Fairy Tail: Strongest Creature

A few days later, a commotion stirred in the guild:

"Ah, there're new faces, and everything's changed so much," Gildarts remarked, sweeping a gaze around. This time, he'd truly escaped death on his mission. Surviving to come home felt incredible.

"Gildarts," called Master Makarov.

"Oooh! Master! Long time no see—!" Gildarts grinned broadly.

"How did that job go?" Makarov asked.

At this, Gildarts scratched his head in embarrassment. "No, I couldn't finish it."

"What?!"

"No way?!"

"Gildarts…failed the mission?!"

Everyone was shocked. Gildarts was recognized as one of Fairy Tail's strongest mages, so they couldn't imagine an assignment even he couldn't complete.

"I'm sorry," he said with a remorseful shrug. "I disappointed the guild."

"Don't worry about that," Makarov replied. "It's said you're the first person ever to return alive from that quest. If even you can't complete it…" He trailed off and glanced at Su Yan as though considering something.

Su Yan instantly looked the other way, having no interest in any hundred-year mission. He knew from experience how tedious a mere ten-year mission already was. No way was he taking an even longer one.

"Ooh!! Isn't this Su Yan!" Gildarts turned, seeing him for the first time in three years. He clapped a hand on Su Yan's shoulder. "You've grown even taller! If it were you, maybe that mission could be cleared."

Su Yan shook his head. "I'm not interested in a hundred-year mission. Too much hassle. I'd rather not go."

"Kakaka, you're still as dull as ever." Gildarts smirked. "Anyway, I'm wiped out. Natsu—come to my place later; I've got something for you." With that, he turned to leave.

"—!"

A chunk of the nearby wall promptly split into small fragments and disintegrated where Gildarts bumped it.

"Gildarts! Out the door, not the wall!" someone shouted, but the man was already gone.

Once Gildarts left, the guild bustled with conversation. Completing higher-level jobs was always a major interest among Fairy Tail mages—S-Class, SS-Class, ten-year missions, or the fabled hundred-year mission. Very few could even attempt them.

In the guild, Gildarts was idolized as second in seniority only to Makarov, a veteran who'd stayed adventurous well into his forties. Su Yan privately felt Gildarts was the purest example of a guild wizard, always pushing himself further. But he personally had no desire for such risk.

After a while, Makarov muttered to Su Yan, "Kid, you really won't consider it?"

"Nope. Hundred-year missions? Too bothersome," Su Yan replied flatly.

Natsu, hearing that Gildarts wanted him to drop by, set off eagerly with Happy:

"What if it's some cool exotic 'flame' or something?!"

"Love!" Happy chimed in. "Whatever it is, let's go see!"

They arrived at Gildarts' home. Pushing open the door, Natsu greeted him:

"Hey, Gildarts!"

Gildarts welcomed them in. "Natsu, Happy—how have you two been? Actually, how's Lisanna doing?"

Natsu's face fell. "Lisanna died…two years back."

Gildarts stiffened, disbelief plain. "No… So Mirajane, she must've… Sorry, Natsu."

Natsu turned aside, pain evident. "If that's all you wanted to say, I'll leave."

"Wait, Natsu," Gildarts said. "During my travels, I encountered a dragon."

Natsu paused mid-step. "A dragon…?"

Gildarts nodded. "Though I don't think it's the red one you're after—this one was black. It was why I failed the job."

Natsu whirled around. "Where?! Igneel might be near or leave clues—"

"The black dragon roams the continent. I can't say where. He's always flying, never staying in one place."

Natsu clenched his fists. "Then I've gotta go. Maybe it left some kind of trail."

Gildarts sighed, dropping his cloak and revealing deep scars. "Look at this, Natsu."

He had something vital to share—a warning about that ominous black dragon and what it meant for all of them.