(Minor Edits)
What to do... I know, better call Saul! 'Hey Saul, how do we get Veld out of here?'
『After analyzing the unique skill [infinite Prison], I have determined that your current parameters do not allow for you to free Veldora immediately. Your best course of action is to use the sub-ability [Devour] to analyze the barrier sealing Veldora and then destroy it.
Time to complete: 180 Days』
Even though my EX-rank skill was overqualified to destroy the barrier, I had no means to power the ability to the desired level. The only choice I seemingly had was to use my Devourer unique skill and absorb the whole thing into my [Bottomless Stomach]. Both the magical barrier that isolates us and all of its contents too.
Since Veldora already knew so much about my abilities, I explained the details of my unique skill [Devourer] and told him how I could use it to free him in the future.
Of course, he laughed it off and appeared more than eager to give it s go. Must've had something to do with this guy's limited lifespan within the barrier. I guess between this and forced reincarnation, this was a better outcome. After all, he wouldn't get to keep all of his memories like me. As a supreme existence, he'd simply be reborn as a new catastrophic dragon with little to no memories of his past.
True dragons are on the same level as gods, but they're bound to this world. It allowed them to achieve a degree of immortality where their soul was simply recycled over and over again to maintain the balance of the world. Although they were bound to this world, their power didn't face any of the restrictions other gods suffered.
I feel like I've discovered some high tier knowledge here, and I'm not sure if that is a good thing or not...
(Alright, Orion. What do you need me to do? I'm willing to give it a shot. Based on what you said, it'd feel like I was in and out in no time at all, right?)
'Just stay still I'll have you out of there in no time, big guy.' Just like that, as soon as I touched Veldora, I activated [Devour]. In less than a second, my viscous form expanded and swallowed the barrier along with Veldora into my [Bottomless Stomach].
『Analysis on [Infinite Prison] is starting. Time remaining: 179 Days remaining』
Hmm, so it will take at most six months to get Veld out. In the meantime, I can explore this world and powerup some, but first, I'll collect all the goodies here.
Even after swallowing up Veldora and the barrier, barely 10% of my capacity was filled. I swallowed Hipotke Plants, magic ore veins, along with various other mana enriched resources that Saul identified.
It was actually quite relaxing just farming some free high tier resources for a while.
It only took about a day to devour all the materials around me, and now it was time to focus on the reward from the quest.
'Hey, Saul, show me the rewards from the quest, please.'
『Quest Complete!』
/-------------------------------------\
First Encounter(S-SSS):
You have entirely explored the Storm Caverns and aided the friendly dragon sealed there. Despite the odds, you worked together with Veldora to devour and begin analyzing the [Infinite Prison] unique skill and eventually free the legendary Storm Dragon.
Bonus: Formed a brotherhood and a pact of equals with the Storm Dragon Veldora Tempest. Gained named-monster status and the Storm Dragon's divine blessing.
Rewards(SSS): 100,000 system points, 3 x High Stakes Roulette Balls, 3 x Elixirs of Life, 1 x Legendary Human Corpse (Peak Condition).
\-------------------------------------/
'Whoa, that's way more than what was initially displayed. What's going on? Is this because of the bonus?' Orion asked the system within his head.
『Indeed, Orion, that is part of it. By achieving one of the most optimal solutions to this quest, the system has increased your rewards. Also, due to the outstanding achievement of befriending a dragon, and even getting it to swear an oath of brotherhood, the legendary human sent to you will be in its peak condition, making it substantially easier to integrate with. Because of this, you shouldn't notice any discomfort in your human form. Also, as a freebie, the system has guaranteed a male body for you. Keep it up, Orion.』
'Hmm, I'll have to keep this in mind for the future. While I doubt I'll always be this lucky, it can't hurt to try.
...
Unfortunately, in the outside world, things were quickly becoming chaotic, and tensions were rising between various groups.
The disappearance of the calamity-class Storm Dragon Veldora after 300 years signaled new tides of trouble rising within the world.
The Western Holy Church took almost a month to confirm Veldora's disappearance.
...In the Kingdom of Farmas, near the Jura Forest...
Count Nidole Maigam was furious due to the Church's response to Veldora's disappearance.
According to the Church's official decree, since the threat of Veldora had disappeared, they would no longer be sending their support.
As his territory was on the frontline of defense between the Farmas Kingdom and the Jura Forest, the Church's monetary aid had been beneficial.
Now that Veldora has disappeared, the beast and monsters of the forest would go wild, and the relative peace they've had so far would end.
Considering how useless the Kingdom has been up to now, Count Nidole frowned, trying to figure out how to protect his territory. Although he could hire adventurers, they were unreliable during a crisis.
Farmas was a mid-sized country bordering the Great Jura Forest, and even though things would be tough, they fare fine through the increased beast activity. Unfortunately, smaller countries around the forest could not say the same.
In the small Kingdom of Brumund, Minister Belyard was also trying to wrap his head around the situation.
"Have you heard about the issue of Storm Dragon Veldora?" Belyard asked the middle-aged man who entered the room.
"Of course, Baron." the newly entered man replied.
"I suppose that's expected of a guild master." the baron sneered. "So, what kind of preparations has the guild been making?" he continued impatiently.
"Noting in particular. We haven't made any plans, so far." the guild master replied disinterestedly.
"Hahahaha. I must have misheard you. For a moment, I thought you said you have no plans..." the Baron said unamused.
"Indeed, you heard correct, Baron. I currently see no need to make any preparations." The guild master remained expressionless as he sipped on the tea served to him by the maids.
Despite this, the Baron tried to keep his calm, though unsuccessfully. "Given the disappearance of Veldora, don't you think you should be preparing for the increased monster activity in the forest!?"
The guild master simply shrugged. "That's funny since, last time I checked, it was the nation's job to concern itself with its defense. If you wish to hire the Adventurers Guild, then we might have something to discuss, but we are not volunteers," he stated matter of factly.
The Baron had nothing to say in response. It was true that the Adventurer's Guild was not bound by any country or other organization. While this gave them a lot of freedom, their livelihoods were not guaranteed by any state. This left an inevitable divide between Nations and the adventurers.
The only exceptions were free states like Orario and Ortus that thrived and only existed due to adventurers. These cities were now considered havens somewhat ironically due to their monster-infested dungeons.
Unlike the surface, the monsters in the dungeons were only magical constructs with little to no intelligence. Although the deeper one went, the stronger the monsters they would find, the only Majin level monster are those from outside that have taken up residence there or were forced into hiding.
The Adventurer's Guild was primarily focused in these cities to hunt for Monsters. Unfortunately, the only adventurers that benefited were those who were able to join a familia of a god or goddess. These adventurers had the opportunity to grow stronger by depending on their achievements in the dungeon.
Those unable to join a familia were often left to hone their skills in frontier regions with wild beasts and monsters that lived on the surface. The only problem there was that they were completely dependant on themselves to grow stronger. There magical creatures and monsters on the surface could quickly develop a certain level of intelligence and with enough time even exceed humanoid species.
Thinking about this, the Baron couldn't help but sigh internally as he maintained his poker stare with the guild master. "Enough with going in circles. How many adventurers can you send us?"
The guild master looked as if he was once again hashing out a talk he's had dozens of times before. "Based on the agreement signed with your Kingdom, we can muster 10% of the local adventurers. Any more than that will depend on what the Kingdom can afford."
The Brumund Kingdom had a population of a million people. Of which, approximately 7000 were guild members, not including their families. Based on the agreement, the guild would have to send about 700 people to enter the service of the Kingdom in cases of emergency.
"Fuze, can you tell me anything helpful?"
The guild master was surprised to be called by name, so he looked directly at the Baron for the first time. "Due to the non-aggression treaty surrounding the lands of the Storm Dragon's seal, things were peaceful between the surrounding countries. Now, things may be changing with the dragons disappearance."
"*Sigh* The eastern Empire has started moving?"
Fuze nodded towards his childhood friend. "With the forest being clear now, the Eastern Empire is poised to swallow all of the surrounding regions. It is not much, but I'll put out some feelers for movement in the Jura Forest and the Eastern Empire's actions. Don't get your hopes up, though."
"Thanks, Fuze. Any forewarning could save a lot of lives."
The guild master nodded and stood. "I'll be going then. A lot of work to do."
"I'll be counting on you."
•••
Back at Western Holy Church's regional office, Cardinal Shpelthas saw off Count Nidole with a smile. As soon as the count left the cardinal couldn't help but curse despite his smiling visage. "Damn, heathens!"
The count and all the other ministers sent to him today were just a bunch of bugs. They didn't follow the Church's God, but they still had the gall to seek out its money, influence, and military prowess.
Even then, these countries still flocked towards the 'mortal' gods and goddesses that frolicked among the masses. For the Church, those false gods were nothing but aliens that had invaded their world and deceived their followers. The church also blamed them for every monster related incident they could think of due to their close relationship with the Dungeons.
The Western Holy Church disdained to help the greedy heathens that always turned to them for help, but there was one among them that didn't fall for such a petty argument. That was the otherworlder, Hinata Sakaguchi.
She was a complete pragmatist who saw the bigger picture and was willing to do almost anything to achieve her goals.
She believed that helping others was better, but only after they were in dire straits and genuinely desperate for it. Then when you helped them, the people were much more likely to accept the benevolence of their lord and savior.
After listening to such advice, the cardinal quickly raised the prestige and influence of the church (and himself) over the last seven years.
'Oh well, even the bugs have their uses,' he thought to himself.