Chương 123: Reborn as the Dragon — Chapter 123 - Determination

[Theoretically, losing the heart means death for a dragon, so among the system's modification paths, there are many options for strengthening the heart.] [The flesh is weak; ascend through machinery. The host may select the Adamantium Mechanical Heart. For just 500, 000 system points, not even a nuclear bomb can pierce it.] [If the host dislikes a chunk of metal, we have other plans.] [Swallow a golden core into the belly, and fate itself bends to your will. The Golden Core Heart, boundless creation, limitless transformation. For just 800, 000 system points, even a dragon can play with flying swords.]"What about a heart that can divide infinitely?" Su Nian's mouth twitched. His nostrils flared, wisps of gray smoke leaking out. The system still had the mood to pitch him products. Right now. At a time like this. If only this system had a physical form. Su Nian would have already flattened it with one claw. [Ding! Yes! The Tyrant Virus Heart, infinite replication, infinite division. Though, does the host intend to trigger a biohazard crisis in another world?] [For just 200, 000 system points, this system will produce this heart that symbolizes destruction.]"System!" Su Nian roared inside his own head.

"Just tell me the modification plan where I give Anna my heart and don't die!"

"No detours!"

"I have no money!"

"No system points!" [...] [Actually, the host can exchange hearts with Anna.] [Ordinarily, this would not be possible.] [However, the host has already formed a deep bond with Anna.] [This system can modify the host's heart into a form compatible with Anna. But all of Anna's pain and curses will need to be borne by you.] [After the heart exchange,] [Your strength will decrease. That said, the decrease will be quite limited. To put it plainly: in this world, a dragon's physical structure is, from this system's perspective, rather primitive. The dragon's heart is no exception, it cannot begin to compare with the options this system has recommended. After the exchange, the modifications you've already made will be sufficient to sustain your body's strength.] [However, since Anna's heart is extremely fragile, you will need to invest more system points into modifying it, or you may choose a different heart for her entirely.] [Once your heart is modified to sufficient strength, the curse should lift automatically. This is the best plan this system can offer given current information.] He understood the logic. If he had enough system points, he'd have loved to try one of those flashy hearts. But he was broke. For now, swapping hearts with Anna was the only way. Stolen novel; please report. Su Nian turned the thought over in silence. The image of a heart transplant drifted through his mind. He pulled Anna closer against his chest.

Their two hearts pressed together, and somehow, they were beating in sync. One sound large, one small. Tangled around each other. Inseparable.

"Not a bad solution," he murmured.

"Some pain and a modest drop in strength. For a dragon, that's nothing." The plan was set. He would have the witch Kaguya perform the exchange. He'd briefly considered making the trip to the Emerald Forest in person. But there was no teleportation array. By the time he flew there, it would already be too late. And he'd still need to locate someone after arriving. His one remaining concern was the process itself. Did exchanging hearts mean what he imagined, cutting open the chest, opening the body?

He kept that worry from his face and put the question to Kaguya, who sat nearby, still recovering.

"You worry too much." Kaguya shook her head. Her complexion was still poor, pale and bloodless, but she could hold a conversation now.

"There is no need for such barbaric methods. A ritual will suffice."

"Before the ritual, however, your ritual object must be prepared."

"Made to meet the conditions for transplantation."

"It is a profound and delicate secret art."

"My master knew it. Unfortunately, he has passed. And besides, once transplanted, you would also—" She stopped herself.

"So..."

"That's not your concern." Su Nian cut her off.

"I can prepare my ritual object to meet the transplantation conditions myself."

"All you need is the ability to open the ritual."

"And I won't end up the way you're imagining."

"You can transplant my ritual object out. That means you can transplant something back in."

"An exchange. Do you understand?" Kaguya was sharp enough. She understood immediately. He wanted to swap hearts with the girl he loved. Give away his own dragon heart. Take back a cursed one. But from a practical standpoint, this made little sense. Never mind the curse sitting inside the returned heart, an ordinary heart simply couldn't survive the baptism of raging dragon blood. It's easy to go from little to much; the reverse is far harder. A dragon heart, though, was different. Its adaptability was formidable.

Even with its wild, violent energy, the ritual would temper it considerably. The vast, scorching power would be sealed away in large part, trickling out slowly, reshaping the recipient's body at a pace it could endure. An ordinary heart trying to adapt to a dragon's body, on the other hand, was simply not possible.

"Are you certain this is what you want?" Kaguya hesitated. She wanted to lay out every risk for him. She opened her mouth, and then looked into his eyes. Those pale golden dragon eyes held no uncertainty. Only resolve. She swallowed everything she'd been about to say. Perhaps this dragon had his own way. He wouldn't leave his beloved to survive alone on a continent like this one.

"I understand." Kaguya gave a small nod.

"I will prepare the ritual. It will take three days."

"I will come to inform you when it is ready."... Kaguya left, steadied by two of her apprentices, and the palace went quiet again. Su Nian sat cross-legged on the throne. His pale golden eyes watched the direction she had gone.

"Can she be trusted?" He was asking Serestina. Serestina was his servant now, her loyalty sealed to the maximum by the Law Sacrifice ritual. He had no reason to doubt her honesty.

"Great master." Serestina bowed slightly.

"Witch Kaguya is under my command. We know each other well."

"From where I stand, she is trustworthy."

"From where you stand, however —""As a precaution, you may form a contract with her. She will not resist."

"I will." Su Nian nodded. Enslaving someone wasn't something he took pride in. He didn't enjoy it. For the one being bound, it was its own kind of torment. But this could not be left to chance. Not the smallest margin for error.

"Brother, what were you all talking about?"

"Rituals and transplanting — what does that mean?" Anna had burrowed back into his arms, only a small head peeking out over his forearm. Her pink fox ears flicked back and forth. Her bright, wide eyes were brimming with curiosity and confusion.

"We were discussing how to cure you," Su Nian said.

"And we have an answer now."

"Anna is going to be completely healthy very soon. Maybe even stronger than brother~" He gave her a lick, teasing this sweet, guileless elven girl. What was a dragon heart, really. As long as she lived. As long as she was happy. As long as he could see that soft smile of hers every single day. It was worth it. All of it.

"Really? Anna can really be cured?" The joy that broke across Anna's fair, pink face was impossible to contain. The hands wrapped around his arm trembled. Her voice trembled too. To live. To stay by her brother's side. That was all she had ever wanted.

"Of course it's true." Su Nian's voice was steady. Certain. If a dragon heart couldn't cure her, then only a god could. And if nothing could save her, well. She'd simply be gone. ➤ Next: The Enemy at the Gates