Banished from the herd, I was actually a member of a very rare species. ~With the unique skills that only I can use, I can grow and evolve quickly. I will become an unrivaled monster~ - Episode 161: The Ancient White-Fanged Dragon of Unchanging Might 5

Episode 161: The Ancient White-Fanged Dragon of Unchanging Might 5

The “Ancient King’s” power of ‘Unchangeable’ and my ability to fix shapes may seem similar at first. But they’re subtly different. After clashing multiple times, I finally noticed the key difference: the definition of the “fixing” itself.

Shape-fixing works by “solidifying form”, which prevents anything from deforming out of that set shape. For example, if I use it on my own body, it becomes difficult for my form to change in any way. However, the “Ancient King’s” ‘Unchangeable’ seems far more flexible. Even though parts of its body are under the effect of ‘Unchangeable’, it can still move them without restriction. It seems that power works more on the concept of state or condition, rather than something as simple as shape.

This difference is the breakthrough I’ve been looking for.

“([Shape-Fixing], Target: Bl00d!)”

“GUGOH… GUH…!”

From between the “Ancient King’s” fangs, flashes of lightning leak out. At the same time, a groan escapes. The lightning has traveled through its flesh and solidified the bl00d inside its veins into a jelly-like substance.

The output of my shape-fixing has already surpassed the strength of its ‘Unchangeable’.

“(Even if instant death is impossible, the shape fixation part still works!)”

But it’s not nearly enough. Despite striking from the inside, where resistance should be minimal, I’ve only managed to coagulate a small area near its mouth. It might confuse it with this bizarre sensation, but it’s nowhere near lethal. It’s already gearing up for a counterattack.

“(Keep going! [Shape-Fixing]!)”

Still clinging to its head, I pour everything into my [Unique Skill]. The “Ancient King”, realizing that this is a decisive moment, channels immense force into its jaws, thrashing violently.

I’ve tried several times, but it seems that its scales can block the shape fixation from penetrating. I send three more drones into its mouth and use my [Unique Skill] defensively as well. I’m constantly exposed to the power of ‘Change’ while in contact with it. But even in this battle, I have the upper hand.

The reason is clear: it’s devoting resources to undoing the coagulated bl00d. Its ability to force ‘Change’ on anything it touches also allows it to revert the solidified bl00d back to liquid. However, unlike me, who only needs to crudely solidify it, the “Ancient King” has to carefully undo the coagulation without damaging its delicate bl00d vessels. This requires much more concentration.

“GUH, GOGOGAH…!”

“(Yeah, this is turning into a pure contest of strength!)”

Its biting attacks are becoming more intense, shaving off small pieces of my body. It must have strengthened its power or defense-piercing abilities with some sort of [Skill].

However, while it’s focusing its energy on that, the coagulated bl00d continues to spread. If it reaches a major bl00d vessel in its brain or neck, it’ll be over for it.

While my proximity to its fangs makes it easier for it to strike, the same is true for me. I already have the advantage in terms of raw ability. So in this pure contest of strength, I hold the upper hand.

“(GUAAAAAAAAAH!)”

In response, the “Ancient King” tries to regain physical dominance. It thrashes even more violently, sending us crashing through the earth and sky. At one point, it slams sideways into a mountain, gouging deep into its side. As we continue tearing through the mountainside, molten lava begins to erupt.

Apparently, it was a volcano.

But neither the “Ancient King” nor I care. We charge straight through, eventually bursting out the other side of the volcano. The tunnel we created was exposed to the heat of my [Solar Crucible] and had transformed into a Mana Crystal passageway, resembling a tunnel made of pure crystal.

That brief, fantastical scene quickly vanishes as the “Ancient King” takes to the skies again.

Yet, despite all this, I still haven’t been shaken off. I cling to it with all my might, aided by the [Unyielding Spirit] effect of [Hasui Formation].

“GUH… UGH… GUGUGYA…!”

The coagulation continues to spread steadily, while the “Ancient King’s” attacks slow down. Realizing that this slow death will eventually be its end, it takes a desperate gamble.

“GROOOOOOOOOAAAAARRRR!!!”

“(Is this… the [King’s Authority]?)”

Despite its body’s sudden calmness, its |Mana| surges with immense power. But I know this is a last-ditch effort. Every [King’s Authority] skill I’ve seen so far has required a long charge time, and the fact that it hasn’t used it until now means it must be similar.

“([Shape-Fixing]!)”

I didn’t miss the moment when the “Ancient King’s” defenses weakened during its preparation for an attack. I immediately expanded the range of the solidification, pushing through all at once. 

That final push sealed the deal.

“GUH, Agh…!?”

“(Finally!)”

The “Ancient King’s” massive body swayed, and the rising |Mana| dissipated into thin air. It had lost control. As it collapsed onto the ground and desperately tried to heal itself using its power of ‘Change’, its attempts were clumsy due to its weakened state.

“(…It’s checkmate.)”

I could feel the power of ‘Unchangeable’, which had continuously protected the “Ancient King”, starting to crack. The battle was already decided. Dragging this out would only prolong its suffering. While I might fail a few times, I would soon reap its〔Soul Arche〕 and—

“(…No, this isn’t about harvesting.)”

I had been misled by the display of |Status|… perhaps even the god misunderstood it. But one thing became clear to me: my lightning strikes, even when they seemed fatal, weren’t harvesting life.

“(It’s time to return to the earth, [The Endless Cycle of Thunderous Rebirth].)”

The ground, now shrouded in magical flames, was illuminated by a flash of lightning. The thunderbolt pierced through to the very essence of life—the 〔Soul Arche〕—that foundational element that was never meant to be touched. And yet, it was incinerated and returned to the earth from whence it came.

This was the cycle of life. The endless flow of birth and death. It was like watching the body of a top predator, having reached the end of its natural life, be decomposed by microorganisms. A fleeting moment of impermanence.

―――Non-Notification Information Recording Zone―――――――――――――

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>> The Radiant One with the Amber Sun and Divine Wisdom (?), Fuwa Katsu’s <Soul Accumulation Level> has increased to 928.  

>> The Radiant One with the Amber Sun and Divine Wisdom (?), Fuwa Katsu, has acquired the [Skill: Cloud Hiding]. The [Skill: Flee] has been integrated. 

>> The [Skill: Death Strangle] has been acquired. The [Skill: Cursed Bindings] has been integrated. 

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I’m curious what the kingship of the Old King was like…!

PS: Thank you very much!

(Note: This is one of the comments in the original site for this specific chapter with the Original Author’s reply.

→Random dude:

I’m curious what the [King’s Authority] of the “Ancient King” was like…!

PS: Thank you very much!

→Author:

Thank you for your feedback. It is very encouraging.

It is [Red King’s Authority: Shade of 100 Million Degrees].

It is [Skill] that brings evolution in the biological sense to oneself and one’s allies, and forced weathering to one’s adversaries.

One of the effects of evolving is nullified after the [Skil] ends, but the weathered object will remain as it is.

Since the weathering does not work on Katsu, it is thought that the “Ancient King” was trying to use it as a buff.

)