Win Over Magic with Muscles (4)

An idea immediately came into Ryu Han-bins mind after finding Artis trustworthy.

If I sell my items under his name, it will make my life a lot easier.

As a level 5 Swordsman, he couldnt just sell all the Devils Spirit Stones and magical tools he had looted without raising suspicions. However, if he sold them using the name of the Level 36 Mage Artis, there wouldnt be any problem.

The process would be a lot safer.

Even if he went to another city, he would still need to consistently act like a normal hunter. It would be more believable to hide behind Artis, just like when he hid behind Buckman earlier. It wasnt a bad proposition for the mage either.

You are a hunter too. Ill be able to help you.

The level 72 Lich was honestly easy to deal with.

I am definitely not one of the weaklings in this world.

Artis laughed.

What are you even talking about

Ryu Han-bin was the strongest among the people Artis had ever seen. No, he was the strongest of all the creatures Artis had seen in his life. When a dragon laid an egg, it left. It wasnt part of a Dragons instinct to raise their children. Not even Artis had met his parents before.

He had never met any of his kin. He didnt find any when he lived in the wastelands like a beast, or even during the times after learning the Dragon-Human Morphing Ability from his natural bloodline magic after raising his intelligence.

It left him unsure as to whos stronger between Ryu Han-bin or a fully grown dragon, but he didnt doubt the Earthlings immense power.

Even though his strength is absurdly unbalanced.

Artis had no reason to reject Han-bins proposal. They both lived among humans, with their identities hidden. He didnt keep a cold mien or acted all high and mighty for no reason. It was his way of keeping people away to prevent them from discovering his identity due to his own recklessness.

If he were with Ryu Han-bin, he wouldnt need to hide his identity.

I agree. Its hard for me to find someone as strong as you to become my subordinate.

They reached an accord.

Artis reached out his hand to initiate a handshake.

I look forward to our partnership.

Han-bin shook his hands with a bright smile.

Me too, Artis.

* * *

His real name was Artis Amphiter Ragnawalker. Originating from the Dragon language, it was the name that was engraved into the eggs soul.

I dont need to hide my name since humans dont find it strange. You can continue calling me Artis.

The Swordsman also introduced himself properly.

Your real name is Ryu Han-bin? Is Ryu your last name?

Yeah.

Then I can call you Han-bin, right?

Ryu Han-bin felt a little worried. Unlike Artis, his name didnt fit into this world.

It would be better if youd call me Eric. We might get caught otherwise.

Can I call you Han-bin when were alone, then? Its the name your parents gave you when you were born, after all.

For Artis, it was disrespectful to call someone using their alias for no reason when he knew what their real name was. The Dragon seemed to have high regard for real names.

Dont worry, Han-bin. Ill be careful in front of others. Latnas Dragons do not make such simple mistakes.

If you say so, then Im fine with it.

Then about our way of talking

What about it? Cant we just keep talking to each other like this? Were partners, you know.

Artiss tone became serious. We might be in the same team and are physically in the same age group, so it seems natural, but youre a lot stronger than me, a Dragon. Dont you want to be honored?

No, thanks.

Right. Ill continue to talk as usual then.

Ryu Han-bin curiously looked at Artis.

Fire Dragons are the same as Red Dragons, right? Arent Red Dragons usually quick-tempered and violent?

Yet Artis had a fairly calm and prudent personality.

Artis frowned, Where did that prejudice come from? I know there are no dragons on Earth.

People imagined them to be as fierce as flames since they could breathe fire.

Thats ridiculous. Would a human have a better personality simply because they had golden hair?

Clicking his tongue, Artis continued.

What kind of people have such crazy imaginations? Individuals characters and inclinations are based on their living environment and values. Its impolite to stereotype a whole race based on ones pleasurable guess!

Is that so?

Ryu Han-bin could only scratch his head. Artis healed at an incredible pace as they talked.

He could even walk now without limping in pain.

Lets stay for a little bit longer.

Artis glanced over the smashed Kobolds cottage.

Ryu Han-bin curiously asked Artis.

What are you looking for?

The Devils Spirit Stones of the Kobolds.

It was a low-class monster, which meant its stones were only worth a few pennies, but he couldnt just throw away money.

Han-bin grimaced.

I dont think its worth the trouble to pick all of them up.

Most of the Kobold corpses had been smashed and scattered among the debris due to the Lichs magic spells.

Wed have to clean the place up to find the corpses.

Artis replied as he didnt understand Han-bins point.

What do you mean? I can just use magic.

He activated a spell.

Rooting!

The whole mountain was covered in a magic circle.

Simultaneously, Devils Spirit Stones began to float from all over their vicinity, all of which gathered at where Artis was sitting.

Upon opening the pocket of his backpack, the stones flew in all at once.

Han-bins eyes widened in surprise.

Unbelievable! Theres actually a spell to collect multiple Stones at once!

What made you think there wasnt one?

I just assumed thats the case

Thirty low-grade Devils Spirit Stones from Kobolds were only worth a few pennies. Of course, it was a huge sum for Ryu Han-bin, but it wasnt much for Artis, an advanced hunter.

After collecting the Stones, he headed for the rags left by the Lich. The Lich itself did not leave anything behind, but the clothes it was wearing remained. Normal rags wouldnt have caught his attention, but the one the Lich was wearing was studded with gold and precious stones.

It also wasnt possible to use Rooting magic to collect it.

Artis laughed as he retrieved the gems one by one.

Its worth the effort.

This is troublesome. The stones are scattered all over.

Regardless, they still kept on looting the trinkets.

Picking up a small emblem, Han-bin tilted his head.

Whats this?

Letters were embossed in the middle of the item.

Ryu Han-bin could easily read the text.

He didnt even need to use the Language Communication Skill.

It was written in characters hed known for a long time already.

Great Earth

Its in English?

Even the words were familiar.

Artis became frightened when he saw the emblem.

Oh, my God! It is a sign of a Goddess Slayer!

It was the symbol of Great Earth, an alien group that planned to kill the Wind Goddess.

Ryu Han-bin had also heard about the alien group.

That Lich, was it a remnant of the Great Earth? But I heard theyre all dead.

They should be, but

Artis had a concerned look on his face. It wasnt only humans that feared the Goddess Slayers. Other intelligent creatures of the Latna Continent also feared them. Goddess Slayers attempted to destroy the world they lived in, after all.

Urgency filled his words.

This isnt normal. Come on. We need to inform the Mage Guild.

Han-bin held him back.

In order to do that, youd need to reveal that you fought with that Lich. Are you sure about that?

A lot of Artiss dragon blood still remained at the scene. If an investigation team came, they would be able to discover Artiss real identity easily. Ryu Han-bin would also be suspected.

Youre right.

Artis regained his cool.

Ill keep quiet about it for now. Well let them know when the time is right.

Only after the traces of Dragon blood had been erased would they be able to tell the Guild about it in a way that would keep their secrets hidden.

Just in case, Id like to search a little more. Help me, Han-bin.

Sure.

Both of them scoured around the place for more useful items or information.

However, they found no other clues.

It was just a living quarter of ordinary Kobold, nothing unusual.

I guess theres nothing more to find here.

Hmm

Lets go back to Onpros, Artis. Theres nothing more we can do here anyway.

Thats right.

Artis eventually gave up on his lingering thoughts.

Okay. Lets go back.

* * *

Three days later, Ryu Han-bin and Artis reached Onpros city.

At that same moment, two individuals showed up at the site of the burned Kobold Cottage.

One was a pale middle-aged man with a faded blond hair, and the other was a young woman with brunette hair.

The brunette woman said.

This is where Shin Ha-joon died, Richard.

I know.

The middle-aged man called Richard looked around in wonderment.

Search, Activate. Due date, four days. Range, remaining traces.

A letter of light floated up in one of his sights.

[Search for the remaining energy.]

[Traces of magic have been found.]

[Paralyze, Chain of Curse, Entangle of Gehenna, Air Elemental, Whip of Death, Inferno of Abyss

Most of them are Shin Ha-joons magic. Although low-level magic is sometimes seen

Richard tilted his head. According to this trace, the Shin Ha-joon faced a mage that was no stronger than level 40.

Theres no way such a weak enemy could beat him.

Shin Ha-joon, a Suitor from Korea, was a man who abandoned his human body and turned himself into a Lich. Whatever killed him shouldve left some form of a trace.

But they found nothing no Mana, Prana, Aura, or Force that could be strong enough to damage the Lich.

But it is clear that Shin Ha-joon died here. Its stated in the Guidelines.

I know, Leslie.

Looking back at the woman called Leslie, Richard asked, Is there any way to defeat the Lich without using Latnas four powers?

Its not like there isnt.

She shrugged.

If someone used force that surpassed the four powers, wouldnt it be possible to kill the Lich like putting it in a huge hydraulic press and pressing it hard to make it powder?

Richard frowned, Is there someone strong enough to do that in this world?

A man around the same age as Richard appeared behind a tree. He had jet-black hair, wore light-gold armor, and carried a set of twin blades.

There arent many creatures that have that level of power.

Richard turned towards the man.

Did you find something, Alejandro?

He raised his finger.

There was a dark fluid on his fingertips.

Dragon Blood. I cant get any other, though, since three days had already passed.

A dragon?

Certainly, if it were a Dragon that had been over 500 years old, it would be possible to crush a Lich with pure physical power.

Nevertheless, Richard raised an even more mysterious question.

All of Latnas Dragons belong to Upper Draconium, right? Why did the Dragon attack us, their allies?

Maybe there is a traitor.

If so, it was impossible to ignore.

Alejandro asked Richard, Should I track, scout, and get rid of it?

Will you be okay alone? It wouldnt be easy if youre up against a Dragon powerful enough to harm Shin Ha-joon.

No problem. I have this.

He pointed at his necklace. Richard looked relaxed.

Oh, yeah, well.

Then lets start right away. As luck would have it, I found something useful while chasing after Shin Ha-joon.

Alejandro snapped his fingers.

A creature soon flew from the other side of the forest and landed on the vacant lot.

It was a large Wyvern with thick shackles around its neck and a gagged mouth.

Leslie looked surprised.

A Wyvern? And its well-trained too?

Is it a valuable item? I accidentally found it in this forest.

Alejandro beckoned.

Bow your head.

The Wyvern obeyed meekly.

The Wyvern could only weep as it bowed its head even though it didnt want to. Due to the magic gag and shackles, if it resisted, it would lose its life. It cried softly as it allowed the middle-aged man to ride behind its back.

Hiiiirgg.

It hadnt been that long since it survived an Aliens beating, yet it was already in trouble due to another Alien.

With a kick at its side, Alejandro ordered the Wyvern.

Fly!

Effir, the Wyvern, sighed deeply as it flapped its wings hard.

Oh, my fate.