The Transmigrated Author

Clack!

The bishop's skull landed in the center of the crater Garrick's attack had gouged into the floor. Garrick looked around, noting the absence of any trace of Maledictus's body.

"Huh, where'd the bishop go?" he wondered aloud, shielding his eyes with a hand as he scanned the surroundings.

"Did I obliterate him completely?"

"Garrick!" Dawn's voice cut through the smoky haze, sharp with disapproval.

"Are you stupid?"

Garrick turned to see Dawn and Vincent standing unharmed amidst the wreckage, their expressions a mix of exasperation and amusement.

"What did I do now?" he asked, feigning innocence.

"I think you ruined the whole point of subjugating dungeons," Vincent stated dryly, gesturing towards the scene of utter devastation.

Garrick's single slash had torn through multiple layers of the dungeon, leaving a trail of destruction that stretched beyond the chamber's walls.

"Oops! My bad." Garrick shrugged with a cheeky grin, scratching the back of his head. "I guess we'll just continue forward. I'll just watch you guys do the work."

Dawn sighed. "Fine. Let's just get this over with."

As the three captains of the Golden Horizon continued their journey towards the end of the dungeon, Maledictus was left completely ignored in the ruins of his chamber.

Just as he began to regenerate, the sound of loud footsteps echoed from the exit the three men had just taken. Garrick came barreling back down the hallway, pursued by his two exasperated comrades.

"Get back here, Garrick!" Dawn yelled, with Vincent trailing close behind.

"Hey! There's no rule in this dungeon about going in a straight line," Garrick retorted with a laugh. "Let's fight those monsters in the other rooms!"

With a mischievous chuckle, he dove through the entry of the dark portal, leaving his two companions to chase after him once more.

...

...

...

BANG!!!...BANG!!!...BANG!!!

The echoing bangs and screams of monsters from the adjacent chambers filled the ruined sanctuary.

Maledictus, stunned and battered, hesitated to regenerate.

He knew that even a moment of vulnerability would invite those creatures back for another round of chaos.

Yet, as he lay there, a familiar sensation of hatred welled up within him, directed at those blessed with immense power, like the man he had seen in his vision.

"Insolent fools! To wield such power and squander it on mere amusement!"

Maledictus's thoughts echoed in the silence of the chamber.

"They toy with forces they cannot comprehend, like children playing with fire."

It was unbelievable how a human could be so strong without relying on magic.

Maledictus wished he had dedicated more of his previous life to the sword instead of magic.

As the clamour of destruction subsided, he expected to be erased along with the remnants of his chamber.

But to his astonishment, everything around him began to revert back to its original state.

The damage, the broken structures, the very air itself... all returned to undisturbed tranquillity.

"What trickery is this?"

Maledictus seethed, his spectral body flickering with anger.

"To undo this work so effortlessly... They will pay for this insolence."

Maledictus couldn't comprehend what had transpired in the boss's domain.

But one thing remained clear: he yearned to learn the way of the sword, to harness the power he had witnessed firsthand.

"I will master this blade," he vowed, "and when they return, I will not be so easily defeated."

[Flashback Over...]

...

...

...

I shook my head, realizing I was still holding Maledictus's severed head. His eyes flickered slowly, and I was startled to learn I wasn't the first to enter this dungeon.

And wow, I thought, that attack from Garrick was just one of his normal skills?

Destined Rupture was merely a projectile slash, but even through Maledictus's eyes, I had felt the overwhelming power.

Unfortunately for Maledictus, he had zero aura, and the result was that he was stunned by what I assumed was Dominance—the feeling of fear and the struggle to stay focused against Garrick.

There was no telling if this was prime Garrick or post-prime, but it wouldn't have mattered. He was the strongest of the Old Era's Golden Generation.

Though I didn't expect him to be in a special dungeon like this. And the fact that everything returned to normal after their rampage... it didn't make sense.

Dungeons usually crumbled after the boss was defeated.

So how did Garrick and the Golden Horizon escape?

My thoughts were cut off by Maledictus's raspy voice.

"Tell me... warrior, is thou related to that monster?"

I realized he was referring to Garrick, a swordsman on a level far above any other, practically unrivalled in his lifetime.

Even Aurelia, in her prime, might have struggled against him.

There were a few individuals Garrick considered rivals, but only one is still alive today. Their whereabouts remained a mystery.

But how could I know if this body was related to Garrick? It had no parents, no family, no history besides the academy application.

I sighed and looked at Maledictus. "I can assure you I'm not related to him, and he's already dead."

His jaw dropped, and his glowing white eyes flickered once more. "Is that so? How unfortunate... It seems this practice has been a waste."

"Don't say that," I said, my voice softening. "You pushed me to my limits. For that, I thank you."

"Really?"

"Really," I said. "You've done well. Rest now."

I needed to put him out of his misery.

He wouldn't be able to return without his life source.

I felt bad knowing that anyone who encountered Garrick was probably better off dead.

But it was over now.

I picked up the small orb within Maledictus's open skull.

CRUSH!!!

"T-Thank you... warrior."

What's happening?

But before I knew it, something strange began to form at the top of my head.

Ack!

My eyes blurred, and an aching sensation rumbled within me.

"Ahh... my head..."

I think—

FWANG!

[Quest Complete!]

[Special Quest: The one tainted by the unholy void.]

[Description: Defeat the ancient bishop.]

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Authors Notes:

- Garrick's skill: Destined Rupture - Is a combination of Flow and Enhancement Aura and Dominance.