With the dragon laughing and looking towards the sky, if Vik were here, he would definitely say that the dragon is signaling impending doom. As if responding to his contempt, a small voice emerged. It wasn't the roar of another dragon, nor the rumble of thunder or any beast; it was merely the chirping of a bird.
But this sound sent chills down Gullnor's spine, awakening a primal fear within him. Just a few minutes earlier, while Louriel and the dragon chatted, Vik, the key person in this story, struggled to understand the skeleton of Chakor and its power. He tried various approaches, but the skeleton remained unmoved. However, after being burned by that strange fire, it began to display unusual lines on its surface.
Pov: Vik
Soon, I was able decipher those symbols, and one word escaped my lips: "Vajra." This was the name of the skeleton, or what remained of Chakor. "Vajra" was a term from the legends of my past life. From epic tales of Hinduism to Tibetan stories, there were accounts of a weapon said to be the hardest thing in existence, often depicted as wielded by gods.
I was puzzled about why these symbols appeared on this skeleton and why it was labeled as Vajra. I wondered if this skeleton held a secret to finding Vajra, the legendary weapon. Confused, I asked the system for help.
"System, can you read these symbols?"
The system replied immediately, "Yes, host, I can read them; they are written in a language that seems to combine several ancient tongues. From what I can decipher, the symbols say 'Vajra.' Beyond that, I cannot interpret other symbols, as they appear to be simple drawings rather than part of a written language."
I didn't understand how this skeleton related to Vajra. Perhaps Chakor, in his final days trapped in space, discovered Vajra in the deep void, enabling him to defeat dragon Gullnor. But where was that weapon? It must be near Chakor's grave.
I began searching for anything, but despite using my enhanced senses, I found nothing. I considered scanning the entire mountain but held off, knowing that dragon Gullnor was still present. I could see his massive form looming over the Azure mountains. Thankfully, he was focused on gaining strength; otherwise, he might have sensed my presence. This could be linked to my status as the Chosen one. I felt lucky, but I still needed to find that weapon, Vajra.
Again, I inquired with the system, "System, tell me, do you know about Vajra and any stories in this world regarding that weapon?"
The system soon responded, "Host, Vajra is something that should not exist in this world or even this entire plane. Vajra isn't just a weapon; it has become a concept, like stars or moons. From the immortal world to gods and ancient wizards, everyone has tried to create Vajra. Immortals even developed techniques that continually evolved users' bodies to achieve perfect hardness."
"The concept of Vajra is something every civilization or plane has sought. I'm not sure how much you know, but being Vajra means being the hardest thing in existence—something indestructible. Many beings have attempted to create Vajra, but all have failed, as everything ultimately fades and perishes, defeating the concept of Vajra. Because of this, Vajra has become a mere legend, known primarily by the higher beings who created me and other systems."
Hearing the system's explanation offered insight into this world's understanding of Vajra. However, my past life's tales differed. I recalled a story about the origins of Vajra I had heard as a child.
Long ago, the king of gods, Indra, was defeated by an Asura named Vritra, who took the form of a three-headed dragon. Vritra conquered the gods, dominating every river, mountain, and even the heavens. The defeated gods searched for a way to overcome Vritra, but no weapon could pierce his formidable scales.
Then the gods discovered a way to create a weapon capable of defeating the dragon. However, to forge this weapon, they needed a sacrifice, as it couldn't be made from ordinary metal. It could only be crafted from the spine of a pure soul, one who willingly dedicates themselves for the greater good of all, devoid of personal motives, familial ties, or desires for revenge. Only a person filled with kindness towards all lives, without favor or enmity, could provide the essence required.
The gods struggled to find such a creature, as many lacked the desire to sacrifice themselves. Some had vengeful motives against Vritra, while others were lost in despair, leading to suicidal thoughts. Finally, they found Saint Dadichi, a revered figure known for his righteousness and kindness; creatures from gods to Asuras respected him, as he loved and assisted all beings.
The gods approached him to explain their plight. Contrary to their expectations, Saint Dadichi agreed to be sacrificed after hearing about the gods' struggles. He asked only that all creatures be allowed to live peacefully once they liberated the world from Vritra's evil grasp. The gods consented.
Soon, Saint Dadichi sacrificed himself, and from his spine, the gods forged a weapon that looked like a small, symmetrical metal scepter with a central sphere and ribbed, claw-like prongs extending from both ends. More importantly, it was indestructible and sliced through Vritra's scales with ease. From that moment, it became the primary weapon of Indra, king of the gods. Countless tales and legends featured Vajra as an indestructible weapon.
Recalling that story, I suddenly experienced an epiphany and gazed at the skeleton of Chakor. The essence of Vajra was not just indestructibility; it represented the selfless sacrifice of a pure soul committed to the well-being of everyone.
Just like Chakor, who had been betrayed by the very world he sought to protect, even after that, he sacrificed himself to defeat the dragon. I had misjudged the situation. This skeleton did not merely point to a way to obtain Vajra; it represented Vajra itself.