NoveLight ™
The sheer force made it feel like Theo's hand might be torn off.
The Griffin embedded within the Moonlight Sword seemed eager to break free and unleash its power.
Thump! Thump! Thump!
Mana was being sucked from both his dragon heart and core at a furious pace.
But the Moonlight Sword demanded more, drawing in the moonlight cascading from the fractured sky above.
The clash of the two dungeons caused day and night to blend, the moon breaking apart and its light being absorbed into the sword, forming a massive vortex.
A brilliant glow enveloped everything.
The scene was as if the Moon's halo had descended directly onto the earth.
In that moment, Theo had a faint realization of why this sword was named "Moonlight Soul" (월백).
[You have glimpsed a part of the hidden myth within the Moonlight Sword.]
[The Griffin’s traits have been strengthened.]
An intense surge of power began to fill the sword.
Clang! Clang!
"Not yet."
Theo suppressed the sword, which was straining to break free from its sheath.
Meanwhile, he kept his eyes focused on the battle between the Fairy Dragon and the Desert Worms.
"Just a bit longer…!"
The Griffin snarled, pushing against the confines of the sword, but Theo held firm.
When he noticed that the Fairy Dragon and the Desert Worms were slowing down, their energy visibly dwindling, he seized the moment.
"Now!"
Theo swung the Moonlight Sword upward with all his might.
Whoosh!
A massive beam of light shot up from the ground, slicing through the air.
The moonlight poured down, illuminating the sword as if the moon itself was shielding it.
Shhh, shhh, shhh—
The beam of light decapitated the Desert Worm nearest to Theo.
Already weakened from its battle with the Fairy Dragon, it had no time to resist.
Thud…
The headless corpse collapsed, its severed neck so clean that barely a drop of blood spilled.
Kraaaah!
The other Desert Worms, realizing the danger, adopted a defensive stance.
Slash! Slash! Slash!
But the Moonlight Sword cut through their heads one after another as if mocking their attempts to defend themselves.
Wherever the light passed, the ethereal form of the Griffin appeared.
The Griffin, with the body of a lion, the tail of a dragon, and wings of an eagle, soared through the moonlight, tearing into the Desert Worms with claws and fangs.
Was it the thrill of the hunt? Or perhaps the joy of feasting?
The Griffin let out a long, resounding roar as it looked up at the shattered moon.
Roaaaar!
It was as if it was declaring this place as its own domain.
Once the Desert Worms were nearly gone, the Griffin turned its gaze toward the Fairy Dragon.
"Human, I came to aid you. Why do you persist in such actions?"
The Fairy Dragon, sensing the Griffin's attention, projected its thoughts into Theo’s mind with a calm yet reprimanding tone.
But Theo could detect the underlying urgency in its voice.
The creature, too, was exhausted and wounded from the prolonged battle.
"Help me? Hardly."
Theo responded with a cold smile, letting his actions speak as he swung the Moonlight Sword.
His mana was depleting fast.
"Human! You are a chosen one. You understand my value. Choose wisely. I am renowned among the guardians appointed by the Taego Dragon for my intelligence. I have vast knowledge in magic that could aid you—"
"Wrong approach."
The Fairy Dragon’s desperate attempt to sway Theo was cut short by his laughter.
"I am the sole companion of the Dragon of Legends, and the one destined to carry on the legacy of Ragnar."
His fierce gaze met the Fairy Dragon's trembling eyes.
"If you wanted to live, you should have spoken of loyalty first."
"No…!"
"For your insolence in trying to bargain with a king, I sentence you to death."
The Fairy Dragon’s plea was cut short.
Crunch!
The Griffin tore into the dragon's neck, ripping it apart.
The Griffin’s face showed a hint of satisfaction as it bit down on the Fairy Dragon.
[The Fairy Dragon has been defeated.]
[All Desert Worms are now incapacitated.]
[You have achieved a remarkable feat for your current abilities. You have gained substantial experience.]
[Level up.]
[Level up.]
[Congratulations! You have exceeded the objectives of Scenario Quest #3 and successfully completed it.]
[Rating: S+]
[Reward: Ownership of two relics.]
[Additional reward: 50 coins.]
[A new category has been unlocked based on the accumulated coin total, along with updated functionalities. Check them out.]
Theo's vision abruptly cleared as his body felt like it was thrust back into reality.
Buzz! Buzz!
The Moonlight Sword, still in his grip, was vibrating intensely.
And from the blade, dark energy began to coil around Theo's right hand.
"Teo?"
Evelyn cried out, startled, sensing the ominous change in his demeanor.
"Stop!"
Forgetting formalities, Theo halted her with a firm command, his attention locked on the Moonlight Sword.
A cold sweat trickled down his cheek.
"Getting cocky, are we? Trying to test your limits now that you’ve had your fill?"
Theo glared at the dark energy creeping towards his core, his gaze infused with spiritual focus.
The Moonlight Sword was a sinister blade, notorious for its malevolent nature.
Its instinct was to devour its master, longing to wield itself freely.
Even in his previous life, only Black Dragon had been able to control it.
I… I want to consume you.
I… will follow the moonlight again.
Now, having satiated its hunger, it yearned to unleash its full potential, with Theo as its target.
But Theo knew the sword and Griffin’s temperaments all too well.
"So, I told you, didn't I? Bow down if you want to live."
Thump! Thump! Thump!
His heart beat rapidly, blood circulating powerfully through his body, thanks to the benefits of his training.
His mana flowed effortlessly.
At the same time, the ring and earring emitted a brilliant, icy light.
You killed us before.
Now you need us again?
The voices of the Fairy Dragon and Desert Worm echoed in his mind.
[Skill: Hatchling Syncro is fiercely activating, awakening the guardians within the Taego Dragon relics.]
Theo's consciousness expanded more than ever.
Fwoosh!
A blazing white light filled his mind.
[Investing all extra stat points into intelligence.]
[Intelligence: 42 → 57]
[Your consciousness field has expanded.]
Theo’s connection with the consciousnesses of the Fairy Dragon and Desert Worm deepened.
"Let’s be clear—I’m not the one who sought you out. You have been granted the chance to serve me."
With his intelligence stat heightened, he heard their thoughts more clearly.
What…?
How dare you speak like that when you beat us through trickery…!
"I told you, I am the chosen partner of Lodbrok, and the heir of Fafnir, who created you. How I use you is solely up to me. Do you disagree?"
…!
…!
As his collection of relics grew, Theo knew he needed to establish a strict hierarchy.
Otherwise, he risked chaos among them.
Just like now, with the Moonlight Sword plotting rebellion.
A master-servant relationship.
Without clearly setting this early, he would lose control.
"If you disagree, feel free to reject me. I have no intention of forcing unwilling followers."
….
….
"Make your choice. Will you obey?"
Will you submit to me, or return to slumber?
Theo forced the choice upon them.
…We’ll follow.
I don’t want to return to the long sleep.
The responses of the Fairy Dragon and Desert Worm were simple.
They had resisted, but the strength Theo demonstrated had won their respect.
Even if he had utilized the Griffin, it was Theo’s skill that achieved victory.
Thus, they decided to lend him their strength.
[Guardian: Fairy Dragon has recognized you as its true master.]
[You have gained the skill "Fairy Buff."]
[Guardian: Desert Worm has sworn loyalty to you.]
[You have gained the skill "Worm Eater."]
Ding!
Ding!
[Fairy Buff]
[Worm Eater]
"Perfect."
These two skills, one supportive and one offensive, were exactly what he needed.
Theo activated both skills, ready to fully suppress the Moonlight Sword.
With a flash, the ring and earring shone with a colder light than even the Moonlight Sword.
[Activating "Fairy Buff" to repel dark energy with enhanced resistance.]
[Activating "Worm Eater" to boost attack power.]
Crunch!
The combined efforts of the two relics quickly pushed the sword’s dark energy out.
The cold light spread over the Moonlight Sword.
With a frustrated cry, the Griffin sank deep within Theo’s subconscious.
Its rebellious thoughts quieted.
[Guardian: Griffin has bowed in submission once again.]
Buzz… Buzz…
The three relics, now fully subdued, trembled subtly, each wary of the others.
From now on, even if one of them grew significantly stronger, none would dare threaten Theo alone. They would be constantly checked by the other two.
As the faint vibrations subsided…
“Phew…!”
Theo let out a sigh of relief, smiling with satisfaction as he realized he now had complete control over these relics.
"Evelyn?"
Evelyn looked at him, still a bit dazed, her face a mixture of awe and confusion.
Meanwhile, in a secluded area filled with ancient gravestones, Kyle strolled between them, hands behind his back. Pausing, he turned with a chuckle.
“You really got caught off guard this time, didn’t you?”
Hoo-hoo…
A black skylark perched atop a lone sword, looking rather annoyed.
“You’re not pleased about this, are you? Losing Ed right when you thought you had him cornered,” Kyle laughed heartily, clearly amused by the bird’s apparent frustration.
The black skylark stomped its tiny feet, clearly seething.
“There’s no need to feel that way. You know better than anyone who’s behind Ed.”
Ed Troyban.
Behind him stood the powerful Troyban family from the East, and beside them, the Holy Demon Sect.
But Kyle and the bird knew of an even greater force behind it all—the reason Kyle remained tied to Winterer.
The bird chirped with agitation, fluttering its wings furiously.
“Why did I let it be for so long, you ask?”
Hoo!
“Are you asking out of ignorance or simply pretending not to know?” Kyle stroked his chin, the playful glint in his eyes vanishing as he addressed the bird seriously.
"Berry."
At that name, the skylark immediately stopped its fussing.
“Berry” was a name few remembered, a childhood nickname.
“You know, as I do… I want Ragnar to thrive eternally, shining brightly as it always has. The oath we made that day under the peach tree—between you, me, Julius, and Osa—that oath still drives me today.”
Kyle resumed his stroll among the gravestones, speaking thoughtfully.
“So yes, they’re part of the reason Ragnar shines. A being without challenges eventually decays.”
The skylark fell silent, reminded once more of the vastness of Kyle’s vision. While it had always known this, today the realization struck deeply.
“And you know that their growing power, in the long run, only strengthens Ragnar as well.”
The skylark made no further protests.
“So, while I’ll oppose them, I won’t cast out what’s been within my grasp. That would mean betraying my ancient vow—my <Geass>.”
Kyle offered the bird a faint, gentle smile.
“So, please don’t hold it against me. I don’t want you resenting me for not always following your desires.”
The skylark averted its gaze, letting out a soft, almost reluctant chirp.
Seeing this, Kyle chuckled.
“Enough of this heavy talk. Let’s discuss Theo. It seems your worries about him have faded. Julius even complained, saying you were completely enthralled, not like your usual self.”
The bird let out a disdainful chirp at the mention of Julius, its response making Kyle laugh in delight.
How delightful it was to think that this extraordinary young man, Theo, was his own son.
‘For now… he’s passed the test.’
Kyle hoped this feeling would continue.
Of course, he knew it wouldn’t be easy.
So long as Theo held the power to turn back time, anyone would be tempted to use it.
And in that moment, the fragile trust between himself and Black Dragon could shatter completely.
‘Come to think of it, it’s been a while since I last saw him.’
Perhaps it was time for another conversation.
As long as he didn’t overuse the power of regression…
‘He’ll become an invaluable weapon for Ragnar.’
With a look of eager anticipation, Kyle stroked his chin.
He didn’t even realize that a faint smile had formed on his lips.
Thx