The 31st Piece Overturns the Game Board

Two more days had passed since they escaped the wetland.

Most of Seol's schemes involved exploiting the enemy's weakness. However, as this process continued, the fatigue began to weigh on him.

'There's no end to these bastards…'

The judgment that killing them one after the other would eventually halt the pursuit might have been wrong.

'Still, if I can buy some more time here…'

The Underground Garden of the Forest of the Slumbering.

They should be able to reach that place.

He was confident they could shake off the pursuit completely if he could just make it there. After all, there weren't many people who knew about that place as well as Seol did, even if that someone was the Sky Dragon, Azanic.

"Okay, then…"

Seol gazed at the beasts crouched around him. Each one was a massive predator, yet they were in a deep sleep and snoring, undisturbed by Seol's approach.

[[The beasts sleeping here might aid you in evading the pursuit. What will you do?]

1. Wake them up.

2. [Required: Jamut] Place the harvested Jamut on the altar.

3. Shout to wake them up.

4. Leave them alone.

…]

Seol placed the Jamut fruit he had prepared beforehand on the altar. The scent was so strong that it could numb one's sense of smell. Such an intense smell should be enough to wake up the sleeping beasts.

Waking up someone with a delightful smell seemed better than having someone wake them up.

After placing the fruit, Seol and his companions stepped back to observe the situation.

Sniff…

Sniff…

The beasts that were snoring moments ago caught the scent and woke up.

"It worked…"

At Tantuinu's remark, Seol shook his head.

"It didn't. It seems we'll have to scrap this plan."

"What…?"

GROAR—!

The awakened giant beasts bared their teeth and claws at one another. They began fighting among themselves to claim the fruit, not against their common enemy.

"Why are they reacting like that…?"

Seol pointed to the beasts' neck.

"That's…!"

Black spots on their necks were slowly spreading, covering more and more of their bodies.

"Corruption!"

"It seems that Azanic is closer. We must leave this place immediately."

The fact that corruption was taking place here meant that Azanic, the host, was near.

Encountering him now would leave them with little chance of survival. So, they needed to flee quickly.

Paf—! Paaf—!

'Fortunately, the Underground Garden’s entrance is nearby. If we can reach it, everything will be solved.'

He wasn't sure if Azanic had ever been to the Underground Garden. But in that place, they would be able to stand against him.

They spent another day running. Any further schemes would be mere tricks, and if Azanic himself appeared, such actions would have been wasted for nothing.

Their judgment proved to be relatively accurate. The entrance of the ruins that were concealed by vines came into view.

"Oof… Oof…"

"It's over there! There…"

Seol and Tantuinu ran for over half a day at nearly full speed as the corruption drew closer, leaving them completely exhausted.

"Can we rest a bit once we enter the Underground Garden?"

"Yes. Perhaps, a little…"

A set of options appeared the moment they reached the ruins’ entrance.

[You've arrived at what appears to be the entrance of a suspicious ruin. However, the door isn't open, and you'll have to figure out a way to unlock it. For now, there are a few options…]

It was at that moment.

"That's enough."

They heard a voice addressing them from right beside them.

However, Seol, Tantuinu, and Jamad's gazes were fixed on someone far away.

Whir…

An overwhelming presence was emanating from the figure.

"…"

"I need a few answers."

A human who had the chilling eyes of a dragon spoke while gazing at them.

Seol quickly glanced at his features. Seol’s eyesight was sharp. And even if it was someone far away, he could easily discern distinct characteristics with ease.

'A tattoo on the left side of his face, a scar running across his nose, and a massive black horn.'

It was Azanic’s human form, just as he remembered.

Azanic asked them.

"First, do you even know what you're getting involved in right now?"

"…"

"I asked you a question."

Whoosh…

The weight of his presence pressed down on them.

Seol realized that answering his questions would be an effective way to buy time, so he responded.

"I don't know everything, but I do know enough."

Upon hearing this, Azanic asked with an indifferent expression.

"Do you know the state of the one you're trying to protect?"

"Ugh…"

Tantuinu clenched her teeth. Azanic's words shook Seol and Jamad. Their gazes shifted toward Tantuinu.

Tantuinu's face turned pale.

Upon seeing that, Seol and Jamad couldn't help but have questions.

'Could there be something wrong with Tancreed's body?'

Jamad's expression hardened.

The reason she had to travel while being locked inside the Crimson Prison hadn't been confirmed by Azanic—and her.

Amidst the darkness, only Azanic's tattoo and piercing gaze were visible. He seemed relaxed.

With that question, both sides had obtained answers. Tancreed wasn't in a normal state, and the newly joined allies had been unaware of that fact.

"Do you know its whereabouts?"

"Its…?"

Seol's question seemed to irritate Azanic even more. How were Tancreed's allies unaware of what he was referring to when he talked about 'it.'

"And lastly…"

While enduring Azanic's barrage of questions, Seol was simultaneously preparing something.

'Just a bit more time…'

If they could just slip inside the ruins, they would be able to escape this situation.

But it seemed that Azanic's questions were coming to an end.

"Do you think you can escape me?"

"Well…"

Seol adjusted the position of the statue as he spoke.

"I feel like things might be alright if we just get through this uncomfortable situation…"

"Enough…"

Azanic began gathering flames in his right hand.

Whoosh…

It felt as if Seol’s group was being sucked in.

The intense heat caused cracks to form along his hand.

Crack…

Fwoosh—!

The surrounding terrain ignited in an instant… Perhaps ignite wasn't the right word to describe it.

It was a power closer to annihilation.

"Disappear."

Fwoosh…

Everything happened in an instant.

BOOM…

Azanic's hand got destroyed, and flames came flying.

The flames consumed everything in their path—the trees, the air, and even the thoughts of those who faced it.

It was a fire so overwhelming that it left no room for thought.

'Damn it!'

The first to move was Jamad.

Clap—!

Jamad still couldn't fully exercise the power of a Supreme-rank.

"Oh…"

Azanic let out a short admiration, but the situation was far from optimistic.

Crack—!

The rocks Jamad had created were instantly shattered, and the flames reached them.

But at that moment.

Crack…

The Crimson Prison shattered, and a woman with massive horns on both sides of her forehead appeared.

Swoosh—!

Solid rocks with a power Jamad would one day reach blocked the advancing flames.

"Oof… Oof…"

The woman was gasping for breath.

Jamad caught sight of her.

"Tan… creed."

And he couldn't hide his astonishment.

Life was fading from Tancreed's body, just like a candle on the verge of extinguishing.

"Azanic…"

"…"

"You won't gain anything from me."

"We'll see about that… Do you trust those frail beings?"

Thud…

Tantuinu caught Tancreed's collapsing body.

Fwoosh…

At that moment, a second flame began gathering in Azanic's other hand.

With Tancreed having fallen, there was no way to stop the next flame. However, there was no need to stop it.

Click…

After all, Seol had repositioned the final statue.

[You have solved the secret of the Forest of the Slumbering's Underground Garden.]

[You are now standing in a field.]

[Caution. The Underground Garden is Sleepyhead's territory. You cannot go against his will.]

WHOOM…

The door of the ruins opened, unleashing a tremendous wind that engulfed the party.

Whoosh…

"Hold on tight, everyone."

BOOM—!

As the wind swallowed them and the ruins' door shut, Azanic extinguished the flame in his hand.

After approaching the entrance, he looked at it for a moment before muttering.

"They've bought themselves some time…"

[You have escaped from a powerful foe.]

[You have earned the special achievement 'Narrow Escape.']

[You have earned the special title 「Lucky One」.]

* * *

Swoosh…

Swoosh…

"Seol, wake up."

"Ugh…"

At Tantuinu's words, Seol got up and looked at his surroundings.

A vast field stretched out before them.

Despite being underground, there was a dusk sky above them.

'Amazing… To think it would be a place like this.'

It looked exactly as it was described in the game's lore.

Tantuinu turned to Seol and asked.

"How much time… do we have left?"

"About half a day. After that, the ruins' door will reopen. But now, I've got a question to ask you."

Seol let Jamad ask the question.

Jamad, looking at the field, turned to Tantuinu and asked.

"How much time does she have left…?"

"…"

"Answer me."

Jamad's face twisted.

However, at that moment, someone's voice stopped him.

"Do not pressure her, Jamad."

"Tancreed…?"

Turning toward where Tancreed's voice had come from, they saw a massive dragon lying in the middle of the field.

Bathed in the glow of the setting sun, the scene was nothing short of picturesque.

Her size and aura were befitting of an Elder Dragon. Seol's group approached her.

'Damn…'

Seol couldn't hide his shock.

The power radiating from her was unbelievably weak. It was incomparable to Azanic, whom they had just met.

"Come closer, Jamad."

"Do you remember me…?"

As if he were entranced, Jamad approached her. He then noticed Tancreed’s faint smile.

"You were a mysterious child. Although I can usually see one's future through their eyes, yours were different."

"So I wasn't destined to live an average life like everyone else."

"Perhaps…"

Tancreed seemed to be struggling even to keep her eyelids open. However, there was something she needed to convey.

"…Azanic broke the silence."

"Why is he targeting you?"

Swoosh…

Tancreed moved her massive body and pushed something out from within her embrace.

It was an egg, one much bigger than a usual one. Seol would need both hands to lift it, yet it had come out from within her.

"Is this your offspring…?"

Tancreed nodded.

"So Azanic is after your child."

"Azanic wants to burn down the whole world. He claims this is the only way to truly set this world free."

"What…? What does that…?"

"Jamad, have you ever seen a god?"

It was a somewhat baffling question.

Jamad replied to her.

"If Old Gods count as gods… Then yes."

"No, they aren't gods. They are beings who just appeared."

"Who just appeared…?"

"All transcendent beings of this world, myself included, are the same. Although we're worshipped, we aren't truly remarkable beings. I’ve been guarding the land of Pandea since I was born. But is that truly right?"

"…"

"If it's right, then who decides that? A god? Then, who is this God?"

"…"

"That was once my question. But now, it has become Azanic's. He wants to understand why, if a god exists, they remain hidden and do nothing to ease the world’s suffering. And…"

Tancreed lowered her head.

"…he fell into the Abyss."

"…"

"He fell into despair upon realizing that God has no interest in this world. That's why he seeks to destroy it. Maybe he wants to draw that god's attention or perhaps become free from it."

"He's gone completely insane…"

"He's definitely fallen into madness. But I couldn't stop him. Azanic the Sky Dragon is truly someone strong…"

"Is taking your child part of Azanic's plan?"

"Of course. Passing our power down to the next generation is our duty. But Azanic didn't do that. That's why he remains as strong as he is."

"What does he intend to do with your child?"

"Due to having inherited my power, my offspring has immense potential. Perhaps Azanic wants to become a God himself. Or maybe… make a God. His exact intentions are unclear."

"So either way, he's trying to exploit your unborn child."

Tancreed faintly smiled.

"A new life is the future—it provides the strength for the next generation to move forward. This trust is something Azanic doesn't understand. Jamad, child of the Earth, I have a request for you."

"…"

"Protect this child. I will soon stop breathing."

"Why… me…"

Swoosh…

A wind swept across the field, carrying a refreshing coolness tinged with a bittersweet sensation.

"Jamad, you're stronger than any other life form I've ever seen."

"…"

"You were so in the past, yet remain so in the present. And… you will continue to be in the dark times that are about to come. That's probably why…"

Tancreed looked at Seol.

"…you got a new opportunity."

"Tancreed, tell me. What must I do?"

"You already know the answer. Because you're the one who leads the era."

The sunset faded away, and night slowly crept in.

"Even though I lived my life as Earth’s Guardian, my memories are filled with moments of doubt and resistance."

"…"

"All living beings clung to trivial values under the excuse of possibility. To think the answer was to simply observe and not intervene… there were moments when I just couldn't accept it."

Foo…

A weary breath came out of Tancreed's nostrils.

"Jamad, I've been watching you for a long time."

"Tancreed."

"And as death approaches, I finally realize… Your lives are valuable by themselves. My duty wasn't in vain…"

"This… This isn't the conclusion I wanted. Tancreed… I… I… didn't want such an ending!"

Tancreed smiled.

If someone wanted to know what a dragon's smile looks like, they would just need to look at Tancreed’s current expression.

"This isn't an end. This is a process. My will is going to continue, and it will live on within you."

"No… No! I… I still have a long path ahead of me."

Jamad was starting to tear up.

Seol had never seen Jamad express such intense emotions before.

"I want to see the world from the same level as you! Talk as equals! I… I…"

Jamad clenched his teeth.

Words slipped through his fangs.

"I wanted to become your…"

Friend.

With her head resting firmly on the ground, Tancreed said, "Jamad. We always saw the world with the same eyes. We existed in this world for the same purpose and have always been…"

Tancreed's breath was starting to fade.

"…friends."

Jamad remembered a memory from long ago.

- If I walk that great path… Does that mean I could talk with Tancreed at any moment?

- Of course.

- Then will we finally become friends?

- Child…

Even back then, she had given him the same answer as now.

- I already consider you a friend.

Her words had always been sincere.

"Jamad, this land will always need a Guardian. When I'm gone… the balance of the world will waver."

She gasped for breath as she continued.

"Please… become this land's Guardian."

"…"

Oof… Oof…

As Tancreed's breathing grew rougher, Tantuinu rushed forward and took her in her arms.

"Mother! Mother!"

"I… I'm… Not going to get a long sleep. The fields and life… and a cluster of stars… Oh, Earth, please, take me with you."

Swoosh…

Tancreed stopped moving.

"Earth Mother… No, my dear, lifelong friend, Tancreed."

Jamad bowed low and pressed his forehead to the ground.

"Thank you for everything you've done. Please, rest peacefully."

Fwoosh…

Tancreed's body became light particles and faded away.

At that moment, a flood of messages appeared before Seol.

[The Mother of Earth, Tancreed's long life has ended and vanished into the embrace of the stars.]

…

But there was no time to read it all.

"Seol."

"Jamad…"

Jamad turned around and looked at Seol's eyes.

Seol saw an emotion more overwhelming than grief in Jamad’s eyes.

"I cannot… bear this."

"…"

His emotions weren't that of sorrow.

"This rage… If I don't unleash it…"

Jamad was burning with vengeance.

"I cannot leave this place like this…"

Tantuinu stepped forward, trying to reason with him.

"Have you forgotten Mother's will? We cannot face Azanic right now! We must hide, grow stronger, and…"

"Seol."

"Even if you succeed in attacking him, you won't be able to escape! That would make everything Mother wanted to disappear!"

Seol closed his eyes as if he were searching for an answer.

"I remembered it."

"What…?"

"There might be a way."

This wasn't about rewards or survival.

This was Jamad's ritual to honor Tancreed's death. And Jamad had a great schemer to rely on.

"No. There's a way."

[Insight: Supreme-rank has been triggered.]

[If you fulfill specific conditions, you will be able to exercise Supreme-rank power.]

[Sudden Adventure 'Dragon's Vengeance' is now active.]

[Caution. This Adventure is very dangerous.]

…