Is It Wrong to Abusing Cartoon Tropes in Dungeon?

In the sky, dark clouds churned violently, lightning streaked across the heavens, and thunder roared incessantly. The ground trembled as if a volcano were about to erupt. The once-quiet square now boiled like a pot of water, bubbling with tension. The mountains of corpses piled on the ground let out terrifying roars, making Altair, perched on a tree branch, momentarily think they were about to turn into zombies.

However, from what he could observe, they didn't seem to be turning into zombies—just lying there and howling, which was no less horrifying.

The source of this chaotic transformation was none other than the name the talking eagle had shouted: Nidhogg!

Nidhogg—the name rooted in Norse mythology.

According to Norse mythology, there were nine realms supported by Yggdrasil, the World Tree, which was inhabited by various beings. At the top of the tree resided a mighty eagle, said to have a hawk named Vedrfolnir perched between its eyes. At the bottom of the tree dwelled the black dragon Nidhogg and several venomous serpents gnawing at the roots.

Nidhogg and Vedrfolnir were bitter rivals, their hatred for each other well-documented in myth.

As Altair pieced together the scene, he realized it bore a striking resemblance to the Norse myths. The massive dead tree resembled Yggdrasil, and the eagle above could very well be Vedrfolnir. Though there were discrepancies in the details, the overall parallels were undeniable.

So, had he somehow landed in a world based on Norse mythology? But wait, wasn't Apollo from Greek mythology? And to top it off, the eagle just summoned Nidhogg? Was it out of its mind?

As Altair wrestled with his confusion, the earth suddenly cracked open as if a massive bomb had detonated underground. The entire surface heaved upward.

Startled, Altair clung tightly to the tree trunk to avoid falling. He looked down and realized the entire square was shifting—not because of an earthquake but because something colossal was lifting the square itself from beneath.

The eagle, perched confidently atop the tree, provided the answer.

"Hahaha! Finally, Nidhogg has awakened!"

Climbing higher for a better view, Altair turned his gaze toward the surroundings. What he saw sent shivers down his spine—a gargantuan creature was separating the square from the earth, hoisting it into the air. Beyond the edges of the square, Altair could make out the creature's enormous form: pitch-black, non-reflective scales covering its body, massive wings spanning hundreds of meters, and an overwhelmingly muscular build.

Near the edge of the square, he caught sight of its towering head. From the looks of it, the square rested directly on the creature's back.

This was Nidhogg, the legendary dragon, awakened by the eagle.

As the monstrous being rose, carrying the square on its back, it let out a thunderous roar that shook the heavens.

"Who dares awaken me?"

Like the eagle, the black dragon Nidhogg spoke in a deep, human-like voice.

"It was I! Nidhogg, I am the one who awakened you!"

The eagle immediately spread its wings and flew off the treetop, shouting toward the dragon.

"And who are you?"

Nidhogg twisted its massive neck, shifting its colossal head to peer at the square and the tree upon it.

"I am Vedrfolnir!"

"Vedrfolnir?"

Nidhogg's enormous eyes, each larger than Altair's entire body, glimmered with disdain.

"No, you're not that disgusting being. You're just a mortal!"

"Hahaha, as expected, I couldn't fool you, Nidhogg!"

The eagle laughed loudly.

"Indeed, I am not Vedrfolnir, but here and now, I am Vedrfolnir!"

Nidhogg seemed to see through the eagle's true nature, and its deep voice rumbled.

"Mortal, you've used a special spell to transform yourself into this form and temporarily assume Vedrfolnir's position?"

"Exactly, Nidhogg. You, as a dragon-serpent, may not be a god, but you hold the status of a supreme deity. No ordinary mortal could summon you. But Vedrfolnir can. Its status makes it possible—and it's the most direct way to call you!"

"Mortal, it seems you are set on committing the folly of fools."

"Precisely! I've prepared for this moment for so long!"

The eagle's excitement was palpable.

"Mortal, do you think you can stand against me? I am the black dragon, Nidhogg!"

Nidhogg's gaze was filled with disdain. Its wings began to flap as it prepared to take flight. Though it had been summoned, it was still dealing with a mere mortal—something that could be ended with a single swipe of its claw.

"It's useless, Nidhogg. You cannot fly right now because you're burdened by the embodiment of the World Tree and the countless vengeful corpses on your back!"

Nidhogg flapped its wings but found that it truly couldn't take off. Enraged, it let out a furious roar.

"And don't even think about turning over. Carrying the World Tree, you cannot displace its position!"

"Argh!!!"

Nidhogg roared again in frustration.

"Hahaha! Nidhogg, do you know how long I've been preparing for this day?"

The dragon's anger only delighted the eagle further. It laughed heartily and then began its typical villainous monologue, explaining its plan.

"Twenty years ago, I witnessed the terrifying power of the demon kings. When their casual attacks claimed the lives of my family, I swore to one day stand at the same level as them and exact my revenge. And you, Nidhogg, are my first target! For twenty years, I've been gathering the bones of the vengefully dead, scouring the earth for the most suitable ley lines."

"Today, I've finally completed everything!"

"The World Tree, capable of channeling curse power and connected to the earth's ley lines! Using this curse power, I've taken on the form of Vedrfolnir! And with these vengeful corpses, I've collected hundreds of thousands of them over twenty years just to ensure you cannot overturn yourself!"

"So what? Even if I cannot move freely, you still cannot defeat me. A mortal's power cannot harm me!"

Though furious, Nidhogg remained dismissive. Despite being restrained, it believed that the eagle was incapable of harming it.

"You think I didn't account for that?"

The eagle's eyes glimmered with a sharp intellect.

"Ordinary techniques may indeed be useless against you. Even weapons imbued with curse power can only hurt but not kill you. But what about a sword embedded in the World Tree itself?"

"Could it be...!"

"That's right! To slay you, I spent ten years channeling the earth goddess's curse power to forge the strongest sword. While I cannot wield it with my hands, I've sacrificed my soul to this sword. My soul will guide it, and with it, I will send you back into myth! This sword is currently embedded in the World Tree!"

"This sword was forged specifically to kill you—a one-time-use cursed blade: Gram!"

So that's it. Now I know which world this is!

Listening to the conversation between the eagle and Nidhogg, Altair nodded in satisfaction, gripping the sword he had just pulled from the tree.

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