Chapter 34

Chapter 34: The Blossoming Ceremony (4)

Hatchling.

It was a term that typically referred to newly hatched young dragon species, but at some point, it came to denote the offspring of higher dragon species.

The “Hatchling’s Nest” that Black Snow had discovered was exactly the place where such a hatchling had dwelled.

However, just because it was referred to as a “youngling” didn’t mean the hatchling was weak.

A dragon is still a dragon, even as a child.

Moreover, it was the offspring of a higher dragon species, known for its extraordinary intelligence and magical abilities.

Its strength was far beyond the reach of an ordinary human.

Especially when considering the tendencies of higher dragon species to fiercely cherish their young.

Hunting a hatchling was tantamount to confronting an entire “brood” of higher dragon species.

It was not only difficult to find one in the first place, but even if found, the chances of survival were slim.

Furthermore, if it was a Ragnar, a family that was rumored to carry the blood of dragons—

They would have no choice but to revere such a hatchling, making them all the more cautious.

‘But strangely, there were no adult individuals in that Hatchling’s Nest.’

When Black Snow first discovered the nest, he had been on high alert, thinking he might have mistakenly trespassed into an unknown domain.

However, after a thorough search, he found no other individuals besides the hatchling.

From that point, Black Snow began to grow greedy.

– Dragons love treasure.

The long-standing legend proved true here as well.

Deep within the nest, a considerable amount of gold and silver treasures were stored.

There were also several historical records that had been thought lost long ago.

‘Among them, Black Snow set his sights on a particular treasure.’

– The Grimoire of Amon.

It was unclear why a book associated with demons, enemies of dragon species, had been stored there.

But that alone was enough to turn Black Snow’s eyes upside down with greed.

Especially since Amon was known as the “King of the Old Gods”—a being of great renown.

If a grimoire bearing such a being’s name existed, Black Snow judged it could greatly enhance Ragnar’s power.

Thus, Ragnar immediately killed the hatchling and retrieved the grimoire.

However, what happened after that, even Theo didn’t know.

All that was known was that it had fallen into the hands of a certain heir, but it had never been revealed to the outside world.

At best, there was only speculation that someone who had colluded with Black Snow had obtained it.

‘But what if that grimoire wasn’t just any book, and instead was an ancient dragon relic, with the hatchling acting as its guardian...?’

When Theo discussed this with Kirsion, it became evident that Black Snow was also clearly aware of the existence of the relic.

They must already have quite a few relics.

The retrieval of the grimoire must have been part of that process.

‘It’s not just Black Snow. Axion, Soaring Dragon—they’re all undoubtedly gathering relics as well.’

So, Theo decided to retrieve the grimoire before they realized its existence and made a move.

Like the Moon-White Sword, this relic would undoubtedly become a great source of power for him as well.

‘The problem is how to get down there...’

Theo narrowed his eyes.

The blue light visible between the sheer cliffs was too far away, making it dangerous to descend carelessly.

Moreover, the blizzard was raging violently.

Visibility was poor, and it seemed difficult to maintain balance.

‘I need to find another way.’

Theo recalled how Black Snow had descended here in his previous life, and brought his hand to his back.

Toward the Zweihander, which was still clattering, reacting to the blue light.

“But before that, I should deal with the flies first.”

He muttered quietly as he turned his head.

Whiish, whiish, whiish...

Only the sound of the wind howling fiercely across the white snowfield could be heard, with nothing visible.

However, Theo’s heightened senses, sharpened by the Dragon’s Heart, told him the truth.

Three.

The number of people who had been watching him since a while ago.

Paaaat!

Theo twisted his body sharply and drew the Zweihander.

As magic power naturally flowed toward the sword, his Dragon’s Heart and dantian began to heat up.

– Magic Resonance!

And then, a soaring flash.

Dragon’s Claw

Chwaaaaak!

Kwarrrung!

The flash slashed across the ground, instantly shattering a distant boulder.

The frictional heat melted the snowy ground in an instant, and even the blizzard was disturbed, causing the airflow to tremble.

Amidst the scattered fragments of the shattered boulder, three swordsmen landed widely apart, each in a different spot.

“W-What kind of power is this...?”

“What the hell! Three days ago, it wasn’t anywhere near this level!”

“Hey, let’s not be too harsh. Before he dies, he’s going to give us something nice, after all.”

Haid’s greedy gaze was fixed on the Zweihander in Theo’s hand.

It was the treasured sword of the Tao Tie Crest.

The rumor that Majang Kirsion had personally crafted the greatsword for Theo had already spread across Winterer.

Khao and Lune, too, were salivating at the thought, licking their lips with their red tongues.

“Yeah, you’re right. So, let’s not make this too painful and just kill him quickly.”

“Aw, come on. Is that any way to show gratitude? We should let him live for at least one more minute out of courtesy.”

“Uhuhuh! You pervert, you’re thinking of torturing him again, aren’t you?”

“Ah, you caught me! Hehehe.”

They were already laughing and chatting amongst themselves, as if Theo’s life was securely in their hands.

It meant they had done this kind of thing more than once before.

And they were still only fifteen-year-old kids.

‘I was right. These are people who should never have been left alive.’

There was no point in listening to them any further.

Theo slowly drew the Zweihander from his back.

—

[Drake’s Blade]

– Type: Zweihander, relic component

– Attack Power: 30~50 – 80~115

– Requirements: Strength 90, Agility 30

– Effects:

– A chance to apply critical damage upon striking

– Reduces the target’s defense by 30 upon impact

– Increases chance of worsening wounds by 50%

– Indestructible

—

The greatsword, forged from the claws and fangs of a lesser drake, combined with adamant and other high-grade materials, lived up to its description.

Not only did it occasionally boost destructive power, but it could also cancel out the defense of any enemy it collided with.

It was the perfect weapon for one-on-one combat.

However, what truly caught Theo’s attention was another effect.

– Increases chance of worsening wounds.

What made hunting lesser drakes so difficult wasn’t just their brute strength, but the deadly toxins coating their claws and teeth.

Even the slightest scratch from those toxins would cause skin to rot—a biological poison.

This same property had been embedded into the Zweihander.

‘I’m not entirely sure what I’ve created here, but one thing’s for sure,’ Kirsion had said while handing the sword over, puffing on her pipe.

‘I’ve given something ridiculous to a boy who can barely even walk properly.’

In Kirsion’s eyes, Theo was still just a fledgling, so her remark was only natural.

It meant even to her, this sword seemed dangerous.

“Hey, can you even hold that thing properly?”

Haid’s eyes, filled with greed, looked at Theo mockingly.

Seeing Theo’s slender frame wielding a massive Zweihander made him want to laugh.

“It’s heavy, sure. But...”

[Strength: 101]

“...it’s not so heavy that I can’t handle you all.”

Crack—

Theo’s body began to change little by little.

Over the past three days, he had reached level 17 and poured all of his additional stats into [Strength].

[The Strength coefficient has surpassed 100.]

[A hidden function has been unlocked. From now on, your Strength will be imbued with Superhuman Strength.]

—

[Superhuman Strength]

– Type: Special Ability

– Effect: Increases the destructive power of wielded weapons and boosts attack power by 5% for 5 seconds upon hitting an enemy.

—

For a brief moment, Theo felt the Drake’s Blade become lighter in his hands.

Just as expected, reaching triple digits in Strength had triggered a significant change.

And then, a fierce aura began to surge outward from him.

Fwoooosh—

[Skill: Lesser Drake’s Fear] began to take hold of the battlefield.

Thud, thud, thud, thud!

His heart began to pound violently, the tremors strong enough for Haid and his gang to feel through the ground.

“What the hell is happening all of a sudden...?”

Haid, sensing something was seriously wrong, paled slightly.

“Too late.”

Theo had no intention of giving them time to think further.

In an instant, he shot forward, his body moving with blinding speed.

Swish—