TRPM 105

chapter 105

I was fully immersed in experiencing the power of the sword granted by the system.

The Harmonized Divine Technique—my martial art that only I could master, tailored specifically to me.

And the Harmonized Divine Sword, specialized for that technique.

“Truly a sword made for me.”

The Harmonized Divine Sword inherited the very nature of the Harmonized Divine Technique.

It wasn’t just that the internal energy I had cultivated through the technique flowed smoothly. The Harmonized Divine Technique was a distillation of everything I had ever experienced…

“Before my regression, I mimicked auras, magic, and psychic powers.”

That was why the Harmonized Divine Technique was designed to imitate any skill. And the Harmonized Divine Sword, inheriting that nature, was no different.

Although it took the form of a sword, that was only its appearance. It could mimic the properties of other weapons.

“It may look like a sword, but it could function as a staff for mages or a computational device for psychics.”

The sword of light I had just sent flying toward the animals and the injured was a perfect example.

It looked like a sword, but in reality, it was a spell. I had intended to use a stunning spell and a healing spell on the animals. I was startled that it flew in sword form, but since that was only its shape, no harm came to the animals, and the spell’s effects worked perfectly.

“Anyway, if I wield the Harmonized Divine Sword while casting magic, all of my spells will take the form of swords as they fly.”

And while those flying swords could act without causing harm, I had the instinct that if I wished, I could inflict damage before the spell’s effect activated.

Moreover, this method was more effective than just sending a spell. If a spell activates from a sword embedded in the opponent… offensive spells could destroy their body from the inside, while supportive spells could heal from within.

“And the speed of a flying sword surpasses that of a spell…”

Flying at speeds comparable to my Gear Sword Technique, most people would struggle not only to react but even to notice a sword coming at them.

“I really got a great sword.”

I thought, looking at the Harmonized Divine Sword without a sword spirit.

More importantly…

“I no longer have to carry dozens of mass-produced swords in my pocket dimension, right?”

Honestly, this mattered to me even more than its raw power.

Until now, I had been fighting by storing countless swords in my pocket dimension, then drawing them out and throwing them with the Gear Sword Technique during combat. I didn’t strictly need to, but my signature move as an Artist—displayed in Yeouido—was famous for sending a multitude of metallic objects flying.

“Still, if I suddenly stop using the Gear Sword Technique now, people might think it’s not me doing it, but someone else.”

Whenever I intervened as an Artist, I used the technique with numerous swords to avoid anyone else being wrongly accused of my deeds. It was also convenient for taking out multiple enemies at once.

Anyway.

“Looks like most of the areas where the animals gathered are under control…”

No matter how wild the animals got, they couldn’t match monsters in strength. I simply moved through areas where it might take a little longer to subdue them.

Even if I hadn’t intervened, awakened humans across Seoul would have subdued the chaos fairly quickly.

“Kim Baekrang probably knows that too…”

Meaning, he wouldn’t gain much time to flee overseas just from this. Unless he had a way to escape safely during the short interval while this chaos was being suppressed…

“But he probably doesn’t.”

Generally, the world’s ships move as quietly as possible to avoid provoking the Black Mist controlling the seas. Naturally, they move slowly to minimize noise. It would take a long time for any stowaway to leave Korean waters.

“Which means…”

What Kim Baekrang did wasn’t over. Surely he prepared something else to buy time to escape abroad.

Han Geonwoo wasn’t the only one worrying.

The police, who received information about Kim Baekrang from him, were thinking along similar lines.

“All officers across the district, report: most of the animals have been subdued, but this is not the end. Something else is likely, so any suspicious activity must be reported immediately.”

After all, these were just animals. Civilian casualties were high, but from the start of the incident to its suppression, it didn’t take long. Most of the animals were even being subdued by high school or middle school awakened humans who hadn’t even entered the academy yet, or even by civilians.

“If anything’s an issue, it’d be wild animals or insects in the mountains…”

Those could be handled by temporarily blocking off areas or using pest control devices.

So what exactly had Kim Baekrang prepared?

“What?! Really, Mom?!”

At that moment, a police officer shouted in shock into his personal phone.

“…Chief! Right now… similar incidents are happening not only in Seoul, but in other regions as well!”

“What?!”

The officer’s shout caused nearby officers and civilians to check their phones and social media.

They realized…

“Animals in Daegu too…!”
“My parents in Gangwon are seriously injured…”
“There are more wild animals than in Seoul, and there aren’t enough awakened humans, so it’s difficult to subdue them!”

The animal rampage wasn’t confined to Seoul. Across South Korea, animals were attacking humans.

“…Since the subduing of Seoul’s animals is nearly complete, all officers except the minimum forces needed to guard Seoul should move to other regions!”

The Seoul police chief gave this command over the radio. Although it could create a problem for Seoul’s security, no one questioned it—after all, the Artist was in Seoul.

“Ah…”

This was exactly what Kim Baekrang had aimed for. If the police left Seoul, the city would become vulnerable. The Artist couldn’t leave, because trouble could erupt in Seoul, binding him to the city.

“The Artist’s colleagues or the Ironblood Guild face the same issue. The Artist can’t guard all of Seoul alone, so they’ll also be stuck here…”

Naturally, Kim Baekrang likely planned to flee overseas while they were tied up in Seoul.

“Still, we can’t choose not to send reinforcements to other regions…”

The chief gritted his teeth, furious at being manipulated, though there wasn’t much he could do.

“When the chief returns after going after that guy, maybe I’ll ask if it’s okay to give him a few punches before sending him to trial.”

Normally, this would be completely unacceptable, but for someone who caused this scale of terror, maybe it was justified.

Just then…

“!”

The sky suddenly darkened. Everyone looked up, trying to understand why.

“What the—!”
“My god…”

The cause of the darkened sky… was a shadow briefly covering it. Witnesses couldn’t believe their eyes.

“…A dragon?”

Wyverns and Drakes are monsters occasionally found in dungeons, so seeing one isn’t surprising. But not all dragon types are alike. The one flying overhead wasn’t a familiar Drake or Wyvern for awakened humans.

…It was probably a true dragon.

“A dragon… at least a raid party of Aura Masters or Archmages would be needed to handle it.”

Even Wyverns and Drakes are dangerous enough that less experienced awakened humans normally avoid dungeon raids. And yet, a dragon of far higher rank appeared over Seoul.

Kraaaah…!

The dragon ignored humans below as it flew, and the sky brightened soon after. As it moved away, an awakened human with keen eyes spotted something on the dragon’s back.

“Those are…?”

Two people were riding it. One appeared foreign and was unrecognizable, but the other was someone the observer knew instantly.

“…Yeon Mirae?”

Yeon Mirae, a confirmed companion of the Artist. That meant the two riders on the dragon were…

“Then this dragon wasn’t spawned from a dungeon, but was one commanded by the Artist’s companions.”

So the Artist and his companions had someone capable of commanding a dragon.

“Of course, that makes sense.”
“Huh?”
“Think about it. The Artist and companions allowed young Lee Ha-eun to command that massive wolf.”

If they could grant such control to a child…

“Then the Artist and companions must have had the skill to command even far superior familiars.”

But… what exactly are they planning to do with that dragon?

Meanwhile, on the dragon’s back…

“(Uuuuuugh…!)”

Alex shivered uncontrollably. The dragon he commanded, Fafnir, was drawing magic from him.

The altitude and strong wind made the perceived temperature painfully low. Above all…

“(I’ll act to save the people, but… is this really okay?!)”

Soon, it would be due to what he—or rather Fafnir—would do.

“(Why? Are you worried Fafnir might make a mistake?)”
“(That too, but thinking about what comes next…)”
“(A man commanding a dragon is really scared of this?)”

Unlike Alex, who was flattened against Fafnir’s back, Yeon Mirae stood firmly, feet planted on the dragon’s back.

“(As someone who commands a dragon, you cannot avoid the attention of everyone.)”

So just enjoy it. It felt awkward at first, but now she just enjoyed it.

“(But…)”
“(We’re nearing the target. Ready?)”

Checking GPS, she asked. Flying quickly, Fafnir soon reached near the center of South Korea.

Not exact, but close enough. Yeon Mirae told Alex:

“(Do it.)”
“(…Huff….)”

Hearing that, Alex ordered Fafnir, who was attentive to his cues:

“(Roar.)”

Fafnir obeyed.

Kraaaah…!

Dragon Fear. Not just any dragon, but the fear of the infamous evil dragon Fafnir, reverberated.