Chapter 229
Chapter 229
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>Translator: Ryuma
>Chapter: 229
>Chapter Title: End of the First Dragon Trial
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News that the first dragon trial had concluded spread to all the dragon flowers.
Among those in the upper ranks of succession—including even the legitimate heirs—some tilted their heads at the somewhat awkward results...
But the majority had properly demonstrated their abilities.
First and foremost was Steel Flower Taeyul.
"Lord Taeyul, the evaluation for the first trial has been released."
"I thought the evaluations would be kept secret, but they're all public..."
"If the evaluations were confidential, wouldn't people question the record-keepers' fairness?"
Taeyul clicked his tongue at the response.
"Is there an idiot among the dragon flowers who would say such a thing? No one would dare spout nonsense after knowing how the Dragon Emperor deals with corruption among the dragon palace administrators."
"That's because you, Lord Taeyul, always pursue fair contests. In fact, during this trial, some dragon flowers attempted secret contact with the record-keepers."
"The very fact that you know about it proves those attempts failed, doesn't it?"
"Hahaha! You're right. They scored the lowest and were eliminated early from the dragon strife."
"The Dragon Emperor has cast us into a fair arena. We need only follow that, yet some resort to petty tricks..."
"It's because you're the one predicted to be the next dragon, Lord Taeyul. To those desperate but lacking in ability, it might feel different."
"Hmm... Now that you mention it, you're not wrong. I judged that too hastily."
Taeyul was not stubborn about values beyond his convictions.
Even if it bruised his pride or tarnished his reputation, he did what was necessary for growth.
That was what brought him closest to becoming a dragon now.
"There's an interesting story: the flower at the very bottom of the succession ranking received the highest score."
"What? Highest score? Impressive—who is it?"
"Death Flower Seolhong."
"...That child? I knew she had potential, but her abilities were still lacking."
"From what I've heard, an unexpected figure intervened."
"Unexpected... figure?"
"A newly accepted dragon stone."
"I see... Did he jump in aiming for Seolhong's status?"
"I thought so briefly, but I don't think that's the case."
Taeyul nodded at the man's words.
Seolhong was a flower buried at the very bottom, with no faction to her name. One who might never bloom in her lifetime.
Whoever this new dragon stone was, choosing a dragon flower with no prospects wouldn't be for ordinary reasons.
"It's interesting news, but I wonder why I'd need to hear about Seolhong specifically."
"...Understood."
"To advance, we must look forward, not back."
Seolhong would never catch up to Taeyul.
She was bound to collapse far behind from exhaustion. Taeyul believed her story would soon fade from the dragon strife.
Taeyul wasn't the only one to hear about Seolhong.
There was also Sin Yo, the woman rising from just below his chin—the legitimate heir.
Cold Blood Flower Sin Yo.
Upon hearing Seolhong's news, she nodded once and showed no further curiosity.
Thus, Seolhong's tidings elicited varied reactions from the dragon flowers, but one showed the most peculiar response.
"Ehehe... So my little sister achieved such results? Of course I must congratulate her?"
"Seolhong has no roots and is lowly, so Lord Jegaak's favor will resonate even more deeply."
"Uhihihi! Write an encouraging letter on my behalf and send it to Seolhong."
"You're not writing it yourself?"
"As I said, why would I waste time on such a lowly thing?"
"...A wise decision. I shall carry out your orders."
The legitimate heir Jegaak—short-sighted and foolish, often called Idiot Flower instead of Lion Flower by others.
He sent a letter to Seolhong.
* * *
Seolhong rushed straight to Cheonju upon descending the mountain.
"Cheonju!"
"I'm done for! I'll die before my time! Do you want to see me die?"
"I'm sorry! But the trial..."
"Opportunities come as long as you're alive. Please don't recklessly stake everything."
Puuuk...
Seolhong burrowed into Cheonju's worried embrace.
"...You had me worried."
"I'm sorry, Cheonju."
To Seolhong, Cheonju was like a mother. Just as returning home exhausted and seeing her mother's face brought tears unexpectedly, seeing Cheonju overwhelmed her with emotion.
"Cheonju... just a little..."
"Hoo... Alright."
Seolhong buried her face in Cheonju's chest.
Hweeeeeeng...
Muffled sounds leaked from beneath the collar.
Seolhong was crying.
- The engine sound is impressive. Electric car?
- The circuit road is smooth—passed.
"What's with that face? Who made such a cute face like this?"
Hweeeeee...
- Acceleration kicking in!
- Overtaking the leader! Overtaking the leader!
Kang Seol watched this bizarre scene for a while, waiting for her sobs to subside.
- ㅋㅋㅋㅋ Marks left on Cheonju's belly
- o_o Marks lol ㅋㅋㅋ
- Gao Gai, huh? ㅋㅋ
Kang Seol asked Seolhong.
"Is there a reason for burying your face while crying?"
"Who's crying? Dragon flowers don't cry. You must be mistaken."
Kang Seol let out a hollow laugh at Seolhong's brazen denial.
With the two conversing naturally, Cheonju interjected.
"...What exactly happened while I was away?"
"Well..."
Seolhong recounted everything that had occurred on the reed mountain, without omission.
Cheonju, whom Seolhong expected to scold her immediately for her outrageous actions, instead listened quietly.
After hearing up to the part where Kang Seol became Seolhong's dragon stone, Cheonju looked at Kang Seol.
Then, she bowed her head.
"Thank you for saving Seolhong. If this fool had met with disaster... I... I..."
"Cheonju, don't cry..."
"Don't rush into dangerous places recklessly from now on! If you must go, take me with you!"
"It's okay now..."
"What's okay?"
"I have a dragon stone... Kang Seol is here."
"Um..."
- Kang Seol... Feels so unfamiliar.
- Calling him by real name after Snowman makes it weird ㅋㅋㅋ
Cheonju observed Kang Seol closely.
"Hm... Decent muscles, looks like he can handle some strength."
"Those bandits couldn't move an inch!"
"Lady Seolhong, did you sell all your martial arts training to get caught?"
"Well... I was just careless for a moment!"
"Sounds familiar... Sigh, anyway."
She grasped Kang Seol's hand with both of hers.
"Please take good care of our Lady Seolhong from now on. Her steps are still like tiny wingbeats, but when she spreads them wide, she will surely build a nest in the khan—please watch over her."
"...Understood."
Even as she spoke, Cheonju didn't take her eyes off Kang Seol. It was inevitable to focus on this sudden ally.
'She didn't mention that, though.'
The story that Yuhwa had sent him.
Seolhong hadn't relayed Kang Seol's words to Cheonju.
Likely, she didn't want to burden Cheonju with worries until she made a clear judgment.
In any case, the first meeting between Seolhong, Cheonju, and Kang Seol concluded like that.
Before the second trial from the record-keepers, Kang Seol launched a thorough self-inspection.
It was no time to delay checking the rewards he had obtained.
He had glanced at them briefly while staying at the inn, but with a major event looming, he hadn't examined them closely and had just stored them in boxes.
'Only a few were really worth it.'
Treasure-grade equipment had poured out.
As Kang Seol expected, there were no legendary grades, and excluding unsuitable or mediocre items left about four usable pieces, as he recalled.
Click—
Kang Seol laid them out one by one.
[Mighty Beast Subduing Steel Gauntlets]
Grade: Treasure
Appropriate Level: 35–37
Defense: 150
Durability: 150/150
Weight: 1.0kg
Gauntlets imbued with power to suppress ferocity simply by crushing.
Basic Stats: Strength +20, Agility +18, Vitality +30
Special: Grants +30 additional strength when directly grasping living beings.
Unfortunately, the special didn't apply to clothes and such.
But it could be useful for grabbing necks, arms, or legs directly, depending on usage.
[Scout Platoon's Gale Boots]
Grade: Treasure
Appropriate Level: 36–41
Defense: 95
Durability: 120/120
Weight: 0.1kg
Boots sewn from the hide of the wind beast Hosra.
Rumor has it that sprinting at full speed echoes Hosra's cry.
Basic Stats: Intelligence +32, Agility +20, Vitality +25
Special: After sprinting in one direction for 3+ seconds, recovers lost vitality gradually during the sprint.
Odd ability.
But the attached stats alone made it worthwhile.
However, since Kang Seol mainly used cloth over leather, it was a bit iffy; better to pass to Jamad if he returned.
Of course, the stats were good enough for personal use, but he had acquired other suitable boots for Jamad from the last adventure.
[Following Steps]
Grade: Treasure
Appropriate Level: 38–44
Defense: 80
Durability: 115/115
Weight: 0.1kg
Cloth boots that unleash true power in pursuit.
Incredibly light.
Basic Stats: Intelligence +20, Wisdom +35, Vitality +30
Special: When heading toward a combat-state enemy, steals 10% of their movement speed.
Kang Seol quickly swapped his old boots.
'I've grown, it seems.'
The hair's-breadth escape boots were exactly for fleeing. He hadn't used them much, but they had been a huge help in tough times.
Now, after repeated growths, he was equipping boots for pursuing enemies instead of escaping—Kang Seol chuckled wryly.
[Whirlwind Plate Belt]
Grade: Treasure
Appropriate Level: 37–42
Defense: 100
Durability: 150/150
Weight: 0.5kg
Belt containing the energy of frost storms.
Appeared in the world after Bitona vanished.
Basic Stats: Strength +20, Agility +20, Vitality +40
Special: When current vitality drops to 50% of max, a frost storm whirls around the wearer. Activating this sharply reduces the belt's durability.
'Interesting option.'
For Karen or Karuna, whose vitality rarely dropped below half, it was a rare case, but insurance like this was good.
'Neither Karen nor Karuna has a decent belt... We can decide who uses it when they return.'
Looking at gear for his summons, Kang Seol felt their absence.
'Ur, still hanging on?'
When would good news come... He missed the noisy old days.
'Oh, right...'
There was one more unconfirmed item.
Santos's inherited ability.
[Pioneer's Mindset]
- Upon arriving in a new region, all stats increase by 10% for one week. Also, skill proficiency doubles during this time.
'Useful when frequently relocating bases. Especially now in unfamiliar territory.'
A 10% all-stat boost was huge on its own, so conditions were expected.
Confirming the condition wasn't too harsh solidified Kang Seol's resolve to find all horse legacies.
'Even just collecting all horse legacies would make me incomparable to now.'
In that sense, Yuhwa's legacy must be obtained too.
Knock knock...
"Kang Seol... Are you there?"
"Is that the dragon flower?"
"C-Call me Seolhong. It's not anything major... but it seems we need to leave urgently."
Creeeak...
Kang Seol opened the door to face Seolhong.
"What is it?"
"The next trial seems set."
"Already?"
"I was surprised too."
Since this was the first dragon strife, no mishap would be surprising.
"Before announcing the trial, the record-keepers instructed us to begin moving first."
Still, Kang Seol knew the eastern regions well enough that knowing the destination would greatly aid the next trial.
"So, where are we headed?"
"Yocheon."
"Yocheon..."
Kang Seol pondered what Yocheon was, then widened his eyes. They met Seolhong's.
They spoke simultaneously.
"Warrior's Heart."
"Warrior's Heart."
Seolhong nodded.
"Yes. Probably a trial related to that place..."
Kang Seol pressed his forehead at her answer.
The Warrior's Heart was where gladiators from Khan and all regions gathered.
Khan Empire's largest arena, detached from law and reason—that's why it thrived.
And lastly,
Where one of Kang Seol's horses had breathed its last.
In a low tone, he foresaw what lay ahead.
"If the trial is related to the Warrior's Heart..."
"......"
"This trial... won't be easy."
If the next trial was indeed tied to the Warrior's Heart, as Kang Seol and Seolhong predicted...
His current strength would fall short.