Hexin blinked away just before that mouth could close around him.

Excuse me? You can take my life, but don’t you dare mess up my hair.

Mondo snapped his jaws on empty air. The enormous bite shut with a sharp clack. He stared at Hexin, wide-eyed.

Hexin: “…?”

He wasn’t sure if it was just his imagination, but he thought those red eyes looked even redder now—not with bloodlust, but like they were about to cry or laugh, or both.

It was strange, seeing such emotion on a dragon.

No, more than strange—it was off. The Mondo he remembered didn’t wear feelings like this. The sky-soaring black dragon had always been proud, aloof. Confident in his strength, unbothered by the world. The only real failure he’d ever experienced was losing to a god.

But now… this Mondo had changed.

Hexin tilted his head. “You weren’t in the Four-Pillar Tower these ten thousand years?”

“I never went into hibernation,” Mondo replied. He flew toward Hexin, his massive body moving with a silent grace—an apex predator, perfected in power and precision.

With him this close, it was like standing in front of a mountain of shadow. A presence so vast it crushed the breath out of the air.

Those crimson eyes locked onto Hexin—so focused, like he was staring at mist that could vanish if he blinked.

“I left the divine realm,” Mondo said softly, “and I’ve been traveling the stars ever since. Looking for you.”

Hexin wasn’t dumb.

The way Mondo looked at him—like he was afraid he’d disappear again—made it very clear that “looking for you” wasn’t just an afterthought. It was the whole reason.

Truthfully, he wasn’t used to this.

The Mondo of the past would’ve scoffed, rolled his eyes, said something like, “Why would I look for you? Don’t lump me in with those obsessed beasts.” That would’ve been classic Mondo.

Now, Hexin could feel the heat of his breath, could sense how tightly Mondo reined in his strength.

“You’ve… been through a lot,” Hexin murmured.

“You want to know?” Mondo asked, half-lidding his eyes. He didn’t look away for a second, though he seemed to realize such intense staring might make the god uncomfortable.

He wasn’t the same anymore—no longer all blades and thunder. He didn’t want to make Hexin frown. And so, with a visible effort, he dropped his gaze.

The sharp, lingering edge of Hexin’s battle aura still lingered in the air—enough to make lesser beasts tremble. But Mondo felt comforted by it. Anchored. Safe.

Only now did the weight of ten thousand years begin to lift from his shoulders.

“I kept a journal,” Mondo said. “If you want to know… you can read it.”

“…You? You write journals?” Hexin glanced at those massive indestructible claws. It was hard to imagine them holding a pen.

Mondo chuckled. “I was afraid I’d forget things over time. So I wrote them down—to remind myself why I stood where I stood.”

“And why is that?” Hexin asked.

To wait for you.
But what he said was, “To protect the peace of the universe.”

Hexin: “…”

Mondo: “What? Is that wrong?”

Hexin: “…It’s a noble goal.”
Though, coming from a once-world-ending sky dragon, anyone who knew the backstory might be terrified.

“You really think so?” Mondo asked, watching him closely.

“Of course.” Hexin raised a brow. “You don’t actually think just because I’m the war god, I like war, do you? I like strong opponents. That’s all.”

Mondo laughed. “I know. I know you.”

And because he knew—he would protect the world in his place. Even if the universe was destined to crumble, even if other races and powers tore it apart—he would not let the beasts blessed by the war god bring disgrace to his name.

This… this was Hexin’s legacy. It could not be tainted.

As Mondo stared at him with calm resolve, Hexin had the oddest feeling—like a big brother returning home after years away, only to find that the bratty little kid he’d left behind had grown up into someone dependable.

Then came a quiet question:
“You’re back now… you’re not leaving again, are you?”

Hexin looked over, just in time to see the dragon sharply glance away—like the question had been asked without thought. But his tail told another story.

That mighty tail—capable of pulverizing steel—was inching toward Hexin. Then, as it almost brushed his robe, it recoiled like it had touched fire.

A moment later, it crept forward again. Gently. Hesitantly. Repeat.

Still the same clingy, insecure dragon as before.

Hexin couldn’t help laughing.

That sound must’ve embarrassed Mondo. If this had been ten thousand years ago, he would’ve leapt forward to brawl over the insult. Now… he just glared at him.

Eyes red. No punches thrown.

He hadn’t even joined the fight earlier. He’d held back his instincts, his temper. That was growth. But now that Hexin was here… Hexin didn’t want him to keep swallowing everything alone.

The war god, after all, had always been a man who followed desire.

So Hexin did what he wanted.

He recalled his hovering silver spear.

And before anyone could react—he jabbed the handle straight at Mondo’s reverse scale.

“Got a weak spot,” Hexin said, grinning wide, eyebrows raised. With a sudden push, he added,
“—Checkmate!”

Mondo: “…?!??!”

WHAT ARE YOU DOING???!
WHY WOULD YOU TOUCH THERE?!

The black dragon hissed in pain and snapped, “Y-you stop that—!”

“Oh? So you do get angry,” Hexin observed brightly, pleased to finally see a reaction. Now this felt like home—nothing said “war god” like being infuriatingly provocative.

Mondo gritted his teeth. “You idiot, that’s not anger!”

The dragon’s body trembled violently. His tail lashed through the air with such force that it ripped the wind apart. He looked like a beast pushed to the edge of losing control—so shaken even he didn’t know what to do.

The other primal beasts—who had barely recovered from their previous beatdown—had already scattered the moment they saw Hexin raise his spear again, shrieking as they fled for their lives. Spectacle, as always.

Only Hexin remained relaxed.
“Hm? I’ve been provoking you all this time and you’re still not mad?”
He shook his head. “Disappointing, Mondo.”

The black dragon took a few deep breaths. His chest, shielded by armour-thick scales, heaved visibly.

And then, finally—he grinned.
A sharp, dangerous grin.

“This time you started it—!”

His roar thundered through heaven and earth.

From a safe distance, Rog wiped the sweat beading down his forehead.
“I’ve never seen the commander so… lively,” he muttered.

He glanced toward the battlefield, though both combatants moved so fast that even as a high-level mentalist, he could barely perceive them—only occasional flashes and the sound of impacts cracking the sky.

Still, after everything he’d seen on this cursed planet, nothing really fazed him anymore.

“…He’s not gonna die, right?” Rog said to no one in particular.

And yet someone answered—a deep, unfamiliar voice behind him.

“If he were going to die, he would’ve died with that first spear strike.”

The voice was casual, almost amused.

“These two have been going at it since the divine age. Can’t you tell they’re sparring?”

…Wait.
When did someone get behind me!?

A cold sweat ran down Rog’s spine. He turned slowly—
And saw a massive, bear-like creature squatting in the dirt, chewing on mangosteen.

It was huge. Behind it yawned a crater, like it had just crawled out from underground.

The bear-like beast didn’t seem to care about Rog’s horror. It licked its claws.

“So hungry.”

“Y-you—you’re a primal beast?!” Rog stammered.

The creature shrugged. “Yeah. So?”

Rog: …why is your vibe so completely off!?

The furry beast scratched its ear with a claw.
“Took a while to dig myself out. That spear shockwave? Knocked me right out cold.”
It squinted at the battlefield. “Knew it. Had to be him. I really didn’t want to come out.”

Despite its words, the black bead-like eyes watching Hexin wield that silver spear were full of nostalgia.

Clearly, this was another contradiction in fur: it talked gruff, but the gaze said otherwise.

Maybe because it didn’t seem hostile—and because it was the first beast besides Mondo to speak—Rog cautiously stepped forward.
“You… aren’t going over there?”

The bear beast gave him a look. “What, go get beaten up?”

Rog choked, vividly recalling the way Hexin had mopped the floor with the others.

“…Still,” the bear said, “I probably should. Can’t let ocean and sky show off while earth just hides.”

It tossed aside its mangosteen and stood. The resulting shadow dwarfed everyone around, making them instinctively step back.

“Alright, earth beasts, let’s go!” it shouted.

And from beneath the dirt, the ground began to rumble. Turns out a bunch of giant things had been hiding under a thin layer of soil all this time.

The army stood frozen as the creatures trudged to the beach, their movement catching Hexin’s attention.

He paused, raising a brow.
Was that…?

Because Hexin had stopped mid-swing, Mondo’s redirected tail strike barely missed his face—just brushing the air by his cheek. It ruffled Hexin’s hair.

Mondo nearly had a heart attack.

Hexin, however, didn’t flinch at all, standing there as if nothing had happened.

The black dragon drew his sore tail back, glaring furiously: You could’ve dodged!

Hexin shot him a look: Would you have actually hit me?

Mondo choked. His fury collapsed into a scowl. Hexin grinned wickedly. That smug face—it made you want to hit it and kiss it all at once.

Mondo realized, with a painful sigh, that he truly had no defense against this man.

And now, he turned his attention to the newcomers—glaring at the earth beast like it was personally responsible for ruining his moment.

His wings subtly spread, blocking any potential trajectory that could hit Hexin. His posture said it clearly: You try something, I will react.

Hexin noticed and shook his head. Relax.

Everyone braced for a new clash.

But then—

The massive bear beast dropped to its knees and bowed so hard its forehead slammed the ground.

With a booming voice, it shouted:
“Earthquake reporting in! Earth-type primal beasts stand loyal with no other intentions! Give us orders! Just please don’t hit us, we’re very bad at tanking!”

From underground came muffled snorts and noises.

“Big bro’s right!”

Everyone: …what happened to having some pride!?