Epic of Ice Dragon: Reborn As An Ice Dragon With A System

-----

The battle was abruptly interrumpted, and with the power of the Venerable, Pandemonium's domain was completely undone, and I was freed. Despite feeling grateful in the outside, I also felt very frustrated inside.

I didn't know what the income of this battle would even be, but I was giving it my all, and Pandemonium seemed to be slowly comprehending and understanding my abilities. If our battle could have continued, would I have had the chance to win?

I managed to eat his arm but, at the end, it ended being three fingers, actually, and a small piece of his hand. Its powers were still immense though, so I had to seal them down and slowly absorb them.

But now that I became a Venerable, this was a much faster process than before, and I was able to gain Demonic Energy I quickly refined into Ascendancy Law Essence.

I wanted to keep fighting, to finish this once and for all…

But at the same time, I felt another emotion as I fought him.

I don't know why I felt it but…

It felt like as we beat each other to death, there was some sort of camaraderie being formed, perhaps a rivalry, one I had never experienced with someone like Greenwood.

Perhaps we were enjoying the battle deep down, huh?

"Hahh…"

I felt frustrated, but the Venerable wasn't wrong, this wasn't the time for this battle, not yet.

I'll have to kill him anyways, so I can't go feeling like he's a rival, he's my enemy, someone I must eliminate to save my family from his claws.

His powers… I think I got a hang of what he can do and how he battles, but as he had said, there was still a lot I didn't know about his abilities.

Someone as ancient as Pandemonium must have hundreds of different abilities, all waiting to be used. I have to get stronger, even stronger than I am now.

And this trial might be about my only chance to grow in power.

I don't know if I could ever "catch up" with that monster, but I know that I can get more power from this place, this enormous landscape that the second trial will be.

After I came back, I ended being hugged by all my family, as I thought. I didn't think about them at all when I was fighting, completely concentrating on beating Pandemonium.

But now I realize I was quite selfish by doing that, they had insisted they wanted to help me fight him, yet I ended simply deciding to leave them behind and fight alone.

Maybe because I am always fearing losing them above all else… I seem to be unable to trust them, despite how strong they have grown.

Because if I trust them, there's always a possibility, always, that they could die.

And I don't want to afford such a possibility.

But when the true final fight finally comes, will I be able to afford to think in such a way?

Most likely not…

"I was so worried, are you alright?!" Benladann asked me. "Your power…! Did you?!"

"Yeah, I got him good, I ate one of his arms," I smiled.

"What?! Really!" Miranda laughed. "Nice! Now he's a bit weaker than before!"

"That's nice and all but you still shouldn't have jumped in there like nothing!" said Benladann.

"More like he was trapped there..." said Andromeda, appearing by my side. "Don't worry, I was by his side… We couldn't communicate though, his mind was fully concentrated on fighting, and I assisted him, but not enough… I need to practice my abilities and my new form. I ended hesitating… I could have helped much more if I didn't."

"Andromeda…"

So she was indeed there, but I was so focused on the fight I couldn't even sense her at my side? I was really too focused. Some would consider that a flaw, while others would think of that as a talent, but I don't know.

"I was worried, papa! You said we would fight Pandemonium together!" said Benladra. "Don't do that again, okay?!"

"You should have tried to escape… your body might be immortal but if he had gotten into your soul, it could have been shattered…" Kate sighed.

"Dadaaa!" Even little Drakda seemed upset with me.

"I'm sorry… I won't do it again," I said, gaining new resolve. "Next time… We'll fight him together."

I know there are risks, but if we don't fight together against him, as family…

Then, without a doubt, I think I'll lose.

I thought I had an advantage when I ate one of his arms but… in those last seconds I saw Pandemonium's enraged powers.

I knew it was something completely out of my Realm.

He's vastly stronger than Venerables, but his powers are strangely sealed in layers of strength he releases as he fights.

This is why it gives off the impression he might be weaker than he actually is.

These Layers… I wonder if they're also his own technique? Perhaps a way to not destroy everything around him.

Despite being so hellbent in destruction, he does mind his surroundings, doesn't he?

It's weird.

Also why did he accept the terms of the Venerable so easily? He's so strong he could blow everything up if he wanted.

Is he really someone so honorable as to keep his word to the Flame Emperor?

I doubt it…

Unless something else is binding him into doing it, something that he simply cannot reject.

A weakness?

Is this something I could use against him?

I'll have to try later.

"It seems you barely managed to survive," Yuki said. "That bastard really came and tried to kill you… We can't be safe with him around."

"We entered this Trial knowing full well about what he could do…" Ruby said. "We have to be prepared for anything."

"I-I guess so…" Emerald walked in, sighing. "Master, are you alright? No weird parasite inside of you or something?!"

"Parasite?!" I asked. "You sure have a lot of imagination, Emerald… No, nothing like that… Hm?"

FLUOSH!

Blazing letters were already appearing above the skies, as the voice of the trial, which sounded slightly mechanical, reverberated across the entire place.

[Welcome, Participants, to the Second Trial of the Venerable of Flames Inheritance: [Treasure Hunt]!]

-----