Chapter 34 – A Dragon’s Skin Is Incredibly Tough
#1
[To the Heir of the Guardian, I ask you.]
[What will you do when you face an enemy far beyond your capabilities?]
[What if you cannot even use your authority?]
The boss room.
In all things, there must be an end.
The dungeon’s end was represented by the boss and the boss room.
The entrance of the cavern was unusual, even at a glance.
When Lawrence stood there, these words appeared.
He instinctively realized it.
This is a trial sent by the artifact.
Though he didn’t know the thoughts or will behind it, it was clear that it intended to test him.
‘What kind of monster are you going to torment me with?’
Unreasonableness.
It was something Lawrence had encountered too often.
In his life before regression, it had been the most familiar concept to him.
The thought of being thrown back into such an unreasonable situation again gave him goosebumps.
However, things must change now.
How long could he keep being buried in the past?
‘I’ll charge head-on. I’m sick of it.’
He didn’t know what the reward was, but he made up his mind to break through at all costs.
After confirming the artifact’s capacity, Lawrence confidently stepped forward.
Inside the cavern was a monster with gleaming, dark-green eyes.
[Grrahhh…]
An undead.
A creature that never tires.
A writhing mass of muscle.
Unlike the crude weapons of kobolds, this one carried a well-crafted weapon.
From his knowledge before regression, Lawrence immediately identified the type of monster.
A monster far beyond what an eleven-year-old’s body could handle.
“An undead orc? Wow… they really went all out to make this problem difficult.”
The appearance of the boss made him wonder if this was truly a trial or just a ploy to kill him.
Trolls, while slow, could be dealt with by sealing their regeneration.
But an orc was a fighter.
Orcs might appear smaller and weaker than trolls.
However, the ability to use combat techniques made a significant difference in determining prey.
Between an orc and a troll, trolls were the prey.
[Retreating is your choice.]
[However, if you flee here, you will never earn your qualification.]
[Dimensional space will be sealed.]
[Artifact replacement is not allowed.]
Cowardly?
The artifact seemed to be saying as much.
Lawrence grinned, baring his teeth.
Tolerate this?
“Bite down hard.”
[Screech—!]
The boss, with its characteristic heavy breathing, hurled its massive body at Lawrence.
His eyes gleamed sharply.
The power of the artifact implanted throughout his body set him into motion.
Boom—!
Dust surged into the air, and the spot where Lawrence had stood moments before was now deeply dented.
The sheer force was so overwhelming that his still-immature body would have been flung back into reality in an instant if struck directly.
‘I can’t lose.’
<Listen closely. When dealing with an opponent faster and bigger than you, it’s important to let them grow accustomed to you first.>
<No matter what creature it is, one strike to a vital point is all it takes to kill it. That’s just how life works.>
He recalled the words of the assassin uncle from his past.
At this point, Lawrence thought it wouldn’t be too far-fetched to call the assassin uncle his teacher.
He tensed every muscle in his body.
The Eden family’s training methods.
The remaining capacity of the artifact.
Negative energy and the warrior’s movements.
He would borrow the strength of all these to take down that monster.
A battle that seemed impossibly difficult and promised great suffering.
But it wasn’t as hard as he thought it would be.
[Negative Energy]
[Continuously absorbing the negative energy emitted by the undead orc.]
[You are driven to an extreme situation.]
[The growth of the Dragon Body accelerates.]
[Hatchling: 49.2%]
‘What?’
[Screeeech—!]
Boom—!
Once again, the orc’s strike narrowly missed.
The stones flung by the impact made his whole body ache, but it was manageable.
He began to think that perhaps he could grind experience points here.
“Ah, this is what you wanted, isn’t it?”
[…….]
Somehow, it felt like the artifact was at a loss for words.
#2
“Stop this at once!”
“Wait, let’s observe for now.”
“What nonsense is this? Do you intend to kill the scion of a noble family!?”
“If he fails, he’ll just bounce back here. This is a good opportunity to properly assess his abilities.”
“Do you think his spirit will remain intact after such an ordeal? Is that what you’re suggesting, Blue Tower Master? Or is there another reason behind this?”
The atmosphere grew tense in an instant.
The Iron Tower Master and the Blue Tower Master stood in sharp opposition.
The Iron Tower Master wanted to extract Lawrence from the virtual dungeon immediately, while the Blue Tower Master preferred to wait and see.
It was the Blue Tower Master who raised his voice first.
“I cannot let those words slide.”
“Only someone with a guilty conscience would respond like that.”
Rumble—.
The confrontation between the Tower Masters, who were among the strongest mages aside from Edward, shook the vast space.
Fortunately, someone stepped in to mediate.
“Both of you, calm down. We must act according to the rules. The trial isn’t over yet.”
“…Very well. But he must be retrieved before sustaining a fatal blow.”
“We’ll handle that.”
The Red and Green Tower Masters stepped forward to mediate the two.
Even the Master of the Tower of Transformation joined in.
“Don’t worry. I’ll keep a close watch.”
“Remember, the Montemer family and the eyes of the world are watching all of us.”
“……”
At Iron Hanma’s sharp words, everyone nodded.
The Blue Tower Master scoffed, letting out a huff of dissatisfaction.
‘What a shame. Even if he’s a monster, this was the perfect chance to crush him.’
He was a gem that could never be claimed.
Since a deal had been made with Medeia, no matter how exceptional Lawrence’s performance was, he could not be brought into the Blue Tower.
Rather than let him go elsewhere, it was better to destroy his talent here.
Though he might face reprimands, he believed Medeia would clean things up somehow.
She was that kind of person.
“Don’t worry too much. Lawrence’s safety is assured.”
“I trust you to uphold the pride of mages.”
“We swear on our mana.”
Thus, the commotion among the Tower Masters was settled for the time being.
The children watching the dispute trembled in fear.
Among them, a pair of blue and red eyes sparkled.
‘Once again, Montemer is extraordinary.’
It was Piazé of the Brixir family.
Having just dealt with a rather large kobold boss herself, she stared at Lawrence’s crystal orb in wonder.
#3
Boom—!
The taste of iron filled my mouth.
My breath was caught at the tip of my throat, and my legs felt like they were about to burst.
Even though this was all an illusion, it felt more vivid than any reality I had experienced before.
‘Just a little more.’
[Hatchling: 49.9%]
Halfway to the hatchling stage.
There was just a tiny bit left to reach that point.
The Undead Orc displayed mechanical movements, and its patterns were already imprinted in Lawrence’s mind.
[Screeeech—!]
It was time to strike back.
The creature seemed to have grown accustomed to this speed, with no further variations in its movements.
A little more time, and Lawrence could launch a more powerful offensive.
[Fireball]
[Remaining Capacity: 1/7]
Woosh—!
Once again, the spell manifested at an incredible speed.
Lawrence hurled the fireball at the opening he created.
Boom—!
A strike more powerful than that of a typical 3rd Circle mage.
As the light flashed, the Undead Orc started its final frenzy.
[Screeeech—!]
[Lightning Arrow]
[Multi-Manifestation]
Crackle—!
Three lightning arrows pierced through the orc’s limbs.
Crack—!
Despite the undead’s trait of ignoring pain and charging forward, Lawrence met the orc’s attack head-on with sheer force.
“Urgh—!”
One of his arms went numb, and his brain felt as though it was on fire.
As he struggled to maintain his consciousness, a small dragon’s growth brought about a miracle.
[Dragon Body evolves.]
[Hatchling: 50%]
[Authority: Dragon Scales is activated.]
[The scales of the Dragon Lord, the sovereign of all beings and magic, repel all 2nd Circle or lower spells and greatly reduce damage from attacks without mana.]
‘It doesn’t hurt anymore.’
The orc’s last frenzy and onslaught continued.
Its bulging muscles twitched as it swung its weapon wildly, but Lawrence’s body was now akin to that of a guardian.
Crack—!
The weapon held by the orc shattered helplessly, marking the end of its brief life.
[Scree…?]
“Die, you pig bastard.”
[Fireball]
[Remaining Capacity: 0/7]
[Magic Boost]
Boom—!
A massive explosion erupted, burning away the orc’s head entirely.
Lawrence was flung backward by the shockwave.
Rolling on the ground, he felt no pain.
Before, he had worried about being vulnerable to aura and magic in the absence of a Mana Core.
But now, those concerns proved baseless.
Dragon Scales.
Literally, the scales of a dragon.
“Hehe… This is it.”
How about that, artifact?
I won.
[You have successfully overcome the trial.]
[Draksha’s legacy will now aid you.]
[Welcome, Artifactor, wielder of authority and successor to the Guardian.]
[Your body will now transform into one worthy of universal reverence.]
[May you grow into a great Guardian.]
A brilliant light flared up.
At the same time, cheers erupted around him.
When Lawrence opened his eyes, he saw children clapping enthusiastically and the tower masters staring at him in shock.
As his blurry vision cleared, he blinked a few times and slowly rose to his feet.
“Are you alright, young master?”
“Yes, I’m fine.”
“Haha, it was a truly splendid sight. That was an impressive battle. Especially, seeing the [No-Chant Casting]—something I never dreamed I’d witness.”
“Thank you.”
The certainty in their eyes was unmistakable.
Their gazes sparkled so brightly that it seemed stars might spill out of their eyes at any moment.
Lawrence stretched his body and fully stood up, then looked at the tower masters and asked:
“Is the test over now?”
“Let’s move to the next location. The duel test remains.”
“Understood.”
“……”
Lawrence cheerfully answered and walked outside.
Several people silently watched him go.
Arthur Goldvain’s eyes were filled with a mix of fear and jealousy, Piazé Brixir’s eyes brimmed with curiosity, and the Blue Tower Master’s expression was far from pleased.
Lastly, the Iron Tower Master looked exceedingly satisfied.
‘Hahaha, what an outstanding talent. Truly excellent.’
The scene of him unleashing magic at incredible speed in close range was identical to the legendary Battle Mage.
The Iron Tower Master resolved then and there: he must recruit Lawrence.
Meanwhile, Lawrence was reveling in his newfound changes.
Lines of text detailed the transformation before him.
[You have passed the artifact trial.]
[Rewards: <Medium: Orc’s Club> added to subspace.]
[This medium is compatible with neutral magic.]
[Reward: <Extract: Orc’s Heart> added to subspace.]
[Orc’s Heart: Manifestation – Mana Sphere]
The material rewards were quite satisfying.
Now came the other rewards.
[Permanent buffs from the artifact are now active.]
[Dragon Body growth rate increases by 20%.]
[Number of implantable artifacts permanently increases.]
[Current: +1]
‘This is truly satisfying. So sweet.’
The rewards of victory after a tough battle.
They were as sweet as could be and became the driving force for moving to the next stage.
Now, only the duel remained.
Here, Lawrence had a plan.
‘I need to fight savagely. The Iron Tower Master must recruit me no matter what.’
He was already longing for the thrill of gripping bones wrapped in meat.
—
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