Chapter 244 – Boomer

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Translated by Heavenly Cat

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net

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『Thirty Ways to Shoot Down an Ice Dragon』

A magic tome authored by Seninos.

Unlike its grandiose title.

In its preface, it stated abruptly.

──────
Ice magic is trash.
──────

It is too early to be surprised by the first sentence.

Because the sentences following are even more ridiculous.

──────
If by any chance the reader is an ice mage, it is beneficial to quit things like ice magic even now. An ice mage has no advantages other than being cool in the summer.
──────

I thought this while reading…

Seninos was an oddball even among mages.

How could he rise to the position of Elder Mage with such a temper.

No, character.

Of course, the question didn’t last long.

Because I found out while reading the tome he left behind.

Seninos.

That he was a peerless genius.

──────
I was proficient in all elemental magics. Yet I am certain that ice magic is the worst among all elemental magics. The world’s evaluation that it’s the most beautiful elemental magic? That means it’s pretty trash.
──────

The theory that ice magic is trash!

His preaching continued until roughly twenty pages were turned.

My impression when I finished reading up to there?

I just wanted to ask Seninos.

Then why on earth did you choose ice magic.

Fortunately, there was an answer regarding that from the next page.

──────
The reason I chose ice magic is simple.
──────

He truly went full-blown rebellious, our Elder Seninos.

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I wish to prove the strongest with the weakest.
──────

Elemental magics have mutually biting type match-ups.

However, if picking the best among them, it is unequivocally flame magic.

Just as Karimzeba was called the Fire Dragon.

Because an overwhelming hellfire possessed the power to overturn even type match-ups.

To use an easy-to-understand scientific analogy…

‘It means a fierce fire will even evaporate water.’

In that sense.

Seninos subtly revealed his ambition even in the tome he authored.

Proving the strongest with the weakest.

If someone who doesn’t know sees it, they would just pass it off thinking it’s a cool line.

But when seen by me who knows the inner circumstances…

‘That just means he wants to beat Karimzeba.’

I thought he was truly a consistent man since the past.

However, I had witnessed the battle between Seninos and Karimzeba.

Therefore, I knew.

The fact that Seninos truly almost proved the strongest with the weakest.

-“To think you would put your life on the line. It’s unexpected.”

-“…!”

-“However, I have also put my life on the line.”

He overcame the limits of elemental match-ups and practically achieved a draw.

Karimzeba did burn up his own heart to break through the crisis though.

Karimzeba also suffered an injury that left him as good as dead even if alive.

And that Seninos of Perpetual Snow.

As if mocking himself.

Wrote down an attack guide for the Ice Dragon.

──────
What I originally intended to author was a hypothesis regarding overcoming elemental match-ups. However, no matter how much I wracked my brain, thirty conclusions came out saying ice magic is trash. So I shifted my thinking and decided to describe methods to shoot down an ice dragon.
──────

That’s right.

To the extent that he called his own ice magic trash.

Seninos persistently looked into the weaknesses of ice magic.

To him, an Ice Dragon?

It must have been merely a trash dragon that only shines on the outside.

Thanks to that, in my head.

The attack methods for an Ice Dragon he left behind existed vividly.

Drip drip

The Ice Dragon, Froznax looks at his own physical body.

“Are you a mage of the Mage Tower, bastard.”

He has an expression wondering what’s suddenly going on.

Since he wasn’t even touching fire at the very least, he wouldn’t have even imagined that the ice would melt down. But you shouldn’t be so surprised. It’s only the beginning from now.

And a mage you say, stop talking such funny nonsense.

“I am the Chief. Not a Chief Mage.”

He makes an expression asking what’s the difference.

But it’s strictly different.

With a class like Demon Hunter.

My desperately struggling to get here.

Means you shouldn’t underestimate it by treating it like a simple mage.

‘…Of course, it’s not something to say while holding a Mage Tower magic tool though.’

Float

What I levitated in the air was none other than the [Small Magic Power Sun].

The Senior of Flame Magic.

It’s correct, that magic tool Banshee is coveting vigilantly.

[Small Magic Power Sun]

[Grade: Epic]

[Restriction: Lv. 1,000]

[Effect: Upon using flame magic, absorbs that magic.]

[Description: A mechanical sphere that was the sun of a world where the sun does not rise. Swallows flames and radiantly spews out the accumulated flames according to the user’s will.]

A level restriction of a whopping one thousand (一千).

‘Actually, a senior mage leaving the tower isn’t a big deal.’

Especially now that the Zero Mountain Range have popped out into reality.

Even if a senior mage merely stands in the Zero Mountain Range, it would probably be a huge help to humanity. Because just their presence would become a reliable backing for players, and the monsters’ momentum would be greatly diminished.

However.

‘The problem is that the purpose is endlessly impure.’

Banshee William.

His priority for leaving the tower is wrongly messed up.

Even if he earnestly added a reason or something.

Leaving the tower out of nowhere just to use a magic tool.

And I wouldn’t even say anything if it’s a normal magic tool.

‘Where do you even intend to use this monstrous magic tool?’

As can be seen from its extraordinary level restriction.

[Small Magic Power Sun] wasn’t a magic tool you wear or wield.

Strictly speaking, you could say it’s a magic tool akin to a living ally.

‘Fitting for an Epic item, it has an anomalous effect.’

When manifesting flame magic, it doesn’t reduce magic power consumption or increase its power. Rather, it absorbed the flame magic the user manifested. However, its true value reveals itself now.

Using the absorbed flame magic as fuel.

“…Annoying, mage.”

Enough to make even an Ice Dragon flinch.

Just as its name implies.

Because it possessed an effect that emitted a heat akin to the sun.

I looked at the iceberg melting down in the heat.

──────
Ice magic is heavily influenced by the environment. In a place where water does not freeze, merely maintaining ice requires massive magic power consumption. Therefore, to shoot down an ice dragon, one must secure an advantage in the environment.
──────

Along with Seninos’s strategy.

Seninos and Karimzeba.

I recall the duel between the two demigods.

‘The battlefield was the North Pole.’

Come to think of it, back then too…

-“The stronger the opponent, the more important it is to choose an advantageous battlefield.”

Seninos had talked about the importance of the battlefield.

Lately, I feel like I often say ‘you see as much as you know’…

Really, I have nothing else to say but those words.

‘In the end, it means it’s the same for the Ice Dragon.’

Did he sprout an iceberg just to strike a pose simply?

Even if it was an unconscious action.

It would be evidence that the Ice Dragon also possesses the limitations of the ice attribute.

Even though his weakness is clearly exposed.

Is it because he’s the King of All Creation.

He doesn’t seem to realize it in the slightest though.

“However, it is a futile effort, mage.”

Craccccack!

Again freezing over, [Peace, the Snowy Mountain of the Ice Dragon].

In order to maintain the environment.

Before he even knows it.

That he is pouring out a massive amount of magic power.

Actually, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say a dragon’s magic power is infinite.

However, it’s close to infinity, not infinite.

Above all, I know that well.

‘Because we’re of the same bloodline.’

Just as the [Blessing of the First World Tree] has a limit.

Definitely, that your magic power also has a limit.

Means that I know.

In that sense, I recited.

“Still failing to grasp the situation, I see.”

“Grasp the situation?”

“Pardon my words, but your appearance is closer to a frog rather than a dragon.”

“…!”

A frog in a well.

At the same time, it was a multi-layered expression meaning he’s like a frog slowly cooking without realizing it in a boiling pot of water… But there’s a limit to omissions, Granfel.

It must have been so much that.

“…A frog.”

Even the deeply angered Eunaxus must have flinched.

But it’s not the time to be surprised, Eunaxus.

The battle with the Ice Dragon will only have a chance of winning if dragged into a battle of attrition. It means we have to endure the Ice Dragon’s offensive until we gnaw away its near-infinite magic power.

“Traitor Eunaxus. Are you now playing along with a mage bastard!”

Patter!

The blowing frost becomes even fiercer.

To the point where neither the distantly towering iceberg, nor the massive Ice Dragon could be seen.

As if returning to the dark dimensional rift.

The fierce frost completely blocked all senses.

‘I’m glad I at least have this.’

I looked at the [Small Magic Power Sun].

Using the mechanical sun as a lantern, I try to anticipate the Ice Dragon’s next move.

Truthfully, whatever it is, I have the confidence to strike back.

Since Seninos’s teachings still had twenty-nine more left.

However…

Kugung!

This is an unexpected pattern though?

Flutter

The white outer wings flutter and.

Eunaxus staggers.

Damn it, going into hand-to-hand combat from the start.

You really have one hell of a temper, Ice Dragon.

But at the same time, it’s clever.

He must have instinctively recognized the enemy’s vulnerability.

“Froznax!”

Eunaxus strikes back at Froznax’s attack with his decrepit physical body.

Vivace.

The influence of the Dragon Heart beating fast beyond limits.

Thanks to that, we weren’t getting pushed back in the immediate contest of strength but.

I could tell just by glancing.

‘The difference is severe.’

If Froznax is a dragon reaching his prime.

Eunaxus was an old dragon who wouldn’t be strange if he closed his eyes at any moment.

That difference was also visible in their physical sizes.

“Arrogant, Eunaxus. Do you intend to face me while carrying a human on your back? The experience accumulated over ten thousand years of life is put to shame. Your appearance is somewhat pitiful.”

Sshhaaaaaak!

A dull impact was transmitted even to me.

Although it was an urgent situation as you can see.

I asked Eunaxus.

“Eunaxus.”

“I am listening, O Lee Ho-yeol Claudi.”

“Compared to you, how many years has Froznax lived.”

“It is merely around a thousand years.”

“Then it’s a relief.”

He wasn’t full of vigor for no reason.

If calculated in human years.

He’s in his rebellious teen phase, that Ice Dragon over there.

If so, then everything is understandable.

That attitude of not knowing how to respect his elders.

Believing in his own physical abilities and rushing in recklessly too.

However.

Life is long, and it’s practically real-world experience.

You edgy teen dragon bastard.

“Since you have not yet passed the age of discipline.”

As expected, he must instinctively know it too.

That closing the distance is effective when dealing with a mage.

Because a mage is naturally vulnerable to close-quarters combat.

But I’m pretty sure I stated this clearly?

That I am not a mage.

Sreung

I drew Ghost Iron from my waist.

As if waiting.

Ghost Iron opens his mouth.

-Master. Should I cut down that blood-soaked dragon?

Far from being intimidated, calling an Ice Dragon a blood-soaked kid.

Who do you really take after to overflow with such confidence, Ghost Iron.

It’s not bad to overflow with confidence, but I must make one thing clear.

“It is not cutting, Ghost Iron.”

-If it is not cutting…?

“It is corporal punishment.”

-I see what you mean. I understood, Master.

A dragon that might or might not be defeated even if I put my life on the line.

To discipline it through corporal punishment.

No matter who looks at it, it couldn’t fail to be a declaration made with a liver sticking out of the stomach (unreasonable bravery/recklessness).

However, even if I am defeated and close my eyes.

I do not die.

The [The Last Adventurer] effect is currently active.

Even if I lose to the Ice Dragon, the experience remains.

Invaluable real-world combat experience that cannot be traded for anything else.

‘That’s the reason why I said even if I die, I must die well.’

It is Granfel’s brilliant talent that literally reached the present solely through self-teaching.

What results such talent of Granfel will gain from an experience called death.

Even I couldn’t fathom it.

On top of that.

The knowledge left by Seninos.

Ghost Iron.

Over ten decisive-battle magic tools.

And up to Eunaxus.

So.

It’s worth a try.

I spoke to the Ice Dragon, Froznax.

“I will dispose of you taking into consideration that it’s that age.”

“…?”

“An implication that I will personally guide you.”

“…!”

Sschaaaaaak!

At the sudden declaration, the blowing snow grew fiercer.

Froznax’s voice bubbling with anger followed.

“What is an insignificant speck of dust babbling about?”

Insignificant.

Well, it could be seen that way.

To dragons who live thousands to ten thousand years, a human’s life wouldn’t even amount to a mayfly. But that depends on what standard you base it on.

And.

Mine, Granfel’s standard is.

His unwavering self under any circumstances.

That’s why I spouted so shamelessly.

“Two thousand (二千) years.”

“…Two thousand years?”

“If human life and dragon life are equated.”

“…What did you say?”

“It means there is roughly a two-thousand-year gap between you and me.”

Froznax, of course, Eunaxus also seemed confused.

The age of the human Lee Ho-yeol.

Converted to dragon years, being roughly three thousand years old.

It was complete sophistry.

However, it didn’t matter.

As said before, the standard is myself.

The one proving it is also myself.

The jacket fluttering in the frosty wind.

I slowly raised Ghost Iron.

No, the cane of discipline.

“I shall show you the gap of two thousand years, hatchling.”

.

.

.

The Dragon’s Temple.

Dozens of dragons realized simultaneously.

That the Old Dragon, Eunaxus, did not speak falsehoods.

Dragon Heart.

The ‘Oath’ engraved on the heart constricted the dragons’ physical bodies.

In the dragons’ mental world that no one could intrude upon.

An irresistible voice was heard.

-I announce to all dragons (全龍).

“…!!!”

Thump!

Then a dragon’s head fell.

Thump-thump!

One by one.

…Thump!!

All dragons bowed their heads flat on the floor.

-That I, the successor of Claudi, have returned.

Before the return of the Great Family.