Chapter 117
It was white everywhere; surely, it is a land made of clouds. It was a safe and cozy shelter that was separate from the dark world. There were Jung Si-woo and the dragon.
“Huh…?”
Jung Si-woo couldn’t be more shocked when he realized that. What the hell was going on here? He realized that it was a dream of the dragon. Now that he had all five senses, what else did he have left to gain…?
[It’s a dream]
“Ha.”
There was a dragon in front of him, an overwhelmingly giant dragon that Jung Si-woo couldn’t even dare to touch with his weak power. Dozens of meters? Hundreds of meters? Its body was far beyond the range of human-made measurements. It was scary even if it were to stay still, but it recognized Jung Si-woo’s existence and even answered back after reading his thoughts.
[This is a dream since you’re objectifying me like this.]
“Oh, oh…What the hell are you talking about now…?”
What the hell was it talking about? Jung Si-woo was sure that he wasn’t dumb, but he just couldn’t understand what it said. Then the dragon asked a question with a big smile.
[Have you ever thought about why you are born human but resemble a dragon?]
“Because the Heaven’s Bell made me dream of…”
[That is just a tool to call out what needs to be called out. The only reason a human can use it is that it is your origin.]
“Origin…”
[Or you could call it a concept.]
It didn’t matter whether it was an origin or a concept. He still didn’t understand.
[It’s not a great tool, but it miraculously played a role in meeting a great master. That’s why you dreamed of me. The dragon, who was sleeping deep in your soul, was awakened.]
“Are you trying to tell me that I was a dragon in my previous life? That’s full of shit.”
[You are already aware of the fact yourself.]
“…oh.”
Jung Si-woo’s forehead wrinkled. He didn’t like it when the big dragon talked like he knew him. He was no longer a kid, so why would he believe that he was once a dragon? But maybe.
“I know this isn’t just an ordinary dream. And I can guess where the dragon exists. But what am I supposed to do then?”
[No one is giving you instructions. You’re already instinctively following the dragon’s path. Isn’t that right? I’m just here to remind you of that.]
“…”
It was true. Jung Si-woo continued to train in admiration for the dragon’s great presence and admiration for the dragon’s mana. The five senses were obtained and combined with his intuition to be reborn as the Sense of the Dragon. He was able to grow rapidly in his own way because he dreamed of the dragon. But what should he do? When Jung Si-woo tried to ask, the dragon continued to speak.
[Therefore, there is no need to deny one’s ability, to disparage one’s own efforts, or to fear the blessing of nature.”
“…Hah.”
A dream was a dream. He couldn’t believe the secret anxiety he was hiding was being revealed. The dragon continued talking to Jung Si-woo, who was casually smiling.
[You’re a noble dragon. Just affirm yourself. Doing what you want to do is enough. Not believing in yourself won’t help you with anything.]
“…Are you trying to soothe me?”
[…]
The dragon, who had been talking so well, suddenly shut up. Of course, there was no need to hear the answer. The dragon’s words hit the nail on the head. Jung Si-woo always pretended to be cheerful, but there was memorable anxiety in the corner of his heart. The power was given to him without any reason from the moment of birth. It was an absolute talent that pure effort and competition couldn’t beat. He thought it wouldn’t be strange even if he disappeared anytime because he didn’t know his origins. He wasn’t sure if it was really his own power either. He always smiled but still felt uneasy.
Being born with so much, he always had to doubt himself. He also hesitated about what things were a gift and what things were his own hard work. Now he was having trouble evaluating his worth.
[You are a dragon.]
Then again, the dragon spoke.
[Hesitation and anxiety do not suit the dragon. Take your own things with confidence. Move forward with confidence. Everything you have is your right, and everything that is not yours will soon be yours.]
“Ha.”
Jung Si-woo finally laughed when he heard it. Funny enough, he felt a little more comfortable. It was quite comforting, even if this dragon was just something he made up in his mind. However.
“What does it matter if I was a dragon in my past life or not?”
The dragon shook a little. Or he thought so.
“I’m me. I don’t need any other proof to live as myself.”
Jung Si-woo was affirming himself. He was always anxious, but he still loved himself. He was on a steady track; he hesitated but never stopped.
“How can there be no anxiety and no anguish in life? I’m positive about myself, including the useless worries and anxiety I’ve had. Being obsessed with talent and effort, and feeling superior to others, and feeling pathetic is all a part of me.”
[…]
“If you’re an almighty dragon without any worries, I don’t want to be one. And I assure you, I’m not like that.”
Jung Si-woo turned around.
“I don’t want to take the dragon’s heart just because I won the dragon’s ability. I’m just going my own way. You may be confident, but you stumble sometimes. So what are you going to do about it? I like that kind of me the most. Do you think that I’d care about a dragon that I’ve only seen a few times in my dreams?”
[That’s good enough.]
A voice came in; it resounded from within. Jung Si-woo realized that he was a dragon before he knew it. No, maybe from the beginning.
[Only then does one deserve to be called a dragon.]
This bastard was trying to convince him that he was a dragon until the end. Jung Si-woo was about to say something, but his eyes opened. A few messages popped up when he woke up from his dream.
[You are aware of your unique ability Extortion]
[Extortion Lv1]
[The ability derived from the self-centered, firm, and unwavering self-belief. You can turn anything you want into your own.]
[Jung Si-woo]
[Breaker]
[Lv 128]
[Strength – 464 Agility – 429 Stamina – 441 Mana – 295]
[Resistance – Poison Lv11, Flame Lv6, Curse Lv7, Lightning Lv9, Ice crystals Lv5, wind Lv6, earth Lv6]
[Passive Skill – Dragon Senses Lv1, Dragon’s Dignity Lv8, Chaos Tail Lv4, Courage of the Ignorant Lv9, Soul Collect Lv4, Heavy Weapon Battle Lv7]
[Active Skill – Super strength Lv4, Grant Lv41, Heavy Strike Lv41, Combat Charge Lv35, Critical Bullet Lv12, War Cry Lv16, Stone Skin Lv16, Cruel Charge Lv11]
[Unique Ability – Extortion Lv1]
“…Huh.”
It was a very strange dream. Moreover, what was the short and decisive explanation attached to this ability obtained at the end? He didn’t understand because it made him seem like a very selfish person.
‘Then it’s an ability that was originally latent for me.’
So far, there had been several things that Jung Si-woo himself didn’t know the principle about, including the principle of making god’s power his own. However, if there was a unique ability, it was explained. It would have been possible for God to make what he wanted into his own.
“Wait, maybe it’s not just him…”
Perhaps it was thanks to this unique ability that even if he killed monsters outside the dungeon, he could absorb their records and mana to raise his level. No, he was sure of it. It was absurd indeed, but he didn’t even know that his inherent ability was the source of his strength now. Maybe the reason why he could be an underground player, maybe even more than that…
“…I don’t like it.”
“Oppa…?”
There was a person who was worried about him and talked to him after seeing his face looking grumpy from the dream he just woke up from. It was Soo Ah-rin sitting on the bedside watching him.
“Ah-rin?”
“Oppa, you’ve been moaning in your sleep. I didn’t think healing magic was going to work…are you all right now?”
Her eyes were endlessly clear, transparent, and filled with pure worries. Her feelings for Jung Si-woo made him deeply reflect as he had only thought about himself until now. Yeah. He could delay the player thing for now.
“It’s okay. It was just a little bad dream…thank you.”
“You’re welcome. I’m just worried that you’re having a hard time sleeping…”
Jung Si-woo gave the shy Soo Ah-rin a gentle pat on the head. She didn’t avoid his touch, even though she didn’t like her hair getting messy. He decided to pretend he didn’t see her smiling. But after a while, he could feel someone else looking at them. It was Yong Se-ha.
“Yo, Mr. Yong Se-ha.”
“…Were you awake?”
“Don’t mind me and keep doing what you’ve been doing. Just like it was.”
Oh, he was sulking. They were sure he was. Come to think of it, Yong Se-ha wasn’t with them when they entered the residential area because he was sleeping. It was the same when Caina was reborn as Dragon Knight. They were sure that he must’ve felt left out.
“Okay, then let’s do a special lesson that we didn’t do last time. I’ll let you move with the spear.”
“Uh, starting now? You don’t have to…hhh.
“Iiii-eekk.”
If only energy could be put into the eyes, Yong Se-ha would’ve been divided into 17 equal parts from Soo Ah-rin’s glance. There was a great atmosphere going on, but she couldn’t believe he’s interrupting them! However, Yong Se-ha had a different direction and wanted to get attention from Jung Si-woo just like Soo Ah-rin. He focused on Jung Si-woo, not daunted by Soo Ah-rin’s overflowing gaze.
“Then I’ll learn that lesson, Hyeong-nim.”
“Yes, I need to check my changed body too…Ah-rin, you should rest.”
“Whoo…don’t take too long.”
“Yes.”
Instead of getting up from his seat, Jung Si-woo suddenly thought of Caina and Beto, but looking around, there was no sign of them. For the time being, they seemed to have no intention of coming out of their residence. He couldn’t let them relax forever, but it would be okay to leave them for a while.
The training ground was still very wide. Of course, there was a ring for fighting, but Jung Si-woo put everything in the training center aside and faced him on the floor because it wasn’t suitable to run freely. In fact, he wanted to clean things up, but he couldn’t. Now, he decided not to even think about how this place operated.
“Okay, let’s have a free fight.”
“If I do something like a free fight, I think my body will be free to scatter in the air.”
“I won’t use magic, so relax.”
Yong Se-ha’s expression darkened at the words.
“People who always say that get their ass kicked in the end…”
“Of course. If you’re confident in winning, you don’t even need a handicap.”
“As expected!?”
But contrary to what he said, he tried hard. As Jung Si-woo’s level rose, he also became stronger, and the Lance Charge, which activated the Mana of the whole body, contained overwhelming momentum.
“Koeeekk!”
Of course, he didn’t reach the level of Jung Si-woo.
“You have to get rid of your opponent’s space. You’ll destroy yourself if you charge recklessly.”
“But that doesn’t mean I should lose tension.”
“Of course, I’m not asking you to leave such a clumsy margin. You have to put pressure on the other person so that they can’t avoid your attacks easily. Show me that you can be strong, fast, and flexible at any time.”
“Is that compatible…?”
“Let me show you. It may hurt a little.”
“…Please.”
The battle with Yong Se-ha also served as a good opportunity for Jung Si-woo to check his own abilities, which changed after gaining the dragon’s sense. Anyway, he was stronger than a sandbag! Of course, it would only be complete if handled mana. Still, it was a perfect opportunity to adapt by identifying the connection between his pure body and passive skills.
After a week, the two hammers and armor in the drawer were fully recovered, and Yong Se-ha followed Jung Si-woo to some extent. Finally, Caina was out of the residential area.