Chapter 343
Chapter 343
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>Translator: Ryuma
>Chapter: 343
>Chapter Title: The Earth Mother's Passing
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After escaping the swamp, another two days passed.
Kang Seol's tricks had mostly exploited the opponent's weaknesses for great gains. However, as this process dragged on, fatigue began to accumulate.
‘These guys have no end...’
He had thought that killing them off one by one would eventually break the pursuit, but that judgment might have been wrong.
‘Still, if I can buy just a little more time here...’
The Underground Garden of Deep Slumber.
He was confident he could reach that place. And once he did, he could shake off the pursuit for good. Few knew that place as well as Kang Seol, not even if the pursuer was the heavenly dragon Azanic.
"Where..."
Kang Seol looked at the beasts huddled around the area. Massive predators, every one of them.
Yet they were lost in deep slumber, snoring even as Kang Seol approached.
[The beasts slumbering here might help you shake off the pursuit. What will you do?]
1. Touch them to wake them.
2. [Required: Zamut] Place the zamut harvested from the altar.
3. Shout loudly to wake them.
4. Leave them be.
...
Before arriving, Kang Seol had prepared the fruit called zamut and now placed it on the altar. Its scent was so potent it could numb the senses, but such a powerful aroma would surely rouse the sleeping beasts.
It was better than someone shaking them awake—waking to a tantalizing smell would be preferable.
Kang Seol and his companions placed the fruit and stepped back to observe.
Sniff... sniff...
Sniff... sniff...
The snoring beasts caught the scent and bolted upright.
"...It worked."
Kang Seol shook his head at Tantuinu's words.
"Wrong. Looks like we should scrap this plan."
"...What?"
Roooaaar-!
The awakened giant beasts bared fangs and claws at one another. They fought not their true enemies, but rival beasts, all vying for the fruit.
"...Why are they reacting like that?"
Kang Seol pointed to the beasts' napes.
"...That's!"
Black spots on their napes were spreading, slowly engulfing their bodies.
"Corruption!"
"Azanic must be getting closer. We need to get out of here, fast."
Corruption happening nearby meant its host, Azanic, was near.
Facing him now would be suicidal—they had to flee immediately.
Whoosh-! Whoosh-!
‘Luckily, the Underground Garden entrance is close. If we just reach it, everything will be fine.’
He wasn't sure if Azanic had ever visited the Underground Garden, but once inside, they could stand against him.
And so they spent another full day just running. Any more tricks would be mere sleight of hand, and if Azanic appeared in person, it would only waste time.
Their judgment had been sound.
The entrance to the ruins, shrouded in vine-covered trees, came into view.
"Huff... huff..."
"There! Right there..."
As the corruption closed in, they had sprinted at near full speed for half a day, leaving Kang Seol and Tantuinu exhausted.
"We can rest a bit once we're in the Underground Garden?"
"Yeah. Maybe a little..."
Choices appeared upon reaching the ruins' entrance.
[You have arrived at what appears to be the entrance to suspicious ruins. However, the door is not open, and you must find a way to unlock it. First, a few options...]
That was when it happened.
"That's far enough."
It felt like someone had spoken right beside them.
Yet Kang Seol, Tantuinu, and Jamad's gazes fixed on someone far in the distance.
Whoooosh...
An overwhelming presence emanated from him.
"......"
"You owe me some answers."
A human with dragon eyes that sent chills down spines spoke as he surveyed the area.
Kang Seol quickly took in his features.
He had sharp eyes himself and could easily memorize traits even from afar.
‘Tattoo on the left face, scar across the nose. And massive black horns.’
Exactly as he remembered Azanic's human form.
Azanic addressed them.
"First: Do you know what you've gotten yourselves into?"
"......"
"I asked you a question."
Whoooosh...
The pressure washed over them.
Kang Seol realized answering might buy time—a solid strategy—and replied.
"I don't know everything. But I know what matters."
Azanic's expressionless face led to the next question.
"First: Do you know the condition of the one you're protecting?"
"Urk..."
Tantuinu clenched his teeth in a spasm. Kang Seol and Jamad reacted strongly to Azanic's words. Their eyes turned to Tantuinu.
He had gone pale as a ghost.
The obvious question for Kang Seol and Jamad:
‘Is something wrong with Tankred's body?’
Jamad's face hardened.
The reason they had to travel through the Red Prison was now revealed from Azanic's mouth, not hers.
In the darkness, only Azanic's tattoos and eyes glowed. He was utterly at ease.
His question had given both sides answers. Tankred was not well, and her new allies were unaware.
"First: Do you know its whereabouts?"
"...'It'?"
Irritation flashed at Kang Seol's retort. Azanic, who called Tankred's ally 'it,' seemed infuriated that they didn't even know what 'it' was.
"Last..."
While enduring Azanic's barrage, Kang Seol subtly prepared something.
‘Just a bit more time...’
They could enter the ruins. Escape the crisis.
But Azanic's questions ended there.
"First: Do you think you can escape me?"
"...Who knows."
Kang Seol adjusted a statue's position as he spoke.
"If we just get past this rough patch, things might smooth out..."
"...Out of the way."
Azanic rose, gathering flames in his right hand.
Fwooooosh...
Whoooosh...
Space seemed to be sucked in.
Intense heat cracked his hand.
His glowing red arm fissured deeply.
Crack... crack...
Roooar-!
The surrounding terrain vanished in an instant.
No, 'burned' wasn't right.
It was closer to 'erased.'
"Disappear."
Fwoosh...
Everything happened in a flash.
Boom...
Azanic's right hand shattered, unleashing flames.
The fire consumed everything it touched.
Trees, air, and the thoughts of those who faced it.
An unstoppable blaze that left no room for thought.
‘Damn it!’
Jamad moved first.
Scraaaape-!
His sorcery, not yet at full supreme power.
"Hoh..."
Azanic let out a short exclamation, but the situation wasn't hopeful.
Kwaaaang-!
Jamad's rocks crumbled instantly, flames reaching right up to them.
At that moment.
Crackle...
The Red Prison shattered, revealing a woman with massive horns on her forehead.
Splaash-!
The unyielding rock power Jamad would one day master blocked the flames.
"Huff... huff..."
The panting woman.
Jamad caught a glimpse of her.
"Tan... kred."
He couldn't hide his shock.
Life was fading from Tankred's body, like a candle about to gutter out.
"Azanic..."
"......"
"You will gain nothing from me."
"...We'll see. You trust those frail beings?"
Thud...
Tantuinu caught Tankred's collapsing body.
Roooar...
A second flame gathered in Azanic's other hand.
With Tankred down, they couldn't block the next one. But they didn't need to.
Click...
Kang Seol repositioned the final statue.
[You have solved the secret of the Underground Garden of Deep Slumber.]
[You now stand in the field.]
[Caution: The Underground Garden is the domain of the Sleepy One. You cannot defy his will.]
Rumble...
The ruins' door opened, an immense wind surging out and swallowing the group.
Whoooosh...
"Hold on tight, everyone."
Boom-!
As the door that devoured them closed, Azanic extinguished his flames.
He approached the entrance, examined it briefly, and muttered.
"...You've bought some time."
[You have escaped a powerful enemy.]
[Special achievement 'Close Call' achieved.]
[Special title 「Lucky One」 acquired.]
* * *
...
Swoooosh...
Swoooosh...
"Wake up, Kang Seol."
"Ugh..."
At Tantuinu's words, Kang Seol rose and surveyed his surroundings.
A vast field stretched out.
Even though it was underground, there was a sky, dyed deep with sunset.
‘Amazing... a space like this.’
Exactly as depicted in the game lore.
Tantuinu asked him.
"How much time... do we have left?"
"Half a day... After that, the ruins door will open again. And I have a question for you too."
Kang Seol deferred to Jamad.
Jamad gazed at the field a moment before asking Tantuinu.
"How much time does she have left?"
"......"
"...Answer me."
Jamad's face twisted into a fierce scowl.
But a voice stopped him.
"Don't press her, Jamad."
"...Tankred?"
Turning toward Tankred's voice, they saw a massive dragon sprawled in the field center. With the sunset, it was like a painting.
She was so immense and majestic that 'ancient dragon' felt fitting. Kang Seol's group approached.
‘Oh no...’
Kang Seol couldn't hide his dismay.
Her power felt so faint.
A stark contrast to Azanic, whom they had just faced.
"Come closer, Jamad."
"...You remember me?"
Jamad approached as if entranced. He sensed Tankred's faint smile.
"Mysterious child. I see the future in eyes. But yours were different."
"Not a fate of bland predictability, then."
"...Perhaps."
Even lifting her eyelids seemed a struggle for Tankred. Yet she had words that must be said.
"Azanic has broken his silence."
"Why does he target you?"
Swoosh...
Tankred shifted her massive body, pushing something from her bosom outward.
Far larger than a normal egg—about the size Kang Seol could barely lift with both hands—it rolled out.
"This... your offspring?"
Tankred nodded.
"So Azanic is after your egg."
"Azanic seeks to burn the world. He claims it's the only way to free this world."
"...What? What does that..."
"Jamad, have you ever seen a god?"
An absurd question.
Jamad answered.
"If primal gods count... then yes."
"No, they are not gods. Merely emergent beings."
"Emergent... beings?"
"Transcendent beings like me are the same. We are served, but nothing special. From birth, I guarded Pandea's lands. But was that right?"
"......"
"If it was right, who decides? A god? Then who is the god?"
"......"
"That was once my doubt, now Azanic's. He vows to find out why, if gods exist, they hide and let the world suffer. And..."
Tankred bowed her head low.
"He fell into the abyss."
"......"
"He despaired. Realized gods have no interest in this world. So he would destroy it. Perhaps to draw their attention, or to free us from them."
"...He's completely mad."
"Buried in madness, yes... But I couldn't stop him. Azanic... the heavenly dragon is strong."
"Is taking your child part of that plan?"
"Of course. Passing power to the next generation is our duty. But Azanic did not. No offspring. That's why he remains so powerful."
"What does he want with your egg?"
"My heir carries my power's potential. Perhaps Azanic seeks to become a god himself. Or... create one. His true intent is unclear."
"Either way, he plans to use your unborn offspring."
Tankred smiled faintly.
"New life is the future. It fuels the next generation's advance. Azanic doesn't understand we must trust them. Jamad, child of the earth. I have a request."
"......"
"Protect this child. My breath ends soon."
"Why... me..."
Swoooosh...
Wind swept the field.
It carried freshness, yet also wistfulness.
"Jamad, you are stronger than any life I've seen."
"......"
"In the past, now, and in the grim era to come. Because you are..."
Tankred looked at Kang Seol.
"...a new chance has come."
"Tell me, Tankred. What must I do?"
"You already know. As one who leads the era."
The sunset fades.
Night peeks over the horizon.
"I lived as guardian of the earth, yet often couldn't accept it."
"......"
"Excuses of potential, lives obsessed with petty values. Just watching without intervening... I couldn't always accept that."
Fwoooosh...
Weary breath escaped Tankred's nostrils.
"I've watched you long, Jamad."
"Tankred."
"As death nears, I realize: your lives hold value in themselves. My duty was not in vain..."
"No... I didn't want an end like this, Tankred. I... I..."
Tankred laughed.
See a dragon laugh, and you'd understand the expression.
"Not an end. A process. My will endures, with your life."
"No... no! I'm still... still on the path."
Tears welled in Jamad's eyes.
Kang Seol had never seen him so emotional.
"We'll see the world at eye level, converse as equals! I... I..."
Jamad clenched his teeth.
Tusks leaked words.
"Your..."
He wanted to be friends.
Tankred, head pressed to the ground, said.
"Jamad. We saw the world with the same eyes. Existed with the same will, and always..."
Tankred's breath stopped.
"...we were friends."
Jamad recalled an old memory.
- If I walk that great path... can I talk to you anytime, Lady Tankred?
- Yes.
- Then we're finally friends?
- Child...
Past and present, her answer was the same.
- I've already considered you a friend.
Her heart was true.
"This land always needs a guardian. Jamad... when I go, the world's balance will falter."
She gasped.
"Become... this land's guardian."
"......"
Huff... huff...
As Tankred's breathing grew ragged, Tantuinu rushed to embrace her.
"Mother! Mother!"
"I... I... seek long slumber here. Field and life... star cluster... earth, take me."
Swoosh...
Tankred stilled.
Jamad placed a hand on her snout.
"Mother of the Earth... no, my old friend Tankred."
He bowed, forehead to ground.
"Thank you for your labors. Rest in peace."
Fwoooosh...
Tankred's body dissolved into motes of light.
Then, a flood of messages scrolled before Kang Seol.
[The Mother of the Earth, Tankred, ends her long life and returns to the stars.]
...
But there was no time to read them all.
"Kang Seol."
"...Jamad."
Jamad turned, locking eyes with Kang Seol.
What he saw wasn't mere sorrow—a greater emotion.
"I... can't endure it."
"......"
"Not without unleashing this rage..."
He burned with vengeance.
"I can't leave... like this."
Tantuinu approached to restrain Jamad.
"Have you forgotten Mother's will? We can't face Azanic yet! Hide, grow stronger..."
"Kang Seol."
"Even if we strike successfully, we can't escape! Then everything... Mother's will vanishes!"
Kang Seol closed his eyes, recalling something.
"Got it."
"...What?"
"There might be a way."
This wasn't for rewards or survival.
It was Jamad's rite to honor Tankred's vain death. And for such a Jamad, there was the perfect trickster.
"No, there is."
[Enlightenment: Supreme Realm occurs.]
[Under certain conditions, you can immediately manifest supreme power.]
[Sudden adventure 'Dragon's Vengeance' occurs.]
[This adventure is extremely dangerous.]
...