The Golden Knight of Valtheria

The sky was painted in hues of crimson and gold as Ryusei Kuriyami made his way through the rugged landscape of Valtheria's southern frontier. The Adventurer's Guild had classified this mission as C-Rank, a seemingly routine subjugation quest to eliminate a rogue beast terrorizing local trade routes. However, as Ryusei had learned time and again, the world was rarely so simple.

The Unexpected Threat

Ryusei followed the tracks of the beast, a trail of destruction leading deeper into the wilderness. The carcasses of fallen creatures lay scattered, but something was off. Their flesh was corroded, their forms twisted.

His Madou Ring, Zaruba, pulsed against his finger.

"Ryusei, this is no ordinary beast," Zaruba warned. "Something else lurks within it."

As Ryusei pressed forward, the air grew heavier, charged with an ominous energy. It was then that he saw it—the Black Dragon. Its scales were like obsidian, glistening under the fading sun, but what truly set it apart was the eerie dark energy radiating from its body. Its once-golden eyes were now black pits filled with malevolence.

Ryusei's grip tightened around his wakizashi.

The Battle Begins

The dragon wasted no time, unleashing a torrent of shadowflame that scorched the ground. Ryusei evaded, countering with a burst of green fire, the unnatural hue colliding against the dragon's corruption. Sparks flew as the two forces clashed, illuminating the battlefield in a violent dance of flames and lightning.

Ryusei darted forward, using his speed to weave between the dragon's massive claws. He landed a strike along its side, his red lightning-infused blade cutting through the corrupted scales. The beast roared, lashing out with its tail, sending Ryusei tumbling.

"Damn it… its strength is beyond normal."

Zaruba's voice echoed in his mind. "It's absorbed a Horror's Core. You must finish this before it fully mutates."

With no other choice, Ryusei summoned his Garo Armor. Spinning his blade in a wide arc above his head, golden symbols lit the air before the legendary armor materialized onto him. The ground trembled as he landed with immense force, his once-small blade transforming into a broad sword of radiant gold.

The tide turned.

Each strike landed with devastating power, his golden flames purging the corruption. The dragon, now aware of the threat, retaliated with everything it had—claws, flames, and raw brute force. But Ryusei did not falter.

With a final blazing strike, he cleaved through the beast's core. A massive explosion of dark energy erupted before fading into nothingness, leaving only the dragon's lifeless husk behind.

The Aftermath

As the dust settled, Ryusei retracted his armor. He approached the corpse, gathering the valuable materials—the scales, the fangs, the heart, all worth a fortune. But among the remains, he also found the Horror Core, its sinister energy still pulsating faintly.

He pocketed it.

Returning to the Adventurer's Guild, Ryusei delivered the report—leaving out the parts about the Horror Core and his transformation. Nobody had seen him when he wore the armor, and for now, that secret would remain his.

Recognition and Promotion

News of the Black Dragon's defeat spread quickly. The head of the Adventurer's Guild, Lord Aldric Faustus, a noble and an S-Rank adventurer, personally summoned Ryusei to his chambers.

Aldric was a man of towering stature, his presence alone commanding respect. He eyed Ryusei with curiosity and approval.

"A C-Rank adventurer slaying a dragon? That is no small feat."

Ryusei met his gaze without faltering. "It was stronger than expected, but I did what was necessary."

The guildmaster chuckled. "Humble, too. Regardless, such an achievement cannot be ignored."

With that, Ryusei was promoted to B-Rank and handsomely rewarded—a hefty sum of gold, rare magical artifacts, and an official recognition that would cement his growing reputation.

The Investigation Begins

Despite the accolades, Ryusei couldn't shake the unease. A dragon enhanced by a Horror's Core was not natural. Someone or something was behind this.

That night, he initiated the Makai Order's secret communication ritual. He carved intricate sigils into a reflective silver plate, pouring his red lightning-infused mana into it. The sigils shimmered before forming a holographic projection of the Makai insignia.

Within moments, a response came—a voice resonating through the enchanted mirror.

"We have received your report, Golden Knight. Reinforcements are on their way."

The Arrival of His Uncle

Three days later, a lone warrior rode into Valtheria, clad in a long crimson cloak, a massive red greatsword strapped to his back.

Ryusei's uncle, Leon Kuriyami, one of the most experienced Makai Knights of the current generation, had arrived.

A Deeper Threat Unveiled

Leon wasted no time. The moment he arrived, he took Ryusei aside. "A Horror Core inside a dragon? This is no coincidence. Someone is experimenting."

The two spent the next several days investigating, retracing Ryusei's steps. Leon's experience as a veteran Makai Knight allowed him to sense hidden remnants of dark energy in the area where the dragon had fallen. The corruption had spread further than expected.

"This was deliberate," Leon muttered. "And it won't be the last."

As they continued their search, they discovered faint traces of magic, a signature foreign to anything the Makai Order had encountered before. Whatever had enhanced the dragon, it was beyond the natural corruption of Horrors.

"We need to report this to the Elders," Leon decided.

Ryusei nodded, knowing this was just the beginning of something far greater than himself.

Preparing for the Unknown

Armed with newfound information and the arrival of his uncle, Ryusei doubled down on his training, refining his combat techniques in preparation for what lay ahead. The world was shifting, and he had a feeling this was merely the prelude to an even greater darkness.

One thing was certain—his journey as a Makai Knight was far from over.