Dragon Bone Verdict and Spirit Stone Birth
All the happiness in the world—perhaps my fervent prayers had worked, because the dwarf examining the greatsword gradually lit up with admiration on his face.
"Excellent."
"Master?"
"Where did you get this, lad?"
Ignoring the receptionist, the dwarf nodded to himself and turned his attention to Zeke. Zeke found the whole situation awkward and unexpected, but his innate good nature hadn't vanished; he gave the dwarf a soft smile and spoke up.
"Uh... it's my father's heirloom, sir."
"Your father must've been a fine swordsman."
"Yes...! He was someone I was truly proud of."
The dwarf chatted amiably with Zeke about his father for a bit, curiosity piqued. Once his excitement died down, he spoke casually, as if it were no big deal.
"This is made from dragon bone."
With Plang still munching away in the background, the room fell silent. Eyes around us filled with confusion, awe, and shock. Whatever—I inwardly cheered at the exact outcome I'd prayed for with clasped hands.
Yes!
He's a dragon knight, right? Gotta appraise it as a dragon-slaying sword, no?
While Zeke and the dwarf marveled, the receptionist's gaze—who'd caught on to the possibility I'd hinted at—turned sharply toward Zeke, growing increasingly hostile.
"Master... a word."
She shot Zeke a glare before whispering to the dwarf called Master. His eyes darted around at her words, then fixed on Plang's broken horn as she nibbled cookies on the sofa. Thick, viscous mana began to rise from him in tendrils.
Ugh... shit. Guild master, huh? Packs a punch.
His aura screamed at least high A-rank, if not S. His eyes gleamed for a moment before he abruptly shifted gears, whirling on Zeke.
"Compared to your father, you're a pathetic excuse for a swordsman."
"Y-Yes...? Wha—?"
Ignoring Zeke trembling under the dwarf's killing intent, the receptionist barked orders at a servant.
"Yes. Call the security team."
Zeke's mouth flapped open and shut amid the dwarf's murderous eyes and mana. I gently stroked Plang, who was obliviously chomping away in confusion, buying time. Then, clanking sounds echoed from outside the reception room as metal figures burst in.
Clank. Clank.
The intruders were the security team I'd seen patrolling the streets. First-rate in skill, these thug-looking bruisers flooded the room, turning the atmosphere tense and heavy in seconds.
"That one's the culprit. Take him away."
"Understood, Master."
His guild master status must carry weight; the near-knight-level guards bowed respectfully before moving to bind and drag Zeke off.
"H-Hey, wait! What's going on?!"
Realizing he'd be screwed if he went quietly, Zeke struggled, but—thwack!
"Guhk!!!"
Our merciless security bros prioritized fists over words, slamming Zeke with gut-punching force that nearly pierced his abs. He vomited and passed out as they hauled him away.
Now the room held only Plang and me, the receptionist, and the dwarf. As the chaos settled, the dwarf scratched his head and sighed deeply.
"Hoo... In all my years, never thought I'd witness a dragonkin fallen so low."
He gazed pityingly at Plang, still obliviously munching.
"If the young miss is alright with it, the guild will take responsibility and make it up to her. Anything you want?"
"Hm?"
Plang looked up, catching that he was addressing her.
"Plang only needs Berg!"
Our thick-headed girl ignored the mood entirely, rubbing her broken horn against my waist again.
"And you?"
Now curious about my relation to Plang.
"Uh... I'm Plang's lover."
"Not lover—husband!"
"Her husband."
If Plang started babbling nonsense here, I'd get dragged down too. Better to show we're a loving couple—should defuse things. I gently scratched Plang's head in my arms, and she purred happily.
"He's the adventurer mentoring Miss Plang, Master."
"Oh?"
As the receptionist whispered more details to the still-dubious dwarf, his eyes softened at the mentoring part. Newbie mentoring must be like volunteer work. Makes sense—no reason for the guild master to view me poorly when I'm wasting time on good quests for public merit.
"Right, since you're the young miss's husband, better to ask you anyway. Given her condition and all."
"Ask me what?"
"No, Plang stay put."
"Okay!"
Our affectionate display melted away any lingering suspicion; his face turned kindly uncle-like. Perfect time to squeeze some benefits? I had money, but couldn't keep selling shady jewels. With the guild master's backing, credit issues vanish—I could snag a nice place easy.
I nodded at my genius idea and spoke up.
"Uh... could you help us find a good house?"
"Hm? A house?"
"Yeah, planning to climb the tower and take quests, but settling down would be better... The mentoring was for public merit points, honestly."
The dwarf finally got it.
"That much? I'll hand over a fine mansion. The guild benefits unintentionally too."
"Benefits...?"
All I'd done for the guild was quests and mentoring—what?
"That thing."
He nodded toward Zeke's greatsword, still lying there.
"Evidence and guild discipline all in one—plenty. Buy a mansion with part of its sale proceeds."
Medieval style: owner's arrested, ownership transfers instantly. Tempting, but way beyond me now. Bite off more than I can chew, I'd burst.
"Works for me. Thanks."
Not coveting the dragon-bone greatsword and letting it go in a flash made the dwarf's brow twitch.
"Hrm... Not sure if you're truly her husband, but seems safe enough. Talking settlement too..."
His mutter carried thorns—implying I'd cooked Plang up somehow. I gave a wry smile at the insinuation. Show greed or shady character here, and I'd be arrested too.
Sneaky old fox.
I brushed off the chills creeping up and took Plang's hand.
"We'll head out then. Other party members waiting."
"Sure."
"Mr. Berg, we'll send mansion details via servant to your inn."
"Got it. Thanks. Let's go, Plang."
"Okay!"
Plang toddled after me as we left the guild for the inn. Things had gone amazingly well.
Back at the inn, we celebrated. A few days later, at Ravina Square, a procession of prisoners marched—including the detained ones. The sun shone brilliantly on that clear day.
+++
"Aaaah!"
"Hang in there, Daphne!"
"Sis hurt lots?"
Daphne's legs spread wide, Tier and Plang chattering around her. After settling into the guild-transferred mansion, Daphne suddenly cried out in pain—delivery time(?).
No midwife needed in this filthy medieval era; her spirit would help more. Summoned undine gently caressed Daphne's body.
"Ack!"
Daphne threw her head back, pushing. Something slowly emerged from between her slender thighs, parting the golden forest. The visible cross-section was no creature, as expected.
Pop.
"Ahh! Hah... haa."
With Daphne's exhausted scream, a large white orb the size of a watermelon tumbled out, rolling across the floor. Covered in Daphne's fluids, I picked it up, wiped it with a towel—felt like polishing a relic.
"Uh... boss, this the baby?"
Tier's face puzzled; not what she expected from her friend's belly.
"Dunno... Daphne'd know best?"
I polished it shiny, wrapped it in prepared cloth. Daphne gazed dreamily.
"Daphne, any idea what this is?"
She hugged the wrapped orb joyfully—probably right.
"Haa... haa... It's a spirit stone, Mr. Berg."
"Spirit stone?"
Daphne stroked it fondly, smiling.
"Yes. A spirit stone is the cradle where spirits are born. Absorbing nature's energy, a spirit emerges—or so I've heard."
"So... you birthed a spirit?"
"Needs more steps, but yeah. Hehe."
Undine, now nearby, gawked wide-eyed, fussing with Daphne. Kinda weird, but Daphne's pregnancy wasn't just my doing.
Undine's the MVP...
This spirit stone? Collaboration between undine and me. Recalling that, it made perfect sense.
Meanwhile, Tier and Plang stuck to Daphne, babbling. Fantasy races clicked somehow. Their eyes alternated between envy and me, but Daphne was an accident... no plans for a while.
I smiled lightly at them and approached Daphne. Time to celebrate together. Felt like things were finally on track.
But... any milk coming out?
+++
[Game paused temporarily.]
Back in reality, the familiar room scent calmed me. I exhaled sharply and allocated points.
All stats nearing 70 now. But the real gain from this trip was elsewhere.
Squeeze!
I poured strength into my arm, and hand aura flared.
Whoosh!!!
A massive purple mana orb—far bigger than before—blazed from my hand.
"Efficiency's insane..."
Instant mana transfer and amplification at a thought; admiration slipped out. Dragonkin trait? Unsure in the fantasy world after absorbing Plang's horn, but testing now? Overwhelming power left me speechless.
This meant I matched peak superbs in mana clashes—couldn't manifest aura yet, but efficiency and speed covered it. Just 10 more stat points to superb realm.
Dispersing the hand aura, a lazy smile formed. Me, a mere B-rank hunter, scoffing at A-ranks? Grand Prix approaching too. Wonder if Hwaryeon felt this during Dragon-Phoenix Tournament?
"B-rank body, A-rank power..."
Time to show these national reps what I'm made of. Gonna trash the world's elite and make 'em beg.