Chapter 71: Dungeon Conquest (3)

[How's your body feeling?]

Well, it’s not too bad. The shoulder injury isn't too serious.

[It's not about the injury. As I've said before, your meridians are not yet in a state to accept mana to the extent they are. There's not enough room.]

Allen let out a soft sigh, as if he were looking at a grandchild, and spoke. [I taught you the magic swordsmanship of Calnere despite that because in order for your body to grow you need to continuously release a certain amount of mana with the Bracelet of Greed.]

I know. You've explained it before.

Allen’s frustration was evident on his face as he looked at Karyl It seemed he wanted to smack his head. [You fool! That was based on you only using magic swordsmanship. Sword Posture? What? If you move your body so drastically, it will disrupt the flow of mana. That would complicate the process of opening your meridians...]

I know that too.

[What?]

Thanks for worrying, but I'm not trying to overdo it. If it weren't for the Sword Posture, it would have taken far longer to defeat that thing, and the time I could withstand with the bracelet would have been reduced. That's why I made that decision.

[So... it's not because you wanted to try using your swordsmanship together with magic swordsmanship?]

Well, I can't say that's not true. I was honestly curious.

[Regardless...] Allen started, but what interrupted by Karyl’s laughter.

It's been quite smooth since then. I've recovered sufficiently. And since you're looking after my meridians, there's no need to worry.

[Hmph...]

As Karyl said, their journey through the dungeon had been relatively smooth. They encountered a few monsters, but they were no match for them compared to the Agma. Moreover, the combination of Mikhail and Aidan proved to be surprisingly effective.

It might just be a coincidence, but both of them possess wind magic, making them compatible. Plus Mikhail, with his mercenary background, proved excellent support for Aidan's close-range attacks well.

Although Mikhail hadn’t yet reached the level to learn the grimoire awarded from the competition, his growth was noticeable after breaking through the barrier of the 3rd class.

The training method taught by Allen is proving to be quite effective.

On the other hand, Aidan's skills hadn’t changed much from when they were last seen in Tatur. Without a proper mentor, and given that he was under suspicion, he had to hide his identity and thus had little opportunity for training.

With a bit more training, Mikhail will be able to compete with Aidan,

Karyl thought, as he observed them from behind.

Wind magic is difficult to learn, but if utilized correctly, it's the most versatile form of magic. If Aidan doesn't join me, using Mikhail as a countermeasure would be a good idea.

Aidan wasn’t yet under his control, but he was a connection to Olivurn and therefore a card that couldn't simply be discarded. Depending on how he was utilized, he could either become a white elephant or a wild card with infinite possibilities.

Not only was the organization Aatra, which Aidan founded in his previous life, of interest to Karyl, but the Eastern Kingdom was even more crucial.

That place was an unknown island, not well known in the past, and people from there possessed unique abilities.

If I can secure their support through Aidan, we can emerge victorious in the continental war with minimal casualties.

Because Karyl knew his future, Aidan might seem immature to him, but he was already an excellent assassin.

If we can eliminate the leadership, the rest will naturally fall in line. Even though they are our enemies now, in but a few years, they'll all be valuable forces.

Karyl thought.

By the time he took control of the south, his future relationship with Aidan would have been decided.

Perhaps feeling the gaze, Aidan asked Karyl. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

With a light smile, Karyl turned his head away and replied, "No, it's nothing."

"It seems we've arrived." The three arrived at the end, after journeying for several hours in the dungeon.

Observing the strange fluctuation of darkness, he spoke in a low voice, "I'll talk about the strategy against the Twin-Headed eagle. Listen carefully."

At his words, both Aidan and Mikhail looked at Karyl, their faces filled with tension.

"It won't be too difficult. If anything, the creature we met at the entrance, the Agma, was more troublesome," Karyl stated confidently as if he had already faced the Twin-Headed eagle. His words slightly puzzled the two, but having witnessed the battle with Agma firsthand, they felt a mixture of tension and reassurance.

If Karyl is with us... there shouldn't be a problem.

Hah, a monster’s catching another monster? It seems I just need to support from behind.

Although Karyl was injured, the injury was minor, and him defeating a tougher opponent meant that they had a chance of success against the dungeon's boss.

"The Twin-Headed eagle has two heads, each imbued with a different element. One has the lightning element, while the other has the wind element. In terms of compatibility, lightning has an advantage over wind, but with Aidan, a close-range card, direct attacks are possible."

"Me?"

Karyl looked at Aidan. "The Twin-Headed eagle is vulnerable to close-range attacks. Instead of front claws, it has wings, so the only means of attack are its two heads."

"No, that's not what I mean..."

"If one head is cut off, the monster's mana increases, and the remaining head's elemental power also increases. So, we must first cut off the brain element head. Got it?"

Aidan smacked his lips, at a loss for words.

"Then... what is your in this?"

Mikhail was also about to ask the same but closed his mouth, choosing not to say it.

"I won't be doing anything."

As if knowing his thoughts, Karyl spoke in a calm voice. The two of them looked at Karyl, who had an all too nonchalant expression, with puzzled looks.

"The Twin-Headed eagle is for you two to defeat."

"Pardon me?"

Karyl said with a regretful expression, rubbing his shoulder where Agma's spear had grazed him. "I've got a sore shoulder."

The two could hardly believe Karyl's flimsy excuse.

“Well, the Agma aside, didn't you two make it all the way here on your own? So it will be fine.”

The corners of his mouth seemed to lift slightly, but his gaze quickly turned serious again, causing the two to tense up.

"I’m not joking. This is something you two must do, not me. Otherwise, the southern tribes will not be convinced."

Despite knowing it was absurd, Aidan couldn't help but feel compelled by such a gaze.

Karyl lightly patted their shoulders and reassured them, "I believe in you two ."

***

"What should we do then?"

"What do you think? Tell me your plan. The mercenary gang hunts magical beasts, doesn’t it?"

"Well, it varies. The most I've hunted are goblins or orcs, and that too in unit formations."

Mikhail grimaced as he looked at the giant monster before them. It lay coiled up, asleep, its face hidden beneath its wings. The beast’s size was almost three times that of a grown man, and the feathers on its wings were sharp and rigid like daggers. Moreover, the tail, which moved sinuously like a snake, caused a resounding thud each time it struck the ground.

[What's the plan?] Allen asked, his gaze shifting between the Twin-Headed eagle, which seemed like it might wake up any moment, and the two men who appeared at a loss.

It's simple really. Just as I said, the two of them have to defeat the Twin-Headed eagle. Honestly, there are warriors among the southern tribes capable of taking down the boss of this dungeon.

[Hmm, so the leader does not engage directly?]

Something like that,

Karyl affirmed.

Unlike the North, the South operates on a strict power-based hierarchy. If those two manage to bring back the corpse of the Twin-Headed eagle, every warrior in the tribe will challenge me.

[You don’t plan on conserving your strength until then, do you?]

Allen Javius had grown familiar with Karyl's body since the soul contract. Even with just two meridians circulating, Karyl displayed skills comparable to a Sword Master. If all his meridians were opened, even he couldn't imagine the potential extent of his power.

It's an opportunity for both my subordinates and the leader, myself, to demonstrate our capabilities.

[Such a hassle.]

Well, people are like that, they are bound by unnecessary rules. But that's also why there's more to gain.

The southern warriors were even more barbaric and violent than the immigrant tribes of the North. However, for that very reason, they were drawn to pure strength.

I chose the Flying Bow tribe because their archery is necessary for the war, but when it comes to personal abilities, there's someone else I'm interested in—Beikan of the Tu tribe.

Among the tribes of the Great Plains, the Tu Tribe stands out. Unlike the others, they do not ride horses. Instead, they were fierce Barbarians who overpowered equestrians with their legs alone, possessing astonishing physical abilities.

They are worth recruiting.

In his previous life, before the oracle was revealed, the empire had attempted to conquer the south. Only a few tribes of the Great Plains survived and joined Digon.

I still remember, how Beikan single-handedly blocked the entrance to a dead-end canyon, slaying over five hundred soldiers with his axe. His strength is too valuable to be wasted here.

𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

[Five hundred? He must be a monster. Does he use earth magic? He must be incredibly strong.] Allen nodded. [So, you're targeting that barbarian? How cunning.]

Well, if it’s possible. But for now, the priority is for the two of them to defeat the Twin-Headed eagle.

With his arms crossed, Karyl gazed ahead, his eyes fixed on the unfolding scene.

"Grrrr..."

Awoken and enraged, the Twin-Headed eagle deep within the dungeon emitted a piercing screech. Mikhail and Aidan circled the beast, their bodies tense as they looked for an opportunity.

[The Twin-Headed eagle is an A-class magical beast. Being confined to its nest makes it difficult to maintain distance, which puts them at a disadvantage. However, if it flies out to the plains where it can glide, it becomes equivalent to an S-class magical beast,] Allen spoke with a voice that seemed to relish the memory. [Let's see how your subordinates fare.]

Despite Allen’s taunting, Karyl remained unfazed, a confident smirk on his face.

Don't worry. I know those guys better than anyone.

The dungeon floor began to tremble with a loud noise.

"Uaaaah!!!"

"Look out!!"

Screams and shouts of the two intertwined as the Twin-Headed eagle's roar created a whirlwind, messing up the inside of the dungeon.

[Will they be alright?] Allen crossed his arms and shook his head.

"..."

Though he had spoken confidently, Karyl found his hand instinctively gripping the hilt of the Freezing Talon. He was ready to draw his sword if necessary, but he knew that doing so would ruin his plans.

I only know your future, the two of you years from now, but talent isn't something that suddenly comes into being. Catch that eagle, and you shall become stronger, a step ahead of your previous lives.

This was why they had entered the dungeon.