Chapter 331
Chapter 331
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 331
Chapter Title: May I Stay by Your Side?
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I Raise Skeletons 331
Wooong!
The Godslayer Spear in my grip began to vibrate wildly.
'What the hell.'
I gripped it tightly, forcing the weapon's trembling to subside.
Right.
Awakening Yuisa wasn't the end of it?
What else is left?
[The Fire Essence nods in acknowledgment.]
Fire Essence.
The kind flames had reacted back then.
[It says receiving the Earth Essence's approval is no easy feat. Well done.]
Earth Essence's approval?
Rumble...
At that moment, a mystical light began surging from behind the pile of Abyssal Crystals.
"W-What's that?"
"That's...?"
"What now?"
The spirit summoners and spirits alike stared at the light in shock.
[Ring!]
[Item discovered!]
The trembling stopped.
And then.
The light enveloping the surroundings shifted to a deep brown hue.
Brown.
The aura of vast earth.
A warm, all-embracing energy blanketed the world.
- Grrr?
The Earth Spirit King Noas panicked.
- Ahh!
The Earth Dragon gaped.
- Earth...! Are you truly Earth?!
Boom!
It reverently slammed its head to the ground.
And that was just the beginning.
[The Water Essence greets you. Whee!]
[The Wood Essence smiles softly. Long time no see, Earth.]
[The Metal Essence nods heavily. Welcome.]
The essences greeted it eagerly, one after another.
Ah.
I, too, shuddered at the sight.
To think another essence fragment was here!
[You did not prioritize greed over life.]
[You pass the trial of Earth, mother of all beings.]
Trial.
I shivered.
Talk about killing two birds with one stone.
Unlimited Yuisa and Earth's approval.
Seriously.
If I'd killed the dragon, it would've been a disaster.
[Ring!]
[Godslayer-grade item, Sealed Seven Essences' Spirit (4/7) updated.]
[Acquired Sealed Seven Essences' Spirit (5/7).]
Yes!
I immediately checked the item info.
[Item: Sealed Seven Essences' Spirit (5/7)]
[Grade: Godslayer]
[Type: Weapon]
[Description: Fragment of the seven essences feared even by primordial gods. Unseals when all attribute essences are gathered. Currently contains Fire Essence, Water Essence, Wood Essence, Metal Essence, and Earth Essence.]
[Effect 1: Morphs into any form the user desires.]
[Effect 2: Absolutely indestructible.]
[Effect 3: Uses the power of gathered essences.]
[Effect 4: Vitality +5,000.]
Finally.
Five fragments collected.
A grin crept across my face.
'This is insane.'
On my Earth, was there anyone with a more broken weapon than mine?
I wasn't the collecting type.
But right now, nothing made me happier than these essences.
Essences.
I was the one feeling their godslayer might closest of all.
[The Earth Essence smiles benevolently.]
[It thanks you deeply for healing its child, the Earth Dragon.]
No need.
Thanks to that, I could awaken Yuisa.
And I.
Thank you for entering my weapon.
[The Water Essence pouts. I shouldn't have given that hint.]
Of course.
In my good mood, even Water's whining sounded cute.
Go on, yap away.
I chuckled and refocused ahead.
Rumble...!
There loomed the massive dragon, head bowed motionlessly toward me.
The funny part?
- Kyuung!
- Kiiing!
The two young dragons mimicked their mother, nestling beside her with heads lowered.
Adorable.
"What... is going on?"
"Has that monster lost its mind? Why's it submitting like that? It's practically burying its head."
"Is it because we healed it?"
The spirit summoners dismounted from the dragon's back, murmuring.
"......"
Unlike the clueless summoners, I knew why.
'The essence.'
A being of such lofty stature it could call that mighty dragon 'paltry.'
Look.
Its name's even Earth Dragon.
[The Earth Essence makes a request.]
[Such a可怜 child. It sacrificed itself for eons just to protect my trace...]
[The Earth Essence wishes for the Earth Dragon to enjoy freedom. To live for itself, not others.]
A request.
I knew what it was without asking.
Explain it well to the dragon?
'Yes, Essence.'
I'll grant any request.
Let's get along starting today?
* * *
- Grrr...
Earth Dragon Cassias shuddered, head buried in the ground.
The dragon couldn't collect its thoughts.
The Earth aura, felt so long ago it was beyond counting.
Imperfect, but unmistakably Hers.
'How...!'
Her aura, Her fragment.
Directed toward that being.
What was he?
Who was he?
Thump! Thump!
Cassias's heart pounded.
Her chest swelled so full her eyes grew moist.
How long she'd dreamed of this moment!
Reviving Her motionless trace and communing with Her will!
It was what she'd wished for eternally in her remaining life.
And that man made it happen.
Even healing her body to boot.
Glance.
Cassias eyed her claws and tail sidelong.
Foolish!
She wanted to crush these insults to such a noble guest.
"Ahem."
The man spoke.
"Earth says."
- Grrr?
Earth?
Cassias slowly lifted her head.
Her body thrilled with excitement, but she suppressed it.
She tried to stay calm.
But.
"She says she's been so sorry and grateful all this time."
The moment she heard it.
- Roooaaarrr!
The dragon roared.
Tears streamed to the ground.
Her breath ragged, her body burned hot.
Yes.
A new emotion.
Something poignant surging from her soles like a fountain.
- Earth, no! Sorry? Every moment until today was a blessing...!
"She hopes you find freedom now. Live for yourself."
- No, how could She say...!
The dragon started to retort, then fell silent.
It was true.
Earth's fragment was gone, absorbed by that human.
Meaning nothing left to guard.
If the man left?
No reason for her to stay.
"Ah, correction. You'll live for those two young ones too, right? No need to say that?"
- ...!
Cassias's heart fluttered.
The two young dragons.
Toil and Toi.
Her beloved children, dearer than life.
Dragons live long.
Thus, they grow slowly.
Unless a special breed like Destruction Dragon, they need vast time to mature.
'The kids.'
These hatchlings experienced nothing.
Trapped here due to her guardian duty.
They knew no world, saw only crystals grown atop the fragment.
Dragons don't grow without experience.
Thus.
- Is that so...?
Cassias felt Earth's will.
Do what you want now!
Live for yourself!
It was for her hatchlings too.
Shudder!
Suppressing surging passion again, the dragon gazed at the man.
- One thing I wish to ask.
Cassias spoke deferentially to the man.
He was chosen by Earth's fragment.
Worthy of respect beyond race.
"What is it?"
The man tilted his head.
- Truth be told, I know not freedom. Countless ages guarding and fighting here—nothing else.
Even if long ago.
Memories lost.
A tiny fraction of her life, hard to recall.
- But one thing I know.
Simply.
That Earth resides by your side.
- Might I stay by your side? Experience the world with you?
Cassias proposed to the man.
No, pleaded.
* * *
Whoa.
Um...
I scratched my head.
Stay by my side?
A dragon?
This tenacious Earth Dragon?
Fine by me.
But a problem.
A huge one.
"You're free to do so. But I'm leaving soon?"
No clue where the Spirit Realm is in the universe.
How far.
No direction, no info.
Beyond our civilization's grasp.
But me?
Quest done, off to Murim soon.
What to do.
Can't stuff a dragon in my subspace bag.
- It's fine.
The Earth Dragon's throat rumbled.
- I know you and Earth's scent within you.
Meaning?
- Yes, if you permit, I'll find you. No matter the time.
Rumble...!
The dragon rose.
Spreading wings wide.
This giant coming to me?
The Dragon Knight would love it more.
Anyway.
No reason to refuse, I nodded.
"Do that."
Where I'll be.
Earth? Murim?
Strictly, two worlds in separate spaces.
But close in this vast universe.
Delaila found it traveling, after all.
'Wherever.'
It'll find me.
I felt it.
- Thank you, human.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
The Earth Dragon led her young skyward.
- And thank you, Wind Summoner.
Wings unaccustomed to flight, flapping awkwardly.
She thanked Yuisa too.
Nod.
Yuisa smiled and nodded.
"No problem."
At once.
Whoooosh!
Boom!
The skyborne dragon pierced the cavern ceiling.
The monster departing the depths at last.
The dragon begins her journey.
To find me.
Experiencing countless worlds, meeting myriad beings.
And we'll meet again.
Someday.
* * *
"Earth, huh... Will we see it someday too?"
Esta, from B-A12, scratched his head.
"Short time, but disappointing."
"Disappointing."
Kerin from Oshirotum world muttered curtly.
And.
"We might meet soon. All of us."
Lingling from Tantara world smiled from atop her golem.
"Meet?"
I tilted my head.
"I said might. Not sure, so let's move on. Haha!"
Lingling slapped my shoulder, laughing.
What?
Curiosity piqued, but no time.
[Rewards arriving!]
[Congratulations!]
[Acquired item, 'Supreme of Gold and the World's Best' (SS-grade).]
[Ring!]
[This item is job-related.]
Plop!
A wooden sword appeared in my hand.
New conduit meant time to exit the dungeon soon.
[Item: 'Supreme of Gold and the World's Best' (SS-grade)]
[Grade: SS]
[Type: Conduit]
[Description: Wooden sword to uncover hidden ruins' secrets.]
[Effect 1: Opens dungeon 'Murim'.]
[Effect 2: Bound to Hunter 'Joo Dong-hoon'.]
[Effect 3: Activates at Hunter grade SS or higher.]
'Obvious bone work.'
I glanced at the info and bid the summoners farewell.
Spirit Kings?
Yuisa alone suffices to meet again.
Others? Could be last goodbye.
'The Abyssal Crystals.'
No need to take.
[The Earth Essence says.]
['Abyssal Crystals' are mere byproducts blooming around me. Mine anytime where fragments are.]
Meaning.
Crackle!
Like weapons from my hand, Abyssal Crystals (SSS-grade) too.
Infinitely.
"Time to go soon, right? Thanks, Dong-hoon! And..."
My lifesaver, Jeya Sylphrion gazed at me.
"Just in case... Don't hate Sua too much."
Whoosh!
Vision blurred.
Returning to entry point.
I smiled at Jeya, perhaps the last time.
"Sua? Who's that?"
"Pardon...?"
At once.
Flash!
A strange energy enveloped my body.