Chapter 183

Chapter 183
## 183: The Birth of a New Legend

—

The triple requirements to cleanse the Curse of Ruin were clear.

I needed to hold a four-star rank, possess physical attributes matching that level, and command a transcendent recovery skill that defied standard logic.

‘Transcendent, huh.’

My only asset that broke the rules of the world was the mystery known as “Eternal Randolph.”

It represented the manifestation of my entire being—my soul and essence—into a singular mystery.

Of course, that didn’t mean it naturally possessed high-level healing properties.

‘But there is a single loophole.’

The act of leveling up.

The “absolute restoration” that occurs during a level gain would undoubtedly be classified as a transcendent recovery phenomenon.

The catch was that this restoration normally only affected my own body.

It wasn’t something I could cast on someone else.

However.

‘The condition only specifies that I must *possess* a transcendent recovery ability.’

It never explicitly stated that the skill had to be channeled directly into the target.

Simply having the power within me was sufficient to meet the criteria.

As luck would have it, Hel had delivered the “Union’s Stored Experience Potion” to me.

‘Eight vials stolen from the Union’s private stores.’

Every single bottle boosted my experience progress by a massive 10%.

Consuming all eight would easily trigger a level gain.

Under normal circumstances, a level 8 player might have jumped straight to level 10 or beyond, but given my unique situation, I was simply relieved this would be enough.

Due to the nature of my innate gifts and specific traits, the experience threshold I faced was dozens of times higher than that of an average person.

‘It’s a miracle the Union didn’t notice Hel emptying their shelves.’

Hel had slipped into their vault once a day to pilfer them.

I wasn’t sure exactly how she pulled it off, but the Union’s lack of awareness was the real shocker.

It suggested a theory: the Union might not have the capacity to monitor every single item in their vast inventory.

At the very least, they clearly weren’t tracking exact quantities.

That was the only logical explanation.

‘…This is it. The level up.’

The total sum equaled an 80% experience gain.

*Gulp!*

I downed the potions one after another without a second thought.

The moment the last drop was swallowed:

【Level Increased!】

*Fwaaaaaaaa!*

A short notification appeared as a torrent of radiant energy erupted.

This glow was significantly more intense than any previous blessing I had received.

‘Confirmed. The potency of the blessing scales with my level.’

The holy light saturated the entire cavern.

I was certain now: the blessing’s power intensified with every step forward I took.

It wasn’t just healing anymore; it felt as though every fiber of my being was being reconstructed and awakened.

Perhaps this was the result of having such a massive experience requirement compared to the rest of the world.

‘……Level 9 at last.’

I didn’t have the luxury of dwelling on the achievement.

The sheer rush of power from the level-up was almost more than I could manage.

I was at level 9.

Only one more step remained before reaching level 10.

Crossing that threshold meant entering the realm of transcendence, and I already satisfied the four-star requirement.

Furthermore, my journey through the Rift Tower had pushed my potential level cap all the way to 12.

‘The path to overtaking Wilhelm is set.’

I hadn’t reached his peak yet, but the structural foundation to surpass him was fully established.

A 1.2x stat growth per level, a cap of 12, and a four-star rank already secured.

The gear could be gathered in due time.

In that moment:

《Experience required for Level 10 has increased by 10 times.》

《’Transcendence’ will be unlocked upon reaching Level 10.》

《’??’ will awaken at Level 10.》

《’Fragment of Despair’ has been cleansed.》

Additional alerts popped up alongside the warning of the steep climb to level 10.

This world was often called the “cursed level 10” game, so the experience spike was expected.

‘What exactly is awakening?’

I frowned at the third notification.

I had never heard of a specific awakening occurring exactly at level 10.

……

I had no leads.

How did it relate to my progression?

Perhaps it was tied to one of my concealed traits?

That wasn’t the only enigma.

‘I’m also in the dark about the purification of the ‘Fragment of Despair’.’

That fragment—a piece of the “Despair” from the Four Evils—had been handed to me by the Death King during his journey south.

It had been purified the moment I leveled up.

The implications were still a mystery to me.

But then again, this was Pangeniar—the most cryptic and unfriendly world imaginable.

I cleared my mind of distractions and looked toward Ainhasar.

“I am ready for the trial, Ainhasar.”

…To break your shackles.

Every condition demanded by the Star Blessing had been satisfied.

Ainhasar’s massive eyes flickered.

-……So be it. Show me what you can do.

He lowered his great head toward the earth.

It was a silent invitation to proceed.

‘Star Blessing.’

I immediately triggered the primary authority of the Star Successor.

Then:

《‘Star Blessing’ commences the purification of the ‘Curse of Ruin.’》

《The ‘Curse of Ruin’ is fighting back!》

*Creeeeack!*

A jagged maw suddenly tore open between Ainhasar’s eyes.

Simultaneously, the flow of time seemed to grind to a halt, and the world turned sluggish.

It was a sensation I knew all too well.

Internal dread gripped me.

‘A glitch……!’

It was the exact same “error” that appeared when I had the Demon King cornered, and again when I drove Baal of the Four Evils to the brink of death.

Wait. Was that “glitch” actually the “Curse of Ruin”?

That anomaly had cost me two lives already.

While “Eternal Randolph” had saved me once, I couldn’t rely on such a miracle repeating itself.

‘……Damm it!’

A curse formed in my mind, but I couldn’t even move my lips to speak.

The “glitch” on the dragon’s brow expanded, threatening to consume me whole.

However, the expected strike never landed.

《‘Fragment of Ruin’ suppresses the ‘Curse of Ruin.’》

The Fragment of Ruin embedded in my chest reacted.

It acted as a shield, preventing the curse from reaching me.

In fact, it was actively eroding the curse’s power.

《Purification in progress.》

《‘Curse of Ruin’ has been entirely eradicated!》

《You have obtained the ‘Cursed Soul,’ the origin of the blight.》

《‘Hel’ is capable of consuming the ‘Cursed Soul.’》

……The “glitch” dissolved into nothingness.

Moments later, a surge of golden radiance flooded Ainhasar’s eyes, signaling the return of his spirit.

-Ah.

A violent tremor ran through him as he unfurled his massive wings.

-Ahhh! My purpose as the protector has been restored.

Ainhasar, the Dragon God known as the Rift Guardian.

He had reclaimed his true identity and his holy mission.

In that heartbeat:

《Achievement ‘Savior from the Curse of Ruin’ unlocked.》

《Honor increased by 1,000.》

《‘Great Presence’ doubles the reward (2,000 Honor).》

《Achievement ‘The Dragon God Ainhasar’ unlocked.》

《Honor increased by 1,000.》

《‘Great Presence’ doubles the reward (2,000 Honor).》

Two major milestones reached.

A total of 4,000 honor points gained in an instant.

‘Great Presence is absolutely broken.’

The aura of the pureblood.

That “Great Presence” from the absolute ring was doubling every scrap of honor I earned.

It was an undeniably overpowered trait.

‘10,000 is within reach.’

At this pace, hitting 10,000 honor points wouldn’t take much longer.

Once I hit that mark, the full utility of honor would be at my disposal.

More importantly, at 10,000 honor, I could establish a “sovereignty” and take the title of “King.”

It was the unique path for players to build their own empire.

-……My gratitude is yours.

Ainhasar, still trembling from the shift, finally spoke.

-The Curse of Ruin had rotted my spirit, forcing me to abandon my sacred oath. It blinded me even as the world tilted toward destruction. I was a failure to my duty.

*Whoooosh.*

A magnificent golden aura began to dance around the dragon’s form.

The sight was so ethereal it felt like a dream.

-Truly, I thank you, Star Leader. You have conquered every test. As I vowed, I shall grant you that which you require most.

*Fwooooosh!*

The golden light surged forward, wrapping around me.

The prize for the ultimate trial.

I quickly realized what I was holding.

《‘Dragon God’s Worn Wish Orb’ begins to glow.》

《‘Dragon God’s Worn Wish Orb’ transforms into ‘Dragon God Ainhasar’s Wish Orb.’》

A Wish Orb of the Dragon God!

And one specifically tied to Ainhasar’s name.

What was a Wish Orb?

It was the singular most precious item a dragon possessed.

It held more value than even a dragon’s heart.

Naturally, its worth was determined by the dragon’s status.

Ainhasar had just handed over his own essence to me.

‘Wow.’

I couldn’t help but breathe out in shock.

It was a priceless relic, a treasure that stood above all others.

Something no player had ever held or was ever meant to hold!

-Star Leader. Ask of me what you wish to know. I shall provide two answers from the depths of my wisdom.

Was it because I had finished the secret trial and earned the achievements?

Ainhasar, who had initially only promised one answer under specific conditions, was now offering “two questions.”

‘I can secure the Unique-grade blueprint this way.’

Ainhasar was often called the “Dragon of Knowledge.”

His understanding of the world was boundless.

If he was willing to answer anything within his knowledge, the “Unique-grade blueprint” would be a simple matter for him.

This was a golden opportunity.

“How can I locate Earth’s Dragon God?”

My first priority, however, was already set.

I had to reach Earth’s Dragon God before Isera could.

-A fortunate request. That is within my power to answer.

*Fwooooosh!*

The golden light swirled around me once more.

《New destination etched into the ‘Teleport Book.’》

《You may now travel to ‘Dragon God Lucaria’s Nest’ via the ‘Teleport Book.’》

He hadn’t just given me directions; he had hardcoded the location into my travel log.

He provided the “solution” rather than just information.

-Now. What is your final inquiry?

Ainhasar asked with calm curiosity.

I took a moment to deliberate.

‘If he provides the direct solution…… the Unique-grade blueprint isn’t the best use of this.’

This was worth far more than the location of a crafting recipe.

Depending on how I phrased this, the potential return was astronomical!

‘I’ll ask that.’

A specific thought took root in my mind.

As the Dragon of Knowledge, Ainhasar would definitely have the answer.

“My second question is……”

I began to speak my request slowly.

I eventually made my way out of Ainhasar’s domain.

I didn’t leave on my own two feet.

Just as I had arrived, I was perched upon Ainhasar’s back.

As a pillar of the world’s equilibrium, Ainhasar could traverse space instantly without the need for warp gates.

In the meantime, a flood of notifications filled my vision.

《Main Quest 10 – ‘Light Dragon Ainhasar’s Trial’ Successful.》

《You have triumphed over the final trial, reaching heights no other has seen.》

《O Guardian of Balance, the one who broke Ainhasar’s shackles!》

《The challenger has forged a new myth.》

《Calculating rewards.》