The Retired Supporting Character Wants to Live Quietly

[Translator - Peptobismol]

[Proofreader - Demon God]

Chapter 129 - A Slap for Every Penny Found (11)

The nameless swordsman silently watched as Dian and the lord reached an agreement.

The pink-haired girl turned out to be far weaker than he expected, but this man might be different.

He didn’t carry any weapons or armor, and judging by his clothes and appearance, he looked like a scholar who had never even held a sword properly.

As Dian stepped forward, the nameless swordsman rested his greatsword on his shoulder and spoke.

"I wonder if you’ll be able to satisfy me. I’ve met all sorts of people claiming to be strong, but none have lasted more than a single minute… Ugh!"

The swordsman didn’t get to finish his sentence as he quickly retreated. Dian had launched a sudden attack.

"Proper etiquette dictates you should listen until your opponent finishes speaking… Hey!"

The swordsman’s words kept getting cut off as he dodged, prompting him to shout in frustration.

"You should listen to—damn it!"

Dian grabbed the edge of the swordsman’s cloak.

As he yanked on the cloak with all his strength, the nameless swordsman lost his balance and stumbled forward.

"What kind of strength is this?! Who the hell are you?"

But Dian didn’t answer. He simply kept tugging on the cloak like he was pulling on a rope, steadily closing the distance.

Realizing he couldn’t shake off the iron grip, the swordsman hurriedly slashed the cloak with his greatsword.

Dian discarded the tattered piece of cloth and reached out again, forcing the swordsman to slam his greatsword into the ground.

From the point where the blade struck, a powerful shockwave erupted like a raging storm.

Dian dodged the blast, and the wave tore through the earth, crashing into the lower section of the lord’s castle.

"Ahhh! The castle’s going to collapse!"

The lord screamed as the castle shook violently.

With the ground torn up and dust clouding the air, Dian disappeared from view. The nameless swordsman crouched low and quickly surveyed his surroundings.

After exchanging a few blows, the swordsman had reached a clear conclusion: close combat with this man was absolutely out of the question.

That girl from before had inhuman strength, but this man was on a completely different level.

If he catches me, I’m finished.

I’ve heard of such monsters existing among humans, but I never thought I’d meet one here.

"Where are you? Could you have run away? There is no paradise to be found in…"

The nameless swordsman spun around in a panic, nearly screaming when he saw Dian right behind him.

"Let me see your back."

The swordsman hastily raised his greatsword as a shield and tried to retreat, but Dian was faster.

"Ugh!"

The swordsman’s vision went white as Dian grabbed him by the collar.

I can’t breathe!

"Ahhhhh!"

Summoning all his strength, the swordsman managed to shake off Dian’s grip, only to feel an excruciating pain in his temple.

Dian had somehow picked up a stone and smashed it into the side of the swordsman’s head, shattering the rock.

With his head spinning and his mind reeling, the swordsman scrambled to regain his composure, raising his greatsword once more.

"I’ll cut you in half!"

But he never got the chance.

Dian caught the greatsword with both hands.

The swordsman tried to pull it free, but Dian held on, lifting a leg and kicking him in the gut.

"Urgh?!"

Reeling from the heavy, crushing pain, the swordsman staggered back, vomiting as he struggled to regain his breath.

"It’s made from dragon scales, huh? No wonder it’s so light and durable."

Dian inspected the greatsword, casually twirling it in his hands.

"Are you a dragon slayer, or did you pluck these scales from your own body?"

At that question, the nameless swordsman flinched.

"Which dragon is it? Judging by the sword’s shape and color, it looks like a White Dragon."

"For a human to figure that out…"

The swordsman stared at Dian, a smirk forming on his lips.

Or maybe… he’s not human after all?

Wiping the blood from his lips with the back of his hand, the swordsman slowly straightened up.

"It seems we’ve had a major misunderstanding. Let’s stop fighting."

The swordsman approached Dian with a friendly smile.

"Actually, I’m a dragon too. I never expected to meet a fellow kin here. Your polymorph is quite convincing."

He extended a hand toward Dian.

"Nice to meet you. I’m the White Dragon Tarkanik. And you are?"

"Human. Dian."

Dian shook the hand as he answered.

"Dian, huh. Nice alias. What’s your real name?"

"I told you, I’m a human, you bastard."

Sensing something ominous, Tarkanik tried to pull his hand away, but he couldn’t.

Dian yanked on the hand, smashing his forehead into Tarkanik’s nose.

"Aaaaaargh!!"

With a sickening crunch, Tarkanik’s nose broke, and he screamed in agony, clutching his face.

"You bastard! Dragons have an unspoken rule not to interfere in each other’s domains! What tribe acts so recklessly?"

"That was back when I was a dragon."

Dian kicked Tarkanik in the face, sending him sprawling.

As he flew backward, a memory suddenly resurfaced in Tarkanik’s mind.

Ten years ago, during the skirmishes between demons and humans, there were strange rumors among the dragons.

The rumor was about two polymorphed dragons causing chaos on the battlefield.

At first, Tarkanik had thought they were talking about Hindrasta.

But Hindrasta had been roaming around in her true form, not in a polymorph.

So who were these two dragons?

The truth remained a mystery until after the war, when the legendary human hero Linus, the one who had killed the Demon King, emerged.

The dragons then realized it had all been a misunderstanding. The person mistaken for a polymorphed dragon was simply a human with extraordinary combat abilities.

But what about the second one? Was that part of the rumor also exaggerated nonsense?

That was the conclusion most had come to, and the story was gradually forgotten.

Yet, as Tarkanik’s broken nose was kicked again, he was now certain he knew who that "second one" was.

It’s him!

Bleeding profusely, Tarkanik made a decision.

I’ll undo my polymorph.

With physical abilities rivaling that of a polymorphed dragon, I’m at a disadvantage in this human form.

I’ve already been grabbed several times, and I can’t match his strength. I’ll return to my true form and crush him!

Tarkanik’s hands began to swell, his sleeves tearing as sharp claws and white scales started to emerge.

"Rrraaaaagh…!!"

With a mighty roar, Tarkanik’s clothes shredded as his massive body transformed back into the form of the White Dragon.

"Raaaaaaaahhhh!!"

At the sudden appearance of the enormous dragon, larger than the lord’s castle, everyone screamed and fled in all directions.

[You wretch! You dared to mock a dragon! Your crime is unforgivable!!]

Tarkanik’s voice boomed.

[I’ll crush you beneath my feet! You’re not even worth using my breath on!]

He raised a massive foot and stomped down on Dian.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Each step Tarkanik took sent tremors through the ground, shaking the castle as if it were about to collapse.

"No! Brother Dian!"

Scala screamed in terror.

After several stomps, Tarkanik lifted his foot to inspect the remains of Dian.

But instead of a crushed body, there was only a swirling portal where Dian had been.

[What the…?!]

In that instant, Tarkanik sensed something dangerous approaching rapidly from above.

Instinctively, he looked up, every scale on his body standing on end in fear.

Far above, Dian was descending through the portal, gripping Tarkanik’s own greatsword in his hands.

"Let me see your back!"

It was too late to dodge….

# # # # #

Hindrasta, staring in shock at the massive form of the dragon that had suddenly appeared, shouted in surprise.

"Tarkanik?!"

It was none other than the White Dragon Tarkanik, one of Hindrasta’s own kin.

They weren’t exactly friends, but she had crossed paths with him once in the past.

Why on earth was he polymorphed and pretending to be a mercenary here?

But Hindrasta didn’t have time to ponder further.

Dian, who had leaped down from the portal, struck Tarkanik’s head with the greatsword.

The impact sent scales flying from Tarkanik’s head.

From that moment on, Dian began to relentlessly pummel Tarkanik.

[Aaaaagh! It hurts!]

Tarkanik screamed in agony as he was struck by his own sword, made from his very scales.

[You filthy little—Aaaagh!]

Roaring in fury, Tarkanik swung his arms wildly, but Dian dodged each blow, expertly targeting his vital points like a skilled butcher.

Soon, Tarkanik couldn’t even stay standing and collapsed, crumbling to the ground.

[Stop! It hurts too much! Please!]

Writhing in agony, Tarkanik, now desperate, even resorted to begging, but Dian didn’t stop.

Watching the scene, Hindrasta recalled a memory.

The terror of being beaten senseless by Dian during the war.

The humiliation of fleeing with her body battered and broken.

Crack-

[Translator - Peptobismol]

[Proofreader - Demon God]