Chapter 100
“Wow…!”
Annetsha, who had been absentmindedly watching TaeSan’s training, stood up in astonishment.
A diminutive old man emerged from the bushes, tears streaming down his face as he knelt. He removed his tattered robe, revealing black hair and black eyes.
Annetsha covered her mouth in shock.
“Habenec…?”
“Princess… It’s an honor to see you.”
The old man, called Habenec, knelt down with tears, paying his respects. Annetsha, overcome with emotion, ran to him.
“You’re alive!”
“I barely escaped when the castle was set ablaze… I’m sorry. For leaving you, thinking only of our survival…”
“It’s okay! You’re alive, that’s all that matters!”
TaeSan stepped aside, allowing for their emotional reunion, then turned and headed toward a clearing in the forest.
There, he drew his sword and began to practice.
Pabababak!
With every swing, the air exploded with afterimages. TaeSan frowned, unsatisfied with the sword’s tip.
“This is as far as it goes.”
A tingling sensation spread from the sword. TaeSan was on the cusp of acquiring aura, teetering on a delicate threshold.
A few more days of training seemed necessary, but the demons had chosen this moment to seek out Annetsha.
“I’ll have to continue while on the move.”
It wasn’t all for naught. The relentless practice had improved the proficiency of the Storm Scar Sword by 3%. Wolf Fang and Dancer’s Grace had also become smoother than before.
Atria, who had been observing TaeSan, internally marveled at his progress.
‘To grasp a sense of aura in just three days.’
The speed was remarkable, considering some swordsmen spend decades training to acquire aura.
But it made sense.
TaeSan had already reached the level of a swordmaster with his sword skills. Aura, being a testament to one’s qualification with the sword, came naturally to him.
What truly astonished Atria was the breadth of TaeSan’s power.
Perfect in every aspect: surpassing tower masters in magic, learning aura, and possessing exceptional physical abilities.
And he never tired.
For three days, he practiced without showing a hint of sweat, unaffected even when swords pierced his body during their battles.
‘…Is this the power of the labyrinth?’
Atria had almost lost interest in his own world.
‘Boring.’
He had sought strength, becoming a swordmaster, only to find no further heights to conquer.
Bored and disinterested in gods or divine commands, his curiosity had been piqued by the guardian’s strength, nothing more.
‘The labyrinth, huh.’
Intrigued, Atria decided to explore.
An hour later, TaeSan returned. Both Habenec and Annetsha had swollen eyes from crying.
“Habenec. This man protected me.”
“Ah…”
Habenec looked up at TaeSan with a mixture of fear and reverence before bowing deeply.
“Thank you so much for risking your life to protect our princess…”
“I’ve received my due, so it’s settled.”
After a lengthy expression of gratitude, Habenec bowed again.
“Thank you. Princess, let’s return to our land.”
“Uh, yes!”
Annetsha smiled brightly at TaeSan.
“You’ll come too, right?”
“If you’re going, I have to.”
The completion of the quest was uncertain. Ensuring her safety was paramount, so naturally, he would accompany her.
Habenec appeared visibly uneasy.
“Ta, TaeSan will also accompany us?”
“Yes. It’s only natural for our benefactor. Is there a problem?”
“No.”
Habenec glanced around nervously.
“It’s just that our land is hidden, and it’s difficult to bring outsiders…”
“Don’t worry! He’s the one who saved me! He’ll be kind to you too!”
Annetsha assured him with confidence. Habenec murmured in a puzzled tone.
“If the princess wishes it…”
“Can I come too?”
Atria, who had been quietly observing, suddenly spoke up. Annetsha belatedly acknowledged his presence.
“Atria…”
“Just kidding. I have no interest in demons.”
Atria gestured towards TaeSan.
“It seems you’ve gotten a feel for aura. Maybe it’s time for me to leave?”
“Do as you wish.”
“Farewell then. It would be nice to see you again.”
Atria left, glancing back at TaeSan.
The strength TaeSan displayed likely originated from the labyrinth.
‘Maybe I’ll explore it too.’
Deciding on a new goal, Atria departed. Habenec, somewhat relieved, produced something from his robe.
“Princess, please take this.”
“Huh? What is it?”
“It’s an ornament crafted from a dragon’s claw. It can shield you from the gaze of gods.”
Annetsha was astonished.
“How do you have this?”
An ornament made from a dragon’s claw was a rare artifact, even during the reign of the Demon King.
Habenec smiled slyly.
“You’ll understand once we arrive. TaeSan, please take one too.”
Habenec offered another to TaeSan.
[An ornament made from a dragon’s claw] [The dragon, a guardian of the world, prevents intervention by transcendent beings.] “Let’s move.”
Habenec donned his robe again. Annetsha followed solemnly.
They began their journey, heading toward the outskirts of the world.
The ornament seemingly shielded them from divine scrutiny, as they encountered no interference.
After two days of travel, TaeSan continued his sword practice, finally mastering aura.
Fzzt. Fzzt.
[Wow, is this aura? Fascinating.] Yurei marveled, darting around. TaeSan observed the blue flames dancing on his sword.
Unlike Garant’s stable aura, TaeSan’s flickered erratically, a sign of inexperience.
“Skill window.”
[Special Activation Skill: Aura] [Proficiency: 1%] [A reward for those who have proven themselves with the sword. Still inexperienced and unable to wield it properly.] As heard, there was no consumption value. TaeSan tried to intensify the aura.
But it remained unchanged, crackling in its initial form.
“No consumption, but a clear limit?”
TaeSan sheathed his sword. A massive tree was smoothly sliced.
Without expending any effort, the cut was remarkably clean.
The exact capabilities would be clear with further use, but his attack power seemed significantly increased.
Satisfied, TaeSan stored his sword.
Three days later,
They arrived in the land of demons.
“Here we are.”
Habenec introduced the place with a weary face. They stood before a unique mountain range.
“Such an unusual mountain.”
Among the range, one mountain stood out, its foliage a mix of vibrant autumn colors, unlike the others, catching the eye instantly.
“Is this really the place?”
It seemed too conspicuous for a hiding spot.
Habenec affirmed.
“Yes. Nobody comes here.”
TaeSan gazed at the mountain thoughtfully. Noticing his stillness, Habenec cautiously inquired.
“Is there a problem…?”
“It’s a problem and it’s not. This is the place, right?”
“Yes, but…”
“There’s something too powerful here.”
TaeSan had sensed a presence far stronger than anything he had encountered, excluding gods, hidden within the mountain.
Habenec looked at TaeSan in surprise.
“Can you feel it?”
“What’s going on?”
“It was supposed to be a later discussion… but in short.”
Habenec pointed to the mountain adorned with autumn leaves.
“A dragon resides there.”
“What?”
Annetsha paled.
“A dragon?”
“It’s alright.”
Habenec reassured her.
“Essentially indifferent to the gods’ commands, it ignores our presence. Aside from the unease, it’s the best location since it’s beyond divine reach.”
Dragons, protectors of the world, prevent the interference of transcendent beings. For demons fleeing from gods, it was the perfect refuge.
“In fact, we’ve lived here for over five years without the dragon showing itself once. There’s no problem.”
“Really?”
TaeSan continued to stare at the mountain.
“Doesn’t seem like it to me.”
He muttered to himself.
They might not feel it, so there was no need to discuss it now. TaeSan changed the subject.
“So, are we going in?”
“Let’s go. Princess.”
Annetsha stepped cautiously towards the mountain.
They ascended the mountain. True to Habenec’s word, no one had approached, making the path difficult to navigate. Even Annetsha, conditioned by prolonged pursuits, struggled, and Habenec requested several breaks.
Finally, they reached the midpoint of the mountain, finding a small village.
“Ah…”
Annetsha gasped. Among the dilapidated buildings, several people with black hair were visible.
Rushing towards Annetsha, they expressed their shock.
“Wow!”
“The princess!”
“It’s the princess!”
“Everyone! You’re all alive!”
She cried, embracing them. Hearing the commotion, all the village’s demons gathered.
TaeSan counted them one by one.
‘About fifty.’
He vaguely recalled the number needed for a race to thrive being higher than fifty.
It seemed the demon race might perish here.
“Wow! The princess!”
“Artnechia! You’re here too!”
The village’s apparent leader, a demon, joyously approached Annetsha, who greeted him with a smile.
Despite their worn appearances, they were all joyful.
“Interesting.”
Watching them for a moment, TaeSan stomped his foot and walked away. Annetsha, smiling happily, pointed in the direction TaeSan had been.
“This person brought me here… Huh?”
She paused, confused.
No one was in the direction she pointed.
[Is this alright?] “It doesn’t seem like it will attack me, given it’s indifferent to demons.”
Since entering the mountain, TaeSan had felt a presence calling to him.
“Quite impatient.”
He had planned to finish talking and ensure safety before leaving, but the persistent summons forced him out.
TaeSan reached the mountain’s summit. There, a vast cave awaited, guarded by a golem.
Kugung…
A giant made of boulders looked down at TaeSan, who let out a breath of admiration.
“This is new.”
Strong.
Facing it directly, even with his current strength, victory was uncertain. Essentially, the inhabitants of this world were untouchable.
Kugung…
The golem stepped aside, allowing TaeSan entrance to the cave.
“Hmm.”
Inside was a dragon.
A magnificent being with golden scales and grand horns welcomed TaeSan.
Filling the cave, the dragon greeted him.
[Welcome, one who follows the Demon God’s will.] [You have encountered the Golden Dragon, Balveneires.]
