Chapter 250
Chapter 250
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 250
Chapter Title: Dragonkin Realm Challenge
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Leyzon returned home after safely concluding the meeting with the Northern Noble Faction.
Duke Imperba had decided to proceed exactly as Leyzon planned.
It was a stage Leyzon had meticulously set.
The duke seemed intent on riding that wave in one grand sweep.
Duke Imperba would waste no time spreading word of enemies within the imperial court.
The Northern Noble Faction—especially Duke Kaiden—would find themselves with fires burning at their feet.
'Time to pay the price for your greed.'
He acknowledged the harsh life of the Northern Noble Faction.
Sparse land.
The north, mediating endless conflicts with the heteromorphic races who dwelled there.
Survival day by day was no easy feat, naturally.
He understood their desire to escape such a fate.
But that didn't justify joining hands with the Puppet Troupe Leader.
The moment they borrowed outside power, the north had no future.
'Duke Imperba's got the cunning for it. Once cracks form in the north, he'll extend his reach at lightning speed.'
This affair had ignited Duke Imperba's own ambitions.
To ensure the Eastern Noble Faction's survival, he'd do whatever it took.
And now, those resolutions were bearing fruit.
Leyzon left it all in Duke Imperba's hands.
Struggles between noble factions were best handled by nobles themselves.
Leyzon's role henceforth was to shake up the flow.
This incident would serve as a warning to the Puppet Troupe Leader too.
'If possible, I'd like to maximize this opportunity.'
To do that, he needed to elevate the Abyss's name once more.
The Eastern Noble Faction would aggressively highlight the Abyss's legitimacy through this.
The Abyss's name, destined to echo across the nation.
It needed an event to accelerate that spread.
Back in Sahā Village, Leyzon asked Crow for the latest world affairs reports.
The Abyss's existence had already surfaced.
Now, bold activity would spread the name even faster.
"Anything worthwhile here?"
Leyzon was poring over the documents, deep in thought.
"Lord Leyzon, what about this one?"
At that moment, Crow pulled out a file and handed it to him.
It detailed a Hero-grade dungeon that had never been cleared.
The Dragonkin Realm.
They were recruiting challengers for it.
The one gathering the team was "Ambition Star," infamous as the perennial second-place guild.
Ambition Star boasted the highest number of Hero-grade members among all guilds.
Though their fame didn't surpass Dewy Night's, they took pride in their Hero-grade roster.
Their sole goal: dungeon clears.
Thus, they attracted many Pioneers focused on dungeon conquests.
And the dungeon they targeted this time was the Dragonkin Realm.
Unconquered to date, its difficulty was immense.
Hence the call for additional recruits.
Every Hero-grade was a precious veteran asset.
Even one more would vastly bolster their strength.
It didn't matter if they weren't guildmates—no loss there.
"Don't you need a Hero-grade clear too, Lord Leyzon?"
"Indeed."
For experience alone, a Hero-grade dungeon was essential.
And here was a perfect chance to make waves with one.
"Alright, it's decided. Let's go."
For Leyzon, there was no downside.
A Pioneer should shine in dungeons, after all.
"Everyone, get ready."
"Yessir!"
At Leyzon's command, the undead sprang into action.
Strike while the iron's hot.
Off to Ambition Star.
The Dragonkin Realm.
A dungeon spawning Phantasmal Beast Dragonkin.
Unlike typical Phantasmal Beasts, these winged, bipedal Dragonkin possessed intelligence and formed packs.
Facing them felt like battling humans.
It was essentially war against another race.
That's why the Dragonkin Realm remained uncleared.
Entry slots for Hero-grade dungeons were limited, but the Dragonkin called it home.
Their overwhelming numbers crushed even Hero-grade Pioneers.
Every attempt had failed.
Now, Ambition Star's guild master stood before the Dragonkin Realm.
Alias: Saturation.
True name: Rastolpo.
A 16-Ascension Bronze Hero-grade Pioneer.
He wielded a unique heavy firearm with devastating firepower.
A thick cigar clenched between his teeth, he eyed the recruits steadily.
For this Dragonkin Realm assault, he'd scoured the world.
'Quite the Hero-grade turnout.'
One Hero-grade could lead a major guild.
But not all Hero-grades commanded guilds.
Leading a group wasn't easy.
Some preferred solo runs or guild roles, strength aside.
Especially those drawn to Ambition Star.
Even they deemed the Dragonkin Realm a tough nut.
The call for aid had drawn heavy hitters.
'West's Wolf, Crimson Rose, Ice Moon, and even Black Hand.'
Not guild-affiliated, but renowned Hero-grades.
One caught Rastolpo's eye most: the sole other 16-Ascension Bronze Hero-grade applicant.
'Hanok Wilbria.'
He'd recently ascended to Bronze Hero-grade.
Former Sunso Guild member and upper Pioneer tournament champ.
Then vanished, only to reemerge as Bronze Hero-grade.
'Sword-Tooth Clan, huh.'
Like the Shadow Warlord, they brimmed with talent.
True to the race excelling in combat.
'He's a lock.'
Such rarities weren't found just anywhere.
Rastolpo secured Hanok on the spot.
Now, the other Hero-grades.
Six applicants total.
Urgent need didn't mean skipping vetting.
Dragonkin Realm demanded synergy.
Friendlies firing on allies was the real terror.
Barring fellow Bronze Hero-grades, tests were mandatory.
"The rest... faces I don't know."
Rastolpo muttered, scrutinizing two extras.
One necromancer, one mage.
Newly minted Hero-grades, unknown names.
Tests were crucial.
Knock knock—
A knock echoed in his office.
"Guild Master Rastolpo, all applicants assembled."
Perfect timing.
Rastolpo rose.
"Right, let's go."
Time to judge them personally.
He followed his guildmate out.
Moments later, he arrived at Ambition Star's training grounds.
Tests pre-announced, all had gathered.
Seven in total.
Rastolpo smiled faintly at them.
"Pleased to meet you. I'm Rastolpo, guild master of Ambition Star."
Straight to business after greetings.
"As mentioned, a simple test to gauge your strength and style. Your cooperation is appreciated."
Non-cooperators wouldn't join anyway.
They knew, so no gripes.
"First, Hanok Wilbria."
"Y-yes, sir!"
A soft reply to his call.
A youth, barely adult-looking, stood there.
Rastolpo was burly.
Hanok seemed especially slight beside him.
Yet his aura screamed real power.
Matching Rastolpo's 16-Ascension Bronze Hero-grade.
No ignoring that.
'Looks a bit unreliable at first glance.'
But skills were legit.
"No test needed for you."
"Uh, really?"
"Bronze Hero-grades are too valuable. We're begging you to join."
Rastolpo boomed a laugh.
Hanok glanced awkwardly aside, bewildered.
A rough-looking man stood nearby.
Comrade, perhaps?
Rastolpo eyed him, then frowned.
His eyes widened slowly.
"Ah, you're that Steel Wolf Guild prospect from the major guild summit, aren't you?"
Name hadn't rung a bell, but the face did.
Leyzon—that was it.
"Yes, that's me."
Leyzon smiled back.
Rastolpo was stunned.
Had he become a Hero-grade already?
Steel Wolf's moves were suspicious lately, and so were their members.
But doubt crept in.
"...A necromancer?"
Leyzon had one-shotted Sunso's prospect Obillon back then.
A necromancer? Odd.
"Yes, Poison Necromancer."
An off-meta job, no less.
Rastolpo's skepticism deepened.
"Hahaha, Poison Necromancer? Same class as me."
A hooded middle-aged man chuckled.
Deep scar twisting his ever-grinning mouth.
Korazin, alias Black Hand.
True to the name, his hands were pitch-black.
Poison Necromancers' hands darkened with use.
His showed deep venom mastery.
Leyzon's, by contrast, were pristine.
Flawless, almost elegantly so.
Hands alone screamed the gap.
"Poison magic gets devoured by stronger poisons. No need for two of us."
Black Hand smirked at Leyzon.
"Do you really need to join?"
Pure "I outrank you—scram."
Post-imperial necromancer warrant lift, he'd resumed activities everywhere.
Already infamous for poison's cruelty from the shadows.
Time to go public.
No room for rival necromancers.
Rastolpo caught the intent.
Stronger poison consumed weaker.
Two Poison Necromancers redundant.
"I see."
Leyzon nodded understandingly.
Black Hand sneered.
"Then you'll have to head back."
But the next words cut his grin short.
Blatant superiority.
Black Hand scoffed disbelievingly.
No Poison Necromancer outshone him.
Yet this confidence?
"Poor judgment."
Leyzon turned, smiling coolly.
"Judgment's free, isn't it?"
"Hahaha, not all Hero-grades are equal. Fine."
Black Hand cracked his knuckles.
"I'll show you. Right, Guild Master? That's what you want?"
No need for two.
Rastolpo nodded instead of replying.
"Prepare the test."
Black Hand vs. Leyzon.
One out for the Dragonkin Realm.
Applicant tests begin.
Only Hanok, exempt, sighed in relief.
Today, one Poison Necromancer would fall.