Volume 1 Chapter 67 The Unchosen One
Everyone looked up at Allen, who had transformed into a dragon, resembling a guardian of the key.
"What...what is this? What's happening?"
"He became a dragon..."
Fiione, the thief, stared at the massive creature with a mix of astonishment and fear. Dorothea, the magician, stood frozen in terror, her body trembling.
Outside, screams of panic filled the streets as people saw the sudden appearance of the dragon and scrambled to escape.
"Oh no...Trasverum is finished!"
Dolthos shouted, joining the others in running away.
"Ark-sama... what's happening?"
Fatina whispered, her gaze fixed on Allen, now transformed into the dragon. This must be the original form of the key guardian.
"Just like the guardians we fought in the Emerald Green Dungeon."
"I can't believe the key itself has the power to create guardians..."
Even Mel looked serious as she watched the dragon.
"I'm sorry, I didn't expect it to turn out like this."
"No... please don't apologize. Even if it was me who had to make that choice, I would have done the same thing."
But the responsibility for causing this situation lies with me, for handing over the key.
It was an unexpected turn of events, but now that it has happened, I have to find a way before the damage spreads.
I activated 'Insanity' earlier, but it doesn't seem to be having any effect. Maybe because our stats aren't that different, or perhaps he has some kind of resistance like the wraiths.
"N-No... please... help..."
At that moment, a familiar voice came from beneath the dragon's feet.
When I looked, Leanne was lying face down on the ground, reaching out for help, as if she would be crushed if she moved even a little.
"I'll help you now!"
Fatina runs towards the fallen Leanne.
But right after, the large head of a dragon suddenly changes direction and its blue gem-like eyes glare at us.
'──Finally, my body is getting used to this.'
As a fierce jaw opens towards us, a light blue glow fills its depths.
──Instinctively, my body moves to defend against it.
"(Death)!"
I step in between the two and raise my right hand to ward off the light blue wave unleashed from the dragon's mouth, activating Instant Death Magic.
At the point where (Death)'s pitch-black and the dragon's emitted wave collide, a barrier formed by black miasma is generated.
This is the effect of the ability I obtained by defeating the Lich, called 'Miasma Wave'.
"A-Ark..."
"Fatina, take Leanne away now."
"Yes!"
Fatina picked up Leanne with both hands and took her to where Ellis and the others were.
After defending the attack, I checked my own status.
When I checked the magic power value, it showed 'MP: 14000/15000'.
It seemed that I had used up magic power equal to the amount I had defended with the effect of 'Miasma Wave'.
The conversion rate of magic power consumption and attack is unknown, but I had used up a whopping 1000 magic power all at once.
Since the [Instant Death Magic] skill itself is meant to defeat the opponent, its efficiency might be worse compared to the priest's (Protection). Maybe I wouldn't be able to use it many times.
'Your power, something is definitely strange about you... but now, I'm the one with the upper hand!'
After stopping the release of the wave, Allen, now covered in thick scales, swung his long tail and delivered a sweeping blow.
I jump up to avoid the approaching tail.
The tail crashed into the buildings lining the alley, effortlessly shattering them into pieces. The resulting dust enveloped the field of vision in white.
"Allen, if you insist on fighting, I'll be your opponent."
'You think you can be my opponent? Kukuku... You say interesting things.'
Allen turned his massive body towards me, squinting his shining eyes in the midst of the white smoke.
'This power transcends the concepts of Level Cap and skills. Now, I understand. This is the answer I've been seeking. I am worthy of becoming the king of this world, chosen by God.'
Allen roared again, as if in jubilation.
'No one can stop me anymore. As a demonstration, I will destroy this city completely.'
"Allen... How could..."
Ellis muttered towards the completely transformed Allen. However, Allen only responded with a growl.
I draw the mithril sword hanging from my waist as I confront Allen.
I don't understand why he would go to such lengths to become a superior being. The only thing I'm certain of is that there is no room for persuasion anymore.
"What is this... Why is an Elder-class dragon appearing in the middle of the city!?"
A bewildered voice came from above.
The owner of the voice was Iria, a knight of the kingdom riding her own dragon. It seemed like she had come rushing here after being freed from the ability called 'Insanity'.
Allen moves his large blue eyes and shifts his gaze towards Iria.
Compared to each other, the dragon that Iria rides looks like a child.
'Hmph, knights of the kingdom... I no longer need to flatter yourselves or the king. With this power, I can easily destroy Cretia.'
"What did you say!? Who are you──"
'Iria! Please run away! That dragon is the adventurer Allen!'
"Princess! I'm coming your way now──!?"
Allen breathed out a purple breath towards Iria, who was in the air. It seemed like the dragon's ability was spreading something like poison.
Iria skillfully dodged it while aiming her bow and shooting an arrow towards the dragon's head.
The black arrow pierced through the tough scales on his head, but it didn't go all the way through.
"Oh no! Then...target him, Lulue!"
The dragon's mouth opened, and a shining ball of light began to form. When the light ball grew bigger, countless waves of light were released in a curved path towards Allen.
But just when it seemed like the waves would hit Allen, a blue shimmering barrier blocked their path and deflected them all.
"Magic defense!"
'Hahaha! I used to struggle when facing dragons, but it's so convenient when you're the one using it.'
Allen spread his wings wide again and flapped them, mocking us.
If he can use magic defense, it means he might have powers similar to the guardians.
"Haa!"
In the next moment, Fatina seizes the opportunity and unleashes a sword slash. It was originally Allen's own Sword Skill.
The slash flies towards the dragon's foreleg and disintegrates as soon as it hits.
"Huh?!"
'I can't believe you can mimic my Sword Skill (Sonic Blade) just by seeing it once... But even if you're Level Cap 100, you are powerless against this strength!'
Allen swings his foreleg. The pure white dragon claw glimmers and approaches Fatina.
"(Death)!"
I cast a barrier of miasma and the dragon claw stops right in front of Fatina before it can hit her.
However, due to the magic defense, the "Death" spell doesn't directly hit its target, and it only ends up receiving Allen's attack.
'Was it [Instant Death Magic]? That alone won't be enough to stop me! How about this!'
Hundreds of icy spears formed around Allen's wings and were shot towards the ground.
The range of falling spears included Fiione and the others. It seemed like Allen didn't even care if he hit his former party members with his attacks.
"Oh no! Is he planning to involve us too!?"
"Everyone, hold on! Light, become a shield to protect── (Protection)!!"
Mel cast the Protection magic on everyone present.
Fiione dodged the incoming spears, Ellis blocked them with a large shield, and Fatina stood in front of Mel and Leanne, deflecting them with her sword.
"Princess!"
Iria flew around nearby, using dragon magic to defend Mel.
"...Flames, become a swirling inferno── (Firestorm)"
Amidst this, a swirling vortex of flames appeared right in front of us, accompanied by Dorothea's incantation. The raging flames formed a barrier, preventing the ice spears from reaching us.
'Hahaha! This body is filled with magic power! I wonder how long it will last! ────Rrrroaaaarrr!'
Allen, who used to speak like a person, suddenly started roaring like a monster.
"A-Allen!? What's happening...?"
"Maybe, he's being taken over by the power of the key."
"No way..."
Mel explained to the shocked Ellis. If that's the case, has Allen already become the guardian of the key?
"Please... please help Allen."
Ellis whispered to me.
I don't know what that means.
All I know is that I have to defeat Allen here.
I kicked the ground and ran with all my might.
Did he sense my approach? But Allen stood up on his hind legs.
At that moment, I saw the Aquaflow Key shining blue at the heart of the dragon's belly.
'Grrroooaarrr!!'
I jump high in the air to dodge the water waves released once again from the dragon's mouth, but a spear of ice flew towards me as if in response.
I swiftly cut it with my sword, destroying it into tiny pieces.
"Oblivion, devour everything and return to nothingness── (Ruin)"
Right before (Ruin) was activated, I threw a pitch-black mithril sword towards the key.
The sword was blocked by a magic defense barrier right before hitting its target. And from there, the figure of the Grim Reaper emerged.
It was the activation of the Destruction attribute's Instant Death Magic── (Ruin).
'Grrrrrraaaaahhh!'
As the scythe swung towards the key, Allen──no, the Guardian of Aquaflow──immediately began to struggle in agony.
'No... This magic... My magic defense... My power is fading away──'
"Allen, don't take any more from me."
Sparks scattered as the blade gradually sank into the barrier.
"No way... this power should be the strongest── I was chosen──"
In the next moment, the barrier shattered with a sound like breaking glass, and at the same time, the tip of the sickle collided with the Aquaflow Key.
'────'
Suddenly, the guardian let out a voiceless scream and emitted light from their entire body.
A blinding flash enveloped the surroundings.
"Ugh... Ark-sama! What is this...!"
Everyone present instinctively covered their faces with their arms.
After the light slowly subsided, Allen was the only one lying unconscious on the ground.
"The dragon... disappeared...?"
"Ugh..."
"Allen!"
Ellis rushed to Allen's side.
Allen's body was barely moving. It seemed that he had not become a target of the Ruin or Instant Death Magic spell.
Eventually, slowly from the sky, the Aquaflow Key fell and stopped right in front of me. I waved my hand and collected the key.
"...It's over, isn't it?"
Fatina and Mel came closer, looking around. The surrounding buildings were destroyed and in a terrible state due to the aftermath of the battle.
"Oh..."
As the buildings crumbled, near the pile of rubble where the visibility had greatly improved, Fiione and Dorothea stood frozen in shock.
And when I saw Leanne sitting down and hunched over,
"I...wasn't chosen, after all..."
A faint whisper, filled with intense regret, could be heard.
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