Chapter 203: Chapter 203 Blessing (3)

Blessing (3)

Blessing (3)

The Dragon’s Blessing.

One of the several characteristics that make the Dragonkin an OP race. But unlike Dragon Speech, this blessing can be engraved on other races too.

However, I received it less than ten times in the game.

You could only get it after building a certain level of friendship with the Dragonkin and clearing a hidden quest.

‘If you chose the Dwarves, who have a bad relationship with them, you couldn’t even try.’

Of course, I’m a barbarian, not a dwarf, but I had practically given up on the ‘blessing’.

The conditions for the ‘hidden quest’ itself were insane, and from what I found out, the ‘hidden quest’ itself has disappeared in the current era.

It’s been 150 years since the game’s world setting.

The history books stated that the problem, which was a headache for the Dragonkin, had already been solved by a hero.

‘Wait a minute, if it can be done like this, doesn’t it mean that other things aren’t completely impossible?’

I organized my thoughts, recalling a few hidden pieces that were already blocked. Maybe I could obtain them through other routes.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

No, even if that’s not the case…

Things that were completely blocked by the system in the game.

For example…

“Just in case, you can’t choose multiple blessings. Your body wouldn’t be able to handle it, as a barbarian.”

“What do you mean my body wouldn’t be able to handle it?”

“Literally. You’ll die.”

Hmm, so that’s not possible.

Although it seems like she would try if I insisted…

…I wasn’t going to be that stubborn.

The price is my life.

Even among the Dragonkin, only a few, excluding the Dragonkin man, have engraved more than two blessings.

It means it’s very burdensome on the body.

“So, have you decided? I can give you more time if you need it.”

“No, it’s fine. I’ll go with this one.”

I shook my head and grinned.

Because I already made my decision before coming here.

The Sea Dragon’s Blessing.

This is definitely not it.

Although MP is an important resource, I won’t be lacking if I manage it well while hunting.

And in the first place, I’m not a sorcerer.

Having just enough is sufficient.

In that sense…

The Volcano Dragon’s Blessing.

This isn’t bad.

Since my skills are built around synergy, the performance enhancement won’t just be limited to 30%.

But…

“I’ll receive the Earth Dragon’s Blessing.”

I ultimately judged that it’s better to increase stats than skills.

The reason is simple.

Many of my skills use stats as a coefficient. If my stats increase by 20%, it’s practically the same as enhancing the performance of my skills by that much.

“Good choice. Are you mindful of that guy?”

The Dragonkin man nodded at my choice.

He seems to think I chose this because I’m wary of the Dragonslayer, so I just agree.

It’s not like I wasn’t thinking about him.

[Soul Silence]

This OP Dragon Speech that the Dragonslayer, Regal Vagos, possesses reduces your MP to zero, preventing you from using skills.

That’s why I had to fight him with my bare hands.

However, if you asked me if that was the main reason for my choice, the answer would be no.

The Earth Dragon’s Blessing has a hidden effect.

‘But there’s no way they don’t know about that…’

I narrowed my eyes, looking at the Dragonkin man and the child.

I’m not particularly offended.

They wouldn’t tell a member of another race about that.

In the first place, I don’t need that kind of consideration.

“Then it’s settled. I’ll leave you two alone.”

The Dragonkin man left as soon as the decision was made.

With a smug smile.

“Have a good time with my daughter.”

No, that sounds weird.

______________________

After the Dragonkin man left…

…the child and I talked until nightfall. The main topic was my exploration experiences so far.

“Do I really have to talk about myself?”

“It’s better if you do. I told you before, didn’t I? Words have power. It’s easier for me to feel your wavelength since it’s the path you’ve walked.”

“If that’s the case…”

I also thought it would be better than just rambling on, so I told him my story, filtering out some parts.

Although it hasn’t even been a year since I became an explorer, there were more stories to tell than I expected.

Is that why?

“It’s almost evening, are we almost done?”

We even had dinner while talking, and it was already evening.

But is it not enough to engrave the blessing yet?

“…Not yet. Your wavelength is strangely difficult to read. Hmm, right… so just continue where you left off.”

“Where did I leave off?”

“The Doppelganger Forest. You met other explorers and realized that some of them were from the underground city.”

Since we’ve been talking all day after coming here in the afternoon, we’ve already reached my recent journey.

There’s nothing left to talk about after this.

I’m a bit worried, but fortunately, it seems like he doesn’t need to read my wavelength any further.

“Hmm, I think this is enough.”

“That means?”

“Follow me. I’m going to engrave the blessing on you now.”

I follow the child and see a cave hidden behind a thin cloth.

A cave connected to the temple wall…

‘This feels like an exploration.’

We walk for a few minutes, and a space that seems to be about 10 square meters appears.

It’s a cavern with a bed and a few pieces of furniture.

A jewel embedded in the ceiling emits a faint light and smoke, creating a mystical atmosphere.

“Lie down here.”

“The bed is too small for me.”

“······.”

“Just lie down on the floor.”

I lie down on the floor, as expected of a barbarian. The child chuckles and then starts preparing to engrave the blessing on me.

It doesn’t take long.

Although it takes the form of a tattoo, the essence of the blessing lies in the shaman’s special ability.

“Where should I engrave it?”

“How big is it?”

“This much.”

The child opens his palm and shows me.

It’s much smaller than I expected.

“Does the location matter?”

“No, it doesn’t. But why?”

“I want to engrave it somewhere that’s not visible.”

It’s a blessing from another race, after all.

It would be a big problem if the barbarians see it before I become the chieftain and change the tribe’s conservative rules.

“…Somewhere that’s not visible?”

The child’s gaze naturally shifts to one spot, as if he’s realized something.

And he makes a troubled expression.

“I, I don’t think I can do it there…”

I follow his gaze and look down, and I’m truly shocked.

No, seriously, who would get a tattoo there?

“…I, I can do it on your butt.”

What is he talking about?

“Forget it, do it here.”

I tell him the spot I had in mind from the beginning.

“The sole of your foot? Ah, I see…”

This world has a Western culture.

They wear shoes even indoors, so they rarely take them off.

The child, who seems to understand, then expresses his doubt.

“But can’t we just engrave it small among your other tattoos? It wouldn’t be noticeable. You said you always wear armor.”

“The shaman will notice.”

“Ah, right.”

Of course, judging by the shaman’s personality, he wouldn’t say anything about it.

But I want to hide it as much as possible.

I don’t know how things will turn out, and the shaman is strangely suspicious.

“Then it’s settled. Shall we begin?”

“Of course.”

“It will be quite painful.”

“It’s fine, just finish it quickly.”

I’m not too worried, despite the child’s warning.

Would it be as painful as the Spirit Engraving?

Even if it’s the kind of pain that Pain Resistance doesn’t work on, I’m not afraid.

“I’m a barbarian.”

A barbarian.

A being who always moves forward through struggle.

“Hmm, really?”

The child smiles meaningfully and then conjures a white flame on his index finger.

And…

Sizzle!

…he presses the flame against the sole of my foot and says,

“You can scream.”

Ah, really?

「The Earth Dragon’s Blessing has been imbued into the character’s soul.」

「All additional stats are increased by 20%.」

I shout with all my might.

“Kyaaaaaaaaaak!!”

This isn’t the time to worry about my barbarian pride.

__________________

「Bjorn Yandel」

Level: 5

Physical: 555 / Mental: 198 / Ability: 191

Item Level: 3,068

Total Combat Index: 1,907.6 (New +176.6)

Acquired Essences: Corpse Golem - Rank 7 / Orc Hero - Rank 5 / Ogre - Rank 3 / Manticore - Rank 5

__________________

The process of engraving the Earth Dragon’s Blessing on the sole of my foot was short.

Did it take about 3 minutes?

It’s practically a blink of an eye compared to the Spirit Engraving, which could take hours.

However, the total time spent was similar.

I passed out as soon as it was over.

“You’re awake?”

I slowly open my eyes and see the child sitting against the wall, reading a book.

“…I must have fallen asleep.”

“Not fainted?”

“······.”

“You’re funny.”

I ignore the child’s mockery and check the time first.

9:00 AM.

It’s already time to start a new day.

“Drink this.”

I gulp down the water the child gave me and sit up.

Although I’m mentally exhausted, I feel a surge of energy in my body.

Well, it’s only natural since my stats increased by 20%.

I’m already excited.

I only have three essences above 5th grade, excluding the Corpse Golem.

Just filling up those spots will increase my stats as much as absorbing one high-grade essence.

“Kid.”

“It’s Penitaseauro.”

He doesn’t like being called a kid?

“Right, Penitasaur.”

Although I call him by his name, it feels strange.

Is it a person’s name or a dinosaur’s name…?

“…Just call me Pen.”

“Alright, Pen. So, is it over now?”

“Yeah. It went well. But just in case, come back when you have time. It’s my first time doing this on another race, so there might be side effects.”

“Okay, if I have time.”

“Make time. I already told my dad.”

I roughly agree and then leave the cave with Pen. And I ask for the Dragonkin man’s location to go back.

“My dad will be where you first met him. Should I guide you?”

“I can find him myself.”

I’m confident in memorizing paths after receiving navigator lessons from Rotmiller.

Therefore, just as I’m about to leave…

“Sorry.”

…I hear a voice from behind.

“Huh?”

“I’m sorry. For yesterday… for saying you were ugly.”

I chuckle.

I can’t tell if it’s an apology or another jab…

…but I decide to just state the facts, like a mature adult.

“I’m not ugly.”

“What?”

“I’m handsome.”

Pen stares at me and then nods slightly.

“…Okay.”

It seems like I successfully instilled a proper sense of aesthetics before he was corrupted by the world.

“See you later. I’ll tell you more stories then.”

“…Okay.”

I then part ways with Pen and find the Dragonkin man.

And after returning Dragonslayer, I return to the sewers through Dragon Speech.

The familiar stench of sewage makes me lose my appetite.

I briefly consider going back and sleeping…

…but I quickly move my feet.

‘It’s really connected to the city.’

Just as Amelia said, I follow the secret passage and reach an exit connected to the city.

It’s the 8th district, next to the 7th district where I live.

I was originally planning to meet Misha and Ainar and catch up…

…but I’m too tired.

‘I’ll see them in a few days anyway…’

I cover my face with the hood I prepared and buy the skewers Jingjing requested before returning.

“Here are the skewers from the shop you mentioned. I ordered the spiciest ones, like a man.”

“…….”

“Why are you so quiet? Aren’t you happy?”

“…I’m happy.”

“Your voice is too quiet.”

“Thank you!!!”

Jingjing expresses his joy loudly, making my efforts of buying them while exhausted worthwhile.

I’m relieved, seeing him like this.

The warning that I can come back anytime should be enough. Bifron won’t return to its previous state just because I’m gone.

“Are you crying?”

“The skewers are spicy… that’s why…”

“Tsk. That’s why you’re going bald, crying so easily.”

“Yes, sir…”

“I’m going to sleep now, don’t wake me up.”

I spend almost the entire day sleeping as soon as I return, and I continue to rest comfortably, enjoying my last vacation.

Time passes, and that day finally arrives.

“Behel—laaaaaaaaaa!!!!!”

The end of my short but long exile.

I head towards the city wall, receiving a warm farewell from all my gathered subordinates. And I say goodbye to Jingjing.

“I’ll visit sometimes.”

“Yes, sir! I’ll be waiting!”

Jingjing seems to have regained his composure compared to the first day.

I emphasize once again that only the two of us know about the secret passage, and then I call for the guard at the wall.

“Bjorn, son of Yandel. Confirmed.”

I enter the checkpoint and go through a simple identification process, and the guard opens the other gate of the double-door structure.

“The knight from the Moselan left a message. He said not to cause any more trouble.”

Trouble my ass.

I was imprisoned here because of their circumstances, even though it should have ended with a fine. I grumble and enter the city, taking a deep breath.

The air feels different here.

And the sunlight feels unusually warm today.

‘…But why is there no one here?’

I stand still on the street, having returned to the city after 20 days of exile.

Several minutes pass, but my companions don’t appear.

Tsk, I expected them to at least come and greet me.

‘Well, they didn’t know what time I would be coming out.’

I quickly hail a carriage and head towards the inn.

And as soon as I arrive, I knock on Misha’s door.

Bang, bang!

The door doesn’t open no matter how many times I knock.

And I don’t hear any sounds from inside.

‘What? Did she go out?’

Maybe she went to greet me and we missed each other.

That’s when…

Creak.

…a door opens.

It’s not Misha’s room, but Ainar’s.

“Bjorn…!!!!”

Ainar greets me hurriedly, as if she just woke up.

I feel a sense of dissonance.

‘What?’

At first, it was just an instinct, but I soon realized the cause of the dissonance.

If Misha had gone to greet me, Ainar wouldn’t be here alone.

She would have brought her along.

“Why…! Why are you so late!!”

Something happened while I was gone.