The Mysterious Child: An Adventure Tale Beginning with Numerology
Chapter 161
"Didn't you hear me? Then I'll say it one more time... Listen well, boy, I won't give my daughter to the likes of you!"
The Dragon King points at me with a decisive face.
That expression full of finality... Could it be that he summoned me just to say this?
Radon shook his head with a "good grief" expression.
"Dragon King, that line was supposed to come after 'Please give me your daughter'."
"Oh, was that so? Then what was the first line?"
"I believe it was 'I have no tea to serve the likes of you'."
"Ah, right. Hey boy, why did you come here! I have no tea to serve the likes of you!"
What kind of line is that after summoning me here?
Or rather, did the Dragon King just want to play the role of a father sending away his daughter's boyfriend? What is this farce? He's even glancing at Seori, trying to act like a cool father.
"Hey, say something, boy! Whether it's marriage or dating, hurry up and ask for permission!"
The Dragon King's expression was excited.
What a ridiculous guy.
Normally, I would go along with this farce, but this time I couldn't.
Because I had already appraised the Dragon King.
Convinced that this was not someone who would understand jokes, I couldn't stop the cold sweat running down my back.
Here's the English translation:
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[Name] Vasky Bargiria
[Race] Dragon Species - True Ancestor
[Level] 99
[HP] 3570(+9999)
[MP] 3180(+9999)
[Strength] 3620(+9999)
[Endurance] 2140(+9999)
[Agility] 2400(+9999)
[Intelligence] 2050(+9999)
[Luck] 893
[Logical Arts Proficiency] 240
[Magic Arts Proficiency] 2540
[Mystic Arts Proficiency] 0
[Possessed Skills]
<Automatic Type>
"Absolute Ruler"
"Lightning Magic Aptitude"
"Crisis Detection"
"Ultra-high Speed Flight"
"Hardening"
"Strength Increase (Lightning)"
"Auto Recovery (Lightning)"
<Activation Type>
"Lightning Eater"
"Transformation"
"Breath (Lightning)" (Dragon state)
"Lightning Strike Sky Wave" (Human state)
"Dragon Aura Envelopment"
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["Absolute Ruler"
> An extreme-level hegemon-type skill that makes one the strongest in their own domain.
>> Status addition values within the domain are enhanced to the skill owner's maximum value.
>>> However, outside the domain, addition values become zero. A chained tyrant.]
["Dragon Aura Envelopment"
> A skill that envelops the whole body in dragon aura, greatly enhancing HP, endurance, and strength beyond their limits.
>> The effect increases as body temperature rises, but the duration shortens. Be careful not to overheat.]
He's too strong!!!!
The title of world's strongest wasn't just for show.
The racial skill [Absolute Conqueror] seems especially evil.
Even though the enhancement becomes invalid outside his territory, the Dragon King's territory is the largest country on the continent, so it hardly matters. Even if we fought outside by chance, his base stats are high.
There's no way I can win in a direct fight.
In this case, there's only one action I should take!
Flattery with all my might!
"Hehehe, Dragon King-sama. Such an honor is too much for little old me."
"Ruruk is acting like a mob character!?"
"If you wish, I'll return the young lady right away, sir."
"Master!?"
"If I'm an eyesore, I'll evacuate the country immediately. I'll live paying the utmost attention not to enter Your Majesty's sight."
"What's wrong, Ruruk! Weren't you going to give the Dragon King a piece of your mind!?"
Saaya grabbed my arm as I was slowly backing away.
I opened my eyes wide.
"Hey, how dare you speak so disrespectfully! Guards, seize this woman! Ah damn, there are no guards here! I'll punish her myself, so please let us leave now, goodbye!"
"...Hey Radon. Is this really the man Seori is fond of?"
The Dragon King looked at me as if I were garbage.
That's right. I'm no different from a roadside stone, so could you please lose interest in me?
"That should be the case, but... well, what should we do?"
"He was unfazed by my dominance, so I thought he had some backbone... Was I mistaken? Was defeating Riseto just a coincidence?"
"D-Dragon King!"
Duke Smasrick, still pale-faced behind us, shouted.
"I humbly request permission to speak! I am the one maintaining order in the country as the ducal family in the dragon capital Foosu. I have come here representing the human race."
"Huh? Who the hell are you... Well, whatever, I'll allow it, speak."
"I bear responsibility for the inadequate supervision that allowed this adventurer Ruruk to lure the princess into the dangerous profession of adventuring. I deeply apologize for causing you displeasure, Dragon King."
"...Huh?"
"Therefore, from now on, we will fulfill our duty to protect the princess with all the citizens. Regarding your summoning of adventurer Ruruk, I beg for your lenient treatment--"
"Hey, hey. Do you really think I'm angry that Seori became an adventurer?"
The Dragon King frowned at Duke Smasrick, who was trying to apologize profusely.
"Moreover, you humans think you can protect Seori? Are you mocking me? Seori is a true ancestor inheriting my blood, you know? I'm not worried in the slightest about something as trivial as being an adventurer."
"...Then why did you summon this Ruruk this time?"
"That's obvious. If this boy laid his hands on my daughter, there's no choice but to kill him, right?"
"Eek!"
Receiving the full force of the Dragon King's intimidation, the Duke fell backward.
I immediately shook my head.
"No, no, Dragon King-sama! I, this unworthy Ruruk, swear to heaven that I haven't laid a finger on your daughter!"
"Huh? Anyone can say that with their mouth, boy. You're sleeping under the same roof as Seori, right? There's no way you wouldn't have made a move, right?"
"Absolutely not! I am pure and innocent!"
"...Hey, Seori, is what this boy saying true? Did this damn brat really not lay a hand on you?"
The Dragon King glared at Seori.
Seori was nodding desperately.
"Hey, you companions of this boy, you've been watching too, right? Is it really true that the boy hasn't made a move?"
"That's right! Ruruk is a chicken, so he doesn't have such courage!"
"Mm, cheating, unforgivable."
Hey, you're missing the point.
However, with the support of his companions, the Dragon King seemed to be convinced.
"Hah... What the hell, really? The report said you were definitely in an intimate relationship, that's why I called you... Well, if you're just companions, do as you like. Adventuring is just play... Come to think of it, I used to pretend to be human and dive into dungeons when I was young too."
"Yes, Dragon King-sama! Then, am I correct in understanding that I'm not at fault?"
"Hm? Well, you saved Seori from that traitor Riseto, right? If you don't have any ulterior motives, I should at least thank you as a father. Good job, boy. I'm counting on you to look after Seori from now on."
The Dragon King said this casually.
Alright!!!
The misunderstanding about me has been cleared up, and I even got his approval!
Tonight, we feast!
As I was mentally doing a victory pose, an unexpected rebellion occurred.
"But Ruruk kissed Seori."
"Wait, Nagi-san!?"
"Hey little girl, what did you just say?"
"Seori confessed when she came. She said she gave Ruruk medicine mouth-to-mouth many times when he was unconscious."
Wait, wait, wait, wait!
Nagi-san, why? Was it necessary to say that now?
Looking beside me, I saw Nagi with a faint smile. Damn it, are you trying to settle your grudges here? I should have been kinder to you!
"...Seori, is this true?"
The Dragon King looked at Seori with a terrifying expression.
Please, Seori! This is where you should deflect with some witty talk... Ah, don't bow your head with your ears turning bright red! He'll find out! He'll find out everything!
"...I see. Hey boy, do you have any last words?"
"Um, that kiss doesn't count because I was unconscious, right?"
"Of course not, it's a capital offense!"
"Isn't that a bit of an overreaction for just a kiss!?"
"Shut up, you debauchee!"
The Dragon King roared. It was just a shout, but the castle shook.
This doting father Dragon King is seriously angry!
Ah, there's no helping it!
The status difference is hopelessly disadvantageous, but in this situation, I have no choice but to fight.
But let me struggle a bit at the end.
"Dragon King-sama, can't we call it even for saving Seori?"
"Shut up, lips are more important than life!"
"What kind of standard is that!"
The Dragon King came charging at me with a ridiculous reason.
In words, it's a simple movement, but its speed was abnormal. Even my eyes could barely follow as he thrust out a right straight towards my stomach at a speed that was just barely trackable.
> [Domain Mediation] has been activated.
Of course, the all-purpose defense skill activated -- wait, no way!?
My feet floated lightly, and I was blown away backwards with incredible force. What kind of power can punch through [Domain Mediation] and my body!?
I broke through and penetrated the castle wall, regained my balance in mid-air, and landed in the front garden.
The Dragon King immediately pursued me.
"Grit your teeth, you damn brat!"
> [Domain Mediation] has been activated.
It's not a speed I can avoid.
With an impact that would have probably erased everything above my neck if not for numerology, my body was blown upwards. This power from just a bare-handed punch without using any skills. This is what a royal being is.
The Dragon King flew vertically towards me as I was blown into the sky, as if running through the air.
"You tough bastard! Disappear from Seori's sight already!"
"[Relative Transfer]!"
I avoided the third hit, as expected.
When I returned to the ground by transfer, the Dragon King, who had lost sight of me, was looking around while standing in mid-air, but when our eyes met, he showed a ferocious smile.
"A transfer skill, huh... It seems the story about defeating Riseto might not be entirely a lie. Are you also using some kind of skill to remain calm after receiving my fist?"
"W-wait, Papa!"
Seori burst out of the castle.
"Hey, don't interfere, Seori. Papa's about to exterminate a bad bug for you."
"I didn't ask for that!"
"Parents do it even if they're not asked."
"Learn to let go."
I retorted without thinking.
A vein bulged on the Dragon King's temple.
"You've got a mouth on you, you shape-shifting brat... I'm going to smash that cheeky face of yours, so don't move!"
"I refuse!"
The Dragon King approached. I escaped by transfer.
A game of tag between super speed and instantaneous movement began. For a while, I avoided him easily, but the weakness of transfer is that there's a momentary gap even in continuous use. As the Dragon King got used to the timing of my transfers, I was interrupted several times and sent flying.
Craters formed where I was slammed into the ground, and walls and roofs collapsed when I was thrown into the castle, causing those inside to hurriedly move to the garden.
When I was knocked into the forest, trees were uprooted as I rolled, and when I was sent flying into the sky, I ascended to the height of the clouds.
This was my first time experiencing such a three-dimensional battle.
Well, it's more like being a punching bag than a battle.
"Come on! Attack me!"
Taking advantage of my purely defensive stance, the Dragon King kept throwing me around like a ball.
However, if I were to fight back, things would get complicated again. My plan was to endure with [Domain Mediation] and transfers, waiting for the Dragon King to cool down.
But I had underestimated the Dragon King's power.
A barrage of hits that I couldn't avoid assaulted me.
He probably activated [Dragon Aura Envelopment]. The Dragon King's movements had increased even further. To the point where my transfers couldn't keep up.
I was genuinely being pummeled. There was no damage, but an uncountable number of blows from all directions were assaulting me at a speed I could no longer perceive.
The notification couldn't keep up anymore.
> [Domain Mediation] has been activated.
> [Domain Mediation] has been activa
> [Domain Mediation] has been ac
> [Domain Mediation] has been
> [Domain Mediation] has
> [Domain Mediation]
> [Domain Med
> [Dom
It was at the moment I started to panic, as the attacks were becoming faster than even the activation of numerology, with each hit certain to cause massive damage if taken directly.
"Fly away!"
"Gah!?"
[Domain Mediation] was broken through far earlier than I had anticipated.
My stomach was struck hard, and I was sent flying into the forest, coughing blood. My spine was shattered to pieces and my internal organs had burst. As my consciousness began to fade to white, I was mowing down trees.
I was punched straight for a distance of several kilometers. What incredible power.
> [Domain Mediation] has been activated.
>> Restoration of damaged areas will be executed.
Thanks to my cheat skill, the phenomenon of injury was rejected and I was fully healed in seconds.
As long as it's not instant death, I can't die - that's my numerology.
But that blank moment became a fatal opening.
The Dragon King, floating above the castle, muttered as he held out his hand towards me.
"[Lightning Strike Heavenly Wave]"
Lightning particles converged in the Dragon King's hand.
It was undoubtedly the sign of a breath skill. The strongest breath that was said to have once destroyed tens of thousands of golem soldiers at once.
My wounds had just healed, but the after-effects of the damage hadn't completely faded. Due to not being able to calculate properly, transfer wouldn't make it in time.
Can [Domain Mediation] alone protect against this unreasonableness that's trying to bury me along with the holy land's forest - damn, I have a bad feeling about this.
Just as I was thinking that and gritting my teeth, a small back appeared in front of my eyes.
"[Probability Manipulation]!"
Saaya, who had transferred in, activated her numerology that distorts causality to surround the area.
At the same time, the Dragon King's breath was released.
The lightning spread through the forest, approaching like a tsunami while destroying everything in its path.
"Ah... It's no good."
Saaya muttered softly.
[Probability Manipulation] is a skill that makes the possibility of an attack missing 100% if there's even the slightest chance. But the Dragon King's breath was too vast in range to begin with. The possibility of it missing was zero from the start. No matter how cheat-like the ability, it can't turn 0 into 100.
As I was about to tell her to run, Saaya did just one thing.
With a bright smile, she spread her arms in front of me.
She intended to take the brunt of the breath with her body to weaken its power even a little for my sake.
If she did that, there likely wouldn't be a trace left of her.
In that instant, time around us seemed to slow down significantly. It was very similar to the sense of time dilation I felt when I was on the verge of death in my previous life, that feeling of powerlessness.
...At that time, I couldn't save her.
I couldn't do anything, couldn't choose anything, could only curse my own powerlessness.
But this time is different.
I reach out to Saaya, who had closed her eyes, accepting death.
There's no need to touch her.
I connect my consciousness to her back, which was like that of a hero who had rushed out without hesitation to save me.
This time, I should be able to do it!
"[Domain Mediation]!"
The numerology of 7 that manages the domains of self and other.
It's not just a skill that repels elements other than myself from me.
Amidst the lightning tsunami that dyed our vision pure white, Saaya and I remained unscathed.
Saaya looked at her own palm in surprise.
The lightning was being blocked by an invisible wall before it could touch her body.
(Huh, what is this...?)
(I recognized Saaya as the same individual with my [Domain Mediation])
(Wawawa! I can hear Ruruk's voice!)
Saaya and I were set as a single individual.
If we focus, it seems we can share sensations, thoughts, everything.
(I'm glad it worked. Saaya, are you hurt?)
(No. Thank you Ruruk, sorry for being a burden.)
(That's not true at all. Probably without Saaya, I wouldn't have had this much defensive power.)
Until just now, I couldn't be certain we could withstand the Dragon King's breath, but now it's different.
Numerology is a skill that grows along with its owner.
What is growth? Is it just me getting stronger?
There was a time when I thought so. But now I understand it's not that.
Growth is moving towards the future.
It includes both one's own power and interactions with others. All of that becomes the power of my numerology.
The number 7 probably has a much stronger meaning than I think. I want to see what kind of skill it will evolve into if I draw out that stronger meaning.
(Oh, the lightning is about to subside... Saaya, can you go back to where everyone else is?)
(Yeah. Ruruk, don't lose to that doting parent, okay?)
(Leave it to me. I'll give him a good punch.)
We smiled at each other, and Saaya transferred back to the garden.
I remained where I was, looking up at the sky.
The forest had turned to charcoal, transforming into a vast wasteland.
The Dragon King tilted his head at me, standing alone in the middle of it all, looking up at the sky.
"You blocked that too, huh... You're beyond help... You're not just a regular human, are you?"
"I'm just a regular human. Just a bit smart and handsome, that's all."
"Nonsense!"
The Dragon King approached me in an instant and swung his fist.
[Domain Mediation] activated.
But this time, it couldn't move me.
"You've gotten heavier!?"
"Sorry! I wasn't serious until now!"
Well, that's a lie.
As I said that, I had thrust out my fist in a counter.
However, it was avoided just by moving his neck. Still, the fact that the Dragon King had to make a dodging motion was real.
That fact irritated the Dragon King.
"Don't get cocky, brat!"
Once again, an ultra-high-speed barrage of attacks came at me.
But this time I avoided them. Not just by transfer, but by running across the wasteland. In terms of agility, I can barely keep up with the Dragon King. Of course, I can't outrun or escape from the Dragon King, but I can buy time.
When he's about to catch up, I throw out a counter punch, and if it's avoided, I immediately run away again.
As this repeated, the Dragon King couldn't contain his irritation anymore.
"Ah, geez, stop scurrying around! You should just shut up and let yourself be hit!"
"Don't be ridiculous. I'm not your toy. And Seori isn't your toy either."
"Tch, cheeky brat! Hey Radon, are you there?"
"Yes, I'm here."
Before I knew it, hundreds of dragon species were flying in the sky, surrounding the battlefield of me and the Dragon King. When did we get so many spectators?
The Dragon King speaks to one of them - Radon, who had transformed into an azure dragon.
"Have my retainers capture this brat's companions. Of course, don't hurt Seori. As for the rest, anything goes as long as they don't die. ...Ah, but don't hurt that human woman who was transferring earlier either. She's an apostle of the Dragon God like me. Probably a hero in the making... She's good-looking too, so I might make her my woman someday."
"As you command."
Radon nodded and flew up.
He headed back to the garden, taking several of the surrounding dragon species with him.
I watched their retreating figures and said:
"Stop them. This is a fight between you and me, right? My companions have nothing to do with this."
"Shut up, don't tell me what to do."
"You won't listen... I guess I have no choice."
Of course, I had no intention of letting them lay a hand on my companions.
I activated my skill. Seriously, over a wide range.
"[Conqueror's Radiance]"
I applied pressure to all the surrounding dragon species.
The dragons began to foam at the mouth and fall one after another. Even the higher species like Radon were no exception.
The only one unfazed by my intimidation skill was the Dragon King right in front of me.
However, even the Dragon King showed an expression of unease for the first time.
"You were a royal being too!?"
"Well, I've just got one foot in the door."
Compared to the true dragon overlord, I'm like a baby.
But still, there was no one else in this place unaffected by my intimidation skill except the Dragon King.
I spoke to the doting parent - no, at this point, he's a toxic parent.
I declared to the toxic parent Dragon King:
"If that's how you want to play it, I'll get serious too."
Here's the translation of the afterword tips:
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Author Notes:
Afterword Tips ~ What are Existence Ranks? ~
This is another frequently appearing term that wasn't explained in the main text, so here are the details.
Below is an explanation of the 6 types of existence ranks, corresponding examples, and power relationships.
〇 What are Existence Ranks
Words that represent the grade of existence as a species.
They are divided into 6 levels.
There are many conditions for raising existence rank, but generally, it often changes based on acquiring high-rank skills specific to each race or how many beings one has as subordinates.
〇 Names of Existence Ranks
1. God Rank
2. Extreme Rank
3. Royal Rank
4. Upper Rank
5. Middle Rank
6. Lower Rank
We'll explain from the lower rank first.
We'll also clarify who is at which existence rank at the current point (late Act II).
〇 Lower Existence
> Ordinary existence.
> Without particular explanation, basically all races in their born state are in this lower rank.
>> Examples: Mobs, supporting characters, etc.
〇 Middle Existence
> A state where the grade as a species has ranked up once.
> For humans, acquiring numerology, or for demon races, acquiring racial skills, always makes them middle existence. Can also rise through leveling up, skill acquisition, or technique improvement. Most strong individuals are here.
>> Examples: Saaya, Nagi, Mererosu, Kemuna, etc.
〇 Upper Existence
> The highest state as an individual.
> It's also the highest point that can be reached through training and leveling up alone. There are minimum requirements such as being able to use multiple royal-class skills, being an S-rank monster or above, etc. Note that true ancestor dragons are upper existence from birth.
>> Examples: Elenora, Seori, Punisuke, Saturn
〇 Royal Existence
> A state where the grade is at the pinnacle within that species.
> Basically, it's a title held by only one individual in each species or position. Conditions include having extreme-level or higher numerology, awakening one of the three major elements (Demon King, Mystic King, Logic King), etc.
>> Examples: Dragon King, Ruruk
〇 Extreme Existence
> Also called demi-god.
> Life forms that have acquired divinity on their own. Or it refers to god-rank existences that have lost their divinity.
>> Example: Roze
〇 God Existence
> Gods.
> There are also grades within god existences, classified into three: creation gods, upper gods, and lower gods.
>> Examples: God Kianus (Creation), Dragon God (Upper), etc.
By the way, the Star Birth God Toruz does not have an existence rank grade.
It's recognized as the world itself.
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