembering that once, dragons and humans were allies."
[System Prompt: Ikedala's attitude has improved slightly.]
Not quite friendliness, but he was getting there. He quickly pushed the momentum forward.
"If I can help, let me. I'd like to contribute in any way I can."
Ikedala's expression grew serious once more. "The Dragon Clan faces an unprecedented crisis. Our enemies wear familiar faces. If you wish to help us… then prove your strength."
And there it was.
The classic NPC gate.
No matter how smooth your dialogue, how rich your lore, or how noble your intentions—power was the only true currency in this world.
[System Prompt: Ikedala has issued the quest – "Proof of Strength." Accept? Yes / No]
Of course.
[Proof of Strength]Travel to the Infinity Tower and ascend as high as possible. Your performance will determine Ikedala's trust.Completion unlocks Stage Three of "Black Dragon Invasion."
Dawei smirked. Always with the towers. Always with the tests.
"Where's the tower?" he asked casually.
Ikedala didn't respond.
She simply lifted a claw and flicked it through the air. In a flash of red light, Dawei was teleported away.
He reappeared standing before a colossal black pillar, rising so high it vanished into the clouds. It looked like a giant smokestack, but was at least a hundred times taller.
Dawei stared.
"...I thought this was some kind of city landmark," he muttered. "Turns out it's the Infinity Tower."
He opened its info panel.
[Infinity Tower – Dragon City Trial Hall]An ancient training structure used by dragonkin to awaken and refine their innate powers.Not originally accessible to humans.Special Access Granted: Bounty Hunter Clearance.
So this was the dragonkin trial tower. The place where young dragons came of age, awakened powers, and proved themselves worthy of status and legacy.
Now it was his turn.
Dawei stretched his arms, cracked his neck, and gave a low whistle. "This is gonna take some prep."
He hit logout.
"First food, then tower. Brother doesn't fight on an empty stomach."