NOVEL WEB Chapter 79: Venus' System
An hour passed.
Just as promised, distant hums began to swell across the horizon. At first faint, but quickly growing louder — five ships soared in from the west, kicking up a sandstorm with their descent. Their designs were similar to the Horizon Alliance carriers, but older, battered from damage and long travel.
Everyone on the decks turned toward the sound.
On the incoming Shios, survivors pressed against the rails, shielding their eyes from the wind as the incoming vessels slowly touched down in formation beside the main fleet.
The first to open was the central supply ship. As its massive ramp lowered, crates of food and essentials were carefully wheeled down by heavily armored crew members.
Several healers and medical staff emerged next, immediately assisting injured passengers.
Then, the hatches of the other four ships began to release their passengers. They were survivors from Fortress Cities that had fallen in the same wave.
They looked tired. Wounded. Eyes hollow. But alive.
Cries of reunion rang out as separated families recognized one another in the crowd. A man dropped to his knees, weeping as he embraced his daughter. An elderly woman smiled faintly as her son lifted her into his arms.
Ryuzen watched it all quietly from the deck, arms folded.
John, beside him, muttered, "At least... More people made it out."
But Ryuzen wasn't listening anymore.
His gaze had locked on a small figure stepping out of the third ship.
A girl — around 7 years old — with shoulder-length golden hair that shimmered under the desert sun. Her ragged clothes fluttered as she stood, confused and scanning the crowd. She clutched a small metal spear like a lifeline.
Ryuzen's eyes widened.
"Runa...?"
The girl's eyes were the same. That bright, piercing amber. A shade only he remembered from back then — before they separated.
Her ability was rare. Metal Manipulation. She had taken down beasts like nothing. She had fed him when he was just a weak little dragon.
The last time he saw her... she was heading toward a human settlement, alone. Their parting was sad one, but now that Ryu saw the human world, he understood she was right. If he had gone with her, the humans would probably use him a resources or pawns.
Still, he never thought she made it out alive this Wave.
But now...here she was. Alive and well.
"Hey, Ryu," Maki said, nudging him. "Are you okay? You look like you saw a ghost."
Ryuzen blinked, shaken from his trance. He quickly schooled his expression and replied, "No. It's not like that. I just… thought I saw a friend of mine. The one I told you about, back when we first met."
Maki tilted her head, thoughtful. "The girl form Twin Moon Fortress City?"
He gave a silent nod.
John leaned on the rail beside them and voiced, "Then why don't you go meet her? Pretty big coincidence you'd end up on the same fleet."
Ryuzen hesitated, then looked down toward the moving crowd below. Runa had already disappeared into the mix of survivors being ushered toward the medical zone.
"No. Not right now," he said calmly, "I'll meet her after we reach the Safe Zone."
Maki frowned slightly. "You sure? She might need someone familiar right now."
Ryuzen offered a half-smile. "No problem. I'll find her later."
If he went to meet Runa right now, she might spill the beans about him being a dragon and all.
He needed to talk to her secretly, then consider introducing her to the others.
By the side, Venus still remained calm, but her eyes were searching for the friend he spoke of. "Casually," of course.
Nevertheless, it wasn't long before the united fleet of ten airships soared forward, heading toward their destination like ancient giants of war.
It made one wonder. Who had developed such advanced Mana Tech in a civilization that was otherwise so backward?
The most plausible answer lay with the Evolvers, those with building, invention, or crafting-type systems. That alone could explain the rapid technological leap in just six years since the world's collapse.
The apocalypse had brought more than death and ruin.
Hard times create strong men.
That old saying held some truth.
That night, beneath the veil of darkness, Ryuzen quietly slipped away into the hidden chamber of the Fusion Lab.
Wasting no time, he conjured a diluted C-Rank Dragon Bloodline:
[ Blue Fire Dragon (C) ]
"Grakar, stand still and accept this bloodline," Ryuzen said, voice low but commanding. "It's a diluted bloodline of the Sun Dragon. It will strengthen your physique. If you want to refine beast cores faster, you'll need this power."
Grakar trembled, not from fear, but from reverence.
The Abyssal Hydrajaw Crocodile looked at Ryuzen with eyes full of devotion, as if witnessing a god descend upon the world.
To be granted the bloodline of a dragon, even a diluted one, was an honor beyond his imagination. He, who was once nothing more than a discarded beast, was now being given another chance.
He disappointed his lord time to time, and now it was finally time to show him his worth.
But Ryuzen did not want his worship. He did not care for loyalty born from awe.
What he needed was a capable companion. A followet who could stand by his side when chaos came crashing down.
So without any ceremony or hesitation, Ryuzen began the fusion process. One that would shape Grakar's future forever.
Whether the crocodile could endure the power and awaken something more depended entirely on his resolve.
---
On the other hand, just a little distance away from where Ryu had vanished, Venus stood quietly, her brown hair fluttering in the wind.
She clenched her fists.
"Level 15 in a week... Can I really do that? No. I have to surpass him. With my Strongest Body System and Crystal Dragon Transformation skill, I'll make it a reality."
Her gaze lowered to the skill she had just recently obtained. One that could change everything.
[Unique Skill: Harvester's Punch (C)]
[Type: Assist]
[Description: The more the user punches targets, the stronger she becomes.]
Her eyes burned with determination.
"Just wait, I won't be at others mercy. Never again. I will have my revenge..."