CH 1

Chapter 1: [Nameless No. 1]

There has been a frenzy over mysterious disappearances in the rural area of the Kingdom of Adia.

It is said that near the abandoned village that was devastated by a monster disaster, a series of missing persons cases have occurred frequently.

My mission this time is to investigate the abandoned underground space of the church, which is suspected to be the hiding place of the culprit.

As I walked through the dark corridor of the abandoned underground church, I felt someone’s presence.

I drew my sword from its sheath and remained alert.

At the end of the corridor, there was a large altar.

A thin man was observing me from atop the altar.

He had a bald head, pale skin, and appeared lifeless.

However, the glowing red eyes he possessed showed a malevolent life.

There is no doubt, he is the feared “Undead King, Gnome.”

Originally, he was an unfortunate alchemist who became obsessed with research and violated prohibitions.

The number of victims who fell into his hands has reached thousands.

He has been missing for over fifty years and was believed to be dead.

“So, you’re the one standing in the way of my righteousness... judging by your appearance, you’re a knight, aren’t you?”

Gnome smiled as he looked at me.

I didn’t answer and approached him.

“Hah, all alone? And without the Dragon Crest, too.”

Gnome mocked me with those words.

The Dragon Crest is a metal badge given to high-ranking knights, and they are required to wear it on their chests wherever they are assigned.

There are three types: “Bronze Dragon Crest,” “Silver Dragon Crest,” and “Gold Dragon Crest.”

Especially the “Gold Dragon Crest” is only given to the ten strongest knights in the Kingdom.

I don't have any association with such matters.

I have never been bestowed even with the “Bronze Dragon Crest.”

And I am certain I will never receive it.

“You brat... let me tell you, I have killed the holder of the ‘Gold Dragon Crest.’ And if it’s an ordinary knight, the number is countless. You must have thought this would be an easy investigation, but how unfortunate for you to clash with me, haha. There is no one in this country who can judge me. If you want to kill me, you should have brought at least five current holders of the ‘Gold Dragon Crest’ here.”

Ignoring Gnome’s words, I kicked the ground and leaped towards him.

Gnome furrowed his brow, puzzled.

He couldn’t understand my intentions, it seemed.

“So, you’re going to choose death by launching a suicidal attack, thinking you can’t escape. Fine, then die bravely. This power is too excessive to be used on you, but I’ll show you. Come forth, Undead Dragon!”

A massive magic circle unfolded, and from there, a huge dragon appeared.

The dragon’s flesh was rotting, its eyes were absent, and its eye sockets gaped.

I knew this Undead Dragon.

It was a dragon forcibly resurrected from death.

Lacking intelligence when alive, it had now become a puppet obedient to its master, Gnome.

Moreover, its physical strength and vitality surpassed its living state.

No matter how damaged its body was, it could still launch itself at enemies.

Especially this Undead Dragon was enormous.

It was nearly fifty meters long.

It was a noble dragon that had reached a thousand years of age.

Dragons are known for their exceptional longevity, and their age is closely tied to their size, intelligence, and mana capabilities.

That’s why the dragon hierarchy is divided by age.

“Be the prey, brat. Your soul will wander within the Undead Dragon’s body for eternity, never to be saved, and you will suffer endlessly.”

I kicked the ground and leaped, pointing my sword towards the head of the Undead Dragon.

I channeled Mana into my arm.

A beam of shimmering black aura gathered in both of my arms.

I utilized this power to strengthen my body.

This technique is known as [Stromon].

“A Mana so dense that it’s clearly visible...? And such malevolent Mana, something I’ve never seen before!”

With a swift strike of my sword, the body of the Undead shattered into pieces.

Toxic blood turned green and scattered in the air.

Decayed flesh, shattered bones, and crushed organs collapsed onto the floor, spreading out.

It turns out I didn’t need to use this much Mana just for “Stromon.”

Perhaps I overestimated my opponent...

“It’s ... It’s impossible! ! There shouldn’t be anyone in this country who can single-handedly defeat my greatest masterpiece...!”

As soon as I landed, I struck Gnome with a swift attack.

With great force, I propelled the upper half of Gnome's body into the wall of the underground church.

The impact was devastating, shattering his back and fracturing his skull.

Yet, despite the severity of the blow, Gnome clung to life, collapsing onto the floor below.

His furious gaze pierced through me, his eyes burning red with anger.

The Gnomes possessed a penchant for manipulating their own bodies through alchemical means, seeking an elusive form of immortality.

It seems this Gnome falls into that category as well.

Yet, his time was running out, and survival seemed improbable for someone like him in this realm.

However, I knew of three other individuals, besides myself, who possessed the same extraordinary power.

“It’s impossible... There’s no way someone like this exists in the Kingdom of Adia! Who are you really?”

Gnome shouted.

With a crushed body, he desperately crawled on the ground and looked up at me.

There was no need to answer.

I had no intention to answer.

Unnecessary conversation was not recommended.

However, in front of a dying opponent, my mouth opened instinctively.

“I have no name. I am simply referred to as [Nameless No.1]—Ein.”

Gnome’s eyes widened at my words.

“Ein? So, the legends were true...! The Knight of Shadows, the kingdom’s ultimate weapon... the ‘Phantom Dragon Knight’! The four hidden knights, created by the Church’s dark faction, their existence concealed...!”

I approached Gnome and raised my sword.

Of course, it was to deliver the finishing blow.

“Ku... kuku... So, the ‘Phantom Dragon Knight’ truly existed. The kingdom has fallen indeed. You, too, are an empty being. Nameless, devoid of love, sacrificing everything without receiving honor. And so, you die without knowing the joys of being human, as a weapon of the kingdom.”

The descending sword halted midway.

I couldn’t comprehend why it stopped, even within myself.

My gaze met Gnome’s directly.

I swiftly brought down the sword.

Gnome’s head exploded, and brain matter sprayed in the air.

I sheathed my sword, covered in the splattered blood.

“Nameless, devoid of love, without honor...”

I contemplated Gnome’s words.

It was something I had never thought about before.

I had been taught that anything unnecessary for the mission was irrelevant to me.

“Do I truly have nothing...?”

I didn’t understand why that was a problem.

However, I could feel a vague sense of unease budding within me, gradually spreading.