Despite her growing suspicion, Cherry decided not to ask this time, as she did not wish to be exposed to random stories that might drag her into more unnecessary trouble than she already had.She'd had enough of mind-shattering truths.So instead, she obediently followed her guide, who just finished wrapping her wrist with a ripped cloth, before heading to the slightly opened door.“Whoaaaa~!”Soon enough, Pam’s awed voice could be heard as they entered a room filled with abundant riches and various items scattered all over.However, instead of paying attention to all the glimmering golden piles and jewelry strewn around, their yes were locked on something else.“Is that… who I think it is…?”Gulping lightly, Cherry trailed off on her sentence as she let out a gasp of disbelief at what she was currntly witnessing.“Well, I mean, it can't be anyone else, now can it?”There, sitting imposingly on a magnificent throne, was a neatly magic-preserved skeleton, wearing a mage robe with staff
‘I’ve nearly died like... 2 times already. I need to be more careful.' Serein hummed to herselfOf course, she did not count the times when she deliberately hurt herself or let herself become injured in a more controllable situation, no. She was talking about when she was about to be joyfully mauled by Aidou and when those stone warriors wildly aimed their weapons at them like savages.“Whoa! A shapeshifter! So cool!”All the while she was in her own headspace, Pam actually left her side and jumped onto the Great Sage’s shoulder. To his delight and everyone’s shock, he actually landed on her.“Ah, Pam-min!”Still, Cherry reached out, fearing that something would happen to the young hatchling for disrespecting the pioneer of her glorious Kingdom.Neither of the two humans was expecting the Great Sage to chuckle softly instead as she reached out to the small head and rubbed it gently.“At least my coat is warm, isn't it?”This time, the young wyrm nodded eagerly with a big grin as he ad
‘Could it be that I’m… not human?’ Concealing her face to mask the confusion she felt, Min Suhyun attempted to carefully recollect her knowledge of the draft and her brief experiences living as Serein.‘No. Actually, Aidou said something similar previously as well...’A query about whether she knew what she had become.In fact, Aidou, the tyrant ruler of the Blasphemos Woodland, also said other things she couldn’t comprehend.‘–Smells like nature, felt similar to an ancient being, bearing the curse of a broken oath, and one whose fate bends.’Honestly, Serein hadn't paid that much attention firsthand– because, you know… she nearly got killed.Regardless, she heard and remembered bits of it because it sounded important.And now that it’s actually being brought up again, her curiosity shot up once more.“You said that you have nothing to do with the disappearance of my race. Then, you supposedly know what happened to them?”Asking with a pressing expression, she attempted to lure the Sa
“Yay! Sadge loves her name!”Swishing his tail in celebration, Cherry flinched a bit, startled by the movement as the young wyrm finally emerged from his hiding place. Amidst all that had transpired, she barely registered the fact that Pam was using her hair as cover from her ancestor’s... consciousness fragment.“Well, it seems so. Above all, you've helped us calm her down, Pam-min. Thank you.”Once Pam returned to his favorite perching spot, Serein's arm, he was instantly rewarded with another head pat from his little human. Enjoying the attention, the greenish-blue hatchling almost let out a purr before catching himself, grinning smugly at them instead, feeling rather accomplished.“I think I've unlocked my elemental power too! Ceva-chi would be so proud hehe~ Now I’m on par with my brother as well!”Happily bragging, though someone didn't seem as celebratory. Instead, a gloomy voice emerged.“Brother…” The Sage sounded sorrowful this time. The edges of her smile slowly lowered as
As the glowing presence smiled, Serein heard another cryptic remark, "It’s been a while since I last saw him… I couldn’t even comfort her or their family upon the loss. But, it’s nice that I could have this chance to fight alongside the descendant of my old comrade." She smiled before her image was absorbed into the jewel that Serein carried. All the riches were absorbed into the staff, which then transformed into a dull-looking, inconspicuous bracelet.With both items now resting on Serein's hand and wrist, the room was left empty except for old broken chests and a slumped skeleton.Only then did she realize that no one had moved from their place—neither Pam’s chirps nor Cherry’s startled noises were heard during the profound interaction with the Sage earlier.The silence was broken by Pam’s high-pitched shriek as he looked around, “Everything is gone! Kapoof!! Where did they go?? Sparkly sparkly things went missing—KYAK! Sadge turned back into a boring skull! Oh no! She’s broken!”
“Yes, that item. There’s no one else recorded to own that Archaic Relic other than The Great Sage. So, I figured that I’d find it here– though I did not find any books around when we first arrived.” Granted, she only skimmed over with her eyes and did not even look around properly just yet when things escalated in a matter of seconds. She was even sure that their bizarre interaction with the Great Sage only lasted for less than half an hour or so. “Right, uh… there’s only one Archaic Relic that my family owns as an heirloom. I have never known any record that mentioned other relics to be in our possession, so…” ‘Well, clearly not.’ After all, she basically cheated on this knowledge, as Min Suhyun was the one who wrote about the existence of this world and its minutiae. Not to mention, this relic was not supposedly included ever, as the ability of this notebook was not suitable for fighting or defending. Its importance in the original draft she wrote only amounted to as much as the
‘A contract with {Space}...?’— It also mentioned something about a trace of ‘another one of us.’‘Does it mean another spirit? Another Archaic Relic? Or… another ancient item?’In the midst of confusion, she could only hope that it was one of the guesses she made. Because honestly, she's out of wits at this point.Far too tired to extend her imagination just to figure out exactly what the spirit meant.So, rather than straining her brain further, she chose to ask whether she could make a contract with the spirit or not.To which, much to her delight, the spirit did not dilly-dally and simply smiled at her—- a mysterious smile that gave her stomach a light churn, but it was not a ‘no’ either.“There's a price for your prize. My tales aren’t affordable, and I shall get my remuneration for every session. But first."The spirit paused, its theatrics full of dramatization befitting an ancient being."The contract itself costs your sense of taste. Are you willing to sacrifice it?”This tim
‘Come on now, it shouldn’t be that bad… I mean, I can help Cevahir-min walk by supporting him with my arm–’True, Cevahir was part of the draconic race, highly revered among mankind and all other living races.There wouldn’t be any negative repercussions attached to her name for assisting someone of dragon-blood. In fact, if Gil were to report this to the crown or swear upon his knighthood that she did aid a member of the draconic race, she might be forgiven for taking more of the Dragon Lord’s elixir for herself.In all honesty, this was precisely why she didn't fear any punishment if discovered. She not only stole from the secret safe but also used every drop of the elixir in her possession.Because Gil, her knight, was alive, he could testify on her behalf that it was used to aid a supreme being. Perhaps, it would be her only salvation.As a princess, she couldn’t casually touch any men. Even the slightest physical contact with anyone outside her maids in propriety would stir enoug
“If you were any smarter,” he retorted, echoing her earlier words, “You’d realize that I am not negotiating.” His tone was firm, leaving no room for argument. “You know it too, despite all of your empty threats, you’re the one disadvantaged if this matter goes any longer. So, either take it or the deal is off.”Amidst the temporary lull in the conflict, Serein remained vigilant, her senses attuned to the subtle shifts in the atmosphere. The air crackled with tension, the quietude belying the underlying currents of hostility and mistrust. She couldn't afford to be lulled into complacency by the semblance of peace.The leader's words reverberated in her mind, each syllable ringing with unyielding resolve. His demeanor exuded a steely determination, a stark reminder of the ruthless pragmatism that governed his actions. There was no negotiation, no room for compromise; it was a simple ultimatum, delivered with unwavering conviction.Serein's hazel eyes narrowed slightly, a flicker of defi
"We'll negotiate for the return of the egg you seek," Serein proposed, her voice steady despite the tension thick in the air. "Cease your attack now, or we'll no longer defend it. Instead—-" The man's laughter echoed across the chaotic scene, his demeanor shifting from indifference to outright hostility. His eyes bore into Serein with undisguised malice, challenging her resolve. "Why would you 'protect' something you've stolen?" he jeered, his words laced with venom. Serein paused, weighing her options amidst the relentless assault. Finally, she spoke, her voice calm yet firm, "Believe what you will. But know this..." The leader was taken aback by the sudden shift in demeanor from the human before him. Gone was the desperation he had detected earlier, replaced by an air of regal confidence that seemed to emanate from her very being. The leader, accustomed to dealing with mere mortals begging for their lives or scrambling for a shred of mercy, found himself intrigued by this unexpe
— Whooooshhh! The gusts of wind whistled through the air, accompanied by the sharp clang of metal meeting metal, creating a cacophony that echoed across the ship. It was a symphony of chaos, a tumultuous blend of natural elements and the clash of weapons, perfectly encapsulating the dire circumstances unfolding on deck. — Clang! Clang!! On one side, the ship's crew fought desperately to defend against the relentless onslaught of merfolk attackers. Their movements were fueled by fear and determination, each strike a desperate attempt to repel the invaders and protect their vessel. Meanwhile, the merfolk moved with an eerie grace, their attacks calculated and precise. They seemed almost playful in their approach, toying with their human adversaries as if engaged in some twisted game. Their movements were fluid, their strikes swift and deadly, as they closed in on their targets with ruthless efficiency. The contrast between the frantic efforts of the ship's defenders and the effortle
Cevahir's soft call carried a hint of frustration, barely audible amidst the chaos. "Fuckers," he murmured, his voice strained with the effort to convey his desires. He’s not sure what happened, but he knows that his siblings are in danger. And him, despite his injured statem longed to take action, to do more than he was currently capable of, but the weakness brought on by his wounds held him back. "Don't you dare taking them from me," a low growl escaped his lips. His words tinged with resolve despite his physical limitations. Though prideful and determined, he couldn't deny the reality of his weakened state.That being said, if anyone were to see his dimmed eyes, In that vulnerable moment, the fragility of his heart was laid bare, its protective layers stripped away. All pretense fell away, leaving behind raw emotion and stark vulnerability. In that fleeting moment of desperation, he found himself consumed by a singular focus—‘Someone save them.’Cevahir's desperate desire to spe
“Little Human! Little Human!”The urgency in Pam's voice cut through the chaos like a blade, commanding Serein's attention. As he slithered up her leg and onto her back, she couldn't suppress a shiver, feeling his presence against her skin. However, there was no time to dwell on discomfort. With a quick mental steeling, she focused on the task at hand.Serein had just dispatched another merfolk with precision, her movements fluid and decisive. The clang of metal against metal echoed in the air as her blade found its mark, sending her opponent crashing to the ground with a resounding thud. The ship's deck bore the marks of their struggle, but she paid it little heed as she turned her attention to Pam's urgent cry for help.“Little human, help!” Pam's plea rang out, a note of desperation underscoring his words. Despite the urgency, Serein couldn't help but feel a pang of empathy for the young wyrm clinging to her back. She knew he trusted her to come to their aid, just as she had done i
Death. That dark thought loomed over Cevahir's mind like a dark cloud, creeping in and casting a shadow over his resolve as he struggled to maintain composure in the face of their new adversaries. Despite his efforts, weakness seeped through his facade, betraying the inner turmoil he battled to conceal.He wants to protect them, he needs to do that. Protecting them was paramount. It wasn't just a matter of duty; it was a deeply ingrained instinct, a primal need that pulsed within him. But it wasn't the humans he felt compelled to shield; Sam and Pam.it was the two young wyrm siblings whose well-being he had willingly taken upon himself to safeguard. They were his responsibility, his choice, and he would do whatever it took to keep them safe from harm, even if it meant facing death itself.The memories of Pam and Sam's hatching remained vivid in Cevahir's mind, a poignant reminder of the bond forged between them from the very beginning. Despite the accusations hurled at him by the
— Ooooong!With a soft hum, a gentle pink glow began to radiate from the center of the trio, casting a soft, ethereal light that danced across their figures. As the glow intensified, it enveloped them in a warm embrace, suffusing their bodies with a tingling sensation of rejuvenation. The light seemed to seep into every pore, filling them with a sense of buoyancy and vitality. It was as though a gentle breeze had swept through, lifting their spirits and infusing them with renewed energy. The glow shimmered and pulsed, creating an aura of serenity and empowerment around them. It was a moment of transcendence, as if they were bathed in the light of hope itself, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.As one of the three who received the boost, Serein felt a surge of energy coursing through her veins, enhancing her agility and speed as she seamlessly transitioned from defense to offense. With swift and precise movements, she launched a counterattack against the soldier before her. T
The Selkie's words cut through the chaos with a chilling nonchalance, his comrades continuing their ruthless assault on those aboard the ship. Whether through direct confrontation or mercilessly tossing them into the sea, their fate was sealed in the domain of the sea monsters, where mercy was a foreign concept."The notorious degenerate who stole the sky's eggs in the past has come to steal our future leader. Such an uninspired predicament," the old Selkie remarked with a hint of amusement, his tone dripping with disdain. "To think that you'd pull off such a foolish stunt rather than laying low. What a fool."Despite the insult, the half-blood remained composed, his focus diverted to shielding Pam from harm, even in his invisible state. However, his efforts were in vain as the young wyrm, unable to bear the insults hurled at his brother, erupted in defiance."Ceva-chi is not a fool!" he shouted, his voice filled with indignation and loyalty.Summoning his courage and determined to pr
After Cevahir's chilling revelation, the group realized that preparing for battle was imperative. However, with the conflict between the sea monsters and pirates raging on, it seemed wiser to remain low and avoid unnecessary risks. No one was eager to throw their life away in the midst of the chaos."They are angry," Cevahir's assertion echoed in their minds like a solemn bell tolling, underscoring the gravity of the situation with each resonating chime. This wasn't mere random aggression; it was a meticulously planned onslaught, orchestrated with precision and intent that sent shivers down their spines.Yet, Min Suhyun couldn't shake off the feeling of being ensnared in her own narrative web. If only she had paid closer attention to the details beforehand, perhaps then she could have avoided this predicament or known a way to address it before it reached this critical point. But even if she had done all of that, the problem wouldn't have been resolved.Unlike the main characters who