I Became a Ruined Character in a Dark Fantasy-Chapter 613

Ian let out another languid sigh, one of many. He was leaning both arms on the smooth marble edge of the bathtub.

Aside from being excessively luxurious, the bathroom wasn't all that different from a bathhouse in his original world.

I could honestly live here.

The spring water was quite hot and slightly slick, but that made it just right for Ian. There was even a cold tub of the same size on the other side.

The lack of a shower wasn’t an issue; the drainage system was flawless. All he had to do was scoop the water over himself, and it flowed cleanly away.

If this exists, it means the ancients had a proper bathing culture. Why is it like it is now? Is it for those damned religious reasons again?

He brushed the thought aside and extended a hand lazily to the side. A cup resting on the edge of the cold pool flew into his Willful Grasp.

Thud—

The cup held an ancient wine, similar to grape wine. It was one of the items piled up in barrels in the storage. It must have been over a thousand years old, but aside from a faintly sour edge, it was still perfectly drinkable.

Not exactly pleasant, but it’ll do.

The taste didn’t matter right now anyway. He took a small sip and reached for a cigarette resting nearby.

"Phew..."

A thin trail of smoke curled upward, carrying the scent of herbs. For the first time in a while, Ian allowed himself to relax completely, setting aside every outside concern.

He’d already spent time sorting and checking the gear he’d brought from the treasure hoard and running over battle plans in his mind. Even after that, there was still more than enough time for rest.

And of course, the hot spring was the highlight of it all. After a long nap, he’d come straight back here the moment he woke up.

This moment too...

With the cigarette in his mouth, Ian leaned the back of his head against the edge, his gaze turning to the ceiling covered in golden spell circuits.

...feels like it’s coming to an end.

Ever since he’d returned here, the circuits had occasionally flickered, and faint tremors sometimes rippled from somewhere deep beyond the walls.

The reason he didn't know the exact situation was that a hexagonal force field was blocking the stairs leading to the nest's corridor.

He probably could have broken it if he'd set his mind to it, but Ian didn't bother. The Platinum Dragon had personally asked him not to.

And now, after what felt like half a day of silence, Ian could sense it—the dragon would soon awaken.

That sound didn't really seem like a sleep talk, though.

Ian, who had been staring at the ceiling with hollow eyes, soon looked away and moved the cigarette between his fingers.

He didn't want to pry into something the Platinum Dragon didn't wish to reveal. He just reaffirmed his vow to defeat the Heaven Defier before it used up all its strength.

Ian's eyes twitched as he reached for his cup. A small movement had stirred from the fingers of his right hand.

—Feels like I slept for a very long time...

A drowsy whisper echoed in his mind.

Lifting his head from the marble, Ian answered, "You did."

Yog, who had been coiled tightly around his right middle finger, was slowly raising its head.

Ian looked at the creature, its tongue flicking more weakly than usual, and added, "You woke up at the perfect time."

Yog chuckled languidly.

—That's a relief. But where is this? I don't smell the others. It's very cozy. I feel a familiar magic, too.

"You sensed right. We’re in the Platinum Dragon’s nest."

At Ian's answer, Yog's head snapped toward him.

—A dragon's nest?

"Yeah. And soon, we're going to fight a dragon together." Ian put the cigarette back in his mouth and smiled slightly.

Yog’s tongue slipped back into its mouth. It stared at Ian for a moment.

—It seems a lot happened while I was asleep...

Yog whispered with a chuckle, its tongue flicking again.

—So, the Platinum Dragon summoned you to kill another dragon?

"It summoned me, yes, but I volunteered," Ian replied, exhaling smoke.

Yog laughed again. If its last laugh was a dry one, this time it sounded genuinely amused.

—Was killing one dragon not enough for you, Friend?

Ian gave a small snort, glancing at it sidelong. "Hardly. So do your part, unless you’re eager to die right after waking up."

—Right, though I'll have to hear more to know if there's anything I can do.

The creature replied, uncoiled itself from his hand, and plopped into the bath. It glided smoothly beneath the surface, then resurfaced with a flick of its head.

—I really feel like I've been reborn. It's refreshing, and I feel light.

"That's probably because you molted."

And because the gaze of the gods can't reach this place.

Ian picked up his cup again. As he sipped his drink, Yog looked at him and laughed.

—And because I finally finished digesting the chaos I’d swallowed. I’m entirely yours now. I’m your familiar in full.

Ian set the cup down again and asked, "You remember what happened, then?"

—Of course. Friend, if you hadn't helped me, I would have vanished. I had no strength to resist. But in exchange, I am your familiar now.

Ian put the cigarette back in his mouth and gave a slight nod. "I assume you're not complaining."

—Of course not.

Yog answered faster than Ian expected, almost cheerfully, and swam closer to face him.

—Honestly, I was surprised. I thought you wanted to get rid of me.

"I did," Ian replied without hesitation, blowing out a slow stream of smoke. "But, well, you're useful sometimes. And it seemed like it would take you a very long time to betray me."

Yog burst out laughing.

—You really do have a way with hurtful words, my friend.

Yog turned again in front of Ian, gliding in a wide circle.

—Nothing essential has changed. I still can't lie to you, and I can't leave you or defy you. Not unless I swallow your chaos, anyway.

The creature chuckled as it swam away from Ian, completing the circle.

—But I think you'll die long before that day comes.

So you would if you could, huh?

Ian exhaled through his nose, smoke curling upward. Yog, having completed its wide lap, swam back toward Ian.

—There’s something I should tell you, friend. My original self might not have given up on me after all.

Ian's eyes twitched. He moved the cigarette from his lips and looked down at the approaching Yog.

"Spit it out. Don't drag it on."

Yog whispered immediately.

—For a brief moment, I was connected to it. Long enough for it to glimpse my memories.

Ian's eyes narrowed. "You mean it might have already found what it was after?"

—I’m not sure. I couldn’t find any clues in my own memories. But my main body... it might be different.

If it really did, I’d like to ask a few questions myself.

The thought came unbidden, followed by a faint, bitter smile. If that were true, another problem might be waiting for him, even if he made it back safely. Of course, that was assuming he made it back.

—Oh?

Yog tilted its head, a curious sound escaping it. Ian’s gaze followed upward toward the ceiling.

"We'll talk about this later," Ian said, putting the cigarette in his mouth as he stood up.

The spell circuits on the ceiling had rippled with light once, then began to dim.

"It seems the Platinum Dragon is about to wake up."

He turned and stepped out of the bath, exhaling smoke as he went. Water streamed down his bare skin, but he paid it no mind. He had come here naked anyway.

Swoosh—

As he climbed the stairs leading to the corridor, a streak of black smoke darted after him. It then reformed upon his shoulder.

—So, which dragon are we fighting?

"The Heaven Defier. The one that tried to ascend to the heavens and failed."

Ian continued up the stairs without stopping, his tone indifferent.

"It was sentenced to eternal confinement in the Dragon's Tomb, but it's preparing to escape."

The corridor unfolded ahead, walls lined with smooth white marble. Tall doors on either side led to banquet halls, chambers, and storage. Ian’s eyes, however, were fixed on the golden barrier blocking the stairway ahead.

—You sure you’ll be all right, friend?

Yog’s tone was almost teasing.

—You're saying it had power comparable to a god. If it's planning an escape, it must be at least as strong as a god's avatar.

Ian smacked his lips, trudging forward.

"Probably. Which means I'd better keep my wits about me if I don't want to end up crushed between the two dragons."

—If you merged with chaos, using me, you’d find things much easier, you know.

This bastard's first suggestion is corruption.

Ian let out an involuntary dry laugh and shook his head. "No, thanks. I've already made my preparations." 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

Yog coiled itself on his shoulder.

—Now, that’s something I look forward to seeing.

Just then, the hexagonal barrier sealing the stairway ahead shimmered and broke apart into motes of golden light.

Just as I thought. It's awake.

Ian thought silently and turned toward a door halfway down the corridor—the same one he’d been summoned through.

—You must not have been bored...

Yog whispered as it took in the room. It had likely seen the pile of treasures scattered in front of one wall.

Ian walked on without even glancing that way. Those were the items he was leaving behind.

"I wasn't bored, even without these."

Ian approached the excessively large dining table. The chairs had all been cleared away, and two neat rows of equipment lay arranged across its surface.

At the far end sat a gilded treasure chest.

—Hmm. Impressive. I can sense remarkable magic in all of them.

While Yog whispered, Ian approached the chest and lifted the lid.

Clack.

Inside were piles of gold trinkets, items transferred from their original vault, and a smaller storage box. In the corner lay a glass bottle, about a third full. It was the Divine Droplet.

Ian finished his inspection at a glance, pulled out a set of clothes, and closed the lid again.

Clunk.

As Yog leaped onto the table, Ian, now dressed, picked up the breastplate from the table. It was an item of matte, ink-black metal, engraved with intricate golden patterns—the Heart of the Extinct Volcano, a legendary-grade armor.

Clack—

Of course, he didn’t even bother opening the information window before wearing it.

—While you're getting dressed, care to tell me what happened, friend?

Yog whispered, watching Ian skillfully and rapidly equip his gear.

"Mm. Not at all." Ian said without a moment's hesitation.

As if it had expected that, Yog chuckled softly.

—Fine. I'll hear it from Lucy later. If we make it back alive, that is.

Guess I’ll have to let it meet friends first when we get out.

Even as he thought it, Ian’s hands didn’t stop moving. The equipment on the table quickly covered him piece by piece.

It was a hodgepodge of items, but it was the best combination he had carefully selected. Since he had prepared it in advance, everything fit his body perfectly, with nothing too loose or too tight.

—Whoa.

Ian finally took a step back and stood straight, drawing a laugh-tinged sound of awe from Yog.

—Quite flashy.

A corner of Ian’s mouth twisted. Not all of it, but most of the equipment he wore was gilded or decorated with gold—a reflection of the Platinum Dragon’s taste, no doubt. It wasn’t Ian’s style, of course, but this wasn’t the time to be picky.

Clang—

He clicked his tongue and pulled out a leather strap with daggers fixed in place—a gift from Diana. He slung it diagonally across his chest so he could draw with his left hand, then added another chain belt to secure the fang greatsword.

Clack...

The greatsword settled against his back. The Black Sword and the Truesilver Steel Sword were fastened at his waist, one after the other.

Discarding several unused items, including a nearly broken magic staff, he rolled his shoulders and flexed his limbs.

"Phew..."

He had donned considerable weight, but it didn't feel heavy at all. It was thanks to the equipment, which had boosted his various stats.

Should I be glad I can actually meet all the requirements for once?

Either way, his current stats could rival those of a superhuman.

It was like receiving the Blessing of Battle, with higher Stamina and Mental Fortitude.

—You look like you could take down an archdemon all by yourself now, Friend.

Nodding to Yog’s whisper, Ian made his way back to the table. He hadn’t strapped the weapons all over himself and sorted the items only to check his stats.

Even with all this, it still feels like it’ll be close.

Ian lifted the treasure chest, pushed it into his pocket dimension, and then neatly stored the spare equipment. His pocket dimension was now filled with treasures, any one of which would make a dwarven master's eyes spin.

"As I thought." Ian clicked his tongue as he picked up the last item—a set of plate gauntlets integrated with bracers. There was no space left to store them.

After a moment of conflict, he set the gauntlets back on the table. They were masterpieces forged by the Kerarosha, the red dragon, but there was no helping it.

If the gauntlets break, I’ll just have to fight barehanded.

As Ian smacked his lips, Yog slithered up the back of his hand.

—Looks like you’re all set. Let’s meet the Platinum Dragon.

With a faint sigh, Ian turned away, shaking off any lingering reluctance.

"Yeah."

He walked out into the corridor and strode toward the stairs. The force field that had blocked his way was already gone without a trace.

When he climbed the stairs, the ornate, seemingly endless corridor came into view. Ian's steps slowed.

"You've finished your preparations already. As expected, my Agent is diligent."

From the far end, the Platinum Dragon was gliding toward him. It was still wearing only its simple robes.

"It seems you are ready as well," Ian said with a smirk.

Archeas’s eyes shone brighter than before, like sunlight captured in crystal

It smiled softly. "I told you I would be."