Mil collapses as the dragon approaches.
He cannot move.
The dragon's golden eyes stare directly into him.
Instead of biting him...
It gently lifts him in its claws and flies into the darkness.
Mil loses consciousness.
When He Wakes Up
He finds himself inside a massive cavern illuminated by blue fire.
Dozens of dragons sleep around him.
Warriors wearing black dragon-scale armor stand nearby, watching him in complete silence.
An old woman steps forward and speaks.
"The dragon chose you."
Mil looks around in confusion.
"What... is this place?"
She answers calmly.
"The Kingdom Beneath Elsewhere."
The Truth of Elsewhere
The tribe explains that Elsewhere is not a training realm.
It is a sealed world ruled by dragons.
Everyone who enters is tested.
Most die during the trials.
A very small number are chosen by dragons.
Those chosen can never leave unless the Dragon King permits it.
Mil slowly realizes the truth.
"That's why no one ever comes back..."
The Dragon Trial
For weeks, Mil is forced to survive impossible conditions.
He must:
hunt in volcanic forests,
fight dragon beasts,
endure freezing storms,
meditate beneath dragon fire,
and protect dragon hatchlings.
The tribe is not impressed by raw strength.
They test courage, loyalty, patience, and restraint.
Mil struggles constantly during the survival trials, but he refuses to give up. He completes every mission despite his exhaustion.
One day, a child asks him,
"Why do you keep trying to return to your world?"
Mil answers without hesitation.
"Because my friends are waiting for me."
That single answer begins changing the tribe's opinion of him.
The Final Trial
Mil is eventually brought before the ancient dragon that carried him away.
The dragon speaks directly into his mind.
"Would you stay here forever and become immortal?"
Mil thinks of Junyu, Michael, Salim, Katsa, Ikiro, and Ton.
He slowly shakes his head.
"I would rather live a short life with my people."
The ancient dragon closes its eyes.
For the first time...
It bows its head.
The Tattoo
Blue flames erupt around Mil.
A dragon-shaped mark burns itself onto his back.
Mil screams as the tattoo forms.
The tribe immediately kneels before him.
"The Dragon has accepted him."
The old woman raises her staff and declares,
"ALL HAIL THE DRAGON KING!"
Mil becomes the first outsider in centuries to receive the Dragon Mark.
New Power
The Dragon Mark grants him a new ability.
Dragon Summoning
Mil can summon a spectral dragon beneath him during battle.
The dragon can:
fly,
breathe dragon fire,
shield allies,
and carry Mil through the sky.
The dragon's name is:
Ragnarok
Departure
The ancient dragon opens a glowing portal.
Its voice echoes through the cavern.
"Go, Dragon King."
"Protect the world that gave you a reason to return."