Chapter 248. Nothing Happened (1)
In the crisis of annihilation, the World Tree bore fruit to scatter its seeds.
Yet, contrary to the World Tree's will, the fruit split, unable to coexist good and evil.
O final demon hunter. Only you can find the sinner who separated good and evil.
📍 Temper your weakened body. (Repeat)
📍 Enter the elves' land, Sisli. (In Progress)
A class quest that had been dormant for a while popped up.
Reading its contents, I couldn't help but nod.
"Where there is light, there must be shadow."
The world can't exist with only good. The existence of evil is natural.
Even the World Tree, called the mother of Arcana, must have known that well.
'That's why it bore the Fruit of Good and Evil.'
The World Tree's fruit, the Fruit of Good and Evil.
By context, it must contain the World Tree's seeds.
But the problem started because it bore contrary to the World Tree's intent.
Now, let's recall the memory from the [Predator's Swamp].
When the World Tree's seed sprouted.
I felt not a shred of evil. Just warmth.
That warmth must have been the 'good'.
The seeds specified in the world quest must all contain only 'good'.
Why am I so sure? Because the proof is right here.
"......Without a doubt, we swallowed Mother's fruit."
Unfortunately.
The dragons swallowed only the 'evil fruit' left with pure malice.
In that sense, it was truly wicked—whoever that demon was.
'If they had simply followed the intent.'
Dragons like Yunak Seus would have closed their eyes without knowing the truth.
They would have died unaware that the seed sprouting from their bodies as nourishment was one of evil.
'No wonder Grandfell doesn't even mix words with them.'
Indeed, demons aren't worth conversing with.
But who was it?
The bold demon who sowed discord between the World Tree and the dragons.
For now, the quest points to Sisli, the elves' land where the first World Tree took root.
Not content with the Dragon Temple, now the elves' land.
'At least in the Dragon Temple, even Yunak Seus was a sturdy ally.'
Among the elves, the only one on my side is......
Elcidoir tending the elixir field in the Yusra Kingdom.
Still, the good news is I can invoke the 'hierarchy of blessings' with the elves.
'In the end, I have no choice but to unravel it one by one.'
The demon hunter's nose.
The World Tree's lineage.
And finally...... the halo of the Claudy family.
I have no choice but to advance, maximizing what I can use.
Just as I have until now.
In that sense, I should resolve the dragons' doubts too.
I spat out the core first.
"Regrettably. You have been toyed with."
"......Toyed with? What do you mean?"
"What you swallowed was not the true seed of the World Tree."
I kindly explained about the Fruit of Good and Evil.
Contrary to the World Tree's will.
Your fruit contained only evil.
Therefore.
"You need not die."
"......!!!"
And that's not all.
In a way unworthy of the title King of All Things.
You no longer need to cower.
"Glide the skies as you will."
The Arcana Continent is currently overrun by demons who don't know their place.
If you take flight, won't discipline fall into place naturally?
Even the lowliest demon would learn manners at the sight of dozens of dragons soaring the heavens.
"Roar as you will."
If you occasionally breathe fire, it would be perfect.
Of course, the Arcana natives might be startled.
But they'd welcome it.
Even if legendary dragons are fearsome.
Not as much as demons.
'And I'll have less work because of it.'
It was a rather mercenary sentiment.
But......
'Wait a minute......'
......Why are you reacting like that?
Including Yunak Seus.
Every one of them had moist eyes......
Could it be shock?
From learning the Fruit of Good and Evil they swallowed was fake?
As I flinched inwardly.
......An ominous voice rang out.
"So you finally realize."
There was reason to call that raspy voice ominous.
It was familiar.
Kud Hanas, who dubbed me the Black Dark Dragon.
Definitely a dragon's voice......!
Why does my ominous premonition never miss?
Kud Hanas continued.
"In the past and now, only Claudy has considered us! Behold. Only the Black Dark Dragon has watched over, understood, and accepted our hearts!"
I was using it strategically.
I'd resolved to acknowledge and endure it.
Claudy's excessively radiant halo?
......Let's say it's overly gracious for someone like me.
But.
Can't we do something about that Black Dark Dragon moniker......?
Of course, my inner anguish wouldn't reach them.
Not to be outdone, Yunak Seus opened his mouth.
"O dragons. We have received grace from Lee Hoyeol Claudy, from Claudy once more. How shall we repay this immeasurable debt, kin?!"
Black Dark Dragon, Lee Hoyeol Claudy!
'A total disaster......'
Just listening drains my life force.
And how booming are those voices.
I'm truly afraid someone might overhear.
But the dragons were utterly sincere.
"......No one has ever said that to us."
"That we need not die."
"That we may act as we will."
The dragons were no longer bowing due to the pact.
They were truly bowing to me out of their own will and conviction, showing respect.
How do I know?
"The Dragon Lord shall follow Claudy."
With Yunak Seus's declaration.
Before my eyes.
A message appeared.
⊳ Elder Dragon Yunak Seus and 21 other dragons
⊳ Current Status: Awaiting Orders
The strongest force on the Arcana Continent.
I've recruited the dragons as allies.
Yet I can't simply rejoice.
'Suppose we return to the Zero Mountains, to Earth.'
If they roar "Lee Hoyeol Claudy" there?
Or mention the Black Dark Dragon......?
'I couldn't show my face anywhere.'
But the dragons wouldn't fathom my agony.
At times like this, their eyes brimming with loyalty are burdensome......
I shifted my gaze to the message.
[Current Status: Awaiting Orders]
Truly eyes begging for any command.
'But this side is reaching its limit.'
Not from rising shame.
From manifesting [Absolute Zero] with death resolve.
The cold affinity boosted by elixirs.
Plus the superhuman regeneration from the [First World Tree's Blessing].
Yet.
HP: Too Low
Truly no mercy.
Senior mage Senios's magic......!
How did he endure this pain?
Damn, when he closed his eyes.
If he'd shown even a hint of pain.
I might have sought another way.
'In many ways, truly respectable.'
And matching that, Grandfell who shows nothing to the end.
You're impressive too.
I said to Yunak Seus.
"Before issuing a command, I ask you, Yunak Seus."
"Speak freely."
"Can you survive?"
"......"
Just as I was dying.
Yunak Seus's Dragon Heart, beating vigorously, was gradually stopping.
A wound beyond the recovery of a frail ancient dragon, beyond my strange healing.
But what if dozens of dragons pooled their power?
I looked at the dragons behind Yunak Seus.
Roooar—
Vast energy rippled from the dragons' bodies.
Not mere mana.
A unique energy from Dragon Hearts, incomprehensible to a human like me.
Yunak Seus's eyes widened.
"......Why bestow the energy of eternal life upon me?"
Why, indeed.
They're reflecting in their own way.
Sharing their blessing of eternal life with Yunak Seus as atonement.
Including Proznax, who sneaked into the Dragon Temple late.
'Don't even think of refusing.'
No matter the command acquired.
Could I lead dozens of dragons alone......!
They're quiet now, moved by Grandfell's rhetoric.
But they might change their minds later?
Minds change entering and leaving the bathroom.
It's not a saying for nothing.
I added to Yunak Seus.
"Live, Yunak Seus."
"......!"
"A living legend is not so bad."
Even rolling on the floor, this world is better—it's not for nothing.
Of course, at this moment.
I couldn't agree.
Rather, I'd prefer death......!
The tenacious vitality from the blessing.
Agony so severe death seems preferable.
'......More painful than opening the circles.'
More than swallowing elixirs and passing out.
I can barely stand straight now.
Let's find a grave soon.
Even to the end, this posturing.
"The scenery is not bad."
Murmuring so, I lean against the temple pillar.
Body freezing from the heart outward.
White breath from my mouth.
Yet calmly.
"More than sufficient to enjoy tea."
I pull out a green tea teabag.
Not for cold water.
At least a warm cup of green tea before going?
Or is it the cold?
Judgment clouds.
"Yunak Seus, might I request hot water?"
Only after speaking did I realize.
Good lord......!
Asking a dragon to heat water.
No one in Arcana's history but me, truly.
"I shall obey."
Indeed.
Steeping a green tea bag in breath-heated water.
No one in history or future will commit such an atrocity.
But.
'......Not bad?'
Long time since entering the Arcana Continent.
With [Last Adventurer] effect.
I resolved to die well if dying.
'This was a pretty good life.'
In the fleeting life-flashing-before-my-eyes.
I review this entry's achievements.
First, before meeting Yunak Seus.
Hunting demons raised me 1 level.
Modest, less than hoped.
'Thought they'd swarm.'
Considering death penalty, regrettable.
But levels aren't the point.
Above all, I cleared the misunderstanding between World Tree and dragons.
'Pride in reviving a crumbling family?'
Yunak Seus regaining body and elder dragon honor is fortunate.
And moreover.
'......Can't ignore it.'
Claudy realized on the Arcana Continent.
I even grasped Claudy's settings.
In short, what's to come has come.
So for this entry, just be grateful.
'Who knows what halo will shock me next.'
Clink—
With that thought, I picked up the teacup.
Warmth from the cup.
Damn, not even strength to tilt it.
In the end, amid surging agony.
I dropped the teacup once more......
Crash!
With the piercing sound in my ears.
The dragons' urgent voices rang.
Well......
[You have died.]
[Death penalty applied.]
[Acquired experience reduced.]
[Effect of title, 'Last Adventurer', activates.]
[Returning to reality immediately.]
No need to panic, everyone.
.
.
.
Smooth—
Slowly opening my eyes, I was at the Mage Tower's top floor.
In the end, couldn't even finish the green tea and returned.
To reality.
Pat pat—
I casually brushed off the frost on my jacket.
At least better state than covered in blood then.
Maybe I can play it off as nothing happened.
Why think of playing it cool first?
Obvious, right?
'Scary.'
No, embarrassing.
My actions on the Arcana Continent......!
But my wish was soon dashed.
I sensed something.
......Why is it so quiet.
Too quiet.
No presence in the Mage Tower.
Thinking it late after all tasks.
Checked the time......
What is this?
Not time, the date is wrong?!
'The month changed......?'
Two weeks since entry?!
Two weeks? Well, could happen.
Caused chaos in Dragon Temple and Absolute Zero, where time sense is off.
But my shock was for another reason.
The disaster alert that just arrived.
And simultaneously.
Piercing the Mage Tower's barrier.
A thunderous roar echoed.
A mournful dragon breath, as if swallowing sorrow.
I realized.
......Do they think I'm dead and are wailing like that?
Flew tearing dimensions in that instant?
The Mage Tower moved to block such dragons?
I'm going mad.
This damn fate.
No breathing room!
.
.
.
The world trembled in fear.
Dozens of dragons roamed the skies.
That alone was shocking.
Yet they wailed desperately.
"This means it's not the end......!"
"Wh-what kind of dragon is that to make them wail like that."
"......?"
Yes.
The Black Dark Dragon who closed its eyes in the Dragon Temple.
Vanished without a trace......!