The Dragon'S Blue Gem
(S2) Chapter 68 [A Deal With Dullahan ]
The murderous lust that came out from that small body instantly made the ordinary monsters there faint with just the pressure.
⟨ *Who is waji*gan who dares to enter my territory*?! ⟩
A wet hoarse masculine voice resounded until it reached Aqua's ears. Aqua's cold gaze that seemed to be able to freeze anything she saw looked down on the origin of the voice.
The sky full of stars that looked beautiful earlier, covered in pitch-black fog. The sound of horse feet was heard from that direction. There was a large black horse driven by a headless dark-amor creature. The creature brandished its sword straight at Aqua.
With just the existence of the creature alone, there were no monsters within a 1 km radius around them. Aqua was neither panicked nor afraid. Only anger and bloodlust were on him.
"Dullahan!" exciting Aqua.
< Dullahan >
Dullahan is a headless monster who rides a dark horse while carrying his head in his hands. The eyes on the face he was carrying were muddled up in the air and the sweet smile on his face was almost reached the ears. The flesh on his head had a stale cheese-like color. It is said that the stare of his eyes could paralyze his victims and see helplessly what he would do.
(Illustration Dullahan from Google :v)
⟨ *I guess who baj*ngan dared to enter my territory. Turns out just a kid* ⟩
Dullahan's tone sounded mocking and belittling Aqua. But Dullahan actually never underestimated anyone's enemy. Whoever made it this far and met him, meant that he was so strong that he managed to defeat the previous floor bosses.
Deep in his heart, Dullahan finds out that the child in front of him is dangerous.
"The weapon whip. Medium range. The most dangerous of all weapons."
Aqua instantly analyzed Dullahan right after he appeared. Just having the information in his left eye is not enough. He should have sharpness of judgment on his enemy.
"Lack of whips. Once in the hands of the enemy, whips will be useless."
⟨ Did you come alone, boy? ⟩
"I have no obligation to answer your question," Aqua replied coldly.
⟨ Brash!!! Do you think you have the right to refuse my question?! ⟩
"I'll answer your question if you answer my question."
⟨ Wahahaha!!! Attractively. No one has dared to talk to me like that for a long time. All righty! You may ask me 2 questions, but you must answer my 4 questions!! ⟩
"...... Whatever. Just ask first."
⟨ Oho... well, then. My four questions are one, did you come here alone? ⟩
"No. I entered this dungeon five of them. But for various reasons we were separated. Now it's just me."
⟨ Hmm... Great also you made it here alone. Two! Do you have any connection with the Anessa Empire?! ⟩
"Sacred Continent Empire? Not at all."
⟨ Hahahaha!!! Nice, nice! Three! Are you a member of the hero party?! ⟩
"Not."
⟨ Hmmrgh... The last! Do you know that woman? ⟩
"!"
Dullahan pointed to the woman hanging from the altar. Aqua's gaze became colder than before.
"You can say you're familiar, you can say you're not familiar."
⟨ What kind of ambiguous answer is that? Yasudahlah. I assume you know that woman ⟩
"......."
⟨ So? What kind of question do you want to ask? ⟩
"just simple. Did you make it that way? Otherwise, do you have any connection with the waji*gan that made it that way?" asked Aqua annoyed.
⟨ Not both. I was brought here forcibly to protect, no, to make sure the woman stays that way. Are you satisfied? ⟩
Aqua silently thought of something.
"My guess is right. The purpose of this dungeon being formed was for the sake of sealing this woman."
"Hey. Did you make a deal with me?"
A sly grin was engraved on Aqua's handsome face.
"I will get you out of this place and I will help you take revenge on the Anessa Empire. Instead, you will be my subordinate. How's it?"
⟨ !!! ⟩
The horse's clench sounded loud. Dullahan was angry at Aqua's offer. He whipped everywhere indiscriminately. The creature approached Aqua quickly. He descended from his horse that walked in the sky straight in front of Aqua.
The skull in his hand was raised to the front of Aqua's face.
⟨ How?! How do you know about my grudge into the Anessa Empire?!! ⟩
Aqua raised the corner of her lips. His chin rose upwards, he looked down on Dullahan.
"That's none of your business. I'll just tell you that you're willing to be my subordinate."
⟨ ........ ⟩
⟨ Don't joke with me, boy!! What can you do against the Anessa Empire?! ⟩
"I may not be able to. Just give me 5 years. I will make sure in 5 years, the Anessa Empire will disappear from Demetria," Aqua replied confidently.
A confident look was firmly planted in Aqua's eyes. Dullahan thought for a moment, if for the sake of his revenge, becoming Aqua's subordinate he would do. But the current situation did not allow him to make a deal.
⟨ ...... Alright. Tell you what, I'll give you 3 conditions. If you meet all three, then I will acknowledge you as my master. Apart from you being weaker than me ⟩
"That's enough. Say terms!"
Although he looks very confident and as if he can do everything. The boy actually harbored quite a lot of anxiety in him.
"The creature in front of me is too dangerous. As Aure said, he was an EX rank with a level of 950. Only a difference of 50 levels from the Demon King. I'm not sure I can fight it safely."
"With a creature like this, as much as possible I should avoid fighting."
⟨ My terms are simple. First, you should be able to get me out of this dungeon without killing me! Second, you must make sure the Anessa Empire is gone in 5 years! I am the master of darkness, my last condition is not to make me fight the Arc-Angel!! ⟩
Aqua smiled hearing that.
"I can fulfill all three of your conditions."
⟨ Wahahaha!!! Very high self-confidence. How did you get out of this dungeon without killing me? Just so you know, if you approach the core of the dungeon or take off that woman, my body will move on its own to kill you! ⟩
"Dullahan. Indeed you can be said to be 'living' but you can also say dead."
⟨ Then? What relation? ⟩
"You asked me not to kill you. But you didn't forbid me to lock you up. Just for a moment, until I destroy the dungeon core and get out of here. I'll keep you locked up for that long."
⟨ Hmm... You are smart too. It's true that the way to finish this dungeon doesn't have to beat me. The most important thing was to destroy the dungeon core. But how do you lock me up? With regular confinement, I can directly exit ⟩
"I have a skill that makes you unable to get out without my permission," Aqua replied casually.
Aqua walked up to the altar while passing Dullahan.
"Dullahan, I don't have much time. I have to rescue him immediately. I'm sorry but.. Can I lock you up now?"
⟨ Basic impatient boy. Alright, since you are very confident with your skills. Try my brackets now! ⟩
Aqua turned around slowly. His right hand was raised, touching Dullahan's armour.
"It's not just trying. When you get out of there, I'll make sure what you see is the view outside the dungeon."
⟨ Kahahahaha!!! Interesting, boy! Quickly do! If your words are correct, we will meet again later outside the ⟩ dungeon
"Yes. See you outside the dungeon."
In just a split second since Aqua said her greeting, Dullahan's body and his horse instantly disappeared like they were teleporting to somewhere. His tracks were really not left behind.
Aqua looked at her own hands with a troubled look.
"I was just bluffing and prank trying. But it really works."
The skill that Aqua was referring to was not the extraordinary skill that she had just obtained. This skill was an innate skill that had been with him since he was a child.
"Who would have thought... Inventory can save Dullahan as well."