The Martial God who Regressed Back to Level 2 Novel

Chapter 277

"Have you arrived?"

Artmu's forge.

Not in robot form, but in dwarf form, Artmu waved his hand to Sung JiHan.

"You. You seem more excited than usual. Why are you so worked up?"

"Haha! Don't you know what it means for a dwarf to be able to handle a dragon heart?"

"I don't know."

When Sung JiHan replied, Artmu nodded and stood up from his seat.

"Dwarves have been serving dragons since ancient times. If all dwarves become dragons, then we'll have a lot to deal with."

"Dwarves serving dragons... Isn't that irrelevant to you? Your planet is unified by dwarves, isn't it?"

"Not exactly. According to the records of our ancestors, our planet was originally planned by dragons to be their new territory. So they sent our ancestors to develop it first... but something went wrong in the middle, and the dragons never came to the planet."

So the planet where Artmu belonged, the dwarf race's home planet, was originally planned to be a dragon colony.

Upon hearing this, Sung JiHan asked him a question.

"A colony... Were the dragon races spread throughout the universe like the World Tree Elves? It doesn't seem like there are many of them either."

"The dragon races do have a large number. But their criteria for choosing a planet are extremely strict. How can you compare them to a race that plants trees everywhere like the Elves? Our planet probably didn't meet the dragon races' criteria, so we weren't ultimately chosen."

"I see."

"Anyway, can you show me the actual dragon heart?"

Sung JiHan took out the dragon heart from his inventory.

A fist-sized, red gem.

As soon as Artmu saw it, his eyes lit up.

"It holds an incredible amount of fire mana. It will be difficult to handle in this state."

"Then?"

"I'll equip my gear."

Clank! Clank!

Artmu returned to his previous combined robot form.

Ziiiiing...!

A white pedestal rose in the center of the forge.

[Let's start with an accurate analysis.]

When the dragon heart was placed on the pedestal.

Sizzle. Sizzle...!

Machines popped out from everywhere and began to analyze the dragon heart in detail.

No, it wasn't so much an analysis as...

Clang! Clang!

It was almost like an act of destruction, so Sung JiHan said a word.

"Artmu. Are you sure this is emotional? It seems more like you're trying to destroy it than feel emotions."

"Don't worry. The dragon heart won't break so easily."

Saying that, Artmu began a full-scale attack.

Whirrrrr!

The dragon heart also didn't just sit still and spewed intense flames.

[The firepower of the forge was insufficient, but it worked out well!]

Artmu enjoyed the resistance of the dragon heart and became absorbed in the battle.

Crackle!

And just when it seemed like it was about to break, the dragon heart returned to its original state.

The tug-of-war between the dwarf and the dragon heart continued.

"...When will this end?"

Watching this silently, Sung JiHan began to worry as time passed without any sign of progress.

Should I practice or something while waiting?

While Sung JiHan was seriously considering this, something happened.

[...Hmm? There seems to be something inside. May I take it out and see?]

"Go ahead."

[Alright.]

Chiiing!

Artmu's machine moved and extracted something from the Dragon Heart.

And then...

Whoa?

A massive flame rose from the Dragon Heart and soon formed the shape of a dragon.

"You...!"

The dragon glared fiercely at Sung JiHan.

Although it was small in size, Sung JiHan quickly recognized who he was.

"He's the representative of the Dragon Clan from last time."

Altkaizen, who had been sealed in the Dragon Heart for the Space League match as the representative of the Dragon Clan.

What came out of the dragon's heart through Artmu's emotions.

* * *

"To join forces with a lowly dwarf and dare to defy me... How long will you continue to bring shame upon yourself?"

"Are you talking about the machine equipment, dwarf?"

"Hmph! I can smell the stench of a lowly creature like you. How can you not know? Your pathetic mana arrangement is still the same."

Altkaizen spat out insults as soon as he emerged.

Even in the sealed state, he looked around Sung JiHan and Artmu with unwavering eyes.

But...

Clang!

"Where? How does the taste of a dwarf's hammer feel?"

"This, this bastard...!"

"I understand now why our ancestors despised dragons so much. Just looking at you fills me with disgust."

Clang! Clang!

Artmu swung the hammer and struck Altkaizen's entire body.

"Ugh... If you're going to bring me such shame, just kill me quickly!"

"I can't just kill you. Wait until I figure out your purpose. Artmu, don't hold back too much."

Sung JiHan calmly spoke, and Artmu put away the hammer.

"Understood. I got carried away by the dwarf's words. The deep-seated hatred engraved in the Dwarf Clan doesn't seem to disappear easily. Anyway, this guy is the representative of your league, the Dragon Clan, and the descendant of the Dragon Lord, right?"

"Yes. Although it was the Dragon Lord who sealed him and handed him over."

"The Dragon Lord to you?"

"Yes. He is my sponsor."

"A being like that sponsors you... Just like the last time with the brain god. What is your true identity?"

Altkaizen asked, seemingly dumbfounded.

Thump. Thump.

Artmu lightly tapped Altkaizen's head with the hammer.

Not with the same sincerity as before.

It was a gesture filled with provocation.

"This filthy mutt..."

"If the Dragon Lord gave it to you, why don't you just keep him as a pet?"

"A pet? Use a dragon as a pet?"

"Yes. Even though the Dragon Lord gave up his own bloodline, it seems like he wouldn't care how you use it. Make him completely obedient and become a Dragon Rider."

"Th-this guy is talking nonsense... It would be better for you to just kill yourself right now!"

Altkaizen became extremely angry at Artmu's words and flames rose all around him.

"Where's your resistance now?"

Chiiing!

As cold air spewed out from all directions, the firepower decreased rapidly.

Trapped in the Dragon Heart, and this was Artmu's home ground.

No matter how much it was called a dragon, Sung JiHan couldn't resist it.

'Dragon Rider.'

Meanwhile, Sung JiHan listened to Artmu's proposal and quickly shook his head.

"No. I don't really need a pet. Riding that thing won't make me stronger."

[Is that so? That's a shame. I was hoping to see the proud dragon submit and become your mount.]

"I just need the power of the Dragon Heart. Even now, I'm absorbing its firepower, but it's not filling me with energy."

There was also something that the Dragon Lord had told Sung JiHan.

-You can completely extinguish the fire and absorb it, or you can make it your own, including the flames. Whatever it becomes, if you make the Dragon Heart yours... I will give you an even greater gift later.

If he made the Dragon Heart his own, the Dragon Lord promised to give him a greater reward.

It would be better to receive his gift than to ride the dragon.

[Hmm... That's a shame, but it can't be helped. So, is the absorption of power the priority? I can create a new weapon or further enhance your current weapon.]

"Then, is an EX-grade weapon possible?"

[EX... Well, I can't guarantee it, but it seems difficult.]

"Then, prioritize the absorption of power."

[Alright. Then I will fragment the Dragon Heart and specially process it to make it easier for you to consume.]

A Dragon Heart the size of a fist.

Are they telling him to break it apart and eat it?

"If that's the case, I can just break it myself."

[If you break it with force, you won't be able to fully absorb the power of the Dragon Heart. It requires delicate work. And the final touch, the 'special processing,' is the most important.]

"Alright. Then please."

[Alright. I will start the disassembly right away.]

Sung JiHan decided to prioritize the absorption of the Dragon Heart.

Artmu, according to his intentions, was about to start the actual work.

At that moment.

[...Wait!]

"Why?"

"What should I do?"

"You want me to kill? Well, I guess it'll end up that way."

"If the heart is destroyed, you'll disappear too. It must be nice not to be humiliated, Sung JiHan."

Altkaizen, who was floating above the Dragon Heart, couldn't maintain his stiff attitude as the heart began to disintegrate.

Instead,

"...Did you say that absorbing power is the most important? I'll teach you how to absorb the Dragon Heart. In return, leave only 10% of your heart and release me onto our planet."

He proposed a negotiation to Sung JiHan.

"You should have taught me earlier. Why now?"

"Because you couldn't properly absorb the power of the heart, I couldn't come out. I woke up in this disgusting dwarf's space."

"Hmm."

"Customer, if you release this guy, it will be a long-lasting regret. Especially since the powerful dragon race will come after you like enemies in the Space League. Isn't it better to just finish them off here? The dragon race never forgets grudges."

Although Artmu advised not to listen to Altkaizen's words,

"No, I swear on my honor as a dragon. If you release me, the dragon race of our planet will always yield to your humanity in the Space League. Yes... just like when we faced the powerful elves."

"You mean you'll lose when you meet humans in the game?"

"Yes. We lost in the previous game, but from now on, humans will be the top. If you focus on banning only me, the game's momentum will flow in our favor. We'll give up all those matches."

Altkaizen appealed to be released, promising to treat humans like the powerful elves.

"A concession from the dragon race... not bad."

In fact, in the previous game against the dragon race,

Altkaizen was arrogant and gave up two games easily, resulting in an easy victory.

If they had played the game through a normal ban and select process, Sung JiHan didn't know how the outcome would have been.

Except for Sung JiHan, humans were still at a disadvantage against the dragons.

If they were to concede all the subsequent games, it was a pretty good proposal.

"First, tell me the absorption method. If it's worth listening to, I'll spare you."

Sung JiHan, who demands prepaid payment.

[...Can you just tell me first? Don't you have a way of making binding promises like verbs, with compelling force?]

"Where would such a thing exist for inferior races? I can't believe it, just be divided and devoured."

[Ha. I never thought I would be defeated by such a race...!]

Altkaizen exploded in anger.

[The method is...]

In the end, there was no choice but to comply with Sung JiHan's demands.

* * *

A vast wasteland.

[Are you really going to do it?]

"I have to."

[It could be a dragon's trap.]

[What trap? I made a solemn oath with verbs!]

"Fine. Or I'll just devour you right here."

Altkaizen explained that in order to properly absorb the Dragon Heart.

He had to be on the ground, under the sunlight.

"Then go ahead."

[...Alright. But it might hurt a bit. Can you endure it?]

"Don't worry about me."

"Understood. Oh great ancestors, bestow your blessings upon the descendants who carry your blood!"

Kaaaaa!

When the dragon above the Dragon Heart roared towards the sun in the sky.

The light from the sky began to gather towards Sung JiHan.

And then.

Flash!

A massive fire erupted from the sky.

Creating a huge rift.

[Hmm... The firepower seems quite strong. I'm out. I'll come back when it's all over.]

"Okay."

Feeling the extraordinary firepower, Artmu left.

And then.

Whoosh!

From the sky, a massive fire poured down towards Sung JiHan.

[Dragon Lord's Blessing... The first Breath! I clearly said it would be difficult to endure!]

As the fire hit Sung JiHan directly, Altkaizen's voice became brighter than before.

[If you survive here, you will fully absorb the Dragon Heart. But, will you really...?]

Whoosh!

Looking at Sung JiHan trapped in the fire, Altkaizen said that.

"Is it worth it?"

[...What?]

"Oh. I got it."

Sung JiHan calmly accepted the fire on his face.

And looked at the rising message window.

[Unique Stat, Dragon Flame, acquired.]

[Stat 'Up Hwa' will be absorbed into 'Dragon Flame'.]

Dragon Flame.

Is this stronger than hellfire?

While Sung JiHan was thinking that.

[Do you want to attempt the fusion of Unique Stat, Red Thunder?]

A message that would make his eyes widen appeared.