"Shouldn't you tell me the reason why I can't summon it?"
Whether it's because there's no soul, or because it can't be summoned with brilliant light, or because the pieces of the Golden Law I have are insufficient, the reason should be given.
The wording, which was the epitome of rudeness, made me feel a sense of helplessness.
Kuaaaa!
Bang! Bang! Bang!
It's noisy outside. It seems the Black Dragon hasn't given up yet.
Waiting for its strength to wane might not be a bad strategy, but...
'It's still full of energy.'
Considering it has been fighting for over a day, it's still full of energy.
If I just wait, the erosion rate will only increase.
I rested my chin on the Light Throne and closed my eyes.
Then, the roaring sounds around me seemed like a song.
Countless names brushed past my mind in rhythm.
One of them.
The one who could most certainly hunt the Black Dragon.
'If it's him, it might be possible.'
*
The player chat was more intense than ever.
-...Is the name I saw really correct?
-Has anyone seen Randolph in the Labyrinth?
-How can you know if you don't even know what he looks like?
-Where did he suddenly appear from?
-Isn't it just a name impersonation?
The challenger's name, which could be chosen freely, seemed to be the issue.
The only one called the Sword Saint was Gracia, and MintChocoTasty used her name as it was.
So, 'Randolph' could also be a name chosen by the challenger.
This sparked the debate, 'Is it really Randolph?'
-From his actions so far, it doesn't seem like Randolph.
-But, he's been climbing the ranks with overwhelming performance, and it was strange that he didn't challenge the Abyss Labyrinth from the beginning.
-No, think about it. Has anyone seen Randolph up to Main Quest 6? Has anyone even heard his name properly?
-I agree. He must have been progressing quietly in some bizarre way we don't know about. He even defended against the first invasion alone.
-So, challenging the 'Abyss Labyrinth' where everyone goes? It's too different from his usual actions.
-If he can defend against the first invasion alone, he must have grown to Wilhelm's level. It's natural that he would challenge the Abyss Labyrinth.
-Ah, frustrating, does that make sense? To grow to Wilhelm's level, you need to eat five stars and wear at least eight Unique-grade items. If that's the case, we wouldn't have missed it.
-It's five stars, but Wilhelm isn't just any five stars, right?
-Well... That's just a rumor, and only he would know. Anyway, Wilhelm roughly mentioned his specs when he started the Grand Expedition, so based on that, Randolph is far from that level. It doesn't seem like he would take on dangerous adventures.
-But, even those 'specs' don't make sense. How can a human be at 5-star level with eight Unique-grade items?
-...That's not the issue, anyway. The Randolph who is challenging now is a fake. Don't have false hopes; we should prepare for what's to come.
It was a reasonable argument.
The name 'Randolph' might just be to cause confusion.
He chose 'Randolph' as an alias to hide his real name.
Why he chose Randolph, I don't know, but it doesn't seem like he will succeed.
Instead of just praying, it would be a wiser decision to prepare for the 'Second Invasion' that is to come.
That's when it happened.
-Just came back. Met the Demon King.
-What? Are you still alive?
-This guy is also a fake.
-Really went. It was easier to talk than I thought? I offered him a Labyrinth ticket, and he cut off one arm, saying I was commendable.
-How did you survive?
-He's an undead pretending to be human, I saw it.
-Did you heal the cut arm?
-Healed with an elixir. It didn't attach well, so I thought I would die.
-You must be quite skilled.
-But, is this Randolph the Randolph I think it is? The Demon King seemed to know him.
-Does the Demon King know Randolph?
-What are you talking about?
-Bark, bark!
Everyone reacted explosively to the person who claimed to have met the Demon King.
How could the Demon King know Randolph?
Could the overwhelming scores in the main quests so far be related to the Demon King?
However, it doesn't make sense.
Kramdel's Demon King despises humans.
No one has ever survived meeting him.
So, it's hard to believe the person who claimed to have met the Demon King. The idea that the Demon King only cut off one arm is absurd.
-He seemed to really like the name Randolph? Hmm, so he saved him...
-Is the Demon King related to Randolph?
-I don't know the details. As soon as the challenger's name appeared, he suddenly laughed. Then he cut off one arm.
-Still, he cut off one arm...
-What a cruel guy...
-He must have been in a really good mood to cut off just one arm.
-What kind of relationship is this?
-Does that mean Randolph has been in Kramdel all this time?
-If he was in Kramdel, it makes sense that no one knew.
-How can a human enter Kramdel? lol, that doesn't make sense.
Kramdel is a city where humans can never set foot.
For Randolph to enter Kramdel and form a relationship with the Demon King?
It's impossible.
At least, that's how they saw it.
But if it's Randolph, the Phantom, it might be possible.
-What?
-What's happening now?
-Did you see it too?
The entire bulletin board was covered in question marks.
Because of the sudden announcement.
-Someone is challenging the completion of a myth in the Labyrinth?
-What myth is being completed?
-...??? What are you talking about?
-What's happening now?
*
['Soul of the Sword Saint Raeli' summoned.]
['A worthy one for the 'Brilliant Light Throne'.]
['Shattered Golden Law Fragments' are consumed 500 times faster.]
['Hidden Quest: 'Failed Myth Completion' has started.']
The one summoned to the throne was none other than the Sword Saint Raeli.
The phrase that his soul, which had sunk into the Abyss, reappeared through the Golden Law's door.
I summoned Raeli, recalling that phrase.
"Black Dragon..."
A voice echoed.
The Sword Saint Raeli, it felt as if he was speaking inside my head.
At the same time, his memories flowed into me.
He was a dragon.
A powerful being called the Black Dragon.
But he was also human.
Half-human, half-dragon.
A human who inherited the blood of a dragon.
"My other half, my curse."
However, the dragon's blood always tormented Raeli.
The blood granted him immense power and talent, earning him the title of Sword Saint, but every time he awakened to the dragon's blood, everything around him was devastated.
The dragon's blood was a curse to Raeli.
He tried to separate it but failed.
If not for the combined efforts of the other six Hexagon members, he would have become a dragon forever, wreaking destruction.
This cursed form symbolizes his failure.
'The myth created and distorted by the other six Hexagon heroes. Raeli wants to complete this myth.'
That's why it's called 'Failed Myth Completion.'
"This curse appearing means the Abyss itself is about to manifest."
Raeli sank into the Abyss.
He then sealed himself.
Choosing to become the 'Black Dragon' to guard the final seal.
His strong will not to become the 'Abyss itself.'
"Don't worry. The city won't be eroded."
Kya kya!
Hell sat on my shoulder.
At first, he trembled at the appearance of the Black Dragon, but now he seems to have adapted.
As long as Hell is here, erosion won't occur.
If Hell 'rejects,' erosion caused by warping is impossible.
"Indeed... one of the works created by the 'Heavenly Being' and the 'Abyss itself.' And the 'Brilliant Light Throne'... Who are you? I've never seen you before."
His tone suggested he knew something.
Perhaps because he had been immersed in the Abyss for a long time?
I have many questions, but...
"There's no time for idle talk."
Time was running out.
The Shattered Golden Law Fragments were melting.
At a rate 500 times faster.
I have over 1,500 hours' worth of fragments, so I can maintain this state for at least 3 hours, but every second counts.
"Entrust your body to me. I will sever my curse with my own hands."
"I'll do it."
"Very well. You aren't even a Swordsman class, are you? Even if you were, you couldn't match my 'Dragon Swordsman' rank."
Only he could handle his own abilities.
I agree.
There's no one better at handling his abilities.
But this is also an opportunity for me.
'Dragon Swordsman. A class that has never appeared before.'
To my knowledge, it's a class that has never appeared.
A unique name that only the true half-human, half-dragon Raeli could possess.
However, I already have the 'Star Heir' class.
One person can only have one class.
Even if you can transcend classes later, you can only possess one core name.
But I'm different.
"Leave it to me, Sword Saint Raeli."
"The initiative is yours. However, think carefully... Hmm?"
Swoosh.
Suddenly, scales covered my hand.
Scales like those of the Black Dragon.
Then, blood rose to the surface of my skin, forming the shape of a red sword.
...
...
Endless words appeared.
After adapting, I swung the red-tinged Dragon Sword.
A sword aura, like an afterimage, rose.
A unique aura that appears when you break level 20 in sword proficiency.
But it's not something you can just produce by reaching a certain level.
To produce a sword aura, you need special skills.
Only those who have truly become one with the sword can possess it, not just by adapting.
A symbol of strength, only attainable by those who have reached it on their own!
"Unbelievable..."
The Sword Saint Raeli was shocked.
Let's fly.
What is a sword aura?
A realm you can only reach after constantly pushing and refining yourself.
Most swordsmen faded away without ever producing a sword aura.
Even those who trained for 10, 20, or more years couldn't produce one without enlightenment.
Yet, he was producing it as if it were a toy.
'He isn't even a Swordsman. Yet...'
He doesn't have the Swordsman class.
His sword proficiency is shallow and low.
It should be impossible for him to produce a sword aura, let alone handle his skills.
'Not just swordsmen can produce a sword aura, right?'
Of course, there were those who produced a sword aura with spears or bows, reaching the pinnacle of their art.
'But not this guy, right?'
The problem is that the man in front of him hasn't achieved mastery in any weapon.
Sword Saint Raeli.
He could instinctively gauge his opponent's skills.
For example, the level of proficiency.
True strength is a combination of high proficiency and enlightenment, so he always considered those who only raised their physical levels to be unworthy opponents.
And to Raeli, this man was...
'...Terrible.'
Terrible.
His sword proficiency was below level 10.
He hadn't properly learned how to use a sword.
Even if his soul had maxed out his sword proficiency, he wouldn't have the insight or skill to use it properly.
Suddenly wielding a sword a thousand times heavier than the one he usually used was illogical.
If he hadn't been used to wielding such a heavy sword, he should have given up out of fatigue.
Yet... he produced a sword aura.
Producing a sword aura by chance is impossible.
'Is his swordsmanship like this too?'
Seeing his possession of the Light Throne and the Heavenly Spirit, it's clear he's not an ordinary person.
If he can produce a sword aura, what about his swordsmanship?
Sword Saint.
He was one who had reached the pinnacle of swordsmanship in the past.
No one could defeat him in a sword duel.
Thus, he became a proud member of the Hexagon, a hero.
He was the standout among the six who supported the fallen empire.
"If it becomes too much, hand over your body at any time. The Black Dragon can't be defeated with just a sword aura. You'll need my power."
So, if it becomes too much, don't stubbornly hold on; hand over the initiative.
There's no one better at handling his body than him,
and no one who knows how to deal with the Black Dragon as well as he does.
"Hmm..."
I used a skill to swing the sword and moved my body around.
The enhanced abilities and Raeli's soul-engraved skills.
The Dragon Swordsman class, nothing is lacking.
My body is brimming with energy, feeling like I could fly.
My body condition is clearly different from before.
It would take a while for most people to adapt.
"Not bad."
['Brilliant Light' prefix skill of the 'Brilliant Light Throne' used.]
[The prefix will disappear, and the basic maintenance function of the 'Brilliant Light Throne' will be lost after 60 seconds.]
The basic maintenance function refers to the passive option.
Sitting on the Brilliant Light Throne provides a kind of invincibility, blocking attacks around you.
It's a bit disappointing, but it's necessary for the strategy.
'The Brilliant prefix can be used again.'
...But the materials required are enormous.
Half of the treasures stolen from Greed and the Myth-grade Shathiros' bow were consumed.
But if I can get the Dragon Swordsman class, it will be worth it.