novelraw Chapter 75: Dragon of Light and Darkness (3)
Chapter 75: Dragon of Light and Darkness (3)
Translator: Dreamscribe
Sunlight shone through the broken ceiling of the temple. The galaxy that was once visible on the temple floor had vanished, and the interior, which once seemed like staring into the abyss, gradually began to fade.
The seemingly endless universe, the dreadful abyss, appeared to be vanishing in the light of Arsilan.
The cheek of the black Helby, who had risen from the ground, was darkened. When she touched it with her hand, it was immediately restored.
Creak!
The black Helby turned her head and adjusted her dislocated neck bones.
Helby watched the black Helby, loosened up her body as if warming up, and then extended her hand. She raised her index finger and beckoned.
It was a signal to come at her.
Was her pride hurt?
The black Helby's expression twisted with wickedness. Black magic power exploded from behind her and shook the surroundings. At the same time, she flew toward Helby at an incredible speed. Helby also kicked off the floor and shot toward her like an arrow.
The guardian dragon radiating bright light and the dragon of greed cloaked in black currents collided at the center of the temple.
Kwaaah!
The impact alone sent the temple floor soaring toward the sky, and cracks began to form in the pillars that supported the temple. Of course, the clash didn’t end there.
When Helby drove her fist into the black Helby’s abdomen, a shockwave burst out and swept the surroundings. The black Helby, pushed back far, braced herself by digging her feet into the ground and then vanished from that spot, reappearing next to Helby.
Kwaaah!
Helby raised her arm and blocked the incoming punch from the side. Her figure floated up and was thrown sideways. Helby rotated her body mid-air and landed on the ground.
[Playtime is over.]
Red magic circles rose around black Helby. As they multiplied one by one, their number reached into the hundreds. It was as if wings had sprouted from black Helby, taking over the space behind her.
The heroes watching the scene with blank expressions gulped. The reaction of the mage heroes turned to shock.
“Th-the smallest magic circle looks like at least C-rank...”
“She’s insane.”
At minimum, they were C-rank.
The rest were beyond what the heroes could even calculate. The mere appearance of the magic circles was causing space to distort from the condensed magic power.
Staging.
The heroes could not believe the battle unfolding before their eyes was some kind of event performance. A truly tremendous fight was happening right in front of them.
[Be gone!]
Helby glanced behind her.
She let out a smirk at the blank expressions of the heroes. Seeing those stupid faces genuinely lifted her mood. She shook off the last remaining attachments in her heart and faced forward.
Enormous spells activated from the red magic circles. They rained down upon Helby and the heroes, dominating the front and destroying the temple and everything around it.
Helby raised one hand and unfurled a massive barrier.
Kwagagagak!
The barrage of magic struck the barrier directly. The massive explosions blew away what little remained of the temple and flattened the mountaintop into a smooth plain. The heroes were left speechless by the overwhelming result.
The aura of the dragon imbued with darkness grew even more ferocious. The light that blessed Arsilan did not reach that black dragon. It rejected everything except the starlight and authority it possessed.
It only took what it wanted and ignored all else. An overwhelmingly greedy existence, the image of a magic dragon that pursued only its own path. Even as the number of its treasures grew and its size increased, it would never change, even if eons passed.
Helby, who stood in front of the heroes as if to protect them, was now different from that magic dragon. Helby turned her head and looked at the heroes.
"I shall send you all down below."
Helby's words were clearly heard by every single hero.
The heroes’ expressions were filled with worry.
Eyes full of concern for her, faces that looked like they were about to cry, expressions of desperation.
Hundreds of thousands of heroes were genuinely worried about her.
Helby’s eyes trembled slightly.
She let out a long breath and closed her eyes. The Dragon Heart, which had always been calm, began to beat violently. It was as if her frozen heart had melted and fresh blood was flowing through it again.
When Helby opened her eyes once more, she smiled brightly at the heroes for the first time. She no longer looked fierce, nor did she appear curt like always. It was a smile filled only with joy.
“Don’t worry. Haven’t you all overcome your pasts too?”
At Helby’s words, the expressions of the heroes were moved with emotion.
“Trust in your guardian dragon.”
As Helby reached out her hand, the heroes behind her were teleported to the base of the mountain.
Hundreds of thousands of heroes looked up at the mountain where Helby stood. The newly arrived heroes also stopped in their tracks and stared blankly at the mountain.
The space of tribulation was collapsing. The massive clash occurring inside was tearing the space apart beyond its limits.
It was an overwhelming sight.
Light and darkness clashed in midair, tracing a long arc toward each other.
Kugugugung!
As a result, the mountain peak was shattered. When the light repelled the darkness, the darkness struck the mountain and created a giant hole. The light, suspended in the sky, fell toward the mountain.
Like a comet following a trail of light, it flew straight toward the darkness embedded in the ground. A straight line was drawn across the holed mountain. That line crossing the mountain burst into a bright flash of light.
The mountain, once towering as if piercing the sky, crumbled like a sandcastle.
“Wow...”
“This is insane.”
The mountain collapsed, the land surged, and the clouds scattered from the shockwave. The heroes were witnessing a true mythological battle. It was a terrifying yet fantastical sight that could never be seen on Earth.
The heroes felt as if a wall in their minds had shattered. The wall of common sense that was natural on Earth crumbled here just like that mountain.
In the sky, light and darkness continued to collide. The aftershocks spread to the ground and reached even the heroes.
Someday, could we also fight like that?
That thought began to bloom among the heroes.
Kwaang!
Darkness struck light hard in the air. The light fell to the ground and landed in front of the heroes. Just before hitting the ground, its speed slowed and it gently descended.
Helby, now on the ground, lifted her head and looked up.
That darkness floating in Arsilan’s blue sky appeared only as a small dot.
[I am the magic dragon! All that power belongs to me!]
The dragon of darkness, the magic dragon, looked down arrogantly and declared. But in the ears of the heroes, that cry sounded unbearably desperate.
Black currents erupted from the magic dragon’s body and began to devour the sky. The blue sky turned black, and starlight emerged. It was as if the sky had split open to reveal the distant universe.
From within it, the massive magic dragon emerged.
Born from the abyss, the magic dragon embracing starlight.
It had revealed its true form, cutting through the sky.
[You are nothing but a fallen dragon who has abandoned your true self.]
Behold!
The magic dragon spread itself as if to boast its form.
Its massive wings summoned storms with a single flap, and its sharp claws held the power to pierce through anything. Its scales, born of the stars, were so tough that even powerful magic could barely affect them. And the heart of the magic dragon contained mighty starlight.
That is why it was the great magic dragon.
It was the worst adversary, one even the goddess Ella could not withstand.
[The great war is approaching. You cannot escape destruction. So before that, I shall destroy you all myself!]
A stream of starlight began to form in the magic dragon’s mouth. It was an overwhelming force enough to wipe out Helby, the heroes, and the entire region.
Helby watched the sight for a moment, then opened her lips.
“I want to see the festival.”
Helby looked at the heroes.
“Is that summer festival really that fun?”
At Helby’s question, the heroes either nodded or answered enthusiastically. No matter what approached, if they endured and overcame it, joy would be waiting at the end. That alone made it worth risking their lives.
“In that case, let’s have fun together.”
Let’s go beyond the Great War and enjoy Arsilan Saga together!
Helby’s body transformed into light.
[The guardian dragon wishes for a body that will become Arsilan's roof. Will you lend your health?]
“Of course!”
“Take it all!”
The heroes shouted in cheer.
Their Health drained away and infused into Helby. Along with the halo of light, she grew as large as the magic dragon.
[The Guardian Dragon seeks scales to protect Arsilan. Will you lend your Magic Power?]
“I have tons of Magic Power!”
“Take it!”
“Yes!”
The heroes shouted loudly once more. Within those cries, there was clear joy. Though that magic dragon floating in the sky was displaying incredible power, the heroes were unfazed.
Beautiful scales formed on Helby’s body made of light. Scales shimmering with various colors, as if symbolizing the unpredictable potential of the heroes.
[The Guardian Dragon seeks sharp claws to crush Arsilan’s enemies. Will you lend the weapons that you have used to create big achievements?]
The heroes’ responses grew louder. The weapons in their hands naturally pointed upward.
“My +6 weapon has pierced the heavens!”
“I took down the Lord of Erosion a hundred times with this!”
“Behold the first-ever D-rank weapon in Arsilan Saga!”
A sudden bit of boasting time unfolded, but within those shouts was a sincere desire for the Guardian Dragon to grow even stronger. Razor-sharp claws, sharp enough to split even starlight, emerged.
[Lastly, the Guardian Dragon seeks a heart to move into the future. Will you lend your Willpower?]
Wuaaahhh!
Cheers mixed with shouts of agreement echoed out from the heroes.
As the guardian dragon's dragon heart was created, it revealed an appearance contrasting with the magic dragon. The dragon born from the abyss and embracing starlight could now create and spread brilliant starlight on its own.
A dragon that created light for the heroes and Arsilan.
That great being was our Guardian Dragon.
[Your Guardian Dragon has descended upon this land in its complete form! The stronger you grow, the stronger your Guardian Dragon shall become.]
The Guardian Dragon had shed much of its power through the Path of Penance. The heroes filled that emptiness and completed the Guardian Dragon’s form.
The Guardian Dragon spread its wings and looked up at the sky. If the magic dragon bore starlight within darkness, then the Guardian Dragon’s starlight was a radiant galaxy itself. The two breaths fired at each other simultaneously.
Kwaaaah!
The breaths collided in the sky and burst with a blinding flash. The magic dragon desperately concentrated all of its power into its breath. Though enormous power was continuously added, the Guardian Dragon’s breath did not falter.
It endured the massive force pressing down with enough might to incinerate the earth.
“Go!”
“Uwaaah!”
“You can do it!”
The heroes’ cheers echoed out.
The Guardian Dragon gripped the earth and opened its mouth even wider.
Kwagagagak!
The Guardian Dragon’s breath grew larger and surged toward the magic dragon. Such power was added that even the Guardian Dragon’s body was pushed slightly backward.
It erased everything the magic dragon had released and swept across the magic dragon’s body. And it didn’t stop there, but extended even further upward into the sky.
As the breath disappeared, the torn and battered figure of the magic dragon was revealed. The magic dragon’s body began to fall to the ground and slowly dissolve.
Thud!
The magic dragon fell before the Guardian Dragon. Its once-mighty form was gone, and it returned to the appearance of a girl. The Guardian Dragon also reverted itself to human form.
The black Helby staggered as she tried to rise.
She was slowly vanishing from the tips of her toes.
[Do you truly believe there is hope in this land?]
The black Helby raised her hand and pointed to the edge of the boundary.
The form that began to emerge at the boundary was creating a massive gate. It reached toward the sky and was wide enough to swallow an entire city. Though it appeared faint and distant, it was clearly beginning to reveal its presence more and more.
“Of course.”
Helby pointed behind her with a finger. Countless heroes were standing their ground, and many more were flocking through the Flower of the Heroes. The black Helby looked at the heroes. Then, she shook her head with a small laugh.
[To think those stupid fools look like treasures now...]
“I won’t give this up.”
The black Helby looked up to the sky and closed her eyes.
[You're even greedier than a magic dragon... I, too, shall remain and watch over this land.]
The black Helby's body turned to ash and fell to the ground. Her expression was peaceful. A small smile lingered on her lips before she vanished completely. The last remaining horn dropped to the ground and sank into the earth.
From that spot, a black flower grew.
The inside of the black petals shimmered like starlight. The flower spread across the surrounding area, sprinkling a soft starlight.
[A] Starlight Flower of the Magic Dragon
Starlight held by the magic dragon fell and became a flower. The magic dragon’s will resides with this flower and will watch over the future of this land.
The petals of this flower possess the property of detecting the flow of magic power and granting levitation. It is an extremely rare material that simultaneously contains wind, light, and darkness attributes. Advanced skills are required to fully harvest it.
The heroes marveled at the beautiful flower.
The heroes who had learned alchemy were shocked and excited, it was their first time seeing an A-rank material. The mages were the same.
“Helby-nim!”
“Huooooh!”
The Helby Lovers Group were the first to run to Helby. They knelt before her and wept loudly. Hellhound offered a coffee cup with both hands while shedding tears.
“Straw.”
“Here it is!”
A member of the Helby Lovers Group standing beside them stuck a premium straw into the coffee cup. At that sight, the heroes burst into laughter. Seeing that familiar, everyday scene again made them feel at ease and smile instinctively.
[Quest ‘One who seeks to move forward’ has been completed!]
[You have proven yourself capable of moving forward through the Path of Penance!]
[2nd class advancement is now available!]
*Wearing the Crown of Thorns of Penance allows entry into the Path of Penance.
*If you pass through the entire Path of Penance, you earn qualification for the 2nd Class Advancement Exam. The examiner for the 2nd Class Advancement will appear in Solis, capital of the Kingdom of Sillion.
*You must be at least level 60 to attempt the 2nd Class Advancement. It is an extremely difficult exam, but you are capable of overcoming it.
“Waaaaah!”
“Episode 2 is insane! The content is endless."
“2nd Class Advancement?!”
The heroes cheered in joy.
The Creator God had said Episode 2 would be ten times more fun. The heroes had thought it was an exaggeration, but now they couldn’t help but admit it.
“Long live the Guardian Dragon!”
“Uwaaah! Helby-nim is precious!”
As the heroes began praising Helby, she puffed up proudly. Helby turned her head and looked to the side. A figure in a tattered robe, an Archmage, stood there. The only one who could withstand her attack was the Archmage.
The mountain collapsing and the devastation of the area was not illusion magic, it had truly happened.
[You’ve gotten a lot stronger than before, huh? Magic alone won’t be enough now.]
As the Archmage sent those words with a thumbs-up, Helby let out a small chuckle and turned her head away.
'Acting....'
Not all of it could be called acting.
She had escaped from being a magic dragon and become a guardian dragon emitting light. As if shedding her past shell and molting, she had been newly born.
She could now feel the souls of heroes and read their hearts. Remembering the lines she had spoken here and there made her ears redden, but she did her best to ignore it.
“Hmph, I suppose I should head back.”
Helby gave a soft laugh and returned with the heroes to the place where she belonged.
*****
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