Record of a Thousand Lives - Chapter 194

Kang Yoon-Soo pulled the sword out of the ground. The black sword that had absorbed the Dragon of Destruction exuded a strange, deadly aura.

[Immortal Sword]

Rating: Legendary

Attack Power: 318

A black sword created by the Ultimate Necromancer, Nakron. The Death General, Kalriven, used it for a long time. It has finally obtained its true form after absorbing the remains of the Dragon of Destruction.

+Only those who have mastered the art of necromancy will obtain the right to use this sword.

+The user may summon the Deathless Dragon to cause chaos and strike fear in their enemies.

+This sword can never be destroyed.

It was a legendary sword! Legendary items had the ability to shift the balance of the continent, and they were so difficult to find that some would doubt their existence.

Kang Yoon-Soo unsheathed the Immortal Sword and swung it vertically.

Whooosh!

The blade that was as black as its sheath sliced ferociously through the air. It was a simple swing, but the sword left a sinister and deadly aura in its wake.

Kang Yoon-Soo lightly swung the sword once again, and its tip struck the ground.

Baaam!

Even a legendary sword could not leave a scratch on the mantle from an ordinary swing, but the Immortal Sword was unscathed even after colliding with the tough ground.

Next, Kang Yoon-Soo raised the sword high and swung it as hard as he could, muttering, “Annihilation Slash.”

The sword that was surrounded by a sinister aura connected with the ground, and with a crack, the mantle was chipped slightly. Meanwhile, the Immortal Sword came out completely unscathed from the collision, without even a single scratch.

Kang Yoon-Soo managed to remember how to use the sword just after swinging it twice, and he sheathed it again soon afterward. Then, he took out a beating red heart from his backpack.

Iris, who was still sad from Kalriven’s passing, looked at the heart and asked, “What is that heart?”

“The Dragon of Destruction’s heart,” Kang Yoon-Soo replied.

“Oh my god. I am starting to like you even more now,” Iris said with a hint of excitement in her voice, licking her lips.

Henrick clicked his tongue and grumbled, “Why the sudden change of heart? Weren’t you sad and in mourning just a moment ago?”

“Hmph! I’m sure Kalriven would not want us to be sad. In fact, it is better for us to stop being sad and get back to our lives. That is the best way to show our respect for the dead,” Iris said.

The Dragon of Destruction’s heart had shrunk in size and could now be held in one hand after it lost its owner, and just like the dragon’s body, it showed no signs of decomposing.

Kang Yoon-Soo began walking with the beating heart in his hand. However, the one he approached was not Iris, but rather Shaneth. He said, “Hold this for a while.”

“Huh? Me?” Shaneth asked in surprise.

Iris jumped back in surprise before saying with a dejected look, “Kang Yoon-Soo loves Shaneth more than me…”

“Hey, they were married or lovers in all his previous lives. Of course he does,” Henrick retorted.

“But I want to eat the heart too…” Iris murmured, tears welling up in her eyes.

It was then that Kang Yoon-Soo explained, “It’s not what you think.”

Shaneth held the Dragon of Destruction’s heart in both hands, and she could feel it beating. The dragon’s heart exuded an overwhelming life force, which flowed into her body.

It was then that a bright red light shone from Shaneth’s body.

[You have received the life force from the Dragon of Destruction’s heart.]

[The Chosen One has achieved all the conditions.]

[The second stage of the power fragment has been released.]

[The Ignus Warrior class has evolved into the Red Tyrant class!]

[A Red Tyrant is a dragon-type class that is much stronger than a Dragon Warrior.]

[You will obtain the power to freely control the flames of the Fire Dragon.]

[Your newly obtained power is great enough for you to wreak havoc on the continent if you wish.]

[You have obtained new skills and abilities after the release of the second stage of the power fragment.]

[You have learned the unique skill ‘Fire Storm’.]

[You have learned the unique skill ‘Dragon Familiar’.]

[You have learned the unique skill ‘Molten Lava’.]

[Your combat skills have all increased by one level.]

[Your charisma has greatly increased.]

[Your stats have all increased.]

[Your life force has become much more tenacious.]

[You are now able to perfectly control the Dragon of Destruction’s left eye.]

[Your affinity with dragons has greatly increased.]

[Your dynamic visual acuity and mana have greatly increased.]

[You are now able to summon an inextinguishable flame.]

[Fire Storm]

Skill Level: 11 (00.00%)

The user may summon a pillar of flame to attack their enemies. The pillar of flame can even stop rain or snow.

[Dragon Familiar]

Skill Level: 12 (00.00%)

The user may maintain an amicable relationship with any dragon. The user may turn the dragon into their subordinate if they manage to assert their dominance over the dragon.

[Molten Lava]

Skill Level: Master

The user may call forth a disaster by drawing lava out of the ground while in a lava field. However, this skill will consume a significant amount of the user’s mana.

Red Tyrant!

Shaneth felt power flowing through her body as the bright red light emanated from her. She said in a calm voice that contained a hint of newfound strength, “I feel different.”

Kang Yoon-Soo nodded and called out, “Iris.”

“What is it?” Iris replied.

“Eat the heart,” Kang Yoon-Soo said.

Iris’ expression brightened significantly. She took the heart from Shaneth’s hands and took a huge bite out of it.

[The doppelganger has consumed the Dragon of Destruction’s heart.]

[Her skill is undergoing a transformation.]

+This message is only visible to those the doppelganger has opened her heart to.

Iris did not receive any choices the way she had when she ate the heart of the Vampire Lord, Argoric Hermon. However, a power much greater than the one she had felt when she ate the Vampire Lord’s heart spread all throughout her body.

[The doppelganger has absorbed the Dragon of Destruction’s powers.]

[The Dragon of Destruction is too powerful.]

[The doppelganger has absorbed only a portion of the dragon’s power.]

[The doppelganger’s strength and mana have been greatly increased.]

[The doppelganger may now gather her mana and spew it out as a destructive breath.]

[Scales will grow on her body and increase her defense whenever she is in danger.]

[The doppelganger is now able to fly quickly.]

[The doppelganger is now able to use dragon magic.]

[The doppelganger may now construct her own lair.]

[The doppelganger will exercise full authority within her lair.]

[The doppelganger may station her subordinates in her lair.]

[The subordinates’ loyalty will increase depending on the amount of treasure kept in the lair.]

[The doppelganger’s desire to procreate has explosively increased.]

[Any children created by the doppelganger will only inherit good traits.]

+This message is only visible to those that the doppelganger has opened her heart to.

Iris stood dumbfounded for a while after absorbing the Dragon of Destruction’s power.

“How do you feel?” Henrick asked.

Iris blushed for a moment before covering her face and saying, “I suddenly want to give birth to a healthy child…”

“Why does it seem as if you absorbed the bad traits from the Dragon of Destruction as well…?” Henrick remarked in disbelief.

Iris clutched her chest tightly and looked around before spotting Shaneth. She said, “My heart beats really quickly when I look at Shaneth.”

“Maybe it’s because my affinity with dragons increased, so it also ended up affecting you, unni,” Shaneth replied.

“Then, do you want to give birth to my child?” Iris asked.

“E-Eh…? What…?” Shaneth muttered in surprise.

Kang Yoon-Soo stepped in between the two women and said, “Women can’t have a child together.”

Iris looked dejected for a moment before asking with a serious expression, “How are children made, then?”

Henrick immediately butted in and suggested, “Don’t you think we should build a grave first before answering that innocent question with unfiltered honesty?”

“We should,” Kang Yoon-Soo replied, nodding in agreement.

They built a grave to contain the remains left behind by Kalriven, and Kang Yoon-Soo placed the helmet of the Death General atop the grave built in the deepest part of the world as a tombstone. The black helmet seemed to shine brightly, even when placed on the dark ground surrounded by nothing but darkness.

“I will remember you, Kalriven,” Kang Yoon-Soo said as a short eulogy before they made their way up again.

***

The Dragon of Destruction’s lair was on the brink of collapse.

As the party walked toward the exit, Kang Yoon-Soo looked around and thought, ‘It was around here somewhere.’

He rummaged through the bushes before finding a glass bottle rolling on the ground. He picked the bottle up and heard crying coming from it.

“You’re so mean, human-nim!”

It was the corrupted fairy, Quishow.

“Oh, so you were alive? I completely forgot you were there,” Henrick said with a smirk.

The corrupted fairy stomped its feet in anger while complaining, “Poor little Quishow hasn’t had anything to eat and starved in here all alone! But you didn’t even care about Quishow, heartless human-nim!” Then, it covered its eyes as if to show that it was crying.

Kang Yoon-Soo nonchalantly said, “A fairy can go for up to a month without dying from starvation.”

“That doesn’t mean we don’t feel hunger! Quishow was hungry and lonely! Human-nim has to apologize to Quishow,” the corrupted fairy retorted.

“Sorry,” Kang Yoon-Soo replied.

“Sniff…! Then, you won’t use Quishow as bait for the Dragon of Destruction?” Quishow asked.

“The Dragon of Destruction is dead,” Kang Yoon-Soo nonchalantly replied.

“Dead? Ha! Lies! Who in this world is capable of killing that scary dragon?” Quishow retorted again.

“Me,” Kang Yoon-Soo said.

Quishow’s face turned pale as it looked at Kang Yoon-Soo’s expressionless face. Then, the fairy suddenly shouted at the scary human who had managed to kill the Dragon of Destruction, “Actually… Quishow loves you, human-nim!”

“I don’t like you,” Kang Yoon-Soo replied.

“I’ll do whatever you ask me to from now on! I can even be your slave for the rest of my life! Please spare Quishow!” the fairy pleaded.

Kang Yoon-Soo had initially intended to lure the Dragon of Destruction to the volcano with Quishow, but the dragon had suddenly discarded its usual arrogant demeanor and decided to fight seriously, so he had not gotten the opportunity to use the bait he prepared.

However, he now had other plans for the corrupted fairy. He opened the glass bottle and picked up Quishow, who was covered in tears and snot. He asked, “So you’ll do whatever I ask as long as I spare you?”

“Yes! Of course!” Quishow replied, nodding vigorously.

Iris looked at the innocent and naïve Quishow with pity in her eyes before she muttered, “You should not make such promises with Kang Yoon-Soo…”

***

Meanwhile, the men had easily recovered from their drunkenness.

Swemer tapped the tip of his spear and said, “My spear became as good as new after you borrowed it. What kind of magic did you do to it?”

Kang Yoon-Soo shook his head and replied, “It wasn’t me.”

Their departure had been delayed by two days because the titans had a few things to take care of, and Rick had finally found the class she wanted in those two days.

“Henrick, I found what I want to do after fighting against the Dragon of Destruction,” Rick said.

“What is it?” Henrick asked.

“I want to be an artist,” Rick replied.

Henrick replied with the same stereotypical response any parent would give if their child expressed intent to become an artist. “Do you want to starve to death?”

“A doll can’t starve to death,” Rick replied, shaking her head. She opened her tiny hands, revealing the image of the Dragon of Destruction with its tattered scales atop her palm. She continued in a sinister tone, “This is the art of death.”

[Rick has discovered a new class.]

[The Artist of Death.]

[The perilous large-scale war and her owner’s artistically-inclined personality have played a role in creating this class.]

[Rick will be well-versed in killing, and she will gain a Life Essence whenever she kills a living creature.]

[Rick may use the Life Essences to create various kinds of skills and abilities.]

[Rick may recreate death in various art forms such as painting, sculpture, crafts, architecture, and so on.]

[Her physical abilities will increase, but it will now become difficult to control her.]

[The Artist of Death does not have any class-specific skills.]

[Rick will have to create her own skills.]

[Do you want to change Rick’s class to an Artist of Death?]

The Artist of Death!

The increase in physical abilities and the ability to create various skills after killing a target was the perfect set of abilities for Rick. However, the fact that she would become difficult to control, coupled with the fact that the class did not start with any class-specific skills, meant she would have to navigate through things alone. It was a class that offered endless possibilities, but its risks were equal to its potential.

However, Henrick nodded and replied, “I hope you can somehow manage to stake your life on it.”

[Rick has become an Artist of Death!]

Henrick was truly a good owner for Rick. He had given up on binding her to a more stable and normal path, and instead allowed her to do what she wanted to do.

“Thank you, Henrick,” Rick replied, getting on her tiptoes and kissing Henrick on the neck.

Henrick grimaced and asked, “Don’t people usually kiss the cheek?”

“I’m not that young,” Rick said with a mischievous smile.

“Ha… Whatever you say, granny,” Henrick said with a sigh of resignation.

The titans had found a shortcut leading to the surface, and they would be able to cut down their travel time by climbing up two hundred floors if they took that route instead of the one Kang Yoon-Soo and his party had used. The shortcut had previously been sealed by the Dragon of Destruction, but it had been unsealed and made usable now that the dragon had perished.

When the day for them to leave the underground city came, all of the titans assembled.

Kang Yoon-Soo gave the command, “Let’s go up the stone mountain.”

“Huh? But that is not the way to the surface,” Mayor Kaldo said.

“That’s the fastest way up,” Kang Yoon-Soo replied.

Mayor Kaldo found it difficult to understand what he meant, but he decided to nod in agreement and say, “We shall follow the words of our savior.”

The party and the countless titans made their way up the stone mountains, and the ghostly assistant was taken aback by their numbers.

[Omo! What business do so many of you have here?]

The Blacksmith of Fire looked at Kang Yoon-Soo and grimaced before asking, “I’m getting sick and tired of you… What do you want now?”

“I’m planning to go to the Magic Tower of the Colossi to meet Sirian,” Kang Yoon-Soo said.

The Blacksmith of Fire raised his gigantic hammer high into the air, and it seemed as if he would smash it downward at any moment. However, he soon calmed down and lowered the hammer before saying coldly, “You already told me that. Why are you telling me this again?”

The blacksmith looked at Kang Yoon-Soo with a gaze that seemed to say, ‘Where the hell did this crazy bastard come from?’ This was already the fourth time the human had climbed up the stone mountain to demand something from him.

Kang Yoon-Soo seemed to be unfazed as he nonchalantly said, “I need your help once again.”

“What the hell? You really are a crazy bastard, aren’t you?” the Blacksmith of Fire replied with a grimace.

At the very moment when the words in the blacksmith’s mind emerged from his mouth, those present had a sinking feeling that things were going to take a turn for the worse once again.