Chapter 52
Chapter 52
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 52
Chapter Title: Eldrin and Demir (1)
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Eldrin.
And Demir.
Heroes of the forest and rock clans, absolute beings who had subdued the tyrannical Giant Dragon of this world.
"Drugen is strong. Strong enough to destroy this world right now."
The absolute being who had led the forest clan at the time.
Moonlight Eldrin had always kept a watchful eye on the dragon.
A wicked dragon.
Despite possessing immense power.
Rather than outright destroying the world, it had tormented and plundered the two clans bit by bit.
One day, Eldrin declared.
"We can't just keep taking this lying down."
She declared war on the dragon.
"The power gap is huge, so we can't kill it, but if we combine forces with the rock clan, maybe we can manage to seal it somehow?"
Elves alone could never stand a chance.
They needed the power of dwarven blacksmithing and alchemy.
And so, Eldrin was the first to extend a hand to the dwarves.
"I agree. We've been fed up with the dragon's rampage too."
The legendary blacksmith, Demir, gladly took her hand.
"Do you need weapons? Magic enhancements? We'll make them for you!"
What would later be called the Great Racial Unity.
The synergy between the two races was tremendous.
As if venting all their pent-up frustration from years of suffering, they moved with fierce determination.
Elves were equipped with weapons forged by dwarves.
United under the queen's command, the elves threw themselves into battle, even staking their lives.
And somehow, they managed to seal the dragon.
But the problem was this.
'Why did both heroes have to lose their lives!'
And another.
'Why are the two clans still unable to unite!'
That was the secret I had to uncover in this dungeon.
* * *
"Ahh, how radiant."
Dagunar's eyes gleamed as he gazed at the mysteriously glowing relics of the two.
But he didn't dare approach recklessly.
Because of my unmoving presence.
"May I check them first?"
I asked amiably.
My words were gentle, but Dagunar could hardly refuse.
Thud!
Taeyang-i slammed his spear into the ground and stared him down.
"O-of course! We only got here thanks to you! Ha, haha! I'm fine!"
"My thanks for your consideration."
I nodded and stepped forward.
[You have reached the 'Giant Dragon's Seal' altar.]
The overall structure resembled an altar.
Built to offer some sacrifice...
A space that even seemed sacred at first glance.
The two relics.
A bow and a hammer were displayed atop it.
'The bow.'
I approached the bow first and examined it.
Information appeared.
[Item: For Eldrin]
[Grade: S]
[Type: Bow]
[Description: A bow gifted by the legendary blacksmith 'Demir' to his eternal companion 'Eldrin.' It boasts tremendous performance.]
[Effect 1: All stats +20.]
[Effect 2: Arrows fired with special magic can be infinitely recovered.]
[Effect 3: Skill cooldown -20%.]
[Effect 4: Vitality +50.]
[Effect 5: Skill power +200%.]
[Effect 6: Can only be used by 'Moonlight Eldrin.']
'Crazy...?'
It was an insane item.
Even ignoring everything else, 'Skill power +200%'?
No matter what skill you used, it would deal triple the power!
It was incomparable even to the similarly S-grade item, 'Fire Dragon's Staff.'
[Fire attribute skill power +100%.]
The Fire Dragon's Staff only boosted 'fire attribute skills' by double...
'As expected of a bound item?'
Bound items far outperformed general ones.
It seemed limiting it to 'Eldrin' allowed for such superior performance.
'Next, the hammer.'
I turned my gaze.
[Item: Demir's Hammer]
[Grade: S]
[Type: Hammer]
[Description: A hammer made by the legendary blacksmith 'Demir' for himself. It boasts tremendous performance.]
[Effect 1: 'Production skills' can be used without surrounding tools.]
[Effect 2: Infuses the hammer with nature's 'energy,' granting enchant effects to items.]
[Effect 3: Production speed +500%.]
[Effect 4: Vitality +100.]
[Effect 5: Can only be used by 'Demir.']
The hammer also looked incredible, whatever it was.
A hammer that boosted enchant concepts I'd never seen before and even increased production speed.
Gulp.
I couldn't help but salivate.
Boneflesh would use it so well.
The only downside was that it was also a bound item.
"Hm?"
As I examined the two items, something else caught my eye.
A black orb placed between the two weapons.
It had an eerie allure, as if it might suck you in.
[Ring!]
[You have discovered the 'Orb of Prohibition.']
Orb of Prohibition?
What was that?
I peered closer out of curiosity, but no further information appeared.
However.
[Vitality -50 used.]
[Skill: 'Memory Recreation' (S-grade) activated.]
A familiar skill activated automatically.
Which meant.
There was a 'deceased soul' nearby whose memories I could read?
['Cursed' deceased soul, 'Moonlight Eldrin's' memory recreated.]
['Cursed' deceased soul, 'Great Demir's' memory recreated.]
[Moving shortly.]
What?
Eldrin and Demir's memories?
My eyes lit up.
Because my instincts told me this place held the key to the dungeon.
'Let's go.'
As I clenched my fist.
A blinding light engulfed my entire body.
* * *
"......"
I felt a sense of floating.
The surroundings were a very dark forest.
I had consciousness but no form.
Similar to when I'd read the old man's memories in the past.
The problem was.
"Wh-what is this?"
"Huh?"
Dagunar was here too.
"Y-you look transparent! I can't see my own body! What sorcery is this?!"
"......"
I frowned.
I had no idea what was happening, but it seemed Dagunar being near me had caused this.
"Wh-where the hell is this? A forest? Was there a forest like this in the elf territory?"
"If my guess is right, this is probably a memory from 500 years ago in this world."
I gave a rough explanation for now.
Whatever it was, on the bright side.
With Dagunar here, at least I wouldn't be bored.
"500 years ago?"
"Look over there."
I gestured with my eyes to one spot.
In the shadows of the dark forest shrouded in gloom.
An elf and a dwarf stood there.
* * *
"Eldrin."
The dwarf called the elf solemnly.
There was no hostility in his gaze like in the present.
"You've endured much. This 100-year bloodbath ends today."
"Yes, you too, Demir. You've endured greatly."
Resolve was etched on both their faces.
Silence in the hushed space.
That silence held complex thoughts and emotions.
Because.
Tonight was the night they had pledged to stake their lives in a final battle against the Giant Dragon.
Even as heroes.
They were living beings, after all, and couldn't help but cling to life.
Soon, Eldrin's breathing steadied.
"Thank you. For taking my hand on the day our race resolved itself."
"Don't say that. It was the natural course."
"Nothing in this world is natural."
Her breathing was calm yet ragged.
"There's no such thing as a life that must die. I can say that as the queen responsible for my clan, but you..."
"Tch, enough."
"Demir."
"Heh, didn't we pledge? You and I. To fight for our races. We united two mismatched clans and made it this far. No regrets in that process. So let me say it once more."
"......"
"Save those words."
"Thank you."
Eldrin raised her bow.
A custom bow handmade by the world's greatest blacksmith.
Demir also raised his hammer.
Not a production tool, but one nearly on the level of a magic staff.
- Krurrk!
In response.
The world grew even darker.
It was then that a massive dragon's body rose beyond the forest horizon.
A foul killing intent.
The savage wind made the mountains and trees tremble, silencing all life.
The tyrant that had driven the two clans to the brink.
The true form of the Giant Dragon Drugen!
"Demir."
"......"
"Are you ready?"
"Ready anytime. If I can land one hit on that damned dragon, I'd rip out my heart for the world, so don't worry."
"Reliable as ever."
Even against a power that terrified all life.
The two heroes' eyes held firm.
The gaze of those who defied death.
- Krahaha! How laughable!
The Giant Dragon watching them burst into laughter.
That laughter became a roar, shaking the world numb.
A chill down the spine, skin prickling with power.
- You think two mere insects can oppose me?
The two heroes gave no reply.
They simply moved.
Clang! Clang!
The legendary blacksmith.
Demir slammed his hammer into the ground.
Mystical alchemy and magic blended into that subtle strike.
[Acquired 'Absolute Shield Scroll' (S-grade).]
A single scroll materialized in an instant.
"Use it."
"Thank you."
A scene that would shock anyone who saw it.
"Crazy?"
I involuntarily cursed watching it.
Do you know how valuable an S-grade magic scroll is? And he just whips one out?!
"......Are those our ancestors?"
Dagunar gaped and groaned.
"Indeed... A blacksmith at the pinnacle. Just as the records say. The realm of crafting magic scrolls with a single hammer. A moving sight."
That was Demir.
The true form of the blacksmith who could casually produce S-grade bags for distribution.
Demir smiled.
We continued watching.
"I'll be making our tomb here, so can you buy me some time?"
Clang! Clang!
He struck the hammer again, crafting something.
Eldrin smiled back.
"Of course."
The queen nocked her bow once more.
"No matter how great a Giant Dragon, it won't underestimate me easily."
She was Moonlight.
Mother to all elves.
And the absolute being of this world 500 years ago.
- Absurd!
Drugen bellowed.
Then it raised a foreleg.
Boom!
Each strike shook the world.
The earth flipped.
- Elf queen. Fire that bow a hundred days. You think you can even scratch my body?
Drugen advanced step by step.
Toward the two heroes.
- I am this world's ruler. This world's predator. The world divides into prey and predator. Why do you defy heaven's fate?
"Shut your nonsense!"
Schwing! Schwing! Schwing!
Arrows flew from Eldrin's bow.
"If you were a true predator, you'd devour us all today."
Kaboom!
The arrows shot into the air curved like guided missiles into Drugen's body.
Moonlight Fall.
An arrow barrage falling under moonlight.
- Krgh.
The Giant Dragon grimaced.
Something was amiss.
The attacks were sharper than expected.
In short, like this.
You could easily swat one wasp, but if its stinger aimed for your eye, you'd hesitate.
"Fearful dragon."
Demir smirked watching it.
Clang! Clang!
His flashy hammering swiftly built something upward.
"In exchange for burying my bones here today, I'll bind you with prohibition."
- Don't play tricks!
The dragon sensed ill omen.
It abandoned its cautious stance.
Flap!
Wings spread powerfully!
It charged fiercely at the two races' leaders.
Eldrin didn't stand idle either.
She pulled her bowstring like a storm.
Demir's scrolls tore in abundance.
A brilliant magic feast.
The world screamed as the three colossal beings clashed.