Awakening (1)

Boom! Boom! Boom!
Booooom!

It felt like my eardrums were about to burst…

No, actually, if they hadn’t been protected, they would have burst from the deafening roar that echoed everywhere.

“Meow!”
“Meep!”
Aaaahhh!“

In the tremendous clash of power, Meowi, Choi Mari, and Moon Bora trembled and crouched down.

“…S-Seha…”

Moon Bora, who had approached me, looked at me with trembling eyes.

She raised the return [Pendant] in her hand.

She suggested that we should escape with Ju Na-young if necessary.

Indeed, it was a wise decision, but I smiled gently as if to say it wasn’t necessary.

Seeing that, Moon Bora’s eyes wavered.

“It’s okay.”

“…B-but! No matter how much Ju Na-young has unleashed her Breath, she’s still at a disadvantage in basic compatibility.”

That was true.

Ju Na-young’s ancestor was a typical [Red Dragon].

On the other hand, although the <Sea Dragon> had fallen, it was still a descendant of the <Blue Dragon> that governed all seas and waters.

In terms of compatibility, being at a disadvantage was only natural.
Moreover, the [Magic] stat of the <Sea Dragon> was undoubtedly higher.

Even if both were affected by the <Dragon’s Judgment> gimmick, there was bound to be a basic difference in abilities.

However, this conclusion overlooked one crucial fact.

“If it were just an ordinary <Red Dragon>, that would be true.”
“…What?”

I looked at Ju Na-young, who was shouting “Youung-aah!!!” with a smile of trust.

Although revealed at the end of the <Main Story>, Ju Na-young was not a 5★ character for no reason.

Indeed, such an extraordinary being was her <Ancestor>.

’<Dragon Lord>.’

The pinnacle and leader of all dragons.
The most beautiful, violent, and merciless queen of dragons.

[Red Dragon Destroyer Queen] ‘Kearis’.

In <GAL>, she was regarded as the strongest neutral NPC, and this legendary Dragon Queen was none other than Ju Na-young’s ancestor.

And I knew this very well.

“In all [Sub-cultures], it’s been long proven that bloodlines trump effort every time.”
“…What on earth are you talking about?”
“Just trust me.”

Unwavering belief.
And that belief was soon proven by the result.

Crackle, crackle!

A fierce [Breath] battle unfolded.

As time passed, Ju Na-young’s Breath began to overpower the [Sea Dragon]’s Breath.

“…?!!”

The [Sea Dragon], locked in the clash of strength, faltered in surprise as its Breath attack was pushed back.

And Ju Na-young didn’t miss that gap.

“Dragon Queen Roar!!!”

Ju Na-young exerted all her strength.
The thickened beam pushed the sphere and struck the body of the <Sea Dragon>.

Boom!

With a massive explosion, blood-red smoke swirled.

“Krrk… Krrk!”

The <Sea Dragon> was barely breathing and bleeding all over.

A huge hole was blown open in its chest.

As expected of a dragon’s descendant’s vitality.

To still be alive after that…

“…Barely.”

Exhausted, Ju Na-young collapsed to the ground, bending her knees.

Yet, her gaze turned to me.

Shaking, she raised a thumbs up with a faint smile.

“…Did I do well?”
“Yes, it was perfect.”

Thank you, Ju Na-young.
Everything is thanks to you.

“I’ll handle the rest.”
“Okay… yeah.”

Ju Na-young closed her eyes and fainted.

“Na-Na-young!”
“Moon Bora, take care of the rear. Meowi!”
“Yes!”

Without hesitation, Meowi ran out at my shout.

I also used [Reckless Charge], [Powerful Agility], and [Free Charge].
Using a total of three combinations, I followed behind.

The battle was not over yet.

“…Krrrrk, krrrkkkk!!!”

Despite losing both eyes and having a huge hole in its body, the <Sea Dragon>’s head turned unerringly toward us.

The creature, sensing everything solely by its presence, forcibly gathered its magical power.

Even if it dies, the clear <Hostility> of taking us down with it pierced our skin like a sharp needle.

Of course, I wouldn’t give it the chance, so it didn’t matter.

‘The one who will win is…’

Us!!!

“Meowi, shield!”
“Yes!”

Meowi, running out, lowered her body and positioned the shield in her hand like a stepping stone.

Thud!

I placed my foot on it.

Meowi, as if waiting for the moment, spun around and threw forcefully.

“[Shield Push]!”

Bang!

A shockwave burst from the tip of my foot.

My body surged forward like the blade of a spear.

Fueled by that speed, I offered a long-unused technique to the [Sea Dragon].

“[Flowing Slash-Enhanced]!”

The ambiguous hole in its torso was deeply dug by the [Saint’s Sword], creating a space for me to enter.

I slipped right inside, rolled a few times, and quickly stood up.

In front of me.

An indescribable immense power was surging like a dragon’s ascent.

Boom! Boom!

A round lump of flesh the size of a human torso.

The heart of the [Sea Dragon], including the atrium.

In other words, the [Sea Dragon]’s [Dragon Heart].

‘If I just cut that, it’s over!’

I gathered strength in my legs and dashed forward.

No, I correct myself.

I was trying to dash forward.

“…?!”

My whole body slowed down.

Dark-colored blood trickled down the corner of my mouth.

[Concentrating all the power of the <Sea Dragon> internally.]
[<Poison’s Blessing> displays its true value.]
[The effect of ‘Weak Poison’ transcends exponentially.]
[<Poison’s Blessing> cast on all monsters inside the <Sea Dragon Temple> disappears.]
[‘Primordial Poison’ is activated. It is a Legendary skill.]
[It is an absurdly powerful ancient poison.]
[Automatically acquiring <Poison Resistance>.]

“Cough…!”

Drip.

Convulsions occured.

Poisoned, blackened blood flowed down the eyes, nose, and ears.

A dire situation akin to the phrase ‘bleeding from seven orifices.’

‘I see.’

So this was the final struggle of the <Sea Dragon>.

Indeed, thinking about it, the rising <Poison> gimmick was ultimately sustained by this creature’s power.

It wasn’t just about handling water; it also meant having a deep understanding of poison.

‘It gathered all that and focused it solely on me…’

Did the firepower increase?

…So what?

‘What now?’

After all we had endured to get this far, am I supposed to just give up?

“Screw that!”

Move.
Move.

‘MOVE!!!’

One step forward.
Two steps forward.
And finally, three steps…

Right there…

I collapsed to my knees with a thud, continuing to spit out black blood from my mouth.

‘No.’

I’ve come all this way.
In a place like this…
I can’t fall!

‘Absolutely not…’

I can’t let those <Tartarus> bastards take the power of the <Sea Dragon>!!!

And then.
At that moment of inner shouting.
Something unbelievable happened to me.

“…Huh?”

The oppressive feeling of the poison suddenly disappeared.

No, beyond that, I felt a surge of power coursing through my entire body.

“What…?”

As I lowered my gaze, I saw my body rapidly transforming.

My form didn’t change drastically.

Only my veins and muscles became thicker, my bones tougher, and my skin more resilient.

In addition, my skin felt as smooth as a baby’s…

It felt like experiencing “rebirth” that I had only read about in martial arts novels.

Soon, a ‘golden’ flashing information window made everything clear.

A burst of light flickered in my vision.

I stiffened involuntarily at the next line.

“…Insane.”

What?

Why is this…

…activating now?

It wasn’t like I didn’t know about ‘synthesis’.

‘As Rank 1 explained…’

It was the moment when the character Yu Seha’s <High Point> rose endlessly.

‘[Monstrous Strength] is a skill I’ve never seen before, but let’s move on.’

Surely, <Rank 1> mentioned that [Dragon Heart] was needed at this stage.

With that, Yu Seha could ascend one more level…?!

‘Ah…!’

In that instant, I realized something important.

The ‘Dragon’s Power’ visible in the information window.

Only then did I understand how the situation was unfolding.

‘It’s thanks to Ju Na-young.’

The moment I kissed Ju Na-young and unlocked her Breath.
Through contact with her, the ‘Dragon’s Power’ flowed into me.
Thanks to that, I was able to temporarily grasp the power to break through limits.

“Whew…”

I closed my eyes.

I recognized the usage method because it was a skill engraved in my body.

I lifted my foot vigorously and stomped down.

Boom!

An intangible energy spread out.

The lingering poison within my body evaporated instantly.

Legendary ability, [Monstrous Strength]’s derived skill.
It was the power of [Monstrous Dominion Step].

It removes all status ailments on oneself and grants ‘Status Ailment Immunity’ during the duration.

Additionally, it amplifies my stats and creates shockwaves beneath my feet.

I walked forward vigorously, activating an ability that was essentially an <Ultimate Skill>.

Bang, bang, bang!

Step, step.
The [Sea Dragon]’s body shattered and broke apart.
As pieces of its massive body struck the walls, the dragon began to panic.

Its atrium tightened, restraining my body.

Gastric juices, overflowing like waves, surged to corrode my body.

However, it was meaningless.

Those attacks utilized ‘Restriction’ and ‘Acid’ for status effects.

As long as I maintained [Immunity], such petty tricks couldn’t harm me.

The heart of the <Sea Dragon> was right in front of me.

I looked at it and raised the [Saint’s Sword] high.

‘If it’s now…’

I felt confident that I could use ‘that technique’ which I wouldn’t have dared to attempt originally.

Rumble!!!

A strange force wrapped around the [Saint’s Sword].

Beyond my sight, the image of Peng Jin-ah casting ‘that technique’ in the training room flickered.

I imitated.
I understood.
I embodied.

Finally, I manifested it here and now.

“<Tear Apart>!“

I shouted the incantation.
Half of my face became covered with tattoos, creeping up from my nape.

With all my might, I swung down the [Saint’s Sword].

Dozens of sword energies spread out.

They converged into one, beginning to storm towards the heart of the <Sea Dragon>.