With a single slash, he gutted his enemy, sending intestines spilling onto the ground.
Blood splattered across his face, and Rega's violet pupils took on a tinge of crimson.
His chest rose and fell violently, his breath burning hot, distorting the air around him.
**Whoosh—**
An arrow descended from above, piercing through his left shoulder.
The force was so great that Rega staggered.
Out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of a Highland Clan commander standing atop the canyon, holding a curved bow.
**Squelch—**
A bronze spear struck from behind, impaling his abdomen.
Scorching blood seeped from the wound. Rega turned his head and, with a single slash, decapitated his attacker.
**"Heh..."**
Blood dripped from the corner of his mouth. His body trembled slightly, but he couldn't suppress the smirk creeping onto his lips.
He felt no pain. Instead, his mind had never been clearer, and his body surged with boundless energy.
With a swing of his dragon claw, he severed the spear shaft protruding from his stomach.
**"Step aside! I'll kill him myself!"**
A rough voice roared. Rega found himself completely surrounded, his vision obscured.
The Highland warriors ahead parted instantly. The slower ones were unceremoniously flung aside, crashing to the ground, their fates unknown.
As the commotion spread, the surrounding Highland warriors instinctively backed away, leaving Rega some breathing room.
Lifting his gaze through blood-streaked, disheveled hair, he saw a towering beast of a man charging toward him.
At first glance, Rega frowned.
The approaching Highland warrior had a grotesque face, standing over three meters tall, with bulging muscles and a horned helmet.
**"A giant's descendant?"**
True giants usually stood around six meters tall. This creature was no true giant.
There was only one explanation—he had giant blood in his veins.
**"You little runt! I'm going to tear you apart!"**
The half-giant closed the distance, raising a massive hand the size of a shield to swat at him.
Rega sidestepped, slashing at the beast's wrist.
**Clang!**
Metal clashed against metal, sending sparks flying.
Rega's eyes narrowed as he continued to dodge.
The half-giant paused, rolling up his thick fur sleeves to reveal crude iron bracers.
Seizing the moment of distraction, Rega lunged forward, driving his sword into the half-giant's abdomen.
**Clang!**
The same sharp, metallic ring echoed—a chilling sensation.
**"Hah! My belt is sturdy as hell!"**
The half-giant laughed, slapping his gut, making a loud, resonant **bang**.
Clearly, he was covered in protective gear.
Rega flipped over, slashing again. This time, he tore through the beast's chest.
With a sickening **rip**, the fur garment split open, and foul-smelling blood sprayed out.
**"Argh! Tron will crush you!"**
The half-giant bellowed, swinging his massive hands like two castle gates, swatting wildly at Rega.
The surrounding Highland warriors dared not approach, forming a tight circle around the two combatants.
Rega dodged several times, but a spear suddenly thrust toward him, blocking his escape.
**Boom!**
In that brief moment of miscalculation, Tron's palm came crashing down.
Rega couldn't evade in time. He raised his arms, dragon claws braced for impact, but the sheer force sent him flying.
**"Rega!!"**
Rhaenyra screamed, tears spilling from her eyes.
Hiding inside the carriage, she couldn't see the battle, but she saw clearly—Rega, bloodied, hurled through the air.
With a dull **thud**, he hit the ground. His head buzzed, but he instinctively rolled to lessen the impact.
A ringing sound filled his ears. His skin flushed red-hot, and wisps of white steam rose from his body.
Especially around his wounded shoulder and abdomen, his blood sizzled as it hit the grass.
Then, a system notification sounded abruptly.
**"Congratulations, the Lightbringer's Blessing has been activated. You have obtained..."**
Rega's eyes snapped open. Through the blood clinging to his lashes, he saw his Explorer Panel.
**[Fire Sorcerer]**
- **Rank:** Epic (Purple)
- **Effect:** Awakens the dormant power within your bloodline.
- **Evaluation:** "A bloodline alone is meaningless. Now, you have the talent to wield it."
The next second, a sigil engraved with a blazing sun and a crimson heart materialized in the air—before instantly igniting in flames.
The fire vanished in an instant, transforming into a burst of sparks.
Under Rega's watchful gaze, the embers seemed to be drawn to him, floating toward his head before sinking into his flesh.
**Sizzle—**
A flicker of flame rose from the corner of his eye, catching his attention.
**Whoosh—**
Suddenly, flames erupted from his body, engulfing every inch of him.
His long silver-gold hair billowed as fire danced along the strands. Leaning on his dragon claw, Rega slowly stood up.
He felt an overwhelming surge of strength and heat coursing through him.
Lowering his gaze, he saw his abdomen—the gaping wound now cauterized by the searing flames, his blood solidifying in the heat.
Rhaegar reached out and gripped the protruding spearhead, pulling it out completely with a squelch.
A gush of blood spurted out, instantly igniting into flames.
The surrounding flames converged toward his wound, stopping the bleeding.
Rhaegar then grabbed the broken arrow shaft lodged in his left shoulder and removed it in the same manner.
His mind spun rapidly as he processed what had happened.
He summoned his personal status panel.
**[Rhaegar Targaryen]**
**Talents:** Dreamer (Gold), Pyromancer (Purple), Longevity (Green)
**Bloodline:** Ancient Valyrian Dragon King (+42%)
**Skills:** Mastery of Swordsmanship, Mastery of Spearmanship, Mastery of Ancient Valyrian Language...
**Relics:** Blood and Fire as One, True Dragon's Blood, Visions of the Dream...
**Evaluation:**
*"The ancient bloodline has fully awakened, giving rise to extraordinary talents."*
*"The Dragon King's bloodline has been further purified."*
Rhaegar furrowed his brow slightly, puzzled. "Did I just become a pyromancer?"
His bloodline purity had been stuck for years, unable to break past the 40% threshold.
Now, not only had he become a pyromancer, but his bloodline had advanced further.
Or rather, it was precisely because his bloodline had been purified that he had become a pyromancer.
The two complemented each other.
Lost in thought, Rhaegar grasped the blade of his Dragonclaw sword and pulled it sharply.
With a tearing sound, his palm was cut open, and his blood smeared onto the Dragonclaw.
Instantly, flames ignited along the blade, and the distinctive rippling patterns of Valyrian steel seemed to come alive, gently undulating.
"Fire! He's burning!"
Rhaegar's transformation happened in the blink of an eye, and the surrounding mountain clansmen recoiled in shock and fear.
"Back off! The tribe has plenty of torches—what's there to be afraid of?!"
A small giant shoved aside a cowering clansman and charged forward, fists raised.
Rhaegar remained expressionless, gripping Dragonclaw with both hands, silently familiarizing himself with the flames' empowerment.
The giant's fist came crashing down, but instead of dodging, Rhaegar counterattacked, slashing his sword at the unarmored fingers.
*Slash!*
Three thick fingers were severed, dropping to the ground.
"AAAHH! Damn it!"
The searing pain drove the giant into a frenzy, causing him to hunch over and flail wildly.
Rhaegar took the opportunity to swing his sword at the exposed arm. The blade sliced into flesh, lodging deep into the bone.
Howling in rage, the giant grabbed the embedded sword and, with a fierce yank, wrenched it away.
Unfazed, Rhaegar abandoned the sword and dodged.
"Die, you insect!"
Believing he had successfully disarmed Rhaegar, the giant sneered and lunged with outstretched arms.
"The one who's dying is you!"
Rhaegar dove forward into a roll, swiftly turning to face his foe at point-blank range. With a flick of his wrist, his spatial bracelet glowed, and a two-meter-long spear materialized in his right hand.
*Thud!*
The one-foot-long spearhead shot forward like a serpent, burying itself deep in the giant's chest.
"*Ghh... Ghh...*"
With his heart pierced, the giant's eyes widened as he coughed up a mouthful of blood.
Summoning his last ounce of strength, he attempted to crush Rhaegar between his arms.
But Rhaegar swiftly withdrew the spearhead, pushed forward with his left hand gripping the shaft, and drove the weapon through the giant's throat.
With a twist of the spear, the Valyrian steel tip shattered the cervical vertebrae, sending the giant's massive head flying through the air.
**(End of Chapter)**