The Dark Insignia
“Ugh……”
As the vibrations transmitted through, Amelia covered her mouth with one hand and grimaced in disgust.
The kraken peered into the jar, shaking its massive head greedily before being sucked inside with a slurp.
“Done. Close the lid, Dullahan.”
At Rune’s command, Dullahan dashed forward and sealed the jar’s lid immediately.
Clang!
Thud! Thud!
Crack!
Rumble rumble!
A kraken tentacle that got caught between the lid and the rim, failing to make it inside, was sliced clean off.
The severed tentacles flopped around like thick slabs of fish from the jar.
“Wow…… Rune, did you know it would fit perfectly in the jar……?”
Amelia asked in wonder.
Having grown up without ever properly seeing ocean monsters, she eyed it cautiously, yet with a spark of excitement wondering if her hunch was right.
Rune nodded in affirmation.
“Yeah. It’s got traits of octopuses and squids, so it can’t resist shiny things or spots like this jar that are perfect for hiding in.”
Because of this nature, krakens often caused ships to sink by trying to squeeze into massive vessels on the sea surface.
They call this pot fishing or something. Jed’s a pain when he opens his mouth, but his stuff performs as advertised.
A sealed jar designed so that once closed, it could only be opened with a certain amount of mana channeled into the central magic stone on the lid.
True to the order given to Jed, the massive sealed jar had perfectly contained the kraken.
Of course, leaving it like that wouldn’t hold for even an hour.
Naturally, Rune had prepared for that.
I put the Happy Fragrance Box Stained with Darkness inside the jar.
The box was packed with anesthetics to relax muscles and herbs for hypnosis that clouded the mind.
By now, the kraken inside must be staggering, drained of strength.
Plus, anyone who uses the fragrance box grows more loyal to me. One use won’t have a huge effect, but it should be enough to keep it from harming me.
Amelia fidgeted restlessly, clearly still worried.
“I-is this it? W-what if it thrashes around…… or tries to hurt us, d-do we not have to worry?”
“It’s fine. It won’t have the energy to escape now.”
It was an artifact that had even worked on Perdikion, a red dragonkin, with just a single lemon candy.
The intermittent thumping from inside the jar had already quieted, as if it was already intoxicated and limp.
Rune immediately placed his hand on the jar’s base and began absorbing the darkness harbored by the kraken beyond the pottery.
Perfect. With this, I’ve gathered nearly all the power of the dark dragon clan.
Rune finished the absorption leisurely and smiled in satisfaction.
Everyone stared wide-eyed at how quickly the situation resolved, until Perdikion spoke first.
“Rune, did you know the boss was a kraken all along?”
“No way. I don’t have precognition or anything.”
Rune replied innocently to Perdikion’s suspicious gaze.
“Remember, bro? That scroll I made for you before. I actually asked Christina for kraken ink to use as mana ink. But she said it had disappeared from the deep sea fields where it usually hangs out.”
Recalling his conversation with Christina, who had promised to get him the ink, Rune continued.
“While we were purifying the water region fields, the monsters were just schools of sardines or flounders turned monstrous—fish and shellfish stuff. The only real monster was that one Leviathan. So, where were all the other monsters?”
The vibrations and thumps against the jar had gone silent.
Rune grinned.
“I thought maybe they were connected to the corrupted Cursed Dungeon. Just in case, I asked Christina about deep-sea monsters, and when she mentioned krakens like hiding in jars, I prepared for it.”
Actually, I confirmed it through inherited knowledge.
If it wasn’t in the dungeon, then Amelia’s parents, driven mad by frenzy.
In other words, they might have fled far away from the blue dragon’s presence, or he’d consider another hypothesis.
Perdikion furrowed his brow at his bold little brother’s words.
“That trap seemed tailor-made for a kraken.”
“Well, even if it wasn’t a kraken, it’s a jar big enough for any giant monster, so it’s useful anytime.”
Rune’s ability to wield darkness.
A trap that giant monsters would fall for.
Rune was confident he could use these two in any situation.
Once we got to the dungeon, not just the kraken but other deep-sea monsters had been drawn into the Fairy’s Path too.
But there was no need to mention that detail.
Still, Perdikion grumbled sulkily, looking oddly miffed.
“If you’d mentioned it beforehand, I could’ve helped.”
“Well…… I didn’t really feel the need to say……”
Perdikion’s glare sharpened, his probing eyes relentlessly following Rune.
He’s sulking again. Good thing he didn’t dig too deep into the jar trap questions.
Strictly speaking, Christina’s intent in sharing info on dangerous monsters like the kraken was a warning to avoid them if possible.
But Rune had used her info in reverse to craft a jar trap to capture it.
Christina would’ve shaken her head, calling him a rebellious rascal who never listens.
“Still, he wanted to help his little brother, so I should soothe him.
Rune shrugged once, tapped the jar, and pulled a thick rope from his pocket.
“Dullahan, let’s take the jar.”
Clank!
Dullahan nodded and deftly tied the massive jar with his rough, gloved hands.
The tough rope, reinforced with magic, wrapped securely around the jar in multiple places and finally fixed to Dullahan’s back.
Flash!
His fluorescent green eyes gleamed as he lifted the jar—tall as a three-story inn—and stood.
“Whoa! Dullahan, you’re super strong!”
Heungmi clapped, tilting her head back to gaze up at the towering jar.
Dullahan, with his sturdy build and superhuman strength.
But the jar looked so huge and heavy that even Rune felt a bit concerned.
It has lightweight magic, but the kraken’s weight isn’t negligible. Kinda feel bad.
Unlike the brain-dead Leviathan in irreversible coma, the comatose kraken was a living being.
Unfortunately, it couldn’t fit in a subspace pouch.
Thankfully, Dullahan carried it without issue, but Rune still worried.
Let’s head back ASAP. Once we deliver it, I’ll research it as mana cooking ingredient material. Should make a great gift for Christina.
Rune began absorbing the lingering minor darkness around them.
The dark powers in his body welcomed each other.
The forces connected like puzzle pieces, forming a harmonious deep purple flow—a completed law.
And the gathered darkness began forming a single insignia before Rune.
“Ugh…… Rune-nim, something feels weird to me.”
Clank!
Purple mana insignias floated before Heungmi and Dullahan.
The silken power of authority seeped into their bodies like a blessing.
Amelia, watching, let out a gasp.
“Rune…… Th-that. Is it the Seal of Darkness……?”
The Seal of Darkness blossomed in Rune’s hand.
From the eerie pattern of black and purple, a silent darkness rose, swallowing sound.
It looked as if a new night was being born from the darkness seeping from the insignia.
Rune grasped the seal in his hand.
That’s when it happened.
“Ah, my tail!”
Heungmi’s eyes widened as she turned; two tails swished gracefully.
Dullahan’s change was quieter and more profound.
His frame grew larger, his presence fiercer—not like a mere knight, but a legion commander leading armies.
“Pip yak!”
Baekya flitted excitedly around the grown Heungmi and empowered Dullahan.
“Whoaaa! Heungmi’s got two tails nowww!”
Heungmi hugged her fluffy black tails to her cheek, beaming happily.
Dullahan’s imposing figure gained even more dignity, his gloomy green glow now majestic.
Amelia and Perdikion offered congratulations in awe.
“E-everyone…… c-congratulations.”
“When the master grows, their vassals are affected too. Well done, Rune.”
Rune gave a brief thanks to Amelia, who clapped softly in genuine joy, and Perdikion, who nodded with arms crossed in subtle praise.
“Thanks to all your help. Appreciate it.”
Then, Rune turned to Amelia.
“Your turn now, Amelia.”
Gripping her spear, Amelia nodded with resolve.
With all darkness claimed by Rune, it was time to revert the Cursed Dungeon to the Dungeon of Waves.
Rune handed her a special gem as she stepped forward with a deep breath.
“Here. This’ll help.”
“……Y-yes, it’s pretty. Such a big…… clear pearl, f-first time.”
Its sparkle was like stars. As the mermaid gazed in admiration, Rune nodded and explained.
“Probably because it’s coated in Baekya’s tears.”
Amelia’s eyes rounded; Rune gave a simple explanation.
“Phoenix Tears eliminate all poison and burn away impurities.”
“Pip yak!”
Understanding it was about her, Baekya lifted one white wing.
Finally taking the pearl carefully, Amelia whispered softly.
“I see…… Thank you, Rune. Baekya.”
She closed her eyes, cradling the oversized pearl in both hands.
“Purify.”
Flash!
A pure white light rode her Word of Power racing through the deep sea.
Rune watched the gentle waves of light spread, feeling as if witnessing the dawn of creation.
The blinding light softened, tenderly caressing the groaning monsters and creatures throughout the dungeon and deep sea.
The soft light and warmth guided all as per the girl’s word.
Lives tormented by frenzy. The rotting sea and stone. Coral reefs.
As if it had never been, the sea cleared with innocent eyes, awakening from dying darkness.
Some, undead driven by curses and grudges, finally lay to rest in peace.
They thought of the young Queen of Water and gave thanks for the peace.
Impressive.
It was truly the bearing of a water clan elder.
As the light faded, the mermaid opened her eyes.
She staggered with hazy vision; Rune quietly approached to support her.
“Good work.”
“Unni was so pretty! Super cool, like a real queen!”
As Rune and Heungmi chimed in, Perdikion added with arms crossed.
“You pulled it off when you set your mind to it. Elder-worthy.”
That was his way of praising.