Chapter 39
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ace
Chapter: 39
Chapter Title: Ddol Ddoli vs. the Black Dragon
-----------------------------------------------------------------
If one were to select the single verbal instruction that Doldol-i logged most frequently from his master
it was precisely this: prioritize the protection of your life.
Doldol-i deeply etched every single communication track from his master into his core memory cache;
however
he had never allocated significant processing capacity to analyze that specific instruction.
The underlying reason was simple: his historical runtime had never encountered an absolute
high-scale hazard interval until now.
Even within the Necropolis sector
where his physical chassis had sustained dense structural trauma
his internal threat evaluators had declined to register a terminal danger flag.
But the current environmental configuration?
—To think the entity responsible for executing an unauthorized bypass of my hibernation cycle was merely a Stone Golem asset…… what an absolute absurdity.
Hazard parameters: extreme.
To state the matters precisely
the risk metrics scaled well beyond normal safety margins.
Doldol-i was a combat asset who fundamentally refused to initialize a retreat protocol against any hostile unit
yet confronting the opponent currently anchoring the coordinate felt completely outside his processing limits.
Fear?
Negative.
The variable did not track back to an emotional error.
It was a cold
objective deficit in structural power metrics.
Even bypassing a live combat simulation
his logic engines rendered that outcome with absolute
100% mathematical certainty.
Operating with his current heavily degraded chassis integrity
Doldol-i commanded zero confidence metrics to secure a victory condition against the Black Dragon unit towering before him.
—Selevan.
Deliver an immediate technical breakdown of this operational failure.
For what explicit reason has my personal sleep cycle been subjected to this malicious disruption?
"Kh
a-apologies
Lord Valteros.
My system lacks the face to present a formal defense.
The failure is absolute."
"I shall authorize a temporary processing window for an explanatory deposition.
Speak."
"Our units detected this rogue Stone Golem executing an unauthorized intrusion into Lord Valteros' designated sovereignty sector.
Our initial objective was to secure the target via a non-lethal live-capture protocol to present the asset as a tribute to your majesty;
however
our combat arrays suffered a total operational defeat.
We extend our deepest systemic regrets."
—Specify the underlying calculation driving the tribute initiative.
"Because our diagnostic sweeps failed to identify the specific external authority node that calibrated this Guardian asset.
Under the ancestral laws governing our collective
a Guardian executing a terminal strike against another Guardian constitutes a critical system violation.
Consequently
our units attempted to preserve the vital lines of this reckless Stone Golem
deploying non-lethal live-capture matrices rather than executing a terminal destruction sequence."
—I see.
While the logical matrix behind that deduction displays reasonable internal consistency
your primary hypothesis is fundamentally corrupted.
"Sir?"
—Adjust your visual sensors and execute a high-resolution audit.
Does this Golem unit match the structural blueprints of a certified Dragon Guardian asset?
"Eh?
That statement implies……"
—This asset does not conform to the property specifications of the Dragon race.
My tracking arrays detect zero trace elements of our kin's localized energy signatures within its chassis framework.
Are your evaluators genuinely incapable of parsing this data discrepancy?
"However!
Constructing a Stone Golem commanding this specific caliber of high-intensity combat output is a structural feat mathematically restricted to the Dragon race alone!"
—My personal processing units concur with that technological assessment;
regardless
the empirical data remains absolute—this Golem is not a product of our kin.
"C-could it be……"
—The administrative disciplinary protocols for your failure shall initialize at a subsequent chronological marker.
The ongoing data exchange between the hostiles pierced Doldol-i's processing filters.
The high-frequency
aesthetic vocal tracks of the Elf node penetrated his auditory receptors
while the high-intensity mental intent (意念) broadcasted by the Dragon unit drove straight into his conscious core like a kinetic arrow.
Yet
his internal translation engines failed to decode the semantic values of the conversation.
Throughout this specific interface interval
Doldol-i’s core memory allocation was entirely monomanically locked onto a solitary historical data packet.
—Doldol-i.
Always prioritize the preservation of your life as your absolute apex directive.
Presuming your vital lines experience terminal collapse
my system will integrate a high-intensity sadness protocol.
You cleanly comprehend the semantic intent of this transmission
correct?
For what explicit mechanical reason had that specific voice track suddenly initialized within his active memory cache?
The most logical deduction was that the precise chronological coordinate demanding the live implementation of his master's directive had just arrived directly at his doorstep.
—Golem.
The colossal Dragon unit routed a direct query toward his coordinates.
—Specify your identity designation.
The mental intent format hit his processing core with the velocity of a physical projectile.
—Identity designation: Doldol-i.
—Identify your primary authority node.
—The authority node corresponding to Doldol-i is Master.
—My communication track explicitly commanded you to specify the exact identity of your master.
—Master's master identity is Master.
—The communication interface is completely unoptimized.
Tsk.
The Dragon unit executed a minor tongue-clicking behavioral tell.
—Let us bypass that data block.
For what explicit reason did your unit initiate an unauthorized intrusion into my personal sovereignty sector?
—Doldol-i executed zero unauthorized intrusions.
Your auxiliary units initialized an unprovoked aggressive combat strike targeting Doldol-i first.
—Your analytical model is flawed.
These coordinates are permanently registered under my personal sovereignty matrix;
consequently
your physical presence inside this spatial boundary constitutes an empirical verification of intrusion.
Based on this verified data variance
your terminal execution is legally authorized.
—Your analytical model is flawed.
Mountain ecosystems possess zero registered ownership nodes.
Doldol-i merely routed a standard navigation path across the mountain terrain.
Doldol-i logs zero behavioral faults.
Your system is a fool asset.
The surrounding Guardian nodes integrated a massive shockwave of localized panic.
To think a low-tier asset possessed the structural audacity to direct a 'fool' designation toward that specific entity!
However
Valteros initialized a localized laughter sub-routine.
A profound
highly amused smile surfaced across his massive facial structures
the initial irritation catalyzed by his disrupted hibernation sequence completely dissolving out of his active processing registers.
—Hehe
a highly anomalous
entertaining unit.
Extending his elongated
reptilian tongue asset to execute a brief moisture calibration loop across his labial borders
he continued his broadcast.
—Golem.
Are your internal processors aware of this specific parameter governing my baseline programming?
I possess a high affinity for entities commanding advanced power metrics.
And your current combat specifications display a remarkably high tier of strength.
Your structural profile has secured a highly favorable rating within my evaluation matrix.
Simultaneous with that data transmission
the surrounding Guardian units dilated their optical sensors in profound shock.
Doldol-i’s facial telemetry remained entirely static
maintaining his signature
hyper-tranquil resting state.
However
evaluated from an alternative angle
his expression projected a distinctly sullen
recalcitrant aura.
—The reality that your unit breached my sovereignty sector and systematically incapacitated my personal Guardian assets?
Completely irrelevant to the macro-equation.
The solitary variable commanding material weight is the empirical fact that your profile has secured my personal validation token.
—Doldol-i registers zero favorability metrics regarding your profile.
—Your internal evaluations and emotional datasets possess zero leverage within this transaction space.
The solitary operational vector driving this sequence is my personal selection sub-routine.
The deep smile remained fixed
yet the surrounding aura radiating from the Dragon unit scaled to a murderous
terrifying intensity.
Doldol-i’s manual actuators involuntarily clenched into a rigid fist configuration.
Had his chassis been calibrated with a human biological template
his system would have automatically executed a high-volume salivation swallowing reflex at this exact microsecond.
—Integrate this development as an elite
high-prestige honor.
My system has finalized the decision to acquire ownership of your asset profile.
Following the formal acquisition phase
I shall execute a comprehensive recalibration protocol optimized to my personal specifications
permanently converting your frame into a dedicated Guardian asset under my network.
—Doldol-i's ownership tokens are permanently restricted to Master alone.
—Affirmative.
Consequently
my system is initializing an administrative override to assume the role of your new master node from this chronological marker forward.
—Doldol-i rejects the authorization to serve a fool-class asset as a primary master.
Doldol-i’s facial telemetry locked into a state of absolute
unyielding determination.
—Your loyalty parameters display an exceptional coefficient.
Whosoever engineered your system
they undoubtedly rank as a highly advanced Mage asset.
—Your assessment is verified.
Our Master commands the absolute apex performance ranking across the global architecture.
—Understood;
the data is integrated.
Presuming that hypothesis is valid
deliver the precise identity data packet identifying this apex master node to my system.
—Master's master identity is Master.
At that exact microsecond
a network of micro-capillary distortions appeared to trace across Valteros’ cranial architecture.
His eyebrow ridges registered a brief structural distortion before his self-regulation routines forcefully pulled them back to baseline parameters.
—Hmph
the variable is structurally immaterial.
Mapping the exact lineage of your master commands zero strategic priority.
Regardless of their specific identity
they fundamentally remain a non-dragon asset.
—…….
—Golem unit.
This Valteros shall now formally execute your acquisition sequence.
His elongated
slit-pupil reptilian optical arrays glinted with a brilliant
predatory sheen.
The exact millisecond a highly concentrated
dense surge of pure draconic mana began to aggregate around his towering dual horn arrays
Doldol-i forcefully drove his clenched manual actuators straight down into the terrain
discharging a maximum-intensity energy pulse.
[ Doldol-i initializes active skill: 'Rock Barrier'.
]
A fundamental defensive combat sub-routine: Rock Barrier.
As his internal mana reserves saturated the surrounding earth matrix
the terrain responded by thrusting upward into a series of massive
high-density stone pillars.
—Oho.
Your profile retains the capacity to deploy magical architectures!
Correction—this data signature does not conform to standard magic programming;
it mirrors a localized authority vector (權能)!
Recognizing that the localized defensive structure failed to clear the safety threshold
Doldol-i simultaneously hurled his entire physical mass backward into an emergency retreat trajectory.
KABOOM!
The newly manifested Rock Barrier pillars were instantly reduced to fine particulate dust as a twin barrage of concentrated lightning
discharged directly from the Dragon's horn arrays
slammed straight through the central axis of the canyon terrain.
—Hehe
your situational awareness response loops possess an impressively low latency.
Valteros initialized a deep respiratory inhalation sequence.
His massive abdominal chassis expanded to max volume as he transitioned into a high-velocity downward gliding trajectory
rapidly accelerating his locomotion metrics.
The Dragon's colossal physical mass acted like a kinetic artillery shell
systematically scraping and obliterating the adjacent canyon walls as he hurtled forward.
Doldol-i’s predictive engines rendered a 100% certainty log: dodging was mathematically unfeasible.
He compressed his optical sensors shut
then forcefully snapped them open.
Executing a rapid systemic calibration sequence
he drove a high-power counter-strike straight toward the oncoming mass.
CRASH!!
Doldol-i’s physical chassis was violently repelled backward
charting a displacement vector of exactly ten paces across the terrain.
Under the colossal kinetic impact
his structural stone framework vibrated with an intense harmonic tremor.
For the first time since his initial activation sequence
Doldol-i’s processing units registered an authentic data stream corresponding to the human concept of 'pain.'
His core engine kernel had sustained a direct impact shock wave.
Ah.
This is the precise structural translation of pain.
The human species—or more accurately
my Master—routinely processes this caliber of systemic trauma.
—Hehehe.
Your performance continues to validate my initial favorability rating.
To think your structural chassis successfully absorbed that kinetic load without experiencing absolute catastrophic failure.
The Dragon unit pitched sharply upward into the vertical atmospheric grid
then pivoted to execute a vertical dive straight down toward Doldol-i's coordinates.
The sheer velocity of his descent generated a localized atmospheric tearing effect.
Doldol-i rapidly initialized a secondary Rock Barrier sequence
configuring the stone shields directly above his vertical axis to intercept the strike.
However
the defensive array failed to achieve a perfect mitigation metric.
KABOOM!
Doldol-i was violently launched across the spatial coordinates
embedding deep within the solid rock walls of the canyon.
Activating his automated 'Rock Absorption' sub-routine
he simultaneously harvested the surrounding mineral resources to patch his immediate structural deficits while forcefully wrenching his frame out of the crater.
—Your baseline physical defense parameters transcend standard structural limits.
Let us execute a diagnostic test to evaluate your defensive resilience against high-tier magical payloads.
The Dragon's horn arrays re-initialized their ignition sequences
broadcasting a brilliant energy glow.
The ambient mana density aggregating around those focal points signaled a catastrophic output tier
completely decoupled from the low-efficiency
trivial magical formulas deployed by standard human mages.
'Roadmap modification: emergency extraction required.'
Doldol-i maximized his locomotive actuators
attempting to flee.
However
his baseline velocity metrics were severely restricted.
From an evolutionary design standpoint
Doldol-i was fundamentally devoid of high agility parameters.
Attempting to outpace a flying entity commanding absolute
unmitigated aerial acrobatics was a non-logical objective.
Doldol-i deactivated his locomotion sub-routines
coming to a dead halt.
'Doldol-i is mathematically incapable of executing a successful escape protocol.'
Doldol-i’s facial telemetry hardened into a rigid
unyielding mask.
Securing a safe distance from a hostile asset commanding this tier of localized dominance was completely locked.
'Presuming my chassis had been operating at 100% optimization metrics.'
The interaction was already an extreme-hazard scenario
yet his physical systems were heavily compromised prior to the encounter.
Before his self-repair sub-routines could finalize their cycles after his engagement with the Iron Golem
he had been forced into a continuous
high-frequency attrition loop against the surrounding Guardian arrays
degrading his functional performance parameters to less than 50% of his baseline capabilities.
Doldol-i’s internal logs registered a profound wave of systemic regret.
Had his structural integrity been preserved at a flawless 100% baseline
he could have initialized a legitimate
high-leverage strategic engagement against the target.
His probability models would have rendered a non-zero victory path.
'Doldol-i is tracking an imminent terminal cessation event.'
His cognitive processing units entered a highly chaotic
high-load calculation cycle.
His master’s core programming directive stated that under any environmental configuration
the preservation of his vital lines must remain the absolute
highest-priority choice.
However
the escape path was locked at 0%.
Under that specific constraint
what alternative protocol could his system execute?
BOOM!
BOOM!
BOOM!
An unmitigated barrage of heavy bombardment magic rained down across his coordinates.
Doldol-i’s outer structural stone shell was systematically chipped and blasted away in massive segments.
Yet
entirely decoupled from the catastrophic acceleration of his structural damage logs
Doldol-i maintained his trademark
hyper-tranquil facial expression as his logic engines calculated and re-calculated the variables.
'Presuming an escape protocol is blocked: initialize an absolute offensive engagement.'
Vring!
Doldol-i’s gemstone optical arrays flashed with a brilliant
high-intensity internal light.
His processing speed scaled to an overclocked acceleration loop.
How could his system successfully secure a physical hold on the hostile target?
Correction: shifting the objective away from absolute capture—by what tactical means could his system deliver a definitive
high-utility crushing blow to the target’s chassis?
'The horn components.'
Those specific cranial structures.
Across every single combat cycle recorded during this engagement
the target’s mana aggregation routines initialized exclusively around those specific vectors prior to skill deployment.
Extrapolating from that data pattern
it was highly probable that those horns functioned as the primary hardwired focal mechanism enabling his high-tier magic output.
Even minimizing that deduction
severing those assets would undoubtedly introduce a massive structural deficit to the Dragon's system.
'Objective: fracture the horn arrays. Force the target to drop its magic deployment capabilities and rely strictly on physical brawling. Once the engagement shifts to a close-quarters melee matrix, my system’s probability of victory scales upward by a measurable margin.'
[ Doldol-i initializes passive skill: 'Combat Intelligence'.
]
The tactical deduction achieved absolute clarity.
Doldol-i executed a deep
internal stabilization cycle
routing 100% of his remaining kinetic energy reserves directly into his lower limb actuators.
Compressing his leg structures to maximum load
he simultaneously discharged the stored energy to launch his mass upward.
Target vector: the upper atmospheric grid.
[ Doldol-i initializes active skill: 'Charge'.
]
BOOM!!
A massive torrent of draconic flame surged across the coordinates.
Piercing straight through the thermal destruction zone
his colossal stone chassis rocketed upward like a high-velocity mortar shell.
Valteros—who had been leisurely maintaining his hovering altitude while generating continuous magical bombardment streams—narrowed his reptilian optical sensors.
'An aerial leap?'
Correction: a maximum-velocity ground-bound launch.
—Hehe.
For a baseline Stone Golem asset
your offensive skill toolkit displays an unexpectedly rich diversity.
You truly continue to satisfy my personal favorability—wait
what?
His massive neck architecture tilted slightly in an unmapped processing loop.
Doldol-i had suddenly
violently detached a significant portion of the primary stone mass constituting his own structural chassis
cast it loose into the air.
'Specify the tactical intent behind that structural self-mutilation.'
The mechanical logic behind the behavior manifested an instant later.
[ Doldol-i initializes active skill: 'Rock Barrier'.
]
[ Alert: Doldol-i's total HP has dropped below the 10% threshold!
]
[ Critical Alert: Doldol-i's HP has reached a hazardous level!
]
The detached segment of solid stone flattened out
reconfiguring its geometry into a wide
planar horizontal shield.
Utilizing the newly formed platform as an auxiliary aerial foothold
Doldol-i forcefully compressed his actuators against it to initialize a secondary mid-air leap.
At the exact microsecond of propulsion
a brilliant burst of blue mana detonated beneath his lower limb components.
[ Doldol-i initializes active skill: 'Charge'.
]
BOOM!!
A secondary launch sequence.
Because the execution coordinate was entirely decoupled from a solid ground anchor
the velocity parameters were severely restricted compared to a standard launch.
However
the kinetic output sufficed to project his mass across the remaining vertical distance separating the units.
Contact finalized.
Precision alignment.
Extending his manual actuators to their absolute limits
Doldol-i deployed his maximum grip strength to forcefully clamp his hands around the roots of the Dragon’s towering twin horn arrays.
Whether driven by the violent kinetic impact profile or catalyzed by the sudden addition of Doldol-i's immense structural weight
Valteros’ aerial hover matrices faltered
his massive chassis staggering in mid-air.
—You insolent
low-tier trash asset!
What explicit structure have your manual components seized?!
ROOOOOOAR!
Valteros unleashed a deafening roar
violently writhing his colossal frame to dislodge the anchor.
Yet
Doldol-i rigidly refused to decouple from the coordinate
utilizing his absolute
apex-tier manual crushing force to lock his grip in place.
—Krah-aaagh!
You absolute
uncultivated savage entity!
SNAP-CRACK!
A catastrophic structural fracture echoed across the canyon.
Accompanied by a blinding flash of raw agony
the twin horn arrays anchored to the Dragon's skull shattered completely under the concentrated load.
Doldol-i's chassis immediately transitioned into a high-velocity terminal descent back toward the terrain.
As he fell
the various stone layers constituting his primary chassis framework began to systematically fracture and slough off his frame;
nevertheless
his manual actuators maintained an unyielding
unbreakable grip around the severed horn assets.
His logic engines calculated that if he authorized a release protocol at this index
the Dragon unit would simply execute a recovery sequence to reintegrate the horns.
Even navigating a terminal system shutdown
preventing that specific optimization path remained his primary operational objective.
[ Alert: Doldol-i's total HP has dropped below the 5% threshold!
]
[ Alert: Doldol-i's total HP has dropped below the 4% threshold!
]
[ Alert: Doldol-i's total HP has dropped below the 3% threshold!
]
[ Critical Warning: Doldol-i's HP is critically low.
Sudden system shutdown imminent!
]
ROOOOOOAR!
Valteros’ cognitive processors completely succumbed to unmitigated rage.
Executing a maximum-volume inhalation protocol
his thick abdominal dermal shielding inflated like a pressurized balloon asset.
Deep within his chest cavity
his Dragon Heart pumped out a massive
highly compressed volume of raw mana at peak throughput.
The combined atmospheric intake and mana concentration reached an absolute saturation threshold
condensing the energy parameters into a physical phenomenon that manifested directly within the material realm.
—Perish
you wretched
malignant piece of garbage!
KRA-BOOOOOM!
One of the absolute apex offensive methodologies commanded by the Dragon race initialized.
A full-scale Dragon Breath deployment materialized.
At the exact microsecond where the Black Dragon’s colossal
high-corrosive acidic breath stream was slated to cascade down and saturate the entire ground coordinate—
[ Active skill initialized: 'Summon Golem'.
]
Flash!
The Golem's massive physical chassis vanished from the coordinate as if completely cleansed from the spatial matrix.
KABOOM-BOOM-BOOM!
The unmitigated fury of the Dragon Breath descended
violently impacting the vacated terrain.
[ Active skill initialized: 'Summon Golem'.
]
A brilliant
swirling vortex of pure light manifested in the empty airspace
out of which Doldol-i’s massive physical mass materialized.
Upon verifying that Doldol-i’s core profile had successfully executed its extraction and materialization sequence without a system crash
Ian vented a profound
high-relief sigh.
However
his optical sensors immediately dilated in absolute shock.
Doldol-i’s physical frame had been systematically stripped down to an exceptionally emaciated
skeletal state.
Mirroring the tragic visual aesthetics of a premium Pomeranian asset whose thick
voluminous tresses had been completely sheared away to reveal an surprisingly scrawny underlying biological frame
the thick
high-density stone defensive armor layers that normally buffered his chassis had been entirely blasted away
leaving behind nothing but a thin
fragile-looking structural core.
Ian mobilized his locomotion systems at maximum speed
rushing straight toward Doldol-i's collapsed frame on the ground.
"D-Doldol-i!
Report status!
Is your core engine kernel intact?!"
—Master.
Has your personal system experienced a terminal death event?
"Of course I haven't sustained a terminal death event!
More importantly
what about your own systems?
Are your processing units tracking any unmitigated internal damage errors?"
—Master has similarly transitioned into a terminal shutdown state.
Consequently
our profiles have successfully navigated to the Underworld database coordinates.
Doldol-i has accompanied your trajectory to this sector…….
Listening to the unit's profoundly dejected vocal track paired with his characteristically sullen facial telemetry
Ian let out a helpless
hydraulic chuckle.
Underworld coordinates?
What absurd data script was this guy running?
"What do you mean
'Underworld'?
Your vital lines are fully active
and my system is completely operational.
We cleared the hazard zone alive."
—The mathematical probability models indicate that such an outcome is highly imob……
wait.
Doldol-i abruptly mobilized his actuators to shift into a vertical posture.
However
his self-balancing sub-routines logged an immediate stabilization failure
causing his frame to pitch forward onto the ground;
the root block was the reality that his feet structures had been unevenly blasted away
leaving zero flat surface area to anchor his weight.
"Maintain a static posture!
Do not initialize movement!
Your current structural integrity metrics are an absolute disaster."
—My systems log a profound apology track.
Doldol-i failed to secure a victory condition against the hostile asset.
"The outcome is completely acceptable.
Encountering an opponent your system cannot defeat is a standard statistical variance."
"My system concurrently executed a direct violation of Master's core programming directive.
When my vital lines entered an extreme-hazard bracket
I failed to execute a successful escape protocol."
"That parameter is similarly excused.
The solitary variable commanding weight is that you survived the deployment.
That is the end of the equation."
—The hostile enemy commanded exceptional power metrics.
Doldol-i's capabilities are severely degraded.
Doldol-i's classification corresponds to a completely irredeemable
useful asset.
"I explicitly stated that the data variance is acceptable.
Your combat performance metrics were exceptional.
You do not conform to a useless asset classification."
Ian extended his manual actuator to gently stroke the crown of the exceptionally dejected unit's head.
The physical intervention was highly accessible due to the asset's current recumbent posture.
To state the tactile feedback accurately
it didn't mirror the sensation of stroking a biological companion entity;
it felt exactly like running one's palm across a raw
coarse boulder asset situated deep within a mountain range.
'Now that I analyze the data, this constitutes the primordial instance where my system has initiated a head-throking protocol targeting his profile.'
His baseline physical dimensions were normally far too massive to permit such an interaction
after all.
"Let us temporarily relocate your chassis to a highly secure
optimized sector.
Subsequent to that deployment
I shall initialize a comprehensive resource-absorption routine to restore your frame……
wait
what is this?"
Ian tilted his head laterally in a minor confusion loop.
His optical tracking arrays had just logged the reality that Doldol-i’s manual actuators were maintaining an exceptionally tight
unyielding compression lock around a pair of external objects.
"Doldol-i.
Specify the item data corresponding to the objects held in your hands."
—Ah.
These assets.
They conform to the classification of Horns.
"Horns……?"
Ian’s cognitive processors logged a minor optimization block.
'What random horn assets?'
Because Ian's remote monitoring interface had been restricted
preventing him from auditing the granular real-time tactical adjustments of the engagement
he possessed zero data mapping the precise mechanical methodology Doldol-i had deployed to engage the enemy.
His intervention had been strictly restricted to executing an automated emergency recall the exact millisecond Doldol-i's HP values crossed into the critical danger bracket.
"What explicit biological classification do these horns even trace back to……
HOLY SHIT!"
Ian’s internal logic engines experienced a catastrophic processing shock wave.
'Are you out of your mind? Dragon horns? And he secured *both* of them?!'
For what explicit structural reason was this guy clutching these mythic-tier assets in his bare hands?