Dragon Calamity Descends

"We're here. This is my second uncle's old house. I used to come here to play all the time when I was little. My second uncle and his family have moved into the city now, so the place has been sitting empty. It'll make the perfect temporary base for us."

Mo Fei looked over the surroundings and nodded in satisfaction. The house was a little rundown, but it was secluded enough and safe enough.

Black Shadow took his gaming helmet out of the trunk. The two entered the house, which was utterly dilapidated. There was not even a decent piece of furniture inside—just a rusty wire-frame bed, a recliner, and a few plastic stools, all covered in dust.

There was also a wardrobe with its doors hanging open, stuffed full of old quilts and clothes.

Mo Fei did not care. It was only for one day. As long as it kept out the wind and rain, that was enough.

"You brought food and water, right? Move everything inside. We'll start the game in a bit and follow the plan I laid out earlier. If you need to use the bathroom, do it now. Once the game starts, we won't have that much free time."

"Got it!" Black Shadow said as he went outside to carry in the supplies.

Mo Fei tore off a piece of old clothing and wiped the dust from the wire-frame bed, then pulled out a mattress and spread it over the frame. He could not feel the outside world once he entered the game, but if he slept uncomfortably, his body would feel awful after he woke up. That was something he had learned from a year of gaming.

He casually shut the wardrobe door, only to see Murphys's face in the mirror attached to it.

The Black Dragon wore a mocking expression. "So this is your choice? Running off to this godforsaken backwater to hide and barely cling to life? How pathetic, human."

"Barely cling to life? Heh, you underestimate me too much. Can't you see it? I'm setting up a grand game—a magnificent plan!"

"I don't see any plan at all. You signed that damned contract, and now you only have one day left. What can you possibly accomplish in a day? You're just a tiny mortal..."

Mo Fei smiled. "Fine, you're right. I am indeed small, and there isn't much I can do. But don't forget, I still have you—great 'Black Dragon Lord,' 'Ancient Black Dragon' Lord Murphys. For a magnificent being like you, one day is already enough to accomplish many things."

Murphys was not pleased by Mo Fei's flattery. He narrowed his eyes warily. "What exactly are you trying to do?"

"What am I trying to do? I'm going to make you famous throughout Skyworld. I'll make your name known to the entire world, make you a creature feared by all, make you a legendary dragon—a terrifying legend!"

The Black Dragon immediately understood Mo Fei's intentions. "Only the dead can become legends! So you want to kill me!"

Mo Fei let out a cold laugh. "Hahahaha, you finally understand? That's right. I'm going to kill you."

"You can't do this! I'm everything you have! If I die, you'll have nothing!"

"Of course I can do this. I'm the master. You're just an illusion, an empty puppet, an Electronic Ghost. I don't care what you are, but today I'll make one thing clear: if I want you to live, you live. If I want you dead, you die.

I'll control your body, use your power, squeeze every last drop of value out of you, and profit from your death. Not a single one of your scales or bones will go to waste. You wanted to threaten me, didn't you? You wanted to control me, didn't you? Now let's see who destroys whom!"

Man and dragon glared at each other, feeling the other's fury and hatred. Then the Black Dragon suddenly laughed. "Hahahaha, you know, Mo Fei, you despicable little bastard, I suddenly find myself admiring you a little. Then let's wait and see who gets the last laugh."

With that, the Black Dragon's image vanished.

Mo Fei stared at the mirror, feeling slightly uneasy. Did that Black Dragon still have some trump card up his sleeve?

No, that guy was probably just bluffing. Whether in reality or in the game, he could only exert a slight influence on Mo Fei's mind. As long as Mo Fei stayed calm, that thing would not be able to pull any tricks.

Outside, Black Shadow set down the bottled water and looked around the room in confusion. "Brother Dragon, who were you talking to?"

Mo Fei shook his head. "Nothing. I was on the phone just now. If you're ready, then let's begin."

Mo Fei slowly opened his eyes. He climbed up from the cold floor and stretched his massive body.

This would probably be the last time he controlled the Ancient Black Dragon character. He could not help feeling conflicted.

But perhaps that was for the best. Rather than let you become a plaything of capital, I'd rather write the final stroke of your legendary tale myself. Ancient Black Dragon Murphys, your name will surely shake this world.

With that thought, he headed straight for the Lord's Hall.

At that moment, a meeting was still underway in the Lord's Hall, discussing the Dragon Calamity.

Telhorason (Black Dragon Lord): "I say we attack Alterac."

Agli Durum (Black Dragon Lord): "We attacked Alterac last year. That dump has practically no loot at all. We should attack Kul Tiras instead. Kul Tiras is a kingdom of maritime trade. Every port city has huge stockpiles of treasure. Take just one of them, and we'll strike it rich."

Somerfield (Black Dragon Lord): "Kul Tiras's navy just upgraded to the latest cannons. Their firepower is incredibly strong, and they can target aerial units. Last month, I raided a fleet, and several of my drakes were shot down. I nearly got blasted out of the sky myself. We can attack Kul Tiras if you want, but I'm not joining the assault. I can provide air support, though."

Nefarian (Black Dragon Prince): "That's because you're too weak."

Somerfield (Black Dragon Lord): "What did you say?!"

Sartharion (Primordial Black Dragon): "Quiet, quiet. Nefarian, then do you have any constructive suggestions?"

Nefarian (Black Dragon Prince): "We don't need to limit our targets to human kingdoms. The cities of the Elven Kingdom, Quel'Thalas, possess even greater wealth. Why not..."

Agli Durum (Black Dragon Lord): "You just have your eye on the magical items those Elves carry, don't you? Hmph. That stuff is useless to me. Besides, Elven archery is formidable and not easy to deal with. If we attack Quel'Thalas, I can only serve as backup."

Moenthrisa (High Black Dragon Lord): "Why not attack Ironforge? Those Dwarves have been mining for thousands of years. Gold, mithril, thorium, adamantite, countless gems... With such immense wealth, why don't we..."

Kutlafist (Ancient Black Dragon): "Don't even consider a place like Ironforge. We Black Dragons can't stretch our wings in those mountains! If we absolutely must attack, I can only provide air support..."

After going around in circles, they still reached no conclusion. It was in the nature of Black Dragons: rush forward when there was profit to be made, hide when there was danger, refuse to do anything without benefits, and even when there were benefits, refuse to take the lead. Ideally, they could stay in the sky, breathe a little fire, cast a few Dragon Magic spells, watch others risk their lives below, then descend after the battle to collect the spoils. That would be perfect.

It would have been one thing if only one or two dragons thought that way, but if every Black Dragon Lord had the same mindset, it led to a very awkward outcome.

No matter which city anyone proposed attacking, someone would be dissatisfied, and someone would want to slack off.

Listening to these "young" Dragonkind speak, Sartharion sighed inwardly. Without Deathwing to take the lead, these crafty bastards were nothing but Rabble. Was the future of the Black Dragon Legion supposed to rest on them...? It did not look promising.

Sartharion (Primordial Black Dragon): "Then perhaps we should attack Alterac after all..."

This time, no one objected. Alterac was famously the poorest of the seven human kingdoms, with the smallest population. Other than animal pelts and a small amount of ore, there was probably nothing worth looting.

Still, being poor had its advantages. It would be easy to conquer. This was a Dragon Calamity, after all. If there was no profit to be had, they could just kill some people, burn some cities, and have a bit of fun.

Just then, with a loud bang, Murphys burst in through the doors.

He swept his cold gaze across the Black Dragon Lords present.

Murphys (Ancient Black Dragon): "Hmph. You useless trash, look at yourselves. Squabbling and scheming over petty gains, greedy for life and afraid of death when faced with danger, thinking only of your own interests, with no regard for the ancient glory and sacred traditions of the Black Dragon Legion. You've nearly disgraced the entire Black Dragon race. Without Lord Deathwing's leadership, have you truly fallen so low?"