Episode 93
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Zeke’s aura-infused spear pierced straight through the heart of the beast.
Just as the creature’s head was nearly regenerated, it let out a long, agonized wail as its core was impaled.
A gaping hole appeared where its heart should have been, and the wings that had sprouted from its back melted away like mist.
With a final, desperate cry, the beast staggered and collapsed to the ground.
From atop Bucephalus, Zeke watched the creature warily as he descended slowly.
“Attacking the core was the right move.”
At that moment, a message appeared before Zeke’s eyes.
[The skill level of Dragon Slayer Sword Technique (S) has increased from Novice to Skilled.]
The Dragon Slayer Sword Technique left by Shaton Draker was a secret art designed to relentlessly target a dragon’s vital points.
In contrast, the current dragon-slaying techniques taught at Draker had been adapted for combat against humans rather than dragons.
After Terracan Draker, many families had developed their own secret arts and applications based on the foundational dragon-slaying techniques, leaving the original form as merely a basic swordsmanship.
Both the Draker family and their allied clans focused on these advanced techniques, considering the basic dragon-slaying techniques as mere introductory swordsmanship.
However, Zeke realized through mastering Shaton Draker’s Dragon Slayer Sword Technique that the true essence of dragon-slaying lay within the basic techniques.
While the forms and stances of the sword were important, the key to the Dragon Slayer Sword Technique was how to combine and wield aura with those techniques, and how to connect each move seamlessly.
Through his battle with the swamp’s master, Zeke was able to grasp the essence of the Dragon Slayer Sword Technique.
“Now I truly understand what it means to slay a dragon.”
As the beast fell, the area that had transformed into a swamp slowly began to revert to its original state.
Zeke guided Bucephalus down to the ground and approached the fallen creature.
Though not completely dead, the mud-like surface of its skin twitched slightly.
Then, the mud-like skin slid away, revealing the beast’s eyes beneath.
Those eyes resembled the ones Zeke had seen in Shaton Draker’s vision of Bahamut.
“Is it really a dragon?”
At that moment, something was conveyed to Zeke’s mind.
『…Dragon Slayer… thank you…』
Unlike the earlier garbled sounds, the message was clear.
Zeke was taken aback by the beast’s words of gratitude.
“Thank you? What do you mean? More importantly, are you a dragon? Why do you look like this…?”
As Zeke spoke, the beast seemed to take its last breath, its eyes closing.
The mud-like organic matter covered the beast’s face again, erasing any trace of dragon-like features.
Zeke gazed at the dead swamp master.
There was something different about this creature compared to the other beasts he had encountered in both his past and present lives.
“A dragon thanking a dragon slayer. Bahamut, known as an evil dragon, was Terracan Draker’s contracted dragon. There must be something unknown here.”
The records about Terracan Draker were also restricted by the Draker family.
The Draker family held many secrets, including the unknown legends of dragon slayers.
“If I can take control of the family, all these secrets will be revealed.”
Zeke pondered what to do with the corpse of the dead beast or dragon and decided to absorb it through Devour.
Though its exact identity was unclear, it was certainly a dragon species, and he figured there would be much to gain from devouring it.
“I hope devouring it won’t cause any problems.”
Though he had never encountered issues before, he couldn’t shake the unease, remembering the acidic and poisonous substances it had released.
“Well, it should be fine. Let’s hope for a good skill.”
Zeke used Devour on the swamp’s master.
His shadow spread wide, enveloping the beast completely.
The beast’s massive body was slowly absorbed into Zeke’s shadow.
It took quite some time due to its size, but eventually, the shadow consumed the entire beast.
A message window appeared simultaneously.
[You have devoured a corrupted dragon species completely consumed by malice.]
[Your stamina, mental strength, and mana are replenished.]
[By devouring a designated target, the Devour skill level increases as a reward.]
[As the Devour skill grows, you can now devour items and acquire their abilities.]
[You have acquired the power ‘Decay’ from the devoured creature.]
[By absorbing the dragon species’ Dragon Heart, part of Bahamut’s heart seal is released. Current compression seal level is 80%.]
[You gain 1000 Karma Points.]
[You receive 3 Random Boxes.]
“Wow.”
When he had absorbed just one head of the Hydra, he gained immunity to all poisons. Now, having absorbed an entire ancient dragon species, the rewards were immense.
Zeke was astonished by one of the messages.
“I can devour items too?”
He wanted to test this new ability, but given the circumstances, he decided to try it later.
“I gained a power, a ton of points, improved my Dragon Slayer Sword Technique, and got Random Boxes. It was tough, but the rewards are worth it.”
With a satisfied expression, Zeke mounted Bucephalus and quickly headed towards where Boris and Prince Karus were waiting.
“Your Highness, this way.”
Boris led the prince into the depths of the forest.
Thanks to the swamp’s master, other beasts were nowhere to be seen.
However, this also meant that their pursuers could chase them without interference.
“Ugh!”
Boris gritted his teeth as his wound reopened.
He tore his clothes to staunch the bleeding and steadied his breathing.
The special forces were relentlessly pursuing Prince Karus.
“Damn it. Even though I was part of them, they’re really persistent.”
The special forces, having split from the main group, had chased them deep into the beast-infested forest.
Though Boris was a former special agent from the Intelligence Bureau’s 13th Division and a Blue Knight, he was at a disadvantage while protecting Karus against the special forces.
“Can I hold out until the boss arrives?”
His new boss, Zeke, was truly a monstrous individual.
He believed that if Zeke arrived, they could surely escape this place.
Just then, one of the special forces approached where Boris was hiding.
“Whoever you are, you’re quite skilled. You’ve given us a hard time.”
The special forces began to negotiate.
“You won’t be able to escape with the prince. Here’s a proposal: hand over the prince, and we’ll spare your life.”
Boris knew better than anyone that this was a lie.
The empire wouldn’t let them live, knowing its secrets.
He gripped his sword and remained vigilant.
“They’ll probably say that and then stab us in the back.”
Boris drank a potion Zeke had given him and pulled out a scroll from his pocket.
He had used several to evade pursuit, and only a few remained.
“I don’t know how long I can hold out with this.”
Then, the special forces called out again.
“It’s not a lie! We really will spare your life!”
Boris was about to throw a smoke scroll and prepare to flee.
But then, unexpectedly, Karus stood up and began to walk towards the special forces.
“I’ll go out! Let this man go!”
Boris was shocked.
“Your Highness! What are you doing?”
Karus wore a bitter expression.
“You’ve done enough. I’ll surrender, so you escape and survive.”
Naively, Karus had fallen for the special forces’ ploy.
At that moment, the special forces rushed in from behind, quickly subduing Boris and Karus.
“We’ve secured Prince Karus.”
The negotiating special forces member grinned.
Thud!
Suddenly, a dagger embedded itself in the temple of the special forces member, who fell without a sound.
The other special forces members were startled.
“There’s an enemy hiding! Stay alert!”
Thud!
Before they could finish speaking, daggers struck the necks of two more special forces members.
Boris got up and grabbed Karus.
“Get up! We need to escape!”
Karus, bewildered, followed Boris as they ran.
The special forces pursued them again.
But something emerged from the forest, blocking their path.
Whoosh!
Zeke, wielding his sword, confronted the advancing special forces.
A shield automatically deployed from his armor, deflecting all their attacks.
“Ah, no, it can’t be…”
Before the special forces member could finish his sentence, his head was severed.
Having dealt with the special forces, Zeke caught up with Boris.
Seeing Zeke, Boris and Karus looked relieved.
“Boss!”
“Boris, how long until we reach the smuggling ship?”
“We need to cross that mountain to reach the coast.”
“The pursuers might have circled around the forest. Even if it takes longer, we can’t be sure. Let’s hurry.”
Zeke and his group spent another full day traversing the beast-infested forest, moving towards the southern coast.
Fortunately, no more pursuers from the special forces appeared.
After crossing the mountain, they finally emerged to see the sea.
“Boss, this way.”
Zeke and his group headed towards the southern coast where the smuggling ship was docked.
The southern coast of the Dortra Republic was close to the Sea of Death, with rough waves and basalt formations, making it a place people rarely approached.
Due to its geographical advantages, the smugglers from the southern continent often used the Dorita Republic as a base of operations.
While the northern route through the kingdom was safer, circumstances forced them to take the southern path.
Zeke turned to Boris and asked, “Is there always a smuggling ship docked over there?”
“Most of the smugglers using the southern route are bringing in drugs. With the high demand for soma in Casino City, small smuggling vessels are constantly coming and going,” Boris explained.
“I see. But do you think they’ll willingly take us all the way to the southern continent?”
“If we tell them we’re with the Syndicate, they won’t dare refuse.”
The Syndicate, which controlled the southern cartel, was far too powerful for small-time smugglers to defy. Zeke nodded, understanding the situation.
The group made their way past the basalt fields toward the cave where the smugglers had set up camp.
As they neared their destination, the sounds of a fight echoed from within the cave.
Crack!
Boom!
Zeke raised his hand, signaling the others to fall back.
“It seems they’ve discovered the smuggling dock,” he said, gritting his teeth at the persistence of their pursuers.
If they couldn’t board a smuggling ship here, finding another escape route would be difficult.
“Boris, stay with the prince. I’ll go check it out,” Zeke instructed, activating his stealth skills as he crept toward the basalt cave where the battle raged.
Peering inside, he was surprised to see Draker’s knights clashing with the smugglers.
‘Those are the Red Lion Knights,’ he thought, realizing they must have taken a coastal detour to catch up with them.
Fortunately, there was no sign of Abel or William.
Just then, one of the Red Lion Knights shouted, “Capture them all!”
As the knights charged deeper into the cave, the smugglers retaliated from behind their makeshift barricades, firing crossbows and hurling military-grade magic bombs.
Boom!
Even the Draker Knights, skilled as they were, couldn’t afford to underestimate the power of the magic bombs, which could inflict serious injuries if they let their guard down.
The knights, who had assumed the smugglers would be easy prey, were taken aback by the unexpected resistance.
The smugglers, armed with military-grade magical weapons from the southern cartel, were proving to be a formidable defense.
‘I need to create a distraction to give us an opening,’ Zeke thought, pulling a magic scroll from his inventory and moving swiftly and silently.
Meanwhile, Donner Lapelt, one of the captains of the Red Lion Knights, was growing increasingly frustrated.
“Damn it. Can’t they handle those bastards?” he muttered.
The Red Lion Knights were composed of young knights loyal to Abel. They were used to hunting outlaws or crushing poorly armed rebels on the central continent, but they lacked experience in chaotic, close-quarters combat like this.
Annoyed by his troops’ inability to swiftly deal with the smugglers, Donner drew his sword and shouted, “Out of my way! I’ll take care of them myself.”
But just then, something flew in from behind.
Boom!
It wasn’t the sound of the smugglers’ military-grade magic bombs. It was the sound of real magic exploding.