Chapter 28
Chapter 28
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 28
Chapter Title: Breakthrough #5
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Thunder Doom Fortress was not the last bastion of the ancient Dwarf kingdom. As a result, records of how and by whom it was destroyed were passed down to later generations.
The Black Dragon, Partisan.
As greedy and wicked as he was massive, he was the dragon who most actively waged war against the old Dwarf kingdom.
His strategy was simple.
Batter the fortress again and again until it fell.
Partisan gathered a colossal number of monsters and attacked Thunder Doom Fortress. According to the records of the Dwarf kingdom, their numbers approached nearly one hundred thousand—though many doubt the truth of this record due to the Dwarves’ characteristic bravado.
The consensus among scholars is that the actual number was likely between twenty and thirty thousand at most.
Befitting its name as the strongest fortress of the old Dwarf kingdom, Thunder Doom Fortress defended well against the first attack.
But the problem started after that.
Partisan, a veteran dragon, was a powerful warrior and a mage. An accomplished necromancer, he raised all the fallen monsters and launched a second assault.
And, surprisingly, Thunder Doom Fortress withstood this second attack as well. The bodies of monsters, too damaged to be reanimated as undead, blanketed the fortress.
Two great victories were enough to rally the Dwarves, but they could not rejoice. As if all this had been a mere feint, Partisan’s third attack began.
Partisan, his offspring, and the lesser dragons they commanded descended upon the greatly weakened Thunder Doom Fortress.
The outer walls of Thunder Doom Fortress collapsed. Partisan and his minions infiltrated the interior, and the Dwarves of the fortress prepared to fight to the last. Every Dwarf in Thunder Doom Fortress, regardless of age or gender, took up arms and gathered in the central plaza.
Partisan proved in person why dragons were called the supreme race. Leading the charge, he slaughtered countless Dwarves like insects, displaying his power and cruelty to its fullest extent.
And that was Partisan’s fatal mistake. Perhaps his excessive cruelty and arrogance had blinded him.
Tiny Spark, the strongest warrior of Thunder Doom Fortress, plunged the fortress’s ultimate weapon into Partisan’s chest.
The Dragonslayer Lance, Ascalon.
Among the renowned Dragon Slayer series—creations born from the grudge, fury, and tenacity of the old Dwarf kingdom—it was this weapon that led Partisan to his death. The brave Tiny Spark was shattered to pieces by a spell Partisan cast in his death throes, but it is said he let out a laugh full of joy instead of a scream of pain.
Partisan was dead, and his army, once ruled by fear, began to run rampant as if in backlash to losing its master.
The Dwarves had no choice but to abandon Thunder Doom Fortress. A handful of survivors left for other cities through a Dwarven portal, and Thunder Doom Fortress became a colossal graveyard where countless Dwarves were buried alongside Partisan.
“So in the end, that’s Partisan’s corpse, and the thing stuck in its chest is Ascalon, right?”
“Probably.”
Ingong slowly nodded, gazing at the image of Partisan’s corpse on the screen. He estimated its body to be at least thirty meters long. While it couldn’t compare to an Elder Dragon that spanned hundreds of meters, the term ‘monster’ truly suited this being.
Something long and pure white was embedded in the chest of the beast, which lay dead on its back. It was undoubtedly the Dragonslayer Lance, Ascalon, hailed as a masterpiece of the Dragon Slayer series.
Felicia narrowed her eyes and said.
“The fact that they’re fighting right there of all places means their objective is likely Ascalon.”
It wasn’t certain. There were many suspicious aspects to their current offensive from the start. Like Ingong, Felicia hadn’t figured out why their attack had only just begun.
But the possibility alone was enough. Felicia looked at the others and spoke decisively.
“It goes without saying, but we can’t let those unidentified figures have Ascalon. They’ve harmed the Demon King’s generals and soldiers, and they’re after our lives as well. We can’t just let them achieve their goal.”
Their numbers were over a hundred by a rough count, but she didn’t care. It wasn’t a situation that required a full-frontal assault anyway.
Ingong looked at the Dungeon Guardians on the screen and asked.
“Felicia, can we gain control of the Dungeon Guardians from here?”
It was something that couldn't even be attempted in *Knight Saga*, but this was reality, and things were different.
But Felicia shook her head.
“It’ll be difficult. The situation is a bit different from the Anvil that Births Thunder. The control of the Dungeon Guardians is currently held by the highest-grade guardian… that is, that large Dwarf Golem. It seems the fortress commander, sensing his death, transferred all authority before he died.”
Everyone’s gaze naturally shifted to the giant golem in the center of the screen. It looked exactly as a normal Dwarf would if you scaled them up to six times their height and made their entire body out of metal. It was leading the fight, a hammer in one hand and a shield in the other.
If Felicia was right and all authority had already been transferred, then they wouldn’t be able to command the Dungeon Guardians even if they conquered the control room itself.
Daphne was already unconscious and showed no reaction, but Karma’s expression immediately darkened.
Felicia smiled at Karma as if to say ‘don’t worry,’ then turned back to Ingong.
“We could aim for them to wipe each other out. Or, depending on the situation, it might be good to jump in at the right moment.”
The best-case scenario was for the Dungeon Guardians and the dark figures to effectively annihilate each other in a fierce battle. They would then subdue the survivors and acquire the relics of Thunder Doom Fortress, including Ascalon. It was truly the perfect scenario.
But while the Dungeon Guardians might, it didn’t seem like those dark figures would fight so foolishly until they were wiped out.
Moreover, judging by the current state of the battle, the dark figures had a higher chance of winning.
“Shutora, what do you think?”
At Felicia’s question, Ingong looked again at the highest-grade guardian on the screen. It was the final boss of Thunder Doom Fortress in *Knight Saga*, but this time, there was no need to fight it.
“I think I’ll get some insurance first.”
“Insurance?”
“Insurance.”
Ingong lightly raised his left arm, where the White Eagle was equipped.
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The battle between the Dungeon Guardians and the dark figures was truly fierce.
Despite their numbers being reduced to less than a tenth of their original strength due to the past battle with the Black Dragon, the Dungeon Guardians were still mighty and fearless.
Every time the highest-grade guardian swung its hammer, a thunderclap erupted with a bolt of lightning, and gargoyle-shaped guardians fired powerful blasts of energy with unearthly screeches.
The dark figures were not just taking the abuse, either. Unlike the ones who had ambushed Ingong, these were a proper fighting force. Among them were some as large as ogres, and others who used magic.
What was surprising was that among the dark figures were dungeon monsters native to Thunder Doom Fortress. It was clear that they either had a powerful monster tamer among them or possessed an artifact that could control monsters.
It was a spectacular and grand battle. The battlefield, ruined by the conflict from centuries ago, and the scattered skeletal remains of Dwarves added to the solemn and desolate atmosphere.
But instead of watching the fight, Ingong and his party focused on something else.
Ingong was currently hiding in a corner of the central plaza. Delia had remained in the control room with Daphne, while Felicia, Karak, and Karma were with Ingong.
After taking a deep breath to prepare, Ingong gave his party a final look. Felicia let out a small sigh. With a look of resignation, she lightly patted Ingong’s shoulder.
“You’re so reckless. It goes without saying, but be careful.”
“Don’t worry.”
Karma spoke to Ingong, who had replied with a grin.
“I pray for your fortune in battle, Your Highness the Prince.”
“Come back in one piece.”
Karak was gruff as always. But that gruffness, once again, put him at ease.
“I’ll be right back.”
Ingong replied with a deliberate lightness and cast a blessing of wind upon himself. What he needed now was not explosive movement, but agile and quiet steps.
Ingong looked at the mini-map and divided the battlefield in two.
One was the field of fierce battle where the Dungeon Guardians and the dark figures were entangled in a melee.
The other was the corpse of the Black Dragon Partisan, lying far behind the Dungeon Guardians.
Ingong’s destination was not the battlefield, but Partisan’s corpse.
‘First, secure Ascalon.’
The main objective of conquering Thunder Doom Fortress was to acquire Ascalon.
If he could secure Ascalon, he could gain an advantage no matter how the battle flowed afterward.
If the Dungeon Guardians won, he could simply withdraw without a fight or track the remaining forces of the dark figures.
If the dark figures won by a narrow margin, he could fight them. If they won overwhelmingly, he could just pull out again. At the very least, he could leave them high and dry.
Ingong moved quickly. The thunderous noise from the highest-grade guardian seemed to erase not only his footsteps but his very presence.
Using the debris as cover, Ingong advanced in a zigzag pattern and finally reached Partisan’s corpse. He swallowed dryly without realizing it.
It wasn't just its immense size; Partisan's body looked so vivid despite having been dead for hundreds of years. It was as if it might spring back to life at any moment.
It certainly couldn't compare to the mountain-like vastness of an Elder Dragon. But he could see in an instant why the very name ‘dragon’ reigned as a symbol of terror.
Steeling himself, Ingong quickly climbed onto Partisan’s corpse. When he reached the chest area, he could see the end of Ascalon.
Ascalon was no simple spear. It was closer to a ballista bolt or a lance for a cavalry charge.
Without a second thought, Ingong grabbed Ascalon’s hilt.
What he needed was simple physical strength. Instead of activating his Dragon Blood, which might stimulate Ascalon, Ingong gritted his teeth and focused his aura into both arms. As if that wasn't enough, he invested some of his saved-up bonus points into strength.
A clap of thunder echoed. The monstrous screams of the dark figures shook the central plaza. And amidst all that noise, Ingong swallowed a groan. At last, Ascalon began to reveal itself.
A pure white spear. A spearhead that had retained all its beauty despite being embedded in a dragon's flesh for ages.
Intricate patterns were engraved in gold upon the shaft. It was the magical formula that attacked the draconic factor, the core of the Dragon Slayer series.
Ingong grabbed the shaft instead of the hilt and gave it one last pull. He finally liberated Ascalon from Partisan’s body.
Felicia and Karma let out hushed gasps. Karak anxiously glanced toward the battlefield.
[Ascalon]
[A masterpiece of the Dragon Slayer series.]
[A great lance that destroyed the heart of the Black Dragon Partisan. It is imbued with the grudge, tenacity, and fury of all the Dwarves who resided in Thunder Doom Fortress.]
Instead of examining the options that followed the description, Ingong hurriedly kicked off Partisan's chest. He had sensed a change the moment he pulled Ascalon out.
‘Master!’
Green Wind, who had remained silent until now so as not to disturb him, shouted loudly. Instead of replying, Ingong stored Ascalon in his inventory. He worried about having to explain it to Felicia later, but securing Ascalon was the priority.
KRA-KA-KA-KOOM—!
That wasn't the sound of the highest-grade guardian's thunder. It came from the Black Dragon Partisan. Partisan's body, held together for hundreds of years by Ascalon's powerful binding, was finally released. As if experiencing centuries in an instant, its flesh rotted and its bones weakened. Partisan's corpse collapsed with a tremendous roar, and naturally, everyone on the battlefield turned their eyes toward Ingong.
The highest-grade Dungeon Guardian was taken aback. No, it was thrown into confusion. Partisan’s corpse had collapsed, and Ascalon’s presence had vanished. So what should it do now?
The answer was set. Instead of complex thought, the highest-grade guardian reacted simply. It swung its hammer again to repel the intruders before it, and its target was not the distant Ingong, but the dark figures nearby.
The dark figures’ reaction was somewhat different.
Some of them let out screams that were close to shrieks, while others exploited the gap in the defensive line created by the highest-grade guardian's confusion. The ones who broke away from the battlefield charged toward Ingong.
Ingong made a quick judgment. He hadn't known Partisan’s corpse would collapse like this. If he had, he would have planned a different strategy.
In any case, the milk was already spilt, and the situation wasn't entirely bad. He had secured Ascalon, and the Dungeon Guardians were prioritizing the dark figures over him. Moreover, if he could lure away and secure some of the dark figures rushing his way, he wouldn't even need to face the main force of dark figures engaged with the Dungeon Guardians.
“Green Wind! Stick to the plan!”
‘That nickname is too much! My name is Green Wind!’
Green Wind protested vehemently, but nonetheless, it faithfully followed Ingong's command. The White Eagle, spreading its pure white metal plates like wings, flew extremely low and positioned itself at Ingong’s feet. Ingong hopped onto it. It felt like riding a skateboard.
“Fly!”
‘You’re heavy, Master!’
Green Wind whined but was again faithful to the command. The White Eagle, carrying Ingong, soared toward the ceiling.
The dark figures who arrived late shot arrows or threw their weapons, but it was useless. The White Eagle generated a force field and moved deftly, evading or blocking all the attacks.
At the unexpected sight, Felicia and Karma were once again stunned, while Karak shouted. It wasn't in admiration, but as a warning.
“Prince! Look behind you! They're up to something!”
Ingong reflexively looked back. Not all of the dark figures had chased after him.
Several of the dark figures were sprawled on Partisan’s remains. Dark red blood flowed from the bodies of those who had stabbed themselves in the chest. In the center of all the blood and bodies stood one of the dark figures, holding a large gem wreathed in blue ghost fire.
Ingong felt a sense of dread. But the figure's actions were faster. He stabbed himself in the chest with the tip of the gem. In that instant, the blue ghost fire erupted and soon covered Partisan’s entire corpse.
KIIIIII-AAAAAAAAAAH—!
A soul-wrenching scream shook everyone's minds. The highest-grade guardian stopped fighting again, and the dark figures let out monstrous cries mixed with fear, awe, and joy.
Partisan’s corpse was rising. It was a fallen dragon. It had lost its high intellect and mighty magic, but it was still a powerful beast.
A Zombie Dragon.
The blue ghost fire covering Partisan's entire body transformed into a violet aura.
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End of Chapter 10 - Breakthrough #5