Chapter 227: Overlord (7)

What? I couldn't help but doubt my ears. Evolve? Into what? What's a higher species of Dark Wings!? Licorice, who was in my arms, expressed her shock.

"Evolution... It's because she contracted Dear Husband. She received a portion of the dungeon's power."

"A portion of the dungeon's power?"

"There's no way something like that is natural. Because she's gained worthy achievements, she received the dungeon's blessing through Dear Husband. Though, I never would have thought a mere wyvern could have gained enough achievements to cause an evolution... Just what was she?"

"She used to the boss of a region. Rather than that... let's go see Lotte."

With Licorice fretting about not wanting to let go, I gave up on getting her off me. When I was about to approach her, Lotte who had bathed in the falling lava suddenly shone and was encased in a red light. Even I could feel the intense heat emanating from her.

"Shin, what happened!? Did you defeat that... Hup."

Hwaya, who quickly flew towards me, saw Licorice in my embrace and narrowed her brows before closing her mouth. Hwaya was indeed quick to understand the situation. I was truly thankful. I expressed my thanks with my eyes and spoke.

"Lotte's evolving."

"Evolving!?"

It didn't take long before the shining light subsided. However, at the same time the light enveloping Lotte subsided, Lotte also seemed to be shrinking in size. Lotte, who had been gotten a lot bigger since our first meeting, was now doing the opposite.

Eventually, Lotte shrunk to about 4 meters. The light then flowed into Lotte's body and she made her appearance. Although she was still black, there were red lines trimming the edges of her wings. She seemed to have gotten swifter, and her eyes were a deep red color. Her evolution indeed seemed to be related to lava!

[Dark Wings are a rare species of wyverns capable of controlling cursed flames. They are well acknowledged for their swift wing beats and powerful flames, but in truth, they are simply the fallen results of a powerful species of ancient dragon being cursed.]

[Dark Wings that transcend their limits are said to be able to return to their original form, but not only are there very few Dark Wings, even their fallen forms are so powerful that it is hard for them to reach their limit. Dark Wing Lotte will become the first Dark Wing to regain her original form!]

[Dark Wing Lotte evolves into Blaze Queen!]

I didn't know how the dungeon helped her, but her evolution was closer to a return. Lotte, who easily shattered everyone's imagination, approached and spoke.

[Hero, have you seen my transformation!?]

"Yeah, I did. Your energy seems to have doubled."

Just by getting close to Lotte, I could feel an intense heat. It seemed her energy became compressed as she got smaller. Lotte flapped her wings excitedly. Winds carrying flames blew and stirred the surroundings.

[Huhu, so this is my true form. Reclaiming my true form in exchange for betraying other monsters and choosing the life as a human's servant, truly strange! Huhahaha!]

"Do you even know what you're saying?"

[Hero, it seems you truly are my blessing!]

"Yeah, I'm happy that you're happy."

Though it was a bit difficult as I was holding Licorice in one arm, I pat Lotte who approached me with the other hand and spoke.

"I'd be happy to hold a congratulatory party, but you should know our current situation. Wait just a little bit more."

[I can wait however much you want, my Hero!]

Lotte replied spiritedly and pushed her back towards me. Before I got on her, I pat Licorice who was still in my embrace.

"Licorice, you used up your mana, right?"

"Un. Sorry, Dear Husband. I knew we still have to face the king, but I couldn't control myself... It won't recover for a while."

"No, it couldn't be helped. It's fine. You can go back to the mansion and rest. We'll deal with the Lava King."

"Okay, I trust you."

Licorice replied silently and gave me a kiss on the cheek (Hwaya's brows twitched). Then, she returned to the dungeon before I got on Lotte's back.

"Alright, now it's time to... Mm."

When the Lava Heart died, I thought that everything he owned would turn into lava and disappear, but surprisingly, his giant spear was still there stuck to the ground. Imbued with the Lava Heart's remaining mana, it had been maintaining its weapon form!

"Eit."

I lightly hurled the Chaotic Spear. The moment it hit the giant spear, it shone and was absorbed into the Chaotic Spear.

[Crimson Chaotic Spear absorbed the Lava Giant Spear. Growth: 77%]

"Huk, so much!"

Previously, the growth wasn't even at 70%. Even after eating all those Event Dungeon weapons and Floor Master weapons, it hadn't grown by even 23%, but this time it had grown by almost 10%. Although I didn't know how I was going to fill the remaining 23%, I believed it was possible to evolve it to the next level before the two year mark.

"S-Should I have checked its item description? No, it would have been eaten by the Chaotic Spear regardless..."

The Chaotic Spear spun through the air and returned to my hand. I then faced Hwaya who had been standing with her mouth open and asked.

"How are the two that got hurt? Are they okay?"

"Thanks to Ludia's quick healing and the Elixirs... they're fine, though they lost some of their equipment... It was Walker and Sumire."

"I can see how they got hit by the lava."

Walker most likely got hurt trying to protect Sophie, and it was probably the same for Sumire except with other guild members. As I could imagine how painful it must have been for them, I grit. my teeth and turned to face where they were. It was best to take care of everything as quickly as possible!

The number of Destroyers and Sweepers was only half of what it was when they first appeared. Beyond them, a new wave was beginning to appear. They were most likely the last wave of soldiers, as although there weren't many, each and every one of them seemed powerful.

I aimed my spear towards them and quietly spoke to Hwaya.

"Hwaya, you protect the others."

"I'm more worried about you."

"I'll be fine, really."

"Shin..."

"Hurry."

In all honesty, having used Sacrifice for that last attack, my health was quite low. I gulped down a potion and threw the leftover bottle on the ground, breaking it. It was a signal of sort.

"I'll be going ahead!"

"Shin, be careful!"

"Of course!"

Having evolved into a Blaze Queen, Lotte's speed far surpassed my imaginations. Even when she was a Dark Wing, she displayed a shocking speed with that large body. Now, it almost seems like she was traveling at the speed of light.

[Hero, ready your spear!]

"I know, I'm ready!"

I replied energetically and ushered Mad Typhoon's power up. The enemies I now faced were Lava Knights who were seemingly shrunken versions of the Lava Heart. Since I was able to defeat the Lava Heart, there was no reason for me to be afraid!

"Fight me, you goddamned bastards! Open the path towards your king!"

My roar thundered throughout the volcanic region. Seemingly having understood my words, the Lava Knights held up their weapons and charged towards me. Almost as if she was waiting for this moment, Lotte raised her voice and laughed.

[I shall allow you to feel the dignity of this Blaze Queen!]

Her body shone in a brilliant light like when I used Divine Speed. Without giving me a chance to do anything, she charged towards the Lava Knights, shattering their bodies upon contact. Although their bodies erupted into lava the moment they died, Lotte seemed unhurt.

[Hero, my body has gotten stronger against flames. Don't worry about me and fight them freely!]

"That's nice to hear!"

It was a growth worthy of the word 'evolution.' I grinned and pointed my spear crackling with lightning towards the Lava Knights.

"Come at me! I'll destroy you all!"

After some time had passed, when I looked back after hearing the death throes of a Lava Knight, only Revival's members were remaining on the battlefield. The numerous Destroyers, Sweepers, and Lava Knights were nowhere to be seen. The battlefield, which had been filled with noisy cries and erupting lava, was now dominated by an odd silence.

"Is it... over?"

I murmured, unable to believe it myself. The other members also looked around them as they dripped with blood and sweat.

[Indeed it is, Hero. There is only one remaining presence in this area.]

Lotte retorted in a calm manner. It was clear who the one remaining presence she was referring to was. It could only be the Lava King.

"Volcano... Large energy."

Daisy approached me, seemingly looking extremely tired. Although she always maintained a neat appearance when wearing her uniform, her clothes now were messy and she was also full of sweat. It felt like this was the first time I saw Daisy sweat.

"My undead, many gone. Lava King, give me."

"... Do you think you can control him?"

"Probably? Giving up control of all other undead, possible."

"That's not good!"

"For times like today, ultimate weapon needed."

At her words, I hesitated. She was right. Although her undead monsters were strong, it was sometimes better to have one with absolute strength. That said, Daisy was truly amazing. Even though we had not won yet, she was already thinking about obtaining an undead.

"Alright, fine."

"Huhu."

After listening to my answer, Daisy smiled. I then gathered the other members together. Their poor states couldn't be described with words. It seemed Walker and Sumire, who had lost their equipment, had even more difficulty as they fought with low tier equipment.

Furthermore, the succubi battle units also had additional casualties. I was glad that this damned lava army was taken care of, but I could only sigh at the succubi's death.

"Really... Thanks, everyone."

"You did well too."

"We won somehow. I thought we were going to die."

"I'm exhausted."

While everyone threw in their comments, Ina jumped into my embrace silently. She was probably the one who did the most work today. She must have killed far more soldiers than me, and must have used far more mana as well. Feeling like I had made Ina suffer needlessly, I hugged her and pat her back.

"Thank you, Ina. You did well."

"Uuung, I'm not done. I'll fight with Daddy."

"My lack of ability is making my Ina suffer... Sorry, I still need Ina's power. Can you help me?"

"Un. I'll protect Daddy."

Feeling even sorrier, I held Ina tighter. Leon then asked.

"Friend, is that guy not coming out?"

"Yeah. He apparently doesn't fight unless he's in an environment where he has the most advantage."

"What an annoying guy."

"Okay, now... let's pick the members."

At my words, a few reacted immediately. The first to jump was none other than Sumire.

"I can still go on, Shin-nim!"

"No, Sumire."

"But I haven't even used my god's power yet! I only got hurt before because I wanted to save it for the boss fight..."

"Sumire."

I shook my head once again.

"I'm only looking at one condition for the members I'm selecting now. Will they die in one hit or not. Even though you have your god's power left, you're too exhausted. It'll be difficult to fight again."

"Shin-nim..."

"Son, I can go on."

"You can't either, Father."

"Hey!"

I didn't back down even with Father's protest and continued.

"All the succubi did amazingly today. Go back to the Resting Place of the Angels and rest. We can hold funerals for the fallen comrades when the battle is over."

"Dear Husband..."

"Now, I'll announce the ones coming with me to fight the Lava King. It'll be me, Daisy, Hwaya, Ina, and Ye-Eun."

"What? What about me, Shin!?"

"Not you, Ludia. It's too dangerous."

"Shin!"

"No."

"But you'll let Su Ye-Eun go!?"

"If anything, Ye-Eun's evasive ability is the best among us. Look at her."

I pointed at Ye-Eun. Not only did she have very few injuries, they were all light and her clothes were much cleaner than the others. I wasn't bringing Ye-Eun for no reason. Her evasive ability was number one in the guild. As for her strength...

"Ye-Eun has 'that' thing."

"Uu.... Yeah, I'll use it... Uuu."

Ye-Eun seemed to have realized what I was referring to, as she frowned a bit and murmured.

"But Master is aiming for Shin..."

"She won't do anything funny in the middle of battle."

"Don't worry, Ye-Eun. If she tries to do anything, this Unni will stop her. Even if I have to burn her."

"It's my body, Unni!"

Then, Ren spoke in a dissatisfied tone.

"Crown Prince, I also have Deific Manifestation."

"If Ren uses Deific Manifestation, you'll jump straight into the mouth of the volcano. You need to wait until the thrashing phase ends."

"Whew."

Hearing that I wouldn't be taking Ren, Lebuik sighed openly. I spoke with a bitter smile.

"Anyone else will just get in our way. Just stay back and rest, okay?"

"Uuu..."

"I don't want to..."

"Ludia, I'll leave you to heal the others at the mansion. Please."

"But Shin... Uuuu."

Ludia puffed up her cheeks, then turned away in the end.

"Do whatever you want. Go die if you want, stupid Orc!"

"Thanks for listening to me."

"Eit!"

Even after telling me to go die, she threw a few bottles of Elixirs towards my face. I easily caught them, after which Ludia turned away again with a humph before returning to the dungeon.

"Then we'll be off, Father. Don't secretly follow us."

"Kuhum! You're looking down on your father too much!"

"When Father gets a god's true name, Father can come with us."

"Kuuuuk! Fine, I swear I'll get that damn thing!"

After having everyone return to the mansion, I looked at the remaining members and declared.

"Let's go hunt the king!"

Our destination was the mouth of the Bulusan Volcano. There, the Lava King was waiting for us!