Chapter 66: The Fallen Legion Commander

Ruuuuuumble!

The magical pressure weighed heavily on my body. Even though I wore the protective bracelet, the pressure felt incredibly harsh. For a moment, it was chilling—but that moment was brief.

Thud!

Soon, I was able to step out of the Dragon's Lair.

"It feels different coming out with Master," Azukai said.
"Wow! It's the Elatrias!"
"Keron."

Following me, Azukai, Lurumiel, and Archeron stepped out one after another. These were all the members for this exploration. As for the rest?

"I wanna go too—"

Dania. I barely managed to stop her from coming out. She was still low level—only Level 148. Considering the levels of the enemies wandering outside, it was only right for her to remain safely inside the Dragon's Lair. Then what about me, who was only Level 60?

'I have to go myself, especially because of the Dragon's Lair.'

The place we were heading was where another Dragon's Lair might be located. If we found one and discovered an egg inside, I would need to form a contract. That was why I braved the danger and came out.

"With the shield built into the magical pressure protection bracelet, you'll be able to defend against unexpected attacks up to two times!"

Belerin had thoughtfully engraved an automatic shield formula into the magical pressure bracelet with my safety in mind. It was a rechargeable shield that could activate twice a day. Since it could block attacks even from Insectoid Legion Commander-class enemies about two times, it was essentially like having extra lives. Of course, using a highest-grade Supreme Magic Stone to craft it came at significant cost—but it wasn’t a waste at all.

"You are... the Dragon's... Contractor..."
"This is... the first time... we greet you... directly..."
"It is... a pleasure... to meet you... Contractor... of the great... being..."

Greeeeee—!

Resounding voices echoed from all directions. Giant ancient trees looked down at me and offered their greetings.

"Yes. Nice to meet you."

I wanted to speak with them longer, but I didn’t have that luxury right now.

"I'll greet you again next time."

As I prepared to move—

"Awooooooo—!"

From afar, Khan, the leader of the Shadow Wolves, appeared.

"Awoooo."
"Awoooo—"

A line of Shadow Wolves followed behind him. They seemed to recognize me. They sat down and bowed their heads in submission. It was a sight that clearly displayed the hierarchy.

"Keron. Khan says he will serve Master."

Oh. I had planned to ask the Shadow Wolves for help in reaching the Valley of Light in the north anyway. To think he would volunteer first. My favorability toward Khan rose another notch.

"Then I'll leave it to you."
"Awooooo—!"

Khan let out a low howl at my words, as if replying that it was an honor.

Step.

I climbed onto Khan's back. We began moving in earnest.

Whooooosh—!

Khan ran like a bolt of lightning. His speed was incredible. If I were a normal person and not a transcendent who had reached Level 60, the wind pressure would have been unbearable.

'Should I call this "wolf-riding feel"?'

It was great. It felt like riding on a soft cloud. Lurumiel rested in my arms, while Azukai and Archeron ran beside me as if escorting me.

'Alright. Let's go.'

Centria.

Vermis's Second Legion Commander. She stepped into the Valley of Light.

Wooooong!

A grand barrier spread before her eyes. In front of it lay the rotting, mangled corpses of countless giant centipedes.

Grrrrnd.

Centria gnashed her teeth at the sight.

Swish!

Her lower body twitched violently, reflecting her agitation. Though she felt no particular affection for the giant centipede soldiers, they were still her subordinates—her limbs. She felt immense rage that something belonging to her had been destroyed.

"The Crystal Archon. You're saying that guy appeared here?"
"Yes! That is correct."

The First Division Commander, Karsera, replied immediately.

"Call him out."
"As you command!"

Karsera bowed and answered vigorously to her anger-laced order. It wasn’t just Karsera.

Sub-commander Lexanid.
Second Division Commander Malasaka.
Third Division Commander Argor.
Fourth Division Commander Telemas.

The sub-commander and division commanders began moving in perfect order.

"Find the barrier's entrance again!"

At Karsera's command, the centipede soldiers once more threw themselves forward to locate the Gate of Life. The gate they had found previously had shifted over time.

"Kiiiiii!"

Flash!
Sizzle—

Flash!
Sizzle!

In a situation identical to before, the centipede soldiers sacrificed themselves to locate the entrance. Before long, they discovered the Gate of Life.

"Found it!"

Rumble.

At those words, all the commanders—including Centria—gathered before it.

"He will appear soon! Get ready—"

The Centipede Legion waited for Calicion to appear, just as before.

Gooooooo—

Along with intense energy swirling overhead, the Crystal Archon, Calicion, appeared.

"It's him!"
"It really was the Crystal Archon."

Centria regarded him with cold eyes.

"This is the King's territory. Retreat."

Thump.

An intense sound wave burst from the crystal floating beside Calicion.

K-boooooom!!

Karsera flinched. Was this not the same sound wave attack that had annihilated the Centipede Legion before? A flash of fear crossed her face.

However—

"What a pathetic attempt."

The situation was different now. Centria was here. Her compound eyes emitted a crimson glow.

At the same time, her hair—soft as black silk but composed of chitinous tentacles—flared red and shot toward Calicion.

K-baaaaaang!

Hundreds of tentacles struck Calicion and his crystal. Unlike before, the crystal was pierced and shattered before it could fully unleash its power. Calicion, however, blocked the assault by unfolding a curtain of rune-engraved light around his body.

"You refuse the toast and choose the punishment instead."

Calicion's eyes burned red.

Whirrrr.
K-zaaaaap—!

He fired a beam of light from his hand—a destructive force that scorched the atmosphere and incinerated everything in its path. Previously, centipedes had burst into flames from mere contact.

Swish!

Centria’s tentacles converged, forming a massive fan-shaped shield.

K-boooooom!

The beam detonated in a blaze of brilliance. It was powerful enough to ignite the surrounding air, yet—

"Heh, hehe."

Only a small scorch mark marred her tentacles. She remained largely intact.

"I knew it. The King hasn't awakened yet."

She realized this after a single exchange. The Crystal Archon should have possessed overwhelming power—enough to crush her and her army. But that was only when his King was fully awakened. Now, he could not properly manifest his true strength.

"Push forward—!!"
"Kiriririri!"
"Kirararararar—!"

At her command, thousands of centipede soldiers lunged toward Calicion.

Swish!

A black tidal wave surged forward.

Massive crystals formed around Calicion.

Flash— K-booom!

He incinerated the advancing centipedes with scattered beams of light.

But the Centipede Legion used the charred corpses of their comrades as stepping stones, pressing forward faster.

Crunch!
Crack, screeech!

At last, through sheer numbers, they clung to Calicion and bit into his armor.

Flash—! K-booom!

A brilliant beam erupted again, incinerating them. The damaged armor restored itself as the crystal above his head flashed.

"The crystal may break, but the Will of Light shall not bend!"

Brilliant radiance burst from his entire body.

Crunch—!!

In that instant, Centria’s tentacles—having approached unseen—pierced through Calicion’s body.

Gurgle!

Her tentacles turned green. Under the lethal poison, Calicion’s body began to melt.

"Hehehe. I've got you."

As Centria cheered, the light in Calicion’s eyes faded.

But then—

Flash—!
K-boooooom—!

A grand light erupted from deep within the Valley of Light. Ordinary centipede soldiers exposed to it melted before they could scream.

The division commanders staggered, severely injured.

Even Centria faltered.

Whirrrr.
Fwoosh!

Calicion rose again, incinerating the tentacles piercing him.

"Ah..."

Centria groaned. There was only one explanation.

Luminarc, the King of Light, had awakened.

Whooooosh—!

We raced like a streak of light. In the distance, the Valley of Light that Chuchu had mentioned came into view.

"We're almost there. Hang in there a bit longer!"

As I steadied myself and looked ahead—

"Something is approaching from ahead."
"Keron. I sense an unidentified presence."

Azukai and Archeron spoke simultaneously. The small silhouette in the distance rapidly grew larger.

"...!"

As it drew closer, I couldn’t hide my surprise.

[Status Window]
Name: Centria
Title: Vermis's Second Legion Commander
Level: 353

She was a Legion Commander of Vermis—like Karmaqx and Arachne whom I had faced before.

"Grrr... You... guys..."

Another reason for my shock: Centria was not in a normal state. Her body was covered in scorch marks and burns. Her massive centipede-like lower half was severed halfway, blood leaking out. She looked half-dead—no, entirely on the brink of death. One tap seemed enough to make her collapse.

"Kyaaaaaak!"

Yet she lunged at us with a shriek, as if trying to devour us to restore her strength.

Boom!!!!

"Hmm. Insects are always so impolite," Azukai said. Before I realized it, he had slammed Centria into the ground and planted his foot on her back.

"Guh... rrrk..."

Now she truly seemed on her last breath.

"Should I finish her off?"

I snapped back to my senses.

"Wait a second!"

I stopped Azukai and raised my hand toward Centria.

'If I take her down myself, won’t I level up too?'

"I'll handle it."

Wind gathered in my palm.

"Gale Lance."

A Sixth-tier wind attribute spell. The spear of the gale shot toward the space between Centria’s eyes.

Thwack—!!!!