Ch-185. **âšś New Dragon God âšś**
—
The curtain rose on the prelude to invasion.
The moment the assault began, the Alliance too started to move.
“They’re targeting major metropolitan areas.”
Inside the command center built near the site of the demons’ first invasion.
Darkstar stroked his chin as he stared at the holographic world map floating in the air.
Eight crimson points marked locations under attack.
All eight were globally populated, massive cities.
“Chief. We can’t possibly defend all eight.”
As the words implied, dispersing their forces across all eight locations would be inefficient.
They were already lacking in power.
They needed to protect only the sites that could be defended with certainty—starting from the most important strategic fortresses.
However, this was also the place where players from *all eight attacked regions* had gathered.
*We’ll have to select and concentrate.*
If protecting all eight was impossible, then at least half needed to be secured.
But abandoning the remaining four entirely was not an option either.
*Should we strike the enemy’s headquarters instead?*
He considered it briefly, then shook his head.
They still didn’t even know who the enemy’s commander-in-chief was.
Rumors said it was Issera, but there was no 100% certainty.
And if it was *Issera*, that was another problem.
In that case, they would have to slaughter all the surrounding military forces first before attempting a direct assault.
“Singapore, Germany, Japan, Hong Kong. Those four will be prioritized for defense.”
“Wait! You mean we’re just going to ignore the other four?”
“So you’re saying Korea is going to be abandoned?”
“What the hell…!”
The players from the four forsaken countries immediately erupted in protest.
But Darkstar’s choice was based entirely on long-term survival—only the most important nations, where powerful players existed, were selected.
*The number of players is limited. The focus must be on the strongest.*
Darkstar remained immovable.
Unless the number of players suddenly increased, they could only rely on the force available in hand.
Singapore, Germany, Japan, and Hong Kong each possessed several top-rankers and a large player base.
Meanwhile, Korea and Macau had neither top-rankers nor significant numbers.
“Darkstar, if you’re sending forces to Japan, shouldn’t we be able to support Korea too? They’re right next door.”
It was then that Park Tae-woo shouted.
As Korea’s representative in the Alliance, he could not shake off his bewilderment.
If they were helping Japan, wasn’t it obvious they could support Korea as well?
The distance was minimal.
Darkstar nodded.
“Of course, after we swiftly subdue the enemy, we will move to support the remaining nations.”
“In that time, Korea will be completely defenseless. Only a few alliance members are left stationed there…!”
“So you’re suggesting Korea resign from the Alliance?”
Leaving the Alliance came with a powerful penalty.
He had just made it clear—if Korea withdrew, they would receive no support whatsoever.
“…”
Park Tae-woo bit his lip.
If they left now, could they really repel the invasion on their own?
Maybe they could at first. But how long would that last?
Korea had neither rankers nor numbers.
Darkstar spoke with a chilling calm.
“We simply need to subjugate the enemies as fast as possible. It’s not abandonment—it’s prioritizing efficiency.
If even that is beyond your understanding, you may leave the Alliance. I won’t stop you.”
“…!!!”
A curse nearly escaped, but he forced it back down.
That icy gaze…
It made it perfectly clear how little Darkstar thought of him—and of Korea.
To them, whether Korea existed or not was irrelevant.
It was understandable, in a way—the Korean Alliance had no proper foothold in Pangaenia.
And influence in Pangaenia directly translated to influence here on Earth.
*If only we had taken at least one city…!*
Would they be treated like this now?
But taking a city—an estate—on Pangaenia was almost impossible now.
Wars raged everywhere, and everyone watched with bloodshot eyes.
One misstep and their entire group would be beheaded.
In the north, the White King. In the south, the Black King. In the east, King Friedrich. And the elves were moving in the west.
*Even the Central Continent is the same. The Empire’s movements are even worse.*
And the Empire of the Central Continent?
…Unapproachable.
Worse, the Empire’s recent actions seemed solely focused on the extermination of players.
*The Empire wants to purge players. The number of cities undergoing “Cleansing” is increasing.*
This concerned every player, so relevant information spread instantly.
The Reaper Cult’s Cleansing and the Player-Hunter raids had become top-priority concerns.
Show yourself at the wrong moment?
It was the same as asking to be killed.
Everyone’s nerves were stretched thin.
The competition for limited resources had begun in earnest.
And so Korea—and Park Tae-woo—lost the chance to seize a city in Pangaenia.
Whether a nation held a stronghold or not made an enormous difference in growth.
*All of this happened because I wasn’t strong enough.*
Park Tae-woo blamed himself.
As the one leading Korea’s players, all of this felt like his responsibility.
Then—
“Korean demons have all withdrawn!”
The red point on Korea disappeared.
It was the only one among the eight.
Darkstar’s eyebrows furrowed.
“Suddenly? Did something happen?”
“I-I don’t know. But it’s confirmed—not a single demon remains.”
“Hm…”
Only Korea.
What in the world had happened there?
That wasn’t all.
《The contents of “Main Quest 10” have been updated!》
《“Trial of the Light Dragon Einhassar” has been changed to “Trial of the Dragon God Einhassar.”》
《Leaderboard for “Main Quest 10” has been updated.》
A notification—Main Quest contents had been altered.
This had never happened before.
And Main Quest 10…
*Randolph!*
At this timing, only *one* person could possibly have completed it.
But it made no sense.
He had only cleared Main Quest 9 literally the other day.
And he had already cleared 10?
*The quest that everyone challenges dozens of times at minimum?*
Main Quest 10—the Trial of the Light Dragon Einhassar.
No one ever cleared it on the first attempt.
Einhassar inflicted a trial *greater* than what the challenger’s ability warranted.
Which meant Randolph cleared that in one go.
*The Light Dragon has become a Dragon God. And demons withdrew from Korea.
Coincidence? Or… is the rumor true—that Phantom is actually Korean?*
There had been rumors.
But no one believed them.
Maybe it was all coincidence.
Maybe the timing just happened to overlap.
At that moment—
《A new Dragon Vein has been created at the specified coordinates.》
《While the “Dragon Vein” exists, all “Invaders” suffer a 20% reduction in stats.》
《For 7 days while the “Guardian” is being born, the Dragon Vein is exposed externally.》
《Protect the “Dragon Vein.”》
“…!!!”
Darkstar’s eyes trembled violently.
What in the world did that mean?
*
*
“How do you create a new Dragon God?”
The second question I asked.
It was about the Dragon God.
Even Ruin had never tolerated Einhassar’s existence as a Dragon God.
Perhaps because a Dragon God had a crippling effect on Ruin.
And as far as I know, the “Guardians” are those who maintain the world’s balance.
Even the Demon King’s Army sought to eliminate Dragon Gods first.
*The existence of a Dragon God burdens the invaders.*
I was certain.
So I needed to know.
There might not be an answer, but if there was—even a possibility—I had to obtain it.
This was far, far more important than seeking a Unique-rank blueprint.
A blueprint I could search for through my own means, but a question like this…
There would never be another chance like now.
*New Guardians are constantly born. There must be an answer related to their birth.*
Einhassar—the Dragon of Knowledge.
If he didn’t know, then no one did.
And soon Einhassar—
—*Fortunately, that is a question I can answer.*
He said with a smile.
But he didn’t speak the answer aloud.
Instead, I found Einhassar’s response within the reward that surfaced afterward.
《Main Quest 10 – “Trial of the Light Dragon Einhassar” completed.》
《You have overcome the final trial that no one has ever reached before.》
《O, the one who freed the curse of Einhassar, Guardian of Balance!》
《The challenger has completed a new myth.》
《Calculating score.》
《1,500 points!》
《Obtained: (1) “Complete Golden Scale” and (1) “Fragment of the Broken Golden Scale (1,500h).”》
《You possess the Luck Dice.》
《Additional reward: “Blessing of the Dragon God.”》
《“Dragon God Einhassar” answers your question.》
《Three rewards have been designated.》
《Core of Transcendent Evolution》, 《Root of Yggdrasil》, 《Broken Celestial Egg》
*
*
Use Einhassar’s Wish Orb to create a Dragon Vein,
and within that Dragon Vein, give birth to a new “Dragon God.”
That was the highest priority.
The problem was the materials required.
*The three designated rewards can all be used to create a Dragon God.*
But the method itself was not explained.
Meaning—Einhasar expected me to figure it out alone.
*Root of Yggdrasil. Broken Celestial Egg.*
Neither name felt ordinary.
Especially the “Broken Celestial Egg”—it must be something deeply connected to the heavens.
However, since it was broken, it was already empty. No life would be born inside it.
*It isn’t meant to create a life.*
Then why did Einhassar give it to me?
The answer was likely in the *Core of Transcendent Evolution.*
*Evolve something—into a Dragon God.*
Surely, I was meant to use them to evolve something.
What could I evolve?
Hydragon?
Or—
“… Come out. All of you.”
Inside the empty Dragon’s Nest,
I summoned every Bloodspwan creature.
Kuruk. Kururuk!
With eerie sounds, thousands of Bloodspwans flooded out before me.
At their center stood the queen—*Hana.*
A massive fleshy body and two gaping mouths spread like a ray.
No lower body—merely a thick, larva-like mass.
Kieeeek!
The queen shrieked joyfully in greeting.
Because of the ring *“Aspect of the Radiant Pureblood,”* my natural regeneration rate had surpassed 4,000%.
Which meant the queen’s egg-laying ability was running at maximum capacity.
Judging by the sheer number of Bloodspwans around us, the total was nearing ten thousand.
*I will evolve the queen.*
I made my decision.
I would evolve the Bloodspwan Queen—and make her a Dragon God.
《You use “Core of Transcendent Evolution” on Bloodspwan Queen Hana.》
《Bloodspwan Queen evolves into “Bloodspwan Blade Queen.”》
《You use “Root of Yggdrasil” on Bloodspwan Blade Queen Hana.》
《Bloodspwan Blade Queen acquires the qualification of “Truth.”》
《You use “Broken Celestial Egg” on Bloodspwan Blade Queen Hana.》
《For 7 days, she will enter the Broken Celestial Egg and be reborn anew.》
《She absorbs the power of the Dragon Vein.》
《She absorbs the essence of the user.》
《Bloodspwan Blade Queen begins to comprehend Truth and Origin.》
《Blade Queen acquires the divine role of Guardian — “Dragon God.”》
《Hidden Trait “King of Blood Demon” evolves into “God of Blood demon.”》
—
