CRASH!!
With a massive impact, the heavy weight, like a blue comet, slammed into the ground. The shockwave from the horrific collision forced everyone nearby to turn away. But the tragic wails and the rhythmic thumping of the ground told them the battle wasn't over yet.
However, as the wails grew quieter and the tremors weakened, everyone realized that the battle had finally ended.
As the dust settled, they saw Lancer, clad in azure leather armor and holding his red spear, standing over the blue Elder Dragon as its eyes slowly closed.
Just as everyone thought everything was over with the death of the blue dragon, a powerful surge of energy erupted from its corpse, sweeping out in all directions.
Lancer, positioned directly above the body, was hit squarely.
When struck by this energy, Lancer's first reaction was to let go of his spear and brace for defense. He didn't expect the energy to easily bypass the defensive lines constructed by "Runes" and impact his body directly. Yet, to his surprise, he felt no pain. Instead, he felt as if he were soaking in warm water—it was incredibly soothing.
The sensation came and went quickly, or rather, he felt it for longer than the others. Standing directly at the point of eruption, he received a much more thorough "baptism" of this energy.
When he opened his eyes, the blue dragon beneath his feet was completely dead. Simultaneously, a string of system messages flooded his vision.
Most surprising was that his own physical stats had received a significant boost. He had already trained his body to an exaggerated degree; usually, even a full day of training would only result in a tiny decimal-point increase. His strength had been stagnant in a bottleneck for a long time.
This was why he had been trying to strengthen himself through other means over the last several worlds.
Olga Marie and Zero had undoubtedly been baptized by this energy as well. Both received a degree of strengthening. Olga Marie showed no outward change—her body was condensed from demonic power—but a careful sense revealed her mana had been reinforced. Zero's change was more obvious; if she was a short-limbed toddler before, she had now grown to the stage of a "Loli."
None of this surprised Lancer too much. Since he was strengthened, it wasn't strange for the others to be too. But the transformation of the three cats was the most exaggerated.
「Palicoes Jack/Tiger/Aru have been baptized by powerful Elder Dragon energy and promoted to 'Arch-Tempered' individuals. Health, Strength, Agility, and Cognitive Ability have been enhanced.」
Health, strength, and agility required no explanation. The "Cognitive Ability" meant they could master more skills. The three cats had even mastered an ability called "Beast Soul Possession."
「Beast Soul Possession: Absorbs the fighting spirit generated during combat through special patterns and converts it into energy. Once accumulated to a certain point, special skills can be used.」
The three cats, who had gradually shifted to support roles as Lancer's strength grew, seemed to have regained the ability to fight alongside him.
Lancer reflexively glanced at "Heng," who had also been bathed in the energy. Unlike Olga Marie, Zero, and the cats, Heng had no connection to him, so he couldn't check his stats via the System. However, as expected, he had likely been strengthened as well. He just didn't know by how much.
Heng had remained silent since the blue dragon was killed.
According to Lancer, the "blue comet" he had seen in the sky looked exactly like the blue dragon that had just been slain.
Does that mean the "Azure Star" he had been searching for was dead?
He couldn't help but fall into a state of confusion.
Heng wasn't the type of person who just relied on others—if he were, he wouldn't have set out alone to find the legendary "Azure Star." He had pinned all his hopes on it simply because the "predicament" he faced was no longer something human effort could solve.
Elder Dragons, previously seen only in stories and legends, were appearing in large numbers. Dragons that used to stay in their own territories and mind their own business were now attacking human settlements en masse.
He wanted to change things, but he lacked the power. So he tried to change it his own way by seeking the "Azure Star." Now, that goal had utterly failed.
The "Azure Star" had been hunted, or rather, even if it hadn't, it probably wouldn't have helped him.
"Sigh~"
Heng let out a helpless sigh. But just then————
"Heng, do you remember the way back?"
Lancer's sudden question startled him, but he nodded.
"Of course. My original goal was to find the 'Azure Star,' but I always intended to return."
As he spoke, he took a metal box from his backpack, inside of which was a strange device. He explained it was a special tool found in a ruin that could point the way for him—it was one of the assets that allowed him to travel.
In Lancer's eyes, it seemed like a device with a compass-like function but far more advanced.
"In that case, let's head out immediately."
Heng froze at Lancer's words.
"You're coming back with me?"
"Why wouldn't I?"
Faced with Lancer's counter-question, Heng realized his question was meaningless.
"No problem. I'll lead the way..."
"Wait a second."
Lancer interrupted him.
"Once we leave this place, I'll find a means of transport. It'll speed things up."
Though he didn't know what kind of transport Lancer meant, Heng nodded. As they talked, they finally climbed to the top of the crystal cave and returned to the outside. Everyone was immediately captivated by the scenery.
The crystal forest, already a work of supernatural craftsmanship, was now shimmering with faint points of light. It was as if the death of the blue dragon had awakened them. For a moment, they felt as if they were in a dreamscape.
Lancer was the first to snap out of the beauty.
"It's time to move!"
He led the way down the mountain, followed by the others. As for Zero? She was currently draped over Lancer's back.
The group didn't notice that as the crystals flickered, a single crystal at the spot where the blue dragon had been killed was emitting a faint blue light, distinct from the others around it...