Chapter 63

# Chapter 63: <Just Flip It>

Kale immediately asked the black dragon.

"How can you sense a mana scent from something that isn't alive?"

Mana. It referred to the power that existed in nature.

At first glance, it might seem like an ancient power similar to superhuman abilities, but it also felt like an ancient power generated in specific places. However, these two were clearly different.

The difference was whether it could remain or not.

Mana disappears the moment one dies. However, ancient power can remain.

The black dragon answered lightly.

"It seems to be because of the swamp. The swamp is controlling the mana scent inside from escaping."

Control?

Kale's expression changed strangely. But the black dragon remained silent. The whale siblings, as well as On and Hong, moved closer to Kale and the black dragon.

Then, the black dragon's voice echoed in Kale's mind.

-I'm perceptive.

Kale and the black dragon's eyes met.

-I can feel the power of your shield, like the wind, from that swamp.

"Ha!"

Kale couldn't help but let out a laugh that sounded like an exclamation. The corner of the black dragon's mouth, who had taken off his mask, curled up. Kale's mouth also slightly turned upward.

Ancient power.

It meant there was ancient power in that swamp. Moreover, it was highly likely that it was related to the keyword 'control.'

'This is the first time.'

It was the first time he had discovered ancient power not mentioned in the books. Of course, he didn't know if the ancient power was left by someone or naturally generated in that place.

"You're really smart."

"Right. I'm smart."

The eyes of those watching the black dragon and Kale, who were smiling at each other with a sinister look, were filled with even greater doubt.

"Master, can you understand what's going on? The dragon's mana scent?"

Kale turned his head to look at Witira. Though she was asking, her eyes already showed that she had a rough idea of the situation.

"I have a rough idea. There's a high probability that there's a dragon's corpse in that swamp."

"...A corpse?"

"Yes. But it's likely to be in a mummy form, having been dead for quite some time."

Kale only knew about the Dark Forest where Chai Han had lived for decades from 'The Birth of a Hero.' But there were many important details in it.

<There was always a war for survival here because there was no ruler.>

There was no ruler.

At least, there had been no dragon in the Dark Forest for the decades Chai Han had lived. Additionally, the book mentioned that people had never discovered a dragon's lair or a dragon in the Dark Forest.

'A very old corpse.'

Kale tapped his pants, looking down at the sensation. Hong pointed to the swamp with a disgusted look on his face.

"I can't drink that water, right?"

At the mention of a dragon's corpse, Hong's appetite seemed to have disappeared. Kale, who hadn't heard his own answer, saw Hong apologizing to the black dragon nearby.

"Sorry. I thought it would be delicious."

"It's fine."

The black dragon answered with a puzzled expression.

"The thing inside and I are different. There's no connection."

Indeed, dragons had no concept of kinship. Only individual entities existed. Kale, looking at the black dragon who seemed completely unaffected, spoke.

"I thought the mermaid might have become stronger due to the swamp's poison. After all, the mermaid's main weapon is mermaid poison."

The whale siblings, Paseon and Witira, looked at him.

"But now, I think the residual dead mana in the swamp might have had a greater impact. Or both."

Kale looked at the siblings.

'If it's poison, I can take it and find a way to detoxify it. But if it's the dead mana of a dragon, it's a different story.'

Kale could see Witira's deeply furrowed brows. Paseon kept examining the black swamp and the surrounding terrain. His voice sounded hopeless.

"...It's too wide."

Witira continued.

"I'm not sure how to handle this."

The cause of the mermaid's strength had been narrowed down to two possibilities, but there was no clear solution. If it was poison, they could try something, but the problem after that was difficult.

"We can't prevent anyone from entering the Dark Forest. We can't guard this black swamp either."

Witira looked at the black swamp. A dragon's corpse. It was a problem she had never considered. The size of the swamp, which could even submerge a giant dragon, made her mind a bit complicated.

Dragons grow in size three times at certain points in their lives. Once all growth is complete, the size of an adult dragon is truly enormous. It was about 5 meters larger than herself, a humpback whale.

Then, Kale's voice came.

"It's simple."

A peaceful voice. Witira turned her head. Kale had already walked to the edge of the black swamp and was looking at it. He was smiling.

"First, collect as much of the swamp water as you need."

Kale turned his gaze from the swamp to Witira.

"Then, we'll make a new deal."

"...A deal?"

Seeing Witira's puzzled expression, Kale's smile deepened.

'I didn't plan to do this, but...'

Originally, he intended to have them collect the cause of the mermaid's strength and then leave. But the situation had changed.

'The residual dead mana is dangerous.'

The mermaid, being a dark attribute race, could have consumed the dead mana. But for other natural attribute whale people or humans, it was just a harmful poison.

There was no reason to strengthen an unknown enemy and leave a harmful poison for himself.

Additionally, a new benefit had appeared.

Even if it's a mummy, the dragon's bones remain.

And ancient power.

"Right. We'll make a new deal."

"What does that have to do with solving this situation?"

Witira unconsciously stroked the whip wrapped around her arm. A sense of anticipation bloomed in her heart. And Kale fulfilled that anticipation.

"I'll solve it for you."

He answered lightly, as he always did. But his appearance was never light. Witira, after moving her lips a few times, asked.

"How?"

Witira could see the vitality in Kale's eyes. It was the first time she had seen such lively eyes in him. He pointed to the swamp and answered firmly.

"I'll flip it over."

"...What?"

Witira looked at the black swamp. A huge black swamp. How could he do it? Staring blankly at the swamp, Kale's voice came again.

"You don't need to think too hard about it, right?"

She looked at Kale again. Only then did she clearly see his smiling face. He looked happy.

"I'll get rid of it. So, make a deal with me."

Kale imagined what was about to happen.

This is the Dark Forest. A place where nothing would seem strange no matter what happens. A place where anything could be disguised as a simple accident and denied.

"Master."

It was a deal condition that Witira couldn't refuse.

"Let's make a deal."

Kale and Witira agreed to make a deal again.

"But I don't have any specific deal content right now."

"Whenever Master Kale thinks of a deal condition, please let me know. We'll accept it within a reasonable range. I, Witira, said this by my name, so don't worry."

Kale nodded roughly at her words. In fact, he didn't need her to accept the deal conditions. The dragon's bones and ancient power were enough to make it worth trying.

"By the way, the byproducts that come out after flipping the swamp are mine."

"...Alright."

Witira, though she was a bit reluctant about the dragon's bones, decided not to covet them. The whale people, being strong not only on land but also in the sea, could have been rulers.

But water was also a weakness. In water, in swamps. If the swamp's water and mud were poison, it would be a difficult environment for the whale people.

Kale, hearing Witira's answer, decided to proceed immediately. He stood at the boundary between the black swamp and the ground, waving his hand at the group.

"Go away."

Question marks appeared in the group's eyes. But Kale, who was busy, firmly repeated to the group who didn't understand.

"Go to the forest we came from and stay quiet. Don't come out until I call you."

Kale continued while unfolding his magic bag.

"You might get poisoned or hurt."

Paseon, who had been listening quietly, spoke.

"Master, are you planning to do this alone?"

"Not alone."

The black dragon answered for Kale. Paseon, who had turned his head unconsciously at the sound, was startled. A clear mana fluctuation was visible around the black dragon. A mist-like ripple was swirling around the black dragon.

The black dragon had found an opportunity to fully use his power.

"We'll do it together, so go away."

"Master Kale, I can't predict your limits."

Kale, hearing Witira's words casually, stroked On and Hong's heads. Hong's ears and tail were drooping.

"You guys also go away. On, take care of Hong. And Hong, I'll bring the swamp's poison, so wait."

Hong, looking up at Kale who was speaking casually, nodded and approached the black dragon.

"Be careful. Don't get hurt."

"Got it."

The black dragon nodded obediently to Hong's words and remained still as Hong patted his front paw on his body. Kale, thinking the kids were getting along well, threw