# Chapter 20: The Awakening of the Draconic Archaeologist

  ## 1. The Price of Control

  The exit from the dungeon was a silent relief. The sunlight, filtered through the dense forest canopy, felt strangely soft after the oppressive darkness of Kerchack's mind. Hiroshi felt the difference: the draconic power was still there, pulsing in his veins, but it was his, not Kerchack's. The Dragon was contained, a cynical and irritated, but submissive, voice in his mind.

  The **Karius Sword** was the anchor of this control. The dark obsidian blade, which now felt like a natural extension of his arm, was heavy, but fit perfectly in his hand.

  "**You are lucky, boy. If it weren't for the Elf, I would have turned you into a cocoon of scales and taken full control**," Kerchack hissed.

  "But you didn't," Hiroshi replied, his voice hoarse, but firm. He looked at Luna, who smiled with relief. "Thank you, Luna. Again."

  Luna just squeezed his hand. "We are a team, Hiroshi. Now, let's train. You have a sword and an angry Dragon to tame."

  ## 2. The Legend of the Sword and the Forced Training

  Hiroshi began training immediately. The forest became his battlefield and Kerchack, his reluctant combat coach.

  "**The Karius Sword was created to seal the rage and bloodlust of a single Dragon who did not seek peace: me**," Kerchack explained, with a tone of wounded pride. "**The Dragons feared that I could change the entire ideology of the race, so I was expelled and banished from the Dragons' middle lands. The Dragon King La Plata feared my uncontrolled fury against humans. He had a human friend he saved and raised as an apprentice, but was betrayed by him in the Great War between humans and Dragons. The sword is proof of their hypocrisy.**"

  The training was a brutal mix of combat and archaeology.

  **Archaeology:** Hiroshi used his intelligence (INT) to "read" the blade. The Karius Sword had the main ability to **absorb abilities, power, and sense Draconian energy and locate items with the same energy**. By touching the blade, Hiroshi saw flashes of Kerchack's history, the Dragons, and the betrayal.

  **Combat:** Kerchack forced Hiroshi to fight against trees, rocks, and illusions of soldiers. The sword had the ability to **amplify the symbiosis for a few seconds, going from 0% to 100% without causing loss of control**, but the use caused exhaustion in stamina and magic.

  "**Use the symbiosis, worm! Feel the power! Don't be a coward!**", Kerchack shouted.

  Hiroshi activated the symbiosis, and the draconic force flooded him. He moved with the speed of lightning, but the exhaustion was immediate. He fell to the ground, panting, but with a satisfied smile.

  ## 3. The Karius Arsenal

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  Over time, Hiroshi began to master the sword techniques:

  * **Level 1: Whisper:** A sound of bells and water droplets around, making the enemy hypnotized and lowering their guard to deliver a surprise attack. Hiroshi used the technique on a wild boar, which stopped, confused, allowing Hiroshi to strike it down with a clean blow.

  * **Level 2: Full Moon:** This technique made clear blue energy *flash cuts* horizontally and vertically, being able to attack from afar. Hiroshi practiced by cutting trees meters away, the sword's energy leaving a blue trail in the air.

  * **Level 3: Waning Moon:** Increased the user's speed to deliver 100 cuts in just 10 seconds. This technique was the most dangerous, as it required total symbiosis and almost exhausted Hiroshi.

  ## 4. The New Class: Draconic Archaeologist

  Hiroshi explored the **Class: Draconic Archaeologist**. He discovered that the class combined his intelligence (INT) and knowledge of artifacts with the draconic power.

  By touching an artifact, he could "read" the history with more depth. He used the ability to analyze Ghazu's notebook, discovering secret routes and names of the King's informants. The sword acted as a catalyst for shadow/eclipse magic, allowing him to use the draconic energy more controllably.

  ## 5. Luna's Bond: The Anchor of Humanity

  Luna, now more confident, took on the role of Hiroshi's "therapist." She helped him process the pain and guilt of the violence he committed.

  "You are not a monster, Hiroshi. You are a hero. You saved those children. You are fighting for something bigger than revenge," she said, wiping the sweat from his face.

  "I feel his rage, Luna. The bloodlust. It's hard not to give in," Hiroshi confessed, hugging her.

  "Then don't give in. Use his rage to fight, but use your heart to decide who deserves your fury. You are the Draconic Archaeologist. You are the bridge between two worlds. Don't let the hatred of one destroy the hope of the other."

  Kerchack, observing the interaction, began to show a reluctant respect for Luna.

  "**The Elf is right, boy. You are a fool, but a useful fool. Use your weakness to be strong**," Kerchack hissed.

  ## 6. Godless: The Next Step

  After weeks of intense training, Hiroshi was ready. He had the power, the sword, and the anchor.

  He used the **locate Draconian energy** ability of the Karius Sword and felt a faint pulse coming from the west.

  "Godless," Hiroshi said, looking at the map. "The port city. The largest black market in the empire. That's where we'll find information about the King and make new allies."

  Luna smiled. "Let's go, Hiroshi. Let's show them what a Draconic Archaeologist can do."

  ***

  **END OF CHAPTER 20**