Chapter 98

An overwhelming shock as if his hand was about to be torn off.

The griffin residing within the Moon-White Sword seemed eager to break free and rampage.

Boom, boom, boom, boom, boom!

Magic power surged furiously from both the Dragon’s Heart and his dantian.

Yet, the Moon-White Sword seemed to think it wasn’t enough, as it even began to draw in the moonlight that had been scattering from the sky.

At that moment, as two dungeons collided, day and night intertwined, and the moon was shattering. The light spilling from the broken moon was absorbed entirely by the Moon-White Sword, creating a massive vortex.

Fwoooosh!

Ziiiiiing—

A sight as if the moon’s glowing ring had descended completely to the ground.

In that instant, Theo vaguely understood why this sword bore the name “Moon-White.”

[You have glimpsed part of the myth hidden within the Moon-White Sword.]

[The Guardian Griffin’s temper has further strengthened.]

A tremendous power began to surge through the Moon-White Sword.

Clang, clang!

‘No. Not yet.’

Theo pressed down the Moon-White Sword, which was ready to spring out of its sheath at any moment.

Even as he did, his eyes calmly followed the movements of the Fairy Dragon and the Desert Worm.

‘Just a little more…!’

Clang, clang, clang!

‘More!’

Ziiiiing!

As the clash between the two forces heightened, Theo noticed that the battle between the Fairy Dragon and the Desert Worm had slowed considerably compared to the beginning.

They were running out of stamina.

‘Now!’

With all his might, Theo swung the Moon-White Sword upward.

Fwoosh!

From below to above, a massive beam of light shot up into the sky.

The glowing ring followed the beam, intensifying its brilliance.

The moonlight pouring down from the sky illuminated the sword, making it appear as though the moon itself was guarding the Moon-White Sword.

Shhh, shhh, shhh—

The beam of light sliced through the head of the nearby Desert Worm with a sharp cut.

The creature, already heavily injured from its clash with the Fairy Dragon, had no time to resist.

Thud…!

Its headless body crashed lifelessly to the ground.

The severed area was so clean that no blood even leaked out properly.

Kyaaaah!

The other Desert Worms, realizing the beam’s presence, assumed a defensive posture, but—

Slice! Slice! Slice!

The Moon-White Sword, as if mocking them, swiftly slashed through their heads.

Where the beam of light passed, the phantom of a griffin appeared.

The creature, with the body of a lion, the tail of a dragon, and the wings of an eagle, moved gracefully through the moonlight, biting and clawing at the necks of the Desert Worms as it leaped and flew.

Was it enjoying the thrill of the hunt after such a long time?

Or perhaps it was relishing the act of devouring?

The griffin let out a long roar as it gazed at the shattered moon.

Crroooaaar!

As if proclaiming this place to be its territory.

When most of the Desert Worms had disappeared, the griffin’s gaze turned toward the Fairy Dragon.

「Human. I came to assist you. Why do you engage in such actions?」

The Fairy Dragon, sensing the griffin’s stare, turned to look at Theo, sending its thoughts directly into his mind.

The voice was as calm and reprimanding as possible.

But Theo couldn’t miss the urgency beneath it.

The Fairy Dragon, too, was severely injured and fatigued from the prolonged battle.

‘Assist? Yeah, right.’

Theo responded with a sneer, replacing words with the path of the Moon-White Sword.

His magic was rapidly depleting.

「Humaaaaan!」

The Fairy Dragon roared furiously, hurling all the wind and storms it could muster toward the griffin.

Pababak!

However, the griffin used the wind as a foothold, soaring effortlessly into the air before biting the Fairy Dragon’s neck in one swift motion.

Crunch!

「Human. You are a chosen one, so you understand my value. I advise you to choose wisely. Among the guardians appointed by the Primordial Dragon, I am renowned for my sharp intellect. I am well-versed in magic, and I can assist you in critical moments…!」

“Sorry, but I think you’ve got the order wrong.”

The Fairy Dragon, desperately trying to persuade Theo with its frantic voice, was cut short by Theo’s mocking words.

“I am the sole companion of the Guardian Dragon. And I will become the king who inherits the will of the Primordial Dragon, Ragnar.”

Theo’s gaze, far more fierce than the griffin’s, pierced through the trembling pupils of the Fairy Dragon.

“So, if you wanted to survive, you should’ve spoken of submission first.”

「……!」

“And yet, you dared to attempt a deal with your king. That’s treason.”

「N-no…!」

“You’ll repay it with your death.”

The Fairy Dragon’s protest didn’t last long.

Crunch—

The griffin tore off the neck it had clamped down on.

Gnash! Gnash!

As the griffin chewed and swallowed the Fairy Dragon, there was even a trace of a smile on its face.

[The Fairy Dragon has died.]

[All Desert Worms have become incapacitated.]

[You have achieved a remarkable feat that exceeds your current abilities. You have gained a substantial amount of experience points.]

[Level Up.]

[Level Up.]

[Congratulations! You have successfully completed Scenario Quest #3 with a score far exceeding the presented dungeon mission.]

[Rating: S+]

[As a reward, you have obtained ownership of two relics.]

[As an additional reward based on your rating, you have received 50 coins.]

[The previously locked category has opened due to the amount of coins you possess. New features have also been updated. Please check.]

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* * *

Theo snapped back to his senses, feeling as though his body had been forcefully ejected.

Zing, ziiiiiing!

The Moon-White Sword, now gripped in his hand, was violently trembling.

And from its pitch-black blade, ominous energy was spilling out.

Tsssss—

The energy wrapped itself around Theo’s right hand, emanating a sinister aura.

“Theo?”

Evelyn shouted, her face filled with alarm.

She had sensed the ominous change in Theo’s demeanor.

“Stop!”

Theo, forgetting that he should address Evelyn formally, forcibly halted her in her tracks.

His entire focus was now fixed on the Moon-White Sword.

Cold sweat trickled down his cheek.

“Just because you’ve filled your belly, you think you can challenge me?”

With a gaze imbued with spiritual power, Theo locked eyes on the sinister energy rapidly coursing toward his dantian and heart.

The Moon-White Sword was, by nature, a cursed sword brimming with malevolent energy.

It had a wicked disposition, craving to wield its master at will.

In his past life, only the Black Dragon could barely control it.

-I want you.

-I want to consume you.

-I shall follow the moonlight again.

Now, the sword had finally satisfied its hunger and regained its primal instincts.

Naturally, its next target was Theo.

But—

“Are you stupid, or are you just testing me?”

Theo was all too familiar with the Moon-White Sword and the griffin’s nature.

He had never trusted it from the beginning.

“I told you, if you want to live, you’d better submit first.”

Boom, boom, boom, boom, boom!

Theo’s heart pounded harder than ever, sending his blood rushing through his body.

Thanks to the Purge Cleansing Technique, the supply of magic power was effortless.

Fwoooosh!

At the same time, his earrings and ring gleamed with brilliant light.

-You killed us before.

-And now you seek us again when you need us?

The voices of the Fairy Dragon and the Desert Worm echoed angrily in his mind.

[‘Skill: Hatchling Synchronization’ is fiercely activated, awakening the guardians slumbering within the relics of the Primordial Dragon.]

Theo’s Brain Gate opened wider than ever before.

Gooooo!

And the blazing white heat surged through him.

[All additional stat points have been allocated to Intelligence.]

[Intelligence: 42 → 57]

[Your consciousness has expanded.]

The consciousness of the Fairy Dragon and the Desert Worm had fused with his own.

‘Let’s get the facts straight. I’m not the one seeking you out. You’re the ones being given the chance to serve me.’

With his increased [Intelligence] stat, their thoughts became much clearer to him.

-What…?

-How dare you say that after defeating us through underhanded means…!

‘I already told you. I am the only companion of Lothbrok. And I am the successor of your creator, Fafnir. How I handle you is entirely up to me. Or do you disagree?’

-…!

-…!

As the number of relics in Theo’s possession continued to grow, he realized he needed to establish a clear hierarchy.

Otherwise, chaos would inevitably follow, just like the Moon-White Sword’s attempted rebellion.

A ruler and their subjects.

A master and their tools.

That relationship had to be set from the beginning.

‘If you don’t like it, you’re free to refuse. I don’t intend to force anyone who dislikes me to serve as my vassal. And, of course, I won’t be seeking you out again.’

-….

-….

‘So decide. What will you do?’

Will you fully submit to me?

Or will you refuse and return to your slumber within the relic?

Theo gave them no choice but to decide.

-I will submit.

-I have no desire to return to that endless slumber.

The Fairy Dragon and the Desert Worm’s responses came back simply.

They had tried to resist, but from the moment they lost to Theo, they had acknowledged his strength.

Even though he had used the griffin, Theo’s victory was still his own, and they couldn’t deny that fact.

They believed it was worth lending him their power.

[The ‘Guardian: Fairy Dragon’ has acknowledged you as its true master.]

[As a reward, you have obtained the skill ‘Fairy Buff’.]

[The ‘Guardian: Desert Worm’ has sworn its obedience to you.]

[As a reward, you have obtained the skill ‘Worm Eater’.]

Ding!

Ding!

—

[Fairy Buff]

– Grade: C

– Mastery: 1%

– Effect: Increases immunity and resistance, and enhances magical talent through the blessing of the fairy.

—

[Worm Eater]

– Grade: C+

– Mastery: 1%

– Effect: Increases attack power in proportion to the opponent’s remaining health.

—

‘Perfect.’

One was a buff-type skill, and the other was an attack-type skill.

Theo actively activated both skills as he attempted to subdue the Moon-White Sword.

Fwoooosh—

The cold light from his earrings and ring flared up in unison.

A light even colder than that of the Moon-White Sword.

[‘Skill: Fairy Buff’ activated, using enhanced immunity to repel the malevolent energy.]

[‘Skill: Worm Eater’ activated, increasing attack power.]

Crack!

The combined assault of the two relics quickly pushed the malevolent energy out of the Moon-White Sword.

A blue light soon enveloped the sword.

-This can’t be…!

Crreeeeak—

With a voice full of regret, the griffin sank into the depths of Theo’s unconsciousness.

The turbulent thoughts faded away.

[‘Guardian: Griffin’ has bowed its head once again.]

Bzzzt! Bzzzzzt!

The three relics trembled slightly as they completed their submission.

Now, they each kept the others in check.

Even if one of them grew stronger, it would not be able to threaten Theo on its own.

The others would tear it apart if it tried.

Bzzzzzt…

“Haa…”

Theo let out a sigh of relief, but a satisfied smile crossed his face as he realized he had fully brought the relics under his control.

“What…?”

Only Evelyn, with a bewildered expression, was left staring at him in confusion.

—

Half-Blade Tomb.

Kyle, with his hands behind his back, strolled leisurely through the graves—or rather, the tomb-like space—and chuckled as he looked back.

“You seem to have been caught off guard, quite unlike you.”

Whooosh!

A small black lark was perched on the hilt of a sword.

Its face looked rather sulky.

“You didn’t seem pleased with how things turned out this time. Well, I can’t blame you. You practically had Ed by the throat, only to let him slip away right before your eyes. Hahaha!”

Kyle burst into a rare, hearty laugh.

The lark’s blunder had amused him greatly.

But the black lark was clearly furious.

Whooo! Whoooosh!

It flapped its small wings furiously, tapping the ground in frustration. It was clearly enraged.

“You really don’t need to be so upset. After all, you know better than anyone who’s behind Ed, don’t you?”

Ed Troyban.

Behind him stood the prestigious House of Troyban in the East, and beside them, the Sacred Demon Church.

But there was an even greater power looming behind them, something both Kyle and the lark knew very well.

It was also the reason Kyle remained bound to Winterer.

Whooo! Whooooosh!

“And you’re asking why I’ve left them alone all this time?”

Whooo!

“Hmm… Are you asking because you already know, or are you just pretending not to?”

Whoo, whooo!

Kyle stroked his chin, the playful expression he had while teasing the black lark vanishing without a trace.

“Berry.”

His voice had become solemn.

The black lark, which had been flapping around wildly, immediately quieted down.

Berry.

It was the childhood name that hardly anyone remembered anymore.

“As you know… I wish for this House of Ragnar to continue for eternity. I want it to shine brilliantly, just as it always has. The vow we made that day, beneath the peach tree—between you, me, Julius, and Osa—still drives me forward.”

Kyle clasped his hands behind his back again, strolling between the graves in the Half-Blade Tomb.

“So, all of this is necessary for Ragnar to continue and to shine. A being without challenges is bound to decay eventually.”

The black lark remained silent.

This man’s perspective is truly unlike that of ordinary people.

It had known this for a long time, but today, the feeling resonated with unusual intensity.

“Furthermore, you know as well as I do that their strength, in the long run, is also our strength. Ragnar’s growth mirrors theirs.”

……

The black lark chirped no further.

“So, even if we are in an adversarial relationship, I could not completely cast them aside. That would be akin to abandoning the Geass oath I swore long ago.”

Kyle smiled faintly again as he glanced at the black lark.

“So, don’t hold a grudge against me just because I didn’t follow your wishes. Don’t resent me for leaving them alone all this time. I don’t want to be resented by you, too.”

The black lark turned its head sharply, unable to meet Kyle’s gaze any longer.

Whooo, whooo.

Its small mannerisms looked almost like it was grumbling, and Kyle couldn’t help but chuckle.

“Enough of these troublesome topics. Let’s talk about Theo. It seems your previous worries about him have all but vanished. Julius has been grumbling, saying you’ve become completely captivated by him, in a way that’s very unlike you.”

Whoo…!

At the mention of “Julius,” the black lark let out a light, derisive chirp, as if scoffing.

Kyle, feeling delighted by the rare moment of lighthearted news, laughed cheerfully.

The fact that the child who had so thoroughly captivated his sworn brothers was his own son brought Kyle immense satisfaction.

‘For now… yes. I suppose he’s earned a passing grade.’

He hoped that Theo would continue to maintain his current mindset.

Of course, he knew very well that it wasn’t as simple as it sounded.

Given the power of regression at his disposal, anyone would be tempted to use it freely.

And, naturally, the moment that happened, the trust he and the Black Dragon had painstakingly built would shatter into pieces.

‘Now that I think about it, it’s been a while since I last saw him.’

Perhaps it wouldn’t be a bad idea to meet with him again, to have another conversation.

As long as he didn’t abuse the power of regression, Theo would become an invaluable weapon for the House of Ragnar.

Kyle stroked his chin, his face full of intrigue.

Because of this, he didn’t realize that a faint smile had crept across his lips.