Chapter 9 – The Awakening of the Six Dragon Hearts
After the battle, Elira had offered Lee a place to stay. Her mansion, nestled in the colder outskirts of the city, stood like a serene fortress, surrounded by a quiet forest where snow never melted. Its structure was vast — marble floors, towering ceilings, and enchanted crystals glowing softly with blue light.
Lee glanced around the grand living room as Elira poured him tea.
"You seriously live here alone?" Lee asked, raising an eyebrow.
Elira gave a small smirk. "Most can't survive the cold."
Lee chuckled. "Well, fire and ice under one roof. Let's hope the house survives."
After some light conversation, Elira gestured toward the east wing.
"Guest rooms are down that hall. Pick any. They're all maintained by autonomous magic."
Lee nodded. "Thanks."
She gave him a knowing look. "Don't burn the bed."
"No promises."
Lee walked off toward the guest quarters. Despite the icy aura of the house, the room he chose was warm — clearly adjusted for him. The bed was massive, the window opened to a view of the moonlit forest, and the silence was comforting.
He had earned his rest.
Next Day – The Calm Before the Hunt
The morning sun filtered through enchanted glass, bathing Lee's room in soft golden light. He stretched, his muscles still sore from the fight. His body was tougher than steel, but fighting Elira at her peak had pushed his limits.
After a hot shower, Lee walked downstairs.
Elira was already up, sipping a frozen smoothie in a silk robe, sitting on the balcony, overlooking the icy garden.
"You're up early," she said without looking at him.
"Didn't sleep much," Lee replied, sitting beside her with a steaming mug of coffee. "My body's sore as hell."
"I warned you. Ice burns deeper than fire."
Lee smirked. "I'll keep that in mind."
She turned to him. "So what now?"
Lee's eyes darkened. "I came here to find answers. And now I know... the one who attacked me isn't from Chronos. He's linked to the Fire Monarch's vessel — the one I nearly killed on the 9th Floor."
Elira frowned slightly. "I thought he died."
"He didn't. And now he wants revenge."
Elira crossed her legs. "So you're planning to hunt him down."
"Yeah," Lee stood, flexing his hand. "But this time, I won't wait for him to come to me."
She paused, then stood as well. "You'll need help. Even if you won't admit it."
Lee glanced at her. "Are you offering?"
Elira smiled. "No. I'm saying if you die before I can beat you properly again, I'll be pissed."
Lee laughed. "Noted."
He picked up his phone. "Time to contact the Dragon Guild
The wind blew softly over the balcony of Elira's mansion. Lee stood with his phone pressed to his ear, his expression firm. His eyes, burning like molten gold, held no doubt — only resolve.
The screen blinked as the call connected.
"This is Kael, Vice-Captain of Dragon Guild. Guild Master Lee Hwan, orders?"
Lee didn't waste a second.
"Kael, I want you to prepare a strike party. Select only elite players — all level 100 or above. Equip them with teleportation stones connected directly to our main HQ. If things go south, they retreat immediately. No risks."
Kael didn't hesitate. "Understood. How many players?"
"No more than thirty. We don't need an army. We need precision. The target is the hideout of the Flame Monarch's vessel."
A sharp intake of breath on the other side.
"He's alive?"
"Yes. I faced him on the 9th Floor — nearly killed him. But he survived and orchestrated an attack on me once I returned to Earth. This is personal."
Kael's voice hardened. "We'll mobilize immediately. ETA for readiness: 3 hours."
"Good. Send me the final list when it's done. And Kael..."
"Yes?"
"Tell them this isn't a test. Anyone who doubts should stay home. We're hunting a monarch's vessel. One wrong step, and they'll die."
Kael gave a sharp nod Lee could hear through the tone of his voice.
"We'll be ready."
The call ended.
Lee slipped his phone back in his pocket and exhaled.
Elira leaned against the doorway, arms crossed, wearing battle gear — slim, white armor with icy runes glowing faintly.
"You sure about bringing a team? You usually prefer working alone."
Lee turned. "This isn't a solo mission anymore. That guy is growing stronger, and I don't know how many followers he's gained since the 9th Floor."
Elira stepped forward. "You're still taking the lead though, right?"
Lee smirked. "Obviously. I just need a squad to sweep the tunnels and secure escape routes. I'll deal with him myself."
She nodded, then glanced away.
"You could have died, you know."
Lee looked at her. "You worried?"
She rolled her eyes. "Don't flatter yourself. If you die, I don't get my rematch."
Lee laughed softly. "Fair enough."
3 Hours Later – Dragon Guild HQ
Inside the high-tech underground facility glowing with a mix of arcane symbols and science-grade machinery, thirty elite players stood in neat formation. Their armor shimmered with enchantments, and each had a dragon insignia branded on their chests.
Kael stood at the front — his black armor pulsing with dark aura, his greatsword slung across his back.
The crowd parted as Lee entered.
The air shifted.
Even among high-rankers, his presence felt like gravity — silent but immense.
He looked at them all.
"I won't lie to you," Lee said, voice deep and controlled. "The man we're hunting isn't human anymore. He's the vessel of the Flame Monarch — a being once powerful enough to threaten an entire Floor."
Eyes narrowed, but no one moved.
"I faced him before, and I nearly killed him. That's probably why he tried to assassinate me when I returned. Now... I'm returning the favor."
A few players smirked.
"You are not expendable. That's why you all carry teleportation stones keyed to this HQ. If you feel overwhelmed, use it. No shame in retreating when death isn't the goal. Understood?"
All thirty shouted in unison. "Yes, Master Lee!"
Lee nodded once. "Good. Portal opens in sixty seconds."
He turned to Kael.
"Any word on the layout?"
Kael pulled up a holographic map. "We got this from a low-tier merc who sold info. Subterranean fortress beneath the ruins of the Red Valley — lava vents, fire traps, elemental guardians. The vessel is likely holed up in the core chamber."
Lee tapped the map.
"That's where I'm going."
Kael smirked. "And the rest of us?"
"Clear the outer tunnels. Kill anything that tries to reinforce him or escape. If things go bad... I'll burn the whole place to the ground."
Red Valley – Hidden Fortress
The portal opened with a crackle of magic and electricity, and the thirty warriors of the Dragon Guild stormed into the heat-scorched cavern system, weapons ready.
Lee was the last to step through, flames dancing in his eyes.
The heat was unbearable for ordinary people — lava flowed like rivers below steel bridges, and the air shimmered with distortion.
But Lee walked as if it were nothing.
"Move out!" Kael commanded. "Split into groups of five! Secure the outer rings!"
The guild moved like clockwork — every corridor lit with light enchantments, every trap quickly dismantled or avoided.
Lee moved alone, following the aura only he could sense — the distorted, boiling rage of the Flame Monarch's soul.
Deep Inside the Core Chamber
The vessel stood tall, his once-human body now covered in cracked obsidian skin glowing with magma lines. His eyes burned like twin suns.
"So... the dog returns," the vessel growled.
Lee didn't answer. He cracked his neck and walked forward.
"You should have died," the vessel continued. "You were on the brink."
Lee's eyes narrowed. "And you were bleeding. But now I'm not dying. You are."
The vessel roared and launched a tidal wave of flame.
Lee's aura surged — pure dragon fire erupted around him, countering the wave midair. The chamber exploded in a violent quake.
The vessel laughed. "You think your flames compare to mine? I am the Monarch's chosen!"
Lee's hand shot out, grabbing the air.
FWOOOOM.
A condensed flame spear formed, shining blue at the edges.
"No. You're just a placeholder for the real thing."
And with that, Lee charged.
Their battle ignited the entire chamber, but Lee wasn't holding back anymore.
He was done running.
The core chamber was engulfed in flames.
Lee's fight with the Flame Monarch's vessel had reached its climax — every punch shook the fortress, every flame burst tore through layers of enchanted stone.
The very air screamed.
Lee's dragon eyes glowed like molten stars as he unleashed Blazing Pulse, searing through the enemy's molten armor. The vessel roared and staggered back, magma dripping from his wounds.
"Looks like your Monarch gave you power, but not immortality," Lee said, breathing hard.
The vessel's eyes flared with hatred, but before he could attack again—
SHINK.
Lee froze.
A searing pain bloomed through his chest.
He looked down.
A glowing hand had pierced through his body — through his heart — from behind.
The fire dimmed.
Blood poured from Lee's mouth as he stumbled forward, collapsing to his knees. His vision blurred. The world twisted.
Behind him stood another version of the vessel — a clone? A shade? Or had the true vessel never truly fought up front?
The enemy sneered. "You were too focused on the battlefield. You forgot… monsters like me don't fight fair."
Lee coughed, tasting iron and fire.
His vision darkened.
Then—
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
You have died.
Your human heart has ceased function.
Initiating backup system: Dragon Sovereign Protocol…
Lee blinked weakly.
[Installing: DRAGON HEART.]
[Status Update: 1/6 Dragon Hearts Installed.]
But the system didn't stop.
[Dragon Heart 2 Activated.]
[Dragon Heart 3 Activated.]
[Dragon Heart 4 Activated.]
[Dragon Heart 5 Activated.]
[Dragon Heart 6 Activated.]
[You have inherited the complete Dragon Core. You now possess Six Dragon Hearts — a feat only achieved by the Dragon Monarch.]
[All stats have permanently increased by 260%. You are no longer human.]
The vessel's smirk faded.
He stepped back as a terrifying aura rose from Lee's body.
The flames in the chamber bent toward him.
Lava hardened into obsidian.
A deafening roar — not from Lee's mouth, but from the core of his soul — echoed through the chamber like a god awakening.
Lee's body levitated slightly as golden and crimson veins of energy pulsed across his skin. His wound sealed, not by healing, but by transformation.
He looked up.
His eyes now glowed with six concentric golden rings.
"I was human…" Lee whispered, his voice deeper, filled with a dragon's echo. "But you burned that away."
The vessel staggered.
"You— What are you?!"
Lee stood, flames curling around him like living serpents.
"I am the next Monarch."
"Of what?" the vessel choked out.
Lee stepped forward.
"Of everything."
And then, with a single movement, Lee vanished.
The vessel had no time to react.
Lee appeared behind him mid-air, his fist glowing with the power of all six hearts.
"Dragon Burst: Sovereign Flame."
The punch connected.
The entire core chamber detonated.
The blast was so massive, it shattered the internal mana barrier, and the heatwave tore through every tunnel like a divine storm. Guild members outside fell to the ground from the quake, shielding their eyes from the sudden light that burned the sky crimson.
Core Chamber – Aftermath
The entire fortress was now reduced to scorched ash and molten rubble.
Only one figure remained standing.
Lee.
Breathing slowly. Calm. Reborn.
Kael's voice buzzed through the comms. "Lee! Lee! Are you alive?! The whole place lit up like the sun—"
Lee picked up the comm slowly.
"I'm alive."
A pause.
Kael exhaled in disbelief. "And… the vessel?"
Lee looked at the ashes scattered in the wind.
"Gone. Forever."