Sixth Legacy (2) - Dragonbone Soldiers

Dragonbone Soldiers. Soldiers made from a dragon's bones, for dragons, by dragons. They were far sturdier guardians than any that protected a dragon's lair, and against enemies, they inspired terror and dread of utter annihilation.

―And the reason was that dragon bone itself possessed tremendous hardness, anti-magic properties superior to any material, mana conductivity, and more. Just as Alkasha had said.

Dragonbone Soldiers were born with the ultimate physical prowess simply by virtue of being made from dragon bone. Some even gained the ability to use magic as they leveled up, and those Dragonbone Soldiers could wield spells surpassing those of grand archmages.

'Hoo.'

Kim Jehyun's eyes gleamed as he listened to Alkasha's explanation. If he could summon and command such beings, the cards at his disposal would multiply.

Even setting aside his own ascension to absolute heights through ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠inheriting the dragon's legacies, combining his spirits and golems with Dragonbone Soldiers would form an entire legion in itself.

'Definitely more convenient than using my own power directly.'

Perhaps he'd even inherited the inherently lazy nature of dragons. Jehyun was thrilled at the prospect of more limbs to act on his behalf.

"This is getting me motivated."

Jehyun headed toward the source of ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the sixth energy with buoyant steps. Walking along the quiet streets, he soon reached an area away from the central hub.

"This place..."

Jehyun looked up at the building where he sensed the legacy's energy. It was a massive three-story structure that appeared incredibly spacious. Above the first-floor entrance hung a sign with elegant lettering.

Phoenix Hall. That was what the sign read.

Jehyun thought the name suited the building perfectly and stepped inside.

"Welcome."

A neatly dressed woman who appeared middle-aged greeted him ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠as he entered.

―It's a jewelry store.

As Alkasha had said, the first floor was lined with all manner of precious metals and gems.

"Looking for something specific?"

Jehyun shook his head at the woman who approached with a bright smile.

"No, just browsing."

"Of course. Let me know if you need anything."

The woman returned to her seat. Glancing over, Jehyun saw parchments densely covered in magic formulas piled there.

'A mage. A 6th Circle one, at that.'

Given that this was the sixth floor, it was only natural everyone here was at least 6th Circle. She didn't seem like the owner—probably just working a side gig.

Jehyun set aside his thoughts and headed straight to the source of the energy. The sixth legacy's aura emanated from the far end of the first floor.

He inwardly clicked his tongue as he walked.

'Every single one of these looks like top-grade gems meticulously crafted.'

He wasn't an expert on jewels, but even he could tell they were exorbitantly expensive at a glance.

'But does selling this stuff on the sixth floor even make money? Seems like it'd sell better on the first floor or outside the tower...'

Whoever ran this place must be swimming in cash, Jehyun figured.

'Here it is.'

He reached the farthest corner of the first floor. The items here gleamed with far greater luxury than those before. Encased in individual glass displays, they were clearly a tier above.

'...!'

Jehyun soon spotted the item radiating the sixth legacy's energy. It was a necklace with a fingernail-sized white stone framed in gold, connected by a golden chain.

"That's not for sale."

A slender voice came from behind him. Jehyun, who had sensed someone approaching via his senses, turned to face her.

She looked to be in her mid-twenties. Far younger than the woman at the entrance, with platinum hair falling to her shoulders and porcelain skin that complemented it perfectly. Her striking features made her a stunning beauty.

"Sorry, that's just for display... Huh? Kim Jehyun, by any chance?"

The woman's calm tone shifted to surprise as she recognized him.

'Who is she?'

Jehyun tilted his head at the vaguely familiar face. Definitely someone he'd never met post-regression.

"Who might you be?"

Unable to place her, he asked directly. Her eyes curved into crescents.

"Heh, you don't recognize me yet? Ah, right, I'm older, so you can speak casually to me."

"..."

She switched to informal speech out of nowhere. It suited her so naturally that Jehyun felt more baffled than annoyed, letting out a wry chuckle.

"You asked who I am? Hmm, maybe I should say I'm potentially your senior soon."

"...Senior? Ah!"

The word jogged a pre-regression memory. The Tower Master's disciples. He'd glimpsed them from afar when they visited the second floor. Among them, the youngest and most beautiful one came to mind.

"The Tower Master's fourth disciple... Mage Jeong Yeongha."

"Whoa! So you did know me. But no need for 'Mage' between us—call me noona casually."

The woman beaming with friendliness was indeed the Tower Master's fourth disciple, Jeong Yeongha.

'So this is her place.'

The hazy memory sharpened. Among the Tower Master's five disciples, the fourth, Jeong Yeongha—a peerless genius who reached 6th Circle in her mid-twenties. There was talk that if she'd joined earlier than the first and second disciples, she'd be the top successor candidate.

He recalled an interview where she said she opened a small jewelry shop as a hobby because she loved gems...

'And this is what she calls small?'

On the sixth floor, no less—a three-story building. Calling this small gave him a sense of her scale.

"I'm not used to casual speech with strangers. I'll think about it next time."

"Shyer than you look. Cute."

Jeong Yeongha grinned widely at his response, then continued.

"Heh, now I get why unnie's been paying attention to you."

"Pardon?"

"Nothing. But you're really handsome! Must've broken a few hearts."

Jehyun just chuckled at her comment. Instead, an unexpected retort came from within.

―This fool's a total loner. Women? Bullshit! Nothing like that.

―And come to think of it, I don't think I've even held a girl's hand...

'That's not true.'

―Hoo. So you have held hands? What about kisses? Hugs, even?

'...'

―Kekeke. Your reaction confirms it. You're a loner. Kuhahaha!

'Sigh.'

Jehyun shook his head with an inner sigh. Alkasha, who had seemed a dignified grimoire at first, revealed more childish, trollish tendencies the closer they got.

"So, interested in that necklace?"

"Yes. Not for sale?"

Perfect timing—Jeong Yeongha brought up the necklace. He needed it for the sixth legacy. Looking at her earnestly, he replied in a tone conveying his need.

"Heh... They say it's made from the bone of some ancient species. See the white stone in the center? That's the bone fragment. It's a family heirloom passed down generations. But honestly, it's not that important. I could give it to you if you want."

"Then..."

Jehyun's eyes lit up, about to say he'd buy it—

"But I have a favor to ask."

"A favor?"

Jeong Yeongha smiled softly at his puzzled look.

"Yeah. You're supposed to be a genius! Developing overlapping magic arrays, and rumors say you made the Golem Faction's golem core too. Come here a sec?"

She grabbed his hand and pulled him to her desk. Parchments from earlier were stacked high.

"This is..."

"Desk's a mess, huh? Been buried in research lately, so no time to tidy."

She stuck out her tongue sheepishly, then picked up a parchment and handed it to him.

"Here it is. Take a look? It's a formula for gem engraving and luminescence. Stuck on the linking formula. Any good ideas?"

Jehyun examined the formula. At her 6th Circle level, connecting them was impossible. Earth's magic wasn't systematized enough yet; current knowledge couldn't bridge it.

'Alkasha, can you link this?'

―Obviously. Child's play—basic theory.

'As expected, Alkasha.'

―Ahem. This body's greatness is clear to you.

Jehyun smirked inwardly at Alkasha puffing up from a little praise—

"Looks tough, right?"

She assumed his silence meant no quick solution, different from overlapping arrays or golem cores.

Seeing her slightly disappointed expression, Jehyun grinned.

"Got a pen?"

Her eyes sparked at his confident demeanor; she quickly handed one over.

"Can I write here?"

"Y-Yeah, of course. Even doodles are fine."

Excitement bubbled as she swallowed hard, watching him work.

Scritch, scritch.

For minutes, only the sound of his pen filled the air. The entrance mage and another from upstairs had come down to watch.

"Done. Connect ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠them like this, and it'll link the formulas."

"...!"

She stared at the parchment with trembling eyes. Advanced principles beyond her grasp were woven in, but instinct told her this completed the linking formula.

"W-Wait here!"

She dashed to the connected research room behind. With pre-made samples, she calmly integrated his formula.

Moments later—

"Kyaaaaah!"

A soprano cry of joy echoed from her lab. Clutching the finished product, she burst back out.

The chatting mages gaped at her.

"Kim Jehyun! Look! It's complete! Really complete!"

Gone was her calm demeanor; she jumped like a child. Years of stalled progress—nearing despair—and he'd solved it in one go.

Not celebrating wildly would've been weirder.

"You're amazing! Whew, you lucky charm. Knew it from the first sight—you're a total blessing!"

She lunged for a hug. The other mages couldn't hide their shock. They'd assisted her long enough to know the formula's value better than anyone.

"Whoa... rumors are true."

"Insane! Real genius."

Their gazes sparkled brighter at Jehyun.

'Handsome too—got a girlfriend? Pair him with my little bro?'

'What a waste. If I were 20 years younger... no, 15.'

They eyed him like predators.

Shiver.

'Why's it suddenly chilly...'

Jehyun pulled his robe tighter against the chill.

"Sorry, dongsaeng, got too carried away?"

Calmed, Jeong Yeongha looked embarrassed at her excess.

"No, not at all. You looked beautiful excited."

"Oh my! Spot on—you've got an eye."

Her tension soared again at the compliment.

―Huh, this is human socializing? Master of empty flattery.

'No? She really is pretty.'

Half sincere—she was flawlessly beautiful.

"Here. The necklace, as promised."

She retrieved it from the case and handed it over.

'Oho.'

Jehyun's eyes lit up at the necklace's grade. Not ordinary after all—a Legendary item.

'But sealed.'

That explained why Jeong Yeongha thought it just an old heirloom. Had she known its true value, she might not have given it so easily.

'Jackpot.'

Jehyun grinned. Back at his lodging, he immediately attempted the legacy ritual.

Whoosh.

Brilliant multicolored light poured from the necklace, sucking his consciousness inside.

* * *

Shaaa.

A majestic scene unfolded before Jehyun. Looking up, countless stars scattered their presence across an ink-black void, forming galaxies and nebulae.

The ground beneath him was barren ochre earth stretching endlessly to the horizon.

'Feels like gazing at the universe from the moon.'

He recalled old photos of astronauts on the lunar surface staring into space. This felt just like that.

'Now where to... Ah! There?'

Scanning the emptiness, he spotted a massive something faintly glowing white in the distance. At first glance, like a huge white mountain.

"...!"

As he approached, the silhouette sharpened—and Jehyun's eyes widened in shock.

"This is..."