I Became A Thief Who Steals Overpowered Skills - Chapter 48

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 48. The Dragon’s Tail

“……I’m going to die.”

A day after Charlot left.

When Krash opened his eyes, he groaned beneath the waves of pain that wracked his entire body.

The sparring match with Charlot had lasted all of three seconds.

Yet it was Krash himself who had wrecked his body worse than her attacks could have—a consequence of pushing beyond his limits.

But there was no helping it.

Against Charlot, he couldn’t afford to conceal his techniques; the only option was to give everything while she was unaware of his full strength.

And because of that, he’d managed to land a blow on that monster of a woman.

Even if it was only at the level of grazing her Aura.

“And that’s worth smiling about?”

Crimson Garden, who had appeared at the window, cut short Krash’s involuntary grin with a sharp remark.

“Well, what else can I do? The preparation took forever, but the technique I’ve been practicing actually worked, and I landed a hit on you, didn’t I?”

The Extinction Flame Sword.

A new secret art that combined the Extinction Erosion and Sudden Draw Technique—concepts Krash had been turning over in his mind for some time.

Its destructive power was without question.

If he continued to refine it, it could become a trump card capable of felling an opponent with a single strike.

‘Honestly, only because it’s Charlot could she have blocked it.’

Among those his age, Krash was certain there wasn’t a soul who could have stopped that technique.

He glanced at Crimson Garden to suggest she ought to be praising him instead, but she clicked her tongue in disappointment.

“I never took my own disciple for someone who’d be delighted over something like this. In truth, you’re just the type who enjoys getting beaten and having your body broken, aren’t you? You’re simply hopeless—a pervert beyond redemption.”
“Don’t paint me in such a light.”

Krash protested against Crimson Garden’s words and slowly pushed himself upright.

Though his body ached in various places, he’d been circulating his Aura steadily since morning.

So at minimum, he could move.

‘Lying around would be a waste of time.’

He needed to bring the Golden Dragon Herb and White Snow Dual-Yang Fungus to Darling so she could prepare an Elixir.

So despite his battered state, Krash rose to his feet.

The door swung open.

At that moment, Krash’s door swung open.

Standing there was Bianca, holding a tray with a bowl of porridge on it.

Bianca’s expressionless gaze met Krash’s eyes.

As Krash froze mid-motion, one hand reaching out to pull on his clothes, Bianca’s eyebrows pinched sharply downward.

Krash recognized that expression—it meant she was annoyed.

“Krash.”
“You need to get up if you want to eat the porridge.”

With that, Krash staggered to the chair and dropped into it with a thud.

Bianca, who had been watching him intently, finally picked up the porridge and set it on the table in front of him.

Krash’s perceptiveness was legendary.

He took a spoonful of the porridge Bianca had given him.

Then it struck him.

‘Bianca made this.’

The porridge was sweet.

And the sweetness was the same as he’d felt when eating the sandwich she made before.

Is this what children’s palates prefer?

Thinking as much, Krash took another spoonful before speaking.

“It’s delicious.”
“Thank you.”

Bianca answered at once.

She clearly had no intention of hiding the fact that she’d made it.

“You’ve been cooking quite a bit lately. Do you enjoy it?”

In the past, Krash had never seen Bianca cook.

Truth be told, he’d seen little of her doing anything else, but when he asked out of curiosity, she leaned against the table, resting her arm on it.

“I like watching you eat.”
“Do I eat in some entertaining way?”
“I’m not entirely sure myself.”

Still, since Bianca seemed to be in good spirits, Krash said nothing more and finished the porridge.

It was a bit sweet, but there was nothing wrong with the taste.

Besides, having something in his stomach brought back a little energy.

After downing the Elixir Bianca had prepared for recovery, Krash stretched lightly.

“I’m going to Danphelion today.”

Krash spoke thus and turned to look at Bianca.

“Come with me?”
“I was planning to follow you anyway.”

As though it were an obvious premise, Bianca rolled over on the bed.

By now accustomed to this, Krash was about to change his clothes when he paused and stared at Bianca.

“Aren’t you going out?”
“Oh.”

Only then did Bianca, rising from the bed, pick up the plate of porridge and look at him.

“Would you like me to help you dress?”
“Do I look like a child to you?”
“You’re hardly a full-grown adult either.”

She’s been talking back more these days.

When Krash gave her a pointed look, suggesting she leave now, Bianca stepped outside.

Seeing her go, Krash changed into fresh clothes and emerged after her.

Bianca was already waiting outside.

As soon as Krash began walking, she trailed along behind him as she always did.

It had become something of a habit by now.

Krash, catching sight of Aliod waiting for him, opened his mouth.

“Aliod, we’re heading to Danphelion.”
“Yes, sir.”

It was time to make the Elixir.

＊ ＊ ＊

The House of Danphelion, renowned for Alchemy.

True to its reputation, the moment Krash’s carriage entered the street, the distinctive scent of medicinal compounds hung in the air.

“It smells.”

As she had before, Bianca, wondering if her nose was simply more sensitive, pinched her nostrils shut.

Given time, one would adapt, but this was unavoidable.

This very scent was the symbol of Danphelion itself.

“We’ve arrived.”

So saying, Krash descended from the now-halted carriage.

Before them stood a manor divided into three sections.

One of these residences was operated entirely for the Alchemy that Danphelion prided itself on most.

And that mansion was where Krash was headed.

“This place is quite pleasant.”
“I asked the Magic Tower to cast a deodorizing spell around the exterior of the mansion.”

Since smell is one of the factors in Alchemy, the interior couldn’t be helped, but at least the outside was covered.

As Krash stepped into the mansion, a library with high ceilings and countless shelves of books greeted him first.

Bianca, who loved books,’s eyes lit up the moment she saw it.

From her reaction, it seemed he should pick up a few volumes on the way back.

Just then, footsteps echoed from deeper within the library.

When Krash looked up, there she was—a golden-haired girl, just as expected.

“Darling, you came?”

Darling Danphelion.

The future Alchemy Master.

“Don’t call me that. Your tone is making me sick.”
“Why? We’ve been through plenty together, haven’t we?”

Darling laughed as if amused by his reaction.

Then she turned to Bianca beside him and waved with a bright smile.

“Hello there, little lady! It’s been a while.”
“Hello.”
“Oh, how adorable.”

Watching Bianca bow politely, Darling beamed as if she’d just seen the cutest creature alive.

Krash handed over the bag he’d brought.

“Golden Dragon Herb and White Snow Dual-Yang Fungus.”
“You actually managed to get these. Impressive.”

She gazed at him with admiration, then glanced sideways.

“How did the medicine perform?”

When Krash’s brow furrowed, Darling couldn’t contain her laughter and burst into uncontrollable fits.

“Ha-ha-ha!”
“I could punch you right now.”
“Wait, wait—I’m dying, heh-heh-heh.”

Watching Darling’s face turn crimson with delight, Krash could only click his tongue.

Only Bianca, unaware of Krash’s earlier transformation, looked on in confusion.

After Darling’s laughter echoed once more, the three of them moved into the Alchemy Hall.

True to its name, the Alchemy Hall was bustling with countless alchemists moving about busily.

They spoke of the experiments each was conducting, and between their conversations, Krash caught sight of exhausted researchers trudging past.

“By the way, little one—though I suppose I can’t call you that anymore, can I? You’ve grown quite a bit. Soon you’ll catch up to me.”
“I’ll catch up this year.”
“Hmm, at that rate, it won’t seem strange to call you my boyfriend anymore.”

She was still saying such things.

Krash glanced nervously at Bianca, but she was too absorbed in examining her surroundings to notice.

“This is my room!”

And so, humoring Darling’s lighthearted remarks, they made their way forward.

Krash had finally arrived at Darling’s room.

As he gazed at the nameplate reading “Darling Danphelion Heart” with tired eyes, she suddenly threw open the door.

“Come on in!”

With an excited expression, she opened the door and ushered Krash and Bianca inside.

Inside was an alchemy laboratory that was far better organized than expected.

Having imagined something like Eveask’s workspace, Krash turned to look at Darling with surprise in his eyes.

“You keep things neat, don’t you.”
“What do you take me for? I like things organized. And alchemy has plenty of dangerous materials—if I didn’t maintain proper order, something could easily go wrong.”

But Darling, now an Alchemy Master, could rarely afford such luxuries.

Those who faced World Erosion every day returned in shambles, leaving her no moment to breathe.

‘These are the peaceful days,’ Krash thought.

He regarded Darling with something like pity.

“So I’m going to craft the Elixir right away. That’s alright with you?”
“I’m honored.”

Apparently all the other materials were already prepared, for she set about crafting the Elixir at once.

In the meantime, Krash settled into a chair with Bianca and watched her work.

Bianca, growing bored, had opened a book and was reading, while Krash gazed intently at Darling’s back.

Watching her figure, so much younger than the image in his memory, stirred in him the echoes of long-ago days.

—Hmm, she certainly has talent.

Crimson Garden, who had been observing Darling’s alchemy, spoke her appreciation for the girl’s skill.

Krash, unfamiliar with alchemy, could only watch, but Crimson Garden seemed to see something he could not.

Nearly an hour had passed in this way.

“Done.”

Darling, having added the final drop of pale red liquid to the round Elixir, wore a satisfied expression.

She turned back to Krash, the Elixir held in her gloved hand.

“Is it done?”
“Yes, it’s finished. An Elixir of unknown name!”

Perhaps because it wasn’t her own formula, Darling spoke with a note of suspicion.

-Ask if there’s a Training Hall. That Elixir is best consumed in an empty space.

Since it was an Elixir that Crimson Garden had ordered made, Krash relayed her words to Darling exactly as they were.

At that, Darling wrapped the Elixir in cloth and told him to follow her.

It seemed Darling had also sensed what the Elixir would do.

“Bianca, we’re heading to the Training Hall.”
“Very well.”

Without lifting her eyes from her book, Bianca climbed down from her chair.

Then, keeping one hand firmly grasping Krash’s collar from behind, she followed along while reading.

It seemed to be an engaging passage.

The place to which he was led, together with Bianca, was an empty Training Hall within the Alchemy Hall.

“This is where we conduct experiments with Elixirs. We have knights on our side too. When someone’s using it, no one enters, so feel free to use it however you need.”

Darling said this and handed the Elixir to Krash.

“Is it all right if I watch you use it?”

When Krash glanced at Crimson Garden, she nodded as well.

“Yes.”

Taking the Elixir from Darling, Krash approached the center of the Training Hall.

Then Crimson Garden fluttered her wings and descended in front of him.

-Swallow the Elixir and sit in lotus position.

At last, the moment to consume the Elixir had come.

Krash swallowed the Elixir whole.

A fishy, bitter taste registered on his tongue, but as he forced it down, a sensation of heat began spreading through his body.

Taking his seat and folding his legs in lotus position, Crimson Garden seemed to smile.

In that expression, Krash sensed something malicious.

And as the Elixir traveled through his body, the sensation of intense heat grew steadily stronger.

“What did I just take?”
“You drank it without even knowing what it was?”

Darling responded with a bewildered expression, as if she knew the question was meant for her.

-The Elixir you consumed is called the Nine Cry Dragon Transformation Pill. It is a miraculous pill said to transform one into a dragon after nine cries of agony.

As Crimson Garden spoke, a surging heat erupted from deep within Krash’s body and swept across his entire frame in an instant.

At the same time, that burning sensation began pricking through his flesh everywhere at once, like countless needles.

Pain was certainly present.

Yet through it all, Krash kept his eyes open, blinking steadily.

-Just endure it nine times. Then you’ll grow stronger. Isn’t bearing pain meant to be your specialty?

Well, it is my specialty, I suppose.

The pain radiating across his body was real enough, but it fell short of unbearable.

‘Has it not started yet?’

Krash had been tense as Crimson Garden’s dire warnings, yet the nine cries she’d promised never came.

Crimson Garden, watching him, began to sense something amiss.

-……You’re unaffected?
“It doesn’t hurt?”

Crimson Garden and Darling asked simultaneously, bewildered.

From their reactions, it seemed the effects should have already manifested by now.

“……There’s certainly some pain, but it’s nowhere near as bad as I expected.”

As he spoke, Krash began to understand what this sensation truly was.

Long ago, there had been a Curse called the Needle Curse—a curse that felt like needles piercing through every inch of one’s body.

This felt remarkably similar to that.

Because the pain was familiar, its shock was dulled.

Then, moments later, a new sensation arose—as though lightning was searing through his insides.

This too resembled one of the curses he’d suffered before.

It was bearable.

After all, it was simply another pain he’d already endured.

-……What exactly have you been through?

Crimson Garden stared at Krash with frank disbelief.

The sight of Krash—not uttering so much as a gasp, let alone the nine cries—struck her as profoundly wrong.

Krash himself felt a certain unease.

Now he understood what Arthur had meant when he said Krash’s body was already broken by curses.

-……Tsk. You’ve only accumulated strange suffering.

Crimson Garden let out a click of her tongue as she regarded the seemingly unblemished Krash.

He had caught on to why Krash showed no particular reaction despite consuming the Nine Cry Dragon Transformation Pill.

—Since it’s come to this, absorb it properly. The more you concentrate, the higher your absorption rate will be.

If that was the case, there was nothing to do but seize this opportunity actively.

Krash took those words to heart and focused on the Elixir’s effects.

—Come now, let’s see if I can’t become a dragon’s tail.

It was time to rise above the serpent’s head.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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