Chapter 91
Chapter 91
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 91
Chapter Title: Kill the Dragon, Offer the Heart
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Whumm…!
The crimson heart pulsed.
It had only throbbed a few times, yet the waves of mana leaking out steadily engulfed the surroundings.
…Gulp.
The overwhelming pressure sent a dry swallow racing down my throat.
So this is the true nature of an S-rank monster.
That heart, in particular, captured my gaze.
Scholars had once said:
The Dragon Heart is like a mana stone that grows throughout its lifetime.
An organ brimming with vast mana from the moment of birth.
Whumm…!
One that had accumulated power over eons without ever dying.
That thing is a Dragon Heart of the utmost purity.
My mouth was watering already?
Good thing I’d chosen the Ancient Wing as my prey.
Of course, it seemed to be thinking something similar about me.
Drip. Drip.
Dark drool oozed thickly from its jaw.
Its half-rotted tongue trembled like a snake freshly awakened from hibernation.
Well, yeah.
From its perspective, I must’ve looked like a highly condensed, nutritious snack.
Fine.
Let’s have a proper fight. Let’s see who comes out on top.
“Cover me for a sec.”
But obviously, I couldn’t fight it like this.
Even with Molrangtex and Molrang Tail, my body was still way too frail.
Weapon advantages only matter when the size difference isn’t this extreme.
So the solution was simple.
I just needed to even the odds.
“Take it slow. I’ll buy as much time as I can.”
Shing!
Seo Jin drew the Molrang Tail strapped to his back.
A broad silver blade gleaming brightly. A custom version made for him, who mainly wielded greatswords.
Slash!
The Molrang Tail whipped out fiercely.
The blade tip, infused with Seo Jin’s mana, tore mercilessly through the air, baring its fangs at the Ancient Wing.
Aiming for the ribs.
And the Dragon Heart inside them.
‘…Whoa.’
It took no more than a blink.
In that instant, Seo Jin’s blade tip was already closing in on piercing the dragon’s heart.
Naturally, my mind ran the simulation.
‘Can’t dodge.’
No matter how S-rank it was, the thing’s body was far too massive.
Dodging that strike would be tough.
Was it really going to end just like that?
Clang!
…No way.
Those ribs, which looked so thin, effortlessly deflected the Molrang Tail.
Considering the rippling waves over the corroded bone, it must’ve been coated in mana.
Impressive defense.
And that was from an A+ rank lethal strike.
Slash!
Anyway, Seo Jin was buying me time, so I couldn’t dawdle.
I dumped massive fragments out of my Molrang Tory bag.
Even the smallest one could crush me flat without breaking a sweat.
Yeah. These guys are just the right size.
Ssssh…
As I channeled my mana into them, the fragments’ cores glowed with intense purple light.
Click!
They let out that satisfying sound I always loved, and the fusion began smoothly.
“Come forth!”
You’re the one. Titan.
The most vicious and powerful monster in my current Molrang stable.
Measured at around A+ rank.
But that was only for an individual Titan.
Handled by me directly, it jumped at least two full ranks.
Hoo. I exhaled fully, focusing my mind.
Thump thump. My heart began pounding, pumping out mana for all it was worth.
Just one goal.
To connect myself and the Titan as perfectly as possible.
Crack!
First, fingers and toes.
The cute little twitches turned into heavy movements.
My heart synced its pulse with the violet Moonshadow Stone.
My once-low view rose to overlook the whole attic-like panorama.
Snap!
And just like that, we became one.
“Sa-byeok, you ready yet?”
Kwaaa!
A vile green breath. Seo Jin barely blocked the acidic, scorching flames and called out.
I flashed a grin and clashed my fists together in reply.
“All set.”
If this were a fighting game, the screen would probably say:
GET READY FOR THE NEXT BATTLE.
The fight… no, the hunt was finally about to begin.
I clenched my fists.
Gritted my teeth and glared at the Ancient Wing.
Unfortunately, I wasn’t the physical type. Not back then, not now.
So I didn’t really know how to fight well.
But at the same time, I did know.
Crack!
Plant your legs firmly on the ground!
Tighten your core to the max!
Lock eyes on your target’s movements!
Even unwinnable fights could be muddled through.
Kuaaaah!
“Come at me!”
The Ancient Wing began its dive toward the Titan… no, toward me.
Long bones sprouted from its broad wings, firing off like spikes.
Mana-reinforced bone shards sharp enough to skewer an A+ monster with ease.
Clang!
Too bad they didn’t even scratch the Titan.
It was reinforced with my mana, after all.
That all you got?
Sneering, I thrust my fist straight ahead.
One shot.
I planned to end it with a single full-power punch.
Kuooh!
Of course, the Ancient Wing didn’t let me land it.
A few wing flaps, and it cleanly escaped the Titan’s reach.
Whoosh!
Even so, the trailing edge of mana from my fist shredded some of its flesh.
The chunks fell like hail, melting the ground where they hit into a gooey mess.
How much mana had it wrapped around that body?
Kuooh!
We’d only exchanged one clash.
But masters see through their opponents in a single exchange, right?
“What the…?”
It had soared high into the sky, showing no sign of coming down.
Was it planning to run?
‘No way I’m letting that happen.’
How could I let you escape?
I’d chase you to the ends of the Gate and rip out your heart.
“Seolbaek.”
I had a custom strategy prepared for times like this.
Kiiing!
At my call, Seolbaek swiftly shifted to baby dragon form.
It blended its mana with the surroundings to hide its presence, then began stealth flight.
And I…
“Time for a taste.”
Drew my trump card weapon.
A massive greatsword. Or maybe a blunt weapon.
A supreme tool of destruction that would make even Excalibur scoff.
Click!
The Molrang Tail, made solely for the Titan.
Forged from 62 failed prototypes—the most powerful killing weapon in Molrang history.
Snap!
I aimed the giant flail skyward, determined to bring down the bird.
“Hyaah!”
I started spinning.
Like a hammer thrower, maximizing centrifugal and centripetal force.
Charr!
As we spun around the dome, the Molrang Tail began rattling ominously like chains.
……
But the Ancient Wing’s reaction was lukewarm.
More like it was sneering down at us.
At this distance, it probably doubted we could even reach it.
Such arrogance.
Charr! Charr!
Even I was going all out.
For mere prey to act so leisurely?
Time to break that pride.
Then its kin would fear my name forever.
“Uryaaah!”
With a shout, I stopped spinning.
My body lurched, but I braced my core and held firm.
Slaaash!
The maximally coiled Molrang Tail shot out at ferocious speed.
Its blunt, flail-like tip aimed to smash the Ancient Wing flat.
Sensing it, flap!
The beast elegantly beat its wings and began a graceful dive.
Dodging the attack and using the momentum to strike at me.
You think I’d let that happen?
Kiiing!
Seolbaek, flying stealthily alongside it, sprayed mana mist.
With its vision completely blocked and disoriented, now was the moment.
Ssssh…
New threads extended from my body.
The red threads needed for monster taming. They shot toward the Ancient Wing.
Faster than my senses could track.
They overtook the advancing Molrang Tail and pierced its wing.
“…Urk.”
Strong resistance.
And obviously, I had no intention of taming it.
Just controlling its movements for a moment would suffice.
Whumm!
I yanked the thread.
Its wings lost their rhythm, stumbling awkwardly like a toddler.
Kuwaa…!
It struggled in its own way.
It hadn’t fully lost its will.
But that was enough.
Boom!
The Molrang Tail smashed straight into its skull. I felt the impact travel through the chain-like body.
It landed solid.
The hook was set.
Now it was simple.
Reel in the prize catch.
“Uryaah!”
As the Molrang Tail retracted, our distance closed in a flash.
The rapidly pulled—no, plummeting—Ancient Wing had no chance to resist—
Boom!
It crashed into the ground, kicking up thick dust.
Obviously, I didn’t think that would kill it.
“Hyup!”
So, mount.
I climbed atop its body, securing the high ground, and pressed the attack relentlessly.
No openings for counterattacks. Cut off its breath for good.
“Ei! Ei!”
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Indiscriminate punches rained down.
Powerful enough to shake the earth around us.
An Ancient Wing felled by mere fists was laughable.
But that’s size for you.
How’s a scrawny dragon supposed to beat a colossal golem?
Boom!
Still, its durability was decent.
Boom!
But even that was over now.
Exactly ten.
After the tenth punch, its body went limp.
The wildly pulsing heart came to a halt.
The meaning was clear.
“…Haa!”
S-rank monster, Ancient Dragon.
Subjugation complete.
“No way… Sa-byeok. When did you learn all those moves?”
“Huh? I’ve always been pretty talented, right? Hehe…”
When did I learn them?
I fantasized about this stuff every single day, so of course they came naturally.
This is why I love being an MBTI N type.
Just let the delusions run wild.
“Hoo… Anyway, mind dismantling it?”
“Rest up. I got this.”
“Okay!”
While Seo Jin prepped his dismantling tools, I rummaged through my Molrang Tory for my smartphone.
Snap!
I took a photo of the Ancient Wing.
Any hunter worth their salt can’t resist a subjugation pic.
[This is Molrangmoli.] [Author: WannaRaiseADragon]
(A photo of the subjugated Ancient Wing)
The one and only company with an S-rank hunter!
This… is Molrangmoli lol
-What the hell? How’d you catch it?
-Does the monster summoner have physical skills?
ㄴDidn’t catch it with summons?
ㄴDude, it’s an Ancient Wing;
ㄴReal talk, top-tier among S-ranks
-Scumbag I’m so jealous
ㄴWannaRaiseADragon you’re screwed lol getting way too close
ㄴHanSa-byeokNo1Fan: S-rank hunter has one, our Sa-byeok has one… total assholes all around
ㄴIs WannaRaiseADragon the S-rank hunter?
ㄴWhat? Lol
ㄴPretty sure WannaRaiseADragon was D-rank
ㄴWtf how’d a D-rank scrub recruit both
ㄴThat’s the real mystery lololol
ㄴYo jealous bitch. Why “our” Sa-byeok? Who the hell are you
ㄴLol for real, aren’t you the one who got fanboyed by the Hunter Association chairman?
ㄴHanSa-byeokNo1Fan: Shut up
The tech is solid, for sure.
These new-style Gates had communication mana stones scattered throughout, somehow.
Like stairs built into a mountain trail.
Humans are amazing. How’d they even install them up here?
Of course, they charged 20 billion for entry, so this was the least they could do.
Anyway, I set the Titan to guard mode, scrolled through my feed, and relaxed—
“Sa-byeok. Got the heart out first. What now?”
Seo Jin, done dismantling, handed it over.
Hmm. What to do?
Did it need processing or something?
Unfortunately, no time to ponder.
Kiiing!
Seolbaek suddenly leaped up and snatched the heart.
Fine, eat it however you want.
If it’s going for it, it must be safe.
But chew it slowly, at least.
That thing’s worth over 200 billion.
Damn, now I see why it costs that much.
The fight was brutal. Thought I could squeeze in subjugations between business, but maybe not.
Kiiing!
“No… chew it properly…!”
Despite my plea, Seolbaek gulped down the Dragon Heart like always.
Whatever.
So what happens now?
Does it glow and evolve or something?
…!
Uh…!
No sooner said than Seolbaek’s form…!