Dragon Bone Weapons (2)

―W-what the hell! SSS-grade?!

Alkasha's form trembled violently. It was the first time this ancient dragon spirit had ever laid eyes on an SSS-grade authority. And 'Dragon Bone Weapons' Sanctuary'? This was an unprecedented power.

―N-no way……

Alkasha trailed off, as if intuiting something from the authority's name.

―Hurry and check what it does!

At Alkasha's urging, Kim Jehyun replied in a dazed voice.

"Yeah."

"This is……."

As Kim Jehyun read the description, he instinctively grasped its nature. The Dragon Bone Weapons' Sanctuary—it referred to that place he'd seen during the trial to obtain the authority, where the steles of countless dragon bone weapons were gathered.

'Three of them… that means those guys.'

The dragon bone weapons he'd fiercely battled in that trial just moments ago. This power let him borrow their strength. He knew it on a primal level.

―I-I can't believe it… This is… Hah…… Words fail me.

Alkasha was utterly speechless. When Kim Jehyun had described the trial, it had recognized the site as a gathering place for dragon bone weapons that had left their mark on dragon history. But to think this authority allowed him to command them all… Even Arkanios himself had never obtained such a power.

"Nice one, Alkasha. This is all thanks to you."

―Kuh! Trying to tease this body again?!

Kim Jehyun chuckled at Alkasha's tsundere reaction. An unexpected hidden piece had detonated. He had no idea why it had triggered, but the result was immensely satisfying.

* * *

Before entering the Dragon God Temple, Kim Jehyun checked the bustling community forums. Black Snake Clan—according to reports, they were disbanding. With Kang Sihu dead and Lee Hyunwoo imprisoned, it was the natural outcome. After all, it was a group of black mages bound more by power logic and self-interest than loyalty.

―In the future, didn't you say Black Snake Clan was still thriving?

"Yeah. In the future, they grew to rival the Magic Tower itself."

Kim Jehyun recalled the Black Snake Clan that had become one of the worst villain groups in his previous timeline. They'd ballooned to a size even the Magic Tower hesitated to challenge, centered around the infamous 8th Circle black mage Kang Sihu—who wielded far greater power than when Kim Jehyun had faced him this time.

―Hmm. So maybe even back then, they were tied to this shadowy force.

'Exactly.'

Kim Jehyun was certain. Kang Sihu had some connection to the current black faction. Regardless, his actions had altered the future, successfully nipping in the bud one of the major threats that would have grown massive.

―From their perspective, you're a massive thorn.

"Probably…… yeah."

The black faction's scrutiny might intensify now. Kim Jehyun no longer feared ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠facing anyone head-on, but complacency was off the table.

"I need to get even stronger."

Strong enough that no one could touch him. No—strong enough to wipe out the entire black faction himself. For that, he needed to surpass even the Tower Master. Looking back, the Tower Master had long known of this shadowy group but hadn't moved against them rashly.

Which meant……

"Even the Tower Master can't handle them lightly. Their hidden power must be immense if someone of his caliber holds back."

It was a sobering thought.

"No time to slack."

Kim Jehyun stood, dusting himself off. Upon reaching stage 7, he'd started getting Dragon God Temple tickets weekly—two had already accumulated. Before the 7th floor Ascension Tower exam, he'd use the Chamber of Experience, then hit the Chamber of Dragon Words to train his Dragon Word skill. Its power sent chills down his spine, but it wasn't battle-ready yet. Time to temper it properly.

"Let's go."

Grinning, Kim Jehyun activated a Dragon God Temple ticket.

Flash!

A brilliant light enveloped his body.

* * *

The day of the 7th floor Ascension Tower exam dawned. Unlike lower floors, the atmosphere was markedly different. While floors up to 6th had plenty of examinees, from 7th onward, participants were rare.

It made sense. The 7th floor exam was for those who'd reached 7th Circle—the second great wall, far harder to breach than 6th Circle.

'That's why it's almost never held.'

It opened automatically for new 7th Circle mages, but that was once every few years at best. Reaching 7th Circle was that infrequent. Thus, it felt more like a welcome ceremony for the newcomer.

―Didn't they say two showed up this time, including you?

"Right. That's why it's drawing unprecedented attention."

No year had seen two simultaneous 7th floor exam applications. But this year, alongside Kim Jehyun, mage Han Yura had registered. Hence the massive interest.

'And that's why the format changed this year.'

It was no longer just a ceremonial welcome—it felt like a real exam now.

―How has it changed?

"This one's…… a team battle."

With two new 7th Circle mages, they'd form two teams of five for a team match. They'd recruited eight existing 7th Circle mages as support, making it a 5v5. Each team defended their nexus while destroying the opponent's first. Paths to the enemy base: top, mid, bottom lanes, each with an inhibitor crystal. Destroy all three inhibitors to access the enemy nexus. First to shatter the enemy nexus wins.

―Oho, intriguing.

'Yeah. Looks fun.'

Kim Jehyun grinned. It felt like a proper teamfight.

―But ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠this is a shame.

"Huh? What is?"

―The sudden quest. You need a record to get the reward, right?

"True…… but nothing we can do."

―Hm. Missing out on those exam feasts every time…… What a pity.

Alkasha sounded genuinely regretful.

"Whoa, you actually sound bummed?"

―Ahem! Of course! This body is merely disappointed you won't reap the rewards your efforts deserve… er, no more honey for you.

"You sure that's the real reason?"

―Of course it is.

That was when it happened.

"Oh. Knew I could count on you, System!"

―Wha—no! I was actually bummed this time! Why give a quest now?!

Seeing the quest, Kim Jehyun and Alkasha's reactions clashed hilariously.

"Jackpot!"

Kim Jehyun struck a fighting pose. "Pentakill? Piece of cake."

Taking on five 7th Circle mages at once? He brimmed with confidence. His current power made it feasible.

* * *

The announcement of Kim Jehyun and Han Yura's 5v5 team match on the 7th floor caused a massive stir in the Magic Tower. 7th Circle mages were top-tier assets—leaders of mid-tier clans or heads of major factions. Seeing them clash was exceedingly rare. Thus, the event drew enormous attention.

"Kim Jehyun—long time no see. We crossed paths briefly during the Isu Clan incident, but things were chaotic; no proper greeting then. Nice to meet you properly. I'm Heo Seongyun."

A friendly-looking middle-aged man approached and spoke to Kim Jehyun.

"Yes, pleasure's mine. I've heard the name. Finally getting to greet you."

"Good. They say you might become my junior disciple? Do your best. Joining the Tower Master's disciples comes with great perks."

"Appreciate the words. But no plans for that yet."

"Hmm. Really? Shame. With your skill and talent, you'd qualify easily. Truly no interest?"

Heo Seongyun's eyes gleamed sharply. His gaze probed whether Kim Jehyun meant it or was just being polite.

―That guy's got a shady vibe.

'Yeah.'

Kim Jehyun's first impression was poor.

"Yeah, for real. Not thinking about it now."

"I see. What a pity. Would've been great to have talent like yours as a junior. Haha."

Heo Seongyun's face brightened, seemingly accepting the sincerity.

"By the way, you know we're on the same team this time?"

"Oh, we are?"

"Yep. I pulled some strings. Gotta team up with a potential junior, right?"

"Honored."

All fine so far.

"So, I thought about team strategy…… You should focus purely on defense."

Huh? What the hell?

Kim Jehyun stared at Heo Seongyun, eyes demanding clarification.