Chapter 19

Chapter 19
## Chapter 19: Hydragon Advancement

The subterranean vault beneath the gilded metropolis of Arcana.

Clearance rewards for a zone requiring a minimum of level 8 had surpassed expectations, leaping forward by two full grades.

The manifest held only four entries, but their quality was undeniable.

**【Wind Seal】**, **【Mutant Captain’s Hook】**, **【Black Iron Dagger】**, **【Mutant Rat’s Core】**

“Every single one is a vital find.”

It was the logical outcome of securing rewards scaled two tiers above a standard level 8 completion. It felt as though the system had handpicked the most indispensable treasures for me.

I scrutinized the list item by item.

First, the **Wind Seal** was a specialized talisman. By augmenting dexterity and minimizing air resistance, it served as a foundational relic for anyone pursuing the path of a marksman or a silent executioner.

Next, the **Mutant Captain’s Hook** and the **Black Iron Dagger** represented elite-tier auxiliary armaments. These were arguably the finest martial prizes the sewers could offer. Hook-based off-hands typically provided utility buffs for scout-type roles, while handing the Black Iron Dagger to Isabella would provide an instantaneous surge in her lethality.

However, the final entry was the true prize: the **Mutant Rat’s Core**.

“It isn’t a soul, which is a pity, but it serves a unique purpose.”

A Mutant Rat soul would have been cause for celebration, but a core—specifically a mutant-grade one—possessed a function of immense value.

> **【Mutant Rat’s Core (Ingredient)】**
> ★ An enigmatic nucleus responsible for the rodent’s transformation.
> ★ Can be fed to creatures to trigger mutations or utilized in crafting exotic apparatus.
> ★★ Capable of augmenting ‘beast-type souls’ held by a **Beast Lord**.

This was a concealed mechanic, visible only to those possessing the ‘Beast Lord’ hidden classification. Its primary utility was the empowerment of souls.

“The Hydragon is classified as a beast-type apex entity.”

According to the world’s lore, the Hydragon was a composite monstrosity stitched together by a progenitor of forbidden science. This classification meant it was eligible for enhancement via the Mutant Rat’s Core.

Even in my extensive history, I had never laid hands on a Hydragon soul. I couldn’t even guess what transformations a 12-man raid boss soul would undergo when reinforced.

“There are still corners of this world I haven’t mapped.”

Confronted with this enigma, a grin tugged at my lips. Despite the dampening effects of the Iron-Blooded Lord’s Heart, which should have stifled such outbursts, I felt a genuine spark of anticipation.

I had dedicated five years to Pangeniar, rarely missing a single day. I was the veteran with the most recorded hours; it was no boast to say I understood the mechanics of this reality better than anyone. Yet, Pangeniar continued to offer these unexplored depths.

The crushing difficulty levels always reignited my competitive spirit, fueled by these hidden layers and unresolved mysteries.

“This is exactly why I could never walk away from this game.”

There was a chance the reinforcement would result in nothing significant, but I even cherished that uncertainty.

****

There was no reason to pause.

—

I purchased a heavy-duty, four-wheeled transport on the spot. I demanded the most resilient construction available, paying not with my own coin, but with Hudson’s. To balance the deal, I provided the beast of burden to pull it.

“……”

Hudson sat within the coach, his eyes fixed forward in a glassy stare. His attention had been entirely hijacked by the creature harnessed to the front. He looked like a landed fish, mouth agape in pure shock.

*Is that… supposed to be a horse?*

Under normal circumstances, a horse is a simple creature—a four-legged beast of burden prized for its speed and stamina. But the entity standing before him defied nature.

**Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!**

The cobblestones vibrated with every stride. It possessed a massive, hulking frame and nine distinct heads.

*That isn’t a horse. That’s a Hydragon…*

The Star Awakener had promised to handle the transport’s power source, so Hudson had financed the carriage without scrutiny. Only now, as they prepared to depart Arcana, did the grim reality of that “horse” become clear.

It was a Hydragon—not a pale imitation, but a perfect manifestation summoned directly from a soul. Boss entities bound to souls maintained their primordial strength and form. Even if they shared a name or level with lesser versions, their fundamental power was on a different plane.

Existing knowledge dictated that a Hydragon soul shouldn’t exist. As biological experiments, they lacked a natural “soul” archetype. Yet, here it stood.

“……What am I even looking at?”

Hudson’s focus shifted to the apex of the creature’s heads. The central head featured a prominent, ivory-like horn—a feature never seen on standard Hydragons.

**Zzzzzing. Rumble!**

“Aaaaagh!”
“H-help!”
“Retreat! Run!”

The shrieks originated from a bandit encampment nestled on the outskirts of Arcana. These marauders were a notorious plague upon the merchant routes, a symbol of localized dread—yet the Hydragon was treading through them like they were chaff.

The lightning discharging from that central horn was particularly devastating. When the energy reached peak compression and fired, clusters of bandits were vaporized instantly, leaving nothing but scorched earth. It was destructive output comparable to high-tier elemental spells.

“It’s getting quite loud out there,” I remarked.

“……Those are the death rattles of the Red Hood gang,” Hudson managed to choke out.

“Is that so? Then it’s of no concern.”

I closed my eyes once more.

*No concern?* Hudson thought, listening to the carnage.

“Mercy! Please!”
“Kieeeek!!”
“Mother!!!!”

—

Ten days passed, involving seven dimensional warps and passage through two high-threat territories. We had crossed nearly half the central landmass, yet our objective remained elusive.

“This one is a failure as well?”

“Indeed. The life within has already faded,” I said, looking at the azure-tinted timber.

The tree lived, but its metaphysical gateway had sealed.

**The Spirit Tree.**

I was hunting for a specimen that had birthed a spirit. Such landmarks briefly bridged the gap to the ‘Spirit Realm.’ Entering that threshold was the only way to reach the ‘Spirit Tower.’ This specific tree had closed its gates long ago.

“To me, it looks like any other oak in the woods……” Hudson muttered. He couldn’t see the distinction.

I clicked my tongue in frustration. “We have no choice. We’ll have to force the issue.”

Time was a luxury we didn’t have. I unsheathed Michella’s Sword. As Hudson and Isabella retreated to a safe distance, I delivered a punishing blow that cleaved the trunk in two.

**Boom!**

The wood splintered, and the giant fell. Instantly, a chorus of ethereal wails erupted throughout the grove.

“D-Dryads! You’ve lost your mind!” Hudson shouted, gripping his hammer as he scanned the treeline.

Emerging from the shadows were scores of dryads—creatures with human torsos and the lower bodies of deer.

“You dared to fell a vessel carrying a spirit.”
“Mortals have forgotten their place.”
“Shred them for their insolence.”

These were forest sentinels, half-fey entities.

**【Lv.7】**

They were level 7 or higher, and there were more than fifty. To them, a tree harboring a fey was a sacred icon. By destroying it, I had marked us for death.

“……” Hudson gulped, his muscles coiled for a desperate fight. Isabella mirrored his tension, recognizing the danger of such a large swarm.

I walked toward them calmly. “Open the ‘gate.’ If you do, I will restore a spirit to this sanctuary.”

“The human speaks lies.”
“He is surely insane.”

Several dryads drew their bows. If they were incapable of logic, this gamble was finished.

“The spirit of this tree was already lost,” I continued. “This entire forest is on the brink of decay. I am a Druid, a master of the spirit arts. I can provide a new heart for your home.”

Forests thrive on spirits; when the spirits vanish, the greenery follows. This woods’ guardian had perished an age ago. Without a new birth, the forest was doomed. But my words only mattered if they had a leader who could understand.

“Execute him.”
“Fill him with arrows.”

*Idiots.*

If they wouldn’t listen, I’d have to burn a portal and retreat to Arcana, wasting ten days of progress.

“Halt. Let us hear the words of this ‘Druid’.”

I turned to see the speaker.

**【Lv.9】**

A High Dryad with a thick, wooden beard. This was likely the sovereign of the Basluk Forest. Its presence suggested that the original spirit of this place had been quite formidable.

“Is there truth in your claim?”

“There is. Unlock the ‘gate,’ and I will journey to the Spirit Tower to retrieve a new guardian for you.”

“Even we cannot bridge the gap to the Tower.”

“But you still possess the remains of the old spirit, don’t you?”

The High Dryad went silent, its expression a mix of suspicion and shock. It was a safe bet; they wouldn’t just discard a dead spirit. They would preserve it in hopes of a miracle.

“What proof do we have that you are what you say?”

“How else would I have identified and felled this specific tree?”

Only a Druid could sense the specific resonance of a Spirit Tree. The sovereign looked between the fallen trunk and me, its brow furrowed.

“If you deceive us, you will be buried beneath these roots.”

“And if I succeed?”

“……The forest will provide a worthy tribute.”

****
****
****

I shrugged at the notification.

—

The ‘spirit corpse’ was a jagged, unrefined stone—the remnants of a forest and earth spirit.

“The connection still lingers.”

I could see the faint spiritual circuitry etched into the rock—a Druid’s sight. We commune with these paths to open doorways, but this one was far too narrow. There was only one way to widen it.

“I must break the vessel to enter.”

The High Dryad’s eyes widened. This stone was their holy relic. Destroying it meant the old spirit would be gone forever.

“If you are lying……”

“Then take my life.”

Hudson flinched at my bluntness, his eyes screaming at me in panic. Permission was granted. I raised my hand and brought it down on the stone.

**Thud!**

I struck it repeatedly, watching as the spiritual gateway began to expand. A shimmering gold rift manifested above the shattered remains.

****
****

At the threshold, a small spirit clad in golden plate armor blocked the way. It pointed a tiny finger at me, indicating I was the only one allowed. I looked back at my companions.

The golden spirit tilted its head, then spoke in a melodic tone.

*- Friends of the Druid?*

I nodded.

*- Allies to whom you would trust your very existence?*

I nodded again.

*- Then I grant passage to your circle.*

The rift surged outward, swallowing us. In that split second, a familiar prompt flashed before my eyes:

**《Main Quest 3: The Ascent!》**
**《Mysterious spires have risen across the realm. Conquest of a tower fulfills the objective.》**
**《Tip: It is recommended to begin with the ‘Tower of Foundations’ in your respective cities.》**

As the Main Quest 3 notification appeared, a confident smile crossed my face.