Blood dripped steadily from Rion's wound, each drop darkening the soil and releasing a hot, metallic scent into the air. He clutched the gash tightly and began walking toward Noa with slow but resolute steps. Pain lanced through his body with every movement, yet his expression remained ice-cold.
"Where is the archer?"
"And that heavily armored warrior? Where is he?"
"How did Noa kill those two women when he couldn't even see them?"
Questions swirled like a vortex in Rion's mind.
Noa stood motionless, reaching out with his senses to feel the mana currents and the uneasy vibrations in the air.
Suddenly, a rapid patter of footsteps came from behind Rion.
Shap-shap-shap!
Rion whirled around, alert. Gobuto came sprinting toward him, eyes wide with pure terror.
He collapsed at Rion's feet, body trembling violently, voice shaking.
"Master! He's coming! Save me, Master!"
Rion crouched, staring down at him, brows furrowed.
"Who is coming?"
Gobuto's lips quivered.
"The warrior in full armor… the one with the greatsword and shield… he… he killed all the goblins… no one is left…"
The words tumbled out with desperate effort, thick with fear and despair.
Moments later, heavy footsteps echoed between the huts.
Tok… tok… tok…
Tarl emerged, his longsword resting on his shoulder. He had discarded his helmet and shield. His steps were heavy yet unwavering.
As he passed a ruined hut, his gaze fell on Bren's headless corpse, then on the severed head cradled in its arms—Lira's.
Tarl approached slowly and drove his sword into the ground.
Shuuunk…
He stood in silence for a moment, then gently lifted Bren's head and placed it beside Lira's.
"My friend… I was looking forward to seeing you and Lira married once the mission ended…" His voice was low, almost inaudible. "That's why you kept pushing yourself so hard…"
He fell silent again.
"Rest in peace. I'll take vengeance for you."
His expression never changed, but tears slipped quietly down his cheeks.
Tarl rose, gripped his sword, and turned to Rion.
"You're the one who killed my friend," he said, gesturing toward Bren's body.
Rion glanced at the corpse.
"Seeking revenge? Then come."
Golden vapor began rising from his body, thickening rapidly until it obscured him completely. Only his silhouette remained visible within the swirling mist.
His arms widened. Bones cracked and lengthened. Two curved draconic horns erupted from his skull, arching skyward. His eyes blazed yellow. His torso expanded. Wings unfurled.
Seconds later, the mist revealed a silhouette over three meters tall.
Tarl paused for a single heartbeat, eyes widening. Yet the thought of fleeing never crossed his mind. He advanced.
The vapor dispersed.
Rion now stood as a massive crimson dragon—majestic, terrifying, and breathtakingly beautiful. Scalding breath steamed from his jaws.
He regarded the charging Tarl.
"You are nothing but an ant to me. The reason I didn't transform against your friend was simple: I didn't want to give him more surface area to cut."
He drew a deep, rumbling breath.
"Huuuuuuuooooooo…"
His eyes flashed brilliant yellow.
Rion exhaled a torrent of flame toward Tarl.
The fire tore through the air as though the sky itself burned. Sunlight vanished; only the inferno illuminated the world.
Gobuto stood off to the side, hands clasped tightly, eyes shining with awe and triumph as he watched his master.
Tarl swung his sword downward with all his might, attempting to cleave the flames.
Sweat poured down his face. Tears evaporated into steam.
"Damn it… what is a dragon doing in a goblin village?!"
For an instant, the fire seemed to part.
Tarl's lips curved in grim triumph.
"I can do this…"
Rion narrowed his eyes.
He intensified the blaze.
In the next heartbeat, Tarl's body was engulfed.
"AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!"
He screamed in agony.
Rion ceased the breath.
"Time," he said coolly.
He reverted to his humanoid form and closed in.
Tarl flailed blindly, sword whipping through empty air in desperate arcs.
In a flash, Rion appeared behind him.
Shrrak!
Claws severed Tarl's head from his shoulders.
"You were all far too weak to defeat me. Your levels may be higher… but I am a supreme dragon," he said, voice laced with cold mockery.
Gobuto rushed to Rion's side, voice filled with reverence and exhilaration.
"You are the greatest, Master!"
Rion glanced at him.
"Is no one else alive besides you?"
Gobuto considered, scanning the surroundings.
"That warrior circled the village and slaughtered every goblin. I don't think anyone survived—unless they're hiding."
Rion spoke calmly, calculated.
"Search the village. Bring any survivors to me."
Gobuto bowed.
"Yes, Master," he replied, then vanished among the huts.
Rion turned and walked toward Noa.
Noa lay on his back, arms spread, staring at the sky.
Mana completely drained… I'm exhausted.
Inside, X spoke with satisfaction.
"Your body is adapting to mana. You did enough for today."
At that moment, Kargal approached. Noa sensed him and spoke in a low, composed voice.
"Dispose of the archer's body. Make it look like he fled. No one is to see you until I say otherwise."
Kargal halted, dropped to one knee.
"As you command, Master."
He withdrew.
Noa glanced toward him.
"He's softened a little. What do you think, X?"
X pondered before answering.
"When he saw the adventurers, his rage and killing intent were raw. They were his enemies, and you eliminated them. That's why, I believe."
Noa sighed.
"Haaa."
Rion reached Noa and sat beside him.
"Are you alright? Are you hurt?" he asked, concern evident.
Noa turned his head.
"I'm fine. You? You reek of strong blood."
Rion clutched his wound.
"Just a scratch."
Noa's tone remained quiet.
"If you say so."
Rion nodded, stood, and went to search for the archer.
X addressed Noa.
"He's badly wounded. Blood is pouring from his chest. Why didn't you say anything when you knew?"
Noa hesitated.
"He wanted to protect me. He'd be ashamed if I pointed it out. I can't heal him anyway."
X exhaled deeply.
"Wise choice."
Noa lay there for five or six hours. As the sun set, the sky filled with crimson rays, draping the heavens in a veil of blood-red light.
The sun vanished.
Noa remained in the same spot.
Eventually Rion returned.
"Night has fallen. I've made a fire," he said, taking Noa's hand.
Noa raised an eyebrow.
"Oh, really? Time flew."
Rion replied calmly.
"It might seem that way to you."
He led Noa to the fire. The warmth washed over the boy as Rion seated him on an old log and sat beside him.
Rion had roasted venison caught earlier that day. The savory aroma reached Noa, easing his tension.
"Oho, Rion, your cooking is simply incredible."
Rion looked slightly embarrassed.
"Anyone can cook this."
He handed a piece to Noa.
Noa chewed, smiling brightly.
"Delicious. Thank you, Rion."
Rion's eyes softened as he gazed at him.
"You deserve far better than this, truly."
Noa continued eating in silence.
Hours passed.
Rion spoke, voice tinged with melancholy.
"Noa, fate and your family were never kind to you. I feared you would change… but thank you for remaining the same."
He placed a hand on Noa's shoulder.
Noa sounded surprised yet subdued.
"It doesn't matter to me anymore—who is kind, who hates me. I've decided to love myself."
Rion's faint smile carried quiet relief.
Noa tilted his face skyward.
"Are Ruya and Siamon still beautiful?"
Rion first looked down, then up at the twin moons—Ruya and Siamon.
His voice held a strange, sorrowful note.
"They are still as beautiful as ever… just like before, Noa…"
When Rion turned back, his eyes widened, pupils contracting to pinpricks. His hand trembled; the meat slipped from his fingers to the ground. Shock rooted him in place.
The next instant, he pulled Noa into a desperate embrace.
A white-fletched arrow protruded from Noa's heart. Blood trickled from his lips, dripping onto the earth.
Rion was so stunned that terror stole his voice at first. Tears welled as his cry finally tore free, trembling and raw:
"N… N… N… NOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!"
The scream was so piercing that Gobuto, standing near the fire, clapped his hands over his ears and dropped to the ground. Birds in the distant forest exploded into the night sky, fleeing
Where do you think the arrow came from? What happens now? Don't forget to save it to your power stone and library.