Dragonslayer’s Class Regression 71

Chapter 71

“Great dragon species?”

Zeke quickly turned around.

ROARRR!

A massive beast opened its jaws wide and tried to swallow Zeke.

CRASH!

Zeke swiftly dodged and drew out Bahamut, pointing the sword toward the massive beast.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

A huge vortex began swirling from Zeke’s sword.

Elemental Sword

Water Field

Wave Sword

A massive tsunami arose in the calm lake.

CRASH! CRASH! CRASH!

The sword’s wave energy swirled toward the massive beast.

ROARRR!

The beast’s roar echoed even underwater.

Zeke gripped his sword tighter and charged at the beast.

WHOOSH!

The surging Aura Blade cut through the beast’s hard scales.

SLASH!

Unknown to Zeke, the beast had never encountered an enemy capable of penetrating its scales before.

Experiencing pain for the first time, the beast’s eyes turned blood-red as it opened its jaws toward Zeke.

Then a massive water spray burst from its mouth.

CRASH! CRASH! CRASH!

The immense water pressure crushed down on Zeke’s body.

‘Ugh!’

Zeke gritted his teeth to withstand the tremendous pressure.

This was too disadvantageous for fighting.

Then he remembered something.

‘Hersion!’

Zeke immediately activated the Hersion he had taken from Cain.

CLANG!

The breastplate-shaped Hersion transformed into full plate armor covering Zeke’s entire body.

With the armor equipped, Zeke felt less affected by the water pressure.

Now able to move more freely, Zeke planted his feet on the riverbed and raised Bahamut, drawing up energy.

WHOOSH!

Strangely, when drawing up energy while wearing Hersion, much stronger power gathered at the sword’s tip.

The powerful aura raged like a storm.

Zeke pointed his sword at the beast.

Dragon Slaying Technique True Dragon Sword Form

Chapter 8 Verse 1

Dragon Scale Slash

A massive aura surged from Zeke’s sword.

The Aura Blade, rising over ten meters high, flashed with light and struck the charging beast.

SCREECH!

The beast hit directly by Zeke’s Dragon Scale Slash momentarily stopped moving.

Then the sword strike exploded.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

The beast howled and wailed in pain as its body was torn apart.

Zeke didn’t miss this opportunity.

He took his stance again.

WHOOSH!

Energy gathered in the sword once more.

A huge vortex arose around Bahamut.

Zeke aimed the sword tip at the beast’s nape.

He concentrated all his body’s strength into the sword tip.

Dragon Slaying Technique True Dragon Sword Form

Chapter 8 Verse 3

Dragon Scale Pierce

The massive energy enveloped Zeke’s sword and shot toward the beast as a powerful spear.

CRASH! CRASH! CRASH!

The giant spear made of Aura Blade pierced straight through the beast’s body.

THUD!

The beast barely managed to twist its body to avoid a vital spot, but the powerful energy tore through its scales and flesh.

The beast finally staggered backward.

Thinking he needed to finish it here, Zeke pursued the beast.

He used the Dragon’s Claw skill on the fleeing beast’s back.

SLASH!

The fierce dragon claws sliced the beast’s back.

Though the beast screamed while twisting its body, it didn’t stop fleeing.

Zeke used Wind Step to quickly chase the beast.

As soon as he got close, he thrust his sword into the beast’s neck.

CRUNCH!

After stabbing the beast’s neck with Aura, Zeke forced it down to the lake bottom.

THUD!

When the massive beast sank to the bottom, dirt sprayed up and obscured the surroundings.

Zeke secured his vision with Dragon Eye skill and intimidated the beast with Dragon’s Dignity.

Then a message appeared before Zeke’s eyes.

[You have induced fear in a Great dragon species corrupted by tainted energy.]

[Unique ability Dragon Race Domination activates.]

[Would you like to subjugate this dragon species?]

Zeke had previously subjugated a chimera created by the dark wizard Gurab as a summon.

‘Can I subjugate such a large beast too?.’

The beast Gaguk he caught recently wasn’t a dragon species, so he just gained skills through Gluttony.

Zeke contemplated whether to absorb the beast through Gluttony or subjugate it.

‘I’ll try subjugating it first, and if that doesn’t work, I can always devour it with Gluttony.’

Zeke responded affirmatively to the message that appeared.

WHOOSH!

Unlike with the chimera, a magic circle-like pattern appeared near Zeke’s diantan.

A magic circle of the same pattern spread around the beast’s body.

CRACKLE!

Sparks flew from the magic circle and the beast screamed as if in pain.

SCREECH!

But amazingly, the beast’s appearance was gradually changing.

‘What’s this?’

CRUNCH!

Like hardened clay peeling off, the black energy covering the beast’s body fell away.

SHIVER!

After shedding the black energy, it was no longer a beast but a dragon species with mystical energy.

Soon after the black energy completely peeled off, the magic circle began to shine.

RUMBLE!

Then the magic circle’s light penetrated into the dragon species.

A message soon appeared.

[The tainted energy that corrupted the great dragon species has been purified and its past divinity restored.]

[You have subdued a great dragon species.]

[Would you like to give a name to the subdued dragon species? Named dragon species can be summoned at any time at the power holder’s call.]

Zeke looked at the Great dragon species purified of tainted energy.

Earlier it was unmistakably a monster, but after being freed from the tainted energy, it had mysterious blue scales that shone in five colors.

After contemplating, Zeke gave the Great dragon species a name.

‘Nahuel.’

Zeke named it after the lake here, Nahuel.

Nahuel seemed to like its name as it raised its long neck and cried out.

Wooooo!

Unlike when it was a monster, it was a clear and mysterious cry.

[You have acquired Spirit Beast Nahuel.]

[Spirit Beast Nahuel can only be summoned where there is water.]

At the same time, Nahuel’s information appeared.

―Nahuel Information―

Description: Spirit beast containing auspicious water energy

Unique Ability: Can control water

Special Note: Was corrupted by evil energy just before growing into a divine beast. Can grow into a divine beast if certain conditions are met.

‘It can grow into a divine beast?’

However, the information about what conditions were needed didn’t appear.

Nahuel gracefully extended its head toward Zeke.

Unlike Gurab, it didn’t overtly show affection, but it looked quite dignified.

‘Is it telling me to ride on its back?’

As Zeke thought to himself, Nahuel nodded as if reading his thoughts.

Summoned beasts bound to their power owner could communicate through thoughts alone due to their soul connection.

Zeke climbed onto Nahuel’s back.

Then Nahuel rose quickly to the lake’s surface.

SWOOSH!

Nahuel emerged above the lake surface, cutting through the water.

Wooooooo!

The sun had risen, gently warming the lake with clear sunlight.

Zeke rode Nahuel toward the shore.

Upon reaching the shore, he stroked Nahuel’s neck scales.

“I’m counting on you from now on, Nahuel.”

Purrrr!

After letting out a long cry, Nahuel returned to the lake.

Unlike the chimera Gurab, Nahuel seemed to stay in this lake until summoned.

When Zeke climbed onto the shore, Felix stared at him with his mouth wide open.

“M-Master, what was that just now?”

Zeke replied with an unconcerned expression.

“It was a monster from the lake. When its curse was lifted, it changed like that.”

“What? The curse was lifted?”

“I don’t know exactly either. I’m hungry, prepare some food, Felix.”

Though still dazed, Felix followed Zeke’s words and started preparing food by making a fire.

Zeke sat at the campsite examining the golden mask retrieved from the bottom of the lake.

“Hmm. The engraving above the forehead is similar to the Holy Kingdom’s emblem.”

While different in shape and form from Felix’s Holy Kingdom emblem, the basic format was the same.

As Zeke handled the mask, he recalled how the Terakan Draker’s relic had responded to mana before.

He lightly infused mana into the mask.

Woong!

Surprisingly, it responded to mana this time as well.

He tried putting more mana into the mask.

At the same time, a message appeared.

[You have acquired ???’s mask.]

[Would you like to register as the mask’s user?]

A window similar to when he acquired Cain’s Hersion appeared.

‘This one is marked with question marks too.’

According to Gelion, the Hersion that Cain had was made before the Golden Age.

This mask could be from a similar era.

With various questions in mind, Zeke registered himself as the mask’s user.

Then message windows appeared one after another.

[You have been registered as the mask’s user.]

[Would you like to activate the mask’s functions?]

Though the mask’s functions weren’t explained, Zeke decided to activate them anyway.

‘What is this? Is it like Hersion?’

Just as Zeke chose to activate it, suddenly light began pouring out from the mask.

‘What, what is this?’

Like when first discovered at the bottom of the lake, the mask emitted powerful light.

At the same time, the mask spread out with a swoosh and automatically wrapped around Zeke’s face.

‘What, what is this?!’

Then another message window appeared.

[???’s mask functions are being activated.]

[Linking with Intermediate Administrator System and functions.]

[Confirming class Immortal.]

[Skill ‘Purification’ is activated.]

[Skill ‘Purification’ combines with Immortal class to transform into unique class exclusive skill ‘Great Purification’.]

[‘Great Purification’ function links with user’s skill wide-range buff.]

[Determining range of Great Purification.]

[Proceeding with purification of evil energy corrupting the land.]

Zeke was surprised by the messages that appeared.

‘Unique class exclusive skill?’

Woong!

Tremendous golden light burst from Zeke’s body wearing the mask.

“Gasp!”

Felix, who was preparing food, was startled to see Zeke wearing the golden mask enveloped in golden light.

And at that moment, the golden light emanating from Zeke’s body began to spread out like waves in all directions.

SWOOSH!

The first thing the golden light from Zeke’s body touched was the thickly grown thorny vines.

The black dust that had been clinging heavily fell away with a soft sound, and the thorny vines began to transform into beautiful rose vines.

“Good heavens.”

Both Felix and Zeke stared blankly at the sight.

As the golden waves slowly spread, the area where the thorny vines had been changed into a rose garden, and simultaneously the grotesquely twisted trees also transformed into beautiful garden trees.

SWOOSH!

The black lake water became clear, and the barren ground also changed into land overflowing with vitality as green sprouts began to emerge.

The spreading golden waves touched the castle.

At the same time, a new message window appeared.

[Accessing ???’s management system.]

[Converting ???’s mode.]

[Disabling emergency defense mode.]

RUMBLE!

The castle was literally changing.

The castle walls moved, the towers making up the castle changed positions, and as the crouched castle completely unfolded, it transformed into a magnificent and classical appearance unlike before.

“M-master… th-the c-castle…”

Felix couldn’t finish his words, wearing an expression of disbelief at seeing the gloomy ghost castle transform into a castle with a beautiful rose garden.

The golden waves didn’t stop there but spread further, transforming the entire hill where the castle stood.

The desolate hill changed into a garden full of roses and beautiful trees.

[Purification complete.]

SWOOSH!

The golden mask was released from Zeke’s face and returned to its original form.

Zeke looked at the golden mask with fresh eyes.

‘What exactly is this thing?’

That’s when it happened.

Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!

Something was approaching at an incredibly fast speed.

People on horseback were rushing toward Zeke.

Felix drew his sword in panic and took a defensive stance.

Then Zeke stopped Felix.

“Calm down, Felix. They’re not enemies.”

Whoosh!

Those sitting atop the massive horses dismounted and walked toward Zeke and Felix.

They were large in build and had impressive physiques, all wearing old noble attire.

What was surprising was that they were all elderly men with white hair, which didn’t match their large builds.

One of them approached Zeke and shouted.

“The prophecy has been fulfilled! The child with black eyes has restored the family to its original state!”

The other elderly men also shouted following the man’s words.

“The child with black eyes!”

“The family’s savior!”

Felix spoke to Zeke while looking at the suddenly appeared elderly men.

“M-master. Who are these people?”

Then Zeke said to Felix.

“Didn’t we greet them earlier?”

Felix asked back in surprise.

“What? Could it be those ghosts from before?”

“They weren’t ghosts, but were in a state where their illness had worsened due to a curse. Now that the curse is lifted, they’ve returned to their original form.”

The elderly man at the front approached Zeke and knelt on one knee.

At the same time, the other elderly men also knelt.

“I, Rufus Agamemnon, head of the Agamemnon family, offer thanks to the family’s savior!”

“We offer our thanks!”

The other elderly men also expressed their gratitude in resonant voices.

After a moment, Rufus Agamemnon rose and approached Zeke.

Then, placing his pot lid-like hand on Zeke’s shoulder, he said.

“Zeke Draker! My grandson with black eyes! You have broken the family’s curse and saved us!”

Footnote:

1)The key phrase “솥뚜껑 같은” (sot-ddukkeong gateun) literally means “like a pot lid” and is a metaphor likely to suggests the hand is large, round, and possibly heavy – pot lids in traditional Korean cooking are often substantial in size.