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Hilda smiled lightly, seeming to enjoy the wine.

“Are you saying the regressor is the relic of the Ancient Dragon?”

Theo asked urgently.

Lothbrok spoke.

Theo was in possession of a total of four relics.

However, the relics he remembered were only three.

The dungeon, the Moon-White Sword, and Amon.

So he speculated that something else must be the one that triggered his regression,

“No. It’s not the regression.”

Hilda shook her head with an amused smile.

Theo’s eyes widened.

“Then… what is it?”

“The blessed body that has been passed down exclusively through the Ragnar bloodline. That’s the relic.”

“…!”

“Contrary to the legend, our Ragnar isn’t even truly of Lothbrok’s bloodline. We’re merely sharing ‘the blood of the dragon’ through a pact, but even so, after passing down through over a thousand years, it’s inevitable that the blood gets diluted. As a regressor and a chosen one, you must be aware of this much, right?”

“…Yes.”

“Then why do these traits continue to be passed down? Is it simply because the second ancestor, Sigurd, was good at refining these traits? Even if that were the case, it wouldn’t make sense, right? There hasn’t been a case where these traits have manifested in the collateral lines or other families. Even though there have been quite a few marriage alliances in the past.”

“Are you saying that’s because of the relic?”

“Exactly. The blessing bestowed only upon the . A unique bloodline factor that only manifests in the direct line. That’s the relic.”

“…!”

The relic of the Ancient Dragon was a kind of .

Although it was called a relic, its form could be a mere object, or it could be some specific phenomenon.

“And.”

Was there more?

Theo felt completely drawn into Hilda’s words.

“There are instances where the traits of the bloodline factors manifest even more prominently. That’s exactly.”

“The chosen one… regression ability.”

“Bingo.”

Trickle—

Hilda refilled the empty wine glass as she spoke.

“I don’t know the conditions that trigger the chosen one, or the regressor’s abilities, that are dormant in our genes. The number of times one can regress, that too, I don’t know. If we had known those things, the Ragnar family would’ve already conquered the world by now.”

Theo nodded heavily.

At last, his thoughts felt organized.

‘So, those who awaken as chosen ones gain the ability to regress and the qualification to contact Lothbrok… That’s how it works. But beyond that, the detailed conditions or specifics are still unknown.’

So, here arises a question.

– How many times can I regress?

And another question comes to mind.

– Why doesn’t Hilda mention the ?

‘It’s as if she believes the bloodline factor’s abilities are limited only to the blessed body and regression…’

Theo felt the need to probe a little.

“It could be that the number of regressions is limited to just one, right?”

“Maybe. There have been cases like that. Why? You seem eager to know how many chances you have?”

Hilda twirled her wine glass with a mischievous smile.

Theo, with a bitter smile, nodded.

“I can’t say I’m not curious.”

“Haha, of course. Each chance is an opportunity for you, so it’s natural for it to be important.”

“Is there any way to find out?”

Hilda shook her head.

“No, I don’t know. But there’s something like a ‘feeling.’ A sense that tells you whether you have a few more chances left or if you’re running out.”

“A feeling… So, it’s not concrete.”

“Right. But isn’t even that remarkable?”

Theo nodded silently, but inside, he felt a sense of certainty.

‘The … that’s my ability alone. I’m sure of it.’

Even if it wasn’t unique, at least Hilda didn’t have it.

Her words about it being “not concrete” were proof enough.

At the very least, Theo would get information related to it.

Didn’t a message appear the first time he regressed?

‘It’s not just the messages. The status window, information window, inventory, shop… Everything related to is gone.’

Thump thump thump!

Theo had to suppress his racing heart.

Having an ability that no other chosen ones possessed was clearly a major advantage and a powerful weapon.

It was something he needed to keep hidden from Hilda.

Ding!

[Congratulations! You have successfully uncovered the hidden secrets of the family and solved the surrounding events, completing Tutorial Quest #18.]

[Evaluation: A+]

[You have earned 1 coin as a reward.]

[As an additional reward for your evaluation, all stats have increased by 5.]

[All tutorials have ended.]

[The beginner status has been lifted. All beginner perks will now disappear.]

[You can now fully proceed with the scenario.]

Seeing the messages pop up before his eyes, Theo let out a sigh of relief.

His overall stats had increased by 30, bringing a change similar to what happened when he achieved the Purge Cleansing Technique.

‘Scenario? What is this? It seems like a new stage of the tutorial.’

It was just as Theo was about to ask a question.

[A scenario is a story that uncovers many hidden secrets in this tightly sealed world, leading towards ■■.]

[Upon solving it, you will receive rewards and a portion of causal power.]

[We wish you good fortune.]

‘Causal power?’

Once again, the message wasn’t very helpful.

However, Theo could easily predict that this scenario would be closely tied to the other secrets of the family, the relic of the Ancient Dragon, and the messages.

Especially, the newly introduced “■■” felt like it would be the core theme running through this scenario.

[The main scenario has begun.]

[A quest has arrived.]

+

[Scenario Quest #1]

Maintain your balance amidst the temptations and threats from those who covet your talent.

· Difficulty: A

· Reward: 2 Coins

· Failure penalty: Death

Important turning points will be generated depending on the outcome of this quest.

+

As Theo read through the quest window, his posture stiffened.

Maintain your balance amidst the temptations and threats of various people?

There could only be one reason such a quest appeared at this moment.

‘Damn.’

Theo sensed something unsettling in Hilda’s gaze as she twirled her wine glass while looking at him.

The eyes of a dragon staring at its prey.

Even a hint of madness that had been hidden until now was gleaming in her eyes.

“I’ve answered all of your questions. Now, it’s time for you to answer mine.”

“…Yes. What would you like to know? The life I’ve lived isn’t very long, but I’ll answer with all sincerity.”

“No, there’s no need for that.”

Hilda raised one corner of her mouth.

The sharpness of the fangs visible between her slightly parted lips was striking.

“Because there’s a better way.”

“A better way, you say?”

“Become my disciple.”

“…!”

“I will pass on to you the sword I’ve honed over hundreds of years. The sword that even your father dared not displace me for. Surely, you’re tempted by that.”

“…”

“And.”

Thump! Thump! Thump!

His heart pounded violently.

The sword that Hilda had crafted, reaching a higher level than even Kyle in terms of mastery, was right in front of him.

Hilda seemed to sense Theo’s inner turmoil as she widened her smile and placed something on the table.

Bang!

It was a wooden box.

“I’ll give you this as a gift.”

“What is it?”

“Open it.”

Hilda pushed the wooden box toward him.

The wooden box slid across the table and stopped in front of Theo.

Click!

The moment he opened the lid, Theo’s eyes widened involuntarily.

A crimson heart, about the size of a human head, was pulsating within.

Thump thump thump!

Boom boom boom boom!

In response, Theo’s own heart began to race.

“Looks like a familiar sight to you. Do you know about it from your future knowledge?”

Theo couldn’t deny it.

“Isn’t this… the Heart of Garuda?”

“That’s right.”

Theo swallowed dryly.

When he had first seen Hilda during the Blossoming Ceremony, he had thought about wanting this, but now that it was right in front of him, his hands were trembling.

Garuda was a divine bird with a legend of devouring only the hearts of dragons.

It was one of the few entities considered a natural enemy of dragonkin, alongside the Dragon Slayer Sword.

Of course, a heart imbued with such strength and spiritual energy would be an immense aid to Theo’s future growth.

‘It would essentially eliminate my greatest adversary.’

And now, Hilda was offering to give him this elixir along with swordsmanship if he became her disciple.

It was an overwhelming offer.

“You seem to understand its value, which makes this conversation much easier. I am not like Kyle. I don’t waste time making successors compete against each other in futile games. I’ll have only one proper disciple, whom I will fully support.”

“…”

“Come to me, Theo. I will grant you a power that no other regressor has ever attained.”

Theo silently stared at the Heart of Garuda.

Thump thump thump!

The heart was still beating strongly, almost as if it were alive.

It was said to be a creature that walked the line between life and death. The vitality it emanated seemed to reach him even now.

However,

Bang!

Theo firmly closed the lid of the wooden box and bowed his head.

Hilda’s previously confident expression hardened.

“I’m sorry.”

“Why? Do you find my offer lacking?”

“No, it’s far more than I deserve.”

“Then why?”

Theo lifted his bowed head.

His eyes, calm and deep, reflected Hilda’s face within them.

“I don’t want to be dragged into the political conflict between the two of you as a pawn.”

Hilda tilted her head, seemingly unable to comprehend.

“Political conflict? I’m not sure what you mean. As you know, I stepped down from the headship of the family decades ago. It’s already Kyle’s era. How could I interfere with that?”

“Yes. Even if you reveal yourself again, it would be difficult for you to reclaim the throne of Ragnar.”

“Then why…?”

“But sitting behind the throne is still a very real possibility, isn’t it?”

Theo didn’t miss the fact that Hilda’s face was gradually losing its expression.

Instead, another emotion that had been lurking beneath the surface began to rise.

Madness.

“If you place me on the throne as your disciple, it would be no different from having all of Ragnar in your hands.”

– Hilda still harbored a strong attachment to power.

This was the conclusion Theo had drawn after observing the illusion outside the fortress, their previous conversations, and Hilda’s various actions.

He didn’t know why she had stepped down from the position of head of the family in the past or why she was now trying to reclaim power.

But all of it had one thing in common.

Greed.

Just as the Emperor of the Mad Dragon had used his regression abilities for personal gain, trying to manipulate Ragnar for his own benefit, Hilda also used her abilities for similar reasons.

– Could this be the very limitation of a regressor that Kyle had mentioned?

It was inevitable that Hilda and Kyle would clash soon.

Although Theo had not witnessed such a thing in his previous life, with these two powerful figures, it wasn’t surprising that they would have already engaged in covert conflicts behind the scenes.

“Kyle will never let a regressor live. For now, he’s letting you be out of whim, but eventually, that blade will be aimed at your neck. However, under my protection, you’ll be safe.”

Hilda no longer hid her impending power struggle with Kyle, instead laying it out openly.

Theo shook his head.

“I’m someone who seeks to claim the throne with my own hands. I’ll stand on my own, without my father’s favor or your protection, Hilda.”

“…Is that so. Now I see clearly why Kyle wants to keep watching you.”

Hilda smiled bitterly, recognizing the unwavering determination in Theo’s gaze.

It was not something that could be broken with mere words.

So,

“It can’t be helped, then.”

In an instant, Hilda’s eyes were completely overtaken by madness.

Theo instinctively tried to move away from the table.

But Hilda’s hand slammed against the table first.

Bang!

Whoosh!

The world around Theo flipped upside down.

Complete, pitch-black darkness.

There was no table, no Heart of Garuda, no Hilda.

Not even Theo himself.

All of his senses were buried in the darkness, and even his own presence vanished.

This was Hilda’s glass realm.

「There has never been a single thing I desired that I failed to acquire. Even if I had to try multiple times, even if it meant destroying my opponent, I always got what I wanted in the end.」

Hilda’s voice echoed like a chilling reverberation from all directions.

「So do you think I won’t have you?」

She was declaring that she would imprison him here until his will broke.