Volume 3 Chapter 15 (1/2)

”[Rebirth]”

Still holding Wight in my arms, I revealed the power given to me by the Creator. That power being [Rebirth].

It was the reward I got from the side show with [Wind] Demon Lord Stolas.

Its effects allowed me to return a monster back into being a medal and use it in a new [Synthesis].

By doing so, the monster's soul would reside within the newly created medal. This meant that it was possible to carry over Wight as he was along with his level to the new monster. In Wight's case, he was created as a B rank monster with a static level so he would be reborn at level 56.

Kuina, Rorono, and Aura haven't reached level 56 yet so in a sense, it was fortunate that I had created Wight to have a static level back then.

At the same time as I uttered the words of power, Wight who was on the verge of death turned into particles of light that then gathered on the palm of my hand. Those particles felt hot, almost like they could burn my hand. But I could also feel from them Wight's presence.

Finally, the particles settled down and manifested itself as golden medal.

That medal was [The Dead] medal.

When turning a monster into a medal via [Rebirth], the created medal isn't any of the medals that was previously used to create the monster. In Wight's case, he was created using the [Death] and [Person] medals but what came out of [Rebirth] was [The Dead].

It was an entirely new original medal that represented the monster itself.

And so, I tightly grasped that medal in my hand. From it, I felt strong power and emotions, as though it was Wight himself.

”Wight, I'm going to grant you a new body; I'm going to grant you your wish.”

He wished for a strong body not for himself but for me and my subordinates. In accordance to his desire, I took out the [Dragon] medal. Out of all the medals that I have, it was the best one in creating monsters with a strong body.

After that, I added in another medal: [Creation].

Because Wight expressed his selfish desire to become my monster in the truest sense, I was going to use my own medal in this [Synthesis].

So, in my hand were the [Dragon], [Creation], and [The Dead] medals. With all three gathered, it started to heat up.

Now, let's begin.

”[Synthesis]”

Light shone from my closed hand and it grew stronger.

What floated in my mind were the countless number of possibilities.

I chose the option to make the new monster be able to level up. Even though I chose this option, due to the [Rebirth]'s effects, instead of starting from level 1, Wight's initial level would be level 56.

Next, the [Dragon] medal had a special ability called [Berserk]. What this does is robbing the monster of its reason and intelligence in exchange for power comparable to a monster a rank above it.

If I added [Berserk] to a potential S rank monster, I might be able to make be the strongest monster.

However, I did not choose it. I liked Wight's personality and did not wish to rob that away from him.

And so, the option for [Berserk] vanished.

Right when I thought so far, so good, I heard Wight's voice.

The light coming from [The Dead] medal grew more dazzling. The medal then pulled in the [Dragon] medal toward itself. Next, the [Berserk] option that just vanished resurfaced.

As for the [Creation] medal, it began to transform. From among the countless futures, one future became more prominent. The image that floated in my mind was that of a jet-black dragon keeping the strongest power under its control with its bravery and willpower.

”Wight, are you guiding this?”

It felt like that to me.

[Creation] transformed and what it transformed into was [Hero].

A [Hero].

A being that kills Demon Lords.

A being that ruled over valor and fortitude.

A Champion with excellent wisdom and superior martial arts.

And so, the [Dragon], [Hero], and [The Dead] medals combined and began to form a monster.

There existed the concept of compatibility among medals. The [Hero] and [The Dead] medals, unsurprisingly, had the worst compatibility. The [Hero] and [Dragon] medals weren't any better either. In almost all cases, their powers will contradict one another, making it hard to create a strong monster.

However, there was a possibility wherein these three miraculously worked in perfect harmony with one another. That possibility existed once every 1000, no, 10,000… that chance existed only once every 100, 000,000 Synthesis.

With my power, with the [Creation] medal, I could just choose the one possibility I want from the countless number of possibilities.

I reached out for the possibility Wight pointed out and grasped it!

Its vague outline grew clearer but then, a dark, ominous haze enveloped around it to mix the power of [Berserk] into the forming monster. Black patterns emerged on the monster's whole body and then vanished.

In the next moment, the monster itself appeared.

It stood on two legs and had gallant wings on its back. It also had fangs and claws and a massive figure.

The pupils of its eyes showed an ominous dark crimson.

It transcended even S rank; it was the ultimate monster.

The name that came to my mind was…

”The jet-black dragon Siegwurm”

It was Wight's new form.

It was misfortune personified. It was the dragon of calamity that guarded the gates of hades which ruled over the living and the dead alike.

I looked at Wight's eyes and believed he would hold the power of [Berserk] at bay.

In return, Siegwurm, looked at me and roared. I felt fear that seemed to freeze even my soul.

Its eyes devoid of any emotion and its thoughts seemingly devoted only on eliminating the enemy before it, it raised its hand overhead.

I did not close my eyes or even took a defensive stance. The reason for that is because…

”I believe in you, Wight.”

I refused to believe Wight's consciousness would be overwhelmed by [Berserk].

When Siegwurm's hand was just about to hit me, it stopped.

Reason and warmth now dwelling in his deep red eyes, he spoke.

”Forgive me, my lord. I was half-asleep and acted carelessly.”

In a tone that feigned innocence, Siegwurm… no, Wight said such.

”So you're fully awake now then?”

”Yes, my lord. Having flesh and blood feels rather nice, isn't it? The pleasant wind; the fresh scents; and the different hue of the surrounding.”

He said so as he smiled.

And then, his form changed from that of a gigantic dragon into that of a gentlemanly, middle-aged, white-haired man. All that said, he still didn't look quite human due to the dragon horns and tail on his body.

On his body, he wore a jet-black butler uniform.

That appearance suited Wight so much it almost made me laugh.

”Are you in that form instead of your original form because you've suppressed [Berserk]?”

”Not quite. It seems [Berserk] has an On and Off mode. The more I release Berserk's power, the closer to a dragon my form becomes. When fighting seriously, it will be better to have no friendly units nearby for I might not be able to control myself. Moreover, if I use Berserk mode for too long, I will not be able to turn back. I guess I will be able to fight at full strength for about 3 minutes or so.”

As expected, we couldn't receive only the good parts of this increase in fighting strength.

However, it was reassuring that Wight had the power that exceeded even S rank.

In the first place, Wight had the power of an S rank monster even in his dragonewt form so situations where [Berserk] would become necessary were probably going to be few.

”So you turn into a dragon by going mad?”

When I heard Wight's explanation, I was reminded of a hero's legend. In that legend, he defeated a dragon and by bathing on the gush of its blood, the hero himself became a dragon.

The Black Dragon of Death—what Wight became upon his rebirth—probably was a monster similar to that legend.

”Here is your order, Wight. You are to defeat with your own hands the monster that previously defeated you. That will be my last command in this [War]. Now, to your duty!”

”Certainly, my lord. Let me demonstrate to you this new power.”

◇

I looked at Ancient Elf's direction.

The fight progressed with her on the dominating side. Overwhelming her enemy with her speed, she did not worry about the enemy's ability to read minds. It wasn't only due to her speed either; much like the Byakko's reading of minds, she deployed a barrier of wind which sensed her enemy's movements. In addition, it also accelerated her movements, thus allowing her to act before the Byakko could even do his next action.

However, having lost her main weapon, her offensive capabilities had fallen and she was not yet able to land the decisive blow.

In that moment, Wight appeared.

”Ancient Elf-sama, please leave this to me. I have been ordered by our lord to take care of this from now on.”

Seeing Wight who became a dragonewt, Ancient Elf was round-eyed and then smiled.

”Wight-san, you've become very cool. Although, there's this mysterious and uncomfortable feeling to it, isn't there? Well, it suits you well. Ok then, I'll leave the rest to you. You're the star of the show now. I guess that makes me the opening act, doesn't it?”

”You have my thanks, Ancient Elf-sama.”

”Don't worry about it. Also, please call me Aura from now on; that's the name master has given to me.”

”Certainly, Aura-sama.”