Chapter 105 : Sacrifice & Resolution (Part 3)

There was once a small Serpent who was born from an Alchemist's experiment but the result wasn't that good.

He was thrown away the moment he was deemed a failure. But the Serpent wasn't disheartened by it and instead exacted revenge on those humans who abandoned him.

The Serpent decided to go on a journey to know what he truly was, of course he had the intelligence that made him able to survive this way.

One day, the Serpent stumbled upon a book that belonged to a human child that left it in the woods.

His curiosity got the better of him so the small Serpent decided to read the book, and learned the existence of such a being.

A [Dragon].

[Dragon], what is that? A lizard monster with wings?

Or a demon who transformed with wings and scales on their body?

No...

[Dragon] was a [Mythical] being which was close to [Divine] beings like [Angel] and [Gods].

But there's also a [Dragon] that could be considered a [Divine] being if they received something…

…A [Blessing]

These beings cannot be considered a Monster, because they were born purely with mana and not only that, they were called as the wisest, the strongest and also a dangerous race that even many Kingdoms do not try to capture or hunt these beings because one dragon could wipe out a Kingdom in just one night.

Upon reading this book, the Serpent began to admire these [Dragons] and began searching for the river to see his own reflection.

As he looked upon the river, there was one thing that he learned, he was a [Serpent], a monster that didn't have limbs yet could spit out poison and eat its enemy by swallowing them whole.

Nothing more than that, but that made him realize that he was not an ordinary Serpent.

Because of one characteristic that he had, a horn.

A horn that doesn't belong to his own species, which made him think differently, thinking that he was [Special]

The monster began to know how to love himself, and learned that he now looked similar to the drawing in the book.

A drawing of a Dragon which had horns on its head just like him.

The Serpent rejoiced when he saw that and upon knowing he was not just a [Serpent] but also a [Dragon].

Thus he made a goal.

[I want to be...a Dragon].

A wish that had been recognized by the Gods and he was given the name.

[The World Serpent, Jormungand].

The Serpent that could swallow the world.

As time passed after he was given that name, his body began to grow bigger...and bigger and stronger, his scales became sturdier and he had a skill that let out miasma only a Demon could do.

As he kept on moving, he strived to be the [Dragon] he aspired to be.

He already went through all the hurdles in various locations in the world, and he defeated and ate monsters that were stronger than him.

Until he stumbled upon the Great World Tree Forest, the forest that was filled with mana.

And the largest mana source of all was that gigantic tree that was right in the middle of the forest.

[The Great World Tree, Yggdrasill].

And that was his goal, to swallow the tree and evolve himself to become a [Dragon].

But...

*SHHAAAAAA!!!*

"HAAAAAA!!*

Unfortunately, he stumbled against one human that could be considered as out of ordinary.

He could withstand every blow of his large body. Not only that, the human fought back against him while managing to survive against him.

Him, the gigantic Serpent that could defeat so many kinds of monsters before coming here…

Now have to die by the hands of that human.

*I...want to live..*

His words came out from his head despite his body already beginning to lose strength.

*I...want to survive...*

Those words echoed in his head

*I want to live...survive...live...survive...live...

survive...live...survive.*

Until one wish that he always held close to heart flashed across his mind.

*I want...to become...a [Dragon].*

Before he breathed his last breath, his wish...

Was answered.

[I shall help you~]

Hearing those words, his body began to feel warmth.

At that moment, Jormugand felt his heart start to beat again. His body was brimming with energy after he heard that voice.

*This is...*

It began. Jormugand resurrected from the dead and now face to face with the human who killed him, Kiritsuka Rei.

******

At the West side of the Great World Tree Forest.

*RUMBLE* *RUMBLE*

The ground started to shake, just right after Rei finished his conversation with the [Demon God, Ars], a presence began to show up in his radar.

"W-what happened?!" Eindride shouted as time had begun to move again when that God finally left.

Rei gritted his teeth when he saw a new [Quest] appear in front of his face.

=======================================

[Notice!]

[Quest : "Subjugate the Sky Dragon"]

[The Demon God, Ars], giving player "Rei" a quest, which is to subjugate a monster called [The Sky Dragon, Jormungand]. A monster that was evolved through the blessing from [The Demon God] himself, turned into a [Divine] being–a [Dragon].

[Requirements]

Target : [The Sky Dragon, Jormungand] [1/0]

Reward:

● Skill : [??????]

● Title : [??????????]

=======================================

'This damned...Demon God...he really did it!' Rei's attention went towards the corpse of a certain monster that he killed before.

[The World Serpent, Jormungand] body that was laying on the ground, began to move.

And it's releasing such a strong pressure and aura around the body, the corpse had begun to rise from its death.

*I wanna live....*

And a voice could be heard...

*I am going to survive...*

And that resounded inside Rei and Eindride's head.

*I WILL BE REBORN AS A DRAGON!!*

*RUMBLE* *RUMBLE*

Then the voice getting louder it's enough to make their head feel like it's about to burst with the powerful ringing along with the ground that shook even harder.

As the two of them saw the corpse of Jormungand that began to rise, its body slowly blackened as if something was gonna happen.

*CRACK*

Cracks could be seen throughout its blackened body, and that blackened part began to fall apart as if the serpent was changing its old skin into a new one.

'What?' Rei thought when he saw something that made him and Eindride widened their eyes in shock.

*SWOOSH*

A pair? No...a four pair of white wings stretched out with four pair legs grown throughout the Serpent's body and as it began to fly through the sky.

After the blackened skin fell apart completely, the body color changed from white into platinum color but its body became smaller than before.

Not only that, the number of horns increased by another two pairs of horns on the back of its head.

When this Serpent opened its eyes, it finally began...

*GRRRRRAAAAAAA*

A loud roar resounded far and wide, the earth shook and the roar was enough to create a large shockwave that almost made Rei and Eindride blown away from their spot.

Rei couldn't move at all when he heard that roar.

[Notice!]

[You are being inflicted by "Dragon Fear" you will be paralyzed for a moment]

Rei saw the notice, thinking that the skill was similar to his [Intimidate] but much much stronger, no–probably stronger than his [War Cry] that he got from [God of War, Odin].

Eindride showed an expression of fear and confusion at the same time, and his body was paralyzed as well.

"U-ugh–"

'We cannot move!–'

The two could only look at the being who caused this, the being that flew up in the sky with its four pairs of wings that supported its large body.

*I am a Dragon...[The Sky Dragon, Jormungand]!*

*Now fear me!! GRRRRAAAAA!!!*

The Serpent who just got defeated was reborn as a [Dragon].

The name above its head showed up.

[The Sky Dragon, Jormungand], with a black color on its name which indicated that this monster was much higher in level than Rei's current status.

'D-dammit.' Rei cursed as he tried to move his body.

Jormungand raised his head and opened his mouth to show his sharp teeth.

'What is it doing?...' Rei was wondering until...

'Kiritsuka!! You must dodge it!! That stance...it is breath!' Ray warned him

'Breath?–'

'Just move!–' Ray warned him again.

Rei couldn't help but listen and tried to move his body at that moment, but his body wouldn't listen.

Even Eindride was trying his best to move his body as well.

Then suddenly it began...

*Haaaaaaaaaa.....*

Jormugand began to breathe in, they could see the air began to be sucked into his big mouth.

'HURRY!!–' Ray shouted

"Grrr...rrrrRRAAA!!!"

As Rei tried to force his way to move, he felt something gonna happen when Jormugand closed his mouth.

His sharp teeth started to leak out some mist and when it was open...

*ROARRRRRR*

*SWOOSH*

Jormungand breathed out a shockwave made of high pressure condensed air from his mouth, shooting in a straight line towards Rei and Eindride's direction.

In that short moment, Rei felt his body could move a bit and immediately forced his way to push Eindride away from where they stood.

*BOOM* *SWOOSH*

As his breath hit the ground, it blew Rei and Eindride aside from the shockwave caused by his breath.

The large trees around them were turned into nothing but dust in just a second, creating a vast field of wasteland.

Rei and Eindride who managed to dodge the direct hit could see how strong that breath was

'U-ughh...' Despite managing to dodge, that doesn't mean he was safe from danger.

Rei and Eindride crashed their body against the trees around them that still remained, and of course the shockwave of the breath damaged them

Rei managed to stand up with his sword stuck on the ground, 'W-what was that...'

'That was a [Breath], a skill that belongs to [Dragons]. They can breathe out an element with pure mana and it could destroy everything.'

'Is it like magic?'

'No, [Magic] uses Mana to cause a phenomena, but [Breath] uses Mana to cause natural disaster attacks with pure elements that Dragon affiliates with.'

'For example...[Fire Dragon] can breathe out fire that can melt everything, [Water Dragon] can breathe high pressure water that could cut everything into pieces.'

'Then...how about this one..'

Ray hesitated, 'This one is the rarest of all...[The Sky Dragon] which can breathe out high pressure air that could both cut and crush everything it touches.'

'It is also a Dragon that is considered...as the most dangerous one.' Ray explained.

Rei widened his eyes and gritted his teeth, 'How...how did you know such things? Even the books don't have that kind of info.'

'It's because what we had at home doesn't have such books, and I have my reason to know which I can tell.'

'Then what am I supposed to do!'

'Ughh...I don't know, even if I lived for the longest, this will be the first time I am facing one.'

'Guh...then what are the chances of us winning against this monster?' Rei asked.

Ray gulped, 'If it was before...it was 50%, but...now? I think it's more like 20%'

Rei somewhat sighed in relief, 'Here I thought it was probably 10% or 5%.'

'That would be the case, but from what I've seen this thing had just become a Dragon, so probably will start to test out his power and it also gave us a chance before this monster adapted to his new power.'

'That is true...I don't think running is possible, because that thing can still use [Breath] from the sky, which is quite unfair.' Rei spoke and began to crack his neck as he stood up.

'Then do you have a plan?' Ray asked.

Rei curved his lips into a smile, 'Heh, do I look like someone who has a plan?'

Ray blinked and sighed as he smiled, 'That's true....you probably gonna improvised it like usual.'

*CLINK*

Afterwards he raised his sword on his right hand and his shield on his left hand, "It's time for Dragon Hunting time."

Rei spoke as he slowly took a step forward.

Eindride who just recovered from the crash, saw Rei immediately standing up as if he was about to face that monster.

"Hey! What the hell are you doing!" Eindride shouted.

Rei looked at him, "Oh, Right...you were still there."

"What are you doing! We should run now! That thing is beyond our reach!" Eindride spoke as he could tell the immense pressure coming from Jormungand that soared through the sky.

"Even if we did run, it's not guaranteed that we will be able to survive if we run right now."

"Then–wait, are you planning to stay and let me run by myself?"

"Is there any other choice?"

Eindride immediately stood up and grabbed his scarf, "Are you insane! Do you think you can survive fighting that shit!"

Rei grabbed his hand and pushed it away, "Then do you have a better plan?"

"What?"

"Look, you have a family to protect and a duty to protect your Kingdom, and I am just an outsider that was hired by my employer."

"And from what I've seen, this monster is targeting the The Great World Tree. If no one could become the bait, that monster will attack your Kingdom which is the last defense for The Great World Tree to survive." Rei explained it.

It was a very reasonable explanation, it did make sense, if one of them did not stay, that monster would probably fly to attack the Kingdom without a second thought.

Eindride was at a loss of words, "...."

*TAP*

Rei suddenly tapped his shoulder, "Just go back and warn others. I will attract the monster away to focus on me more than you." Rei then began to walk forward again.

"Besides, I don't think that monster will let me go after I killed him once." Rei spoke as if he was confident he would win this impossible fight.

Eindride felt something within him, as if he could believe his back to him despite his pretty despicable thoughts but there's no one more reliable than this man.

"Are you sure you could handle this?" Eindride asked him as he still did not fully trust him in this situation.

But when Rei turned his head around, his eyes glinted from the slit of his helmet,

"Yeah because that thing is my prey."

Upon saying those words, Jormungand noticed his presence.

*You...*

He recognized his killer.

*YOU...!!!*

*GRAAAAAA!!!*

Jormugand roared, and it's powerful enough to shake the ground.

He was looking at The Great World Tree before but now his attention was locked onto Rei. Eindride had a chance to run.

Rei was unfazed towards his roar, and he decided to fight back.

'[War Cry], [Intimidate].'

He took a deep breath and...

"GRRAAAAA!!!"

Start to let it out a roar.

Both of their roars that contained a pressure within clashed to one another and canceled each other.

Jormungand wasn't surprised when Rei canceled his [Dragon Fear] using a similar skill that he combined himself. Although it was still a bit lower in level than what this monster had, he was still able to do it.

*As expected, you won't go down easily.*

Jormugand spoke to him through his mind.

"Well should I be saying that to you too? I never thought you could speak this fluently." Rei replied.

*I had learned how to speak before through my head, but sadly I don't have the ability to speak my voice and as you can see I can only shriek like a monster would.*

"I see, but why do I feel like you have become more talkative."

*It might be useless chatters, but I think it is quite fun to talk to someone.*

"Oh really."

*Yes, but you are quite an odd human...instead attacking me without a question like last time, you decided to talk with me*

"Well this is a new experience for me so shouldn't I be curious about how you talk and think?"

Jormugand opened his mouth as he laughed

*Kuhahahaha! As expected of someone who killed me, without doubt you are the strongest human I have ever fought.*

"Really? Then it's quite an honor to be the first one in the list."

*But I must say...I shall bid farewell to you, because I must kill you, this is the duty given by the God who bestowed me this name...and this form.* Jormugand spoke.

"I see, I thought we became much closer after we talked like this...it seems we have no other choice."

*Indeed...but you shall be honored, to be my first opponent to test out this new body of mine! I shall let you taste what it means to fight a [Dragon], human!*

*GRAAAAA!!*

Jormugand roared at him.

But Rei gripped his sword and shield before getting into his stance...

"Heh, talk less and more into action please, you damned winged lizard." Rei provoked him.

*GRAAAA!!! It's a [Serpent] and a [Dragon] you fool!!*

That angered the Dragon, then he immediately opened his mouth.

Rei immediately began his move, '[Sprint], [Power Muscle], [Beast Will], [Blacksmith Will].'

As he casted his buff, it had started...

*ROARRRRRR*

*SWOOSH*

*SWOOSH* *SWOOSH*

Suddenly he shot three condensed air through his mouth.

*BOOM* *BOOM* *BOOM*

Rei ran from his spot that got bombarded by those shots, which immediately destroyed the field leaving nothing but rubble and dust.

Rei kept running towards Jormungand that flew in the sky.

To respond to his bravery, Jormungand dived down his large body and flew through the forest.

*BOOM* *BOOM* *BOOM*

Knocking down many trees that met his gigantic body as the Dragon approached him.

After that...

*TINGGG* *SWOOSH*

They clashed head to head, with Jormungand charging him using his sharp horn and Rei blocking his horn using his shield.

*TSSSKKK*

But the size difference made Rei lost his foothold and soared through the air with Jormugand's horn clashed against his shield and pushed him back.

"Huff–!"

When Rei was about to swing his sword clad in his red aura, Jormungand immediately flung his head along with his shield.

Jormungand stretched out his claws and struck him to meet his sword.

*TINGG*

His sword managed to stop the attack, but his strength to hold it out was still weaker.

*GRRAAAAA!!*

Rei got pushed back again, sending him flying through the air where he landed on the tree behind him.

*ROARRRRRR*

*SWOOSH*

Without further ado, Jormungand followed by shooting his breath again towards Rei.

Rei, who just recovered, noticed the danger coming and immediately dodged to his side.

*BAM* *BOOM* *BOOM*

The tree where he landed was immediately swept away by that breath attack, causing the tree behind them to fall apart and create a large explosion when it came into contact with the ground.

Rei once again dodged that kind of attack, but he wasn't given any time to rest as soon he dodged and still in midair.

*SWOOSH*

He was met by the Dragon's tail that was swung to his direction.

*THUNG*

Rei responded quickly by blocking it with his shield but since he was too late to guard himself properly...

*SWOOSH* *BOOM*

Rei got flung down and crashed on a tree. He could feel his body trembling but at the same time that one strike was enough to injure his body and bleeding through his arms and head.

*COUGH*

Rei coughed out blood and tried to stand up despite receiving such damage. He hasn't recovered from the first round before.

'I take that back...20% on surviving...might still a bad thing.'

Not only that, he couldn't use more skills because his MP decreased immensely from buffing himself.

'Dammit...in just a mere second, my HP goes down to 70%.'

He opened his inventory to drink some potion to heal his HP and MP. The effect is low, he couldn't drink it any longer.

'Kiritsuka...if we continue this head on, you will die.'

'I know about that....but I had no option. If I tried to use a bow, it would take too long to charge up the skill knowing that that monster could shoot multiple breaths at the same time.'

'Well it is far above your level, not to mention the [Blessing] which causes this monster to evolve into [Divine Being].[Dragon Scale] can be considered an [indestructible] thing.' Ray explained.

Rei noticed something about what he just mentioned.

'[Divine Being]...[indestructible]...' Rei suddenly connected the dots and finally he had an idea.

'Houston...

.

.

.

I think I have an idea.'

To be continue…