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Translator: CinderTL
"Ugh... ah!"
Roland groaned, dropping to one knee and gripping the edge of the table so hard his knuckles turned white.
He felt as if molten lava were flowing beneath every inch of his skin, forcibly reshaping him with brutal strength.
This wasn't merely a surface-level change; it was a deeper, agonizing process where his underlying structure was being torn apart and rewoven with an impossibly resilient substance.
Sweat instantly soaked his forehead, dripping down his taut jawline.
Clenching his teeth, he endured the tidal waves of pain, acutely aware of a dense, elastic network spreading through his dermis, solidifying and resonating with his surging Dragon Blood.
The process seemed to stretch for an eternity, or perhaps it lasted only a few heartbeats.
Finally, the terrifying agony receded like a retreating tide, leaving behind only a warm, ember-like numbness and a sensation of...
Unprecedented solidity.
Gasping for breath, Roland slowly stood up. Only then did he notice the new subtitles that had abruptly appeared in his vision:
Acquired Trait: Dragon Scale Tough Skin
Dragon Scale Tough Skin: Your skin has darkened and toughened, with faint, mysterious patterns resembling dragon scales subtly surfacing. This is proof of the ancient dragon's power flowing through your bloodline. Beyond its exceptional hardness, capable of withstanding sword strikes and arrow punctures, it also exhibits remarkable resistance to elemental forces—scorching flames are tempered, chilling cold struggles to penetrate, and lightning's fury is diverted, as if an invisible, eternal suit of dragon scale armor perpetually protects you. When attacked, the dragon scale patterns glow faintly, becoming more pronounced, as if the dormant Dragon Blood within is being awakened. This defense is not static; its effectiveness can further awaken with increased bloodline purity or physical conditioning.
"Dragon Scale... Tough Skin?"
Roland gently shook his head, still throbbing from the intense pain, then slowly lowered his golden, slit-like pupils to examine his arm.
His once pale skin now possessed a weathered, darkened texture, like polished, dusky leather.
He extended a slightly trembling finger and touched his arm.
The skin remained soft to the touch, yet conveyed an unusual density and resilience, as if an invisible, paper-thin layer of armor lay beneath.
Sensing this anomaly, Roland, still unsteady on his feet, staggered over to a candlestick for a closer look.
In the flickering candlelight, he finally caught sight of the nearly imperceptible phenomenon.
Beneath his skin, faint, hair-thin dark golden lines shimmered faintly.
They intertwined into ancient, mysterious scale-like patterns that clung tightly to the contours of his muscles, resembling ancient totems surfacing from the depths of his bloodline. Only under specific lighting and with intense concentration could one barely glimpse their traces.
With a thought, Roland drew the Mithril Longsword from his waist and tentatively slashed at his forearm.
The expected sensation of being cut never came.
The blade slid across his skin, leaving only a slightly pale scratch, as if it had grazed tough, tanned rhinoceros hide.
His skin displayed astonishing resistance, firmly repelling the sharp metal.
This was different from the mere toughness his skin had gained after practicing the Mithril Body Tempering Technique.
In that instant, he clearly felt the dark golden lines beneath his skin subtly activate. A faint warmth gathered at the point of impact, dispersing and neutralizing the force.
Only a dull ache remained. The pale scratch gradually faded within a few breaths, returning his skin to its normal state.
Roland lowered the dagger and slowly clenched his fist, savoring this silent yet formidable protective power.
It was understated yet powerful, utterly unlike the overt, domineering pressure of Dragon's Might. This was a fundamental, ever-present defense.
"A reshaping from within... requiring no summoning, eternally present."
After carefully experiencing the changes brought about by Dragon Scale Tough Skin, a cold golden light flickered in Roland's eyes.
This meant that from this moment forward, he possessed considerable resistance to ordinary sword strikes, arrow volleys, and hurled stones.
The description's mention of resistance to elemental forces further bolstered his confidence against spellcasters.
"And... it will continue to awaken and evolve with the concentration of my bloodline and the strength of my physique?"
Just as Roland was pondering this, lines of short, golden text flashed rapidly across his vision once more.
"Another new trait?"
Roland couldn't help but be astonished.
Ordinary class advancements typically granted only one trait, and even the Hidden Profession "Pirate" had only two.
But the Dragonborn...
Detecting host's life essence...
Special energy source detected: ancient dragon blood
Analyzing bloodline lineage...
Tracing complete. Confirmed: bronze dragon bloodline
Bloodline purity: Medium (growth potential)
Associated elements: Ocean, Storm, Lightning, Justice (inclination)
Optimizing class template based on bloodline origin...
Optimization complete
Current class: Dragonborn (bronze dragon bloodline)
Just as Roland was marveling at the successive gifts bestowed by his Dragonborn class, the dormant power deep within his bloodline stirred once more.
This time, however, it brought no pain. Instead, it surged forth as a torrent of raw energy, erupting violently from the depths of his chest.
The moment he sensed this anomaly, the shadow veil had already silently spread. In the next instant...
"Hah!"
Roland's mouth flew open involuntarily, but the sound that erupted from his throat was no human voice. Instead, it was a crackling, leaping stream of faint electrical sparks.
The air immediately filled with the ozone-tinged scent that precedes a thunderstorm, and his molten-gold, slit-like pupils contracted slightly in response to the wild energy coursing through his body.
Trait Acquired: Dragon Breath
Dragon Breath (Lightning): You have inherited the ancient gift of the bronze dragon bloodline, granting you the ability to summon and command the power of storms and lightning. Your breath is the embodiment of thunderbolts.
You can channel your bloodline energy to unleash a cone-shaped or linear blast of ferocious lightning breath from your mouth. Water and metal conduct its power with devastating effect. This breath ignores conventional physical defenses, tearing through flesh, melting metal, and crushing the will.
Warning: Dragon breath possesses immense power but consumes equally staggering amounts of physical and spiritual energy. Use it sparingly, as daily usage depends on your constitution and bloodline concentration.
"Dragon breath... and it's lightning."
Suppressing the lingering tingling sensation in his throat, Roland confirmed that the Veil of Shadows had contained the lightning's aura. The golden light in his eyes burned brighter.
This was undoubtedly a destructive force far surpassing Dragon's Might and Dragon Scale Tough Skin—a true manifestation of the dragon race's annihilating power!
"So... the dragon we encountered at Mist Creek Town... it was a bronze dragon after all..."
He slowly raised his hand, focusing his thoughts to guide the nascent thunderbolt energy.
In an instant, wisps of pale-white lightning, as fine as spider silk, erupted from his fingertips. They danced and crackled with subtle yet menacing energy, casting flickering shadows across his stern profile.
(End of the Chapter)
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