Chapter 38_ Dragon Knight (2)

[You are at the beginning of the labyrinth.]

[Hidden trial now begins.]

[Survive the labyrinth.]

[Dragon's Curse has been applied.]

[Your attack and defensive power are dropping.]

[All stats will be reduced by 80%.]

[You have resisted.]

Once an area is designated as a dragon's lair, big changes will occur. The dragon's magical power will spread outward, making monsters in the area stronger and more intelligent. This creates an environment that even the strongest transcendent finds difficult to enter. Hordes of monsters and high-level magic traps surround a lair.

However, unlike the other dragons, the territory of the Insane Dragon Nevartan doesn't have any traps or guards at all. This is because the Insane Dragon Nevartan is literally an insane dragon. He has been consumed by madness and has completely lost his sense of reason.

As he wandered through the labyrinth, looking forward, Lexus saw a spacious passageway. It was about 50-60 meters wide and 30-40 meters high. A passageway so deep underground. He wondered if this passageway truly connected to the lair.

He originally thought that the passageway was quite short; however, the length of this passageway greatly exceeded what he had expected.

10 minutes...20 minutes...30 minutes...After two hours, despite flying at an extreme speed, he still hadn't reached the end of the passageway. He couldn't even tell that the end was nearing; it seemed as if the passageway stretched on forever. With the speed of Lexus that had already surpassed what a human could achieve, he had already traveled hundreds of kilometers.

After tirelessly traveling for another kilometer, Lexus stopped as his super sensitivity was sensing something. From his experience, not only there were treasures ahead but some sort of danger as well. He slowly walked forward, then his footsteps walked even softer, making no noise. After exiting the passageway and stepping into an extremely vast space, suddenly a system prompt appeared in his eyes.

[You are the first to enter Insane Dragon Nevartan's nest!]

[You have made an achievement that is not easily accomplished. Reputation will rise by 2,000 across the continent.]

[Your level has risen.]

[Your level has risen.]

[Your...]

[...]

Whoosh! whoosh!

As Lexus continuing moving forward without caring about the debuff that was intended to restrict his movements, soon he found a noise that seemed a giant beast's breathing or snoring. Lexus was intrigued with the sound and with his curiosity, he decided to go near it while trying to minimize his presence. In a distance he saw a gigantic figure.

'Dragon.'

The moment he saw it, he felt the absolute strength emanating from it. Unlike most other dragons he had imagined, this one was covered in pitch-black scales; on its head were two black, sharp horns that were at least hundreds of meters tall, and bat-like wings that hung naturally.

At the front of its mouth were two sharp and deadly fangs. Similarly, its abdominal area was also jet black, and its claws looked like steel hooks. There was also a sturdy tail that was over six hundred meters long. The sleeping dragon had the colossal size of a tall and massive mountain.

At the moment, it appeared to be sleeping, but its powerful snores were almost deafening. Despite being asleep, it exuded a massive pressure that made it difficult for Lexus to breathe.

'To be able to emit a pressure like that while sleeping...dragons were really incredible and powerful.'

People knew very little about dragons. They couldn't afford to study and understand the transcendent species that could destroy human civilization with a single flap of their wings. This had a huge impact on players as well. The information about dragons depicted in literature and quests that players could access was limited.

However, everyone knew about the Insane Dragon. An incredibly ferocious and powerful dragon. In other words, it was the Insane Dragon Nevartan who made up the image of a dragon that was passed down to people. Nevartan's recognition was unique among the dragons. Neither the Fire Dragon Trauka, nor any Ancient Dragons, were Nevartan's opponents in terms of awareness.

It was because Nevartan's activity level was the highest among the dragons. It was only a few activities in a hundred years, but it was many times more than other dragons. He caused all types of incidents, but the content was inconsistent. In some cases, the people at the scene weren't completely wiped out. This was the reason why many dragon records, which were only a few in human history, featured Nevartan as the main protagonist.

'According in the novel, Nevartan must be the strongest among the ancient dragons.'

Lexus recalled that it was mentioned that Nevartan represented the dragon race's omnipotence. It was because of the black dragon's innate power that allowed him to use all skills skillfully. However, as he had no intention of waking him up, Lexus proceeded to finish what he came for in this place. Doing the same process he did at Trauka's lair, Lexus swiftly obtained the mineral that he desired.

[Mineral Containing the Breath of the Insane Dragon]

A mineral that naturally occurs in the nest of insane dragon Nevartan. It has a special nature due to being affected by Nevartan's breath for thousands and tens of thousands of years. It's correct to say that this is a crazy mineral.

Weight: 5

"Legendary Blacksmith's Appraisal."

[The blacksmith who became a legend can appraise items with an excellent discerning eye. If a hidden feature exists in the target item, it will be found.]

[You have discovered a hidden feature in the item!]

[The information about the Mineral Containing the Breath of an Insane Dragon' has been updated!]

[Insane Dragon Iron]

A mineral that naturally occurs in the nest of the insane dragon Nevartan.

It has been influenced by Nevartan's madness for countless years and gained the chaotic ability 'Proliferation.'

It doubles every 10 days.

This absurd nature makes it very difficult to control. The hardness is comparable to black iron, but the smelting difficulty is several times higher.

Weight: 5

Unlike Lexus, who had expected it, Braham and Madra were both breathless, even though they didn't have bodies to breathe. The emotion they have was one of more than just simple admiration.

'A mineral that doubles?'

It meant that the mineral would increase infinitely if it would just placed it in the warehouse! It was also a precious mineral on the level of black iron!

It was then, a terrifying golden eyes suddenly opened as it fixed it's gaze to him. The dragon immediately stretched out its body and woke up from its slumber. Suddenly, notifications began to appear.

[You have become lost in front of an immeasurable existence. Your head involuntarily bows. Your body is shaky and head begins to move.]

[Extreme fear controls your body due to 'Dragon Fear'. You have been inflicted with 'stun.]

[You have resisted.]

『 A human? 』

Lexus then heard Nevartan's voice, but despite it being a simple word, he could feel a tremendous amount of mana that was contained within those words. Looking at the tiny human in front, Nevartan's golden eyes quickly turned black. The focus disappeared. At first glance, it looked as if there were a gaping hole where his gaze once rested. No signs of intelligence could be seen in it; only complete madness.

His eyes, which were black as if a hole had been drilled into them, returned to their normal golden color in an instant. Nevartan's mind constantly fluctuated; he was always insane, but there were occasional moments when he managed to overcome it and become sane. Nevartan was wary of the madness that he could not predict when it would return.

"Nevartan! I know how to fix your madness!"

『 A method? I also know a method. However, who in the world can ask for her cooperation? It is futile. 』

Lexus' words immediately caught Nevartan's attention. Nevartan, who was cursed to be insane and had been suffering with madness throughout countless centuries, yearned to be cured of his condition. He could only stay sane for a short moment, but he still persevered to keep his sanity long enough to hear what the human in front of him had to say. Without hesitation, Lexus took nine bottles from his inventory and threw them all in the air, directly toward Nevartan.

"Here! This bottles were all filled with the blood of Marie Rose."

Hearing him, Nevartan's pupils shook in surprise but he immediately crunched the bottles with his sharp fangs. Tasting all the blood, he gulped and devoured it all. After a moment passed, Nevartan opened his eyes as he could clearly feel that the madness that had consumed him for centuries was slowly disappearing. Clearly feeling the sensation, Nevartan is now certain that he was finally free from it.

『 For the feared Insane Dragon to become f-f-friends with a human, then I have no choice. I'll become your friend. Be honored human. 』

Nevartan was mumbling in an excited tone as notifications began to appear in Lexus' view.

[You have liberated the madness of Nevartan.]

[Insane Dragon Nevartan will be no more. He will be change to Black Dragon Nevartan.]

[Affinity with Black Dragon Nevartan has increased by +80.]

[Your affinity with Black Dragon Nevartan has reached 'Friend'.]

[You are the first to befriend and made contact with a dragon.]

[You have made an achievement that is not easily accomplished.]

[You are the first to accomplish a feat that doesn't exist in any legends or myths.]

[Your great achievement will generate the only one title, 'Dragon Contractor'.]

[Dragon's Contractor]

Rating: Only One

[The first to form a contract with a dragon for the first time.

* You have contracted the Black Dragon Nevartan who is now free from his madness and had returned to his prime of being the strongest dragon.

* Some functions are sealed. You can only break the seal once you have reached level 400.

* You cannot see part of the information. You can only see it once you satisfy the conditions.

* Ability locked (Sealed).

* Ability locked (Sealed).

** Some of the abilities are sealed. You must meet the qualifications or conditions in order to lift the seals.

** Some information cannot be accessed. You must meet the qualifications or conditions in order to view the information.]

[Due to system limitations, rewards will be claimed when you reached level 400.]

Lexus narrowed his eyes as he was intrigued by the system notification, guessing the system was nerfing him. However, he didn't complain because he knew this really needed to be balanced or else it would ruin the game.

『 Though you still haven't given your name, you have my gratitude. 』

Nevartan's golden eyes that now lost the contamination of insanity and madness, gazed at Lexus.

"Are you being... considerate?"

『 Hoh, I see. So this is what people call consideration. 』

Nevartan's huge eyes seemed to curve.

『 You have done me a great favor. I hope forming a contract with you will suffice. Although I used to be insane, I am aware that you will be the first human to enter into a contract with a dragon. My feelings toward you are strange, but please understand they are only temporary and caused by my exposure to insanity. 』

"Though I don't really know what you meant, I think it isn't mania."

Looking at Nevartan, who had bowed his head, not allowing his pride as an ancient dragon to get the better of him, Lexus spoke with a smile.

"You are perfect and have always been alone, so you might find it hard to understand... today, you received a lot of help from me, so you are grateful. It is small, but you feel some liking toward me. This is a natural emotion, not mania."

『 Hmm… 』

"It is a feeling that will grow naturally if we continue to interact and communicate in the future. You will feel and understand it clearly someday." Lexus wanted more power and he didn't want to miss out on the hard-earned strange fate that he could have with Nevartan. He hoped they would be together in the future.

『 Continue in the future… 』

The future was naturally a guaranteed right for dragons.

『 Very well. Having you by side in the future doesn't sound so bad. 』

While Nevartan smiled in satisfaction, another notification appeared in Lexus' view.

[Black Dragon Nevartan will now view you positively. In the future, Nevartan will allow you to fight by his side.]

[You are the first to accomplish a feat that doesn't exist in any legends or myths.]

[Your great achievement will generate the only one title, 'Dragon Knight'.]