Chapter 316
Chapter 316
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 316
Chapter Title: Tip & Story 1
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00316 Tip & Story 1
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Since the chapter wrapped up, I was going to post this in the work settings, but some readers said it was hard to find because it was scattered around. So I'm bundling it all into one post. I was planning to put it only in the afterword, but it exceeded 80kb and wouldn't upload all at once.
No choice but to attach it after the content and afterword.
This is just a compilation of everything posted so far, so you can skip it without any issue.
Feel free to pass. Sorry to those who came for continuous reading—I'll try to write one more chapter if possible.
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*Tip 1~29
Tip1. Traits and skills are given five slots each to all NPCs except players. Completing achievement-like quests or for special NPCs can unlock additional slots, but the maximum is 10 slots.
Tip2. Talents may already be developed based on innate ability or can be developed through effort. As sub-concepts of skills and traits, the number obtainable is unlimited.
Tip3. Mercenary badges are divided into copper, silver, white silver, gold, and platinum.
Copper badges are for novice mercenaries starting from basic apprentices.
Silver badges are for skilled mercenaries.
White silver badges are for the top among skilled mercenaries.
Gold badges are given to those among the top white silver holders with leadership, character, and honor, qualifying them to form mercenary bands. Most gold badge owners lead mercenary groups.
However, the highest platinum badge is the true badge of honor, possessed only by [Spirit Sword Owners].
Even nobles or knights who look down on mercenaries change their tune if the target holds a platinum badge. They might even shower them with favors to win their favor.
Tip4. In this world, there are beings who take the place of gods.
In the Demon Realm, they are called Sovereigns; in the Heavenly Realm, Holy Kings. They are believed and followed by humans and various other races alike. But far more follow the Holy Kings.
That's because while the Demon Realm is full of vicious monsters, the Heavenly Realm is mostly populated by beautiful and handsome beings. Which side would you choose?
Tip5. Bonus stats rise randomly up to your potential limit when you perform special actions or achieve something. But repeating the same action or exceeding certain stat thresholds makes further gains rare.
Of course, if luck is on your side, even mundane actions can yield stats.
Because this game, like all games, is a luck-based trash game.
Good luck.
Tip6. Sometimes, the stick is the way.
Tip7. A Spirit Sword means overlaying a new edge on weapons like swords, spears, or arrows using mana. But adding a new edge to a blade is basic for warriors, akin to body reinforcement.
However, the basic mana blades warriors create only enhance sword durability and sharpness. They can't be projected.
Spirit Swords are different. Unlike faint gleams, they shine vividly and can be projected with enough power to shatter city gates. A realm where even rocks slice like tofu. That's a Spirit Sword.
And those who wield such Spirit Swords, we call them—with honor—
Spirit Sword Owners.
Tip8. Trust levels: 0 (Neutral) → 30 (Belief) → 50 (Friend) → 70 (Trust) → 100 (Friendship), and -30 (Caution) → -50 (Danger) → -70 (Distrust) → -100 (Betrayal).
Tip9. Favor levels: 0 (Neutral) → 30 (Interest) → 50 (Attention) → 70 (Lover) → 100 (Spouse), and -30 (Dislike) → -50 (Revulsion) → -70 (Hostility) → -100 (Murderous Intent).
Tip10. Balancing trust and favor is crucial. If they drop sharply into negative stages, brace for the worst: betrayal from allies. At least that softens the shock.
Tip11. 1 gold coin = 1 million won, 1 silver coin = 10,000 won. 1 copper coin = 1,000 won.
Tip12. Item grades: Common (white) - Rare (green) - Treasure (purple) - Unique (magenta) - Ancient (orange) - Legendary (yellow).
Tip13. Bloodstained clothes? Add a spoonful of "Foreign Substance Remover Detergent" sold at the Magic Tower to your wash. There's also a spray version—buy it before heading out!
Tip14. Magical beasts are beings that crossed from the Demon Realm and settled in the Middle Realm. Think invasive species. They possess a special substance called magic stones in their bodies, using them to reinforce physiques, spew flames, emit cold, and manifest special powers.
Tip15. Magical beasts settling in the Middle Realm plunged the world into chaos, but it's not all bad. We used their magic stones to bloom a new civilization, enriching our lives. We're eternal foes to magical beasts, but we need them for our prosperity.
Tip16. This world has beings who replace gods. Called Sovereigns in the Demon Realm and Holy Kings in the Heavenly Realm, they wield massive influence over the Middle Realm. Following them sometimes grants powers matching their dispositions.
Tip17. Players recover health and fatigue faster by eating. Especially if it's expensive, greasy, and delicious! So eat freely. Tasty food = 0 kcal!
Tip18. Items are subdivided by skill count and attack power.
Common (white): ≤1 skill on weapon.
Rare (green): ≤3 skills.
Unique (magenta): ≤5 skills.
Ancient (orange): ≤7 skills.
Legendary (yellow): ≤10 skills.
Grades determine skill capacity. Even legendaries might have just 1 skill, though unlikely.
Subdivision by attack/defense: [Ordinary Item → Fine Product → Treasure → Mythic].
For swords with attack power:
≥10: [Ordinary Sword].
≥40: [Fine Sword].
≥100: [Treasure Sword].
≥150: [True Sword].
≥200: [Divine Sword].
Tip19. Boss monsters have special skills and patterns. To conquer, analyze patterns and skills first!
Tip20. Injured teammate? Recruit a priest! They heal wounds instantly, amplify abilities with blessings, and shield allies with barriers! Priests' holy magic is the most complete.
Of course, some priests don't look the part.
...We shouldn't judge by appearances, right?
Tip21. Promotion from copper to silver, silver to white silver, white silver to gold differs for mercenaries and adventurers.
Copper to silver: Complete varied missions like escorts, errands, beast slays a set number of times.
Silver to white silver: Handle mana, prove skill with major missions. "Skilled" becomes "Elite Adventurer/Mercenary."
White silver to gold: Many conditions. Mission count/type less important. After 10+ years, guilds review leadership, character, honor, etc., confirm intent, then test. Passers get gold badges and band-forming rights.
Gold to platinum: Simple. Become a [Spirit Sword Owner], and guilds gift platinum badges. Easy, right?
Tip22. Spirit Sword Owners aren't just sword masters. Any weapon—spear, bow, sword, dagger—surpassing limits qualifies. They're beyond human.
How? Simple.
Daily: 100 push-ups, 100 sit-ups, 100 squats, 10km run. Master any weapon skill to level 50. Anyone can (lol).
Assuming you're a player.
Tip23. Magic swordsmen have specialized elements, but personality doesn't match. Fire users aren't hot-tempered; ice users aren't cold. They're people too.
Tip24. Magic swordsmen aren't trash even with high strength. Mainstream is strength magic! (Don't believe it.)
Tip25. Some item, title, skill effects stack. Favor especially efficient on certain NPCs. Reason to chase titles.
Tip26. When author's post goes up, wait 5 minutes before reading. High chance of edits/additions!
Tip27. Higher strength and stamina boost defense. Why idiots with just stamina survive!
Tip28. Met a dragon head? Caught it? Congrats! Rare spawns among monsters/beasts drop better items than your current gear! Luck-based game though. For the unlucky, find hunter Man-deok in Baekje Empire.
Tip29. Not all angels are good, not all demons evil. Test the waters—who knows who helps? Or both enemies.
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*Story 1~14
#Setting 1. 「Cyan」
Cyan, that name signifies the first Sovereign of the Demon Realm and its true ruler—a great name.
The supreme being with authority over space and a sturdy body matching it: three heads and tails, three pairs of wings, and a massive yet agile frame. He resembles a dragon at a glance.
Hence the theory he's the dragon race's progenitor, though most dragons deny it. Unlike other Sovereigns, he's truly deified by all Demon Realm existences.
His presence is so overwhelming he doesn't leave his domain, unlike <Bell-Terza>—for different reasons. Knowing his immense, dangerous power, he sealed part of his existence—his body—in subspace, living via a frail human vessel.
Yet none dare challenge him.
Some say he's why other dimensions, including the Heavenly Realm, hesitate to unite against the Demon Realm.
Despite this power, his life is mundane.
Loving freedom unlike other Sovereigns or Holy Kings, he disguises as a common adventurer, traveling the Middle Realm. He seeks famous eateries, enjoys food, appears before chess lovers for games, then vanishes like a dream—earning the moniker [Chess God].
Rumor has it those who meet him see their chess skills jump a level—believe it or not.
#Setting 2. 「Knight's Nation - Phloria」
Phloria is a neutral nation of knights valuing arms, honor, and conviction. Officials are incorruptible, people kind, land fertile with abundant resources. Everyone wants to live there, drawing invasions, but they repelled foes with prowess and wisdom, unscathed.
Fearing future attacks, knights and citizens trained relentlessly, staying vigilant. But prolonged peace dulled tension, breeding complacency. Leaders recognized the issue.
After deliberation, they hosted martial tournaments in capital <Aslan> by skill level, becoming Phloria tradition and continent-wide honor.
The [Flag Tournament] divides into five:
First, [Green Flag] for newcomers.
Next, [Blue Flag] for any Green participant.
Green/Blue winners enter [Red Flag]; famed ones skip Blue directly, if universally recognized. Red winners enter [Black Flag]. All tournaments.
Green every 4 months, Blue semiannually, Red yearly, Black biennially. Rewards grand, but Black's special: most winners Spirit Sword Owners, so fitting.
The [Medal of Glory]. Holders qualify for ultimate [Golden Flag], every 8 years, ranking participants—national pride stakes. But entrants ignore ranks.
Spirit Sword Owners relish pure clashes with peers/superiors; others, learning from them.
Thus, Medal holders flock to Aslan's Golden Flag. Wars halt continent-wide; warring nations truce during.
└Hall of Fame: Black Flag winners' gear and statues.
└Hall of Glory: Luxury inn.
#Setting 3. 「Fifth Fragment - Glory's Valentine」
Among Pernern's scattered Middle Realm fragments, many covet the ring <Valentine>. Its antique look alone screams value, but possessing it twists fate.
For outliers like Pernern, it boosts mana and magic talent/speed. For lesser beings, it grants wealth, honor, magic aptitude.
Talented owners reach higher realms.
Unlucky? Mediocre life or death before success. Rest easy: past owners rose high, gained fame via adventure, snagged beauty and skill in spouses.
Yet owners describe lives as profoundly miserable. Most owner-churned fragment.
Current owner: rumored Uroon Kingdom's Jenner Earl, unconfirmed. But sudden family revival, stunning wife, high magic swordsman at 35 fuels speculation.
He's thriving still.
Many prefer thick/short life, challenging for fragment—charred by his flame magic.
Ready to challenge? Failure: charcoal. Success: silk road life.
If life's cheap, worth a shot.
#Setting 4. 「Calypso's Nightmare」
Sought power for empire's victory.
Served Lord of the Dead Bell-Terza, wielding wraiths to lead to triumph. Indeed.
But no honors/wealth revived war-dead wife, son.
In emptiness, relived irreplaceable memories.
Too late, dug graves—corpses rotted to foul bones. Revival desire vanished.
Lost greed for glory/wealth.
Aimless, boozed daily in pallor.
Then it happened.
Wraiths pierced mental barriers, encroaching. From fragmented words to intent conveyance.
Whispered relentlessly in reality/dreams. Slipped control.
Borrowed Bell-Terza's power over dead/wraiths, yet now unsure.
Am I wielding the dead, or they me?
Nightly crises, teetering.
Lost consciousness, slaughtered mansion staff. None complained, but dangerous.
No attachments left... yet.
This land guarded via wife/son's deaths.
This land secured via empire victories.
Couldn't let crumble.
Tidied affairs, fled to Calypso's Langritsa Tower.
Black mage but empire honor-noble, tower folk untouched; bought land easily.
Shunned eyes.
Land included hill; summoned artisans for mid-slope house, dug tunnel/cave rooms. Worshipped Bell-Terza like priest.
But when?
I, corrupted by wraiths, unwittingly did strange acts.
Hauled corpses from nameless village graveyard, revived wraiths; lured adventurers with kind face, killed/resurrected repeatedly.
Why?
Meaning?
Right/wrong irrelevant, wraiths whispered.
-Preparation to revive buried wife/son deep in heart. Success restores purpose/meaning.
Really?
Wraiths tempted: Dead wife/son await your revival.
Ear hung on whispers.
But rotten, bones scarce—how revive?
Killing adventurers, handling corpses: pointless.
New bones/flesh? Truly my wife/son?
Meaningful?
Wraiths again:
-Indeed meaningless. Summon Bell-Terza here? He'd open path.
Yes—thus, this strange land.
Calypso became quiet nightmare.
#Setting 5. 「Land of Magic, Calypso」
Calypso overflows mana beyond others, famed as magic swordsmen's land. No king curiously. Instead, tower lords like acknowledged 'Langritsa Tower' protect/tend it.
Just 200 years ago, barely continental influence. Tower lords' might prevented disdain, but Pernern fragments scattered, magic stone beasts emerged, new era.
Developed semi-permanent magic circuits via stones, collabed with <Mantium>'s engineering: revolutionary fridge for food, useful goods sold vast wealth. Calypso rose, but unlike empire, apathetic to foreign land/politics—no change.
Dungeons abound vs. others. Personalism: Mages seek remote mountains/valleys undisturbed. Dig lairs, set traps/guards, mind-control beasts, solo research.
Death turns lair dungeon. No gold/silver tales, but sell research/magic books to towers for cash—treasure aplenty.
Not all eccentric: Naturalize empires/kingdoms for wealth/honor; merc/adventurer travel; skilled become local lords.
#Setting 6. 「Bell-Terza」
Sixth Sovereign <Bell-Terza>: Death incarnate.
King of Ghosts, Eternal Lord, Chewer of Solitude—feared by all life.
Other Sovereigns unafraid: Death alien, conquerable.
Unless carving hearts like Pernern.
For lesser than Sovereigns/Holy Kings, terrifyingly potent.
Even fear-immune demons/beasts avoid domain; none covet his seat.
Eternal bone body drains ambient life force subtly, despite suppression. Origin lush Demon Realm land now barren.
Sealed to halt absorption, but barrenness persists—harsh for life. Desires life flow: Crafts fake flowers/trees, soul-infused dolls experimentally.
Dolls hyper-realistic, lifelike unless scrutinized. Pernern-taught basics solid, decades hobby reached artisan mastery. Humans, elves, beasts—no limits.
Rumor: Pernern eyed his heart-carved artifacts, requested one—firmly refused.
#Setting 7. 「Mercenary Nation Rizen」
Rizen mercenaries famed for skill—reasoned.
Unlike knightly Aslan's minerals/honor, scenic Uroon, gambling culture; no mana-rich mages like Calypso.
Mountain-filled, fruits/beasts only food, scant plains limit harvests. Asset: Vast population.
Mountain-born/fed, beast-fighting survivors in harsh uncertainty. Quick heirs mindset: Much sex.
Capable/strong men/women multiple spouses possible. Women rarer stronger innately. Kids roam mountains young, fight beasts/fierce animals.
Many die, survivors thrive/possess much. Centuries so.
Tribes allied federation; population boom sent warriors as mercs abroad.
Rizen mercs superior stamina/combat, excelled missions, proved worth. Honored contracts unless mistreated, diligent unto death. Rizen famed for mercs.
#Setting 8. 「Blessed Yet Corrupted Nation」
Uroon: God's blessed land. Double-yield fields, majestic peaks' abundant rivers, paradise—sole flaw: Scarce minerals.
Abundant food, mild climate...
Enjoyed vistas leisurely—became slothful.
Uroon folk no fools: Eyed Phloria, knew power guards bounty.
But minerals short for troops/knights needing imported iron—turned magic. Few block many: Merit.
Magic needs talent: Mages become power bloc, nobles shifted.
Gained defense, sank into revelry.
Lavish buildings, tunes, fine booze/food, curvaceous beauties slaves, gambling, nature tours... Uroon famed culture/revelry, drew rich nobles/merchants.
Must-visit if born here.
Old/young: Visit yields lifelong pub tales.
Save coin.
Come earthly paradise Uroon.
Unseen culture/revelry awaits.
Ah, money not all. Crimes like murder/arson/robbery? No life left—beware.
#Setting 9. 「Elven Forest's Mysterious Guardian」
Pernern eyed neatly shelved vials.
Mana-reinforced, rune-etched: Impact-proof. Inside, heart fragment glowed subtly.
Carved into six swords, one ring—seven artifacts. Mad even now. Few years left, curiosity/boredom: Demon Realm's untouchable tore own heart.
Recall: Pulsing heart in hand—ecstasy over death fear. Proved existence/life. Maniac laugh.
Sovereign flesh survived carving—weakened only.
Pernern craved indelible trace across realms, beyond Demon Realm.
Demon Realm respects now, but rival Heavenly Realm not; Middle Realm weaklings deem him lesser Sovereign.
Rectify: Instill fear.
Initially traces; now, with scant life, eternal coveted artifacts for memory.
'What to craft?'
Seven treasures done, pondered—no force. Centuries left yet.
Lazed, then hunted overambitious demons claiming seat. Confident foes knelt at gesture.
'Tiresome.'
Dealing trash: Annoying.
'Need sentinel.'
Loyal, unbetrayable guardian.
Like others' Seven Deadly Sins.
For sky island: Reliable sentinel. Sparked eighth fragment [Lüsen Ardahan].
Gathered toughest Demon Realm rock/mount, rare metals, high beast blood/bone. Knowledge total: Designed, reviewed rites.
Self-repair if broken.
Autonomous judgment varied scenarios.
Countless errors/tests: Core [Lüsen Ardahan], 24 sub-bodies <Akan> done. Self-regen, auto-judge, battle sense exceeded. Heart fragment birthed odd self somehow.
No vocals; fragment mana weak for subs. Temporarily fueled subs via other fragments; later, Pernern-use giant spear vs. mega-beasts.
Anyway, Lüsen/Akan guarded sky isle superbly.
Until Pernern dropped 24 fragments to Middle Realm.
Eighth [Lüsen Ardahan] crashed elven world tree forest.
Ancient noble high elf Sword Star <Via> lived there. Met fallen Lüsen—sky-high drop cratered forest side, intact.
Elves wary: Demon Sovereign's fragment-golem realized quick. Couldn't act. Bury? It emerged. Seal? Failed. Left be.
Post: Unknown handling. But Sword Star <Via> as owner: Fact.
Then empire-like kingdom.
<Silan>, slave kingdom: Conquered neighbors, sold nobles/peasants elves sky-high wealth.
Mass troops for more costly elves. Split entry; one baited Sword Star Via with Bow Star merc.
Silan awaited victory. Ignored <Lüsen>.
Eternal sentinel stirred first at human entry, elf bustle. World tree mana seeped, sub-space opened: 24 <Akan>.
Eight <Akan> trailed Sword Star Via; 16 followed Lüsen.
Bow Star vs. Sword Star: Sudden forest rush, pierced Silan rearguard. Sensed wrong, no retreat.
Main Silan captured elves amid duel. Elf magic/archery threatening, but outnumbered/outclassed knights/mages too perfect; captured kin hampered.
No trained army, just village guards—no counter. Then 16 <Akan> appeared.
Armored knight-form <Akan>: Silan elites flinched, countered. Spirit Sword-tier knights/mages assaulted—slaughter. Tree-boosted <Akan> overwhelming.
10m Lüsen: Will broke. Golems slew humans only, tireless hunt. Scattered humans elf-prey reverse.
Even Bow Star slain by Via; routed Silan remnants fled ragged. Silan declined, rebellions, eyed by empires.
Elf slaves desire unabated—value skyrocketed, more greedy traders. Most vanished.
Rare survivors sold elves; noble asked re-entry confidence.
"Easy second?" Shook head:
- Steel guardians protect/coexist with elves.
Vowed no return. Yet tales draw greedy.
#Setting 10. 「Secret Knight Order - Radiance」
Silan power-holders Yes family secret order.
Past head Arman Yes ordered then-subhead 'Aquila Yes Duke' recruit elites.
Core: Kingdom-top Steel Knights captain, top Silan adventurers/mercs. Managed天才-style loyalty.
Debut: Silan king/two dukes targeted Yes Duke. Mansion <Radiance> slaughtered assassins, threatened king/dukes for surrender—key功.
No uniform skills, superb joint.
[Shadow Kingdom] rates = Byron Empire's [Blue Spear Knights], Baekje's <Bellicose>...
But实战 uncomparable—unknown clash outcome.
========== Afterword ==========
#Setting 11. 「Iron-Eating Monster Starfish」
Ancient dynasty decline: Capital monster. Unkillable (Bulsal)/Starfish, iron diet. Elephant trunk/face, buffalo eyes, bear muscled body, tiger tail—grotesque.
Iron diet? Blades/arrows useless; walls shattered on charge. True monster: Grew eating iron. Fire weakness discovered after torment.
Same-named spear exists. Absorbs metals, power scales. Pernern fragment, greedily famed magic weapon.
Twin demon swords-like ego, but no manifestation/speech; uncontrollable sans Pernern.
Proved when dropped whimsy.
Fell farm; farmer seized, rampaged. Untrained farmer monstrous. Mana no hunger/death, but bodies failed long-term—needed new.
Kingdom dispatched army on reports.
Elites vs. controlled: Useless. Blades petal-sliced, whirlwind swept troops.
Worse: Petals reformed aerial meteoric spears. Retreat; elites/mages next.
Magic? Iron chains dragged casters.
...Massacre; retreat deemed natural disaster.
Then holy eerie heroine barehanded subdued, puppeted the puppeteer. Vanished as appeared—unknown.
-[Pernern's 17th Fragment: On Unkillable].
#Setting 12. 「Metatron」
Demon Realm absolute Sovereign Cyan; Heavenly Realm Metatron. Incomparable. Cyan limitless, auto-strengthens; Metatron not.
First clash equal; unofficial second Metatron loss. Third/fourth gaps visible.
Confident vs. any Sovereigns, even 2-3; Cyan feared.
Panicked Cyan invasion; luckily, he feared power, sealed body human-clad.
Metatron thought mockery, clashed—couldn't win weakened. No loss.
Stalemate since.
...Drifted.
Back.
Metatron: Heavenly Realm first Holy King.
Strongest of three; all angels trust/rely.
Reliable: Ground-to-sky height, God's graces boundless. 36 wings, 365,000 eyes.
Wings mana-full: Teleport, dimension-cross easy.
Eyes greater: See all.
Conspirators secret.
Kids street-running.
Fairies lake-gazing flowered fields.
Deathlands cursed wraiths.
Trolls barren fire-cooking hunt.
Nothing evades.
Beyond Heavenly/Middle, Demon corners if willed.
Grand angel/Holy King. Nicknames: Greatest Angel, God's Viceroy, Heaven Chancellor, Sky Scribe, Covenant Angel, Pillar of Fire... 72. Impressive?
Yet grandeur "Throne-Seated" mismatched: Not warm/caring—cruel, un-angelic.
Tales abound: Skewered hundreds defiant with flaming spears.
Beware. Meet? Don't irk.
Angelic form, but cruel temperament.
#Setting 13. 「Scorching Lands」
Scorching Lands.
Continent's sole desert; 100 years ago floral/fruitful, coveted.
Ruled dragonkin Draconians, mana-strong loyalty-bound orcs/trolls as fine folk.
Influenced: Intelligent/loyal. Elves/fairies/dwarves/beastkin sought shelter fleeing humans.
Draconians repelled Byron twice, counter-invaded damage. More pop/soldiers? Empire fall; Byron/Baekje ally vs. them, Draconian hegemon maybe.
Fate unkind. Bolide.
Peak expansion/power: Pernern's sixth Requiem of the End exact palace hit. Days later mana burst; time passed, flames razed vast.
Inextinguishable mana-fire instant-burn; even Draconians faltered. Masses died, civilization ash.
Time later, empires/kingdoms sought fragment—none found.
Capital traces gone, sand-buried: Adventurer consensus.
Many chase Serenia fragment; none Scorching.
Locals: Mirage past capital hints. Maybe.
Desert fragment hunt? ...Good luck.
#Setting 14. 「Dragonkin's Princess」
Arrogant self-empire humans invaded kingdom. Iron-clad sharp weapons fearless into dragonkin domain.
Border orcs valiant vs. invaders, heavy losses retreat. Heard, kingdom's brave wise dragonkin rallied. Led to protect allies, crush foes.
Repelled. Cocky on past wins, routed unable bodies retrieve.
Fearless invaders repulsed.
Arrogant empire heavenly punishment.
But not enough. Foes harmed protected subraces. Assure safety under rule: Hard work suffices, no fear foes.
Teach humans continent: Who's superior, touched wrong.
Invaded empire.
Canyon to crude ugly fortress. Dragonkin smashed gates/walls, tore atop foes.
None stood sky-gazing. Armed none spared. Beggars captured.
Drew more subraces. Kingdom boomed civilization. Proclaimed true empire. Time: Young prodigy succeeded father Dragon King.
Led well, embraced subraces, repelled invaders.
One day, father/senior dragonkin to Dragon Mountains. Normal.
Thought so.
Meteor perfect capital hit—targeted? Shields activated, shredded.
Hit sacred temple: First Dragon Sovereign Cyan shrine. Holy + densest mana for awakening; external reaction risky.
Mana-master I rushed. Palace dragonkin followed; entered: Sword hot-mana flaring blaze-ready.
Beautiful terrifying power.
Blade down, mana seductive awaiting grasp.
One dragonkin enthralled, approached grip. Another ripped heart, claimed.
All knew: Dangerous.
We suppressed grabbers magically, evacuated weak/unawakened.
Sky: Fourth Sovereign claimed, dropped 24 heart artifacts; collector gets seat—vanished.
No time. Sword absorbed shrine mana unholy, flames rose.
Rallied seal ritual. I-centered array prepped, focused.
Sword tempted fiercer. Sovereign mana curse-like novel. One broke, walked array muttering "no"—self-heart-stab to not disrupt.
Others steeled.
Day1,2,3...
Suicides rose. Sword tempted. Limits neared, seal near done. Last gasp?
Full mana blaze engulfed. Beautiful: Silver blade runes red, flames mana-roiled.
Closest core-I succumbed, grasped. Kin horror "release!" Ignored, lifted.
Felt controllable.
Unlike others rational.
Wielded per sword knowledge. Flames razed seal/suicide corpses.
Final sealers blood-spat charged. Bewitched slashed screamers.
Slashed all, blood-tread exited.
Outside insane rushers. Roared snatched sword.
Mine.
Not yours.
Slashed burned. Sword toxic mana tempted; all capital dragonkin swarmed. Slashed burned endlessly.
Snapped.
"?"
Comprehended nothing.
Dragonkin princess led subraces... became king... sealed fragment... steeled vs. suicides... failed temptation.
Slashed/burned blockers... uncontrolled mana raged capital dragonkin mad.
I ruined all.
I destroyed all.
Hollow laugh. Regret choked.
...
Lost reason. Shrine/dead mana reacted sword huge flames.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAA──────!"
Flames despair-crumbled screamed. Sword unleashed curse-mana responsive.
Regained: Array center eyed sword mana. Hallucination? Grasped again identical.
Repeated.
No illusion. Looped eternally.
Knew yet succumbed temptation. Despair-screamed endless guilt-loop.
Pleading:
Stop me.
End this ceaseless guilt.