Chapter 265

Theo felt his pride wounded for the first time in this life.

Perhaps it was due to the vow he'd made to never again let something of his be taken away or injured. A wave of humiliation from his past life surged within him.

“Is it chasing me?”

Although he was running at full speed to ensure it couldn’t follow, there were no signs of pursuit.

Eventually, he stumbled upon a secluded cave and quickly entered it. After setting up a barrier at the entrance and completely masking his presence, he finally felt at ease.

“Umbra, it’s okay now. Let me heal you.”

Deep inside the cave, he started a small fire and prepared to bring Umbra out, but the wyvern remained curled up in the shadows, paralyzed with fear.

“Umbra, it’s safe now.”

After much coaxing, Umbra cautiously emerged from the shadows.

“The injuries are worse than I thought.”

The once-majestic wings were shredded beyond recognition, and holes riddled its body and legs.

For an ordinary wyvern, these wounds would have been instantly fatal.

But it wasn’t just the physical pain Theo could sense from Umbra. There was a profound sense of loss and sadness emanating from the creature.

This wasn’t just about the injuries—what had caused them was far more significant. The attacker was Umbra’s kin.

Theo didn’t know if the monsters inhabiting the Beastlands held familial bonds, but at least for wyverns, it seemed they did.

Half-wyvern as it was, Umbra had undoubtedly yearned for such a connection. Yet, meeting its kin here for the first time, only to be attacked and nearly killed, left Umbra reeling in shock.

The despair amplified the pain, exacerbating its wounds.

“I’m here for you.”

Theo gently stroked Umbra, pulling out medical supplies from his inventory and swiftly beginning first aid.

Fortunately, thanks to the wyvern medical techniques he’d learned from the White Scale Dragoons, Theo’s treatment was precise and efficient.

Screeech!

Hearing Umbra’s cries of pain, Theo’s chest tightened.

Blood flowed without stopping, and its body flickered as if its form were on the verge of disintegration.

Umbra’s unfocused eyes locked onto Theo, its labored breathing evident.

The sight of the wyvern’s pain reopened an old wound in Theo’s heart, a memory of a day long buried.

“Why does this remind me of Wellington…?”

That fateful day rose vividly in his mind.

And then, the connection struck him.

“All three of us were illegitimate.”

The realization brought a wry smile to his lips. Fate seemed determined to entangle him in tragic irony.

『What happened? No—who dared to tear the wings of a wyvern like this?!』

“You’re here, Lodbrok.”

『I felt the strong distress of your bonded and reached out. How did this child come to be in such a state?』

Even through the mental connection, Lodbrok’s anger was palpable. At the same time, there was deep concern, which Theo appreciated more than he could express.

Umbra, too, seemed to sense it, tears pooling in its eyes.

“It was Viper’s attack. It’s my fault that Umbra ended up like this.”

Guilt gripped Theo’s chest, and his hands trembled as an overwhelming wave of emotion threatened to consume him.

『Compose yourself. First, handle the torn wings with care.』

The steadiness in Lodbrok’s tone helped Theo calm his shaking hands.

Through their connection, Lodbrok began detailing meticulous treatments even the White Scale Dragoons hadn’t taught him.

『Carefully wrap the bandages and let a little of your blood flow into your bonded.』

“Understood.”

Theo pulled out a blade, making a shallow cut on his palm, and let his blood trickle gently into Umbra’s wounds.

“Hold on just a bit longer.”

Screech—screech—

Although Umbra flinched in pain, it didn’t convulse or lash out, which was a relief.

“I can see exactly where to treat now.”

The clarity came suddenly, as if an invisible barrier had lifted. Torn flesh and gaping wounds that had been indistinguishable moments ago now clearly revealed where stitches were needed and what areas to avoid.

『You’re starting to see it, aren’t you?』

“See what?”

『The anatomy of the dragonkin. You’ve instinctively recognized where danger lies and avoided it. That’s a gift. Just moments ago, if you’d touched the wrong spot, the bleeding would have been unstoppable.』

The thought sent a chill down Theo’s spine.

“I’m so grateful you’re here, Lodbrok.”

With those words, Theo refocused on the task, meticulously tending to even the smallest wounds.

By the time he finished, beads of sweat poured from his forehead like rain. He secured the final bandage and infused one last drop of his blood into Umbra’s wounds before stepping back.

“You’ve done well.”

Wiping the sweat from his brow, Theo gently stroked Umbra’s head.

Despite the rough and lengthy procedure, Umbra had trusted him and remained still throughout. Theo felt an overwhelming surge of affection for the creature.

At that moment, a wave of emotion washed over him, warm and poignant.

Following its source, he saw Umbra blinking at him, its gratitude shining in its eyes.

“I’m sorry, and thank you, Umbra.”

Then, as he stroked Umbra’s head once more—

Whoosh—

A soft, radiant light emanated from his palm and passed over Umbra.

Where their skin met, a faint, luminous aura appeared, flickering briefly before dissipating like an illusion.

“Did I imagine that?”

The light had been too vivid to dismiss as a trick of the mind, yet its meaning eluded him. For a moment, panic set in, fearing he might have made a mistake during the treatment.

But that worry faded when Umbra rested its head on Theo’s lap and drifted into a peaceful sleep.

『Its breathing has stabilized. For a first attempt, you’ve done remarkably well.』

“Thank you, Lodbrok.”

Finally, Theo’s racing heart began to calm.

But a thought lingered in his mind: Umbra needed to evolve.

Without its wings, Umbra would experience an unbearable sense of loss upon waking. Theo resolved to provide it with the strength to move forward.

Carefully tucking Umbra back into the shadows, Theo stood.

Even with the barrier in place, there was no guarantee Viper wouldn’t catch the scent of blood and track them here.

He needed to keep moving.

As he moved, Theo resumed hunting nearby Grade-2 beasts, hoping to gather the remaining bloodstones.

“Three more to go.”

The gnawing sense of urgency grew stronger. He wanted to finish the task before the day ended, but darkness was already falling.

And with the night came the beasts.

The nocturnal creatures were more ferocious, and the spectral kind, like Viper, grew stronger in the dark.

For now, Theo decided to retreat, finding another cave farther from where he’d last encountered Viper.

The new shelter was compact, with an entrance just large enough for two people. It seemed defensible.

But as Theo stepped inside—

“The smell of people?”

The air carried a distinctly human scent, faint but unmistakable.

“They left a few days ago. But who? In the Beastlands?”

If this were anywhere else, it wouldn’t have been so concerning. But here, in the heart of the Beastlands, it could only mean trouble.

“Should I find another spot? Or kill them if they return?”

In a place like this, the only plausible explanation was the involvement of the Sacred Demon Cult.

Screeech!

A bone-chilling cry echoed from outside.

The beasts of the night were growing restless.

“I need to hide Umbra. If Viper targets the shadows again, I won’t be able to protect him.”

Determined, Theo reinforced his barrier and steeled himself. This shelter would have to suffice.

Drawing his sword, he turned sharply toward the entrance, his senses on high alert.

“I didn’t sense them until they were right at the door.”

The realization startled him. With his heightened perception, such stealth was almost unheard of.

“At least Nine Dragon caliber, or even higher…”

The cave was spacious enough for combat, so Theo held his ground.

“The barrier reacted, so I came to investigate. It seems it’s not a beast, but a man.”

***

Standing over two meters tall, the man's imposing figure was unforgettable.

His face, marred by countless scars, told of battles hard-fought. A horned helmet adorned his head, with what appeared to be bull horns attached to either side. In his hand, he wielded a massive greataxe that looked heavy even from a distance.

“A true powerhouse.”

Theo immediately recognized that this man was someone he couldn’t guarantee victory against, even in his current state. His entire body tensed instinctively, his nerves on edge.

Yet outwardly, his expression remained calm, almost serene. A warrior of this caliber would have already sensed Theo’s readiness to clash, so there was no point in feigning nonchalance. His instincts dictated his stance.

The man removed his helmet, revealing thick, light-brown hair, and set the greataxe aside. From his coat, he produced a pipe, lighting it with a calm, deliberate motion. His piercing blue eyes focused intently on Theo, scrutinizing him.

“No need for us to waste energy on unnecessary caution. If you’re here to rest, why don’t we both save our strength?”

The man spoke casually, seating himself across from Theo with an air of relaxed confidence.

Theo, however, didn’t trust his words so easily. This man might have appeared at ease, but his aura carried an ever-present threat, as though he could strike at any moment.

“You’re from Ragnar, aren’t you?”

A chill raced through Theo’s spine, his hair standing on end.

The sheer weight of the man’s presence was suffocating, as if a giant hand had clenched around his heart.

This wasn’t simply arrogance born of skill. This man had known Theo’s identity from the very beginning.

“He already recognized me… But how?”

Then Theo’s gaze fell upon the greataxe, and something clicked.

“I’ve seen that weapon before.”

The realization struck like lightning.

“Why is he here?”n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

This was Van Harald, the Wielder of the Blue-Gold Greataxe, a man also known as the Sea Sovereign or the Ocean King.

“He has no business being in the Winter Mountains… not yet.”

In Theo’s past life, during his time with the Black Snow Society, Van Harald had once appeared in the Beastlands for reasons unknown. His covert presence had stirred significant buzz, particularly because it had gone unnoticed by Ragnar.

“You know I’m from Ragnar, yet you radiate this kind of pressure?”

Theo’s voice carried the sharp edge of defiance as a whirlwind of energy erupted around him, a force so fierce it seemed to shake the air itself.

“Hmph. I was merely curious about the legendary aura of Ragnar’s warriors. No harm intended, young one. Shall we share this space in peace?”

Harald dismissed the tension with a casual laugh, withdrawing his oppressive aura and gesturing for Theo to sit.

“He doesn’t seem to mean harm, but…”

The records Theo had seen described Harald as a man who avoided unnecessary bloodshed. His demeanor now didn’t contradict that reputation, but Theo kept a measure of caution as he took a seat across from the man.

“And you? What brings you here? This isn’t exactly a place for casual travelers.”

Exhaling a plume of smoke, Harald lit a small fire with gathered branches. Thanks to the cave’s narrow entrance, the space quickly warmed.

“I’m here on personal business. But you, sir—what reason do you have to be in a place like this? You hardly seem like someone who belongs here.”

Theo’s curiosity was genuine. Harald’s disappearance from the public eye following his time in the Beastlands had left his fate a mystery.

“If he vanished here, the reason must be tied to this place.”

Harald’s expression shifted, shadowed by the flickering firelight. It was impossible to tell if the change was due to the play of shadows or something deeper.

“There’s definitely a story here.”

Harald’s face bore an unspoken complexity, a mix of emotions that hardened his features.

“I came to take care of some personal matters. I won’t be here long.”

With another puff of smoke, Harald exhaled deeply, the expression in his blue eyes distant and melancholic.

“Personal matters? Is that why he disappeared here?”

In Theo’s past life, Harald had likely been in the Beastlands alone before his disappearance. The lack of news afterward strongly suggested he hadn’t survived.

For someone of Harald’s reputation, his continued existence would have been impossible to keep secret.

“If I can win him over, he could be a tremendous asset for Ragnar.”

If a warrior of Harald’s caliber could be brought into the fold, Ragnar’s strength would increase exponentially.

“Is there anything I can help you with?”

“Hmm? If you’re looking to gain something from me, I’ll have to decline.”

Harald chuckled, momentarily widening his eyes in surprise at the offer before waving it off with a dismissive shake of his head.

“Wandering these vast Beastlands alone seems inefficient. Surely traveling together would be safer?”

“True, but I wouldn’t want to drag you into this. What I’m dealing with is far too dangerous for you to involve yourself.”

Theo’s earnest tone and demeanor seemed to prompt Harald to sit straighter, the air between them growing heavier with meaning.

“This won’t be easy.”

Winning over someone of Harald’s caliber was no simple task, but Theo remained focused. Even if full cooperation wasn’t possible, understanding the man’s purpose here would be invaluable.

“Might I ask what it is you’re pursuing?”

Harald paused, his blue eyes reflecting the firelight as he studied Theo intently.

“I’m hunting the kings of the Beastlands. I’ve already killed one.”