Chapter 203 Bathed in Dragon’s Blood (2/2)

Not even a dragon lair could withstand such a force. The outer wall, once solid and immaculate, now bore visible cracks.

Moments later, these cracks became a veritable omen:

A torrent of chipped ice showered forth, the snow rising like fog, while huge chunks of solid ice came toppling down as the breach grew ever wider.

The entire mountain peak was beginning to fall apart!

Meanwhile, inside the dragon lair…

Joshua dragged Ling along with his left hand (who in turn was hugging the bottle to himself), while with his right hand he pulled Ying after him (the girl clutching a bag full of dragon eggs), and he stood before the enormous hole he'd created.

Previously, he'd punched through the ice wall at the top of the lair, and then later he'd slammed the newly appointed overlord of the lair, Agamu, down through to the second layer, and finally broke into the third layer to kill the spellcasting dragon—along the way, he'd knocked out three massive openings which together led directly outside.

Now, with the collapse of the dragon lair imminent, this was the fastest way to get out.

”Careful, Ying, Ling: I'm about to throw you. Try not to get hurt on the way down.”

Although he'd killed so many dragons, thus avenging his people, Joshua had never shown any joy in the act—but now, that intimidatingly cold demeanor was touched by a faint smile. ”You'll be going very fast.”

”Master! Why don't you just come along with us?!”

”That's right, Master! You'll lose us if you do this!”

These keening cries issued from the Divine Armaments in either hand. They seemed to have gleaned an idea of their master's intentions, as well as their impending fate.

”Get ready!” Ignoring the both of them, Joshua gave a shout, gathering power into both his arms—and then with a heave, he tossed them both away.

”Off you go!”

With that, the two Divine Armaments were sent flying, together with the dragon eggs and the big bottle filled with Chaos vapors. The wind whistling and the children hollering, Ying and Ling were lost to sight within the dragon lair, hurtling all the way outside.

Then he turned to regard his warhorse—his monstrous, dragon-blooded warhorse —Black shook its head with horror, issuing multiple futile neighs, but what did Joshua care about its feelings? With a broad smile, he seized the horse with both arms, raised it high, and lobbed it out just the same.

The ice walls all around him were in the process of crumbling apart: huge slabs of ice tumbled over from time to time, sending out a spray of frozen splinters. The frost, stained blue with dragon blood, released a strange, sharp tang into the air.

Now, the warrior was alone.

Turning, he looked at the fallen dragon beside him.

Sometimes, being alone was better than being surrounded by people, if only because he didn't have to worry about keeping his sins hidden.

Not that he didn't have faith in his Divine Armaments—on the contrary, Joshua trusted Ying and Ling unconditionally—they were the only family the warrior had in this world.

But some things not even your family could be allowed to see. Joshua was accustomed to doing some things alone, and he didn't want anyone to see this side of himself. He hadn't accounted for the dragon lair falling apart so easily—he would have to get this done quickly.

Even if he couldn't finish in time, with his Gold-Tier abilities, the cave-in would pose no danger to him; Black and the others, however, might have come to some risk. Joshua didn't like endangering those near him—especially outside of battle—and not even the smallest risk was worth braving.

So he would face this alone.

Great chunks of ice crashed down all around Joshua, sliding and colliding with loud, thundering smacks. Ice chips flew everywhere, many being deflected away by the warrior's Combat Aura.

He walked up to the strongest of the dragons here, the body of the one named Agamu, and straightened his hand into a blade.

And then he slashed down—enhanced by his intense Combat Aura, tough dragon scale and muscle were forced apart.

Digging through flesh and sinew, he tore the dragon's chest wide open, snapping off bones and ribs, until Joshua saw the giant heart within the dead dragon.

Waves of cold white mana washed over the dragon's heart. It had never stopped—even though nearly all of the dragon's blood had already drained away, it was still beating softly.

With a little laugh, the warrior removed his armor, reached out, and clutched the massive heart.