Radiant Dragon’s Otherworldly Reincarnation

Chapter 233. Take Three Hits (1)

Although she joined a little late, she provided the most appropriate attack.

From the beginning, she knew how to defeat the Hydra.

The long traditions of the Elves also passed down records of the Hydra’s weaknesses.

“We just need to send all nine heads flying and prevent the severed sections from regenerating. Then we can defeat it.”

“Is that so? April.”

“Yes!”

April, having received Patrick’s instruction, launched herself forward.

She generated Aura Blades on her twin swords and charged towards the Hydra’s newly regenerated heads.

[ Twin Dragons Eight Sword Forms: Third Form: Flashing Dragon Strike ]

One head was cleanly sent flying.

And immediately following, an arrow of flame flew in and hit the severed section.

Peoong!

– Khaaaaaaaang!

The Hydra let out a pained scream and went berserk from the terrible pain of its severed neck being burned.

But that was just proof that the attack was effective.

April continuously launched herself forward, steadily lopping off the Hydra’s necks.

And each time, an arrow of flame flew in from behind as if in coordination.

The combination of the two steadily pushed the Hydra into a crisis. Finally, after the last head had been lopped off.

“That’s it. Now we can fall back.”

At Elione’s words, Patrick and April retreated far back.

The Hydra, having lost all its heads, went berserk, but with no sight or smell, it was literally just a rampage.

“…What do we do now?”

April asked Elione.

Her breathing was rough, as if she had overexerted herself slightly, but she acted as if she had plenty of strength left.

And Elione said….

“It’s over. We can just leave it now?”

“It still looks full of life.”

“It will be soon. As long as it can’t regenerate its heads, even a Hydra can’t survive. Because….”

“Hoh, I see.”

Patrick let out a small exclamation.

He had realized it as he felt the berserking Hydra’s qi gradually diminishing.

“It can’t breathe.”

“That’s right. No living creature can live without breathing.”

The Hydra was a demonic beast that could regenerate its heads almost infinitely.

Its regenerative power was truly terrifying.

But if you cut off its heads and burn the severed sections to prevent regeneration itself, the problem becomes serious.

No matter how outstanding its regenerative power is, it cannot live without breathing.

If it is a living creature, that is.

“It’s easy once you know how.”

“Indeed.”

Listening to Patrick and April’s conversation, Elione had a momentarily blank expression.

Easier than they thought?

To cut the Hydra’s neck, though not as tough as its torso, required a 7-star Aura Blade.

Moreover, even at the 7-star level, it was by no means easy to penetrate into the Hydra’s reach, which erased blind spots with its nine heads and moved agilely, and send all its heads flying.

In fact, in the Elven legends, it was said that fifteen Elven Knights had fought with the resolve of certain death to defeat the Hydra, and they had only managed to do so after sacrificing eight of their own.

For these two to call that easy was to be seriously out of touch with common sense.

And at that moment….

Kuuuuung!

Finally, the giant Hydra’s torso fell sideways and convulsed.

And even that convulsion soon stopped. Then….

“Oooooooooh!”

“We won!”

Cheers erupted.

The army of the Schneider fiefdom, which had in the meantime cleanly dealt with the other monsters of the Stampede, let out victorious cheers until their throats were raw.

They had overcome the Stampede.

And not just any Stampede, but one led by that terrifying monster, the Hydra, as its Alpha.

This was not just a simple victory.

It was an achievement that would go down in human history.

Everyone cheered in joy.

Except for one person.

“…….”

Patrick Schneider. His face wore an unprecedentedly serious expression.

– Not bad.

Its voice was heard clearly by everyone.

It was by no means a loud voice, but it was strangely conveyed to everyone.

– Though it was an immature specimen, to have subdued the Palgidaesa. I praise you.

Everyone who heard its voice was enveloped in an inexplicable sense of unease. And….

– As a reward, I shall grant you the most precious death. The glory of being sacrificed to the claws of me, Rushing Death.

It was simultaneous with the end of those words.

That it revealed itself.

An impossibly light gait for such a massive body.

Despite having run at high speed, people only felt a slight tremor in the air.

But in an instant, it had already revealed itself before everyone.

“Ah….”

Someone let out a gasp.

White fur that reflected light, with clear black stripes.

Golden eyes that shone as brightly as if the sun had been embedded in them.

Despite it being a massive demonic beast over 10 meters tall, those who looked at it let out an unconscious gasp.

The demonic beast, which exuded dignity just by existing, instilled a sense of awe in the onlookers.

“That is…. Rushing Death.”

The Seven Sages knew its identity.

An absolute being that even the ancient super-power, the Roman Empire, could not overcome.

That being had now appeared before them in reality.

A sense of academic curiosity and the awe of facing a great being arose simultaneously.

Yes. That was before that being nonchalantly lifted its foreleg.

– It is the end.

“Noooooo!”

Along with Patrick’s tearing scream, the creature brought down its foreleg.

Then, a terrifying sword wind swept over the Schneider fiefdom.

The wide-ranging attack seemed as if it would wipe out all the Orcs and humans who were outside the castle walls.

Kwakwakwakwakwakwakwang!

A terrifying destruction swept over the Schneider fiefdom.

It was a destructive attack that seemed as if it would wipe out not only the fiefdom’s army but also the Schneider fiefdom behind it in one go.

If….

“Keoheok….”

“Kuluck….”

If it weren’t for them, the Schneider fiefdom would have truly been finished.

“Sixth Sage!”

“Seventh Sage!”

The mages hurriedly ran over and shouted.

The two sages, who had saved their allies with a defensive magic they had prepared in advance, spoke while spitting blood from their mouths.

“What a… monster….”

“To tear through a Lunatic Shield in one hit….”

The Seven Sages had been casting defensive magic from the moment Rushing Death appeared.

But even though it was a barrier created by the combined strength of three of the Seven Sages, the attack casually launched by that being caused the mana of two of them to flow backward.

The Fifth Sage, who had cast the innermost barrier and was in a better condition, was also pale.

‘What kind of monster is this?’

He had thought to himself.

That even if it was Kallaron’s apostle, they had a chance of winning.

The Tower of Truth, the Elves of Evergreen, plus thousands of Orc warriors and the elite knights personally trained by the Double Dragon….

The forces Patrick had gathered for the Great Forest pioneering were no joke.

That was why the Seven Sages had judged that this pioneering project had a high probability of success.

But that judgment was a miscalculation.

The moment they faced Rushing Death, they immediately realized it.

That it was not a being that humans could handle.

– I praise you for blocking it once. But with this….

“Die!”

The moment Rushing Death was about to attack again.

Something charged forward at a terrifying speed and swung a sword.

Rushing Death disappeared just before the attack reached its body.

– A reckless human.

At that moment, a strange light appeared in Rushing Death’s eyes.

It had definitely dodged.

But that human, as if accurately pinpointing it after it dodged the attack, immediately launched a second attack.

[ Twin Dragons Eight Sword Forms: Second Form: Great Dragon Cross Sword ]

Seeing the giant cross-shaped slash flying towards it, Rushing Death….

“Keoheoong!”

With a thunderous roar, it emitted energy from its entire body.

Then, the large slash emitted by Patrick could not hold and crumbled away.

It had scattered Patrick’s attack, which could cleanly quarter a King Ogre, with just an emission of energy.

But this was not the end.

From the center of the scattering cross-shaped slash, a streak of light flashed.

[ Twin Dragons Eight Sword Forms: Third Form: Ultimate Star Flashing Dragon Strike ]

‘Got it.’

Patrick was confident of the attack’s success.

It was a high-speed attack launched to catch the enemy off guard right after obscuring their vision with the Great Dragon Cross Sword.

It was no exaggeration to say that it was the most perfect strike of Patrick Schneider’s life.

And Patrick, who flew as a ray of light….

Shuuk!

He pierced through empty air. And the next moment….

– Truly impressive.

Goosebumps broke out all over Patrick’s body.

At the same time, Patrick forcefully turned his body and took a defensive stance, and what he saw was the still-lofty figure of Rushing Death looking at him.

– I have never seen a swordsman as fast as you in this world. I praise you.

That being arrogantly appraised Patrick.

Normally, Patrick would have flown into a rage, asking who dared to appraise him, but….

“…….”

At this moment, he couldn’t say a word.

It had perfectly dodged the Ultimate Star Flashing Dragon Strike.

And that was after an attack launched in a situation where its guard was down.

He had expected it to be a difficult battle. He had expected it, but….

‘This might be the greatest crisis of my life….’

“Huuuuu….”

Patrick took a long breath to compose himself, loosening his stiffening body.

Tension is not helpful in a crisis.

What is important is to maintain composure and coolness.

At Patrick’s appearance, Rushing Death spoke.

– A fine martial artist. I have never seen a being like you in this world before.

At those words, Patrick flinched.

Right now, Patrick was the only one who could correctly interpret those words.

Even the sages of the Tower of Truth, who boasted the greatest intellect on the continent, would probably not be able to fully grasp the meaning of those words.

‘Perhaps….’

Patrick decided to take a gamble.

“Apostle, I would like to ask you one thing.”

– ……!

Instantly, an uncontrollable surprise erupted in Rushing Death’s eyes. And for good reason, because what Patrick just said was….

“Can you understand my words? Rushing Death, no…. White Tiger of the Four Gods.”

Because it was in the language of the Central Plains.

– You… you are….

Rushing Death could not hide its agitation. And after staring at Patrick for a long time….

– Ah…. Finally…. Finally….

Tears flowed from the eyes of that huge, dignified being.

The moment he saw the thick tears flowing down its golden eyes, Patrick thought that his gamble might succeed. And….

“Let’s move for a moment.”

– Good.

The two agreed and decided to move.

Patrick and Rushing Death flew off, and from behind, April’s shouting voice could be heard.

“Young Master! Where are you going?”

But Patrick ignored April’s voice and just ran.

Running and running, Patrick and Rushing Death, who had moved far away from the fiefdom.

No, the being that should be called the White Tiger, faced each other.

“White Tiger. The words I wish to ask….”

– When is the time of liberation?

“…What are you talking about?”

– When is the time of liberation? Did you not come to liberate us? Are you not the promised one?

At the White Tiger’s words, which felt even urgent, Patrick bit his lower lip hard and said.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about at all.”

– What? That cannot be. Are you saying you did not come to cross the world’s wall and liberate us?

“…First, I need to tell my story.”

Patrick explained in as much detail as possible who he was, and about his past and present lives.

And the more the White Tiger listened to Patrick’s explanation, the more openly disappointed it became.

– It cannot be…. How can it still be…. O Kallaron! You will still keep us bound. Is that it? Still!

The White Tiger’s lament, which echoed thunderously, made even the great Patrick’s hairs stand on end.

‘This bastard is really strong.’

He had come across information about the Black Tortoise at the Tower of Truth. But the Black Tortoise he felt in his memory at that time was not this overwhelming.

In the end, a memory is just a memory.

The power of the real thing, experienced firsthand, was on a different level.

‘This is not something I can beat by fighting. I have to sweet-talk it.’

The most fortunate thing was that this creature was a being he could reason with.

“There are a few things I want to ask.”

– …Speak.

“Why. Why are you, who are revered as the Four Gods of the Central Plains, here?”

– That is, keuk….

Pajik, pajijijik.

At that moment, black lightning enveloped the White Tiger’s entire body and struck its head.

The White Tiger grimaced, as if in considerable pain.

It was the first time he knew that a tiger’s face could express such blatant pain.

After suffering in pain for a long time, the White Tiger finally gave up and said.

– I understand. I will not reveal it. So stop.

As the White Tiger pleaded earnestly, the black lightning finally disappeared.

And the White Tiger sighed and said.

– I want to tell you, but I cannot. Just know that there are circumstances.

“Then can you answer only what you can say?”

– Fine.

As the White Tiger became cooperative, Patrick decided to obtain as much information as possible on this occasion.

“What did you mean by the time of liberation you mentioned?”

– I cannot say.

“What is this ‘human of prophecy’ you mentioned upon seeing me?”

– I cannot say.

Look at this bastard….

Patrick was about to get slightly ticked off, but he calmed down.

In this situation, it seemed better to infer from the words that have already been said and induce the answer, rather than just asking blindly.

“To wish for the time of liberation means that you are currently in a state of restraint, right?”

– That is correct-

“Is the one restraining you the God of Destruction, Kallaron?”

– That is correct. I, along with the Four Gods, am now his apostle.

As expected, although it was something he was already sure of, it seemed that all of Kallaron’s apostles were the Four Gods from the myths of the Central Plains.

“Then, is the ‘human of prophecy’ a being who liberates you from being Kallaron’s apostles?”

– …Yes and no.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

– In terms of results, that is correct. But the human of prophecy is not such a simple being. It is….

Pajijik.

As the black lightning was about to rise again, the White Tiger hastily changed its words.

– I cannot say.

“Damn it, are you the same type as the World Tree?”

Consistently making excuses about not being able to state the reason was recently listed as his seventy-sixth most disliked thing.

As Patrick grumbled, the White Tiger was very surprised.

– You have met the World Tree? You met that primordial tree?

“I met it. And I received a seed too.”

– You received a seed? Is that true?

“It is inside me.”

Then, the golden glow in the White Tiger’s eyes intensified. The White Tiger, looking at Patrick with eyes like a burning sun, spoke in quiet admiration.

– It is true. Truly you are… then the World Tree was certain that you are the human of prophecy. On what grounds did that cautious woman?

The White Tiger shook its head from side to side.

After a serious deliberation, it spoke.

– What did the World Tree say to you?

Patrick momentarily thought, is it okay to say this? But looking into the White Tiger’s eyes that were staring intently at him, it seemed that lies would not work.

“It told me to defeat Kallaron’s apostles.”

– And?

Surprisingly, the White Tiger did not get angry. Patrick sighed at such a White Tiger and said.

“The World Tree also hides many things, so I don’t know everything. But it said that defeating you all is my destiny.”

– …….

“It said I would know after I defeat you all. Oh, and….”

Patrick frowned and continued.

“It said something about when the time of choice comes. To be precise, it stopped in the middle of saying it.”

– Yes. It seems she was certain.

“About what?”

– How can that be? Is there something we do not know?

“No, I mean, about what?”

– I do not understand. Just because he crossed the wall, that becomes the proof? No. That cannot be. Then why are we….

“…….”

This giant cat bastard dares to ignore the lord of all creation?

If he wasn’t better at fighting than me, I’d definitely….

No, should I just charge in?

When have I ever tested the waters before lunging?

Should I try to abide by the rule of ‘first strike equals victory’?

Patrick began to move stealthily. And at that moment….

– I understand the general situation. I do not comprehend it, but even if there is a one in a million chance, you…. What are you doing?

“Ah…. That is to say….”

Patrick awkwardly looked at the sword he had drawn and said.

“This spot looked itchy.”

And he scratched the White Tiger’s foreleg with his sword.

“Hahaha. Feels good, right? Right?”

-…….

The White Tiger looked up at the sky with a forlorn expression and said to itself.

– Is this really human? Really?

“…….”

He’s making a person feel unnecessarily awkward.