C218
Belkist lay on the ground.
He then clenched both hands as if he were making fists.
The force he exerted was so strong that his forearms were trembling completely.
[Danger]
[Belkist (★★★★) is starting to corrupt!]
"Ka… hak…!"
A sound of air escaping came from Belkist's wide-open mouth.
A black vein sprouted beside his eyes.
A clear state of corruption.
‘Not yet.’
It was common to go through a state of corruption while inscribing a higher-level Engraving.
What came next was important. If he overcame it, he would become the master of the Engraving; if he didn’t...
Sshh.
I partially drew out the blade of the weapon Belkist had given me.
‘Still manageable.’
Although his face was contorted with pain, there was still light in his eyes.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Belkist struck the ground with his fists.
After hitting it several times, blood flowed between his clenched fists.
[Danger]
[Belkist’s (★★★★) state of corruption worsens!]
[Master, be careful! A corrupted hero cannot be reversed.]
Crack.
With the sound of skin tearing, black veins sprouted all over his body.
Belkist vomited thick black blood.
<That’s what I told you! Cancel it now! It’s not completely over yet!>
Gugukon hurried over to Belkist.
The pigeon tried to push away the glowing sphere near Belkist.
“…Stop it, already.”
Belkist grabbed Gugukon’s wings.
“It’s not… over yet.”
Belkist brought the sphere under his stomach as if he were hugging it.
Then he murmured in a voice mixed with a metallic tone.
“I… must… get stronger…”
<This lunatic has lost his mind! What are you doing, Han?>
The pigeon looked at me with fierce eyes.
I stood there, with the sword partially drawn, continuing to watch Belkist.
“Please stop it.”
Belkist looked at me with reddish eyes.
“This is the path… I chose. I’ll take responsibility.”
“Dying your way is not responsibility.”
“Of course… it is.”
Cough!
Belkist vomited black blood once more.
“I decided to die on the battlefield.”
“…”
“Then I won’t die… in this disgraceful way.”
The sound of Belkist gnashing his teeth filled the entire room.
‘Weren’t we supposed to start from the beginning?’
I remembered Yvolka’s precedent.
If efficiency alone were considered, she shouldn’t have participated in the expedition to subdue the Sea Dragon.
But she complained several times. She wanted to fight alongside me.
Now it’s the same.
A gamble with a 2% chance.
Once again, I indulged my companion’s whim.
Of course, I have no intention of backing out now.
If I stop here, Belkist will blame me for the rest of his life.
“…Thank you.”
Belkist looked at me and smiled with difficulty.
I sighed deeply.
Now, all that was left was to watch what would happen to this guy.
Crack.
The sound of a bone dislocating.
The skin tore, and through the cracks, snow-white scales emerged.
Belkist let out a muffled scream.
Crack. Between Belkist’s temples, horns with white scales emerged.
It was like the rightful successor of Asynis, Delphine.
I gripped the sword hilt tightly.
The corruption was still progressing.
From his eyes to his entire body, black blood swirled.
The distinctive black veins of corruption were highlighted so much that they could be seen from outside the skin. The moment those veins invaded the heart, he would change into a monster state.
‘Not yet.’
The white dragon’s scales and horns continued to emerge.
The bright white scales, shining like jewels, covered Belkist’s skin.
As if pushed by the aura of the white dragon, the black veins began to retract slowly.
<Ah, this is…>
Gugukon exhaled as if he were impressed.
‘Success?’
It would be strange to say that.
It was different in my case. When I inscribed the Black Dragon’s Blood Engraving, the black energy infiltrated naturally.
But the White Dragon’s Blood seemed to be running wild inside Belkist.
Belkist only writhed occasionally but showed no reaction, perhaps already unconscious.
Between his torn clothes, his flesh and bones could be seen.
Without looking closely, it would be hard to recognize who he was.
“…”
Tap.
Belkist, who lay on the ground, moved a finger.
And began to slowly get up.
<Here it comes.>
Gugukon stepped back a few paces from Belkist.
Belkist’s unmoving eyelids lifted.
Silver eyes that seemed to see through the opponent.
His mouth opened up and down.
<This body is useless.>
Belkist’s first phrase was a sincere complaint.
<The function, durability, and potential are insufficient. It’s not enough to draw out my power.>
<I think the same.>
Gugukon scratched his wings with his front claws.
I smiled bitterly.
<Are you Han Israt?>
The ancestor of the fourth great family, Asynis, looked at me and said.
Surprise appeared in Asynis’s eyes as he observed me.
<I thought that con artist was lying again.>
<Who’s the con artist here?>
<But why… do I have to inhabit a defective being? There’s a more suitable body right in front.>
“What’s the difference between him and me? Everything is the same.”
The White Dragon Asynis had an infinitely lazy look.
I continued the conversation.
“Sorry for the first impression, but please, help him. He tries hard, so he won’t be a bother.”
<Again, this body is useless. It seems I made a bad choice.>
“What does that have to do with it?”
<I want to change hosts. Please, return me.>
"That can't be done."
<If I use all my power, this body will explode and die on the spot.>
"Maybe now, but who knows later."
<I didn't descend to play with words. I need a more efficient body to save Taonier.>
"We'll see. Maybe he will become incredibly strong."
Asynis tilted his head, confused.
<All this is useful to you, so why refuse? This guy can't even contain me properly. Will you also say that could change later?>
"If that's the case."
<Heh... How naive. You can't even take advantage of what you're given.>
"…"
<Well, fine. If you really want to make him stronger, go ahead, do what you want.>
Asynis said, looking down.
<From now on, the power of the White Dragon King, Deltari Asynis, belongs to this boy.>
Crack.
The horn protruding from his temple disappeared.
The white scales and black veins of corruption as well.
<Heh heh heh... But I really wonder how far he will be able to go.>
Asynis's eyes closed.
Suddenly, Belkist staggered and leaned against the wall before falling.
[Bam!]
[The inscription is complete!]
[A special ability has been engraved in Belkist's body (★★★★)!]
Finally, the inscription message appeared.
It wasn't a failure.
But then, upon reading the description that appeared, I sighed.
[True White Dragon Blood (S, Level 1)]
[Blood that demonstrates the pure lineage of the ancient white dragon. Unprecedented power resides in it.]
[Unique Ability: 1. White Dragon Horn]
[※There are many unknown abilities.]
[Note 1 – True White Dragon Blood cannot be used for unknown reasons.]
The worst-case scenario of falling into corruption due to an engraving failure was avoided.
However, it was difficult to call it a success.
‘Is it blocked?’
When an engraving is given that does not correspond to the hero's level, even if the inscription process was successful, the ability may be blocked.
This engraving was a partial success.
Although the visible probability was 2%, I anticipated that Belkist would not die.
If Asynis had completely rejected Belkist, there would have been prior signs in the Advent Dungeon.
But the White Dragon easily handed over the inscription stone to Belkist, proof that he was willing to enter his body.
It was a gamble, but not without basis.
"…"
After a while, Belkist opened his eyes.
He spoke in a restrained voice.
"...What happened?"
"You'll see. You're alive."
I threw the sheath of his sword to Belkist, who caught it with his right hand.
"I don't feel anything special."
<Asynis is definitely inside you. You don't feel it because it's faint. You don't have the aptitude to use that power, did you think you could?>
Gugukon approached Belkist.
"If I can't use it, what's the point?"
<That's how it is now.>
"Can it be overcome with training?"
<That won't work. Can a human train to turn their head 180 degrees? You can't handle the True White Dragon Blood for the same reason.>
Belkist frowned.
"Then…"
<There is a secret technique passed down in the Asynis Family. It is called the Mighty Dragon Technique. It's a ritual that transforms the human body into something more dragon-like. The successors of Asynis have received the Mighty Dragon Technique through generations.>
It was the first time I heard this.
But it wasn't absurd. After all, Delphine, the successor of Asynis, did not have a common human appearance.
<Now it's up to you to find out. I don't know anything!>
Gugukon turned around.
And with his chubby rear, he slipped through the slightly open door gap.
‘Is he telling me?’
Well, considering everything, I already knew what Belkist needed now.
"As you can see, it seems you can't use the engraving in your current state."
"It seems so. There's no response."
"Belkist."
I spoke.
"You'll be out of Group 1 for a while. You won't participate in missions. You don't need to train or help the newcomers. If you've consumed something expensive, you must pay for it. Don't think about coming back until you can use the True White Dragon Blood properly."
"…"
"As the pigeon said, if you receive the secret technique of Asynis, it seems you'll be able to use the engraving."
Even if that happened, he probably wouldn't be able to use it fully.
The rest would depend on Belkist. Just as I practiced with the Black Dragon Blood, he would have to familiarize himself with the power through trial and error, crossing the line between life and death several times.
Belkist listened to my words in silence and then murmured.
"You're telling me to stay in the Exploration Dungeon, then. How much time do I have?"
"Not much. Come back before we reach the 50th floor."
"It will be tight."
"Of course."
We didn't know in what state Asynis was, who had been annihilated by the invasion of the order's army.
He might have been destroyed or, blocked by the walls of the Exploration Dungeon, we might not be able to reach the region where Asynis was.
Even if Asynis was safe and Belkist managed to get there, it was predictable how they would receive his request to transfer the family's special techniques.
But Belkist didn't say he couldn't do it.
"That guy said he was curious to see how far you can go. This is the minimum you must have to use the engraving."
"Who will take my place?"
"There are many candidates. Don't worry."
"Understood."
Belkist closed his eyes.
Then he said, as if letting go.
"Finally… am I at the same starting line?"
"The same starting line?"
"Now I can roll the dice too. Like the Major or that lancer."
Belkist murmured, looking up.
"I'm really curious to see how far I can go."
Click.
Belkist hooked the sheath onto his belt and stood up.
"I'll be back in two weeks."
"Are you leaving immediately? Aren't you going to say goodbye to the others?"
"Not necessary."
"Nerissa will be disappointed."
Belkist smiled briefly.
"As if it mattered."
Belkist left the room without hesitation.
Soon, the sound of the dormitory door opening was heard.
[Autonomous Action has been activated!]
[Master, the hero Belkist (★★★★) begins his exploration.]
[A stipend will be automatically distributed to the hero. 10,000G has been consumed.]
[Tips/ If you don't want your hero to act freely, deactivate the Autonomous Action function!]
‘In two weeks?’
It seemed like a good idea to set the date for ascending to the 50th floor by then.
First, we would have to overcome the 49th floor.
"Faster! You must move faster!"
"I'll try, I'll try!"
Leaving the individual training hall, I headed toward the dormitory.
Suddenly, an unfamiliar voice came from below.
‘…’
There were stairs leading to the lower floor in the dormitory.
I lightly stepped on the steps and looked down.
"That's right, keep going like that!"
There, five men and women were gathered in an open space, sweating together.
Each held a practice weapon. They moved quickly, forming a large circle.
They were practicing formations.
As if there were a monster in front of them, they wielded their wooden swords while moving.
It was deep in the night, and they were still training.
Currently, group training was barely being conducted.
Group 1 had already developed their own combat styles and had surpassed the stage of relying on formations. The strength training we used to do together every morning had become tedious as our physical abilities improved. Fights had also become rare, and opportunities to meet during training were scarce.
‘…It reminds me of the old days.’
If Belkist achieves his goal and returns, perhaps the training dormitory scenery will be redrawn as in those days.
I watched those who were sweating and rolling on the training field and didn't return until it was almost dawn.