NOVEL NEXT chapter 111
111 – The Greed Raid (5)
In games, novels, and comic books, there’s always a recurring repertoire.
“The devil is vulnerable to ‘holy power.'”
“The hero and the ‘childhood friend’ cannot be together.”
“The Demon King takes double damage from the ‘sacred sword.'” And so on.
…There might be something odd mixed in, but anyway.
The crux of this ever-present repertoire is that even the mightiest foes have a ‘weakness.’
And this repertoire applies even to the apex predator and strongest species, the dragon.
Moreover, unlike other formidable foes that possess only one weakness, dragons have not one, but two.
The first weakness is the ‘reverse scale.’
From the moment they are born, dragons possess not only immense power but also scales harder than steel.
And as time passes, their strength only increases, eventually allowing them to effortlessly deflect blades that would laughably slice through steel.
Yet, whether it’s a curse from the gods or a consideration for other races, there is one scale among the countless that cover a dragon’s body.
Just one.
One single scale is turned the wrong way.
And unlike the sturdy scales, this one is exceedingly fragile.
Even if it’s not a blade wrapped in a sword aura.
Even if it’s not a holy sword, but a regular steel sword.
The moment one strikes that reverse scale with precision.
No matter how blessed by the gods one might be as the strongest species, with a stroke of luck, it could lead to a fatal wound; typically, it results in instant death.
Of course, if one is overwhelmingly stronger than the dragon, then the reverse scale and all that—there’s no need to worry about such things.
But if you want to kill a dragon but lack the ability, you must meet three conditions.
Those are simply:
The courage and audacity to approach the dragon.
The stamina and agility to survive against the dragon.
The tenacity and focus to count the scales that cover the dragon.
But what if those three conditions are not met?
Then it is only right to give up.
With insufficient ability to meet the conditions, not only will you fail to slay the dragon, but you won’t even be able to get close.
Yet, do you still desperately want to kill the dragon?
Then, the dragon’s second weakness.
One must find a weapon imbued with the essence of ‘Dragon Slaying.’
In the face of a dragon, the ultimate weapon.
With that alone, there’s no need to count the countless scales on its massive body.
Even if one lacks the courage and audacity to approach the dragon.
Even if one’s stamina and agility are woefully inadequate for survival against the dragon.
It is still possible to slay the dragon.
Such is the power of a weapon imbued with the essence of Dragon Slaying, wielding a strength akin to that of a natural enemy to dragons.
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【Ascalon (S) – Imitation】[Bound to: Lee Yu-jin]
The sword said to have been used by Saint George, a Christian saint, when he struck down the dragon.
It is imbued with the essence of Dragon Slaying, having cleaved through the dragon’s flesh, bones, blood, and soul.
– On attack, ‘enemy’ holy damage (weakened)
「Against demons, holy damage increases by 50%」
「Against evil, holy damage increases by 100%」
「Against dragons, holy damage increases by 200%」
– On attack, ‘enemy’ fire damage (weakened)
「Against demons, fire damage increases by 50%」
「Against evil, fire damage increases by 100%」
「Against dragons, fire damage increases by 200%」
– On attack, ‘enemy’ soul damage (cannot be used)
「Against dragons, upon accumulating a certain amount of damage, soul destruction activates (cannot be used)」
– On attack, ‘enemy’ defense ignored.
「Against dragons, scales are destroyed」
– Health and mana recovery increased by 100%.
「Against dragons, recovery speed increases by an additional 100%」
– Shield of the Holy Flame (usable once)
「Can block the dragon’s breath.」
– Essence of Dragon Slaying applied at all times (weakened)
– Holy power +150 (+50)
– Stamina, Strength, Agility +50
– Indestructible.
[This is Astra’s ‘Imitation’ form. Some effects are limited.]
[Imitation Duration: 12 hours]
[Imitation Reuse Cooldown: 24 hours]
– With this sword, I shall slay the wicked dragon.
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「Dragon Slaying Aura (Weakened)」
The aura contained within a weapon that has slain a dragon.
Dragons instinctively fear this weapon.
At the same time, they harbor a deep hatred for its wielder.
– Reduces the ‘Dragon’s’ stats by 40%.
– Diminishes the ‘Dragon’s’ regenerative abilities.
– Receives hostility from all ‘Dragons’.
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Among them, Saint George’s ‘Ascalon’ possesses the greatest power.
‘Indeed, Ascalon.’
As I quickly scanned the weapon’s abilities while Grid writhed in pain, I couldn’t help but marvel.
‘Even if it’s not the genuine article, it’s incredible.’
The great sword I held was not the original, but a replica.
Moreover, due to Astra’s imitation effect, everything was in a weakened state.
Yet, the inherent abilities of Ascalon, which seemed to be a system appraisal, were astounding.
And true to a weapon used by a saint,
it held immense power not only against dragons but also against those with demonic attributes, and the very essence of evil itself.
‘This is a perfect counter weapon just for Grid.’
Is Grid of the demonic attribute?
Indeed.
Is Grid evil?
Indeed.
Is Grid a dragon?
So it has become.
‘Even a typical dragon-slaying weapon would be fatal to the current Grid.’
Fortunately for me.
Unfortunately for him.
Astra imitated Astalon, huh.
‘Since he embodies the Trinity of magic, evil, and dragons…’
Holy damage is at 350%.
Fire damage is also at 350%.
The maximum damage I can inflict on Grid has reached its peak.
Literally a critical hit!
‘At this point, I might not even need to look for the reverse scale, right?’
Given the unimaginable damage I can deal now.
Instead of desperately searching for the reverse scale somewhere on his body, it seems sufficient to just destroy his scales to inflict damage.
Of course, if I do find the reverse scale, I would immediately stab my sword into it.
A single strike at that weakness would be far more lethal to him than just attacking his bare skin after breaking his scales.
Boom, boom, boom.
I swung Ascalon.
In response, a brilliant white flame, a holy fire, followed suit.
‘It’s light.’
Wider than a shield, taller than my height.
The 2-meter-long greatsword feels as light as swinging a twig.
‘Well, of course.’
I’m used to firing a heavy minigun with both hands.
One greatsword is nothing in comparison.
Thinking of the inflated strength stats from the Atlas Armor and Astra, I chuckled softly as I looked at Grid.
Kraaak! Kraaak!
「Kraaahhh……!!」
Grid, letting out a roar that could shake the very fabric of the world.
When I fought at the outpost before, I didn’t suffer like this.
Was it because I became more sensitive to pain after transforming into a dragon, or was it due to the exceptional effects of Ascalon?
I writhed in agony, spinning through the air.
‘Well, it’s probably both.’
The effects of Ascalon are impressive, but—
I had seared my mouth with fire.
If it were before the phase transformation, it might have been bearable.
But now, as a dragon sensitive to pain, it would be incredibly difficult to endure.
Thinking this, I infused my magic into Ascalon.
At the same time, I stirred the divine power that filled my body.
[Divine Power: 60(+200)]
The divine power had surged to an exceptionally high level due to Ascalon.
Far exceeding my magic, the divine power responded to my intent.
“This is… divine power?”
I reinforced the bodies of Arthur and myself.
“Lee Yoo-jin, you could handle divine power too?”
Arthur looked at me in disbelief.
I nodded at him.
“Right now.”
It wasn’t an incorrect statement.
Once the imitation duration ends, or if I cancel the imitation—
When Ascalon’s imitation is lifted, I won’t be able to enhance our bodies with divine power like this.
Of course, if Astra were to imitate another divine-related item, it would be possible again.
“…You always manage to surprise me.”
Arthur, unaware of that, marveled in wonder.
Just as we were chatting for a moment—
Kraaah─!!
“Lee Yoo-jin……!!”
Grid, writhing in pain, cried out my name.
Then, he flapped his wings and stopped spinning through the air.
Seeing that, Arthur transformed the type of sword energy enveloping Excalibur’s blade into a flame-like form.
“…Yoo Jin, do you have a plan?”
Arthur, having replaced the sword energy with a sword flower, looked at me with eyes filled with tension yet tinged with calmness as he asked.
A plan, yes.
“It’s simple.”
If I shatter its scales.
Arthur, you attack the spot where the scales are broken.
“Hmm… I’m not sure if my attack will work, but I understand.”
“You don’t need to worry about that.”
The bare skin beneath the broken scales can’t deflect your attack.
“So, when I break the scales, pour the sword energy directly onto the bare skin.”
“…I see. If there are no scales, I can deal damage too.”
It’s not just simple damage.
With the divinity in Excalibur, it can inflict damage comparable to a dragon-slaying weapon.
Moreover, for the corrupted, that divinity becomes a poison beyond measure.
“If the divinity pierces its body, it will be utterly writhing in agony.”
Not only will its physical abilities decline, but it will also suffer continuous
I kicked off the ground with psychokinesis and flew toward the creature.
Screeeeeeeech─!
Was it because my body was enhanced by divine power?
I soared through the air at a speed that was on a completely different level from just moments ago.
“yy
The cheat led my thoughts into reality.
And the result was.
Kwaaah──!!
…Kwa-jijijijijijijik─!
The creature’s sharp and keen.
It seemed absolutely unbreakable.
The dragon’s massive claw cracked, then shattered into pieces.
And further still.
Screech─!
It didn’t stop at breaking the claw.
The blade of light extended diagonally, slicing through its middle and ring fingers, and even the pinky.
Along with the scales, it was cleaved cleanly.
Kraaah─!!
「…Kraaah……!!」
With Grid’s scream, the severed fingers fell to the ground.
And those fingers.
Whoosh─!
The holy flame, following the trajectory of the blade, incinerated them completely.
“…….”
I stared blankly at the white ash falling like snow.
‘…No need to destroy the scales?’
As that thought crossed my mind, I felt a heavy gaze from behind.
Turning around to meet that gaze.
“…….”
“…….”
At the moment the scales shattered, Arthur, who had been preparing to strike the drone golem, was staring at me intently.
As if asking, ‘Am I really of any use?’
In the face of that questioning look, I could only manage an awkward smile.