Chapter 38
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 38
Chapter Title: Five Days (5)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The duel ended in the blink of an eye.
An achievement accomplished exactly twelve hours later.
The horrific training ordeal with Ilrak flashed naturally before Bran's eyes.
"...You earned your keep."
It was a night that burned hot in a different way.
All of Ilrak's training took place right in front of the Dragonheart Kiln.
In a space swept by scorching winds even a fire dragon could barely endure, she swung her axe without respite and writhed to tame the heat rampaging through her body.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙
Enduring heat beyond the body's limits. Tenacity of the Weed activates!
Fire Damage Resistance growth rate slightly increases.
Tenacity of the Weed triggered twice even for Bran standing far off—that said it all.
The fruit of enduring that trial was the construction of the "Central Heat Line."
To compare to reality, like the Gyeongbu Expressway.
The first step in heat control, forming the foundational pathway for the heat circuit.
'A far more dramatic change than in the game. Didn't expect it to get this strong.'
A vivid red glow flowed along Ilrak's spine.
With the Central Heat Line built, Ilrak could now circulate her heart's heat along her spine and abdomen.
The in-game effect was enhanced athletic ability and stamina.
It seemed minor at a glance, but well worth the investment.
"Haa... haaa..."
Freude panted with her wings out, proving it.
The firepower that overwhelmed a pureblood in an instant.
This was a glimpse of Return Road's strongest close-range nuke, Ilrak Zarheim.
Silence stretched on.
"......I have no choice but to acknowledge it."
Freude's wings folded slowly.
The lightning coiling her arms faded away.
She turned to Ilrak and flashed a smile.
"I lost, miss."
Her wide round eyes had returned to their usual fine lines.
No sign of bruised feelings despite the instant defeat.
Ilrak let her axe drop with a clunk.
"Heh."
Sizzle!
The pebbles touching the axe blade melted away.
Proof that Freude's choice to evade—even deploying her wings—was spot on.
To show this much in the first stage? Her future looked bright.
Ilrak turned slowly to Bran and grinned, baring her fangs.
"Told you it works."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
The duel was over.
Back at the workshop, everyone dove straight into rest.
They had to visit the Steel Tower in just a few hours, so they needed to recharge fully.
During their late meal, Ilrak held up her empty plate.
"Freude! More of this!"
"Yes~ One moment."
Freude rose.
She returned with a plate piled mountain-high with thick steaks and set it before Ilrak.
Crunch! Ilrak bit off half a steak in one go and shivered in delight.
"Kuh, this is it. No place in the Golden District nails this taste."
"Come to think of it, it's been ages since I cooked for you, miss. To your liking?"
"Yeah. The only thing I missed from that dump was your cooking. Honestly, getting chased out without this hurt more than missing Alto's treasure."
"Hehe, dig in. I can whip up as much as you want."
Freude was a completely different person from the duel.
Relief from no more fighting?
Affection dripped from her eyes, evoking an older sister doting on her baby sis.
Ilrak treated her casually too.
The heartwarming scene lifted Bran's spirits, drawing a smile.
'Didn't know dragons could be this close. Missed that.'
A relationship unknown to him as a player.
Pride swelled from unearthing the creator's hidden lore.
Snap! Midway through her plate, Ilrak snapped her fingers as something occurred to her.
"Right. What'll you tell Alto?"
"The truth. That Miss Ilrak is plenty strong."
"Hmm. Won't he blow up over disobeying orders?"
"I'll say it was my call—he'll respect that. The order wasn't to chain you down, but to temper you for real. He'll be thrilled, I wager."
Freude answered without hesitation.
Defeated in the duel, she kept her promise with scary precision.
Almost as if this was the outcome she'd hoped for.
Ilrak shrugged an eyebrow.
"Hmm. If so, great."
"No need to worry. I'll also pass on that you snagged a sturdy lover."
"Eep!"
Before Ilrak could react.
The water Kael was drinking sprayed from his nose and mouth.
"Cough! Cough! L-Lover?!"
"Hey, you sprayed everywhere."
Bran, seated across, furrowed his brow.
Kael looked on the verge of tears, glancing back and forth between him and Ilrak.
Sly punk. Knew he'd play coy.
"Guh...! Ack! Guh!"
Ilrak seemed pretty flustered too.
Steak lodged in her throat, she thumped her chest before finally speaking.
"Pha...! Sudden bullshit? Wh-what lover?!"
"......Just a joke."
Freude blinked.
Her slender eyes wide from shock.
But only for a moment.
Her round moon eyes curved into mischievous crescents.
"Reaction's fiercer than expected. Got a real crush somewhere?"
"N-no way... I wouldn't..."
"Come on, spill to me. Perfect age for crushes, right?"
"I said no!"
Thud! Ilrak slammed her tail on the floor.
Now he got why she was called a girl.
The whole workshop shook, jolting Vilmoreth awake.
"Gasp! Enemy ambush?!"
"Nah, back to sleep, Vilmoreth."
Bran chuckled and waved her off.
After five sleepless days, this rowdy time felt extra precious.
"Hmmm... hmm..."
Kael scooted his chair close, hanging on their every word.
Like a spy on assignment.
Both so young—naturally hooked on romance talk.
"Times like this too."
Bran muttered.
Freude's teasing dragged on until exhaustion claimed Ilrak like a narcoleptic.
Voices faded as the pitch-black night sky blushed blue.
.
.
.
"Then. I'll take my leave."
Freude bowed demurely.
Perfectly mirroring her greeting at the door.
Bran waved.
"Sure. Safe travels."
"G-glad we met..."
Kael beside him bowed too, reluctance in his voice.
Ilrak and Vilmoreth dead to the world, so Bran and Kael saw her off.
"Oh."
Suddenly, Freude pulled a small silk pouch from her apron pocket.
"Bran. When the miss wakes, could you give her this?"
"Hm? What's this?"
"Feel free to peek."
Bran did.
His eyes went wide at the contents.
"All top-grade potions? Revival Herb too?!"
"You're tough—no need for yesterday's scrapes. Save it for when you need it."
"Ah. The prize promised to Ilrak."
This qualified as a prize, no doubt.
Even for a verbal promise, it felt overly generous.
Adventurers shelled out fortunes for these in bulk before tackling deadly ruins.
'Hit the jackpot.'
Mostly herbal meds he could use himself too.
Doubled via Heart of Harmeno? Incredibly handy.
As Bran moved to thank her, Freude shook her head.
"No need."
"Huh?"
"The prize for Miss Ilrak is prepared separately. This is what the master ordered delivered if he couldn't bring her back."
"...Alto did?"
"Yes. Handed it over saying exactly: 'Low-grade stuff perfect for her half-baked frail body! Kahahaha!'"
Freude burst out laughing.
Startled Kael ducked behind Bran on reflex.
The echoes died, leaving silence.
"......"
"......"
Deeply awkward silence.
Freude bowed.
"......Sorry. Tried mimicking him best I could. Guess jokes aren't my forte."
"Nah. Nailed the vibe."
Bran shook his head.
Recalling Alto from beyond the screen, it was spot-on acting.
What a tiresome dragon.
Picked the best stuff, calls it low-grade.
"I'll make sure she gets it. Tell Alto not to worry."
"Thank you. Before I go, the promised info?"
"Ah. Right."
The bait he'd dangled to sway her.
Info to resolve Alto's dilemma.
Piece of cake.
Dredging player memories, he continued.
"Like I said, not rock-solid. Top adventurers all named the same spot, so that's my guess. Heard it's at the western edge, Lar Norn."
"Lar Norn... that floating island. It was on the candidate list."
No clue how Alto would take it, but no harm in believing.
The item he sought was definitely there.
Just nigh impossible to reach.
Freude nodded deeply.
"I'll relay it faithfully. And this is the prize promised for the miss."
She proffered something shimmering.
A single iridescent scale pinched between thumb and forefinger, scattering prismatic light.
Ordinary size, extraordinary sheen.
Bran clocked it and let out an involuntary gasp.
"Hold on. You can just give this away?"
"Shed over a century ago anyway. Since the miss fights human-style now, I figured it'd be extra special. Any party member fine, long as agreed."
"...Graciously accepted."
Bran took the scale.
Seemed like casually plucked own scale, but worlds apart.
To hand it over so lightly. She really treasured Ilrak.
"Then, I'm off for real."
"Bye, Freude. Was fun."
"Great experience for me too. Here's to crossing paths again."
Flap! Wings unfurled behind her.
Golden scales blanketing them—beautiful as ever.
Currents dancing over the membrane hinted her true nature.
"Take good care of the miss."
With that, her form shot skyward as a streak of light.
Whoosh!
The beam pierced straight into a massive cumulus.
Rumble!!!
The cloud lit brilliant for an instant, a colossal dragon shadow flickering through.
Wingspan dozens of meters. The tail vanishing into the cloud—long and thick enough to level the Iron Song Workshop in one swipe.
Freude's true form.
The ensuing thunderclap alone betrayed her might.
Had she dropped polymorph on one part mid-fight, Ilrak would've been rolling on the floor.
Thank goodness she'd taken his offer.
Kael gaped in awe.
"Waa..."
"Time to head in, Kael. Gotta check the rest of the gear."
Bran said.
Before bed, test the remaining equipment Vilmoreth crafted.
Gloves and axe set a high bar—no way it'd disappoint.
Kael nodded solemnly and trotted after him.
"Yeah."
"Finally the day."
The five-day reprieve before the Steel Tower.
Its final night deepened.
```