Ascalon's Shard Pierces the Reverse Scale

I thrust the awl, crafted from a fragment of Ascalon, into the narrow gap of its reverse scale.

-Graaaaaa!

Ascalon! That damned sword!

But the length was far too short to reach its heart. However, relics in this world were among the materials with exceptional mana and aura conductivity.

"That's right. It's just a skewer now, but in the end, you'll die pierced by this chopstick-thin rod."

I channeled my aura through the skewer as a conduit, explosively extending its length. My target: the deepest part of its chest where the heart lay.

The technique I visualized in my mind was one of the pinnacles of aura arts—Dogyacheongcheong, one of Gwak Chunsik's original techniques.

-Krrrrrrrra!

Stop! Stop it!

The aura surging from the awl burrowing into its body began mercilessly shredding its insides.

The dragon heart's location? How many times had I poked at its heart—I knew exactly where it was.

Crack.

I felt something shatter at my fingertips.

"Got it."

-Kraaaaaaaaaaaaa!!

Unlike the previous roars, this was a genuine scream of agony. The massive sound shook not just the sky, but the ground itself.

Then, the colossal body slowly lost its strength and collapsed.

-dauðlegur. Ég skal bölva þér.

Just before its breath gave out, it murmured those words quietly. At the same time, violet mana erupted from its wound, surging toward me.

A brilliant blue barrier formed instantly, and the attack aimed at me vanished.

"Curse my ass."

Thud. I kicked the corpse away.

"If you're gonna die, die cleanly."

This was the end of the raid boss monster that had terrorized Jeju Island for decades—Pafnir's demise.

"Bishop... did we really just take down Pafnir—"

"Father Johan. Not a word. It'll resurrect because of you."

"...Pardon?"

Johan wore a baffled expression, but despite the bishop's worry, Pafnir was truly dead. Slain by the mortals it had so thoroughly despised.

And this fact was proven by the system window floating before my eyes.

"No major changes."

Confirming that the effects of Dragon Slayer matched what I remembered, I nodded and gazed at Pafnir's now-corpse.

"Well, if this counts as a reward, it is one."

An ancient dragon's corpse. Materials that hadn't yet been released into the world—the absolute pinnacle.

"You. You're Saber Cloud, right?"

Hearing the sudden voice from behind, I turned to see the bishop staring at me in surprise.

"Huh? What're you... oh."

Touching my face absentmindedly, I realized the aura was gone. The Clown Makeup I'd layered on my face during the brawl had vanished.

"...Well, I did use that name."

"That face... and the flawless aura control just now. No way—you're one of the Calione brats?"

Did my face really resemble Father's that much? The bishop deduced my identity in one shot from scant info.

Considering our relationship and the current situation, there was no point hiding it anymore. I nodded ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠casually.

"Yeah. Eugene Han Calione. That's my real name."

"And the disciple of our Aura Style master, Master Gwak Chunsik!"

Whether he'd been dying to spill it, the man receiving treatment behind me bolted up and shouted.

The bishop nodded as if it all made sense now.

"Ahh? So that's why the Cheongyacha workshop came to help us? Your hierarchy's even stricter than ours."

True to her Catholic roots, she nodded in understanding. She herself had been a nun promoted to bishop for her affinity with holy relics—a pretty unconventional choice, but...

Thinking back to when I played the 'Immortal Panties Holy Knight Order' route, yeah, their hierarchy was intense.

"Alright, shall we settle the raid contribution rewards? Any objections?"

She glanced at the representatives of each faction.

"We could sort it later, but... I'd love to wrap it up quick and rest. No complaints here."

"None from me either, Grand Senior."

"Then let's do it right here."

My proposal was this:

The dragon's carcass goes to me.

Cheongyacha workshop gets the exclusive contract orders from Calione moving forward.

Hallasan Cathedral gets...

"Priority rights over all of Jeju Island for the Catholic Church?"

"Yep. With Jeju's headache Pafnir gone, the Korean government will pull every dirty trick to claim it. But I have no intention of handing it over easily."

"No intention of handing over Jeju?"

Perplexed, I showed her the document envelope from my cube.

"I bought up most of Jeju's land when it was dirt cheap. Land that shouldn't have been tradable as national territory—all sold thanks to Pafnir. Even this Baekrokdam we're standing on is mine."

She gaped at me as I stated it matter-of-factly.

"You were absolutely certain you could kill Pafnir."

"Huh? Of course."

If I thought I couldn't, I'd have gotten stronger first. I made the call because my current specs and skills were more than enough.

"But that feels a bit stingy... It was Pafnir, not some small fry. You didn't forget that chopstick weapon was made from Ascalon, right?"

"I see that as just enhancing Ascalon—done and dusted. Fair point, though. It does seem a tad light."

So I showed her the additional reward I'd prepared last night.

"We'll sponsor the kids at Hallasan Cathedral until they come of age. Won't use the Calione name—some other company—but we'll ensure they study in world-class facilities."

To be clear, this was no bad deal for the cathedral. They treasured those kids above all. It'd erase most of the hardships those orphans endured commuting to school and enduring discrimination.

Plus, these kids grew up on Jeju, mana-rich thanks to Pafnir's lair. Post-lair, Jeju was an optimal awakening environment just by living there.

If those kids awaken and we hold shares in them, it's a win.

Considering the astronomical costs of raising Awakeners, the cathedral couldn't refuse.

"Plus... you forgetting ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠where we are?"

I spread my arms wide, overlooking the surroundings.

"We haven't even checked its lair yet. Just splitting what's inside will be huge."

Cheongyacha gets overflowing dragon byproducts to craft gear and challenge new heights.

The cathedral gets stable futures for the kids and influence over all Jeju.

And I get the dragon carcass.

"Sounds good for everyone, right?"

I was certain they'd agree.

* * *

"Bishop! Gramps... uh?"

After the Pafnir raid ended, heading to the lava cave where the kids and apprentices waited, we found them already outside, greeting us.

"Huh? Clothes are Gramps's, but... huh?"

"Bro! Where's Gramps?"

"Did Gramps die?"

The kids panicked, unadjusted to my real face. I couldn't help but chuckle.

"This Gramps?"

With a playful grin, I activated Clown Makeup to shift my face. The kids yelped in shock.

"The hot bro turned into Gramps!"

"It's Gramps!"

"Gramps didn't die?!"

Finally beaming, they rushed me happily.

"Seems the kids like you more than me, the bishop."

She pouted at the sight.

"Well, I've got a face that clicks with kids."

The ones who'd seen me so far all liked me, after all.

"Oh, Jeanne. Here's your rosary back."

I carefully pulled the rosary from my pocket and returned it to Jeanne, clinging to my leg.

"Thanks to Jeanne's rosary, I won. You're the best."

She meekly accepted it, letting me pat her head.

"Hehe. Glad it helped. Gramps. Or should I call you bro now?"

Still petting her confused head, I checked on the kids and apprentices. They looked unscathed.

"No other groups causing ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠trouble?"

"Huh? Oh, yes, sir!"

The apprentice snapped to attention at my question.

"Some straggler raiders passed near the cave mid-way, but no big issues! Grand Grand Senior!"

...Grand Grand Senior. Still not used to the title, but it felt nice.

Just then, Sister Maria and the others returned from scouting.

"Mr. Cloud. As expected, the other factions mostly disbanded after fighting monsters. They're retreating to bases, leaving some behind to regroup."

"No worries then. As I said, everyone else head back and rest up."

Dealing with remnants was easy. With Pafnir down, satellite phones worked again on Jeju. I'd contacted Calione for follow-up.

The main ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠force would wrap it up today.

"Sister Maria! Tell us about Hallasan!"

"Did Gramps really kill the dragon with chopsticks?"

"Was the dragon super strong?"

"Did you fight the dragon too, Sister Maria?"

Despite the ordeal, the kids grinned innocently, fearless. Sister Maria smiled, taking their hands and heading to the bus.

"Okay, details on the bus. Chopsticks? You bet. Mr. Cloud was amazing! So up top, what happened was..."

...Well, proving I wasn't a liar was a win.

As I walked to the bus thinking that—

"Ah."

The exams.

I forgot.