LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 102
102. Why Did The Gods Give Power
And after a while had passed──
The sound of ragged breathing echoed in the crimson, alien space.
“…Impressive.”
Greed murmured. The scales on his torso were deeply slashed.
“Hah, hah, hah…”
Luca, on the other hand, was trying to steady his own erratic breathing.
The recent battle ── which to the dragon was probably just a training match ── had seen Luca unleash an all-out attack with everything he had.
Unlike before, that strike had connected with Greed without being repelled.
“My sword… it’s burning…!”
Luca muttered, staring at his own sword.
No, it wasn’t just the sword.
Her blood was burning too. It felt as though it was boiling.
A new power.
It wasn’t something she could fully control yet. But Luca had obtained a fragment of something completely different from what she had before.
“It seems you’ve grasped the beginning of it. Now, refine it and elevate it with your own hands.”
Greed rumbled in satisfaction.
“If you can master the power of the war god, you will gain even greater strength. Even in human form ── you might be able to stand against angels or even the Demon General.”
Greed’s eyes were gentle. Like a master watching over the growth of a pupil.
“Don’t forget the feeling from earlier. Luca Abasta ── mighty one.”
“I thank you, Ancient Dragon.”
Luca bowed deeply to Greed with the utmost respect.
※
More than an hour had passed since Luca went into the black hole.
Greed in the tank remained silent. I called out to him a few times, but there was no response.
It was as if his consciousness had drifted off somewhere else…
“I hope Luca’s okay…”
I was starting to get worried.
“That kid’s strong. No need to worry.”
Sarome laughed casually.
“Look, she’s back.”
From the black hole, Luca reappeared once again.
“Sorry for the wait. Greed’s given me some good training.”
Luca’s voice was as cool as ever, but now it carried a warmth and satisfaction as well.
She must have found something. Something that made her feel fulfilled.
For now, I was relieved. Then,
“Alrighty, my turn next!”
Sarome raised her hand with a hop.
“Huh, you’re going too, Sarome?”
I thought she had come just to help explore the ruins.
Luca had a sword connected to the powers of gods and dragons, and I have a divine skill, but… Sarome didn’t have anything like that, right?
“…What, are you leaving me out?”
Sarome glared at me with narrow eyes.
“That’s not it, I just didn’t expect it…”
“Hmph, so you’re a carrier of an innate factor.”
Greed’s voice echoed from the tank.
“But you do not bear a Legacy of the God-Demon War, nor were you chosen by the gods──”
“I have my own desires to pursue. I won’t bore you, I promise.”
“Oh? Very well, then. Enter.”
The Ancient Dragon laughed, seemingly intrigued.
──And after some time.
“Thank you. I’ve learned most of what I wanted.”
When Sarome returned, her atmosphere had changed.
She seemed more mature, more seductive──and cold as ice. I had seen this once before.
“Thanks to you, I understand now. My origin. Thank you, Greed.”
“Hmph, I only satisfied my own curiosity. There’s no need for thanks.”
Greed laughed.
“Well, it’s your turn next. Go on in.”
With that prompt, I jumped into the black hole.
“This place──”
After passing through the hole, a crimson world appeared before me.
The air was the color of flames. Though the hues were different, the atmosphere was somewhat similar to my inner space.
Before me stood a dragon with seven heads.
“Do not be concerned. This is the space between flesh and soul ── simply put, an alternate dimension.”
The Ancient Dragon explained.
──This place was a special space created by Greed’s magic. The dragon before me wasn’t his real body, but something like a replica.
“In order for you to master your power, you must know more. About gods, demons, dragons──and those beings who transcend. Their essence.”
Greed began to speak.
“We once fought, and the result was a draw. No victors, no vanquished. Gods, demons, and dragons alike were bound by restrictions, weakened…”
“Restrictions…?”
“If we continued to fight, the entire world would eventually be reduced to ashes. To prevent that, binding laws──cursed chains──were put in place.”
Greed explained.
“For example, gods cannot appear directly in the human world. They are heavily restricted in what they can give to humans. You, the seven Skill Holders, are quite the exception.”
“For example, demons cannot enter the human world easily, nor can they remain there. If they surpass that limit, the worst-case scenario is their total disappearance.”
I remembered the battle with Gairasvlim. He vanished after a fierce struggle with us.
So that’s what happened.
I couldn’t fully grasp everything Greed was saying, but I got the gist of it.
“And dragons cannot move from this place. Because we possess the power to kill gods and demons, we are effectively forbidden from engaging in battle. It’s incredibly frustrating.”
Greed continued.
“Why the gods gave you those Skills──their true intentions are unknown. But I can imagine it’s because they intend to use the power of humans──the only beings not bound by restrictions──to break this stalemate.”
“The power… of humans…”
“Your hearts contain a power we do not have ── a power to transform the divine abilities within you, guide them to new realms, and perhaps even surpass these restrictions…”
Greed murmured as if organizing his thoughts.
“What did the gods tell you to do?”
“Uh, they said I could do whatever I wanted, I think…”
I tried to recall the moment I received my Skill.
A white space had appeared out of nowhere. A beautiful goddess. And she had said, ‘I’ll give you a Skill that makes you immune to all damage.’
I summarized the situation as best I could.
“…I see, so they let you do as you please, on the surface. It’s a game for the gods ── but if humans gain power beyond their limits, the outcome is always the same.”
“The outcome…?”
“Conflict. Subjugating others, ruling them, killing them ── humans are that kind of creature.”
I don’t believe that.
I want to use this Skill differently. Jack, who I met earlier, had a similar view.
Maybe Gregorio, who reveled in slaughter, and Electra, who would hurt others just to protect herself, were different.
And the Skill Holders I haven’t met yet──
“Your power will grow stronger with each battle against the other Holders. The gods must have designed it that way, knowing you would eventually clash. Even though they say ‘Use your power however you like,’ they know. They know you will fight.”
Greed went on.
“And in the end, the one who remains will have the power to surpass even the gods──”
I listened to the dragon in silence.
I do want to grow stronger to protect people. But I don’t seek power for its own sake.
“Well, I don’t care about the gods’ schemes. What interests me is your own strength.”
Greed stared at me.
“Show me your power, boy──the power that will revive me, who has been sealed and rendered dead while still alive. Show me all you’ve got.”
And so──the trial of the Ancient Dragon began.
The trial that would lead me to a new realm.