I Became a Ruined Character in a Dark Fantasy
Chapter 90

Chapter 90

With lighter steps, Ian checked his status and skill windows in succession, noting the addition of points. The small joy of gaining points not from a quest but from leveling up, something he hadn't fully appreciated yesterday, welled up inside him. As always, though, the feeling was fleeting.

Closing all the windows, Ian passed by the corpse of the Legion Commander and began to examine the chair the giant had occupied. Like the Queen's throne, it was unremarkable at first glance, save for the dense inscriptions of ancient runes, symbols, and geometric patterns that covered it, faint magical power still emanating from within.

Is it powered by the same source as the underground palace?

Ian felt a renewed curiosity about the seemingly infinite source of magic. Whatever secrets it held, harnessing such power was near miraculous, especially in an era considered the twilight of magic.

Could it really be the power of dragons?

It was impossible, though that's the only guess Ian had.

Dragons, being living reservoirs of magic, could potentially sustain such a site for over a millennium if their remains were being used as a source of power.

If I ever manage to defeat a dragon, I must uncover its source of magic.

Using magic without the limitations of Mana would ensure survival until the end of this world, no longer a vague goal.

Whether he would live to see that day or be able to harness such power remained unknown. Finding nothing more of interest on the chair, Ian surveyed the area once more before approaching the Legion Commander's corpse, which now resembled an ancient mummy, having lost both its soul and stored magic.

"Hmm..."

Clang.

Ian detached a pair of swords from the giant's waist. Each was almost as tall as he was, with a single-edged blade that curved slightly at the tip. Even the sword's information was accessible. The name of the sword was The Legion Commander's Greatsword.

It's a two-handed sword for humans.

A unique grade weapon with several stat boosts and the ability to use the Frost Blade skill. Ian drew the wide-bladed sword from its sheath, shrugged, and sheathed it back. It wasn't entirely unusable if forced, but wielding it as one with his body seemed impossible. Swinging it would be more akin to bludgeoning than slicing.

It feels like something out of a cartoon...

With that thought, Ian forcibly shoved one of the swords into his pocket dimension. Storing both was impossible. Considering the sword's size, fitting even one was miraculous.

Next, was the battle hammer, clearly not meant for human use. Even the Legion Commander had wielded it with both hands, awkwardly swinging it around.

Can I see the information on this too?

Ian chuckled to himself. The Legion Commander's Battle Hammer was also a unique grade weapon, notably featuring a Shockwave skill.

Who could even use this? Seems impossible unless you're a giant.

That concluded the potential loot. The armor was unidentifiable and unwearable, and there were no essence beads to be found.

Not a bad haul for the effort. A crown, daggers, a greatsword, skill points...

Additionally, the shard of chaos had grown, and killing the Legion Commander had slightly increased his Frost Resistance. Extra resistances were rarer rewards than skill points.

"And there's also this to take..." Ian glanced down at the Legion Commander's severed head. It was smaller than expected for its size, but still not something easily carried.

"If I can just cram it into the sealing container..."

As Ian muttered, holding the head in both hands,

"Gasp!" Thesaya suddenly sat up, with her expression utterly bewildered as she blinked and looked around, her gaze eventually settling on Ian.

"You look well." Despite speaking softly, Ian's voice resonated and spread.

"Indeed. I can't remember anything. Feels like I've died and come back."

Given that she was a vampire, her state would indeed have been fatal for anyone else.

Thesaya glanced at Ian, who shrugged, and added, "What's with the head, Ian?"

"Taking it as a trophy," Ian responded calmly, causing Thesaya's expression to twist.

"You didn't pick that habit up from Charlotte, did you?"

***

"Well, at least you're not a beast entirely ungrateful for kindness." As Thesaya donned the clothes Ian had retrieved from the sealing container, she remarked.

Awakening to confusion, she had bombarded Ian with questions until he relayed a simplified account of their recent trials. Thesaya had gone on about it for a while. Ian, preferring her chatter over silence, nodded or shrugged in response while carelessly cleaning the blade of the Sword of Judgement with a dirty cloth. An act that would have dismayed any follower of Tir En, but Ian remained unbothered.

"Really, Ian, hanging around with you seems like it would exhaust a few lifetimes." Thesaya suddenly said.

Ian looked at her, seeing an expression devoid of malice.

"Between the corrupted ones, monsters, demons, and now what? Ancient giants or whatever that was called you've slain by your hand."

"I believe the demon followed you, not me."

"True, but... at this rate, it might really end up killing me. Or rather, this little kitty here." Thesaya lightly kicked at Charlotte's calf.

Charlotte merely smacked her lips, undisturbed.

Ian bluntly threw out, "So, any regrets?"

"Regret what?"

"Following me."

"Not at all. Otherwise, I'd have been dragged off to Lu Sard long ago."

Ian didn't mention that had she not followed him, she might have developed the strength to confront the adjudicator on her own. That she might have become even stronger than him was a clear yet unspoken understanding.

It was her choice, after all, and the matter was in the past. Besides, had it gone the other way, she would have eventually met her end at his hands. So, merely having a sliver of hope to survive meant she had avoided the worst possible outcome, though whether that would remain the case was still uncertain.

Thesaya continued, "Actually, the more time passes, the more I think I shouldn't leave your side, Ian. Facing such giants alone... Well, you're not just a warrior, nor just a mage... Whatever. I wonder if there's anyone on the continent stronger than you."

"There are. Plenty."

"Really? Well, sticking close to you should work out somehow."

Ian chuckled briefly.

"That's optimistic, considering we don't know what worst situations await."

"Right now, my worst-case scenario isn't being captured and returning Lu Sard again. It's you hunting for my life"

Thesaya looked at Ian with a calm gaze.

"You're the scariest to me. Of course, you also look the most delicious. But thanks to you, I can easily suppress my desires."

Good that the treatment works, Ian thought, nodding slightly.

"We should be more worried about what's beyond that door right now. We haven't left the ruins yet."

"...Outside?"

Thesaya looked puzzled.

"What's out there?"

"You'll see. But it's unlikely that he was the only one here, leading a legion. There has to be more."

Thesaya's mouth hung open, her face resembling someone blindsided by an unexpected turn.

"...So, another life-threatening battle might be waiting for us." It was then Charlotte stirred, sitting up with a soft groan.

"It doesn't seem like half a day has passed yet."

At Ian's comment, Charlotte shook her head.

"I've rested enough."

"What are you saying? You've lost weight," Thesaya said mockingly.

Charlotte stretched, dismissing her with a glance, her eyes narrowing.

"Oh, Charlotte. That's all you have to say after I saved your life again?"

"Consider the blood on your lips and whose it might be. I think we're even."

Ian placed the Legion Commander's head in the sealing container and into his pocket dimension. They were ready to move quickly.

The group stood before the towering gate.

Thesaya, looking up at it with a weary expression, muttered, "I'm so done with giants. I don't ever want to see another as long as I live."

"I agree with that." Saying this, Ian pushed open the grand doors with force.

Perhaps thanks to Thesaya's wishes, none of the sarcophagi in the rooms they passed stirred or opened. The legion of giants, having lost their commander, never awoke.

“Something feels... off.” Muttering to himself, Ian continued forward without hesitation. Hours later, they reached the end.

The heavy doors slowly opened, letting in streams of sunlight and a piercing cold.

"I never thought I'd be glad to see sunlight," Thesaya murmured, pulling the hood of her cloak tighter around her face as they stepped outside, with Charlotte smirking slightly at her comment.

"A demon talking about sunlight, how fitting."

"Keep your mouths shut." Ian cut them off, looking back at Thesaya and Charlotte, adding, "If we want to make it down safely, we'll need to save our breath."

Ian then pulled out a snow leopard clock from his pocket dimension. Draping a snow leopard cloak around his neck, led the way out of the ruins. A rugged mountain blanketed in white and dark blue greeted them, its harsh winds and extreme cold welcoming them.

***

“Phew...”

Askel, the boy, paused to catch his breath. It was time to be cautious with his breathing, not wanting to scare away the keen-eared, skittish animals. Drawing his bow, he looked back, paying no heed to the barren trees and rocks or the snow-covered slopes. Instead, his eyes were on the sky.

"...I need to hurry." He muttered, clenching a fistful of snow. Though he had left the village early in the morning, the sun was already climbing high into the sky. Time was running out.

Given yesterday's good dream, today shouldn't be a miss...

Just as he thought this, Askel's head snapped towards the valley above. The sound of dry footsteps caught his attention, clearly not made by any beast. Deciding quickly, he ran behind a nearby rock, checked his retreat path, and concealed himself, eyes fixed on the valley. Soon, the intruders appeared.

What...?

Askel's eyes widened. The creature walking on two legs was draped in a wolf fur cloak, armor visible beneath. Its face, though, was unmistakably predatory, not a mask but the real face of a carnivore. Recalling tales of beasts that walked on two legs and spoke the language of men, Askel inwardly sighed.

A demonkind...!

The woman walking beside it, with gray hair, was equally strange. Her skin was pallid, her ears pointed, and she was barefoot in the forest. The black-haired man leading them looked human, but his face was devoid of any expression as if merely wearing human skin. They came from the direction of the mountains, where no ordinary human would come from.

How can they roam in broad daylight...?

Thinking this, Askel crouched further behind the rock, slowing his breath to hide his presence as much as possible.

Thud, thud—

Step by step, the peculiar figures passed close to Askel's hiding spot. Holding his breath, Askel peeked out only after they had passed. The two mysterious beings were moving away from him.

...Two?

Askel froze.

"I thought we might have a thief among us." A low growl followed immediately after.

"Ah...!" Askel looked up in shock. Without any noise or warning, the dark demonkind had perched above the rock. Orange eyes with vertically slit pupils coldly gazed down at him.

"What are you doing hiding here?"