"Hmmm..." Carl rubbed his chin while giving the prison cell ahead an assessing look.
What a strange sight.
The phantom guide had led them here. A prison cell in the basement? He had never seen one before.
Inside the cell were a few corpses and, more importantly, a big chest.
From what he knew, a chest in a dungeon was something you should never miss. It could change anyone’s life. The chance of finding one was only 0.05%—enough to prove how priceless it was.
"But I really need something like that? I’ve got a system. Still... I’ve heard rumors it might also be a deadly trap."
—------------------------------------------
– 1: Clear your first dungeon.
Reward: Dimensional Slash Skill
– 2: Check the prison cell.
—-------------------------------------------
"Ahha... a mission." Carl glanced at the system screen and nodded. It seemed his system had spotted something good for him there. If that was the case, he had no reason to hold himself back
He stepped forward and pushed open the cell door, activating all his skills to prepare for the worst that might be waiting beyond his expectations.
[Draconic Physique activated]
Each of his scales quickly surfaced on his skin, every step bringing him closer to the target—until he frowned.
There was indeed an old man, but just a dead body slumped against the chest. The corpse was dressed in once-fancy, now torn-apart clothes, looking like an old scholar.
"Well, I think he was some kind of keeper or something... but, whatever." Carl glanced at the phantom guide, which kept laughing ghostly, as if hoping something terrible would happen.
Carl turned his attention back to the corpse, searching for any strange trace—but found nothing. He was convinced all that lay before him were mere corpses... until the corpse’s head suddenly turned toward him.
"Damn! That’s creepy." Carl stepped back a little, preparing to strike.
[Flame Breath activated!]
Carl unleashed a blast of fire at the suspicious corpse. But it was as if an invisible shield completely blocked all of Carl’s flames.
In the blink of an eye, a wave of crimson mana erupted from the corpse, lunging at Carl. At the same time, an old voice echoed in his ears.
"Just a one-star dragon soul?... but still, enough for dessert."
Carl’s face twisted as he heard that. He cursed under his breath.
"A corpse... talking?"
He braced himself against the crimson mana as it surged over him. A moment later, he frowned, realizing it barely harmed him at all. The mana just blanketed him like a useless layer.
Confused, Carl glanced at the phantom guide, who looked just as baffled.
"Maybe I should fake weakness... I guess that thing is just trying to suppress me with mana pressure."
Then, he started his little show.
"Ah! My... my strength..." Carl put on an act, pretending to be weakened, breathing heavily.
"What’s happening to me?"
He groaned while eyeing the corpse, which slowly began to move. It stood up, still leaning on the chest for support, looking rather frail.
Carl guessed it barely had any fighting power, apart from releasing mana like before. But he needed proof to be sure.
Clutching his chest, he shouted as if in pain: New ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄhapters are published on NoveIＦire.net
"W-Who are you? Show yourself! Dead body!"
The old corpse limped forward... until it was just three meters away from Carl. Slowly, its lips curled to the side.
"Just a kid... How dare you speak to me so rudely..."
The corpse studied Carl for a moment before continuing.
"Trash! I had hoped for more from you... but a one-star dragon soul might still be enough for me to break free from here."
With that, the corpse slowly pulled out a strange cube from somewhere. It smirked to itself and muttered in a language Carl could barely understand.
The corpse stretched its bony hand toward Carl, smiling faintly.
"Be proud... for becoming part of my soul."
"N-No... Please..." Carl’s legs trembled with each of the corpse’s steps. He tried to steady his breath... until, suddenly, he got bored of his own act.
"I’m just kidding, old man."
Before the corpse could react, Carl swung a punch straight into its bony face, frozen in shock. The blow sent the corpse flying into the corner of the prison cell.
Clicking his tongue, Carl snatched the cube out of the air. He examined it and muttered,
"My wife, What’s this? "
[System Notice]: An artifact... Its function is to steal souls and merge them with the user’s. The user’s soul rank will then advance to the next stage.
"Wow... So it’s kinda like my [Devour Souls] skill."
[System Notice]: Not quite... That artifact has dangerous effects if you use it. You’ll end up becoming a psycho.
Carl nodded. He didn’t argue with his wife’s explanation. The thought of his soul mixing with others—many others—was deeply unsettling. He wouldn’t even know who he’d become anymore.
"So... what should I call you? Corpses? You’ve got plenty of souls, anyway."
Carl chuckled, stepping closer to narrow the distance.
"Last words? Nah... forget it. You’ll have plenty of last words soon."
The corpse flipped itself and then, just half a minute later, it directed its hollow eyes to Carl and asked.
"Why... Why could you shake off my mana pressure? You’re just a one-star dragon soul."
Carl sighed and glanced at his status screen, withdrawing his murderous intention.
The Will of the Primordial Dragon God[Passive] — Rank: Unique (∞)
Short Description:An eternal passive that embodies the indomitable will of the first and primordial dragon. The user’s spirit becomes unshakable, immune to fear, domination, or mental interference.
His eyes lingered on [The Will of the Primordial Dragon God]. It made him think of his family. All of them might have this ability. A wild, powerful will... yet Carl was the only one his father, or anyone else in the family, could never suppress with mana.
Still, he thought it was rather useless. What he needed was something else.
"Just strong willpower? Sigh. What a useless thing. Too bad for you—you ran into an opponent like me."