#237
In Tarak (2)
[Entity Information]
– Entity Name: Howard
– Race: Dwarf
– Common Traits: 「Mind Hub」, 「Persona」, 「Super Recovery」, 「Clarity of Mind」, 「Great Strength」, 「Nerve Sensitivity」, 「Perspicacity」, 「Xenoglossia」
– Entity Traits: 「Master Craftsman Spirit」, 「Dwarven Creative Logic」, 「Song of Fire and Metal」, 「Spirit of the Artisan」, 「Metallurgy」, 「Precision Crafting」
– Special Notes: Has surpassed the apprentice stage to become a proper Dwarf craftsman. Possesses strong resistance to both fire and metal properties. Due to the influence of ‘Growth Leap,’ all actions are receiving bonus growth corrections.
The secret of the dwarves learned from Jaonik, the 「Spirit of the Artisan」.
In simpler terms, it was the ability to create magical equipment that went beyond ordinary crafting and turned into something special…
Without help from any significant magical circuits or rituals, it was the ability to forge items purely through the crafting process, embedding mana into them to carve out mysteries.
Of course, it was only possible when making the utmost effort on good materials, so he couldn’t just crank out magical equipment at will.
At least he had the conditions to use it much more comfortably than others.
‘As expected from the branch of the World Tree. Performance is remarkable.’
As a fuel for fire, it truly was the endgame.
Just touching the flame would imbue the metals with special powers, laying the foundation to use the 「Spirit of the Artisan」.
No wonder high-level artisans were obsessed with the branches of the World Tree.
“A versatile combat suit? Pfft, isn’t that just full-body armor?”
It’s different!
Super different!
‘But just saying that won’t convince anyone properly.’
Showing results was the best way to demonstrate.
Howard resolutely nodded while inspecting the internal components created with 「Precision Crafting」, holding the completed arm part.
Crafted with knowledge from Earth, he was learning Jaonik’s teachings, and the components fit together in a way that linked them.
Naturally, each of those components was imbued with the 「Spirit of the Artisan」, containing special potential.
‘The quality of the used materials is still lacking and the technology I could replicate isn’t that abundant either.’
It was only a prototype, so there was plenty of room for improvement.
What he needed to do was localize the design of various technologies, including all engineering knowledge, to make it applicable in this place.
While he focused on that resolution, Jaonik’s words continued.
“Well, when it’s completed and reinforced with enchantments, it’ll become an outstanding piece of armor. While it’s not the most innovative way, I heard the Imperial Guard has all equipped with such armor.”
He knew that, of course.
Heinrich’s armor, the Guardian of Glory, currently under repair at the Rosellia Temple, was made in a similar way.
In fact, this world’s top-tier armor was all manufactured through such processes.
“Just you wait! I’ll show you something so amazing it’ll leave your mouth gaping!”
“Oho? Very confident, aren’t we?”
“Of course!”
Howard grumbled yet packed the completed parts proudly.
Only one arm.
There was still so much to do beyond making the rest, including additional magical processes and energy source connections.
‘Step by step, step by step. I never thought I could finish it quickly from the start.’
With plenty of time, thanks to the time difference, there was no need to rush and mess things up.
In a situation where ideal and reality intertwined, his humble dream was smoothly beginning to take shape in a workshop in Tarak.
*
In the middle of a spacious bedroom filled with antique decorations.
Hoo—ha—.
On a large bed in the center, a child who looked barely six years old flailed his arms and legs while taking deep breaths.
‘It’s definitely impressive.’
The kid, Horus, had already been in this world for two days.
During that time, all he had done was roll around on the bed, stuck in Hubert’s mansion, repeating 「Polymorph」 to adapt to his two bodies.
‘Is this how dragons are, or is it the incredible effect of the Growth Leap?’
Probably both.
He could now truly feel what it meant to become stronger just by breathing.
Due to the influence of the 「Ruler of All」, the mana sucked into his lungs with every breath swirled around his body and was absorbed by the Dragon Heart seated in his chest.
As the energy contained within the heart grew, the physical boost granted by the 「Gold Dragon」 was also becoming stronger.
‘That’s why it’s been harder to adapt.’
The body of a dragon, which was on another level compared to the other races he had experienced, took longer to get used to due to the constantly shifting sensations.
“Woocha—!”
But that was just until a moment ago.
Horus lightly bounced off the bed and stood up to check his physical state again.
His external appearance still looked like a child, but the efficiency of what a fully controlled body could do was on a whole different level.
‘I’m still not used to the dragon state, but I’ll be mostly living in human form anyway, so it should be fine.’
If a dragon, thought to be extinct, suddenly showed up—especially a hatchling— it would surely cause a stir on the continent.
Of course, that wouldn’t be a bad way to rake in karma, but stepping out before he had solid power could become a headache.
‘Let’s wait until I have clear power before stepping forward. If possible, I should find a way to grow my exterior first.’
Just two days into entering Auterica.
There was still much to ponder.
When he first imagined the dragon avatar, he pictured a grand scene of the Undead King sitting above a Bone Dragon, riding on it with the hero Heinrich on his back.
At this rate, it was uncertain when he would be able to realize that magnificent picture.
‘It’s better to start by mastering magic to quickly gain power. That will synergize well with 「Dragon Speech Magic」. As I build my strength, somehow…’
And then, just as Horus was lost in thought—
“Indeed, without a doubt, a hatchling.”
From within the room that had only him, suddenly came a stranger’s voice.
“Eek?!”
Horus jumped, genuinely startled by the voice.
He hurriedly took a few steps back in the direction of the sound and lowered his posture, ready to defend.
‘When?!’
This was Hubert’s residence.
Naturally, the security here was more thorough than his, who often carried various magical items.
With layers of barriers and magical devices stacked, no one could infiltrate easily, even if they were at the peak of their abilities.
Yet, someone had broken in unnoticed and recognized Horus’s identity, who had perfectly transformed into a human child.
He glared at the intruder, a man in his thirties with grimy blond hair and yellow eyes, showing signs of tension.
Horus’s sharply widened round eyes met the weary gaze of the man.
But that was just for a moment.
‘Huh?’
The tingling feeling he sensed upon facing the man made Horus examine him more closely.
He soon instinctively recognized the identity of the intruder.
‘A dragon!’
A dragon, hidden from sight throughout the continent’s long history, now believed to be extinct.
And in front of him stood a Gold Dragon, which could be considered one of his kin.
“I thought being inside the barrier would trap me, but it seems that was not the case. I was fortunate to enter quietly.”
The unidentified dragon lightly scanned around and nodded slowly.
Then, turning his gaze back to Horus, he slightly raised the corners of his mouth, trying to muster an awkward semblance of friendliness as he spoke.
“I am Shurihartgen, an Elder Dragon of the Gold Clan. Young hatchling, what is your name?”
An Elder Dragon was a step above ordinary dragons, but below the Ancient Ones, having lived for thousands of years—a living testament to history, a force of nature.
“…Horus.”
“Horus?”
Horus, fighting the childlike instinct to throw a tantrum, pouted and spat out his name.
He knew the visitor wasn’t here with ill intent, but he couldn’t help but feel tense around someone of such standing.
Which is why, being on edge made him—
“…That’s a strange name.”
He barely held back a retort at Shurihartgen’s comment, which came as he tilted his head in confusion.
‘Yours is stranger!’
Though the frustration surged within him, there was no saving it.
*
As expected, Shurihartgen had come purely with good intentions.
To be more precise, he had come to protect the last hatchling of his clan, which he thought had already gone extinct.
“…Unexpectedly, it seems I’ve been able to fulfill my duty. This must also be a blessing from Drakaryon. After the defeat by those beings at Hureoene, I believed the Gold Clan would meet its end as well.”
He spoke in a voice full of melancholy as he recounted the clan’s secrets.
The moment when, after a long war, even the youngest hatchling remaining was sacrificed.
‘Hureoene?’
Horus tilted his head at the name he had heard somewhere—and then suddenly realized where he had seen it flashing in his mind.
『Dragon Heart of Gold Dragon Hatchling Hureoene (910,000)』
‘Oh, that…’
It had been the name of the owner that had become his medium for the Dragon Heart.
Feeling oddly embarrassed, he quickly diverted his gaze aside to avoid attention.
“…Though it wasn’t my child, every member of the clan cherished that child. Despite his mischievous nature, he was so adorable that he would be scolded without anyone realizing it… Ah, this.”
As Shurihartgen got lost in memories, he noticed Horus’s reaction and suddenly stopped speaking, seeming to misunderstand as he offered an apologetic expression.
“My apologies. You reminded me of that child for some reason, and I got carried away. Holding onto such memories now would be a disrespect to both of us.”
The ancient dragon bowed lightly with his sincere demeanor.
Before Horus could form a response, Shurihartgen continued his earlier thoughts.
“Regardless of where you come from or what your identity may be, it no longer matters.”
…So he had doubts about Horus’s existence as well.
Well, it was only natural, having just recounted the story of the last hatchling’s demise.
A sudden appearance of another hatchling right after this surely raised questions.
As a momentary silence swept between the two dragons, it was Horus who was silent instead of Shurihartgen, who soon spoke first.
“However, you are undoubtedly the last hatchling of the Gold Clan still alive…”
Matching his gaze with Horus’s, Shurihartgen solemnly continued as if to declare something.
“…I, Horus, acknowledge you as the last successor of the Gold Clan.”
Last successor.
Wooooong—
As those words finished, the significance contained in the language penetrated into Horus’s heart.
Simultaneously, the Dragon Heart trembled, as if resonating with something in the world—
Horus, who had been swaying as though intoxicated, eventually realized he was connected to something in this world.
‘…Is this true Dragon Speech?’
Although his achievement in 「Dragon Speech Magic」 was still low, so he couldn’t fully grasp what was happening, he was certain that a significant event had unfolded.
“Is this fate? To send me a successor with my life nearing its end. Thanks to you, I can fulfill my duty… Indeed, the gods can be quite mischievous.”
As he gazed at Horus, who was awestruck and unable to regain composure after the inexplicable ritual, Shurihartgen chuckled and smiled faintly.
“I am the last survivor of the Gold Clan, a steward of its legacy. Had you not appeared, upon my death, all that would have belonged to the remaining clanspeople.”
Horus then realized that the weariness on Shurihartgen’s face was not merely fatigue, but a reflection of impending death.
According to his words, soon the Gold Dragon clan truly was going to vanish from this world.
Leaving only him behind.
‘…Wait? Could it be…?’
Finally, the pieces of the old dragon’s words began to take shape—and as soon as a conclusion formed, Horus blinked in astonishment at the sudden turn of events.
And with a faint smile, Shurihartgen concluded his speech.
“…Now, everything belongs to you.”
…Thus, Horus unexpectedly became the sole heir of an extraordinary legacy that had continued for thousands of years.
