Infinite Paths: The Raging Phoenix

The figure that emerged from the hammer, despite the relic being that kind of weapon, didn't show the physical stature of a powerful warrior. In contrast to the expected image of a robust and imposing individual who would wield a hammer, this person was rather unassuming. He stood at a shorter height, possessing a slight build that didn't immediately convey physical strength.

With a head of curly hair and tanned skin, the newcomer's appearance didn't seem to match the stereotypical image of a hammer-wielding warrior. He looked bewildered, almost petrified, as if he had been plucked from a different time or world entirely, that was the case, though.

Rain observed that this individual appeared to be completely disoriented, displaying clear signs of fear and confusion. It seemed evident that he didn't comprehend the circumstances or the place he found himself in. The man's demeanor and appearance were incongruous with Rain's expectations, leaving him mystified as to the stranger's origin and purpose.

"Hey, what is up?" Rain asked. "I am the guy who found you, and it looks like you are confused. Don't you understand the situation?"

"What is this place?" The hammer guy asked.

"Some place created with the power of my mind," Rain said. "Don't answer questions with other questions, you will have the chance to ask things eventually. Just tell me what you know."

"... I don't know anything, I just remember… deciding to transfer my spirit to a relic… in hopes that in the future someone would use me to fight the dragons," The hammer guy said.

"... It seems that he didn't wake up even once since he transferred his spirit, that is why he doesn't know anything," Larisa said. "Unlike us, who had been used a few times over the years."

"You were used a few times over the years?" Rain asked.

"Phrasing… After recovering some of my memories, I confirmed that some dragons tried to use me, even though the older dragons told them not to," Larisa explained.

Rain nodded… it would be hard for the hammer guy to be found when he stayed at the bottom of a lava lake for fifty thousand years. In any case, Larisa and Nigel could have explained things to him, but it seemed that they were being mindful for a change and didn't do that without Rain's consent.

"His voice sounds familiar, though," Larisa said while holding her chin. "Maybe he is one of the guys I talked to and shared my findings before."

"Good, then share more of your recent findings with him," Rain said. "I will come back later and see if he has any decent information."

"How about using everyone's mana to make him recover his memories faster?" Larisa asked.

"No way," Rain said.

Rain remained cautious despite the hammer guy not showing any immediate suspicious behavior. His instincts didn't trigger strong warning signals about the newcomer, but he was aware that appearances could be deceiving. Even though he hadn't sensed any overt malevolent energy emanating from the hammer or the newcomer so far, Rain understood the importance of staying vigilant.

The absence of apparent danger didn't necessarily imply an absence of hidden threats. Rain was accustomed to being cautious and understanding that malevolent intentions might not always reveal themselves immediately. His experience had taught him that danger could sometimes lurk beneath the surface, unseen or undetected until it was too late.

Given the mystery surrounding the hammer guy's sudden appearance and the relic's potential significance, Rain remained watchful and prudent, unwilling to drop his guard until he had a clearer understanding of the situation and the newcomer's true intentions. He could never be too cautious when the safety of his family was on the line.

In any case, Rain had dinner with his family, but it seemed that the spiciness of the food wasn't welcome… Seara and Sealyn hadn't recovered from the heat of the volcanoes, so they didn't want to sweat anymore. Rain wondered if he could make some ice cream with magic alone, but probably wouldn't taste good without actually flavors of milk, fruits, and sugar.

"There is nothing to do…" Sealyn said after relaxing for a few minutes. "This is a bit unnerving… is that how you spent most of the last months, Dad?"

"Hey, that sounded really rude," Seara said.

"It is fine, I didn't have many chances to stop and relax since I was always thinking that the dragon god could return at any point," Rain replied. "Worrying too much only made me waste time and energy. Also, you don't have to use your body only to do something useful. You learned a bit of the Magic Scribe path, right? The potential of those skills is endless when they are combined."

"How did he look like?" Danny asked.

"The dragon god? He was quite ugly… I was surprised," Rain said. "You can imagine considering that someone like me grew used to seeing such handsomeness on the mirror every day."

Everyone looked at Rain and their eyes showed a single question on them: are you for real? Rain laughed a bit and decided to tell the appearance of the dragon god… he would never forget it.

It felt like everyone was seeing the creature while Rain described it. The dragon god wasa colossal hydra, towering at a staggering two hundred meters, defying the very laws of physics and giving the middle finger toward it as well.

The creature boasted nine heads, each adorned with a distinct color, while the final two were notably white and black. What sent shivers down Rain's spine was the eerie sight of each head showind a disturbingly peculiar, creepy smile.

Despite its immense size and the multiple heads, the creature's body resembled that of a typical western dragon, primarily colored in shades of brown. The vivid display of different-colored heads, each with its own enigmatic grin, created an unsettling yet mesmerizing image.

It was as though the creature derived a sinister amusement from the unfolding events, its unsettling smile radiating an aura of unfathomable power and cryptic intentions.