Chapter 166: 35th Floor. Raising a Dragon (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 166: 35th Floor. Raising a Dragon (2)
A member of the Demon Race hurtled through the air, coughing up a spray of blood. His body tumbled across the dirt before going limp.
"You!"
Startled, another demon thrust a spear forged from demonic energy. Kang Jun-hyeok caught the tip of the spear with ease and snapped it like a twig.
Snap.
The demon’s chest was crushed in the same instant.
Jun-hyeok pressed forward. Every time he moved, the demons' weapons shattered and their bodies were pulverized. He was a living, breathing tank.
"This is impossible..."
Rumble!
With a final death rattle, the demons were swept away. Kang Jun-hyeok lightly dusted off his hands.
These were enemies targeting the dragon. There was no reason to leave them alive.
"Can't have anything bad affecting the dragon."
After disposing of the corpses, Kang Jun-hyeok returned to the nest. He resumed caring for the egg as if nothing had happened. Even in the brief moment he’d been away, the egg’s mana absorption rate had already begun to dip.
"I’m going to burn through all the gems I worked so hard to hoard at this rate," Kang Jun-hyeok grumbled as he crushed more pearls.
While supplying mana, he repaired the nest, which was on the verge of collapsing under the weight. He cleared away the moss and wiped away the dust. This egg had been abandoned and neglected for a long time before he arrived. Since it was already damaged, it required meticulous care. If he had lacked either his knowledge or his Observation skill, the task would have ended in immediate failure.
Even as he worked, the Demon Race continued to seek him out.
"I thought it was strange when the scouts stopped reporting back, but to think there was a human here!"
"How annoying."
Kang Jun-hyeok clicked his tongue and flicked his fingers.
`[Spear Throw.]`
`[Spear Throw.]`
`[Spear Throw.]`
Spears soared through the sky. The demons gasped, desperately shielding themselves with demonic energy. These demons weren't weak; their defenses were like iron fortresses, boasting protection comparable to castle walls.
But that was all they were.
Crunch!
The flying spears shattered their defenses and pierced through their bodies. Realizing they couldn't block the attack, they tried to flee in haste, but the spears leisurely struck them in their backs.
To the average players of the 35th floor, these would have been formidable enemies. But that was the extent of their level. There was too vast a gap between them and Jun-hyeok.
The Demon Race visited a few more times after that, but he handled them all with ease. As a result of his dedicated nursing, the energy radiating from the egg grew stronger and stronger.
"It's almost time."
The egg would likely hatch within a week.
Based on his current senses, there were no major issues. However, since it was a sensitive object, it required even more careful attention. Just as Kang Jun-hyeok was preparing the final touches, he felt the presence of another demon.
"Hmm?"
Kang Jun-hyeok’s expression changed for the first time.
This one was strong—a powerhouse at a level even he couldn't afford to ignore.
"What's this?"
If someone of that level had arrived earlier, none of the players on the 35th floor would have survived. After a moment of wonder, Kang Jun-hyeok soon realized the truth.
The goal of the Demon Race was to force the birth of a Dark Dragon. They didn't necessarily need to drive out the players and seize the egg; they just had to withdraw if it seemed the egg was ruined. Since others had ultimately failed to care for the egg, the demons could have simply stood by and watched it rot.
But Jun-hyeok was caring for the egg perfectly. From the demons' perspective, they were getting desperate—desperate enough to deploy their trump card.
"Wait here a moment."
After speaking briefly to the egg, Kang Jun-hyeok stepped outside. There stood a member of the Demon Race with a pair of wings.
It was a Demon.
The Demon’s eyes narrowed as he confirmed Kang Jun-hyeok’s presence. He spoke in a voice that sounded like a low groan.
"Every demon sent here has died. Rumors spread that a guardian of the abandoned dragon egg had appeared. I wondered if the mother had returned... but it was a human."
"Nice to meet you. I'm Kang Jun-hyeok."
"I am Rubonta. I look forward to our acquaintance."
Rubonta greeted him politely, though deep wariness was etched in his eyes. "...There was no powerhouse like you on this planet. Why are you protecting the egg?"
"Because I want to."
"...A pure whim, then."
Rubonta’s face clouded over. From his perspective, it was a simple mission: hatch a corrupted dragon, and that was it. But then this strange interloper had suddenly appeared. He spoke with a sigh.
"Kang Jun-hyeok. What lies behind you belongs to the Demon Race. I would appreciate it if you would step aside."
"You're quite humble for a Demon."
"I am different from other demons. Why spill blood over a matter that can be resolved through conversation? You are nothing to that dragon. Is there a reason to risk your life to protect it?"
"You're not wrong," Kang Jun-hyeok agreed.
Rubonta’s face brightened, only to distort miserably at the words that followed.
"But I refuse."
"Why?"
"It's simple. I don't like you."
"...That's absurd."
"And stop pretending to be peaceful. That's not the reason you haven't attacked me yet, is it?" Kang Jun-hyeok grinned. "It's because I look stronger than you."
"...In the end, blood must be shed. You will regret this."
Rubonta’s eyes turned pitch black as strands of demonic energy rose around him. Kang Jun-hyeok replied playfully.
"My thoughts exactly."
Whoosh!
The demonic energy spread toward the sky like a spiderweb.
'Is he manipulating demonic energy into threads? He’s woven them like a web.'
To the Demon Race, demonic energy was an Authority. The way each individual handled it varied wildly. Rubonta was manipulating it into threads as thin as silk.
Slash!
The threads of demonic energy sliced through everything. They filled the air in countless numbers, attempting to ensnare Kang Jun-hyeok. He quickly kicked off the ground to evade.
"No one escapes my web."
Rubonta moved his hands rapidly. The threads moved erratically before surrounding Kang Jun-hyeok in an instant. It was a perfect encirclement without a single gap. Kang Jun-hyeok drew his sword, intending to cut the threads.
Screech!
However, the demonic threads did not cut easily, holding firm. Kang Jun-hyeok clicked his tongue.
`[Sword Ki and Sword Wind.]`
Boom!
The sword ki exploded, sweeping through the surroundings. Rubonta sneered at the response.
"Did you think such a shallow trick would work?!"
The demonic threads moved fluidly. They spread out like a net, dispersing the power of the sword ki and swallowing it whole. It was near-perfect control. Rubonta clenched his fist, and the threads attempted to bind Kang Jun-hyeok like a noose.
`[Thrust.]`
Clang!
He thrust his sword, but the tightly compressed threads refused to break. In an instant, Kang Jun-hyeok’s body was wrapped in threads and vanished from sight.
"Hahahaha! You were careless, you insignificant human! Die!"
Creeeak.
Rubonta burst into mad laughter and tightened his fist further. The threads compressed violently, beginning to crush Kang Jun-hyeok. It was a pressure strong enough to compress a massive block of iron into the size of a marble. He was certain of his victory.
`[Glory of the Lost God.]`
The threads began to fray with a grinding screech. An intense light began to leak through the gaps. Rubonta hurriedly wove the threads even more fiercely, but it was useless.
K-Boom!
The noose was torn to shreds, and Kang Jun-hyeok appeared without a single scratch. Rubonta’s eyes widened.
"How?!"
"So this is what it feels like. Doesn't seem like anything special. Now, die."
`[Single Point Penetration.]`
In an instant, Jun-hyeok lunged toward Rubonta. The demon hurriedly shielded himself with the threads.
Claaaaang!
Single Point Penetration collided with the threads. The skill grew stronger as it met resistance. The threads snapped, but multiple layers overlapped to protect their master.
Clang!
The defense shattered, but the power contained in the strike dissipated. It was the moment Rubonta thought he had blocked it.
`[Reset. Single Point Penetration.]`
Once again, a powerful force was loaded into the weapon. It pierced straight through Rubonta’s shoulder.
Boom!
Without stopping, Jun-hyeok charged forward and slammed him into a wall. He then moved above Rubonta’s head.
`[Thousand-Pound Weight.]`
Thump!
A heavy weight pressed down on Rubonta. As the earth was crushed beneath him, he coughed up blood.
"Eeeek!"
Whoosh!
The threads spread out violently, coiling around Kang Jun-hyeok to seize his body again.
"Whew."
Kang Jun-hyeok exhaled. Aura slowly rose.
The second form.
Hot Wind Sky Slash.
Screech!
A storm of blades raged. The demonic threads were sliced away in an instant, and Rubonta’s entire body was shredded.
"Cough, gah!"
Amidst the horrific pain, Rubonta realized the truth. He was no match for Kang Jun-hyeok. What he believed was him applying pressure had all been a ruse; his opponent had simply been gauging the extent of his power.
He was going to die here.
'...But!'
He would at least achieve his goal before he went. Rubonta violently raised his arm, pointing toward the dragon's nest.
"Pierce through!"
Countless woven threads became a single spear and flew toward the egg. The goal of the Demon Race was the birth of a Dark Dragon. If that spear destroyed the nest now, a Dark Dragon would surely be born. It was too late for Kang Jun-hyeok to block it. A sense of relief washed over Rubonta’s face.
`[Rift Movement.]`
`[Enhanced. Anti-Field.]`
Kang Jun-hyeok’s body moved through the rift, deploying a translucent barrier.
Screech!
Cracks spread across the barrier as it collided with the spear, but the spear's power was exhausted before it could break through.
"That was a fairly sharp attack."
"Ha, haha..."
Rubonta lowered his arm with a hollow expression. Coughing up blood, his head slumped down.
`[Level Up.]`
`[Stamina +10]`
`[Strength +1]`
`[Speed +1]`
`[Internal Energy +1]`
`[Proficiency in Anti-Field has increased.]`
Kang Jun-hyeok withdrew his weapon. A low-rank Demon with a pair of wings—a powerhouse of the First Rank. However, Jun-hyeok had already defeated a Second Rank monster, the Duneshade. And he was even stronger now than he was then. A mere low-rank Demon couldn't stop him.
Kang Jun-hyeok returned to the nest and resumed caring for the egg.
One week later, the egg finally began to hatch.
* * *
Cr-crack.
Cracks spread across the shell. Kang Jun-hyeok, who had been watching the nest, approached in an instant.
`[It's finally hatching.]`
`[A dragon's hatching... it's my first time seeing one as well.]`
The Master of All Weapons and Eldiria murmured in excited voices. In contrast, Kang Jun-hyeok looked slightly nervous.
'I wonder how it'll turn out.'
He had provided near-perfect care. However, the egg had been abandoned for far too long. Since even a small mistake could have resulted in a Dark Dragon, he couldn't help but be tense.
Crack, shatter.
Finally, the egg broke, and the dragon child—the Hatchling—revealed itself. Kang Jun-hyeok let out an exclamation.
"Oh."
`[It's red.]`
`[It's a Red Dragon.]`
A Hatchling as red as a scarlet flame. It wasn't a Dark Dragon. He had succeeded in hatching it perfectly. The tension left Kang Jun-hyeok, and he let out a sigh of relief.
"It's over."
The egg had hatched. The quest was finished. However, no matter how long he waited, the completion window did not appear.
"What's going on?"
Kang Jun-hyeok tilted his head. Surely the quest was to help it grow perfectly? Meanwhile, the Hatchling, having completely broken out of its shell, spread its wings. Its red eyes turned toward Kang Jun-hyeok.
`[Kyuuuu.]`
A soft cry escaped it. In the gaze directed at him, there was a strange light. Kang Jun-hyeok frowned.
"Wait a second."
Flash!
The Hatchling’s form dissolved into light, and a girl with crimson hair appeared. What was contained in those eyes was an infinitely deep emotion.
'Hmm?'
Kang Jun-hyeok flinched. Her face was somehow familiar.
The girl smiled broadly. With a mysterious, twisted smile, she opened her arms toward Kang Jun-hyeok. Before he could say a word, she pulled him into a tight embrace.