Jack once crossed paths with the Healers Society during a kingdom faction quest where he had to deliver packages to different settlements all over the country. He helped Prince Alonzo gain this faction's support afterward. His guild also received regular quests from this faction.
After he became the king, he repaid the faction by giving them donations and also supported their work. During the regular meeting with Thaergood, one of the issues he dealt with was the cooperation between the kingdom and the league factions. Among them was the Healers Society.
The Healers Society had done a great deal of good in the slum district. Jack also made improving the slum one of the kingdom's priorities. Today, the slum was a much better place compared to when he first entered Thereath.
The Healers Society was very happy with the cooperation. They also received the support to expand their factions to almost every settlement in the kingdom. Andrea, the grand healer from the Healers Society in Thereath, often visited Jack during the monthly noble visits.
Tomorrow would be the day for that monthly noble gathering. Jack would take the chance to ask her about this blessing.
Jack spent the rest of the day having a meeting with Thaergood and the other advisors. During the meeting, Jack asked Thaergood about the names of those who would be attending tomorrow's gathering. If Andrea's name was not there, he would have to invite her formally. Luckily, her name was on the list.
At night, Jack was ready to return to his chamber. When he passed by a hallway with a balcony to the outside, he saw Darmos out there. The old draconian was just leaning on the balustrade with a distant look on his face. Jack never saw Darmos like that. The normal scene was Darmos getting chased by the palace inhabitants because he played pranks on them.
Jack came over to him.
"Yo, old mighty one. What are you doing out here in the cold of the night? And why that long face? Your uncle died or something?" Jack joked.
Darmos glanced at Jack. His expression was flat, but Jack saw the sadness in his eyes. Darmos looked away again.
"… Not uncle. Nephew," Darmos said.
"Huh?" Jack was lost. He didn't expect that.
"You should know. I heard you are involved in the battle in Palgrost," Darmos said.
"In Palgrost… Wait, do you mean your nephew is…"
"Was…," Darmos corrected. "Yes, Uddroth was my nephew. Well, there are only so many of us, true dragons. Each of us is related to another one. In a sense, all of them are my descendants."
"Oh… I'm sorry. I didn't know. I'm truly sorry," Jack said sincerely.
Darmos sighed. "I remember when he was still a hatchling… I thought I would be the first to go among the true dragons who are still alive. I wish that is the case… Having the young one go before I do is truly not a good feeling."
"Don't say that. I believe you still have years to live," Jack consoled.
Darmos looked at Jack weirdly. He said, "Centuries, to be exact. You will be bones in the ground before I even feel death knocking on my door."
"Oh…" Jack didn't know what to say to that.
"Do me a favor, will you?" Darmos said.
"As long as it is in my power, just say it," Jack replied.
"The next time that nemesis of you called Suzaki, you call me over," Darmos said. "I've been too soft on her in our last battle. I will teach her the consequences of killing a true dragon. The next time we meet will be the time I end her immortality."
"I… I promise," Jack said.
Jack heard the sound of rocks breaking. He looked down and saw the balustrade had been crushed by Darmos' hands. Darmos transformed into Broidrireg and flew away.
Jack watched the blue dragon disappear into the night sky. He had never seen Darmos as mad as that. He remembered again when Broidrireg first sensed Syndrillis' bloodline within him. It was as if the dragon was about to tear him apart. It was clear that Broidrireg cared about all the other true dragons who were still alive.
Jack sighed. There was nothing he could do for the dragon. He could just honor Darmos' wish and summon him when he next encountered Suzaki.
"You think he can do what he said he is going to do? End Suzaki's immortality?" Jack asked Peniel.
"I don't know. Suzaki's immortality is a legend, I don't think she can die even if she wants to," Peniel answered.
Jack didn't linger long on that balcony. He resumed going to his chamber. Entering his chamber, he took out the Soul Seed and the Upgrade Cell: Equipment.
"Have you decided what to use those two on?" Peniel asked.
"I took them out, didn't I?" Jack returned, which caused Peniel to pout.
He picked up the Soul Seed and interfaced with it. After choosing a viable skill, the seed vanished.
"Asura?" Peniel remarked.
The skill changed its name to Soul Asura. Jack used the skill. Four arms sprouted from him. The swords that were held in those arms were still copies of Storm Breaker. But instead of being black like the original Storm Breaker, these copies were silver in color. They also had some sort of translucent aura enveloping them, making them appear longer than the actual sword.
The Soul Asura turned all damage that was inflicted by these copy swords into soul damage. It also had the additional effect of ignoring 25% of the enemy's defensive stats. Normal Asura boosted Jack's various offensive capabilities. Soul Asura was the same but added a 20% reduction to all damage received during the Asura state. Also, its duration was doubled.
Jack could now maintain the Asura state for ten minutes.
Jack canceled the skill and picked up the Upgrade Cell: Equipment. He already decided what equipment to use this item on the second he laid eyes on the description. A legendary-grade weapon might sound enticing, but he already had another option for getting such a weapon. So, he was going to use this item on one piece of equipment that he didn't want to change even if he got a better one.
