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Once again, the cave shook violently.

The iron door remained intact.

‘It’s not the entrance. It’s outside.’

Theo looked up at the ceiling.

‘Something’s happening on the cliff!’

It was clear that someone had collided with something.

He had checked multiple times to confirm that no one was pursuing him.

‘Or could it be that they chased after me when I disappeared?’

That seemed possible.

After all, he had taken the top spot during the First Blossoming Ceremony.

Naturally, there would be many like Haid’s group who would target him.

‘I’ve been away for too long.’

It was time to return.

“Seems like something is happening outside, right? Is it the Blossoming Ceremony?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“What a pointless spectacle. Forcing children into a death trap… Well, thanks to that, I’ve had an entertaining show to enjoy each year.”

Rodbrok smirked and pressed him for an answer again.

“So, what’s your conclusion?”

“My answer remains the same. Rodbrok, I choose you as my reward.”

Thud!

Rodbrok’s movements stopped.

His face stiffened.

[You have selected ‘Rodbrok, the Guardian Dragon of Ragnar’ as your reward.]

[‘Title: Companion of the Guardian Dragon’ has been created.]

[‘Title: Descendant of the Founder’ has been created.]

[You have established a spiritual connection with Rodbrok. You can now partially read Rodbrok’s surface thoughts.]

Messages popped up one after another.

This meant there was no turning back now.

“…What on earth are you thinking? You’re not foolish, are you? Even after giving you such an opportunity!”

Rodbrok’s face contorted with tension.

“Or are you pitying me? Foolish! How can a chosen one, who has a duty to stop the Nameless Sovereign, make such an emotional decision…!”

“Won’t we find a way?”

“What?”

Rodbrok flinched, not realizing how startled he was by Theo’s calm response.

“I’ll find something to replace your shattered heart somehow.”

“With what means?”

“You said the Ancient Dragon’s relics are pieces of the Ancient Dragon’s soul, correct? Since you’re both dragons, maybe the answer lies within those.”

“…!”

“Even if that’s not the case, while searching for the relics, we might come across treasures or . Among them, there could be a replacement, or perhaps a method close to it.”

Pity?

Sympathy?

Perhaps those words were true.

For in Rodbrok’s eyes, Theo saw a reflection of his former self.

However, that didn’t mean his choice was made recklessly or impulsively.

‘If I can join forces with Rodbrok, I’ll establish a position far beyond comparison with the other successors.’

Just by becoming the “companion” of the Guardian Dragon, who helped Sigurd restore Ragnar, Theo would gain an unparalleled legitimacy that no one could challenge.

Furthermore, all the treasures within Rodbrok’s nest would undoubtedly prove invaluable in helping him grow in the future.

“To the very end…!”

Rodbrok seemed like she was about to say something but then let out a deep sigh.

When she looked up again, her expression was a mix of complex emotions.

“…You remind me of Sigurd for some reason.”

Rodbrok opened her mouth again.

“Fine. You speak so confidently; I’ll trust you this time. It’s amusing that I’m receiving help from the son of the one who hurt me so deeply, but since you’re offering me a lifeline, you are worthy enough to be my companion. However, there’s one condition.”

Theo nodded.

“I cannot leave this nest in my current state. If I do, I’ll lose my magical power and die in less than three months.”

Rodbrok raised her hand with a bitter smile.

A section of the library shook slightly, and a thick book flew into her grasp.

“So, until you find the ‘solution,’ I’ll enter hibernation here. Take this with you.”

“What is it?”

“This is the grimoire known as .”

“…!”

Theo received the book from her with trembling eyes.

He had never expected to encounter Amon like this.

“You seem to recognize it, don’t you? It’s the only original copy in the world.”

“…I’m just surprised because it’s known as a grimoire bearing the name of a demon.”

“A demon? Ah, so that’s how you humans know it.”

Rodbrok shook her head as she continued.

“Well, in the end, Amon did fall into madness and lost its identity in a fit of rage, so I suppose it’s not strange that it’s called that now… But originally, Amon was not something so lowly.”

Theo ran his fingers over the surface of the grimoire.

It had a delicate, soft texture that felt pleasant to the touch.

For a book carrying the name of a demon, it had an unexpectedly sacred aura.

“Amon originally means ‘hidden being,’ symbolizing all things invisible to the eye. Another name for Amon, ‘Om (oṃ),’ is said to be the primordial sound that resonated at the beginning of time, a sacred vibration encompassing all frequencies of the universe. It is said that simply chanting it can purify the soul.”

Theo’s eyes widened.

From Rodbrok’s explanation, it seemed more appropriate to call it a ‘holy scripture’ or a ‘sacred text’ rather than a magic book.

“Learn this for now. If you do, this place will awaken.”

Rodbrok tapped her forehead lightly with her index finger.

Theo’s eyes grew even wider on their own.

There was no way he could misunderstand the meaning of those words.

– The Gate of the Mind would open.

The human brain is the place where the soul resides.

For this place to ‘awaken’ meant not only an increase in thinking and judgment but also establishing a connection with the energy of nature flowing between heaven and earth.

In other words, it meant achieving spiritual growth.

Through this, one could achieve a significant breakthrough.

The rise in Rank.

For a martial artist pursuing the way of the sword, this was an opportunity for an extraordinary fortune that anyone would covet.

‘This is exactly why Black Snow chose this! This rise in Rank would have greatly empowered the successor they served.’

“Amon is the ‘sound of the soul’ and the ‘vibration of truth.’ It expands spiritual resonance, allowing you to perceive the essence of things and hear the voices of hidden thoughts within them. Once you reach a certain level, you’ll be able to hear my voice as well.”

……The sound of the soul? The vibration of truth?

What is spiritual resonance, and what is the essence of things?

They were all difficult concepts, but there was one thing Theo could understand.

– Even after leaving this place, he would be able to communicate with Rodbrok.

And that meant one thing.

“Then, I’ll finally be able to borrow your strength in earnest.”

To borrow Rodbrok’s strength meant receiving the same benefits that the ancestor Sigurd had gained.

In other words, it meant becoming a ‘true’ Dragon Lord!

Thump, thump, thump!

Since ancient times, becoming the Dragon Lord was a position coveted by every Ragnar swordsman after the founding ancestor, Sigurd.

Theo’s heart raced as if the path to that very goal had opened right in front of him.

“You’re already calling me by name? Quite an insolent partner.”

“I thought that, as your partner, it was acceptable to call you by name. But if it bothers you, I’ll return to calling you ‘Guardian Dragon.’”

“Enough. Just hearing it already makes my arms itch.”

Rodbrok waved her hand dismissively.

“You’re right. Once you can communicate with me properly, you’ll start receiving the same benefits that your ancestor did. The ‘Dragon’s Factor’ dormant in your blood will awaken.”

The power of the ancestor.

Theo clenched his fist tightly.

“Of course, for that to happen, my recovery must come first. Remember, as I mentioned, the time I have left is no more than two or three years at best.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll make sure it happens within that time.”

“I hope your skills are as good as your bold words.”

[You have received the additional reward: ‘Magic Book – Amon’.]

[Check the instructions inside the book for usage details.]

[You have gained a massive amount of experience.]

[Your level has increased.]

Rodbrok clapped her hands loudly.

Clap!

“With this, I declare the Primordial Covenant has come to an end. I look forward to working with you from now on.”

The solemn expression on Rodbrok’s face softened into a faint smile.

“My new partner, after a thousand years.”

Her voice was full of playful mischief.

And then—

Flash!

Theo found himself enveloped in light, as if he was being pulled into a new space. It felt as though the very fabric of the world was twisting around him, and then, suddenly, he was hurled into another area.

Before his vision was completely overtaken by the surrounding light, the last thing Theo saw was Rodbrok’s figure returning to her original form, preparing to go back into hibernation.

Just before his eyelids fully closed, he had the sense that her two golden pupils were gazing somewhere far away.

Somewhere that felt like a distant past.

* * *

Whoooosh…!

The place where Theo reappeared was the cliff above the Guardian Dragon’s nest, the exact spot where he had confronted Haid’s group.

It all felt like a dream.

Meeting the Guardian Dragon, becoming her partner, obtaining Amon—everything felt distant, as if it had all happened in a dream.

But the magic book in his right hand was a tangible reminder that everything he had experienced was real.

‘I need to get my head straight. Reviving Rodbrok isn’t going to be a simple task; there are countless things I need to pay attention to.’

One thing, in particular, required the utmost caution—finding a substitute for the Dragon Heart.

Since Kyle had taken Rodbrok’s Dragon Heart, if anyone discovered that Theo was trying to revive her, the consequences would surely not be pleasant.

Smack!

Theo lightly slapped his cheeks with his palm to refocus his mind.

‘I should start by finding the nearest safe zone.’

The test for the second Blossoming Ceremony was to accumulate points by hunting monsters over the course of fifteen days. But…

In truth, there was a hidden ‘second’ test here as well.

To complete it, it was necessary to gather as many different types of totems as possible.

‘For now… is it southwest?’

As Theo followed the keen senses granted by the Dragon’s Heart, he took in his surroundings. Despite the snowstorm half-covering the ground, he could still make out bloodstains and traces of battle scattered across the snowy field.

The remnants of the shockwaves he’d sensed from Rodbrok’s nest were unmistakable.

Theo crouched down and touched the bloodstained earth with his index finger.

‘The battle ended no more than ten minutes ago. The number of participants… nine? No, about ten people. There were three distinct groups. The numbers were five, four, and one.’

Using his past life’s experience, Theo quickly deduced the situation that had unfolded here.

Two groups of roughly equal strength had clashed, and in the midst of their fight, a third lone individual had been caught up in the chaos.

The problem was that this lone person possessed enough skill to rival both groups.

As a result, the confrontation had escalated significantly.

That lone individual, unable to overcome the numerical disadvantage, had sustained serious injuries and attempted to flee.

‘The place that person fled to must be where the totem is located. The remaining two groups are chasing after them.’

The moment Theo grasped the situation, he moved quickly.

If they had appeared at this exact location, it was clear that they were targeting him.

That meant this was the perfect moment to strike while they were distracted by the chaos.

Moreover,

If Theo’s hunch was correct, the person being chased was someone he knew well, another participant in the trial.

* * *

“Huff, huff, huff…!”

In a cave half-hidden by the blizzard—impossible to find unless you knew the exact terrain—Ray Ragnar leaned against the wall, pressing a hand to the wound on her left side.

Blood was pouring out of the injury.

“Huuup!”

Shhh!

Her hand turned pale, and the wound quickly froze over, stopping the bleeding.

The Ice-White True Technique.

It was one of the skills Ray had learned from her master to heal the damage caused by the Nine-Syllable Pulse.

“Whew…!”

Only then was Ray able to catch her breath.

She was utterly exhausted from the relentless battles and pursuit.

If she hadn’t scouted this cave with the totem beforehand, she would’ve had to remain alert for monsters drawn by the scent of her blood. The situation would have been far worse.

“How… did that child… manage to… overcome… all of this… until now?”

At this point, Ray couldn’t help but feel amazed by Theo.

She herself was utterly exhausted from battling nine opponents.

So how had Theo, who had likely been targeted the moment the second Blossoming Ceremony began, managed to handle all of this?

“There better… not be anything… wrong…”

Ray slowly closed her eyes.

The biggest issue among the participants in the current trial was, “Where on earth did Theo disappear to?”

Ray, too, had been concerned about him, which was why she had moved separately.

And in the midst of that, she had run into two factions.

One group from the Gathering of the Hidden Dragons.

The other, trainee swordsmen from the Plum Blossom Palace.

It was obvious why the Hidden Dragons were after Theo.

It must have been on Axion’s orders.

What Ray couldn’t understand, however, was why the trainee swordsmen from the Plum Blossom Palace were displaying murderous intent toward Theo.

It was already widely known throughout Winterer that the Mistress of the Plum Blossom Palace wanted to take Theo as a disciple.

Because of this, Ray had confronted both factions, attempting to separate them from Theo.

Her injuries had all come from that encounter.

‘I have to find him before they do.’

If only to repay the debt from their childhood that she still hadn’t cleared.

Just a little more rest, then she’d move again.

Ray was thinking of this, just about to close her eyes, when—

Shhh!

Suddenly, Ray grabbed the sword she had placed on the ground and swung it fiercely.

Crack! Crack! Crack!

In an instant, the entire interior of the cave was covered in ice.