My Alter Ego’s Path to Greatness

Episode 237 In Tarak (2)

<Individual Information>

-Individual Name: Howard

-Race: Dwarf

-Common Traits: "Mind Hub", "Persona", "Super Recovery", "Clear Mind", "Super Strength", "Hypersensitivity", "Insight", "Xenoglossy"

-Individual Traits: "Artisan Spirit", "Dwarven Creation Logic", "Song of Fire and Metal", "Artisan's Soul", "Metallurgy", "Precision Crafting"

-Special Notes: Has transcended the apprentice stage and become a full-fledged Dwarf artisan. High resistance to fire and metal attributes. Currently receiving additional growth bonuses from the "Growth Elixir".

The secret of the Dwarves that Zaonic had taught him, "Artisan's Soul".

Simply put, it was the ability to create something more than just ordinary crafts… magic tools.

The power to imbue objects with mana and inscribe them with mystical properties, solely through the crafting process, without relying on magic circuits or ritualistic inscriptions.

Of course, it required high-quality materials and meticulous effort, so he couldn’t just mass-produce magic tools…

But at least he had a significant advantage over others.

‘World Tree branches. Their effectiveness is undeniable.’

The ultimate fuel for the forge.

Metal refined in its flames gained special properties, becoming the perfect base for using "Artisan's Soul".

It was no wonder high-level artisans coveted World Tree branches.

“An all-purpose combat power suit? Isn’t that just… full-body armor?”

It’s different!

Completely different!

‘But words won’t be enough to convince him.’

Actions speak louder than words.

Howard examined the internal components of the completed arm piece, crafted with "Precision Crafting", and nodded resolutely.

Parts created using Earth’s knowledge, which he had been studying alongside Zaonic’s teachings, assembled and interlocked seamlessly.

And of course, each part was imbued with "Artisan's Soul", holding hidden potential.

‘The materials used are still low-grade, and I haven’t been able to replicate all the techniques yet.’

It was just a prototype, so there was plenty of room for improvement.

His task was to adapt the design, a culmination of engineering and various otherworldly technologies, to this world and bring it to life.

As he was reaffirming his resolve, Zaonic continued.

“Well, once it’s completed and enchanted, it’ll be an amazing piece of armor. Not a very original idea, though. I heard the Empire’s Royal Knights are all equipped with something similar.” ṟᴀ𝐍Ó𝐛Ęȿ

He knew that.

Heinrich’s armor, Glory’s Guardian, currently being repaired at the Roselia Cathedral, was also made using a similar method.

Most high-level armor in this world was crafted this way.

“Just you wait! I’ll show you something truly spectacular!”

“Oh? You seem very confident.”

“Of course!”

Howard puffed out his chest and carefully stored the completed part.

It was just a single arm piece.

He still had to create the rest of the suit, add magical enhancements, connect the energy source, and much more…

‘One step at a time. I never thought it would be easy.’

Thanks to the time difference, he had plenty of time. There was no need to rush.

Between dreams and reality,

His small dream was slowly taking shape in the workshop in Tarak.

__________________

In the center of a spacious and luxurious bedroom.

“Huu— Ha—.”

A small child, no older than five or six, lay on the massive bed, taking deep breaths and flailing his limbs.

‘He’s incredible.’

It had been two days since Horus, the little dragon, arrived in this world.

He had spent the entire time cooped up in Hubert’s residence, rolling around on the bed and practicing “Polymorph” to get used to his two forms…

‘Is this normal for dragons, or is the elixir that effective?’

Probably both.

He was experiencing firsthand what it meant to grow stronger just by breathing.

Thanks to “Ruler of All”, the mana he inhaled flowed through his body and was absorbed by the Dragon Heart in his chest.

And as the energy within his heart grew, the physical enhancements provided by “Gold Dragon” also increased.

‘That’s why it took longer to adapt.’

It was a dragon’s body, far different from the other races he had experienced, and his senses kept shifting as he grew, making the process even more difficult.

“Ucha—!”

But that was all in the past.

Horus bounced off the bed and stood up, checking his body again.

He still looked like a small child, but his control over his body was now perfect, and its efficiency was far greater than before.

‘I’m still not used to the dragon form, but I’ll be using my human form most of the time, so it doesn’t matter.’

A dragon, especially a hatchling of a supposedly extinct species, suddenly appearing would cause quite a stir.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a bad way to earn Karma… but it was best to avoid unnecessary attention until he had enough power.

‘I’ll reveal myself after I’m stronger. And after I figure out how to age my appearance.’

He had only been in Auterica for two days.

There was still much to consider.

He had initially envisioned himself riding on a Bone Dragon, with Heinrich the hero on his back, facing the Immortal King…

But at this rate, it would be a long time before he could realize that grand vision.

‘I should start by learning magic. It’ll create synergy with “Dragon Language Magic”. And as I grow stronger…’

And so,

As Horus was lost in thought—

“Indeed, a hatchling.”

A sudden voice echoed through the room, startling him.

He was alone, wasn't he?

“Eek?!”

Horus jumped back, startled, and crouched down, warily observing the source of the voice.

‘When?’

This was Hubert’s residence.

It was even more secure than Hubert himself, protected by layers of barriers and magic tools.

Even a master-level individual wouldn’t be able to infiltrate so easily…

And yet, someone had entered unnoticed, instantly recognizing Horus’s true identity, despite his perfect human disguise.

He glared at the intruder, a man in his thirties with dull blond hair and yellow eyes.

Horus’s sharp, round eyes met the man’s seemingly tired gaze.

But it didn’t last long.

‘Huh?’

He felt a strange, familiar sensation as he observed the intruder more closely…

And instinctively recognized his true nature.

‘A dragon!’

A dragon, a species believed to be extinct, erased from the continent’s history.

And not just any dragon, but a Gold Dragon, his own kind.

“You’re not trapped by the barrier. Good, I made the right choice coming in quietly.”

The unidentified dragon looked around and nodded slowly.

And then, turning his gaze back to Horus, he smiled faintly and spoke in a strangely forced, almost awkward, gentle voice.

“I am Shri Hartgen, an Elder Dragon of the Gold Clan. Young hatchling, what is your name?”

Elder Dragons were ranked between ordinary adult dragons and the highest-ranking Ancients.

They were living witnesses to history, having lived for thousands of years, possessing immense power capable of causing natural disasters.

“…Horus.”

“Horus?”

Horus suppressed his childish urge to be defiant and sullenly muttered his name.

He knew the other dragon hadn’t come with malicious intent, but he couldn’t help but be wary of such a powerful being.

And thanks to that wariness,

“…Strange name.”

He managed to swallow his instinctive retort to Shri Hartgen’s casual remark.

‘Your name is stranger!’

He couldn’t help but feel a surge of indignation.

__________________

As expected, Shri Hartgen had come with good intentions.

More precisely, he had come to protect the last hatchling of his supposedly extinct clan.

“…I never thought I would be able to fulfill my duty. This must be Dracarion’s grace. After Hureione was taken by them, I thought the Gold Clan was finished.”

He spoke in a melancholic voice, recounting the clan’s tragic history.

The moment when the last remaining hatchling was sacrificed after a long and arduous war.

‘Hureione?’

Horus tilted his head at the familiar name…

And then suddenly remembered where he had seen it.

『Dragon Heart of the Gold Dragon Hatchling Hureione (910,000)』

‘Ah, that…’

The Dragon Heart that had become his catalyst.

The name of its owner, which he hadn’t paid much attention to.

He felt a strange sense of awkwardness and subtly looked away.

“…She wasn’t my child, but everyone in the clan cherished her. She was so playful and affectionate, even when we scolded her… Ah, I apologize.”

Shri Hartgen, lost in his memories, noticed Horus’s reaction and stopped, his face contrite.

“I’m sorry. Seeing you reminded me of her. It’s disrespectful to both of you for me to dwell on the past.”

The old dragon bowed his head slightly in apology.

And before Horus could even respond, he continued, his voice regaining its composure.

“It doesn’t matter where you came from, or who you are.”

…He had been suspicious of Horus’s sudden appearance.

It was only natural, considering he had just finished recounting the death of the last hatchling.

And now, another hatchling had suddenly appeared.

A brief silence passed between the two dragons.

And once again, Shri Hartgen was the first to break it.

“But you are the last hatchling of the Gold Clan remaining in this world…”

He met Horus’s gaze—

“And more importantly, Dracarion has acknowledged you.”

And then, in a declarative tone,

“…I, Shri Hartgen, acknowledge you, Horus, as the last successor of the Gold Clan.”

The last successor.

Wooong—

As soon as he finished speaking, the meaning of those words resonated within Horus’s heart.

His Dragon Heart trembled, as if resonating with the world—

He felt a strange dizziness, and then he realized that he was connected to something in this world.

‘…Is this… true Dragon Language?’

He had just acquired “Dragon Language Magic”, so his understanding was still incomplete, but he knew something significant had just happened.

“Is this also fate? To send a successor when my life is nearing its end. Thanks to you, my duty can continue… How playful of you, Dracarion.”

Shri Hartgen chuckled and smiled faintly, looking at Horus, who was still dazed from the aftereffects of the ritual.

“I am the last survivor of the Gold Clan, the caretaker of its legacy. If you hadn’t appeared, all of it would have been passed on to another clan upon my death.”

And Horus finally realized that the fatigue he had seen in the old dragon’s face wasn’t just tiredness, but the shadow of approaching death.

If what he said was true, the Gold Dragon Clan would soon be extinct.

Leaving only him behind.

‘…Wait, then…’

The meaning of his words finally clicked— and Horus was stunned by the sudden realization.

Shri Hartgen, seeing his reaction, smiled faintly and concluded.

“…It’s all yours now.”

…And so, Horus inherited not just the ‘duty’,

But also the entire legacy of a prestigious clan, passed down for tens of thousands of years.

He had become the sole heir.

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