Bear School Astartes

Although the entire right hand from the wrist down was basically scorched by dragon flames, including the layer of skin, flesh, and nerves beneath the skin.

But when Lann retracted his hand, the [Belisarius Furnace] in his body immediately began to activate, and the super organ stored in his chest began to secrete its repair substance.

The skin on Lann’s wrist started to visibly grow muscle fibers and new skin, gradually covering the exposed [Tendon Coil], which shimmered with a metallic sheen, extending towards the fingertips.

Throughout this process, the pain of the hand being scorched, along with the itchiness from rapid regeneration of flesh and nerves, merely made Lann clench his molars slightly, no longer paying attention.

This world remains in a state where deities are active, even possessing a clear Creator God.

Therefore, typically, Lann doesn’t readily activate [Spiritual Vision] to observe the essence and inner nature of certain things.

But since he is about to decide life and death with Smaug, there is nothing to hold back.

Lann’s [Spiritual Vision] has been upgraded multiple times after various worlds and adventures.

Like now, he could see through Smaug’s muscular movements and the paths of energy and dragon flame heat within its body within less than ten minutes of contact.

Combining his combat experience and data model established by Mentos, Lann had mostly figured out Smaug’s action patterns.

The movement of this evil dragon was extremely clear to Lann.

After all, although the evil dragon is Morgoth’s wicked creation, Morgoth himself has been exiled from the world.

So what powerful and profound force could conceal the survivor among these evil dragons?

Hence, when Smaug incited the ferocity in its heart, meticulously enveloped its wing wounds in a massive dragon flame burst and immediately thrust its head forward to bite, it didn’t seem as sudden as it had imagined.

”Boom~ Boom!”

Pale red Fighting Spirit Light Flames erupted on Lann and the surface of his Greatsword!

The two episodes of [Strong·Charged Slash] perfectly seized Smaug’s action gap.

When the charging was thoroughly completed, and even the activity of the Fighting Spirit couldn’t be lifted anymore, Smaug’s opened mouth was just within the reach of Lann’s Greatsword!

Everything seemed as if orchestrated by the evil dragon and Demon Hunter, remarkably fitting.

If it were the Magic Middle Ages, some might indeed believe Demon Hunters could fake fights with monsters to defraud payment.

After all, for a long period, Demon Hunters weren’t considered human.

But at this very moment, anyone who saw Smaug would never entertain such thoughts.

”Roar... Howl!!!”

The fierce roar, accompanied by a wide-open mouth, aimed horizontally at Lann to bite!

Inside the mouth stood teeth as sharp as a thousand treasures.

But, even though the armor on his body had mostly collapsed, with only a [Curse Technique]’s anti-flame fog and the golden glow of [Quen Rune] on Lann, he couldn’t help but grin.

With a joyous smile, facing Smaug’s mouth.

Then... ”Clang!!!”

Like the evening bell tolling from a church, the strike of [Muddy Stream·Destruction] against Smaug’s lower jaw bone caused a vibration so profound that the water surface of nearby waterways resembled openings of oscillators!

Countless fine water droplets were trembled from the water surface, falling like pearls on a jade plate.

The aggressively biting Smaug was just recovering visibility from its own dragon flame spray.

But it never expected that its head protruding from the dragon flames would face not a panicked, defensive human, but a Greatsword ready for action?!

The dark sword body crushed the ivory-white sword blade, and instead of ’cutting,’ it was more like ’smashing’ Smaug’s dragon skin, fine scales, flesh, all the way to the bone!

Smaug’s crouching side biting move had just exposed the side of its lower jaw bone to the vertically slashing [Muddy Stream·Destruction].

The exterior of the evil dragon indeed has innate supernatural armor, but the Greatsword was crafted by the Giant Divine Artisan who once forged weapons for the Fire Gods, reinforced with wedge stone discs.

The massive dragon head thrusting forward was forcibly pressed downward, crushed by the vertically descending Bursting Greatsword!

In the midst of the deafening roar, Smaug hadn’t even realized its own head was being pressed, crashing diagonally downward towards the ground!

The uncontrolled dragon head barreled through and wrecked Long Lake Town’s buildings, basements, eventually lodging half in water after colliding with a giant rock in the lake, stopping at last.

Its head ultimately couldn’t surpass the thousand-ton giant rock in the lake, had to hurriedly retract its neck in a dizzy state.

The entire body pitched backward after the collision, losing stability.

The full length of one hundred forty-one meters of colossal physique was forcibly drawn back due to the head-on strike from a mere human!

It’s as absurd as an adult being swatted away by the tiny paw of a kitten!

But standing from Smaug’s perspective, though equally unbelievable, having firsthand experienced it, could only accept it.

Breaking through the enemy’s perception, mastering timing, trusting one’s own power and skills... If one could control these factors perfectly like Lann, then such absurdities naturally could be achieved!

”Howl!!!”

The initially aggressive roar of attack, when Smaug retracted his neck and leaned back, was left with only cries of pain.

But it was in these cries that he dazedly discovered his jawbone had been smashed into a twisted shape by [Muddy Stream·Destruction].

Originally, Smaug’s dragon mouth had a bit of an underbite, where the lower jaw was longer than the upper jaw.

But Lann’s greatsword came smashing down from the side, and his long lower jaw was directly broken at a dull angle in the middle!

The crushed minced meat, shattered fine scales, and even the smashed bones piercing outwards due to pressure were all mixed in the crooked wound on his lower jaw.

Sizzling, viscous blood and flesh were dropping with steaming heat.

Now Smaug couldn’t even align his mouth.

And it wasn’t over yet!

A ”click” sound of the claw grappling!

Taking advantage of Smaug’s uncontrollable backward lean, the complete structure of the gauntlet in Lann’s left hand began mechanical operation.

The claw directly grabbed the thick scales on Smaug’s chest, pulling Lann, who was holding the greatsword, towards him!

With a ’snap,’ the Demon Hunter held the greatsword with one hand, while the mechanical claw assisted his left hand, securing it to Smaug’s chest!

Those thick scales on his chest, due to long exposure to high temperatures before dragon fire breath, produced crack patterns similar to lava.

But this doesn’t mean that area is a weak point; on the contrary, it’s the hardest, most robust defense on Smaug!

In the past, if it wasn’t for the fact that this area was the largest and easiest to aim at on Smaug, Lord Jirian wouldn’t have shot the black arrow there.

But even so, the black arrow still shot off a piece of dragon scale here, showcasing the formidable skill of the dwarves.

However, if Lann wanted to take advantage of Smaug’s uncontrollable backward lean and pierce his heart at the side of his chest, it would be too difficult.

Because Smaug himself knew that was his flaw, ever since half his wing claw was completely torn off by Lann, his injured claw had been pressed against his side chest, allowing no chance whatsoever.

If his weapon must be forced inwards, it’s not only facing a layer of dragon skin without thick scales but also an additional layer of stout, fierce dragon claw, making it harder to break through than other areas.

”Bastard! Bastard! Damn bug!!!”

Yet, Smaug still let out a loud roar because of it.

His roar, and his flustered reaction, caused the entire Long Lake Town to tremble.

The buildings collapsed like spreading vines, and the lake water trembled like boiling.

Unconsciously, after only a mere dozen minutes of confrontation... Smaug began to fear Lann’s approach!

The first close combat saw half a wing torn off; the second smashed his lower jaw into a dull angle — anyone faced with this would feel a chill.

And this wasn’t even the main thing; the main thing was...

”Are you ’eating’ me?”

Smaug’s voice of rage, helplessness, and even terror spread across the entire Long Lake.

The first voice was still confused, but by the second voice, the dragon’s tone was unmistakably clear.

”You and your sword are ’eating’ me!!!”

At this moment, Lann, using claw assistance, had climbed to the large wound where Smaug lost half a wing.

Inevitably, [Muddy Stream·Destruction], along with Lann’s newly regenerated wrist skin, having an exposed inner [Inner Steel] steel-cable state right hand, touched Smaug’s wound.

No need to elaborate on [Muddy Stream·Destruction].

This sword is simply a small Extinct Dragon; after forging, it was further enhanced by the Giant Divine Artisan of the Flame World. Its greed and brutality alone are enough to scare little animals approaching it crazy.

But in Lann’s body, the steel cable composition of [Tendon Coil] is also not bad.

Originally, [Tendon Coil] was supposed to be a high-strength metal device made through technological means, capable of self-repair and growth.

However, Lann didn’t have the technological conditions; he created his version of [Tendon Coil] using a mix of biology and Alchemy techniques.

Using Valerian steel as the base material mixed with Extinct Dragon bone powder, this endowed the steel with growth and self-repair functions.

In other words...

His [Tendon Coil], if ’fed’ well, could also grow!

But normally, this pile of steel cables in his body collected nutrients through Lann’s digestive system and blood; now, with direct external contact, they are eagerly ’feeding’ themselves.

The enormous longsword in his raised right hand, along with the steel cable exposed due to burnt and peeled outer skin, intentionally or inadvertently touching the torn wing wound on Smaug.

It’s like a water-soaked sponge being dried at a pace accelerated dozens of times.

Smaug’s originally blood-soaked wound now seemingly resembles a dehydrated rag, swaying in the wind he himself stirred up.