I Died and Became a Noble's Heir-Chapter 289: Emberion the Magma Dragon

The volcanic peaks of Floor 25’s southern region rose like jagged teeth against the eternal sky.

Jack stood at the volcano’s base, his neck craned back as he tried to gauge the mountain’s true height.

The peak disappeared into clouds of ash and steam that perpetually surrounded the summit, making it impossible to see where stone ended and sky began.

"This is where Emberion makes his home," S said from beside him, still mounted on Fluffy’s back. The three-headed hellhound seemed uneasy this close to the volcano. "The strongest creature on this floor. Malakai’s first and greatest creation."

"Let’s hope he’s willing to co-operate," Jack replied, already beginning the climb up the volcanic slope.

The heat was intense even at this distance, making the air shimmer and distort. But it was manageable with his enhanced constitution and the protection Draven’s blessing provided.

The climb took perhaps an hour.

The volcanic slopes were treacherous, covered in sharp obsidian and pools of bubbling magma that had to be carefully navigated.

Steam vents erupted without warning, forcing Jack to constantly adjust their path.

But gradually, they ascended toward the peak where Emberion supposedly waited.

The temperature increased with every step, growing from uncomfortable to barely tolerable.

Jack’s skin reddened despite his enhanced durability, and sweat poured down his face in rivers that evaporated almost immediately in the superheated air.

’System, can I survive the actual crater?’ Jack thought, concerned about what he might find at the summit.

[Analysis: Emberion’s volcanic lair maintains temperatures of approximately 2000 degrees Fahrenheit. Your current constitution can withstand this for approximately 30 minutes before tissue damage becomes severe.]

’So I have half an hour to negotiate. Wonderful.’

The summit finally came into view through the clouds of ash and steam. The volcanic crater spread before them, perhaps two hundred feet across, its interior filled with magma that churned and bubbled.

And in the center of that inferno, rising from the molten rock like a monument to elemental fury, sat Emberion. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

[Entity Identified: Emberion]

[Ancient Magma Dragon]

[Class: Emperor]

[Level: 107]

[WARNING: Extreme threat detected. Approach with caution.]

The dragon was magnificent and terrifying in equal measure.

This was the first time Jack had seen an Emperor class monster up close.

Emberion’s body was easily eighty feet long from nose to tail.

His scales dripped with magma as it flowed off of his body.

His eyes were pools of molten gold, he watched as the Soul Warden approached him.

Smoke rose from Emberion’s nostrils with each breath.

His wings were folded against his sides, but Jack could see the membrane between the bones glowing with internal fire.

"Soul Warden," Emberion’s voice was like avalanches of burning stone, each word carrying heat that made the air ripple. "You finally arrive."

Jack stepped onto the crater’s edge, feeling the stone beneath his feet radiating enough heat to cook meat.

He straightened his spine, refusing to show weakness despite being in the presence of something that could obliterate him with a single breath.

"Emberion," Jack replied, keeping his voice steady through force of will. "I’ve come to speak with you about cooperation."

The dragon’s laugh was like a volcano mid-eruption, hot and filled with dark amusement. "Cooperation, you say. The last Soul Warden who approached me made demands. The one before that tried threats. You, at least, show some wisdom in your approach."

Jack filed that information away for later analysis.

Other Soul Wardens? But Malakai was supposed to be the last one before him.

"I seek materials from this floor," Jack continued, deciding directness was better than dancing around his intentions.

"Phoenix feathers, dragon scales, elemental crystals. Resources to strengthen my bound creatures and expand my capabilities."

"And you believe I will simply provide these things?" Emberion shifted his position slightly, sending waves of heat rolling across the crater that made Jack’s vision blur. "That I exist to serve whoever sits on Malakai’s throne?"

"No," Jack said honestly. "I believe you’ll require something in exchange. Everything on this floor operates through negotiation and mutual benefit. I’m prepared to offer fair compensation for your cooperation."

Emberion’s molten eyes studied him with intensity that felt like being examined under a magnifying glass while the sun focused through it.

The dragon’s gaze seemed to pierce through flesh and bone, seeing things that normal sight couldn’t perceive.

"You are different from the others," Emberion said finally, his tone shifting to something more thoughtful.

"The failures who came before you were consumed by ambition or broken by fear. But you... you carry something they did not."

"What’s that?" Jack asked, genuinely curious.

"Control," Emberion replied simply. "And the wisdom to know your own limitations."

The dragon rose from his resting position, magma flowing off his scales like water. He was even more massive standing, his form blocking out much of the crater’s light from sheer physical presence.

"I was Malakai’s loyal guardian," Emberion said, moving closer to the crater’s edge where Jack stood. "His first creation. His greatest achievement. Do you know what I was before he remade me?"

Jack thought back to S’s story during their journey through Floor 24. "An earth dragon. He fused the fire element into your core, transforming you into something new."

"Very good," Emberion’s approval carried genuine warmth despite his volcanic nature. "Malakai found me dying after a territorial dispute with a rival. My earth magic was powerful, but not enough to overcome certain hellfire opponents. I was strong, but my power was limited."

The dragon’s eyes grew distant, as if seeing memories from centuries past.

"He offered me a choice. Die as I was, or be reborn as something greater. I chose rebirth. And the pain... the agony of having fire forced into my core, of having my very essence rewritten at that level..."

Emberion shuddered, sending ripples through the magma lake.

"It should have killed me. By all rights, I should have died screaming. But Malakai’s skill was absolute. He guided the transformation, held me together when I wanted to tear myself apart, and eventually... I emerged as you see me now."

Jack listened intently, recognizing that this story carried significance beyond a mere history lesson.

"I served him faithfully for centuries," Emberion continued. "Guarded his domain. Helped him cultivate the garden. Provided materials to strengthen his bound creatures. And when he died..."

The dragon’s voice wavered.

"I remained here, waiting. Hoping the next Soul Warden would prove worthy of Malakai’s legacy."

"But they didn’t," Jack said quietly, understanding dawning.

"No," Emberion confirmed, his tone hardening. "They came with greed in their hearts and weakness in their souls. They sat on the throne, claimed the domain, and thought that made them equal to Malakai. They were wrong."

The dragon’s eyes focused completely on Jack, amber pools of molten intensity. "Do you wish for my cooperation? Then tell me what you’re prepared to offer in exchange. And understand that my price will not be cheap. The Soul Wardens who came after Malakai couldn’t pay it. Most couldn’t even comprehend what I was asking."

Jack met Emberion’s gaze directly, refusing to look away despite the heat and pressure. "Name your price. I’ll determine if I can meet it."

"Bold," Emberion’s laugh was like distant eruptions.

"Very well. But first, answer me something. You speak of strengthening your bound creatures. Of gathering materials and expanding capabilities. But do you understand what you truly are? What every Soul Warden in history has become?"