The Dragons Flowers were all informed that the first Dragon Trial was over.

While a few members of the direct line and highly-ranked Dragons Flowers showed somewhat ambiguous results most of them managed to display their true skills.

First, Tae Yul, the Steel Flower, definitely showcased his true skills.

"Lord Tae Yul, the evaluations for the first trial have been released.

I thought they would be keeping them secret responded Tae Yul. I never expected them to reveal them all

"Wouldn't some people question the fairness of the archivists if everything were done privately?"

Tae Yul instantly disagreed with that statement.

"Do you truly believe there would be any Dragons Flower foolish enough to think that? No one familiar with how the Dragon Emperor oversees the Dragon Palace would make such a ludicrous statement."

"That is simply because you hold fair competition in high regard, Lord Tae Yul. In fact, there have been several Dragons Flowers who attempted to arrange secret meetings with the archivists."

"But doesn't the fact that you know that mean they have failed?"

Hahaha, exactly so! They have been given the lowest possible scores and were forced to retire early from the Dragon War.

The Dragon Emperor has thrown us into a fair battlefield. All we had to do was follow his will, I cant believe there were idiots trying petty tricks

That is simply because you are someone expected to become the next Dragon, Lord Tae Yul. Desperate, incompetent individuals might see things differently.

Hm You arent wrong either. I guess I reached conclusions too hastily.

Apart from his personal beliefs, Tae Yul was not stubborn in the slightest.

Even if it were something that would normally wound someones pride or tarnish their reputation, he wouldnt mind it at all in order to grow.

This relentless pursuit of improvement was the quality that brought him closest to becoming the next Dragon.

"An intriguing story emerged as well... One of the Dragons Flowers, who ranked lowest in the succession order, received the highest possible points."

Oh? The highest possible score? They have done quite well. Who was it?

Seol Hong, the Death Flower.

"That child? I don't deny its possibility, but the last time I saw her, she definitely didn't have the ability to achieve something like that."

From what I heard, someone unexpected intervened.

Someone unexpected?

A newly accepted Dragons Stone.

"How unfortunate... Did he step in after discovering Seol Hong's identity?"

I thought so at first, but that doesnt seem to be the case.

Tae Yul nodded along to the mans words.

Seol Hong had no faction supporting her; she was like a flower buried deep underground, a bloom that might never see the sunlight.

Though Tae Yul didnt know the identity of the newly appointed Dragons Stone, he was confident they werent an ordinary individual. Their decision to support a Dragons Flower with little chance of succeeding to the crown spoke volumes about their character.

Its an interesting story, but I dont see a reason to keep it in mind, said Tae Yul.

...I see.

After all, you must always look ahead when you march, never behind.

Seol Hong would never be able to reach Tae Yul.

Tae Yul was confident she would collapse from exhaustion long before she could reach him. To him, she was just another fleeting tale from the Dragon War, destined to be quickly forgotten.

However, it wasnt just Tae Yul who heard Seol Hongs story.

Shin Yo, the Cold-Blooded Flower, was a legitimate heir who stood just behind Tae Yul.

After hearing news about Seol Hong, she nodded once before showing no further interest.

The Dragons Flowers displayed a range of reactions upon hearing Seol Hongs story, but one Dragons Flower had the most intriguing response.

Hahaha One of my sisters did something like that? I should definitely congratulate her, right?

Seol Hong has no backing and is not one of the legitimate heirs. She would surely welcome your goodwill much more than just the present itself, Lord Zhe Gak.

Hahaha! Why dont you write a letter of encouragement on my behalf and send it to Seol Hong, then?

Will you not be writing it yourself?

Why the hell should I waste my time on someone like her?

...You are right, I will do as you command, Lord Zhe Gak.

Despite being a legitimate heir, Zhe Gak was so short-sighted and dim-witted that he was not known by his epithet, the Lion Flower, but rather as the Divine Fool Flower.

He had sent Seol Hong a letter.

* * *

Translator - goguma

Proofreader - Karane

* * *

After exiting the mountain, Seol Hong immediately went to Cheon Ju.

Cheon Ju!

"Argh, I can't go on like this!" shouted Cheon Ju. "I'll die early because of you! Do you want to see me dead?!"

Im sorry! But the trial

There will always be an opportunity as long as you are alive. Please don't risk everything so recklessly."

Hug

Seol Hong quickly ran into Cheon Jus worried arms.

...I was worried about you.

Im sorry, Cheon Ju.

Cheon Ju was practically a second mother to Seol Hong. Like a child who tears up upon seeing their mother after a hard day, Seol Hong teared up upon seeing Cheon Ju.

Cheon Ju just a little bit more

Fuuu Okay.

Seol Hong buried her face deeper into Cheon Jus arms.

Ahhhhhhhhh

The sounds she tried to bury in Cheon Jus clothes quietly leaked out.

Seol Hong was crying.

- The engine sounds stable. Is it an electric car?

- The circuit road is smooth. Pass.

And what happened to your face? Who made your pretty face like this? comforted Cheon Ju.

Ahhhhhhhh

- Shes speeding up!

- She took over the lead! Shes now in 1st place!

Seol quietly watched and waited for Seol Hong to stop crying.

- LMFAOOOOO She left tear marks on Cheon Jus stomach.

- It looks like O_O LOL

- Is that a Kuato? LOOOL

- OPEN YOUR MIND

Is there a reason that you have to cry on her stomach? asked Seol.

Crying? Whos crying? responded Seol Hong. Dragons Flowers dont cry. You must be mistaken.

Seol couldnt help but chuckle after hearing her brazen response.

Seeing the two act much closer than before, Cheon Ju asked a question.

...What exactly happened while I was gone?

Well

Seol Hong then began explaining everything that happened in the mountains.

Initially, she expected Cheon Ju to be furious and cut her off after hearing what she did, but Cheon Ju just listened quietly.

After Seol Hong finally explained the part where Seol became her Dragons Stone, Cheon Ju looked at Seol and then bowed.

Thank you for saving her. If something happened to that child I I wouldve

Dont cry, Cheon Ju

Please dont recklessly jump into danger anymore! And if you are, then take me with you!

Its fine now

What is?

I have a Dragons Stone now I have Kang Seol.

Urgh

- Kang Seol Its been a while since I heard that name.

- I know, right? I was so used to calling him Snowman too

Cheon Ju then began inspecting Seol.

"Hm... He has some muscle and seems capable of using them."

The bandits were helpless in front of him!

And where did the martial arts you learned go, Lady Seol Hong? How did you end up getting caught, huh?

I just I just dropped my guard for a second, alright?!

Ive definitely heard that line before, haah Well, regardless

With both hands, Cheon Ju held Seols hands.

"Please take care of Lady Seol Hong from now on. Though her small steps may seem like mere flaps right now, she holds a strong desire in her heart that will flourish once she matures. So please, watch over her."

...Okay.

Cheon Ju continued to maintain her gaze on Seol after that as well. After all, it was natural to be interested in a new helper who suddenly showed up.

Still, she didnt mention that, thought Seol.

The part where Seol said that Yu Hwa had sent him.

Seol Hong had kept that part from Cheon Ju, probably because she wanted to be certain before sharing it, so as not to worry Cheon Ju unnecessarily.

Regardless, Seols meeting with the two was successful with this.

And now, with time before the second trial, Seol immediately began inspecting his new items.

Seol could no longer delay checking his new items any longer.

Though Seol had a general idea of what they were, having glanced at them in his free time before, he hadn't inspected them closely because he was busy with Seol Hong.

I think there were only a few good items this time.

Seol had been rewarded with a number of Treasure-quality items.

However, as expected, none of them were Peerless-quality. In fact, there were even some items that were quite difficult to use, giving Seol only four worthwhile pieces of equipment.

Click

Seol began inspecting them one by one.

[[Steel Beast-Catching Gloves]

Quality: Treasure

Recommended Level: 35-37

Defense: 150

Durability: 150/150

Weight: 1.0kg

A pair of gauntlets with the power to suppress wildness just by placing ones hands on them.

Basic Effect: +20 Strength, +18 Dexterity, +30 Constitution

Bonus Effect: The wearers strength increases by 30 when directly grabbing living creatures.]

Unfortunately, the Bonus Effect didnt seem like it would work when grabbing things like clothes or armor.

However, since it would still apply when grabbing someone's throat or limbs, its use was situational.

[[Scout's Tailwind Boots]

Quality: Treasure

Recommended Level: 36-41

Defense: 95

Durability: 120/120

Weight: 0.1kg

A pair of boots made from the leather of Hosra, a wind beast.

Rumors say you can hear a Hosras cry when sprinting at full speed.

Basic Effect: +32 Intelligence, +20 Dexterity, +25 Constitution

Bonus Effect: When the wearer sprints in one direction for over 3 seconds, they gradually recover their missing health as they run.]

The Bonus Effect was unusual, but it was already valuable solely due to the basic stat increases.

However, since Seol primarily used cloth armor rather than leather, he decided it would be better to give it to Jamad after he returned, instead of using it himself.

While Seol could have worn them, given how good the stats were, he had found a pair of boots even more suited to him on the last adventure.

[[Following Steps]

Quality: Treasure

Recommended Level: 38-44

Defense: 80

Durability: 115/115

Weight: 0.1kg

A pair of cloth boots that reveal their true abilities when chasing something down.

They are incredibly lightweight.

Basic Effect: +20 Intelligence, +35 Wisdom, +30 Constitution

Bonus Effect: When the wearer runs toward their opponent, they steal 10% of the opponents movement speed.]

Seol quickly changed out of his old boots.

I definitely grew.

The Boots of Narrow Escape were boots specialized for running away. Though Seol had only used its effect a few times, it was immensely helpful each time.

But now, after growing immensely, Seol needed effects that would help him chase down an opponent instead of running away from them. This new realization caused Seol to laugh.

[[Whirlwind Plate Belt]

Quality: Treasure

Recommended Level: 37-42

Defense: 100

Durability: 150/150

Weight: 0.5kg

A belt imbued with the energy of blizzards.

It appeared in the world with the disappearance of Vitona.

Basic Effect: +20 Strength, +20 Dexterity, +40 Constitution

Bonus Effect: When the wearers health drops below 50%, blizzards are summoned around them. However, the items durability will significantly decrease when this effect activates.]

Its a fun effect.

Seol doubted whether Karen or Karuna, the most likely candidates to wear this belt, would ever have their health drop below 50%. Still, it wasnt a bad trick to have up their sleeve.

They both have decent belts, so I can decide when they both come back.

Seol felt their absence even more as he set aside items for them.

Ur how much longer will it take?

Seol wondered when he would hear news from them He never thought hed miss those noisy days.

Ah, now that I think about it

There was still one more thing Seol hadnt checked.

It was the skill Santos had passed on to him.

[[Pioneers Heart]

- Increase all stats by 10% and double proficiency gains for one week after arriving at a new location.]

This will be useful when I travel often to different locations, especially in unfamiliar lands like this.

Increasing all stats by 10% was a powerful effect. It was obvious that a condition would be attached to it.

However, seeing that the conditions were relatively easy to fulfill, Seol felt an even stronger urge to recover all of his pieces.

Even just finding them all would make me much stronger than I am now.

And for those exact reasons, he had to receive Yu Hwas unfulfilled desire as well.

Knock knock

Seol are you there?

Is that you, Dragons Flower?

J-Just call me Seol Hong. I came to you because it seems we have to leave soon.

Creaaaak

Seol opened the door for Seol Hong.

What do you mean?

The next trial has been decided.

Already?

I was surprised too.

Since this was the first Dragon War, even unexpected events shouldnt come as too much of a surprise.

The archivists told us that we need to move first before they can tell us what the next trial is.

Since Seol knew a lot about the Easts land, simply knowing their next destination would be a huge help for the upcoming trial.

Where are we headed then? asked Seol.

Yocheon.

Yocheon

Seol thought for a moment, his eyes closed before opening them. He then locked eyes with Seol Hong, and they both opened their mouths simultaneously.

The Warriors Heart.

The Warriors Heart.

Yes nodded Seol Hong. Im sure the next trial is likely related to that

Seol placed his hand on his forehead after hearing her response.

The Warriors Heart was a place where warriors from all over, not just the Khan Empire, visited.

It was the Khan Empires largest arena, a place far from laws and reason. However, it was also for those exact reasons that it was able to flourish.

However

It was also a place where one of Seols pieces lost their lives.

Seol quietly murmured to himself while thinking about what would come next.

If the next trial is related to the Warriors Heart

......

This trial wont be easy.

If the next trial was indeed related to the Warriors Heart, as Seol and Seol Hong expected...

The current Seol was severely lacking.