'This is...'

Izroth suddenly felt as if his entire body was thrown into a sea of flames.

However, the sensation only lasted a few seconds before the raging heat transformed into a gentle warmth.

'Its pulse has gotten stronger.'

Izroth's living armor had a "heartbeat". Or, at least, that was the best way he knew how to describe it.

In reality, the armor was a part of him, yet it was able to "breathe" on its own like a separate living entity.

This feeling had always existed ever since the armor first chose Izroth as its owner back at the Sky Palace. However, the sensation he felt after the Apparel of Insatiable Transcendence evolved could be likened to a stronger heartbeat.

If Izroth had to make a comparison, it was similar to someone in a deep slumber suddenly being jolted awake. Their heartbeat would shift from a calm and steady pace to a strong pulse.

Izroth inspected his armor and immediately noticed the changes that occurred after its evolution.

'It's a bit disappointing that the stats have not improved. Since it seemed to be equal to a legendary armor, I was somewhat looking forward to the amount of stats I would receive. But, it's not necessarily a loss on my part.'

Izroth's eyes were instantly drawn to the newly unlocked skill of his armor, Immortal Persona.

Armor Name: Apparel of Insatiable Transcendence(Soulbound)

Armor Rank: Growth Type

Armor Level: 51

...

*«Immortal Persona» - Allows the user to access the «Immortal Persona» of living armors and tap into their true power. The user must have an established link with the «Immortal Persona» to be bestowed «Authority». The greater the user's «Authority», the more access they are granted to the abilities of the «Immortal Persona» they call forth. If the user's «Authority» is too low, the «Immortal Persona» can refuse their call. [Immortal Persona(s): ???, Dragon Lord of the Abyss]

...

It did not take long for Izroth to finish looking over the information of the new skill; however, there were many points of uncertainty present.

'Does this provide me with a way to communicate with the living armor? Or rather, a way to interact with the entities that reside within living armors like the Dragon Lord of the Abyss? However, this mention of Authority—it's the first time I've seen it. Nonetheless, it seems to play an important role that directly correlates to the Immortal Personas. Still, that doesn't explain this part. Unless...'

Izroth's eyes landed on the '???' displayed among the listed Immortal Personas as he tried to call it forth.

〈System Alert: Recognizing «Authority»...〉

〈System Alert: Insufficient «Authority»!〉

〈System Alert: «Immortal Persona: ???» has refused your call!〉

'Oh?'

Izroth's attempt to call forth the unknown Immortal Persona failed.

A few seconds later, he tried again; however, he met with the same end result.

'In that case, let's try something else.'

Since he did not have enough Authority to call the unknown Immortal Persona, he could only turn to what remained for potential answers.

〈System Alert: Recognizing «Authority»...〉

〈System Alert: «Authority» recognized as Low Level!〉

〈System Alert: Establishing active link with «Immortal Persona: Dragon Lord of the Abyss»...〉

〈System Alert: Active link established!〉

〈System Alert: «Immortal Persona: Dragon Lord of the Abyss» has answered your call!〉

(What is this place...?  I was... It's you! I will-)

(...?!)

(I-Impossible! What have you done to this lord?!)

'How noisy.'

(How dare you! Was the destruction of this lord's true body not sufficient to quell your rage?! Must you humiliate me to this extent?! I admit this lord underestimated you, but to hold such a deep grudge—is it that you humans have no shame?!)

Izroth could clearly hear the sound of a familiar voice. Without a doubt, it belonged to the Dragon Lord of the Abyss!

However, oddly enough, none of the nearby soldiers appeared to react to the boisterous voice.

'I'm probably the only one who can hear its voice. Does it have something to do with the established link?'

(Do not take this lord for a fool by feigning ignorance, human! You expect me to believe that you did not plan for this to happen from the beginning?! Hmph, I will not fall for your deception of playing the lamb before a tiger a second time!)

Izroth was somewhat surprised by the Dragon Lord of the Abyss' prompt responses that seemed too well-timed to be a mere coincidence.

'Oh? Could it be that you can hear my thoughts?'

(Ha?! You already know the answer, yet you still want me to play along? To think there would come a day when I, the Dragon Lord of the Abyss, would be tricked and tormented by a human whelp...! Inconceivable!)

Izroth shook his head as he inwardly sighed. This Dragon Lord of the Abyss did not seem as though it was willing to cooperate.

However, Izroth believed that the Dragon Lord of the Abyss must have been curious about its circumstances.

While Izroth had not fully grasped how the Authority for the Immortal Personas worked, he speculated that with his Low level of Authority over the Dragon Lord of the Abyss, it should have been able to reject his call. But, it had instead chosen to establish a link and answer without putting up much of a fight.

The issue was that the Dragon Lord of the Abyss was incredibly prideful—at least, that was the case when it was not under the immediate threat of being exterminated.

'I advised you that it was an impossible endeavor, but you insisted on disregarding my warning. You have only yourself to blame for the outcome.'

(Roooooooar! Deceitful! Wait and see—I will find a way to free myself! Once I do, I-!)

'I see. Then, I no longer have any use for you. I had planned to keep you around, and if you'd done an adequate job, I was even thinking of possibly providing you with a new body. But, since you seem only to know how to display ungratefulness, I will grant you the freedom you so desire—an eternity of emptiness and obscurity. From this day forth, the name Dragon Lord of the Abyss will be forever lost in history. Farewell, one who is with no name.'

(W-wait! Don't be hasty! Do you humans not have what is called a sense of humor? This lord was merely venting its frustrations through humor!)

Of course, Izroth knew of no method to actually erase the Dragon Lord of the Abyss, but it had no way of knowing that.

(...)

(Tell me, do you speak the truth? Are you truly willing to help this lord acquire a new body?)

'I suppose that depends on your usefulness.'

Izroth was not entirely against the idea of helping the Dragon Lord of the Abyss obtain a new body. That is, if it proved helpful and, more importantly, if it was even possible for him to do so.

At the moment, Izroth lacked the method or knowledge to produce or procure a living armor at will; however, he had something at his disposal that was undoubtedly his best chance. The skill Unparalleled Craftsman! With it, the likelihood of him being able to craft a living armor of his own in the future was not an impossibility.

(...)

The Dragon Lord of the Abyss fell silent as if he suddenly entered into a deep state of thought.

After nearly one breath of time, Izroth received another set of alerts from the system.

〈System Alert: «Authority» for the «Immortal Persona: Dragon Lord of the Abyss» has risen from Low Level to Low-Mid Level!〉

〈System Alert: Your «Authority» with the «Immortal Persona: Dragon Lord of the Abyss» is now high enough to access a portion of the skill «Dragon's Mark»!〉

〈System Alert: «Authority» for the «Immortal Persona: Dragon Lord of the Abyss» has risen from Low-Mid Level to Mid Level!〉

〈System Alert: Your «Authority» with the «Immortal Persona: Dragon Lord of the Abyss» is now high enough to access a portion of the skill «Dragon's Scale»!〉

(I'll be blunt. I still do not trust you, human. Though regrettably, this lord is left with no other choice but the one laid before me. I will, as you humans say, "gamble" on you.)

'One day, you will understand how wise the decision you've made today is.'

(Hmph, I will believe it when that day comes. Until then, you had better not die. You must keep your promise with this lord and secure me a new vessel. To that end, and only to that end, will this lord lend you its strength.)

(...It is shameful to become so weakened after granting such a miniscule amount of Authority. This new form is undesirable. I grow tired... Do not awaken this lord from its slumber unless the matter is of life or death...)

〈System Alert: «Immortal Persona: Dragon Lord of the Abyss» has severed the active link! [Cooldown: 24 hours]〉