REAPER SCANS

Regressing as the Reincarnated Bastard of the Sword Clan

[Translator – Mr.Ghost]

[Proofreader – Harley]

Chapter 34 - The Awakening Ceremony (4)

Hatchling. Originally, it was a word referring to newly hatched dragon species, but over time, it became used to specify babies of higher dragon species.

Black Snow's discovery, the ‘Hatchling's Lair,’ was precisely that—a Hatchling's dwelling.

But ‘baby’ didn't imply weakness.

A young dragon was still a dragon, especially one descended from a higher dragon species, renowned for its intelligence and magical abilities.

Its power dwarfed anything an ordinary human could withstand, and given the ferociously protective nature of higher dragons towards their young, hunting a Hatchling meant challenging an entire ‘brood’.

So not only were they rare, but encountering one usually meant death.

This held true even for the Ragnar Clan. Rumored to have inherited Dragon Blood, they revered Hatchlings, making caution their mantra.

‘Oddly enough, the Hatchling’s Lair didn’t have any adult dragons present.’

The Black Snow had initially tensed at their discovery, fearing they had trespassed on forbidden ground, yet a thorough search revealed only a Hatchling.

That was when greed took hold of Black Snow.

The legend that dragons love treasure held true. Deep within the lair laid a hoard of gold, jewels, and lost historical texts.

‘But one prize outshone the rest.’

The Amon Grimoire.

Why a book linked to demons, known enemies of dragon-kind, resided there remained a mystery. However, it was enough to ignite a spark in the eyes of the Black Snow.

Amon was a formidable being, even holding the moniker of ‘King of the Old Gods’.

A grimoire bearing such a name would significantly bolster the Ragnar Clan's power. And so, the Ragnar Clan slew the Hatchling and claimed the grimoire.

Theo didn't know the aftermath.

He heard it went to one of the heirs, but it never resurfaced. He could only suspect that someone colluding with the Black Snow possessed it.

‘But what if that grimoire was in fact a relic of the Primordial Dragon, guarded by the Hatchling…?’

His conversation with Kirson made it clear that Black Snow knew about the existence of relics.

In fact, they likely possessed several already. The retrieval of the grimoire was undoubtedly part of their efforts to gather more relics.

‘And it’s not just the Black Snow. Axion and the Sky Dragon are probably collecting them too.’

Theo wanted to secure it first, before they could find out about the existence of the grimoire.

Like the White Moonlight Blade, it would likely prove a potent weapon.

‘Now, how can I get down there…?’ Theo narrowed his eyes.

The ravine's blue glow was too distant for a straightforward descent. The blizzard raged, hindering visibility and balance.

‘There has to be another way.’

Theo tried to recall the Black Snow's method, then reached back towards the Zweihander, still resonating with the blue light.

“Seems I need to first dispose of some pests,” he turned, muttering.

Whooooosh…!

Only the wind howled, nothing visible. However, his senses, honed by the Dragon Heart, told a different story.

Three. That was the number of people who had been watching him since a moment ago.

Shing—

Theo turned his body, drawing his Zweihander.

His magic power surged, igniting the Dragon Heart and dantian.

«Magic Power Resonance - Dragon’s Claw»!

With a flash of light…

Slaaaaash!

KABOOM—!

The flash ripped across the ground, pulverizing a distant boulder.

The friction melted the snow around it, and the disruption of the air even made the blizzard falter.

Three swordsmen landed, scattered across the shattered rock.

“What was that power…?”

“What the hell?! He wasn't this strong three days ago!”

“I think we might be in over our heads.”

They stared at Theo, stunned by his tremendous growth since the 1st Stage.

However, Theo saw not ‘fear’ but ‘fighting spirit’ in their eyes. Or perhaps ‘amusement’ was a better description.

It was the face of a hunter who had found amusing prey.

“Hyde, Kao, Roon. What are you three doing here?” Theo narrowed his eyes, studying their faces.

“Well, I'll be! Hey, Kao, Roon! The great valedictorian remembers our lowly names! What should we do? I’m so honored.” Hyde, their leader, bellowed with laughter.

Kao and Roon chuckled alongside him.

Theo's eyes narrowed further.

He was familiar with Hyde and his gang. In fact, it would be hard for him not to be.

‘The Three Scoundrels of Vuk Mountain,’ Theo remembered.

The biggest downside to Ragnar’s pursuit of the Rule of the Strong was that it cultivated too much of the scum of the earth—like these three.

Even against civilians, if deemed as ‘enemies’, they pillaged and burned without hesitation.

Notably, the massacre at a village in the Vuk Mountain was so horrific that it brought bad publicity even by Ragnar standards.

‘The publicized numbers were 761 dead and over 220 missing. A large mountain village was wiped out, resulting in countless complaints.’

He was intimately familiar with the incident and their atrocity as it was he who had cleaned up their mess.

Because they were the worst hoodlums of his generation, and he had intended to deal with them eventually.

Yet here they were, following him… This smelled fishy.

“Is it Axion?”

“Huh? Why are you bringing that guy up?” Hyde tilted his head, then laughed. “Oh, you think he sent us? Give us some credit. We have our pride, you know. We aren’t gonna be errand boys for someone our age. Not to mention, we never liked those hoity-toity scaled circled jerkers or whatever.”

Theo recalled Axion's glare. He was confident that Axion was scheming something.

Yet this wasn’t something planned by him?

“Then who is it?” Theo asked.

“Someone far above you. Someone a lowly bastard like you could ever imagine.”

Theo’s eyes narrowed to slits, “So the Head Councilor.”

“…What?” Hyde flinched.

“Got it in one.”

“How did you…?!”

“It was just a guess. You shouldn’t be so easy to read.”

“You little shit!” Hyde flushed with anger, realizing he had been played by the bastard child he had looked down on.

“I know the Head Councilor doesn’t like me. I bet a purist like him despises the fact that a lowborn became valedictorian.”

* * *

Reaper Scans

[Translator – Mr.Ghost]

[Proofreader – Harley]

Join our discord for updates on releases! https://dsc.gg/reapercomics

* * *

Bloodline purists. Bigots who believed only those of reputable blood deserved the Ragnar name.

Led by Head Councilor Wolfgang, they were a disease that had long been festering within the Clan.

And they were an obstacle Theo failed to overcome in his past life.

It seemed history was repeating itself.

“Judging by the absence of proctors, some of them must also be colluders.”

“Huh! You’re sharper than you look. How does it feel to be so smart, you shithead?”

“Have you given up on secrecy?”

“What does it matter? You're about to be dead meat.”

Despite his cocky demeanor, Hyde knew they had to kill Theo now or they would be dead.

‘Even after their atrocity on Vuk Mountain, they were released without punishment on Wolfgang’s orders. So, they were already connected during this time,’ Theo speculated.

The Three Scoundrels were one of the Council's dogs.

Theo wondered how many more men like this he’d have to face. It was something he had to consider seriously.

‘Gathering relics means I will have to eventually face Black Snow… The Sky Dragon, Black Snow, and now the Bloodline Purists. There are so many to handle.’

However, he had zero intention of stopping. These were mountains he had to climb to seize the throne of Ragnar.

“It’s a shame we have to soil the great Winter Mountains with lowborn blood,” Hyde said while drawing his sword.

Shhring—

Hyde continued, “But I guess it doesn’t matter since you'll be quickly buried and forgotten if I just toss you down that cliff.”

Kao and Roon chimed in while slowly flanking Theo.

“You should have known your place, bastard child. You could've lived longer if you didn't try to stand out. Heheh!”

“Should have realized you were getting too big for your britches. Boasting even though you became valedictorian by luck. Or learning from the Lady Plum Blossom… Ridiculous.”

“Hey, don't be too mean to him. He's donating us a nice parting gift,” said Hyde, his greedy gaze fixed on Theo's Zweihander.

The Taotie Sword.

The rumor of the Demon Craftsman Kirson gifting a greatsword to Theo had already spread all over Wintera.

Kao and Roon licked their lips, excited about their haul.

“You’re right. Let's give him a quick, merciful death then.”

“Nah. Let him live a bit longer. As a thank you.”

“You sicko. You're thinking about torture again, aren’t you?”

“Busted! Hehehe.”

They joked as if Theo were already theirs.

It was clear they had done this multiple times before. Even though they were children, barely fifteen…

‘I knew it. They don’t deserve to be spared,’ Theo decided, sick of listening to them.

Theo inspected the Zweihander in his hands.

[Drake Blade

· Type: Zweihander, Relic Component

· Attack: 30-50 (80-115)

· Requirements: 90 Strength, 30 Dexterity

· Effects:

- Chance of critical hit on impact

- Reduces hit target's defense by 30

- 50% chance of wound aggravation

- Indestructible]

The greatsword, forged from Lesser Drake parts, Adamant, and other rare materials, was impressive.

Not only did it have a chance for increased damage, but it also reduced the enemy’s defense. Perfect for human combat.

But out of all the effects, the most notable one for Theo was the chance of wound aggravation.

Lesser Drakes were dangerous not just for their size and strength but for the poison on their claws and teeth. Even a slight scratch could rot flesh.

That very same poison now resided within this Zweihander.

Kirson had told him when handing him the sword, “I’m not fully sure what I created, but I can say this for certain. I'm giving something outrageous to a baby who can barely walk.”

To Kirson, Theo was a mere fledgling, and this weapon was something that even she considered dangerous.

“Hey, can you even lift that thing?” Hyde sneered, greed in his eyes.

Theo's slender frame and the massive Zweihander were a comical sight to him.

“It is heavy. But…”

[Strength: 101]

“…not it’s not to a point that I can’t wipe the floor with you.”

Crack, crack—

Theo’s body slowly started transforming.

He allocated all the stat points he saved up over the last three days into [Strength].

[Your Strength has exceeded 100.]

[A hidden function has been unlocked. Strength is now imbued with Colossal Might.]

[Colossal Might

· Type: Special Ability

· Effect: Increases destructive power of wielded weapons, +5% increase in attack power for 5 seconds upon hitting a target.]

Suddenly, the Drake Blade felt lighter. Reaching triple-digit [Strength] had indeed triggered a change.

A ferocious aura erupted from Theo.

Fwhoooosh—

[Skill: «Lesser Drake's Fear» engulfs the battlefield!]

Thump-thump-thump—!

His heart started racing.

The ground trembled, unsettling Hyde and his gang.

“What the…? What’s happening…?” Hyde paled, sensing imminent danger.

“Too late,” Theo attacked, leaving them no time to react.

Slash!

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