The dragon of the mountain grows stronger

I cleared out that damn town. It wasn't even worth the effort. Such a pain. However, it has occured to me that to gain more wealth I must do two things.

First is to find out gow the world currently operates. Many things have changed over the milennium so I need to find out where the right places to gain my wealth are. It would also help with the second thing that I need to do.

Second is to start some sort of business. While I can go on stealing other people's wealth by force, it would be much easier to make others work for me. Unfortunately that means I must do what all merchants do. Spend money to get more money. I also need things that I trade. Weapons should be up my valley. Surely I can improve some already existing weapons and sell them for profit. I also can teach them technology that is long forgotten and technology that they haven't figured out yet.

That's it. These are the things I must do. But where to begin. Back when I was around, Atlas was the place where all the wealth gathered. In my time, I wouldn't have dared to rob that place that is protected by the gods and the voidborn. But this time if I only visit there to learn more about this world current events, surely the gods wont mind.

So I fly to Atlas since I can't use my teleportation to go there yet. I have never actually been in Atlas, but I heard stories of it's beaty. When I got near enough, I changed forms to be more acceptable to mortals. And by the name of the abyss, this place was glimering. I couldn't believe in my eyes at first how pretty everything looks. It must have costed millions to build this city. Well, given that it was built by one of the voidborn, it's to be expected. I first decided to find information in the lower classes. Turns out that there was a war that was fought across the world against golems. After the war they had abundance of metals to use. So they have metals that they have hard time using. Perhaps I should by some and create weapons for them. I also learned how the world is now structured. Pretty interesting if I do say so myself. These worms that gave me this information shall be promoted to dogs.

I went to the people who were in charge while dressed up as a high class noble. I told them that I would by all their metals for my personal use. They told me that they will sell part of it, and rest will be kept in their hands. So be it. I took the metals that I could and headed of to my lair. By the abyss, it pains me to spend so much money on something like this. But then it occurs to me that I could have used the sword of creation for this plan of mine. Then I thought that my mana wouldn't probably allow me to build as much as I planned, so I take my losses and start working.

I spend a lot off time making high classs weapons and armor. I also upgraded my lair to be a little more accepting on the upper levels and then the labyrith would swallow anyone who dared to enter. But before that labyrith, there will be, what I call, a boss room where I put a weak copy of myself defending a small part of my treasure. I let those who can defeat the copy to keep the rewards they sought. How this will benefit you ask? Well the trick is to give them an impression that my lair is doable. Then people will try to come and claim the famous treasure of Fafnir. Many will die and be swallowed by my dungeon. Those bodies will be transfered here in the bottom of my dungeon and I will use everything, and I mean everything they have and make them sellable. There will also be some monsters in my dungeon to keep the quests entertained. Staff of creation is helping a great deal.

I have already created my own company "dragon's tail" that sells normal weapons such as swords and spears, armor such as leather armor or iron plating. Then there is advanced weaponry such as ballista of normal and magical kind, magic cannons and pilars of magic. There will be variations of each and not just the items mentioned above, so there will be a lot of byers. Time to get the show started.

First I spread a rumor that someone got rich from entering Fafnir's dungeon. Then I went to the local militaries and sold my weapons. Some questioned their origin, but many were swayed by their potential. I traveled far and wide to sell these weapons and my wealth was growing. Even some brave adventurers entered my dungeon. Claiming that there is infinite treasures to be found. They even spread the rumor that the deeper you go, the more you will get. It's a small price to pay, but when the gold calls you deeper and deeper, eventually you will be swallowed.

My wealth was increasing in a great speeds and I only had to do some little things to tweak the system every now and then. I even increased my wealth by dirrectly creating things with the sword of creation. I was so happy when the cogs turned in my favor.

And then finally, someone conquered my dungeon. Losing some weatlh is a shame, but in the grand skeem of things, it doesn't matter much. The rumor of Fafnir's dungeon having an infinite number of wealth has spread out smoothly. Because of all the rumors, more and more adventurers are taking the risk.

But I feel like I must soon return to the abyss. I haven't visited it ever since I died. It would do me some good to see what my home plain is like. Oh I can't wait to see how much the pit's have grown.

I went to see the abyss and I was surprised of how many mortals were in this plain. I blended in for a while and saw that they had found out an ore that is only found in abyss. The ore can be molded by special techniques. The same way aetherium is molded by sertain type of magic. What I heard is that it is one of the strongest materials you can find. Apparently if abyss ore causes you to bleed, it makes the wound stay open for much longer time and it's harder to heal. I wonder if I can make this ore by the sword of creation? If I can, then I can sell it for these dwarfs for very high price.

I also visit the point where the pit has stoped for now. I see many creatures that are unknown to me. Since I'm using invisibility and hiding my presence, I don't know if these creatures are hostile or not. But in any case, I can use them as my army when I attack Stoor.

I leave and start the abyss ore production. The production is a succes and I go and sell them to the dwarfs in abyss. Of course I had to make an excuse of how I obtained them, but those small trick are nothing that I can't handle. I get a great profit.

I could have just kept the abyss ore with me as a part of my wealth, but the money I get from selling them exceeds the amount of value that the abyss ore holds according to the power of avarice. The system is indeed something that I must follow to attain more power.

Many days have passed and I hear a word through the heavens that this Nor has gained all of the remaining blessings. Too bad he can't get the blessings of envy and sloth. It was a huge risk for me to enter the heavens. Of course my brother Quetzalcoatl was watching and judgin me. I even met him and it wasn't pleasant experience. He said that "You should stop your journey of vengence. It will only weaken us more. What if something similar happens that rivals the kindleds attack. There was a war that already devestated our lands and weakened us dragon lords." To which I say "But Stoor wasn't bothered by this war, so he has not suffered. I only seek for the remainder of my soul."

We went back and forth with this and it ended him saying "If you do attack Stoor, I will rush for his aide." I left the heavens as I was clearly not welcome there. Soon I will attack. Soon.

I was invited to a party to welcome Nor as a dragon hero. While there was sertainly some tension between us, me, Stoor and Quetzalcoatl didn't start any fights. In fact, it was quite a pleasant evening. I even made some great deals during that party. I even managed to convince Lóng to give me 500 million lux if I took care of his little Liishen problem. It was a piece of cake and I got lot of materials to use as my merchandise. Quetzalcoatl didn't want any help from me at first, but at the end he was clearly considering.

Couple of months have passed and I feel the power surging through me. I feel like I can defeat Stoor once and for all. I start my attack.

I see Stoor and I ask him nicely to give me the remainder of my soul back. To which he rises up from his slumber and answers "I refuse." That gave me a reason to start blasting my void magic. It causes him great pain and I'm loving it. He starts to cast his spells as well, but it seems that he is slower than I can remember. I dodge them with ease and cast my void magic at him once again. I can see parts of him flying off in a spectacle. He is having hard time to move and I decide to try and put an end to this. Until Quetzalcoatl attacks. He shouts "I warned you!" I had no time with his interference and I call upon the creatures of the abyss to attack him in herds. Some of them were my selected creatures and some of them were of my own creation. They distract him enough that I can slip right past him and I touch Stoor. I cast my abyss magic at him and he roars in pain. I don't have time to kill Stoor, so I just plan on taking my remaining soul out of him by force. I can hear Quetzalcoatl cursing me and I continue searching. Where is it?

While searching I find Kur's soul as well. I don't see a soul that belongs to Bahamut, so I know that he is still out there somewhere. His power can't be that weak that his soul has been digested yet. Then I finally found it. The rest of my soul. I snatch it and rip it out from Stoor. It fuzes in me and I can feel my lost power coming back again. Some of it has been digested by Stoor, but it's still better than nothing. I scream in victory "Yes! I am fully back now brothers!" Quetzalcoatl shouts "Are you satisfied now?!" To which I shout "Yes!" While I still feel like killing Stoor, it would pain me to lose such a cute little brother. I choose to let him go for now and I retreat with these words "My job is done! I shall no longer harass Stoor! However, I will find the one who killed me, and I will make him suffer! One way or another!" I retreat to my lair and I make the creatures of the abyss disappear as well. Now it's finally done.

That brother of mine sure is lucky since I chose to let him live. I commend Quetzalcoatl for keeping his promise and fighting his older brother. I will tell him later in heavens when the dust has settled.

Now to find that brother of mine and giving him his punishment. Where could he be? Since I heard a rumor that he was eaten by Stoor, I thought that he would be there. But his absense means that he was not fully killed. That means there is two places he must have chosen to hide. First place is the afterlife Kolkhis. The second place is the sea of Hou. It is easier for me to enter the sea of Hou, so that's where I'm headed. Luckily I have a spell that makes it easy to delve deep underwater.

I enter the demon prince's realm and dive deep in the sea. I can feel my brother's presence in here somewhere, so I must be on the right track. I follow my senses and I finally find him. I greet him as I have my honor as a dragon lord. I'm the eldest, so I must show what it means to be a dragon lord. I say to him "Bahamut, your time of solitude ends now. Now suffer." I cast my abyss magic at him and he screams in pain. I continue using abyss magic until I hear no more screaming. When I stop I see him slowly starting to move again and he says "Is this enough brother?" I use my abyss magic more in rage and he just takes it without trying to evade it. When he finally stops screaming I stop again. He says again "You started this. As a dragon lord, you were prepared to die back then." To which I shout "You tried to burry me under your little cave! That is not how a dragon lord fights his foes!" He thinks a moment and then he says "You forced my hand and I had to live with a guilt of killing my own brother. Did our time together mean nothing to you when you decided to steal my treasure?" I say "You can't use it the same way I do. I was preparing for the second wave of the kindled. I was thinking the future we might face." Bahamut then says "You should have told me so back then. But now, it's too late. Now kill me if you will. I have no will to fight you."

I rage and start casting my abyss magic indiscriminately to all directions. How dare you not fight back! I demand you fight back! But I knew that he has decided his actions well in advance. I could feel his will in me and I saw no point in this punishment. I put him through killing his own brother. Him living is his punishment. I say "I bored now. Don't you dare show your face before me ever again." To which he answered "As long as you don't come here." I left in anger.

Why couldn't I just kill him? Why did I leave them both alive after what they've done to me? Perhaps, and this is only a small posibility, perhaps I don't wish to see my younger siblings die. But Kur had it coming. If I were still alive back then, I would have killed him myself.

I will be the evil dragon who steals from the kingdoms that aren't prepared. I even sell them weapon to use against me. I will feed on the greed of the mortals and become even stronger. I am the dragon lord Fafnir of avarice, and I will have everything I want. It's time for me to finally steal that treasure of Bahamut that is still buried in the deep. Unless they have been taken by the seafolk, but if they are in the same condition as to when I left them, they should be burried deep. That reminds me, how did Stoor eat me again? I was burried in that cave deep beneath the ocean. Did he just eat all that was there? I wouldn't put it past him. And if it turns out that it's truly the case, I, will, be, pissed.

I found out that Stoor has indeed ate Bahamut's treasure. Well most of it anyways. I could salvage some valuable things. By the abyss I want to kill Stoor right now.

Might steal Quetzalcoatl's treasure while I'm at it. There is no way that his territory haven't gotten richer during all this time. He might just give it to me if I threaten him enough. Akhekh probably doens't have anything valuable. Lóng might have couple of things, but he values wisdom above all else, so it might not be worth it. Ryū might have something, but since she is so spoiled, she might have used them for something already. Tiamat probably wont even have anything. Better try convincing Quetzalcoatl, and if he doesn't give it to me, I just wreck the whole place. What's little more hatred from my siblings.

I try to convince Quetzalcoatl to give me his valuables, but he insists on me going to apologise to Stoor. How dare he?! He was the childish one who didn't give remainder of my soul back. I tell him this and he says that we must apologise to each other. I suppose I must use force then. It worked, though Quetzalcoatl wasn't happy at all. I say "It's your compensation when you got in my way."

I go and ask Lóng if he has any valuables that he can offer me and he gave me couple gold bars. It will suffice. I tried my luck with Ryū, but she said something unnecessary so I got angry and blew an entire island. There were couple people there, which bothered Ryū and she got angry at me, saying "This is why you aren't loved by anyone." I don't care. I get results done while you all stay wishy washy.

As the eldest, it's my job to be the strongest. This is why I will do the deeds that no one else can. I sacrifice myself for the day when another catastrofy comes forth. I will have everything I want and desire. No one can stop me from executing this fact.

Now I'm left to regret however. Why didn't I just corrupt Bahamut by using my abyss magic? Perhaps that would have been suitable punisment for him. But the amount of energy that he took from my abyss magic was something that would pull a mortal to shreds. He is a dragon lord after all, so no wonder that he could take it. Though I wont be surprised if he turns out being corrupted by the abyss. The same way Kur was. Poor little Kur couldn't handle little bit of my abyss and ended up getting killed.

I rest peacefully in my lair for a while, while my wealth increases. I have gone out in my demon form and gathered some pocket change. I have killed many who got in my way without remorse. I've even seen little Nor wondering about. I heard that he had spawn with Akhekh. If that is what that naive little sister of mine want, then all the power to her. As long as she doesn't get in my way. Though she has stoped couple of drug traders that were under my chain, but there's no way for her to figure it was me. I'm supplying to some greedy mortal who takes all the credit while paying me a pretty sum. And even if she does find out, she can't do nothing about it. She might get angry at me, but that doesn't matter. I only lose a small sum when she interferes anyways. I let her have it since I see it as compensation for me working in her region. But should she try to stop me by force, I will answer to her challenge and destroy her. Body and soul.

I wonder what those spawns of mine are up to. When they were little they liked to bother other dragon lords. I wonder where they ended up. And I miss Käärmähät. She was the mother of my children. She was the calmer one of us. The dragon lord of darkness. Misunderstood little one that was seen as evil by mortals. But little did they know, she had great kindness in her heart. The kind of kindness that I didn't have. I took her in with open arms and made her mine. She seemed to like it that I dominated her, which was weird from a dragon. She gave me some trouble every now and then, but I didn't let that go over her.

Kärnir was my favorite. She dominated many other dragons that were twice her size. She made sure that the skies were on her control when she was flying. She would often bring extra meat for the rest of the family.

Färmä was someone that got involved with other dragon lords quite a bit together with Jäfnir. They seemed to like it more in those places, which caused me joy when I heard that they were causing trouble.

Litret was someone who constantly disappointed me. She was someone who got along with other dragons with only talking to them. She didn't show any form of dominance that her siblings did. She even found it enjoyable to stay in humanoid form. What a discrace.

Ulnär was someone who took after me and tried to steal my treasures as well as others. He always failed when he tried to steal from me, but he managed to steal from other dragons and dragon lords. If only he could fly that wingless thing. At least he got good with space magic.

Farhäm was someone who didn't do much. He was the biggest of the siblings and his physique was something that deterred many thing from happening to him. However, even with his huge size, he didn't seek to use it for anything. He just went to hunt when he was hungry and rested the rest of the time. He ended up being the first one to bring their own spawn to this word. However, I didn't ever see them, since Farhäm didn't want me to see them. It was something he was super serious about, so I respected his wishes and let them be. Hopefully he disiplined his kids well.

Louhär was someone weak. She was the smallest of all of us and could barely hold her own. She was so small, that her meals consisted mostly of fish and small animals like rabbits. She just disappeared one day and I never saw her again. If she was too weak to survive, then she had no place in this world.

All an all, it was an interesting experience to raise kids. Even though it was a pain, some of them really made me proud to call my own. None of them reached the level of me giving my blessing however. I wonder if they survived the war back then. Again, I wonder where they ended up. In any case, I don't look to build anymore spawn of my own anytime soon.

Nor did something foolish couple of days ago. He tried to contact me and tell me that Käärmähät is waiting for me to visit her in Kolkhis. I will consider going there, but I can't yet go there. I can't show up just to visit her. I must bring a worthy gift for her as I have been gone for so long. Even if my very presence should be enough, it would look bad on me to visist her without a gift. Or perhaps I shouldn't visit that leech at all. Hmmm... I must think further about this.

In these couple of days, I've taken a notice of a young human adventurer who has accompanied people in this dungeon. Their party is relatively smart and don't venture too deep in the dungeon. But I was more interested in this young adventurer called Scout. I didn't know much about them, but something in me felt intrigued by their presence. I followed them to the nearby town and looked at distance how they live. The party cosisted of five members.

One of them took on the job of getting the attencion of the monsters away from the rest of the party. He was some big guy who was wearing a good suit of armor. Can't wait to see him perish by my dungeon. They seems to refer to him as tank.

Second one was a spellcaster. He had a wand and some expencive looking robes. He seemed to be the smartest one of the group, so he instructed the others how to work. I'm interested in the staff he holds, but overall, his gear seems to only look fancy.

Third is a swordswoman who seems to be on the path of righteousness. She holds an avarage looking sword and she wears some light armor. She was someone who I held a very low interest in.

Fourth was a someone who scouted ahead of the rest. She was using a bow and some knives as backup. She looks like she is an elf, but she wears a hood so I can't tell for sertain.

The fifth one is the Scout person I'm talking about. I can't tell wheter they are male or female, since they hold an appearance of a human 13 year old. Their job seems to be to carry the loot they have gathered. They carry a big backbag on their back that seems a bit too much for someone like them to handle. The party seems to refer to him as a male, so perhaps I should do. Now why does he interest me so, I don't know. But there is definetly something in him that got my attencion.

I noticed couple of things while observing them in town nearby. The spellcaster seems to have hots for the elf. And yes, I have confirmed that she is elf. The tank seems to enjoy his time while drinking and constantly hits on the swordswoman, who is not having it. All of them, with the exception to the swordswoman, seems to treat Scout poorly. They treat him as an extra who doesn't contribute much to the party. The swordswoman seems to take care of him as much as she can, so he isn't completely alone.

To further my understanding of this party, I decided to apply as a hand to hand expert. It was easy to show to the group that I have superior physique than any of them. I even put my fingers near the throat of the spell caster in such speeds that I could smell him piss a little. With that, I joined their party and I got to know them much further.

One thing that I noticed while I was in the party is that they made fun of my height every now and then. For now, I shall let them have their fun, but should they fall prey to one of my monsters, I might not be able to rescue them in time. I also asked outright what gender Scout is and they said that he was a male, but I still wasn't convinced. Why does this puzzle me so much?

During our quest to find more treasure in my dungeon, I noticed the spell caster getting a little bit high and mighty for some reason. With his newfound confidence, we delved deeper than they have previously. Of course we started to have problems soon after. Spellcaster couldn't keep up with the healing required from him and soon the tank died. Troubled, we ventured back a bit and thought about our options. Spell caster was confident that we still could go further, but the scout and swordswoman didn't agree. So spellcaster decided that me and Scout should tell our opinions and I said that we should continue. Of course I would, I can get their loot when they die. Now the decision fell into Scout's hands. He had to decide which option to follow. He was intimidated by the spell caster, so he answered that we should continue. After hearing this, the scout decided to leave on her own and swordswoman considered it, but I could tell she decided to continue because of Scout.

So, with our tank and scout gone, we ventured deeper in the dungeon. We were easily overwhelmed by the monsters in there to the point our spellcaster was ravaged by a horde of goblings. When it was only me, the swordswoman and Scout, I decided to show mercy and ordered the monsters to leave. Confused as to what just happened, I reintroduced myself as the owner of this dungeon. At first they were even more confused, but my actions before showed them that I was indeed the master of this dungeon. To further proof that I'm the master of this place, I teleported us to my treasury. They were astonished by the treasure, as were all other mortals who have seen it. Then the swordswoman realized that I was someone dangerous, she drew her sword and pointed it at me. After she did this, I decided to show them my mighty dragon form. I asked them "Do you still believe that you have a chance to beat me mortals?" The swordswoman collapsed to her knees with disbelief and dropped her sword. Scout however picked that sword up and pointed it right at me. With a brave look on his face, he channeled something within him and I noticed a boost of strength in him. His strength was something that wasn't found on other humans even at the start, but now his strength was even greater.

Could he be one of them? This power seems erely familiar, so it has to be it. He was a decendant of the kindled. He was a demigod. With a amazing speed that no human could normaly possess, he attacked me and managed to make one of my scales to get damaged. Impossible, my power is unparalleled by any mortal. How can someone who's just a child manage to damage me? Even if it came from a demigod, he is still just a child. I healed it in an instant, but the feat he has just done was something that I didn't expect. Even common dragons can't damage me with their claws, teeth or spells. If I let him live, then what kind of person will he become? No! I can't let him live! He's a devil!

But he's... Why can't I act against him? What's in me that doesn't allow me to kill him? Am I afraid? No! That can't be it! He's just a child who I can take care of in an instant! I can... But... I'm compelled not to. Why is this?

I ask him

- Who are you truly?

- My name is Scout and I come from a small village.

That can't be it!

- How are you so powerfull as to make a scratch at me?

- My mom said that there was something special in our bloodline. I don't know anything else other than that.

Curious. Why didn't his mother tell him who he really is? Have they learned to stay out of sight all this time? No matter the case, he doesn't know anything about his circumstances. I have an idea.

- Child, would you like to make a deal with me?

- A deal?

- Yes. I will let you and your friend here live. In exchange I will make you my disciple.

- Why would you ask me to be your disciple?

- You bear a great power withing you. A dangerous power that can easily corrupt a mortal like yourself. I will teach you how to use this power and teach you about it's history. I cannot tell you about your specific bloodline, for I know it not, but I may be able to learn due time about it and I shall tell you about my findings.

- That's... What do you think Elisa?

He looks at the swordswoman, who says.

- I barely understand what is going on. But what I can tell you, you would make a deal with an evil dragon lord who hungers for more wealth. This may paint you as an evil person, but it will allow you to live. It is your decision whether you can live with the fact that you would be tainted by him or not. Either way, I will respect your choise.

Scout thinks for a minute and says.

- I will accept your offer.

- Very well. Now I will grant you my blessing.

I give him my blessing of avarice. Then I tell them.

- As you have before, you shall call me by the name Nier Hreid. Swordswoman, you may live as you pleace from now on. Should we cross paths, I shall treat you with little kindness that I have for you mortals. However, should you spread the word that I'm the dragon lord Fafnir and the things that happened inside this treasury, I will hunt you down with all my might. Do you understand?

- I understand.

- Scout, you may call yourself a disciple of Nier Hreid. You may call me by my name Nier or just master if you will. Do you understand?

Scout answers.

- I understand.

- Good, now that the contract has been made. I shall send you two back to the town we were before. If you meet that elf girl later, tell her that you we three were the only other survivors that came out. Now then, I will contact you later Scout. Don't worry, now that you have my blessing, I can always find out where you are. See you later mortals.

I send them near to the town we were previously in. Now then, what to do with my new disciple?