Chapter 106
Chapter 106
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 106
Chapter Title: Chapter 34 - Wind God Island #3
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[Master! This isn't just a simple scream! The entire island is resonating!]
Integra was right.
As if syncing with the scream, the whole island was shaking.
“E-earthquake?!”
“No! It's Doju's scream!”
The elf kumiho cried out, her face drained of color.
From the circumstances, it seemed Doju was in danger.
[Master! I've pinpointed the origin!]
A large red arrow appeared in Luther's augmented reality vision.
The straight-line distance wasn't far, but the problem was that it was underground.
“Is there some kind of shelter underground?!”
At Luther's urgent question, the elf kumiho staggered to her feet on trembling legs and said,
“This way, this way!”
There was no cave, not even an entrance leading underground in the direction the elf kumiho pointed.
Just a large boulder rising amid the underbrush.
But that was merely an illusion.
[Master! Ultrasonic scan shows space behind the rock!]
[Perhaps an illusion spell—]
-Boom! Boom! Boom!
Another thunderous roar erupted from below ground, followed by an even stronger earthquake that rocked the island.
Now it truly felt like the island itself was screaming.
“Please save Doju! I beg you! I'll do anything!”
The elf kumiho, who had collapsed again from the quake, bowed her head before Luther and pleaded.
Without time to help the woman up, Luther hurled himself toward the boulder.
[Master! At least confirm—]
Integra screamed like a banshee, but by then Luther had already passed through the illusory wall.
Integra snapped at Luther as he landed in a low stance on the ground.
[Master! What if it was just a wall?!]
[Minimum confirmation procedures are absolutely necessary!]
“Sorry! More importantly, scan it!”
“More importantly?!”
[Ugh! Sending ultrasound. Separately, a strong life signal is detected underground.]
Luther activated the visor lights and stood.
A corridor about two meters high and three meters wide stretched ahead, with small ardragons collapsed here and there.
[The ardragons outside were too big to bring in, it seems.]
[Toxic substances fill the air. Likely the cause of the ardragons' collapse.]
It was unlikely the ardragons had suicided, so this was probably Doju's defensive measure.
“Let's hurry.”
Luther checked his visor's filtration and started running again as Integra said,
[A large cavity about 200 meters ahead.]
[The scream's origin, so stay cautious.]
The corridor's initially gentle slope grew steeper.
It seemed structured to lead straight underground without stairs.
“Integra! Enemies?!”
[In the cavity!]
[Unclear if fighting Doju or blocked by something else, but only one strong life signal!]
And the corridor ended.
Luther immediately activated stealth mode and leaped into the cavity, learning why there was only one strong life signal.
[Wh-what is that?]
[Some kind of robot from this planet?]
A red-scaled dragonkin with a pair of horns on its head was fighting white clay-like dolls.
Unlike the sleek dragonkin, the dolls had plump bodies, large arms, and short legs—the most surprising being their solid clay cross-sections.
[How do those even move?]
[Magic too?]
The moment Integra marveled at a doll's severed clay cross-section from the dragonkin's swing,
“Who goes there!”
The dragonkin, dancing through the dolls with its blade, bellowed like lightning and unleashed sharp sword energy toward Luther's position.
-Kaboom!
The ground-shattering sword energy struck where Luther had stood moments ago.
Luther dodged by rolling aside, then stayed put to avoid noise, but it was futile.
As if it could see Luther in stealth mode, the dragonkin unleashed another sword energy.
-Kwang!
A massive scar marred the wall from the clash.
Luther dodged again, then thrust both arms forward as he rose.
[Rocket Punch!]
True to its name.
Power Fists rocketed out on flames, charging with terrifying momentum.
But the dragonkin was no ordinary foe.
Far from panicking, it kicked up a fallen doll to block the Power Fists' path.
-Kaboom!
The Power Fists pierced the doll but lost speed and crashed.
Instead of dismay, Luther yanked his arms back and shouted,
“Integra, retrieve!”
“Huh?”
[It won't work?]
“What?!”
A launched rocket punch doesn't return.
Obvious in hindsight, but unexpected nonetheless.
“Fool!”
Sensing Luther's fluster, the dragonkin gripped its greatsword and charged.
Intent on cleaving the unarmed Luther in one stroke.
But a premature judgment.
[What the—?! Breast Beam!]
As Integra roared, Luther pulled his arms back, chest forward—a blue beam far stronger than the Energy Gun fired out.
The startled dragonkin swung its greatsword to slice the beam, a futile effort.
“Grah?!”
Unable to withstand the clash, the dragonkin was blasted back.
Integra roared again in sync with Luther's movements.
[Micro Missiles!]
[Heavy Flame Thrower!]
Six missiles from Luther's right arm and backpack pummeled the dragonkin just landing, while massive flames from his left engulfed it and the explosions.
But that wasn't all.
Integra was here—and elsewhere too.
[Schwarz, enter now!]
Schwarz, carrying the elf kumiho, burst into the cavity amid thunderous roars filling the space.
-Kaboom boom boom!
The twin Gatling beam cannons unleashed a barrage of energy rounds, turning the already devastated dragonkin and surroundings to utter ruin amid blasts and fire.
Yet Integra kept firing into the dust cloud, unsatisfied.
And at that instant,
“Groooaaar!”
Matching the roar, the dragonkin emitted a powerful energy field, briefly halting all of Integra's attacks.
Unmistakably the energy barrier dragonkin manifest when transforming.
“I'll tear you apart!”
The dragonkin's silhouette amid the glow evoked a massive feline beast with sharp horns.
Its aura weaker than mid-tier Lagros, but far stronger than low-tier Balboa or Astra.
Thus, Luther waited.
Instead of being dazzled by the roar and barrier, he counted and sprang as it leaped.
[Energy field dissipating!]
Dust cleared, revealing the dragonkin's true form fully.
By then, Luther was right in its face.
Flash.
The fastest of Astral Deva's twelve sword forms, the Sword Angel's technique.
Drunk on transformation's euphoria, the dragonkin realized only after the vibroblade severed its neck.
“Wha……?”
Its dazed voice was its last.
The head slid off, thudding to the ground as blood fountained from the stump.
[Victory!]
[Awarding 1 shop point for Master's brilliant swordsmanship!]
Amid Integra's cheerful voice, Luther sheathed his blade and exhaled deeply.
The Flash had drained his focus momentarily.
[Master, you okay?]
“Yeah, fine. Just not fully used to it yet.”
Astral Deva was no ordinary sword art.
A superhuman technique stimulating the brain to surge physical and cognitive abilities instantly.
Potent as it was, the recoil was significant—not for reckless use.
[Really okay?]
“Really. If a mere human Sword Emperor mastered it, a combat homunculus like me has no excuse.”
Integra intellectually agreed but emotionally worried, pursing her lips; Luther smiled reassuringly.
“Anyway, this counts as a landslide win. A straight fight wouldn't have been this easy.”
The dragonkin's greatsword skill was sharp.
It lost reason to Integra's taunt—otherwise, it might've dodged or parried.
'And... the time limit is indeed tight.'
Vibroblade duration: 11 seconds.
Even in bursts like against Lagros, only 3-4 uses per battle.
Must pick targets carefully, save for decisive moments.
'That's why I developed the Power Fist.'
Reducing reliance expanded tactics and endurance.
[Master?]
[Really, really okay?]
Luther nodded again, stowing Clairheim Morr.
“Integra, the kumiho elf?”
[A bit shocked, but no life threat.]
[Didn't want to leave her alone; also, Doju might mistake us for foes. Brought her.]
Integra's ever-rational, efficient action.
“Good call. Can we talk now?”
[Should be.]
[She's a bit dazed.]
Overwhelmed by the Gatling beam's firepower and Luther's strike.
But urgency snapping her out, the kumiho woman explained hoarsely.
“The shikigami bought time, it seems. Doju should be further in.”
She hesitated, then pointed one way.
Another hidden passage, like the entrance.
[She figures she has no choice but to trust the guy in front of her!]
Natural caution—Luther was a stranger despite saving her.
Luther nodded, finally introducing himself belatedly.
“Luther Lightseeker from the south.”
No point mentioning angels; they might not buy it. Just his name.
The kumiho woman bowed atop Schwarz and replied politely.
“I'm Sammihyo Seong Mina. I serve Doju Yerang, lord of Wind God Island and successor to the Azure Dragon.”
A Western elf in Eastern garb with an Eastern name felt jarring, but Luther focused on the content.
Integra too, turning to Luther post-intro.
[Master, Azure Dragon means Blue Dragon, right? Safe to rescue?]
'Fine. Rare, but good dragons of Divine Dragon Volpid's blood exist. Especially Azure Dragon—a sacred beast, so ally material.'
[From the original story...? No, an animal?]
Luther smiled wryly.
'Nah. Radian mentions sacred beast legends briefly, but Wild Hunt never showed even one.'
Now Luther suspected why.
That low-tier dragonkin was surely Hecatoncheires.
[So Hecatoncheires hunted the sacred beasts?]
'Likely. Maybe that's what spiraled Wild Hunt.'
Luther paused, then told Mina,
“Danger might linger. Best to link up with Doju first.”
If sacred beasts' deaths tied to Wild Hunt's rampage, protect this Doju.
Plus, clues to Sky Giant likely with Doju—meeting essential.
“Understood. I'll guide you.”
Mina tried dismounting Schwarz, but Integra spurred it forward, stopping her.
[Just point the way.]
[We'll escort safely.]
Via drone speaker, Integra spoke; Mina blinked wide, then nodded.
“Understood, sir horse. Straight ahead.”
She mistook Schwarz for the speaker.
'Integra does kinda look horsey.'
[Hold on, what do you mean by that?]
'Dunno?'
Luther chuckled teasingly; Integra pouted and glared.
Mina tilted her head at the laughing Luther.
And so, another ten minutes or so.
Harvesting the low-tier dragonkin's dragon heart, the group reached a small room off the hidden passage.
“Doju!”
“Mina? Mina!”
Mina leaped off Schwarz and rushed; from the opposite pond—made post-quake—Doju splashed frantically, voice tearful.
Witnessing the reunion, Integra furrowed her brow and turned to Luther.
[Master, definitely Azure Dragon successor... so Azure Dragon's child, right?]
Yes. That's what was said.
Thus Integra—and Luther—expected a small dragon or cute horned kid.
But before them was the unexpected.
Hugging Mina, who knelt tearfully thanking fate, was a large golden fish shedding huge tears.
No dragon by any stretch.
[A carp...?]
Golden scales, pair of whiskers by the mouth.
As if proclaiming it, Wind God Island's Doju—Azure Dragon successor—flapped its tail in Mina's arms.