Surviving as a Barbarian in a Fantasy World

[Translator - Night]

[Proofreader - Gun]

Chapter 228: Ancient Dragon Ignisia (7)

“Ah…”

Ketal let out an exclamation.

Within him, within the depths of his body, the fantasy mystery that exists only in this world was moving.

It wasn't just residing in him; it was circulating according to his will.

Ignisia cautiously asked.

“Did it work?”

“It worked perfectly.”

“It looked like something was wrong... but you managed to do it.”

In the end, there was an incredibly bizarre sight.

The world itself was twisting and breaking around Ketal.

But now, it was as if such a thing had never happened, leaving everything completely clean. He didn't quite understand what had happened, but he was glad it seemed to have worked out.

Ketal shouted joyfully.

“Ignisia! It’s all thanks to you! I sincerely thank you!”

Ketal rushed forward and hugged Ignisia tightly.

Ignisia's face turned pale.

'It hurts!'

Crack.

Ketal, overwhelmed with joy, wasn't controlling his strength at all.

As a result, Ignisia felt a strong pressure.

Her entire body creaked.

She hurriedly teleported away to escape.

“Oh. Did it hurt? I apologize. I couldn’t contain my emotions.”

“N-no, it’s fine.”

“Truly, thank you.”

Ketal beamed with a big smile.

Right now, the mystery was moving inside him.

He was so happy he could go mad.

It wasn't a figure of speech.

He genuinely felt like he could go insane.

Meanwhile, the wandering merchant was muttering as if he could understand.

[How on earth...? We can’t become like you...?]

It was a strange remark, but Ketal didn’t pay any attention to it.

He was simply overjoyed.

No matter how hard he tried, a grin kept spreading across his face.

“It seems to have worked, but let's check it out to be sure.”

“Understood.”

Ignisia quietly observed Ketal and murmured.

“…I can sense a first-rate level of mystery. With the catalyst just now, it's only at a first-rate level? He should have reached the upper echelon of superhumans, at the very least.”

Ketal had captured and absorbed all the mystery that was trying to escape, so there was no loss.

Yet, it was only at a first-rate level.

It was strange.

It made her think there might be some sort of restriction.

“Is it because of the uniqueness of your body that the full extent can’t be detected externally? Are you able to control it without any issues?”

“There seems to be no problem. It’s moving well inside.”

“Then it seems like it should be fine.”

After a moment of contemplation, Ignisia clapped her hands.

“Alright. Then let's do a simple test to see if you can properly handle the mystery.”

“That sounds good! What should I do?”

“It’s simple. Just activate a Dragon Word spell.”

Ignisia explained how to activate the Dragon Words spell.

“Pick a Dragon Words spell you know the meaning of, and as you recall its meaning, speak it out loud with strong intent. If the mystery moves correctly, it should activate.”

“That’s all? It seems easier than I thought.”

“The hard part is qualifying to use it in the first place; controlling it isn’t that difficult.”

The Dragon Words spell was, after all, a spell that used Dragon Words.

And Dragon Words was a power that any dragon could use.

That was why young dragons could barely speak properly.

As long as one met the qualifications, the activation was excessively easy.

Compared to swordsmanship or magic, it was as simple as a child’s toy.

In other words, even Ketal as he was now could activate it without any issues.

Ketal muttered with excited eyes.

“I see. I like this very much.”

“Then go ahead and speak it.”

“Understood.”

Ketal selected a spell in his mind.

Then, he spoke it out loud.

[[ᛒ]]

Fire.

Ketal imbued the word with intent and spoke it.

And then, flames arose.

Whoosh!

A dark, red flame erupted in front of Ketal.

Ignisia nodded.

“As expected, it activates without any issues.”

“Oh, oh, ohhhh!”

Ketal exclaimed in awe.

He was genuinely moved.

Up until now, it wasn’t as though he couldn’t use the mysteries of this world at all, but it was never fully his own power.

It was always borrowed from others or used through a catalyst.

But the flames that appeared before him now were different.

They were flames created purely by his own mystery, through his own will.

It resonated with Ketal all the more deeply.

It felt as though he had taken one step closer to the fantasy.

“The intensity of the spell is decent, and the stability of the flames isn’t bad either. At this level, you should be…”

Ignisia, who had been mumbling as she observed the flames, was about to say that it was more than enough when—

Growl.

A sound like a beast growling came from the flames.

And at that moment, the blazing flames exploded.

As if venting all the suppressed rage, the explosion swept through the entire dragon's lair.

Whoosh!

A mighty flame erupted in all directions.

It was an uncontrollable force.

"Ugh!"

Ignisia immediately unleashed her power.

She tried to suppress and control the force spreading throughout the Dragon's Lair.

But the flames did not stop.

As if irritated by the control, they burned even more fiercely.

It seemed almost as if the flames had a will of their own.

And the one the flames showed the most hostility towards was none other than Ketal.

The raging flames engulfed Ketal's entire body.

The mystical force that Ketal had harnessed turned against its master.

Ignisia's eyes widened in surprise.

"Huh? Wait!"

It was dangerous to take a direct hit from such flames without any preparation.

However, Ketal, who was engulfed by the flames, looked more curious than alarmed.

"It's quite hot. It feels like I'm burning up. Is this how it's supposed to be?"

"Of course not! [[Extinguish!]]"

Ignisia spoke with authority, trying to command the flames.

But the flames did not extinguish.

Although their intensity decreased, they still fiercely tried to burn Ketal.

Ignisia was taken aback.

'Why?'

Ketal had certainly obtained the heart of a dragon, allowing him to wield Dragon Words Magic, but he was still not a dragon.

There were clear limitations.

A dragon of her caliber should have been able to extinguish the Dragon Words Magic that Ketal had harnessed with just her command.

But her command had only managed to lessen the flames.

[[ᚱᛃᚲ]]

In the end, she had to resort to casting a Dragon Words Spell.

Only then did the flames, which had been spreading throughout the Dragon's Lair and engulfing Ketal, slowly die down.

Grrrr.

However, they did not extinguish easily.

As if dissatisfied, the flames tried to reignite with a fierce growl.

Only after completely extinguishing them did Ignisia catch her breath.

"Are you okay?"

"There's no major problem."

Ketal's body was red-hot.

If it had continued for a little longer, he would have suffered serious burns.

Ignisia found the situation absurd.

Ketal, with a curious expression, muttered.

[Translator - Night]

[Proofreader - Gun]

"My own magic attacked me. I couldn't control it. Is this normal?"

"No. That's not supposed to happen."

Ignisia shook her head firmly.

A mystical force turning against its master?

Rising uncontrollably as if it had its own will?

Even for Ignisia, an ancient Dragon, this was unheard of.

As she pondered in confusion, the silent wandering merchant spoke up.

[It's probably because of your very existence...]

"What do you mean by that?"

[The mystical force of this world rejected being absorbed by you... It resisted and tried to escape...]

As the wandering merchant said, the mystical force that was being absorbed into Ketal's body suddenly resisted and tried to break free.

It even rejected Ignisia's control.

[But you forcefully suppressed it and devoured it...]

And Ketal had crushed that resistance with sheer willpower, absorbing it entirely into himself.

[It has indeed become a part of you... but you forced it in... and it has become distorted...]

The mystical force that Ketal had absorbed was no longer an ordinary mystical force.

It had been twisted and damaged by Ketal.

[Of course, the more you absorb, the stronger you will become, but it will take some time... With lesser powers, it might be manageable, but something on the level of Dragon Words Magic will still be difficult for you to control...]

"Is that possible?"

Ignisia looked surprised, but Ketal seemed to understand.

"I see. So, I just need time. Simple swordplay or regular magic should be fine, right?"

[With that level of power, there shouldn't be any problems...]

"Then, for now, I should focus on other powers rather than Dragon Words Magic. I'll have to put it off until later."

"Hmm. That seems to be the case. It's unfortunate."

"It's not a problem."

Even though he couldn't wield the Dragon Words Magic he had long desired, Ketal didn't seem disappointed at all.

He had finally obtained a great mystical power and could wield it.

It was disappointing that he couldn't use Dragon Words Magic right away, but the joy far outweighed that feeling.

"Then, I'll have to put it off until later."

"That seems to be the case. Since things have turned out this way, come back after you've learned more about other mystical forces. I'd like to observe you more, but... unfortunately, I don't have the luxury of time."

Ignisia clicked her tongue.

Though she didn't show it, she was very busy.

There was a reason why dragons had suddenly disappeared from the world.

"I have a lot of work piled up because I've been helping you."

"I'm sorry to hear that."

"No, it's fine. I said I had a favor to ask, didn't I? I'll call you again then. Let's properly learn about Dragon Words Magic next time."

"That sounds good."

"Then, take this with you."

Ignisia handed him a ring.

It was made of a red gemstone.

"I'll call you later through that ring. Please wait until then."

"I hope you call me as soon as possible."

Ketal said cheerfully as he received the ring.

Although the conversation had come to a close, Ketal didn't leave immediately.

He needed to take some time to confirm that his body was truly unharmed.

As a result, Ketal stayed at the Dragon's Lair for one more day.

While Ketal was resting in his room, enjoying himself immensely, the wandering merchant appeared as the space split open.

[I have a question for you...]

"Hmm? What question?"

[You are the Ashen Barbarian of the White Snowfield, aren't you...?]

"That's right."

Ketal nodded.

He gazed at the wandering merchant.

"Ignisia said that you and I share the same roots."

[That's true... So there's one thing I don't understand... How did you manage to make the resisting mystical force your own...?]

There was pure curiosity in the wandering merchant's voice.

"I didn't do anything particularly special."

Ketal had also sensed that something was wrong when the mystical force resisted and tried to escape.

The mystical forces were trying to break free from him.

So he spoke with rejection in his voice.

'You belong to me.'

'You cannot escape from me.'

He had simply had that resolve.

That was all.

[…….]

At his words, the flames in the wandering merchant's eyes flickered.

[I see... I understand now...]

The wandering merchant realized how Ketal had managed to absorb all the mystical forces.

But it was impossible.

It was beyond the realm of being difficult or challenging.

It simply couldn't happen.

Which led to a question.

[What is it that you desire...?]

"Many have asked me that question. My answer is always the same."

Ketal responded lightly.

"I simply wish to enjoy this world as a human."

[Is that really all...?]

"What more could I possibly need?"

Ketal looked genuinely puzzled.

At that moment, the wandering merchant understood completely.

[Your purpose was to self-destruct all along... I never imagined something like this could be possible...]

The wandering merchant murmured in amazement.

[I roughly understand now... But it doesn't concern me... It doesn't matter to me which side wins...]

The wandering merchant opened the space again.

[What matters to me is the trade of value... As long as that's upheld, it doesn't matter to me who wins...]

"So that's your purpose."

As he was about to leave, Ketal spoke to him.

"You've given me a lot. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have been able to wield mystical forces."

Ultimately, all this began with the wandering merchant's quest.

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that he was Ketal's benefactor.

Ketal spoke sincerely.

"I hope we can meet again someday."

The wandering merchant also responded sincerely.

[I refuse... monster...]

With those words, the wandering merchant left.

Ketal watched his departure for a moment before smiling.

"Sorry to say, but I want to see you again. Let's meet again if the opportunity arises."

[Translator - Night]

[Proofreader - Gun]