I Start with 13 Hidden Traits Chapter-441

**Chapter 441. Technicians**

—

Even the elves—who had ruled the forest for countless ages—did not know the origin or purpose of the primordial altar.

The moment the altar was activated, a warp formed, and at last the **Hidden Quest** began.

That thing whose very beginning was difficult to grasp, known as one of Pangaenia’s **Seven Mysteries**.

*“The Beginning of All Things, the Origin of the World.”*

Wasn’t the name grand enough?

When one thought of origins, the first thing that came to mind was the **Primordial Dragon God**.

A treasury that contained the origins of all things.

It was thanks to obtaining the Primordial Flame there that I had been able to forge the Primordial Armor.

《Primordial energy is detected within the warp.》

《Primordial energy is detected.》

《Primordial energy is detected…》

As if bugged, the same message kept pouring out endlessly.

But it was not a message that could be ignored.

Primordial energy?

*‘The primordial is also connected to origins.’*

This wasn’t entirely unexpected.

I had entertained the possibility—however faint—that this **Primordial Forest** might be related to the primordial.

And if it was, then it would naturally be connected to the **altar**.

The First Flame and the Primordial Armor were both merely names bearing the word “primordial,” without any special epithets.

Despite lacking titles like Twilight, Winter, or Endurance, they were classified at the highest rank for that very reason.

The source.

Because they were origins and roots.

Naturally, if another primordial-grade existence existed in Pangaenia, wouldn’t the odds be highest that it was here, at this Primordial Altar?

*‘At the very least, there are things inside that do not exist in Pangaenia.’*

Thump! Thump!

My heart pounded.

Adventure in Pangaenia never ends.

Of all the worlds, this one was surely where the most mysteries lay dormant.

For the first time in a long while, I recalled the spirit of an adventurer.

The memory of when I first logged into Pangaenia.

A Beginner’s Mind—my original resolve—that I had forgotten after being possessed.

“Let’s go.”

“A-ah…! Yes!”

Together with Dietrich, I crossed the warp.

*

*

 

*‘He’s smiling…?’*

Dietrich looked up at Phantom.

When they arrived at the altar and the warp opened—

From that moment on, Phantom had been smiling.

Without a trace of fear, simply enjoying the situation in pure delight.

An unknown situation.

Everything was something he was encountering for the first time.

One might not be afraid.

But those who truly enjoy the unknown itself are fewer than one might think.

Humans instinctively fear what they do not understand.

Yet… Phantom was different.

*A man who truly enjoys it.*

Dietrich felt he was beginning to understand where Phantom’s strength came from.

He was an adventurer who did not fear adventure.

A resolute warrior who faced mysteries and battled the unknown.

He enjoyed it—was happy in it.

On the other hand, what about himself?

Dietrich clenched his trembling hands tightly.

He was afraid. Terrified. He had no idea where they were going, or what kind of monsters awaited beyond.

So he changed the way he thought.

*‘This process itself is the road to completion.’*

Completion.

Becoming the King of Cernil acknowledged by all.

If he focused solely on that single goal, even this process could be enjoyed.

If he became the true owner of the Guardian Holy Sword, even the former kings of Cernil would have no choice but to acknowledge him.

Yes.

This adventure was merely a process for him to become king.

Like Auril—seizing the throne through his own will…

“Guh—!”

But the instant they crossed the warp, Dietrich retracted that thought.

The world beyond the warp.

*‘A d-dragon!’*

Guaaaaah!

Kyaaaaah!

There, gigantic lifeforms like dragons were fighting one another as if to kill.

*

*

 

Looking at the unfolding scenery, I let out a small sigh of admiration.

“An origin world.”

It truly was a world in its raw, original state.

A place where dinosaurs of all sizes lived.

An ecosystem that felt as though it had been deliberately preserved.

《You have entered the ‘Primordial Domain.’》

《All lifeforms within the domain possess ‘Runes.’》

《You may evolve by devouring Runes.》

《Alternatively, you may combine Runes to create special items.》

Runes.

To evolve through consumption, or to create something using runes.

*‘The origin of evolution, huh.’*

Indeed. I felt I understood the rules of this world.

Primitive lifeforms branched out in countless ways, eventually evolving into forms like modern humanity.

A process that would normally take millions—tens of millions—of years.

Here, such evolution occurred moment by moment through runes.

Perhaps that was why—

*‘I understand why the dinosaurs all look different.’*

Their appearances were truly diverse.

Some had seven wings; others had three heads.

Through battle, the victor claimed the rune and evolved.

What I wondered was whether only outward changes occurred, or if abilities were also consumed.

“S-so… what should I do here?”

Dietrich asked cautiously.

After all, in such a primordial world, what could a child—still not an adult—even do?

I answered lightly.

“Fight.”

“…Pardon?”

“Fight, win, and take the rune. Simple rules, aren’t they?”

“Y-you mean… me?”

Dietrich asked, as if trying to deny reality.

His eyes said it all—how could he possibly deal with those massive primordial monsters?

But Dietrich was no ordinary human.

He was my avatar, the child of the Pirate Queen, and the King of Cernil acknowledged by the Guardian Holy Sword.

Therefore—

“You ask the obvious.”

This was the optimal hunting ground for Dietrich.

And if my guess was right…

Whoooom—whoooom—

The Guardian Holy Sword emitted rough vibrations.

The composition of the holy sword.

Minerals I had never seen before, minerals that did not exist in Pangaenia, were embedded within it.

They were likely runes.

At the same time, a question arose.

Who, exactly, had been the blacksmith who forged this sword?

“Survive, no matter what.”

“You’re telling me to survive on my own?”

“Yes. I’ll take a look around and come back.”

“W-wait—!”

Thud.

The moment my foot touched the ground, Dietrich was already far away.

From here on, it was every man for himself.

I floated into the air and surveyed the surroundings.

Observing this primordial world took priority.

Kyaaah!

That was when it happened.

From afar, a pterosaur-like creature spotted me and swooped in.

It shrieked and raised its claws.

Claws protruding at least fifty centimeters.

Sharp enough to tear flesh apart instantly.

*‘If this were Pangaenia, it wouldn’t dare charge at me so easily.’*

Monsters in Pangaenia instinctively recognized the gap in power.

Even if I hid my mana, they wouldn’t rush in recklessly.

But not here.

This pterosaur felt no fear toward me.

Rather, it behaved like a hunter who had found delicious prey.

No need to use a sword.

I simply raised the edge of my right hand.

And as it lunged at me, I brought it down.

Slice!

Its head, severed cleanly along the shape of my hand, hit the ground.

Its body followed, fluttering helplessly as it fell.

I had coated my hand with aura and cut it down.

《You have slain ‘Apatucalipos.’》

《You have obtained the ‘Rune of Apatucalipos.’》

Soon after, a rune floated where the creature had died.

A stone-like object.

A black-glowing magic stone.

**[Rune of Apatucalipos]**

It had no distinctive features.

No information came to mind beyond the name.

*‘I should hunt a few more.’*

Holding the rune, I pondered for a moment.

How should I hunt?

With no explanations or hints provided—

*‘If I make enough noise, something will show up.’*

Stirring up chaos and letting things come to me wasn’t a bad idea.

Only then did I summon a sword.

“Winter.”

Ziiiing!

At my call, **Winter (The Final Twilight)** rose into the air.

It felt similar to the *Heavenly Sword* used by Gracia.

But this wasn’t a skill.

*‘I’m merely calling an item stored in another dimension.’*

Specifically, **Hel’s** subspace.

I had stored Winter and several other items there.

They were far too high-grade to leave in something like a magic leather pouch.

In any case, I slowly took hold of Winter.

And then—

Whiiiiii—!

Winter arrived in the scorching primordial world.

*

*

The monsters occupying the vast expanse collapsed, unable to withstand Winter’s cold.

When hundreds of dinosaurs died at once, runes flooded the area.

Those that didn’t die but were weakened became Dietrich’s prey.

《You have obtained 374 Runes.》

《Tip: To combine Runes, a ‘Technician’ is required.》

Only then did the tip appear.

*‘A technician.’*

So there were specialists who combined runes.

Coincidentally, I had a hunch.

As Winter wiped out the surrounding monsters, movements erupted all across the ground.

*‘There are those hiding underground.’*

I extended my detection beneath the earth and soon sensed countless lifeforms hiding below.

“Huff… huff…”

Dietrich approached, breathing heavily.

Despite his successful hunt, his appearance hadn’t changed much.

“Look. The Guardian Holy Sword absorbed the runes.”

But the holy sword was different.

It had absorbed the runes of the monsters on its own.

A faint reddish glow now emanated from it.

I nodded.

As expected—the Guardian Holy Sword had been made in this world.

A weapon designed to grow stronger by absorbing runes.

And the ones who forged it were likely somewhere nearby.

Very nearby.

Kreeeek!

Where the ground shifted—

When I reached out, my hand caught a handle beneath the dirt.

“T-there’s something underground.”

“Seems the technicians are down here.”

I opened the iron door without hesitation and stepped inside.

A ladder attached to the wall extended endlessly downward.

After descending for a long time—

Wheeeeeen!

Beeeeeeep!

Amid blaring alarms—

“An intruder!”

“The opponent is a knight! Be careful!”

Numerous short figures wielding unfamiliar weapons appeared.

…Dwarves.

I had seen that race several times in comics, novels, or films.

*‘Dwarves?’*

A race of blacksmiths known as dwarves.

They were universally famed for their craftsmanship.

Depending on the setting, they could forge weapons of gods, or masterpieces so coveted that even gods fought over them.

But they did not exist in Pangaenia.

Elves existed. Orcs existed. Every other familiar race did.

Only dwarves were absent.

People always wondered why.

Countless theories circulated.

That they had perished to Destruction.

That the few remaining dwarves had fallen into the Abyss.

That they lived hidden somewhere in Pangaenia.

Yet no one knew for certain.

Now that I thought about it, the reason was obvious.

*‘So it’s not that dwarves don’t exist in this world.’*

They were simply hiding in a place like this—

No wonder no one knew.