SWNOVELXO Chapter 343
Episode 344. River of Blood, Mountain of Screams (7)
Unlike Franken, who chose to quietly vanish for Keter, Paratool attempted to escape at the last moment. He tried to break free from Keter’s “Unconscious World” and cross over into the Mental World.
Though it seemed nearly impossible, a dragon is still a dragon. With immense concentration and innate luck, he was on the verge of success when—
Splat! Squish.
A falling apple jam sun struck Paratool on the head, disrupting his focus in an instant.
“Ah.”
And just like that, Paratool vanished.
Then, an unexpected situation arose for Keter. As Paratool disappeared, his memories transferred to Keter.
This wasn’t supposed to happen. It wasn’t a gift from Paratool either.
Fragments of Paratool’s memories, lost between the Unconscious and Mental Worlds, etched themselves into Keter’s mind like fleeting recollections.
Keter found himself in a bizarre space—an endless realm of mirrors, where Paratool’s memories played out.
“Hmm.”
Keter peered into the mirror world. Soon, he realized these were fragments of Paratool’s past, but—
“No fun, no emotion.”
Paratool’s mundane memories left Keter utterly unimpressed.
Still, Keter meticulously examined the mirrors. Perhaps there was something interesting or useful—
Crack, crackle.
But even this had a time limit. Cracks began to form in the mirror world.
“Not a total loss, but I’d like to take something with me.”
As he ran, scanning the mirrors, Keter’s steps suddenly halted.
“…….”
It was a mirror depicting the face of a woman.
She had a plain face, with freckles, looking like a typical country girl raised by rural parents.
But Keter instantly knew. This woman was Akra.
Keter stepped into the mirror. Before him stood a woman who appeared to be his mother. The sensation was vivid, but he couldn’t move his body.
Keter, now Paratool, spoke.
– Akra. What are you plotting?
She was indeed Akra. Responding to Paratool’s question, she said:
– A world not for gods, but for humans. That’s all I desire.
– Many civilizations tried to surpass the gods, but none succeeded. Even we dragons, far superior to humans, failed.
– It’s because humans grant power to the gods. Fear, reverence—all of it makes gods what they are. So, I will eliminate all humans.
– Huh? Kill humans first to kill the gods? A paradox? You claim to create a world for humans, yet you’ll kill them all?
– What comes after, I can’t tell even you. But once all humans are gone, the gods will naturally vanish. Most gods don’t possess object permanence. After only the necessary gods remain, dragons will become the strongest species in this world.
– Dragons replacing the gods. Not a bad proposal. So, what do you want from me?
– To deceive the gods, thousands of years are needed. You must sleep, using your heart as a vessel, until that time comes. I’ll prepare the body for your resurrection.
– Even if you’re the god of &%@, I can’t just trust you. I need to glimpse the future.
– Wait. Someone’s watching us.
Thud.
Akra struck the air. Keter’s consciousness jolted awake.
The memory viewing was abruptly cut off. The mirror of memories shattered into pieces.
“…Well, damn.”
Keter was baffled. Akra’s plan to kill all humans to destroy the gods.
And Akra’s presence. He imagined she’d be formidable, but this was beyond that.
‘Compared to Akra, even Lilian seems insignificant.’
The time for reflection was short. Keter awoke, feeling a weightless sensation as if gravity had reversed.
And the immediate sensation was the threat of death. Endymion was in the midst of piercing Keter’s heart with an arrow imbued with the power of Ain Soph.
No time to bask in the victory over Paratool, no time to ask why Endymion was doing this—Keter reached out and grabbed Endymion’s wrist.
Endymion, seeing Keter awake, thought he was too late.
After all, though the movement was simple, the previous strike was one Endymion had delivered with full intent.
An attack Keter shouldn’t have been able to block. The fact it was blocked proved Keter wasn’t Keter—he was a dragon.
‘I must kill him before the dragon fully adapts to Keter’s body.’
The building, the surroundings—they might disappear. Countless lives could be lost in the aftermath.
But thinking it better than all of Sephira perishing, Endymion began to draw on the power of Ain Soph—
“Six Hundred, lower your hand.”
Keter stepped past Endymion and approached the fallen Six Hundred, sitting down.
“……?!”
Endymion couldn’t believe it. He’d been watching Keter’s every move. Yet, he’d missed it.
If Keter had intended to attack, Endymion would’ve been fatally wounded.
“…….”
He slowly turned around. There stood Decameron, reaching out, and Keter, patting Decameron’s head.
“That’s…….”
From Decameron’s hand, which he thought he’d destroyed, an immense mana surged. It was undoubtedly 8th-circle level mana.
‘He was playing dead.’
Decameron, realizing he couldn’t win head-on, had feigned weakness, biding his time.
And while Endymion was fully distracted by Keter, Decameron had tried to attack, but Keter stopped him.
“Who… are you?”
Endymion, forming another Ain Soph arrow, asked.
“Who am I?”
Keter stood up, stroking his chin, showing his palms. With each word, he folded a finger.
“An abandoned child who never knew his parents.”
“Ruquer’s bastard.”
“Ruquer’s solver.”
“Ruquer’s madman.”
“A bastard unwelcome in Sephira…….”
Keter smiled faintly, gesturing an apology to Endymion, then continued.
“Later, I was called Sephira’s renowned physician, Sephira’s golden hand, Sephira’s solver. Nowadays, they call me Sephira’s Divine Archer.”
One finger remained unfolded. Seeing Keter wouldn’t say it, Endymion asked.
“The last one?”
“I wanted to boast about that in a more crowded place, but I can’t hold back.”
Keter took a deep breath and grinned.
“The man who fought and defeated a dragon. That’s me.”
“…….”
“Is it because you’re an elf? Your reaction’s not satisfying.”
Even after declaring he’d defeated a dragon, Endymion showed no surprise.
“Looking closely, you don’t believe me.”
“Dragons enjoy games. They bet on who can best pretend to be human. I can’t tell if you’re Keter or a dragon.”
“Why do you think I’m a dragon?”
“Because humans can’t defeat dragons.”
“That’s… true.”
Keter, about to refute, nodded instead.
If not for the sacrifice of Serena, the Star Witch, and the aid of Franken, the Chimera Physician, how could he have triumphed over Paratool?
‘Damn, I didn’t want to think about that.’
Keter, disliking the gloomy mood, tried to ignore it, but Endymion brought it back.
Endymion didn’t miss the shift in Keter’s emotions.
“That expression—what’s the intent behind it?”
“What expression?”
“All the muscles in your face drooped. Like you’re reminiscing, as if you’ve lost something precious.”
“Sharp eyes. I lost something dear while fighting the dragon.”
“What was it?”
“My loved one. And my mentor.”
“Are you sad?”
“Do I need to cry for you to believe me?”
“Dragons can’t cry. Not even as an act. If you weren’t truly a dragon, you’d have shed tears.”
“Crying makes you look weak. In a world where weakness means death, I decided not to cry anymore.”
“Sounds like an excuse.”
Endymion finally took a fighting stance. His tightly sealed lips showed a firm resolve not to be toyed with.
“Sigh, I’m tired…….”
Despite his words, Keter also turned his shoulders, ready to fight.
Whoosh!
The spatial distortion in the treatment room dissipated, and Daat burst in. Sensing Endymion forcing his way in, he rushed over.
“Brother?!”
Tense from the intruder’s appearance, Daat ran toward Keter, who stood unharmed.
“Stop. This isn’t the Keter you know. A dragon has taken his body.”
Endymion blocked Daat.
“His body taken by a dragon?”
Daat paused, examining Keter. Their eyes met, and they smiled as if sharing a secret.
“Elder. That’s not a dragon—it’s our Brother Keter.”
“Dragons are skilled actors. They can deceive even their own parents. What makes you so sure he’s Keter?”
“Hmm. Just a feeling. What should I do, Brother?”
Keter shrugged at Daat’s question.
“If he won’t acknowledge me, what can I do? Beat him up until he comes to his senses, like always.”
“He’s really our Brother, right?”
Before Endymion could intervene, Daat moved to Keter’s side.
“…….”
Endymion was conflicted. Was Keter truly Keter?
While he hesitated, Decameron also sided with Keter.
Clench.
Endymion clenched his fist.
He reminded himself not to be deceived.
How many of his kin had been toyed with by dragons?
‘Those two are blinded by their attachment to Keter. I won’t be fooled again.’
Deciding Daat and Decameron were deceived by the dragon, Endymion reignited his resolve.
Keter, too tired to argue further, drew on the power of Ain.
Whoooooosh…….
The power of Ain resonated.
Space distorted.
Daat tried to expand the space to prevent Sephira’s building from collapsing, but Ain Soph’s power nullified it.
If these two fought, at least this mansion would be reduced to dust.
Twitch.
Endymion’s fingertips twitched. It was about to signal the start of the battle when—Keter suddenly exclaimed.
“Don’t come here, Hisop Brother!”
Anyone else, but not Hisop. Endymion, aware of this, momentarily shifted his gaze—
Crash!
In that moment, Keter smashed a vase onto Endymion’s head.
“Just kidding.”
Daat, watching Keter’s back, smiled contentedly.
“He’s definitely our Brother.”