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chapter 34
[To the successor of the Guardian, a question.]
[When you face an enemy far beyond your capability, what will you do?]
[And what if you cannot even use your powers?]
The boss room.
Everything must have an end.
At the end of a dungeon, that role is fulfilled by the boss and the boss room.
The entrance to the cavern alone looked ominous.
When Lawrence stood there, these words appeared.
He instinctively knew.
This is a trial sent by the artifact.
He didn’t know what kind of will or consciousness it contained, but it clearly meant to test him.
‘What kind of monster is it going to use to torment me?’
Unfairness.
Lawrence had experienced this many times.
Before his regression, it was the word he was most familiar with.
The thought of being thrown into another irrational situation made him shiver.
But now, things had to change.
He couldn’t remain stuck in the past forever, could he?
‘I’ll charge straight at it. Enough of this nonsense.’
He didn’t know what the reward would be, but he was determined to break through.
After checking the artifact’s remaining capacity, Lawrence stepped forward confidently.
Inside the cavern, a monster with dark green gleaming eyes awaited.
[Grrr……]
Undead.
A creature that wouldn’t tire easily.
A writhing mass of muscle.
Unlike the crude weapons of kobolds, this one wielded a proper weapon.
Using his knowledge from before his regression, Lawrence immediately understood what kind of monster it was.
A creature far beyond the body of an eleven-year-old.
“An undead orc? Wow… the challenge really is dirty hard.”
A boss whose appearance made him wonder whether it was a trial or a deliberate attempt to kill.
A troll would be slow, and all he’d need to do is seal its regeneration—but an orc could fight.
Orcs looked small and weak, but the difference between being able to use combat skills or not was huge—it could determine whether the prey survived.
Between the orc and the troll, the troll was the easier prey.
[Escaping is an option.]
[But if you run now, you will never gain the qualification.]
[The extra-dimensional space is sealed.]
[Artifact replacement is impossible.]
Heh?
The relic was speaking to him.
Lawrence grinned.
“Do you expect me to endure this?”
“Bite down tight.”
[Ssshhh-!]
With a rough, guttural breath typical of orcs, the massive boss lunged at him.
Lawrence’s eyes gleamed.
The power of the artifact implanted throughout his body activated, moving him.
Kraaaang!
Dust rose, and the ground beneath Lawrence caved in.
The sheer force was enough to fling an unseasoned body across reality itself.
‘I can’t lose.’
<Listen carefully. When facing creatures faster and bigger than yourself, it’s crucial to let them get used to you first.>
<All living beings die if a critical point is struck. That’s just how life works.>
He remembered the words of the old assassin.
At this point, Lawrence felt he could consider the old assassin a teacher. He tensed all the muscles in his body.
The training methods of the Eden family.
The remaining capacity of the artifact.
Negative energy and the movement of a warrior.
He would need to harness all of this to defeat that monster.
A battle that seemed extremely difficult, one he expected would be grueling.
But it wasn’t as hard as he thought.
[Negative Energy]
[Continuously absorbing the negative energy emitted by the undead orc.]
[Forced into extreme conditions.]
[Growth of the Dragon Body accelerates.]
[Hatchling: 49.2%]
‘Huh?’
[Sssshhh-!]
Kraaaang!
The orc’s strike barely missed again.
Though the flying stones bruised him, he was fine.
Perhaps, he thought, this could be an opportunity to grind experience points.
“Oh, so this is what you wanted?”
[…]
The artifact seemed at a loss for words.
2
“Stop it immediately!”
“Wait, let’s observe for a moment.”
“What? Are you saying we should let a scion of a noble family die?!”
“If he gets hit, he’ll bounce back toward us. Observing now is a good way to gauge his capabilities.”
“Do you think such noble-mindedness came from the Magi Tower Master’s head? Or… there must be some reason for this.”
The atmosphere instantly grew tense.
The Iron and Blue Magi Tower Masters began to oppose each other sharply.
The Iron Magi Tower Master wanted Lawrence removed immediately from the virtual dungeon, while the Blue Magi Tower Master advocated waiting.
The first to show irritation was the Blue Master.
“I can’t let that remark slide.”
“Perhaps because something’s bothering you.”
Kugugugu-.
All the masters, except Edward, were considered the strongest line of mages.
Their confrontation shook the entire massive space.
Fortunately, others intervened.
“Both of you, calm down. We must follow protocol. The trial isn’t over yet.”
“…Fine. But we must awaken him before he suffers a fatal strike.”
“That’s our responsibility.”
The Red and Green Magi Tower Masters mediated.
The Master of Change also joined.
“Don’t worry. I’m watching closely.”
“Remember, Montemer and the Eyes of the World are observing all.”
[…]
At the Iron Master’s stern words, everyone nodded.
The Blue Master snorted, showing a displeased expression.
‘What a pity. This was the perfect opportunity to crush even a monster at its roots.’
The gem was ultimately unattainable.
Since a deal had been struck with Medea, no matter how outstanding Lawrence’s performance, the Blue Tower could not claim him.
Better to crush the talent right here than let it grow elsewhere.
There would be blame, but Medea would surely manage it. She was that kind of person.
“Do not worry. Lawrence’s safety is not a problem.”
“I trust you, on the pride of a mage.”
“We swear upon mana as well.”
The disturbance among the Magi Tower Masters finally subsided.
The children trembling at the sight of their confrontation had sparkling eyes—particularly a girl with blue eyes and another with red.
‘Montemer is amazing as always.’
It was Piaze of the Brixir family.
Having just dealt with a slightly larger kobold boss, she stared intently at Lawrence’s crystal sphere.
3
Kraaaang!
A metallic tang filled his mouth.
Breath heaving, legs screaming in pain, yet it all felt more real than any moment in reality.
‘Just a little further.’
[Hatchling: 49.9%]
Halfway through the hatchling stage. Only a little more to go.
The undead orc moved mechanically, its attack patterns already mapped in Lawrence’s mind.
[Sssshhh-!]
It was time to counterattack.
The orc seemed too accustomed to this pace to change its tactics.
If Lawrence delayed a little more, it would be overwhelmed by stronger attacks.
[Fireball]
[Remaining capacity 1/7]
Fwoosh-!
He cast a fireball with speed, exploiting the opening.
Kraaaang!
A blow stronger than that of a typical 3-circle mage.
At the flash of light, the undead orc flailed in desperation.
[Sssshhh-!]
[Lightning Arrow]
[Multi-cast]
Zzzap-!
Three lightning arrows pierced the orc’s limbs.
Crack!
Using its undead nature, it ignored pain and charged, but Lawrence blocked the attack with sheer force.
“Ughhh-!”
One arm went numb, his brain burning as if aflame.
As he held onto consciousness, the small dragon’s growth brought a miracle.
[Dragon Body evolves.]
[Hatchling: 50%]
[Power: Dragon Scale activated.]
[The scales of the King of All, Master of Magic, block all magic and repel all auras.]
[Blocks magic of Circle 2 or lower.]
[Significantly reduces damage from attacks without mana.]
‘It doesn’t hurt.’
The orc continued its final frenzy, but Lawrence’s body was that of the Guardian.
Crack!
The weapon it wielded snapped, ending its short life.
[Ssshhh?]
“Die, you pig bastard.”
[Fireball]
[Remaining capacity 0/7]
[Magic Boost]
Kraaaang!
With a tremendous explosion, the orc’s head was incinerated.
Lawrence was flung back but felt no pain.
Without the Mana Rod, he had worried about being defeated by magic and aura.
But that worry proved needless.
Dragon Scale—literally, dragon scales.
“Heh heh… this is it.”
How’s that, relic? I won.
[You have successfully overcome the trial.]
[The legacy of Draksha will now aid you.]
[Welcome, Artificer, wielder of power, successor of the Guardian.]
[Your body will now perfectly transform, worthy of all respect.]
[Grow into a great Guardian…]
A brilliant light rose.
Cheers followed.
Opening his eyes, Lawrence saw children clapping eagerly and the shocked faces of the Magi Tower Masters.
He blinked to restore his vision and stood up.
“Are you alright, young master?”
“Yes, I’m fine.”
“Hehe, truly impressive. I never imagined I’d see the legendary [Invisible Spear].”
“Thank you.”
They were convinced. Their eyes sparkled as if the galaxy itself would pour from them.
Lawrence stretched, stood fully, and addressed the masters.
“Is the trial over now?”
“Let’s move to the next location. The sparring trial remains.”
“Understood.”
[….]
Lawrence cheerfully answered and headed outside.
Several observed him intently.
Arthur Goldibane’s eyes were mixed with fear and jealousy; Piaze’s with curiosity; the Blue Master’s were displeased.
Lastly, the Iron Master had a very pleased expression.
‘Heh heh heh, an excellent talent. Very good.’
Especially the scene of unleashing magic at extreme close range at high speed mirrored the legendary Battle Mage.
The Iron Master vowed to recruit him.
Meanwhile, Lawrence enjoyed the new changes.
The text scrolling on described the transformation in detail.
[Passed the relic trial.]
[Reward: <Interface: Orc Club> added to extra-dimensional space.]
[This interface pairs well with Earth-element magic.]
[Reward: <Extract: Orc Heart> added to extra-dimensional space.]
[Orc Heart: Manifestation – Mana Sphere]
The physical rewards were sweet.
Now came another type of reward.
[Permanent buff from the relic activated.]
[Dragon Body growth speed increased by 20%.]
[Artifact implantation slots permanently increased.]
[Current: +1]
‘Sweet… really sweet.’
The reward for victory over a powerful foe.
It was delightfully sweet and fueled his progression to the next stage.
Only the sparring remained.
Here, he had work to do.
‘Fight savagely. Iron Master must recruit me.’
He was already craving the feeling of gripping bones in battle.
