Chapter 296: Thunder Bird
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 296: Thunder Bird
My whole body was burning.
So, this was the Red Dragon's full power.
It was more than worthy of being called the strongest sword of the Gaegaek Cult.
Firepower that even I couldn't withstand unscathed.
But thanks to it, all the Ice Dragon's chill that had seeped into my body was driven out.
And since I was in this state, the Ice Dragon couldn't be unscathed either.
She'd worn that unpleasant expression the whole time, but now she was finally making a human-like face.
Ironic, seeing a human expression on a reptile's face.
Swaaaaaaak!
I cloaked my right arm in a blue sword aura.
She could also use a protective aura, so coating my arm in sword aura wouldn't make a huge difference.
If her highly proficient aura clashed with my sword aura, I would clearly be pushed back.
But things were different now.
Her body was gradually melting, while mine was burning hot.
It meant I could overturn the difference in experience and power with this elemental advantage.
Kwaaaaaang!
Her foreleg and mine clashed.
In terms of sheer size and strength, she should have had the upper hand, but she was the one being pushed back.
"Kkh… You… truly…"
What was damaging her wasn't my strength, but this insane fire energy.
Phwaaaaaak!
Not to be outdone, the Ice Dragon tried to keep releasing her cold energy.
A massive amount of steam billowed up every time she used her power.
But it would be impossible for her to fully concentrate on releasing cold energy while clashing with me.
This area had now become what could be called a zone of flames.
We had seized the territorial advantage.
And I planned to use it to the fullest.
"So the rumors about Bifang and Qiongqi being defeated… weren't just rumors!"
Kwaaaang!
It seemed she'd given up on changing the terrain and decided to first deal with me, who kept rushing at her.
Her assault became even more aggressive than before.
Kwaaaaaang!
A high-tier dragon like her was only swinging her forelegs, but it wasn't because she lacked technique.
It was because I was moving like an acrobat on a tightrope, suppressing her actions.
I moved at the fastest speed I could muster, constantly interfering with her to prevent her from using any other techniques.
There was no need to attack recklessly.
The Red Dragon's fire energy was doing the attacking for me.
Hwarururuk!
The Red Dragon was also drained from using a major technique, but her long-range support was still effective.
My Dragon Blood continuously responded to her fire energy.
If this continued for much longer, even my scales would surely melt.
But without going this far, I wouldn't be able to take down the Ice Dragon.
Kwaaaang!
We continued to trade blows in close combat.
Every time the Ice Dragon's arm struck the ground, dozens of frost swords formed in an instant.
I kept dodging those attacks and blocking her movements, but I was growing short of breath.
Jjeoeok!
Kwaaaang!
On top of that, she threw in wing strikes from time to time.
A dragon's wings could sometimes be used like arms, so it was as if she were attacking me with four limbs.
She had more weapons than me, so I was bound to be pushed back.
But I wasn't just using my two arms either.
Swiiiiish!
My long tail whipped through the air like a lash.
Jjeooooong!
It struck with enough force to shatter the Ice Dragon's ice scales.
"Kuh!"
A shallow wound appeared on her right shoulder.
It wasn't a deep wound, but its significance lay in the fact that I had melted and broken through that fortress of ice.
Pabababat!
I kept moving, my four feet pounding the earth.
Hwaaaak!
Whenever she tried to take flight, I relentlessly aimed for her wings.
"Th-this is…!"
When I saw the telltale signs of her preparing a major technique like a breath attack, I dove right under her neck to stop her.
It was a dangerous acrobatic feat; one misstep could mean instant death.
Phwaaaak!
The moment I made that one misstep, I paid the price.
Her sharp wing sliced clean across my chest.
"This is… quite enough. Why do you struggle so desperately…?"
Even for me, a wound like that was bound to create an opening.
The Ice Dragon didn't miss that opening and tried to conjure a frost storm.
A technique to blow away the Red Dragon's fire and change the tide of battle.
Just before her wings began to flap, I gritted my teeth.
A crisis is also an opportunity.
Kuuuung!
I stomped hard on the ground.
[Using 「Reverse Scale LV10」.]
[Temporarily acquiring 「Uprooting Mountains and Overpowering the World」.]
[Skill proficiency is high.]
[「Uprooting Mountains and Overpowering the World」 evolves into 「Uprooting Heavens and Overpowering the World」.]
Uprooting Heavens and Overpowering the World.
Strength to uproot the heavens, a spirit that blankets the world.
Kuguguguguk.
The effect of this technique is to temporarily halt the opponent's movements.
And to explosively increase my own strength.
The Ice Dragon's movements, as she was about to use her technique, momentarily froze.
This was the perfect situation I had been aiming for.
My target was the shallow wound I'd made earlier.
My five fingers flew toward the frozen Ice Dragon.
Jjeooooooook!
Even with the Gaegaek Divine Claw, it didn't have the power to defeat her.
But it could generate enough force to pierce her thick ice, creating a crack in her fortress-like defense.
My right hand, the Gaegaek Divine Claw.
My left, the Black Killing Demon Palm.
The Black Killing Demon Palm is a skill registered in my skill window, but it's not one I've mastered.
So once again, I had to resort to a shortcut.
[Using 「Reverse Scale LV10」.]
The target for Reverse Scale was myself.
To be precise, I copied the technique of the previous Gomodo who stole my body.
[Temporarily acquiring 「Black Killing Demon Palm (Modified)」.]
The aura of black slaughter.
The true power of Gomodo, feared by all spirit beasts.
Even the Ice Dragon couldn't possibly remain unscathed after being hit by this attack while exposed to the Red Dragon's fire.
Therefore, this could be considered the final blow.
Swiiiiish!
A power that could be called death itself shot toward the Ice Dragon's wound.
Kwarururururung!
My attack never reached the Ice Dragon.
Because with a clap of thunder, my vision flipped.
Kwaaaaaaaang!
I felt a powerful impact on my side and was literally sent flying, slamming into a rock.
"Aah? You rolled in the middle of all that to reduce the damage?"
I hurriedly got back on my feet.
Someone had interfered.
And I instinctively knew who it was.
A being completely opposite to the calm Ice Dragon.
Yellow hair, tanned skin.
He was sticking his tongue out with a face that perfectly suited the word "punk."
【Thunder Bird LV???】
"Whoa, now this is something else, huh?"
The Thunder Bird.
Also known as the Noejo, another of the Red Dragon's sworn enemies.
I had been aware of his existence from the start.
After all, the ones my master had mentioned were the Thunder Bird and the Ice Dragon.
That's why I tried to finish off the Ice Dragon quickly, but I guess I was too late.
Hwarururuk.
Jjeo-eok!
In the distance, the Ice Dragon's chill and the Red Dragon's fire were clashing.
The Ice Dragon wasn't in good shape.
The Red Dragon I know could defeat the Ice Dragon in her current state, though it might take some time.
It might be a different story if she were uninjured, but I'd managed to inflict a fairly large wound. If the fire energy keeps accumulating, the Ice Dragon will eventually fall.
In that case, my job was clear.
Keep the Thunder Bird occupied so he can't join the other fight.
"Aah? You wanna fight me? Seriously?"
He was in a humanoid form, not his spirit beast form.
Now would be the perfect time to unleash an attack.
"Let's talk first. I'm not interested in that bitch over there anyway."
…Talk?
Whatever. This was good.
It bought me more time to hold him here, and my body would recover during that time.
"I flew over 'cause I heard some guy killed Qiongqi and Bifang. Heh, I was wondering what he looked like… but your face is pretty familiar, huh?"
Does he know Gomodo too?
"Hah! Right, it's you! Old Death with a Tail!"
He seemed to be on the same level as the Ice Dragon, so it would be stranger if he didn't know.
"It's been a while!"
The Thunder Bird laughed loudly, sticking his tongue out.
…Could he have been on friendly terms with Gomodo?
I was a little confused.
"Hmm… looking at your face, it seems you haven't managed to take over the body yet, huh?"
What?
I should be perceived as Gomodo's descendant.
Even the Ice Dragon, who knew that much, had provoked me by mentioning my parents.
But what in the world is this guy?
How does he know the previous Gomodo is inside me?
And his words are strange, too.
Haven't managed to take over the body.
Isn't the subject of that action the previous Gomodo, not me?
"Keuk… You look vicious, but maybe 'cause you're a lizard, you've got a cute side to you."
The Thunder Bird chuckled as if he found it amusing.
"I never thought it would turn out like this, but seeing it in person is fascinating. Mmm, that guy really is interesting."
What on earth does this guy know?
"We've got plenty of time. What should I tell you first?"
He gave a sly smirk.
I could tell that this wasn't an act of goodwill.
"My relationship with Gomodo? Or maybe how I knew that guy was inside your body?"
He was saying things I couldn't help but listen to.
An ancient spirit beast. And one with a connection to the previous Gomodo.
This guy might be able to answer the questions I've had for so long.
"You've got that 'how do you know all this' look in your eyes. Well, I might not know about other things, but I know that Gomodo guy pretty well."
But everything he's saying could just be a ploy to confuse me.
Just as I'm stalling for time, he might have some reason to stall as well.
Right, I can't let myself be swayed by uncertain information.
I have to remain calm and be ready to attack the moment I see an opening.
"Pfft! You still don't believe me?"
How could I?
He could be lying, and I'd have no way of telling the difference.
"Hmm… what should I do to earn your trust? Right, maybe if I tell you this?"
Go ahead and spout whatever you want.
You think I'll fall for it?
"That you weren't originally a lizard?"
…….
What?
The Thunder Bird's eyes curved into crescents.
"What'll you do if you're already surprised?"
It was a bizarre, twisted smile.
Goosebumps started to crawl all over my skin.
It wasn't out of fear of him.
"I also know for a fact that you're not a being of this world."
It was out of fear of what he knew.