Chapter 417: 'My entertainment.”

Chapter 417: “My entertainment.”

Rakna's body shone as the Resonance came to an end, separating him from Pronos who emerged in his full size, promptly plunging into the water and only sticking out his heads joyfully.

The now untransformed therian rolled his shoulders with an impassive expression. "That was an interesting experience," he muttered as the high of Pronos' emotions died down. At the same time, he casually lifted the corpse of the World Boss with his Valkals while the kill notification rang. He also checked the one he had gotten for the clone.

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❮ ◈ ❯

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Lv.620 Yin-Born Dark Sea Krymog Dragon killed.

You have killed a P.100 Class Wild World Boss. Major Plateau Bias Confirmed.

Due to the level difference, rewards will be increased exponentially!

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Lv.620 Liminal Dark Sea Krymog Dragon killed.

You have killed a P.100 Class Wild World Boss. Major Plateau Bias Confirmed.

Due to the level difference, rewards will be increased greatly!

Due to the powerful nature of the evolution, rewards will be increased greatly!

Due to the subjugation difficulty, rewards will be increased greatly!

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You are rewarded with 30 Instant Level Ups, the Skill Card 'Inner Blade', the Red Rarity Set 'Armor of the Krymog', and 250 Million Talys!

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You have gained a new Title; Dragon Slayer!

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Level up!

Level up!

...

Level up!

+54 Free Points.

+9 STR, SPD, INT.

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Requirement for level up updated.

Current progress: 125/4 864

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You have reached Level 300!

The Experience required to level up has increased by 30%.

Your Magic Circuit Pathways have widened! Your Spell Cooldowns have been reduced.

Your body's metaphysical weight has increased.

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Rakna didn't have anything witty to say. Her gratitude was genuine. "...you're welcome. I'll protect you any time."

Svanya smirked slightly. "Is that so? You've got quite the tongue on you. No wonder there are so many rumors going around about you being a womanizer."

The therian flinched. "Seriously?"

"Oh, seriously serious," Gray cackled. "Every girl you're seen with in public nowadays is said to be in a relationship with you. Even the fox matriarch, which, by the way; is it true?"

"..."

"I'll take that as a yes," the clown grinned.

"Okay, okay, lay off the chit-chat for now," Lux waved his hand and looked at Ensis. "So, boss, what do you think? The test was well passed?"

The old warrior huffed gruffly. "In a single word; yes."

Rakna had no change of expression at the verdict. In fact, with how deadpan his face was, all of his guild mates would be willing to bet he was thinking something along the lines of 'If I hadn't gotten in, how the hell would you even have members?'. Which... frankly, they agreed with.

"The long version..." Ensis raised five fingers with a grunt. "You're exceptionally strong. That is not a secret and it was never in contention. In fact, I would say you can defeat an army-less Lilia if you both were to go all out."

Lilia puffed her cheeks and Rakna smiled in amusement.

Ensis lowered one finger. "You have exceptional talent. Compared to some of us, there's no denying you lack some experience, but your sheer instinct goes above and beyond what it would get you." Another finger down. "Your battle plans are efficient despite their occasional flashiness and you're bold enough to bend the conditions to your advantage. Your probability control was a pleasant surprise."

The therian slowly nodded, accepting the praise.

The third finger was lowered. "You were cool-headed and patient. You were also considerate of the test and didn't overdo our defenses so you would need to extend yourself more. You also didn't try to move us to a more secure location so that the rules would have more impact. It speaks much of your personality," he said and lowered the fourth finger.

"..."

"Finally," Ensis lowered his hand entirely. "You never compromised with yourself."

Rakna actually tilted his head at that one. "What do you mean...? That I didn't want to circumvent the rules?"

"Wrong. That you did not want to surpass the rules," the old warrior said and the therian only had more questions.

"...hey, my 'efficiency mastery' isn't working here," Rakna glanced at Lilia. "What is he saying?" He asked and she helplessly shrugged.

"I believe the leader implies a lack of displeasure on your part," Vegas spoke up as he fixed up his glasses. "Fighting under disadvantageous circumstances is generally frustrating. Whether it be in a spar or a battle to the death. In fact, it is more predominant in the former case. When there is no need to fear for your life, you easily start to blame the setting."

"Right, so you mean I lack vanity," Rakna summarized and the doctor let out a smile.

"More or less."

"That kind of test doesn't work really well on me though. You would need to impose much harsher handicaps for me to be frustrated about them."

"But lest we forbid you from basic maneuvers, you would have fun, wouldn't you?"

"...I can't deny that," the therian muttered.

"You already had the qualifications before coming here," Merlina said with a neutral tone. "And we knew of your integrity, but humans have layers. Verifying them was natural."

Caer smiled at her wife's words and waved at Ensis, who let them explain. "Our leader is the kind of person to read everything about a person through how they fight. You could say there is nothing you can keep from him as long as he sees you swing your weapon once. The reason we chose Lilia as your opponent is also to evaluate how you would handle her temperament."

"Teamwork can be essential, but what I value above all is its foundation; trust," Ensis followed up calmly. "Trust is a blend of empathy and indulgence. And truth be told, I already had my answer to your test the instant you went out of your way to sympathize with Svanya."

Rakna's eyebrow twitched. "Then why have me fight anyway?"

"My entertainment," the old warrior fired back with a straight face.

"...even you can make a joke, huh?" The therian uttered. "Well, I suppose it would have been a waste to rescind the whole dragon hunting thing. It was a good fight."

While Rakna took Ensis' words indifferently, Lilia immediately had a pout. She glared at her guild leader, "Useless. Owe me. Material."

"I think she—"

"She's telling you to pay her back for uselessly wasting 'Draggy 1' like that," Rakna translated and completely ignored Caer who was about to do the same.

The pink-haired man's heart broke into a million pieces as he fell to his knees. "He's translating my dear daughter's words faster than me...! Damn! Damn him!" He cursed with crocodile tears while Merlina pacifyingly rubbed his back. "He even used Lia-terminology! How could it be?!"

"The heck is Lia-terminology...?" Varq retorted dumbfounded. "How did you raise your kid?"

Meanwhile, Ensis grunted like an exasperated grandfather. "All right, brat. I'll personally capture a few Wilden in the upper Plateaus for you. But if you can't tame them, it's on you."

Lilia immediately smiled in satisfaction.

"Now then, boy," the old warrior turned toward Rakna. "Let's get you that reward."