Reawakening: Primordial Dragon with Limitless Mana

"So you guys really don't know, huh?" Hades muttered with an exasperated sigh as he shoved the last man toward the others.

The man collapsed the moment Hades let go of him.

Before them lay a pile of people—hotel staff on the surface, but in truth, hired assassins sent to kill him.

It had started with one woman. She was caught quickly. Then, several men leaped in, attempting to finish the job.

Naturally, they failed.

Hades might not be at his peak, but he wasn't so weak that mere humans could harm him.

Luna stepped closer, her voice laced with concern. "Do you think the King placed a bounty on your head?"

Hades glanced at the groaning bodies on the ground and muttered, "Most likely. For now, let's leave this place."

Luna nodded without hesitation.

They didn't have any luggage—they'd lost it during the earlier ambush—so they left the inn not long after.

Though Hades was injured, he could still walk.

As they stepped onto the road, Luna was thinking hard. Hades needed a place to rest, but where could they go?

Suddenly, Hades broke the silence. "The King hasn't issued any bounty on us."

"Huh?" Luna blinked in surprise. "What do you mean?"

"If it was the King," Hades explained, "we'd be dealing with soldiers, not hired thugs. This isn't his doing."

Last night, he'd visited the Adventurer's Guild, just to be sure. If there were a wanted notice out for him, he would have seen it. But the board was clean.

"Then…who's behind this?" Luna whispered.

Hades's expression darkened. "Taylor."

"...!" Luna's eyes widened at the name. "Are you sure? I thought he was your good friend."

"Cedric was my good friend, too," Hades said coldly. "And there's a reason I suspect Taylor."

He sighed. "Before I left the academy, I told Taylor where I was going. Not because I trusted him. I told him because I didn't. I needed to test him."

Luna frowned. "Test him?"

"I made it sound like even the Headmaster and Vice-Headmaster knew my destination. That way, if he planned something, he'd feel safe enough to act."

Luna's face twisted in disgust. "What a snake. Always pretending to be kind and supportive… but now that I think about it, with both you and Cedric gone, he benefits the most."

Hades nodded. "Exactly. That's why I started doubting him. Cedric couldn't have been acting alone."

Luna reached out and took his hand. Her voice burned with fury. "When do we see him next? This time, I'll punish that bastard myself. I'll make him regret ever laying a hand on you. I swear—I'll make him cry blood."

Her rage was silent, sharp—without a hint of a smile.

Hades smiled faintly at her. "I'm glad you're angry on my behalf, but we can't confront him at the academy. That would turn us into criminals. We have no proof."

Luna blinked. "Then what's the plan?"

Hades's voice lowered to a growl. "In two months, he'll head home. Alone."

Luna's eyes lit up with a vicious glint. A slow, wicked smile curved on her lips.

"Then let's make it his final journey~"

°°°°°°

The Sage had told Hades last night, "If you have time, visit the Ancient City of Samaran."

He had asked her why—but she didn't give him an answer.

Still, knowing her, she must've had a reason. She always did. And if she wanted him to grow stronger, then Samaran surely held something important.

"Samaran is in the Elven region," Luna reminded him, seated across from him inside the swaying carriage. "We'll need permission to cross the border."

They were on their way to a quiet town near the edge of the human realm—a place not chosen at random. It was close to the border humanity shared with the Elven Kingdom.

Elves were few in number—less than humans even—but they'd gathered and built a vast, ancient civilization beyond the reach of human lands. And to enter, one had to cross the border with a valid reason and proper documents.

"Hmm…" Hades mused. "If we request entry from any kingdom, they'll ask questions. They might let you in... but not me."

Luna glanced at him.

As the Saintess, she was well-known. Any church would recognize her. But Hades was another story.

Worse, if word got out that they were headed toward Samaran, Taylor might catch wind of it. And if that happened, more trouble would follow.

"So then… how are we going to cross the border?" Luna asked.

Hades gave a casual shrug. "We'll figure that out when we get there."

Luna tilted her head, about to ask another question—but before she could, Hades reached forward and pulled her into his arms.

"Always asking questions," he murmured as he leaned back against the carriage wall, holding her close.

Luna blinked, a faint blush creeping up her cheeks. "Am I being a nuisance?"

Hades gave a soft hum—no.

"Just… don't feel like talking right now," he said quietly. "Can I stay like this for a bit?"

Luna nestled against him, adjusting herself to fit more comfortably in his embrace.

"As long as you want," she whispered. "I'm all yours."

He breathed in her scent, and his chest tightened slightly.

She always smelled like spring—soft, warm, something that stirred something primal inside him. Her body against his was a dangerous comfort. Every time he held her like this, a strange kind of hunger tugged at him—one that made him want to squeeze her tighter and never let go.

"You've grown so beautiful, Luna," he murmured. "Even your hair's different."

Luna smiled. "It looks better now, right? I changed when I awakened my phoenix powers."

Hades leaned down and kissed the top of her head.

"Your hair was pretty before too," he whispered. "You just didn't have the money for fancy products."

Luna giggled. "Well, I get to live the dream now. Every single day."

Hades smiled. "I remember that. Your little diary. You even made a list of everything you wanted to eat once you got rich."

Back then, there was no future for her. She was unawakened, unwanted, and always overlooked. No one was going to adopt her. Hades himself was barely scraping by—and yet he still shared his meals with her when he could.

But Luna had never lost hope. Not once.

She didn't have a guide, a plan, or a magic awakening. Just sheer positivity.

"And look," she said proudly. "Now I have a house. People who care for me. I can whine, I can eat anything I want… and no one flinches when I look at them."

Hades felt a tug in his chest. Her words brought a bittersweet warmth.

She had suffered so much.

But now, she was loved. She had a home. She had grown into the woman she always dreamed of becoming—and someone out there had given her a hand, just when she needed it most.

And for that… he was grateful.

°°°°°°°

A/N:- A new arc about to begin. Thanks for reading.