A simple touch from Master Booze had given Kael a unique passive. He had never imagined something like that was even possible.
[You have the faint power of dragons running through your veins. With time and resources, you can mature this power and achieve greater heights.]
[Current Bonuses: +30 Vitality.]
[+5 HP regeneration per second.]
[Poison Resistance +80%.]
Those were the bonuses Kael received from his new power. The dragon lineage in his body would mature over time, unlocking new abilities—even active skills.
He couldn't believe it. The legendary class he sought was already incredible enough, but now he'd gained a dragon bloodline on top of it. Who else had something like this so early?
"It won't be easy for you to improve this power I gave you," Booze said, staring deep into Kael's eyes. "In fact, there's a high chance you'll die trying. Not that I care if you're dead or alive."
Booze paused for a moment before adding, "Nothing I give comes for free."
Kael's expression shifted instantly. The excitement vanished.
"What do you want?" he asked.
Booze laughed it off.
"Relax. When the time comes, I'll ask for your help. For now, just show me where this damned aquatic serpent is."
They flew over the ocean, Kael guiding the way. The dragon was incredibly fast—it didn't take long to reach the serpent's location.
It was a tiny island—if it could even be called that. Basically just a pile of rocks jutting out of the sea.
"That's the place?" Booze frowned. "No wonder I couldn't find this serpent. I would never stop somewhere like that."
They hopped off the dragon's back, each of them landing on a different stone.
Booze pulled out his fishing rod.
"You should aim between those rocks right there," Kael said, pointing. "That's where the serpent will be."
"How the hell do you know that? You're not even a fisherman."
"I am one."
"Bullshit. Where's your rod?"
Kael hesitated.
"I lost it."
"Yeah, right."
Kael sat on one of the rocks, eyes fixed on Booze.
All he could do was wait. He couldn't fish alongside the man—he didn't have the profession unlocked. And even if he did, that serpent wasn't something he could reel in at his current level.
Booze still didn't seem entirely convinced they were in the right place. Despite Kael's confidence, the only way to prove himself was to wait and see.
It didn't take long.
After Booze cast his line, the serpent took the bait in under five minutes.
The moment it did, Booze yanked the creature out of the water in one motion. It was massive—easily over eight meters long. Yet he pulled it in like it weighed nothing. Not a single muscle on his face moved.
"So you were actually telling the truth," Booze said, staring at the catch. "Looks like you knew what you were talking about."
The serpent thrashed, trying to fight against Booze. After all, it was a level 50 creature. But with a single touch of his finger, Booze incapacitated it—as if it had simply fainted from the power in that touch.
Every time Booze acted, Kael found it harder to stay calm.
Who the hell is this guy?
Kael stood up from the rock.
"So... can we go to the island now?" he asked.
That was the deal. Though honestly, Kael felt like he'd already come out ahead with the draconic power. A pang of guilt crept in for pushing the matter.
Booze tied the serpent to the dragon's back, then pulled out his bamboo flask and took a long swig.
"Sure, let's go. Hold on tight."
Kael gripped the rope, bracing himself as the dragon took off at incredible speed. He guided them toward the island he needed to reach.
It was farther out from the main island. Even with the dragon, it would take at least thirty minutes to get there.
The closer they got, the more anxious Kael became.
"I thought you wouldn't keep your end of the deal," Kael said, staring at Booze's back. "And you even gave me a new ability. Why so generous? Should I be worried?"
The thought crossed his mind—what if Master Booze had some sinister plan for him?
Booze laughed at his expression.
"You think I'd waste my time plotting against you? Tell me—what could you possibly offer me?"
Kael answered without missing a beat.
"Knowledge. Where to find creatures worth fishing. That aquatic serpent? It's tied up right there because of me."
Booze turned to face him after hearing that.
"Look, I love fishing, and having that knowledge is important to me. But thinking I'd attack you over it? That's madness..."
Kael sighed. "I was overthinking everything."
Booze laughed long and loud, then offered the bamboo flask. "I like you. Take a sip."
Kael accepted—even with his heart pounding. Someone as powerful as Master Booze wouldn't drink just anything. Hand trembling, Kael took a pull.
It was wine. Not particularly strong, no special effects. Just... wine.
But good. He took another before Booze snatched the flask back.
"Don't drink it all," he complained. "This is what keeps me on my feet."
The atmosphere shifted. Fog rolled in around them. They were close to the island.
Kael had stopped giving directions, but Booze found it easily, like he'd known where it was all along. Kael hadn't noticed—his mind had been elsewhere.
When he realized, he asked, "You knew about this island?"
"Of course. I vacation here all the time. Hidden as hell—nobody finds me here. Plus, the seafood restaurant is incredible."
"You've got to be kidding me."
The coincidence was too much. What were the odds that Booze vacationed exactly where Kael's legendary class was hidden?
The island was large, but the inhabited portion was much smaller. More than half was dense jungle—terrain unexplored by the fishermen who lived on one end.
Booze guided his dragon to a more secluded landing spot. The creature was invisible, but the moment they dismounted, people would notice. Landing in the middle of town was out of the question.
Kael's quest updated the instant he neared the island. The objective had shifted.
[Explore the island in search of the legendary class.]