Survival Story of a Sword King in a Fantasy World
Chapter 22

Win Over Magic with Muscles (3)

The Dragon continued its thought.

“The corpse won’t disappear just because it’s a Lich. Its bones would’ve remained.”

The bones disappearing was enough proof that it was an Earthling.

“Maybe it was originally a human Mage, but it turned itself into an undead Lich.”

Han-bin looked at the rags left by the Lich with a blank expression.

“It was originally an Earthling?”

Another question came up. He had surely killed the Lich, a level 72 monster.

“Why didn’t I get any experience points?”

The guidelines replied.

[The Experience Point system does not work in a battle between two Suitors. It is a precautionary measure installed to prevent the Suitors from killing each other. It is also made to ensure the Suitors will cooperate in carrying out the final mission.]

It was an understandable reason. They released soldiers to kill the Goddesses of this world. It would’ve been a problem if they killed each other instead. Looking at the situation, it was certain that the Lich was an Earthling. He didn’t know which country it was from since it spoke in Coulin, not the Earth’s languages.

‘It wasn’t probably wasn’t speaking in Coulin. It was just using Language Communication skills like me.’

However, it was certainly a human being who fell into this world after being forcibly kidnapped like Ryu Han-bin.

‘Then did I just commit a murder?’

Surprisingly, he didn’t experience anything like the shock of the first murder. For two decades, Han-bin had killed and killed numerous Demon Dogs. It may have been his first time murdering someone, but the act of killing itself had become boring to him. He was already used to taking the lives of others.

However, he truly felt a bit bitter.

“Will I end up dying like that after wandering in a world I’m not familiar with?”

Perhaps that was the future that awaited for Ryu Han-bin.

“Don’t be ridiculous!”

Han-bin clenched his fist.

“I’m not dying here! I’m going to survive and return home!”

* * *

“By the way, didn’t you just say ‘as expected’?”

Han-bin turned towards Artis with a question. After thinking about it, he found Artis’s tone too calm.

“Did you already know that the Lich was an Earthling?”

“I did. It used an expression that doesn’t exist in this world.”

Replied the wounded Dragon.

“I have never heard of a phrase the Lich used in our world.”

After confirming Artis’s identity, the Lich shouted a phrase back then.

– I thought you were chickens or pheasants, but you turned out to be a dragon!

From Ryu Han-bin’s point of view, it was so natural that he didn’t find it strange. However, the phrase was nonexistent on the Latna Continent.

‘He noticed it with such a clue? So people can use the attitudes and common senses of the aliens to determine our identities.’

The large Dragon shook its head slightly.

“Of course, that wasn’t the only reason how I knew. There is already quite a bit of Earthly proverbs on the Latna Continent.”

It had been several decades since the aliens appeared. Back in the early days, everyone regarded them as heroes. Many followed their words and actions. The Earth’s proverbs and metaphors were currently well-known, so it was difficult to conclude that someone was an alien just by looking at their vocabulary.

Han-bin felt a little relieved.

‘Thank God. It seems like people won’t be able to tell for certain just due to a simple slip of the tongue.’

Artis had another reason that made him reach his conclusion.

“That Lich accurately recognized your level.”

The Lich knew from the beginning that Ryu Han-bin was a level 5 Swordsman, causing it to ignore him, and when he revealed his real skills, it was astonished beyond belief.

“Only aliens can grasp the opponent’s level without using the measuring stone and without the other party’s consent.”

If it were a Suitor and had the same Guidelines, the Lich would have grasped Ryu Han-bin’s level just as immediately as he learned the Lich’s level.

“And one more thing has become clear.”

Artis slowly stood up. A dim murderous spirit began to spin around the wounded Dragon’s whole body.

“You’re not a Level 5 Swordsman.”

With apparent hostility, the Red Dragon asked.

“… Are you an alien too, Eric?”

* * *

The large Dragon emitted terrible energy. Firming its feet against the ground, it bared its fangs against Han-bin, who kept his calm.

Artis had stood up, but he was wounded.

“Can you fight in that state?”

Clenching his teeth, Artis shouted.

“Do you want me to die doing nothing?!”

He knew there was no chance of winning. If he was going to die anyway, he wasn’t going to die without a fight! He was not going to give his life to the filthy alien demons!

“I have no intention of fighting you at all.”

“… What?”

Ryu Han-bin kicked his greatsword off the ground and sheathed his weapon. Artis rolled his huge eyes around. The Alien did seem to have no intention of fighting him.

“Is this a trick?”

That was strange. What would Eric get by being deceptive in this situation? He was more powerful than the Lich he easily overpowered. The same Lich beat Artis almost to death.

He could kill Artis in one blow if he wanted to.

The Dragon’s voice softened a little.

“… Are you saying you know my identity but don’t want my body?”

At that moment, Han-bin laughed.

“That line would’ve been weird if you said it in human form.”

He tried to erase the moment he imagined where a handsome young man said the same line to a muscular male.

There weren’t any misunderstandings, at least, since Artis was in his Dragon form when he said it.

“I never intended to get your body.”

Artis refused to let his guard down. Even if he didn’t want the Dragon’s body, he still had a good reason to kill him.

“I know what you are, Alien, yet you’re just going to let me live?

Ryu Han-bin replied swiftly.

“I know what you are, Dragon. Why did you try to save me?”

Confused, Artis replied.

“Isn’t that natural? I made a promise to keep you safe.”

“That’s why.”

Han-bin continued.

“I can’t say I’m a righteous man, but…

His voice became serious.

“I am not a villain who would kill someone who kept their promise of protecting me.”

Confused, Artis stuttered.

“B-but the Earthlings…”

All Earthlings were demons from a different world who have contracted with the devil. Even if they seemed gentle and good outside, it was all a lie. That was the firm belief of the Latna Continent.

“Ah, about that?”

Ryu Han-bin shrugged.

“I heard similar stories in the Hunter Guild.”

Every Dragon was nothing but a demon that coveted human blood and flesh. There were rare cases where they pretended to be human and showed a delicate appearance to trick humans into being eaten.

“People shouldn’t let the Dragons mislead them and that they should be hunted down as soon as they’re discovered, right?”

Artis got mad.

“That’s a lie that humans made to justify taking a Dragon’s body!”

“Maybe, but if you change the word Dragon to Alien, doesn’t it seem like a similar story?”

“…….”

The Dragon was speechless. Its hostility and murderous spirit gradually disappeared.

“Of course, I don’t know what other Earthlings are like. They could be as vile as the Latnains claim.”

Artis’ excitement seemed to have subsided, so Ryu Han-bin continued.

“But I have my reasons to survive.”

He told Artis everything.

From the kidnapping, the guidelines and the Demon Dogs’ existence, the Guidelines’ errors, about him being isolated at the Rocky Mountain of Selha Latna, and the fact that he spent over 20 years there.

“Oh my God…”

Artis seemed restless. He had been forcibly kidnapped, let alone for decades, and lived every day with his life at stake.

“Why would I do what those bastards tell me to do? I’d rather exact my vengeance on them.”

Of course, he had no intention to kill the Goddesses. Rather, he just wanted to get help.

“It’s your choice whether you believe me or not. But I won’t kill you, and I won’t reveal your identity.”

Han-bin closed his monologue.

“As long as you promise to keep my secrets.”

Artis narrowed his eyes.

“…. Are you saying that you trust me?”

“Your promise is reliable enough.”

Artis already showed that he was trustworthy. The Red Dragon looked at the Alien in front of him in silence.

‘He doesn’t seem to be lying.’

Artis himself was not a person who believed in others easily. However, Han-bin’s story was convincing. Trying to avoid a battle and talk reason into his enemy was also one of the most useful pieces of evidence.

‘He is sincere.’

Artis finally relaxed completely.

“I believe you, Eric.”

A gentle smile appeared on the Dragon’s mouth.

“You are a man of honor. You must have been a nobleman on Earth. I’m sorry, I misunderstood.”

He lowered his long neck and bowed his head politely.

Despite the Dragon’s appearance, He could feel the sincerity.

“I’m alive because of you. Thank you.”

“You’ve got some sort of…”

Just as Han-bin clicked his tongue as he laughed cheerfully, Artis began to groan.

The Dragon soon fell onto the ground once more.

“Ugh…”

As its tension was relieved, the pain finally registered in its mind.

Its injuries were severe enough to make it hard to stand in the first place.

Surprised, Ryu Han-bin checked up on Artis.

“Woah, are you okay? We have to treat your wounds first, but… How do we treat dragon wounds?”

* * *

The large Dragon shone and shrunk rapidly.

Paaats!

A few moments after, a small young and naked man was left in its stead. Blood and wounds covered his entire body.

Hanbin frowned momentarily.

‘Why is he naked?’

He remembered the robe that Artis was wearing earlier was torn when he transformed.

‘Can’t he transform into a human while wearing clothes?’

Artis grabbed onto him as he asked for a favor.

“Can you bring me my backpack? My injuries are so severe it’s making it difficult to move.”

“Of course.”

After pulling out and wearing a new robe, Artis began to heal himself. He sprinkled a healing potion on his wounds, drank the potion, and bandaged himself.

While watching the scene, Ryu Han-bin suddenly asked, “You’re originally a dragon, right? Why transform into a human before treating your wounds? Do you recover faster when you are in human form than when you’re a dragon?”

“No. The resilience of a dragon is probably better. It’s physically strong, and its level is higher.”

“Then, why?”

“Due to our huge bodies, treating dragons costs a lot more medicines. It’s hard to bandage such a huge body.”

Humans certainly could heal themselves faster and more efficiently than dragons could.

‘Is it all due to the expenses, then?’

It would take a lot more potions to heal a dragon’s wound, after all. After treating himself, Artis laid down for a while and took a breath as he waited for the medicines to take effect. About ten minutes later, he got up again.

“For now, the first aid should suffice. The battle was brutal, but I’ve healed enough to get out of this forest.”

Han-bin’s face hardened. “What if we meet a monster?”

Artis looked up at him, stunned.

“Are you worried about the monsters in this forest with those skills of yours?”

“Yeah, well…”

Now that he didn’t have to hide his identity, he could openly use his strength in front of Artis. Artis shook his head as he looked around the stubble.

“I just came here to get magical materials, but it turned into something big.”

He fought against the Lich, revealed his true form, and found out his porter was an Alien. Artis suddenly put on a serious face.

“Wait, what about the daily fee? Should I pay more combat fee?”

He originally hired Ryu Han-bin only to be a porter. Combat wasn’t in the contract.

“Never mind. There’s no point in calculating the daily fees in this situation.”

Han-bin abruptly asked Artis a question as well. “Speaking of employment, can you hire me for a little longer, Artis?”