Chapter 37
Chapter 37
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 37
Chapter Title: Unconscious Flag-Planting
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Kuwaaang.
The portal's closure echoed deafeningly loud, but no one spared it a glance.
That was how noble and overwhelming the red dragon was.
.....
.....
...It's huge.
It's the size of a skyscraper.
And even standing still, sparks of hellfire erupt from its body like crazy. It looks insanely powerful.
Even in a VR game, spotting something like that would fill you with dread.
Overwhelmed by its size and presence, repulsed by its hideous form.
Not to mention in real life.
Its length from head to tail easily exceeds 100 meters.
Just standing under the shadow cast by that skyscraper-sized body was enough to instill terror.
But more than that, it was the sheer intimidation.
Oh boy.
I'm proud of this, so listen up with clean ears: I don't scare easily.
Even I was trembling unconsciously. It's on another level entirely.
The air quakes. The earth trembles. The sky shudders.
Not figuratively—the entire world fears this creature.
A being of true awe, possessing a presence incomparable to any virtual reality game.
This isn't a hunch; it's fact. As I am now, even if I died and respawned a thousand times, I couldn't beat it in a straight fight.
'Still, I can fight it.'
Strangely enough, I felt pure admiration. No fear. Just awe.
Why? Am I so terrified I've gone numb?
No, that's not it.
It's because I'm surrounded by reliable allies—comrades I can count on.
"Ah... Aah..."
"Eugh... Ugh...!"
.....
Those comrades had gone limp-kneed and collapsed.
The only ones still standing were Gold and his personal guard.
Even they—even Gold—couldn't hide their pallid faces.
But Gold was a born leader.
"Get up!!"
Gold's shout unleashed a golden wave of energy, paaat! sweeping outward. The trembling knights snapped to attention, turning to him in unison.
"Our foe is a dragon, called the god of magic! And among them, clearly one of the top ancient dragons. But aren't you strong ones too?!"
Gold barked at them to recall their grueling training, and the knights' eyes sharpened. They braced their legs and began to rise.
And Clarit shouted.
"Gold! That's dragon is Prostia! We have to stop it here!"
Prostia.
The moment that name hit, the rising morale plummeted like a lie.
Even Gold gaped in shock.
Goddamn it, that birdbrain...
Say it later, why don't you.
"Apocalypse Dragon Prostia...? Why...! Why is an ancient dragon rivaling the true Demon King from fairy tales here?!"
True Demon King... sounded like something from the setting guide.
Anyway, this bastard was undeniably a monster.
Then.
Kuwaaang!!
"...!!"
Prostia, who had been soaring high, plunged to the earth in an instant.
Did that size make sense at that speed?
And that massive body descending so fast should have whipped up a storm, yet not a whisper of wind.
Ignoring the laws of physics...
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Hidden Achievement Unlocked!! Witness Prostia! Witness Prostia Achieved! First Witness Bonus: Rewards Increased! Skill Points +20, Stat Points +20 Awarded!] ⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Hidden Achievement Unlocked!! Escape from Prostia. You've encountered a being more calamitous than any natural disaster. Simply escaping proves your worth. Reward: Skill Points +5, Stat Points +30] ⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Survive Against Prostia. Flee, fight, hide, die and revive... Do as you will. But she permits none of it. Reward: Skill Points +5, Stat Points +30] ⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Defeat Prostia, Kill Prostia, Send Prostia to Eternal Slumber. The above achievements unlock after achieving Escape or Survival!] For real?
Just witnessing it nets this much generous points?
...In other words, seeing it alone gives rewards equivalent to several levels because it's an utterly hopeless opponent.
At my current low level, even attempting it is unimaginable; it won't even let me unlock the achievement.
And "kill" followed by "eternal slumber"?
Stuff with explanations like that usually means it doesn't die properly even once.
No, probably ninety percent chance.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Emergency Quest! Uwahahahaha! ??? laughs! You're so unlucky! I never thought you'd run into that! The power gap is so vast it's laughable! For you, special perks: Achieve one of the following! - Survive and escape. - Protect at least one person here. Quest-Exclusive Perk Skill: Real-time insight into Prostia's thoughts and status!] The "perk" wording sold me; no need to read further. I accepted immediately.
Chuaaang.
The view in my right eye shifted slightly, then a status window appeared.
⚔ STATUS ⚔ [Prostia Descent Status: 30%] Even offering causality, such a being can't wield full power immediately upon descent. It's barely "existing there" level. Please send it back before it grows stronger. ⚔ STATUS ⚔ ⚡ Prostia H.P: 500,000,000,000 / 500,000,000,000 M.P: ? / ? ✨ Other Status: Inaccessible No... this...
.....
What the fuck.
HP bar at 0? Wrong display?
Why is MP a question mark?
Obviously too vast to quantify...
But the most horrifying part: this powerhouse is only at 30% strength.
Prostia, now earthbound, curled its lips and soared back into the sky.
Toying with us completely.
Unlike before, fierce winds howled, hurling everything on the ground.
A few wingbeats birthed a typhoon. Holy shit... This isn't for humans.
I chased after Sor's vengeance all the way here, and now it's my grave.
Prostia now low-flew, gazing down with a shit-eating grin. It looked thrilled.
Now. The moment of choice.
Instinct told me: alone, full effort on escape, I'd survive.
But then, everyone here dies 100%.
A sweet, tempting whisper from deep within: No need for us all to die, right?
Then, a clear fragrance washed over me.
Clarit, ice released, had approached.
"Yedre."
"Yes."
"I have a request."
"Speak."
"I'm truly sorry, but please spend your life."
"......?"
"Your incomprehensible slashes might hold Prostia. Stand at the front and block that dragon. We'll fetch reinforcements meanwhile."
"......"
What?
Me, die???
This bitch got her personality education in fantasy land?
...Come to think, it's a fantasy world, so yeah.
Ah, what nickname for this girl? Got a few ideas...
"Please. Someone must escape to warn about Prostia. That dragon... It's a global catastrophe beyond this village or nation. Per legends, its power surges exponentially as it regains strength. We must rally powerful aid quickly..."
"N-Nooo!"
A sweet peach scent mingled with the clear fragrance.
Glasses seal released, revealing huge eyes: peerless beauty sealed girl Asita.
Even in crisis, I thought: Ah... damn, she's gorgeous.
Clarit was prettier than any celeb I'd seen, but this girl was insane. I'd grant anything except the dying part.
"Asita. I'm sorry to him too. We'll compensate surely..."
"That's not it! Outsider sir, Yedre sir has no life perk!"
"What?"
Clarit's eyes widened. What? Life perk?
"What...? Outsiders can revive at least once, right? Already used it?"
Don't look at me like I'm incompetent before I confess.
"Nooo. Yedre didn't get proper perks. He's way different from other Outsiders...!"
"Is it true? Yedre?"
What to answer?
"Honestly, I don't know well, but I don't recall getting the perks other Outsiders mention."
"......You did say something like that to Prostia earlier."
Clarit groaned, then bowed to me.
...?
She's bowing to me??
"Sorry, Yedre. I didn't know and basically told you to die. This apology... if we survive, next time."
At least some conscience left.
I nodded.
"It's fine. More importantly..."
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Yeah. Worry about yourself first, Ice!] The voice stabbed directly into my head, making me grimace.
"Ugh..."
Prostia's gaze turned here—
Just that, and Clarit doubled over like she'd taken a gut punch, then knelt with a thud.
Pajijijik!
A deafening crack and blinding light.
Behind Gold, the golden projectiles from before writhed.
Lightning spears that would shred even monster-like Yuna if they hit proper.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Kuhuhu. That's from your ancestor. Fire away.] "Don't underestimate me, dragon!!"
Kuwaaaa!
Vast, numerous projectiles larger than those at Yuna launched at Prostia.
An area attack filling the world with lightning!
And against that onslaught, Prostia just hovered.
Patzutzutzut!
Tuang! Tung!
"What?!"
Gold gasped.
The projectiles dissolved into golden mist on contact, vanishing cleanly.
Couldn't even touch it.
"What magic resistance is that?!"
Prostia laughed heartily.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Want to hurt me? Ice, lightning, light—you three enough? Gather at least ten if you want to try me.] Ice meant Clarit, huh. The Ten Great Houses probably each represent elements...
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Now die!] Kuwaaa. Prostia moved its massive body.
Shit, thinking hard and you attack now?
Prostia raised a foreleg, diving to crush Gold.
Critical moment—a massive shield appeared, blocking the dragon's strike.
Jjeeeeng!
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Hm?] "Urgh...!"
Repelt's shield enlarged, repelling the beast. Prostia narrowed its eyes, displeased.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Hmph. Not pleased! Block this one too!] Normal powerhouses say "Not bad!" but this one says displeased.
Honest, at least. I like that.
If last was play, this is real—Prostia raised its claw. I launched a Space Sword, severing it.
Sukak!
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Kraaaak?!] Blood gushed like it'd kill a human instantly.
Sruruk.
But only briefly; it regenerated.
I mixed Severing Sword into Space Sword? Critical hit? Why regen instantly? Where's balance, you dev bastard.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Emergency Quest Generated! I'm innocent! ??? is aggrieved: I didn't make that one! Heard the grievance. Quest complete. HP +10 recovered.] What the...
Joking, fucker.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Y-You!] Kuwaang!
Prostia dove again.
Descent alone whipped a typhoon.
Kuwaaaaang!!
Barely dodged the swipe aimed at me.
The missed claw smashed earth. Kuang! Dust clouds rose; ground quaked like an earthquake.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Dare to dodge?!] Repeated misses enraged it; Prostia gaped wide.
And.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Incomplete Presence activates!] Alert chimed; the world roared.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Kuaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!] The world froze.
Ears rang deaf.
Ping. Dizzy.
Can't see, hear—just air quaking.
...What is this.
Head spins.
Legs give out.
Eardrums about to burst.
No, body itself will explode. Die!
...All or nothing. Test that technique like my old game one.
Know Thyself and Know Thy Enemy.
Find the rhythm in this attack. Sync myself to it.
Assimilate with the attack.
Enabled by this world's mystic power: Ryunar.
Ooooo.
Felt the ambient Ryunar merge with me.
...Easier, but still deadly. Too immature.
Damn. Failure?
Jjeojeojeok!
Thinking to unleash fully in death—something enveloped me. Pain lessened vastly.
Looked up: blue ice covered me.
Inside, senses normalized.
Finally surveyed leisurely... and admired despite situation.
Spectacle.
Dragon's roar blasted cave walls away, crumbling to open wilderness.
Everything swirled in vortex; eyes stolen despite fury.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Kuaaaa...] Roar ended; no longer a cave.
Open wasteland.
No one standing around.
Hart Clan elites wiped out.
Only me, Gold, Repelt, and strong ones safe in thick ice.
Prostia overlooking us snorted.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Ice. Pathetic parlor tricks.] Dragon's scorn.
Yeah, it just roared.
That alone nearly annihilated dozens of human elites.
Whatever.
Got the knack.
Tapped ice; peng! shattered. Crawled out.
But initial exposure lingered; body unresponsive.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Here's a proposal.] Prostia spoke suddenly.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Abandon the Outsider. I'll spare lightning, light, the Outsider, and exclude ice for now—everyone else's lives.] "......"
Ah, fuck.
Battle-incapable from roar everywhere.
Even standees visibly demoralized.
This offer irresistible, even if dragon lies.
Humans cling to life naturally.
"Don't make me laugh!"
Unless the recipient's Gold.
"Right. Agree with Gold."
And one more.
Unless it's max pride girl El.
Clarit said nothing, but eyes burned with fight.
Wow. Weren't these noble heirs?
Mental strength nuts.
Worlds apart from the 'average' I saw 'then'.
"Obviously a lie..."
Repelt rose using shield as cane.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Hmph! Unlike you lowly humans, dragons never lie or act cowardly!] Prostia huffed, claw pointing us.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Lightning, light, ice—you'd risk your lives, but your underlings? They wanna live, no?] Gold turned, scanning near-hundred subordinates' pleading faces.
Pity filled them.
Yeah. Understandable. Abandon me? Fine.
If I were Gold, for precious people, I'd ditch a recent Outsider like me easy.
Gold looked at me and said.
"Sorry."
No, Gold.
You chose right.
"Everyone, give your lives for me. I'll fight the dragon."
So, don't say cool shit like that.
You guys flee, then I bolt too.
Staring stunned, Gold began a clear-voiced speech.
"I won't demand your oaths. Flee if you want, betray if you must. But I won't abandon a friend."
His men rose without hesitation despite death sentence words.
Fighting spirit reignited in eyes.
Dragon snorted.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Decent humans. Fine. Lightning agrees, but light—you?] "Think I'd flee leaving the guy who came to save me?"
El's eyes blazed—then glanced aside.
Next to El, Flat sat chattering teeth.
Pants wet? Girlfriend way more reliable.
Normal reaction, though.
Prostia groaned, eyes closed.
Ooh. Dragon mercy for our resolve?
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Fine. No more mercy.] That chewing bastard.
Hueup. Dragon inhaling. Clarit moved but panicked.
Intense red Ryunar enveloped her.
Clarit muttered, face distraught.
"S-Sealed...!"
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Uwoooooooo!] Presence.
Different: no protecting ice.
And.
I'd adapted.
Whoa.
Me. When emotions hype, I nail anything.
⚡ SKILL ACTIVATED ⚡ [Know Thyself and Know Thy Enemy] [Perfectly attuned to attack rhythm]
Perfect success.
I'd become the dragon's Presence itself.
Moving alone unaffected in halted world.
Taat.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Ooooo... O?] Skaak!
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Kraaaaaak!!] Aimed for head; too tough.
Pulled half-stuck sword, landed.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [...What?] Prostia, floored ones—all stared blankly.
Huu. Exhaled.
Presence had zero effect on me.
"Yep. Works."
The skill—no, technique. Know Thyself and Know Thy Enemy succeeded.
Hope born.