Chapter 351: O Dragon, O Dragon! Part 16

Author's Preface
"Stop hoarding all the setting details like some kind of lore nerd and spit it out already!" Just got punched in the gut, so I'm updating with a gross smile on my face. Tomorrow's update is looking a bit borderline, but please forgive me.

Supplement: Regarding the stats during the Extend state I wrote in the previous update, that was strictly "the stats during the period he used it the longest." It wasn't actually his latest stats, which naturally leads to the question of "Then why was his equipment up to date?" Well, basically I just forgot to change it. So he actually has about another hundred million stockpiled.

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PN: Sunraku
LV: 136 (385)
JOB: Avenger (Dual-Wielder)
SUB: Arcanum "The Fool"
Special State: "Lamp of Guidance"
194,781,000 Mani
HP (Health): 80
MP (Magic): 50
STM (Stamina): 100
STR (Strength): 100
DEX (Dexterity): 100
AGI (Agility): 100
TEC (Technique): 80
VIT (Vitality): 1 (5320)
LUC (Luck): 129
Skills

• Flowing Flash Dance -> Hekaton Slash (Sword of a Hundred Flashes)

• Single Thought, Rock Pierce -> Lethal Finishing Touch

• Formula Drift Lv.1 -> Selectable

• Moment Sight -> Quantum Gaze (Eye of True World Observation)

• Airgetlam Lv.1 -> Selectable

• Trial Traverse Lv.1 -> Selectable

• Shana-oh Possession -> Kurama Tengu Secret Tradition

• Gravity Zero Lv.1 -> Lv.MAX

• Flit Float -> Hermes Boots

• Managarmr Pride -> Wolfate Sign (Wolf Omen of Destiny)

• Vorpal Secret Art 【Fading Mirror】 -> Vorpal Secret Art 【Fading Mirror】 : Revised Stance

• Burnout Lv.1 -> Selectable

• Riot Accel Lv.1 -> Selectable

• Blood Battle Principle -> Full Spirit Evocation

• Lethe Vanisher -> Hypnock Out (Fist Strike of the Sleep God)

• Dirty Sword Lv.1 -> Lv.MAX

• Kaito Ranma (Break-Sword Chaos Demon) -> Ashura Kagura (Asura's Ritual Dance)

• Vorpal Blade Arts 【Half-Moon Severing】 Third Form -> Vorpal Secret Art 【Tachikiriwakachi】

• Sengoku Burai Lv.1 -> Lv.MAX

• Sword Dance 【Spinning Blade】 -> Sword Dance 【Inexhaustible Spin】

• Persistand -> Indomitable

• Melostic Foot -> Atlas Toughness

• Seiten Style "Hayakaze" -> Seiten Style "Tsumujikaze"

• Seiten Style "Raimei" New

• Seiten Style "Aranami" New

• Tathlum Fist New

• Meteor Fall (Falling Meteor Kick) New

• Guardian Heart New

• Dead Horizon (Stepping on the Death Line) New

• Slash Ignition Lv.1 New

• Double Up Edge New

• Revenge Analyze (Avenger's Observation Eye) New

• Revenge Call (Avenger's Oath) New

• Revenge Fatality (Avenger's Requiem Strike) New

Equipment
Right: Areadbhair Rebuild
Left: Mirror Shield of the Nether-King (Dis Pater)
Head: True Gaze Bird Mask (VIT+20)
Torso: Lycaon's Scar
Waist: Lacedaemon Girdle (VIT+5300)
Legs: Lycaon's Scar
Accessory: Inventory Key: Inventoria
Accessory: Levin Trigger: Hazard
Accessory: Star Cloak of Lapistella
Accessory: Goblin Doll
Accessory: Skeleton Doll
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I wish to dedicate this Level Up (Victory) to my departed Scorpion (Friends).

My level increased by 37. The experience points I had steadily accumulated without ever lowering my level even once exploded like a supernova in this very instant, pushing me well into the latter half of the journey toward the next level cap.

Unable to level up—or rather, continuing to polish my techniques to the absolute limit until the exact moment of emergence—resulted in my countless skills transforming into new forms, and even awakened entirely unknown skills I had never seen before.

And above all, there were skills clearly deeply tied to my current job, as well as Vorpal Secret Arts hinting at what lies beyond the Unique Scenario.

"Yes... Right now, I am a god."

"Sunraku-san is a human, desu wa〜"

"It's about the feeling."

Not an omniscient, omnipotent god, but one of those highly specialized gods common in polytheistic religions.
The massive influx of stat points wasn't just from simple level-ups; it also included the bonuses from encountering and defeating Unique Monsters... This is truly the culmination of everything I've done up until now. I can distribute my stats however I want! Just looking at it makes my mouth water.

"Ah, this is irresistible..."

This, how should I put it... the sheer ecstasy of making overwhelming "power" my own.
And I also quietly realized something. Isn't it actually more efficient to maintain the Extend state and keep defeating monsters rather than forcefully unlocking the cap early...? Good grief, should I tell Library about this? Nah, it's kinda frustrating, so I'll just keep quiet.

"S-Somehow, Sunraku-san... your face looks like it's lacking Vorpal Soul, desu wa."

"What are you talking about? From here on out, we're going to fight an enemy that's full throttle on Vorpal Soul. And obviously, you're coming with me..."

"T-That's right, desu wa!?"

Alright then, let's distribute these stats while checking my new capabilities.

………………

…………

……

"Hah, crap!"

I was so absorbed in messing with my stats that I completely forgot Tottori and the others were right in the middle of a battle!!

"Being late at this point means I won't be able to escape the accusation of being a war criminal...! Get on, Emul!!"

"Yes, sir!"

The need to use the Levin Trigger: Hazard? Heh, I don't feel the need for that at all.

"Further Away (Faraway)!"

Without even activating a single skill, using purely physical movements, I sprinted straight up the "claws" of the Altar of Awakening, leapt onto a nearby house, and traced my way back along the path I came from. Taking the shortest route, sprinting straight across the rooftops!!

"Emul! Once we return to the front lines, I want you to switch to a mobile role!"

"Wouldn't it be better if I stayed on Sunraku-san's head, desu wa?"

"Heh... Do you really think you can keep up with my speed?"

Well, jokes aside, I haven't quite measured exactly what I'm capable of doing right now. I'll only let Emul ride me once I have a firm grasp on that.
Besides, taking a short break helped my thoughts regain their flexibility. There are a few things I want to test out, and... though I'm not exactly thrilled about it, executing the highest possible performance in my current state leaves me with no other option but to use That.

I can see it now. The crimson monster, and the black-smoke-clad monster fighting against it... Sorry, but I'm going to need you to act as a punching bag.

"Let's go, Emul. Formation B!!"

"B-Bii! ...Wait, what is that, desu wa?"

"Well obviously..."

B stands for the B in "Bunri" (Separation).

Just like a rocket launching into space jettisoning its boosters mid-flight, Emul—flung straight off my head—flew backward through the air.

"Wai—... Pyaaaaaaaaah!!?"

"Now then... time to shake off my past self!!"

The evolved skill of Shana-oh Possession, named the Kurama Tengu Secret Tradition! The motion enhancement correction is exactly the same as Shana-oh Possession, but not only is the enhancement value significantly increased, it also applies a correction when standing on unstable surfaces! For example, on a thin branch, or for instance...

On the back of the currently raging "Scar."

"Hello monsters. The star of the show has arrived."

I can leave "Scar" alone for now. I just need to treat it as an object rampaging on its own, and considering the situation, it's definitely going to prioritize the Devouring Great Crimson Clad over an insect like me... Actually, I'll be in trouble if it doesn't, so I'll make sure it does. And as for you, Devouring Great Crimson Clad, there are two or three things I need to verify with you.

"The Anti-Dragon Weapon, Areadbhair Rebuild......... And the Anti-Marine Organism Weapon, Blue Predator (Sea Devouring Sword)... Even without guessing, wouldn't this combination be the absolute most effective against you? Right, Blue Dragon Eldranza?"

"Qyaraaararaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!"

Oh, there there. Are you so happy you couldn't help but shoot a beam at me? Then I'll make sure you get a taste of this right down to the marrow of your bones, oraaaah!!
And then! I really didn't want to use this, but!! Assuming my prediction is correct!!

"This is the optimal solution, goddammit!!!"

Throwing both swords high into the air, I used the Chalice! Changing my Avatar (Body) from male to female, I activated Scorched Bone and Crushing Flesh to temporarily neutralize the Scar, and equipped an entire set of armor.
Because I had way too many materials left over, I casually crafted the Crystal Dress series using Crystal Scorpion parts! The male version has the exact same text, but is read as Crystal Armor! But either way, right now they're nothing more than consumables to me!!

"Dammit! Don't look at me with those disgusting eyes, you pervert!"

It's no use. Even if I curse at it with a woman's voice, it'll only make the bastard happier. Ahh, I wish a meteor would just fall from the sky and kill us all!!

"Yeah, yeah, henshin, henshin!"

While donning a shimmering silver battle dress, I leaped off the back of "Scar," who looked completely fed up and desperate to shake off the insect clinging to its back. At the same time, I grasped the pitch-black crystal and visualized its activation.

Cracks ran across the silver dress. It was physical damage, a visual manifestation of a much more conceptual Loss... And as the completely pulverized crystal shattered into microscopic, snow-like particles that scattered brilliantly through the air, a pitch-black shadow violently coiled around my entire body, squeezing tightly.

"It's a magical girl! An erotic magical girl transformation! I'm recording it perfectly, Sunraku-kuuuuun!!"

"Delete it! No, I'll delete it myself! I'll absolutely erase your existence from this world!!"

You goddamn Devouring Great Crimson Clad, I will absolutely never forgive youuuuuuuu!!!

"I'm going to fillet you into three pieces, tear you into eight, and smash you into absolute dust...!"

Catching the scorching black sword and the surging blue sword that fell from above at the perfect timing, the jet-black mourning dress readied the two blades and glared straight at the crimson monster.

"I'll wear mourning clothes for you, so make sure you die thoroughly."

"Cool one-liner, Foooooooo!!!"

Alright, first things first, I'm going to kill that idiot.

Author's Afterword
Sorting it out, it looks something like this:

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PN: Sunraku
LV: 136
JOB: Avenger (Dual-Wielder)
SUB: Arcanum "The Fool"
Special State: "Lamp of Guidance"
194,781,000 Mani
HP (Health): 80
MP (Magic): 70
STM (Stamina): 160
STR (Strength): 150
DEX (Dexterity): 160
AGI (Agility): 160
TEC (Technique): 115
VIT (Vitality): 1 (37,700)
LUC (Luck): 229
Skills

• Hekaton Slash (Sword of a Hundred Flashes)

• Lethal Finishing Touch

• Limit Over Accel

• Quantum Gaze (Eye of True World Observation)

• Samildánach (Divine Arm of a Hundred Excellences)

• Exceed Gravity (Heavy Law Trampling Conquest)

• Kurama Tengu Secret Tradition

• Space Charge (Grace of Weightless Law)

• Hermes Boots

• Wolfate Sign (Wolf Omen of Destiny)

• Vorpal Secret Art 【Fading Mirror】: Revised Stance

• Bloodburn Burst

• Limit Maximize

• Full Spirit Evocation

• Hypnock Out (Fist Strike of the Sleep God)

• Dirty Sword Lv.MAX

• Ashura Kagura (Asura's Ritual Dance)

• Vorpal Secret Art 【Sever and Divide】

• Sengoku Burai Lv.MAX

• Sword Dance 【Inexhaustible Spin】

• Indomitable

• Atlas Toughness

• Seiten Style "Tsumujikaze"

• Seiten Style "Raimei"

• Seiten Style "Aranami"

• Tathlum Fist

• Meteor Fall (Falling Meteor Kick)

• Guardian Heart

• Dead Horizon (Stepping on the Death Line)

• Slash Ignition Lv.1

• Double Up Edge

• Revenge Analyze (Observing Eye of the Avenger)

• Revenge Call (Oath of the Avenger)

• Revenge Fatality (Guiding Strike of the Avenger)

Equipment
Right: Areadbhair Rebuild
Left: Blue Predator (Sea Devouring Sword)
Head: Requiescat in Pace (Lament Dedicated to Black Death) (VIT+9000)
Torso: Requiescat in Pace (Lament Dedicated to Black Death) (VIT+9900)
Waist: Requiescat in Pace (Lament Dedicated to Black Death) (VIT+9300)
Legs: Requiescat in Pace (Lament Dedicated to Black Death) (VIT+9500)
Accessory: Inventory Key: Inventoria
Accessory: Levin Trigger: Hazard
Accessory: Star Cloak of Lapistella
Accessory: Goblin Doll
Accessory: Skeleton Doll
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What? The defense is experiencing power creep? Don't worry, no matter how sturdy the container is, if the inside is made of pudding, hitting it hard enough will still kill it via shockwave.