Defeating the World with the Power of One Dragon!

Chapter 16: Alchemical Artifacts

Not long after, the Ser Wilderness experienced a rare rainfall, with dark clouds blanketing the sky and lightning dancing like silver snakes amidst them.

A thunderclap suddenly roared, deafening in its intensity as torrential rain poured down and fierce winds howled, submerging the Ser Wilderness in a thick curtain of rain.

The red iron young dragon stood atop the highest hill in the downpour, rainwater continuously sliding off his scales.

Whoosh!

Lightning abruptly streaked across the night sky, illuminating the gloomy rain curtain for an instant—and with uncanny precision, it struck toward the young dragon standing atop the hill.

Natural lightning moves incredibly fast.

At his current reaction speed, the young dragon had no chance to predict or dodge it.

However, Garoth had no intention of dodging.

In fact, he had deliberately attracted this lightning.

The silver serpent-like bolt descended from the heavens, coming perilously close—just inches away from Garoth—before striking the ground before him. More accurately, it struck the dark gold tail ring placed there.The lightning lasted only an instant.

When it dissipated, the night sky darkened once more.

Yet the surface of the dark gold tail ring now crackled with tiny, snake-like arcs of electricity as the engraved runes both inside and outside gradually lit up.

Sensing the scorching tension in the air,

Garoth felt tempted to try wearing the tail ring and guiding lightning to strike himself directly.

It would definitely hurt like hell but feel amazing... he mused.

"Better not push my luck."

Shaking his head, Garoth suppressed the impulse.

The power of natural lightning was equivalent to high-tier spells. Without having enhanced his lightning resistance, taking a direct hit wouldn't kill a creature of his draconic physique, but it would certainly leave him seriously injured.

He took several steps back, standing in the rain as he quietly observed the tail ring.

Time passed slowly, with lightning occasionally striking down—each bolt precisely hitting the dark gold tail ring.

After seven consecutive strikes, all the tiny runes on the ring fully activated. The entire ring even levitated slightly, humming and vibrating as it emitted blinding electrical discharges through the rain curtain.

This tail ring gifted by the Iron Dragon Mother

wasn't merely decorative—it was also an alchemical artifact.

Alchemy on planet Bernardo was highly advanced, producing numerous and exceptionally crafted alchemical artifacts.

Unlike conventional magical items, alchemical artifacts could often be used even by those without magical abilities—though they required specific energy replenishment methods.

Spellcasters, warriors, knights, priests, druids... regardless of their profession, any intelligent being with sufficient funds and connections would arm themselves with alchemical artifacts to expand their capabilities.

As apex magical creatures, dragons originally disdained using alchemical artifacts.

But as the era progressed, the planet's alchemical artifacts became increasingly sophisticated and powerful. Even armies lacking top-tier individuals could pose threats to mighty dragons when sufficiently equipped with these artifacts.

Reluctantly,

dragons adapted to the times, using alchemical artifacts despite their initial resistance.

Given their innate status as supreme magical beings—with resilient spirits and abundant magical energy—dragons could wield numerous alchemical artifacts with remarkable ease.

Within just a few years, dragons completely reversed their stance, going from reluctance to enthusiastic acceptance.

Dragons armed with extensive alchemical artifacts became individually formidable.

Various nations even issued explicit prohibitions against trading alchemical artifacts to dragons.

But dragons knew how to seize what they wanted through cunning or force. Being highly intelligent creatures, some even became alchemists themselves. Moreover, when the profits were tempting enough, there were always those willing to take risks and trade with dragons.

Thus, alchemical artifacts gradually became prevalent among dragonkind.

The dark gold tail ring gifted by the Iron Dragon Mother had been taken from another dragon. It could absorb and store natural lightning, then—with minimal magical energy and mental guidance—cast the spell Lightning Enchantment.

When activating Lightning Enchantment,

harmless lightning energy would coat the user's limbs, stimulating muscles to enhance strength and speed while adding paralyzing and scorching effects to attacks.

"It's fully charged now. Time to test it out."

Garoth hooked the tail ring with his tail and put it on.

Lightning Enchantment!

Zzzzt! Countless silvery arcs erupted from the ring, instantly weaving into a dense network of electricity across Garoth's tail, crackling incessantly.

Unlike other dragons,

Garoth's purpose for using alchemical artifacts wasn't primarily self-enhancement.

Rather—he used them to train himself.

Taking a deep breath, Garoth prepared before suddenly raising his tail high and violently whipping it down.

Whack!

The lightning-coated tail struck his own back, sending both dragon scales and electric sparks flying in all directions. The current infiltrated every crevice between his scales.

Needle-like pain and paralyzing spasms erupted internally as his muscles convulsed, making his back arch repeatedly.

"That's the good stuff! Exactly what I wanted."

Far from being alarmed, Garoth felt exhilarated.

Growing even more excited, he repeatedly struck himself with the lightning-enchanted tail.

By acclimating to various alchemical attacks and building resistances, he'd stand better prepared against potential sieges or hunts in the future.

Down in the ironwood forest below the hill,

"Does our Dragon Lord suffer from some mental illness?"

Mobel stared wide-eyed at Garoth's 'self-mutilation.'

Meanwhile,

as Garoth immersed himself in training,

his younger sister Samantha the red dragon dragged her half-crippled right wing through the muddy wilderness, her draconic face filled with bewilderment and misery.

Grrr... The sudden growl from her stomach sounded louder than thunder to Samantha.

"So hungry..."

The young dragon clutched her belly before plopping down into the mud.

The stormy weather already made her miserable, and now the gnawing hunger became unbearable. Remembering all the hardships she'd endured recently, Samantha felt like bursting into tears.

When she first left their territory,

Samantha had been brimming with ambition, eager to announce her arrival to the world.

She soon discovered a goblin tribe.

Goblins—much like kobolds and gnolls—were creatures that often sought to serve dragons, making them common minions for young evil dragons.

Samantha landed ostentatiously before the goblin tribe, demanding their complete submission and servitude.

She expected the goblins to immediately grovel and lick her claws upon witnessing her majestic draconic presence.

Instead,

the goblins pretended obedience first, only to attack once they learned Samantha was a lone young dragon exiled by her dragon mother.

Furious at being challenged by numerous fearless goblins, Samantha prepared to crush these insignificant creatures.

Then,

one such 'insignificant creature'—the goblin chieftain—charged at her piloting a crude but massive steel contraption.

Shocked, Samantha spat out some threats before turning tail and fleeing.

Thanks to years of oppression under Garoth,

she knew when to retreat and barely escaped with her life.

While goblins did enjoy serving dragons, Samantha failed to understand one crucial condition—they only followed strong dragons.

A lone young dragon exiled by its mother?

Please—she was just premium alchemical ingredients delivered straight to their doorstep.

Not long after the goblin incident,

while passing near a mine, Samantha circled curiously in the sky for a while—only to be spotted and attacked by the stationed military forces.

She reacted quickly and fled.

Yet one rune-engraved crossbow bolt still pierced her wing after traveling nearly a kilometer.

In the following days, with her wing severely injured and slow to heal, hunting became increasingly difficult. When starvation peaked, Samantha even resorted to eating dirt and tree bark to fill her stomach.