Chapter 507


    TL: xLordFifth


    ED:


    Then, Ill see you again next time, Lord.


    Yes, yes. Keep up the good work.


    Of course. Then, Ill take my leave.


    ugrun confidently responded to Bahamut and then used magic. Without any casting, just a snap of his fingers caused a turquoise sh, and he disappeared. At least in terms of using magic, he seemed as proficient as an Adult-level dragon. However, Leeha wasnt entirely satisfied with this. It was only after ugrun hadpletely disappeared that Leeha approached Bahamut.


    Lord? Um about that


    Youngsters are supposed to act like that, arent they?


    No, no, but ugrun isnt just any youngster, right? He was once an Adult-level dragon!


    Thats why hes so smart. Isnt his boldness adorable?


    Ah, thats not what I meant


    Wasnt he like that even as a hatchling? If ugrun had acted exactly like his Adult self, he wouldnt have perched on your head and moved around with you, right?


    Well, thats


    Bahamut, indeed, was the leader of the Metal Dragons. Leeha couldnt refute his logical and valid point. Even as a hatchling, chirping Kyuu, kyuu, and when tired of pping his wings, ugrun would perch on Leehas head. Such behavior was typical for babies. And it was natural. A hatchling is, after all, a dragons baby.


    So, now that hes a Juvenile, he acts like a child.


    But ugrun was different from a typical Juvenile. At least in terms of knowledge and culture, he was influenced to some extent by his time as an Adult.


    Is the result ofbining the two a childish adult?


    That was even worse, wasnt it?


    Either be like a child or fully an adult! Speaking with an adults mind but in a childs voice, behaving culturedly but appearing bold and brash because of his appearance! Leeha shook his head, dispelling these unproductive (?) thoughts. It was okay. After all, this was just a phase.


    So, how do we make the growth elerator? It seemed like you remembered everything earlier.


    I did remember.


    Thats great! So, if we make another, ugrun-ssi can move up to Adult-ss right away?!


    Thats right.


    Perfect! Yes! Thats it!


    Leeha couldnt help but clench his fist and cheer loudly. Though it was inferred from Bahamuts demeanor, now it was certain. Once he reaches Adult-ss, ugrun will shed this awkward demeanor and return to his former self!


    It was then that Leeha noticed Bahamut still wearing an enigmatic smile. Leeha felt a shiver down his spine.


    Please please dont say that.


    What have I said now?


    I know. Please dont. Please dont do that.


    As Leeha pretended to sob, Bahamutughed heartily. Bahamutsughter echoed off theirs walls, creating a resonance.


    Youre the one, indeed. You understand me better than our own n.


    It wasnt because he was from the n, but because he was from Middle Earth! Leeha wanted to shout this but ended up just sighing. He hadnt expected it to be easy from the start.


    So, how do we do it?


    To forcibly elerate a dragons growth, many things are needed. But the most crucial is the essence of the world. The being that gives birth to and epasses everything. An essence that only the origin can have.


    Leeha felt like he had heard this somewhere before. The origin? Birth and epassing? Essence?


    Is it near the Dragon Pce?


    Youre half right. Did you meet the Sea God? If you ask nicely, he might part with one.


    Leehas face brightened instantly.


    Bahamut chuckled again at his reaction.


    So, if we get two of these essences and make two growth elerators, ugrun-ssi can instantly be Ancient-level?


    That depends on the Sea God. First


    Shwooooosh!


    Thats when a hologram window appeared in front of Leeha.


    [Radical Growths Light and Shadow]


    Description: How much can one control the birth and growth of all things? That was my favorite subject to ponder in my younger days. However, it was also dangerously close to the manifestation of divine power. Bahamut once created a drug that forced life beyond its limits. The potion made from the essence emitted by the source of life in the deepest seas exceeded even Bahamuts expectations. But theres always a reaction to every action. Obtain the information from the Sea God and his Wave n, who guard the sea, and bring back the Essence of the World.


    Task: Acquire the Essence of the World ingredient item and deliver it to Bahamut.


    Reward: ??<ul><li>Do you ept?</li></ul>


    -Go and see.


    The task seemed challenging, but Leeha had no particr concerns. There were no failure conditions or penalties.


    Failure simply meant not being able to make more growth elerators. Without hesitation, Leeha epted.


    He wanted to head to the Dragon Pce immediately, but there were preparations to be made.


    Leeha sent a whisper, as requested(?).


    Leeha: Uh, ugrun-ssi. Can you hear me? Theres a ce we need to go together. Should Ie to you?


    I didnt invite you because I disliked you. Their was too dirty; I couldnt manage it when I was a hatchling.


    That makes sense. I mean, when inviting guests, Id want to clean my house first.


    In fact, Leeha had intended to visit ugrunsir first.


    He was about to use a teleportation skill after the whisper, but ugruns reply was a refusal Hearing No, donte, Leeha almost wanted to argue with Bahamut again. It had been about five minutes since ugrun, still in human form, appeared before Leeha. The two were currently by the sea near Kraven. Leeha was about to use a crystal ball without saying anything, but ugrun was not letting go and followed him.


    Were about to move underwater, is that okay?


    You know from when I was a hatchling; I think youd know.


    ugrun had no issues with underwater breathing even as a hatchling. Of course, Leeha knew that. But since he hadnt seen ugruns dragon form since bing a Juvenile, he reflexively asked. Moreover, there was not a hint of disregard in ugruns response. Leeha roughly understood this. ugrun had always shown polite and respectful behavior.


    But this courtesy


    How to describe this unadaptable courtesy? It was too bold and definite,


    almost annoying due to its presentation. Was it ack of social grace?


    Leeha recalled Bahamuts words.


    This mix of juvenile cheekiness and adult intellect was disconcerting, yet it seemed to fit ugruns current stage of growth. ugrun was behaving exactly as a Juvenile would, but with the knowledge and understanding of an Adult.


    Leeha found himself in an unusual situation where he had to adapt to this new dynamic with ugrun. Despite his advanced intellect, ugruns juvenile traits were dominant, creating a unique challenge for Leeha in understanding and coborating with him.


    Navigating this rtionship with a dragon who was both childlike and wise beyond his years would be a crucial part of Leehas journey in Middle Earth. As Leeha contemted this, he prepared himself for the next steps of their adventure, focusing on obtaining the Essence of the World and the challenges thaty ahead.


    The adult-level knowledge and culture were there, but the behavior and speech were inevitably childlike  a contradiction in existence.


    It might have been different when ugrun was a hatchling and couldnt talk, but now themunication just wasnt there. Leeha had thought that once ugrun could talk, theyd be an invinciblebo. Yet now, he felt more frustrated than when ugrun was a hatchling.


    Uh, cough. ugrun-ssi?


    Yes?


    At times like this, its okay to just say, Yes, thats fine.


    Leeha made a choice. If ugruncked social skills, why not teach him? After all, Leeha was an adult, so a bit of proper guidance should do the trick.


    Is that so?


    Yes, of course. I didnt ask because I didnt know. I havent seen your dragon form yet, and since youve been in human form, I worried, what if so I asked.


    But I am a dragon. I think you shouldnt see me as a human. I am different from humans.


    Zap.


    Um, what I mean is your response just now, like before, could have been simply, Oh, okay. Understood.


    Why? Isnt it better for mutualmunication to express my opinions fully?


    That Thats not it! You understand what Im saying, right? Youre just ying with me now, arent you?


    Im sorry. But I really dont understand what youre trying to say. Our thought processes seem a bit different.


    Zap, zap!


    Leeha took a moment to process ugruns words. There was a point. It was logical.


    But why does it irritate me so much? Yet, why was it so hard to ept?


    Was it because ugrun looked like a 10-year-old child?!


    Am I being an old fogey here?! No, no! Im not that closed-minded!


    Leeha shook his head, looking at ugrun. With twinkling eyes and a head tilt, the bowl-cut kid certainly had a likable appearance. At least among users, his emerald hair color, and even his greenish eyes, were unique. His naturally handsome face,bined with the mysterious aura, made it impossible not to feel a certain fondness.


    Yet, Leeha felt a disconnect. Not that he didnt have affection  after all, they had been through a lot together. He certainly cared, but there was aplex mix of emotions that were hard to articte.


    Is this what it feels like to talk to a teenage child? Compared to just a while ago when he was chirping cutely


    It suddenly felt like ugrun had left his side. Of course, ugrun wasnt his child And he knew that ugrun, in his current state, would be much more helpful He should feel proud and gratified looking at ugrun now


    Sigh This is hard, really hard.


    Already perplexed by examining the quest given by Bahamut while traveling to Kravens port, Leeha could only sigh.


    Why is the reward for the quest hidden?


    Shouldnt the growth elerator be the obvious reward? This detail also added to Leehas concerns. The only possibility Leeha could think of was:


    Even if I barely manage to get it, the growth elerator wont be immediately avable. The hidden part most likely means


    A series of follow-up quests with very high difficulty. The quest description already implies that obtaining the Essence of the World from the Sea God and the Undine n wont be easy. The next steps might be even more challenging.


    Im in over my head Well, its never just fun and games.


    What did you say?


    The one who made things more difficult was right there, pretending not to know!


    Leeha felt an urge to give ugrun a bit of a hard time.


    I didnt say anything. Lets go in. You said youre confident, so I trust youll follow well. [Mermaid Transformation]


    Leeha used the Mermaid Transformation skill and dove into the sea.


    Each flick of the tail split the seawater, propelling him forward at an incredible pace.


    Hah, he couldnt even swim properly as a hatchling, acting all high and mighty now


    Swooooosh!


    Werent you in a hurry? I think we can speed up a bit more. If its difficult for you to increase the speed, thats okay too.


    Then he had to watch a ten-year-old kid effortlessly outpace him.


    ugrun, having created a barrier around himself to prevent his clothes from getting wet, looked down at Leeha.