Record of a Thousand Lives-Chapter 89

The war had ended in a single day. The coalition forces were victorious, and the ancient kinghad beendefeated. It was a victory theycould never have dreamed of achieving if not forKang Yoon-Soo’scommand and leadership.

“We’re victorious!”

“We protected the desert from the ancient king!”

The once-lifeless desert was filled with life as the coalition army roared and cheered. The trolls and the elves sat together, clinkingtheir mugs and celebratingtheir victory. At some point, however,all of the coalition forces maintained a moment of silence to pay respect to thosewhowere sacrificed in the war.

Most people were drunk and joyful, but one man solemnly walked across the desert, leaving behind all of the festivities.

‘Itshouldbe fine around here.’

Katz wiped the sweat off his brow and lowered the burden hehad beencarrying on his back.He had stopped in abeautifulplacein the desert,filled with all sorts of flowers and plants. Thatwas the place where all of the elveshadworked,trying torevitalize the desert and return it to its former lush state.

“Hey,mister, who are you?”a voice called out.

“Ack!” Katz jumped back in surprise.

A young elf suddenly came out of nowhere, having snuck up behind Katz. She asked,“What are you doing here?”

“Umm… I’m giving fertilizer to the desert flowers,” Katz saidawkwardly.

“Hm? You were going totake a dump?” the elf asked.

“No, no…” Katz said as he showed her a pot filled with bone dust. He continued, “I heard bone dust was good for plants.”

“Hmm…That’s fine. Try not to hurt the plants when you spread it,” the elf saidbefore walkingto anotherspotin the field.

Katz let out a sigh of relief. He did not dare imagine how the elf would have reacted if she found out thebonedustbelonged to Kartheon.

“Do something good, at least,”hemuttered as he spread the bone dust across the flower field, theflowersdancinginthe wind. Katz did not have any specific reason to spreadKartheon’s remains, and yet he did so anyway.

“I never considered for a moment that we were friends or something, and you did try to kill me a few times as well,” Katz said, scratchinghis cheek. He continued, “But strangely enough…You werea prettynice guy to me.”

Katz was aware that Kartheon was a villain, and that he had massacred numerous innocent victims.Regardless, he muttered,“You were the onewhohelped me when the dragon was about to step on me, right? I was alive after I blinked. You stopped time, didn’t you?”

Of course, that was nowhere near enough to justify all of the atrocitiesKartheon had committed, and presentingacriminal as a saint would notabsolve them forthe crimes theyhadcommitted. However, Katz decided to remember Kartheon in a good lightregardless.

“I’ll keep itto myself anyway;what’s the problem?” Katzremarkedwith a bitter smile.He was only going to get an extra ten years in prison if they ever found out about his involvement, since he was already wanted as a graverobber anyway.

Katz finished spreading the bone dust and said, “Hey, Kartheon. Wasn’t I a good companion to you, at least?”

There was no response.

Katz took out a plant seedling from his bag. It was a plant that was incredibly difficult to find in the desert. Then, he placed the rare seedling in the middle of the desert flowers to mark the ancient king’s resting place.

“Come to think of it…What was written on your tombstone…?” Katzwondered, scratchinghis head. He realizedthey had never gotten the chanceto finish their conversation regardingwhat Kartheon would have wanted to be inscribed on his tombstone later on.

“I guess Ijusthave to make it up,” Katzmutteredas he took out his graverobbing equipment. He took out his lockpicking set, using the sharp edge of a lockpickto engrave wordsintothe wood supporting the rare plant seedling as a makeshift tombstone for the ancient king.

[In remembrance of the kingwhostopped time for an insignificant graverobber.]

Who knew? Perhaps the ancient king’s burial site would one day transform the desert into a lush, green forest.

The desert flowers danced alongwiththe wind that blew across the Desert of Death.

***

The Colossus’ corpsehad turned to dust and disappeared without a trace. The Colossushad beensealed for too long, and its body crumbled into dust as soon as its lifeforcefaded.

[You have completed the ‘Legendary Quest—Emperor of Time’.]

Thatmessage had popped up fromKang Yoon-Soo’swrist device as soon ashekilled Kartheon, and hehadalsobeennotified of his rewards for completing the legendary quest.

[Please choose between the Authority of Domination or the Authority of Time.]

Kang Yoon-Soo had already experienced obtaining each of theauthoritiesthrough his multiple regressions. The Authority of Dominationwould givehim the powers to command the mummies that followed Kartheon. Ithad beena very good reward, but the mummies this time aroundhad beenreduced from the original seven thousand to just a fewhundredbecause of the war.He alsoknew from experience that the Authority of Time was the better reward.

“Authority of Time,” he muttered.

[You may obtain one of the skills used by Kartheon to control time.]

Three skills popped up.

[Time Regression]

[Time Resurrection]

[Time Freeze]

‘Time Regression’ was a skill that meant exactlywhatits namesaid, allowingthe user to control and turn back time. However,Kang Yoon-Soo was someonewho would be drivenberserk just by the mention of the word ‘regress’.Besides, he hadonceattempted to fight against the Demon Lord with the ‘Time Regression’ skill, but all ithad donewas mentallyscarhim.

‘Time Freeze’wasa skill anyone would dream of getting, but the cost of stopping time was too high. Stopping time for even just a second was enough toleave onebedridden for a whole week.

Kang Yoon-Soo ended up choosing ‘Time Resurrection’.

[Time Resurrection (MASTER)]

Skill Level: 15 (100.00%)

Temporal PowerConsumed: 50,000

Allows the user to reverse time fora corpse and bring it back to life. The user may even resurrect a historical figure or a hideous monsteronly spoken of in mythology.

*The casting time will increase the more powerful the target is and the longer the target has been dead.

[You have obtained thetemporal power leftunused by Kartheon.]

[You have obtained 50,017units of temporal power.]

Time Resurrection was a very useful skill. Itwould even giveKang Yoon-Soo the option to resurrect an Archmage from the past or a famous knight to add to his party. However, the skill did not allow him to resurrect himself, and it consumed a whopping 50,000units of temporal powerto use.

‘I can’tcollecttemporal powerlike Kartheon did.’

To put it simply, it was a one-off skill.Thetemporal powertransferred to Kang Yoon-Soo was worth approximately 50,000units.He would never be able to use theskill again after using it once.

‘But I have to use it now.’

Ignusglared atKang Yoon-Soowithan impatient, longing gaze. She roared, “You! Be careful! Be extra careful not to hurt my child!”

“Shut up,” Kang Yoon-Soo retorted.

“I’m just worried, that’s all!”Ignussaid with tears inhereyes.

Kang Yoon-Soo extended his right hand toward the dead egg and muttered, “Time Resurrection.”

The cold, lifeless egg was enveloped in bright light,quickly recoveringits warmth astime turned back for it.

Ignusaskedimpatiently, “Did it work? Will my child be able to live?”

“Wait,” Kang Yoon-Soo repliedcurtly.

The large, round egg slowly started to tremble. The eggshell started to crack,bursting with fluidas a small red baby dragon peeked its head out of the egg.The baby dragon cried,“Kwak!”

“My child!”Ignus cried, lickingthe baby dragonintensely.

Shaneth sniffled as she said, “This is sotouching…”

“Yeah,” Kang Yoon-Soo replied.

“Then at least let it show on your face…?” Shanethreplied as she stared at Kang Yoon-Soo.

“I.Just.Can’t,” Kang Yoon-Soo responded.

Shaneth playfullydisplayedher fist as sheremarked, “Do you want me to make you cry?”

“No,” Kang Yoon-Soo respondedcurtly, seemingly showingdisdain for the touchingscene.

Henrick, on the other hand, lamented while hanging onto thedragon’s back,“Please! Stop moving! You’re making it difficult for me to stitch you up!”

Henrick was dangling in midair while trying to attach the dragon’s wingto herbody, with the Body Crafting Kit attached to a spear. The spear was connected to his mana threads, and hewas tryingto stitch the wing backonto Ignuswith it.

“Hey! You punks down there! Hold the wing properly, will you?!” Henrick shouted.

“We’re trying our best!” Yanak retortedangrily.The Fire Trolls wereholding upthe dragon’s wing while Henrick was trying to stitch it backon.

Iris looked on with a worried expression, shouting, “Henrick! Hurry up! Thereis no time!”

“What? What are you talking about?” Henrick asked in surprise.

Iris shouted backsincerely, “There areonly ten minutes left before the feast begins!”

“Hey! You punk! Do you think workonthis scale is easy?!” Henrick retortedangrily.

The sun started to set. The elves had prepared a feast thatwas an uncommon sightin the desert, and the Fire Trolls devoured the food withanintensitythat matched their fightingduring the war.

Kang Yoon-Soo said, “Give me alcohol.”

“This is a mixture of desert dew and cactus,” Heron said with a smile as he poured Kang Yoon-Soo a cup.

Henrick finally finished reattaching the dragon’s wing. He climbedfrom the dragon’s back and remarked, “It’s been a while I worked on somethingso major; the last time was whenI sculpted a statue of the Third Emperor.”

AsHenrick stretched his tired shoulders,a beautifulred-hairedwoman with a shiny amulet stuck between her voluptuous breastswalked upto his sideandpoured him a drink. She said, “I am sincerely grateful to you, Henrick.”

“I’m the onewhoshould be thankful since you’re pouring me a drink, but how did you hurt your beautiful face, milady?” Henrick asked, beforesuddenly realizingthat everyone else in the crowd except for Kang Yoon-Soo had their mouths wide open in shock. Herealizedsomething was off, and he turned around to seethat Ignushad disappeared.

“Milady…D-don’t tell me…?” Henrick stuttered.

“Itismore efficient to transform into a smaller creature when I have to recover,”Ignusreplied.

“…To think I would live to drink booze poured by a dragon. Nothingcansurprise me from here onward,” Henrick said with an awkward smile beforedowningthe drink in one go.

Ignus,now in her human form, hugged the baby dragon.“Kiyuuuk!”the baby dragon cried.

“How lovely you are,”Ignussaid, lookingat the baby dragon with eyes filled with affection and motherly love.

The onlookers weresurprisedto witnessthe sudden change by the dragonwho haddisplayed unmatched ferocity in the war, but her gentleness made the coalition army relax and fully enjoy the feast.

YanakfilledKang Yoon-Soo’s cup to the brim and expressed his gratitude, “Thank you! Groom of the goddess! Wewould all have been massacred if it weren’t for you!”

Kang Yoon-Soo, who had led the coalition army to victory against the ancient king, was the center of attention of the feast;that was whypeople were lining upto take turnspouringhim a drink.

Shaneth looked on, seemingly unhappy with what was going on.As always, she nagged, “Don’t drink too much.”

“They’re the ones pouring it,” Kang Yoon-Soo nonchalantly repliedto justify(?) his drinking.

Henrick smirked, his nose red from intoxication, and exclaimed,“That guy’s on cloud nine!” He turned to Ignus and added, “Ah, right…Is your wing alright? I can’t see it because you’re in your human form right now.”

Ignusnodded and replied, “It didnot fall off because you did a great job putting it back together. You are quite skilled, Henrick.”

“Well, I’ll gladly accept your praise,but we aren’t kids like therest, right? I was hoping a more tangibleformof gratitudecould be expressed…” Henrickbegan,before Shanethelbowed him hard in the ribs.

Pukeok!

“Heup!”Henrick exclaimed.

“Oh look, you seem to be very drunk, Mister Henrick,” Shaneth said with an innocentexpression.

“You punk! I won’t have any ribs left because of you!” Henrickcriedangrilywhile moaning in pain.

Ignusrubbed her lips as she muttered, “A tangible reward…”She thenlooked atthechildshe was embracing and asked, “My child, doyou notthinkyou need a new daddy?”

“Kiyuk?”the baby dragon replied,tilting its head.

The feast quieted down all of a sudden. The onlookers, wide-eyed with shock,allfocused onIgnusand Henrick.

Henrick immediately sobered upupon hearing the dragon’s remark, stuttering,“W-What did you just say…?”

“I was kidding. Itis fun to mingle with other races from time to time,” the Ignus Dragon replied with a laugh.

Henrickwhispered to Shaneth, “What do you thinkwouldhappen if Iwerethe first man in history to have sex with a dragon?”

“Dream on,” Shaneth repliedsharply.

“I was just kidding,you punk. Why are you looking at me like that?” Henrick asked with a frown.

“I think half of it was sincere,” Shaneth replied.

“Well…Maybe thirty percent…?” Henrick said seriously.

Pukeok!

“Heup!”Henrick moaned in pain.

Kang Yoon-Soo kept drinking whilestaring intently at Ignus. Suddenly, hesaid, “I plan to go to the lair of the Dragon of Destruction.”

“The Dragon of Destruction?”Ignusrepeated with a scoff. She continued, “That fellowisconsidered adisaster even among us dragons.”

“I know,” Kang Yoon-Soo replied.

“Even a dragon would notsurvive a trip to that guy’s lair,”Ignussaid.

“I said I know,” Kang Yoon-Soo repeated.

Ignusraisedabrow beforeasking, “You know about it, and yet you are still planning to go there?”

“I have business over there,” Kang Yoon-Soo replied.

In truth, even Kang Yoon-Soo had wanted to avoid the lair of the Dragon of Destruction.Itwas the only placeon the continent that was as dangerous as the magic tower where the Colossiresided. He hadgone to the lair a few times in his previous lives, but he had always avoided goingthereif he had the option not to because of how dangerous it was.

‘I don’t have a choice in this life.’

It was true that it wouldbe very dangerous and that he couldbekilled by the dragon, but that also meant the rewards were going to be as great as the risks.

‘Also, Kartheon’s final words were concerning.’

Would theDemonLord appearmuch earlier? Why would that happen all of a sudden?

Kang Yoon-Soo gripped his cup and thought, ‘Things are getting much more complicated.’

He had thought that all he had to do was put in his best effort to growas strong as possible until the Demon Lord appearedtwenty years later, but what if the Demon Lorddidappear earlierasKartheon had said? If what the ancient king had said was true, he had to kick it up anotchfrom now on.

‘The problem is… I don’t know when he’ll appear…’

It wouldnot be strange if the Demon Lord appearedthe next dayall of a sudden, if what Kartheon had said was true.

“When are you planning to go to the lair of the Dragon of Destruction?”Ignusasked.

“I’ll go after visiting a fewother places,” Kang Yoon-Soo replied.

“The Dragon of Destruction is still hibernating. Donotdo anything foolish and wake him up from his slumber,”Ignuswarnedhim.

“That’s why I need your scale, you who gave birth to the Dragon of Destruction’s child,” Kang Yoon-Soo replied.

“…How did you know about that?”Ignusseemed stunned by Kang Yoon-Soo’s words.Kang Yoon-Soo just quietly sippedfromhis cup. Ignusshook her head, seemingly having given up as she remarked,“You are quite the mysterious one…”

“This will be more effective than my scales,”Ignus eventuallysaid, tossingthe shiny amulet she was wearing toward Kang Yoon-Soo. He easily caught it out of theair.

The feast continued until after the sunhadset,only endingafter most of the attendees were too intoxicated to even stay awake.

Ignusreverted to her original form beforesaying, “Thank you, Kang Yoon-Soo.”The mighty dragon bowed her headtowardthe human.

Then, Shaneth heard a voice whisper in her mind, ‘It is an unwritten rule thatdragons donot get involved in the battles of other races.’Ignus was directly communicating inher mind; thatwas only possible because Shaneth had absorbedthe dragon’s power fragment.

‘But you broke that rule?’Shaneth replied in her mind.

‘That guy was quite convincing,’Ignusreplied.

‘That’s the way he is,’Shanethsaid.

‘I cooperated because the enemy this time was someonewhocontrolled time, and it was necessary to fight to be able to bring my child back to life. Donot expect any miracles to help you out in the future,’Ignussaid.

‘Of course,’Shaneth repliedfirmly.

‘You have inherited a fragment of my powers. Continue following that man in his travels, and you will one day be stronger than I am,’Ignussaid.

‘Huh?Do youmean me? I’ll be stronger than you?’Shanethexclaimed in surprise.

‘Believe in your own powers,’Ignussaid. She then huggedher child tight and flew off into the sky.

Yanak, Heron, and the rest of the coalition forces bowed their heads multiple times toward Kang Yoon-Soo,repeatedly expressingtheir gratitude.

Kang Yoon-Soo said, “We’ll be leaving the desert now.”

Henrick replied, stretchinghis tired and drunken body, “Is it finally over?”

“It’s finally over,” Shaneth said.

“That is a relief, but I had hoped we could stay a bit longer,” Iris said.

The Desert of Death was a barren and tough environment, but it had gifted them with unbelievable memoriesthey would never be able to forget.

Henrick suddenly asked, “Ah, didn’t you saywe would fight withtheIgnus Dragonbefore wecameto this desert?”

“We fought together, didn’t we?” Kang Yoon-Soo replied.

“…You meant wewouldfight on the same side?” Henrick asked, looking stunned.

“Yeah,” Kang Yoon-Soo repliednonchalantly.

Henrick quietly took out his sculpting knife, and eventhe kind and innocent Irisdid not try to stop him this time.Suddenly, Shaneth grabbed Henrick’s shoulder and said, “Kill him.”

However, Kang Y