That Elusive, Enigmatic Male Lead (09)

Si Jiu was tightly bound by those tentacle-like mists, dragged deeper and deeper. All she could see was fog; nothing else was visible. Yet she wasn't concerned about her current predicament, instead arguing incessantly with the system in her mind.

[I wasn't hallucinating just now; there was indeed a notification sound for unlocking.]

System: [emmmm...]

[So Charles is definitely the male lead of this world, right? You lost.]

System: [I never agreed to make a bet with the host. Besides...]

[What is the golden finger? How is the task distributed and what is the method? But this is a bit troublesome. I’ve just confirmed his identity and got separated again. To complete the distribution task, I’ll have to find a way to escape from here. System? Kiddo? Say something.]

System: [......]

From the system’s ellipsis, Si Jiu realized things were not so simple.

[I really did hear the trigger unlocking notification just now.]

System: [But it was interrupted.]

Si Jiu: "......"

[What do you mean? System malfunction?]

System: [Probably not.]

Si Jiu: [So?]

System: [I'm not too sure either.]

Si Jiu: [What did you just say?!]

System: [I think you heard me clearly.]

[Oh hell.]

[Host, please use refined language.]

Si Jiu: "......"

Her heart felt exhausted.

[What is the golden finger? What’s the distribution method?] Si Jiu refused to give up, making one last desperate attempt.

System: [It hasn’t activated.]

[So is Charles the male lead or not?]

System: [......I don't know.]

[Useless! What’s the point of you?]

System: [Host, please refrain from personal attacks.]

Si Jiu: Heh.

Unable to argue any further, the situation remained unclear. Si Jiu felt thoroughly drained.

Just then, she was released.

The restraints around her vanished, the mist shaped like tentacles swirling behind her for a moment, before gently pushing her forward.

Si Jiu was forced to take a step ahead.

And almost bumped her nose on the massive creature before her—a black dragon.

The surrounding mist rapidly receded, disappearing without a trace.

Only then did Si Jiu realize she was standing in a vast cavern.

The cavern was piled high with gold, silver, and jewels everywhere, perfectly complementing her own glittering attire without the slightest incongruity.

“So... the so-called divine shadow of this nation is actually a dragon?”

No wonder they dressed her up like this. It was certainly a dragon’s aesthetic.

[The black dragon is the embodiment of evil. Tens of thousands of years ago, the black dragon left countless bloody deeds and terrifying legends upon this land. Back then, during the era of flourishing magic, the Chrono Priests hunted the dragon clan, exterminating the last black dragon.

Afterwards, the continent enjoyed thousands of years of peace.

Until a millennium ago, it was rumored that the evil black dragon returned. Some ambitious humans plotted to worship the dragon as a deity, even offering sacrifices, hoping to win the dragon’s favor and gain its support. Some sought the dragon god’s power to become rulers of the world. Others sought the promise of longevity.

In the end, it all stemmed from ambition and desire.

That is the origin of your role as a sacrifice.]

Si Jiu listened silently to the system’s explanation, while scrutinizing the black dragon before her.

As the absolute overlord of this continent, even though the dragon appeared to be dormant, its sheer size radiated awe-inspiring might, making one feel as insignificant as a mountain’s base before its summit.

Standing before it, Si Jiu’s entire body was not even as long as a single whisker. If it breathed a little harder, she’d be blown away.

But now, the black dragon’s breathing was feeble, its closed eyelids unmoving.

“What’s wrong with it?”

[It bears severe traces of corrosion from Chrono Magic. Simply put, it is gravely wounded.]

Si Jiu was surprised. “Isn’t magic supposed to be in decline now, with no real Chrono Priests left? Who could have harmed it so badly?”

As she spoke, Si Jiu stepped to the dragon’s side, immediately spotting vast patches of scales that had been corroded in shocking fashion.

[These are probably ancient wounds—thousands of years old, perhaps even older.]

Scales that should have been smooth, beautiful, and hard were left broken and incomplete, some barely attached, others mingled with fresh blood; everywhere were savage and frightening wounds.

One wing bore a massive tear, so deep it seemed about to be ripped off entirely.

“It looks incredibly painful,” Si Jiu clicked her tongue.