Chapter 115: The Shadowed Long-Winged Dragon in the Night
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Sothoryos, Pterodactyl Point
The rainforest of Pterodactyl Point at night was even more mysterious and vibrant than during the day, because some creatures here only appeared after dusk.
When night fell, this tropical paradise would be covered by a mysterious veil, revealing a different kind of beauty.
At this moment, Jon Snow was standing atop a giant tree, about twenty leagues away from his previous landing point.
Unlike the swampy regions on the periphery, the rainforest of Pterodactyl Point seemed far more dangerous and terrifying. Since entering, Jon had already encountered attacks from many dreadful creatures.
Giant lizards, massive apes, enormous pythons, and unknown beasts lurking in the darkness—but what surprised Jon most was that there were also indigenous humans in this place.
However, in the outside world, humans stood at the top of the food chain. Here, humans had become prey.
These natives of Sothoryos, who resembled primitive tribes, possessed almost no intelligence to speak of. They were ruthless toward their own kind—and even toward themselves.
During his exploration, Jon had witnessed several instances of infighting among them—not out of hatred, but simply because they could not find food.
Although he had grown accustomed to bloodshed, when Jon first witnessed such cannibalism, he still felt an inexplicable disgust.
Jon was now completely enveloped in darkness, as the rainforest canopy blocked out the sky, allowing only scattered starlight or moonlight to filter through the leaves, forming mottled patches of dim light.
Some nocturnal creatures flickered in and out of that faint glow, their outlines blurring in the darkness like spirits guarding this land.
The air was heavy with dampness. It had rained again near dusk. However, unlike the swamp regions, this forest seemed like a massive sponge, absorbing the rainwater entirely.
After the rainfall, the entire rainforest felt even fresher, brimming with vitality. Water droplets dripped from broad leaves, creating soft tapping sounds that blended with distant animal cries—forming a symphony only nature could compose.
In this deep darkness, creatures became unusually active. Countless insects buzzed through the forest, their sounds forming the unique background music of the night.
Fireflies shimmered in the air like tiny stars, adding a faint but warm glow to the jungle.
Frogs croaked endlessly, their calls echoing across the rainforest as if declaring their presence and territory.
Yet, none of them were the true rulers here.
After nightfall, the true master of this rainforest was the Shadowed Long-Winged Dragon.
This mysterious creature was recorded only in a handful of ancient texts. If Jon had not discovered the corpse of a black hatchling when he captured Poisonworm Bay, he likely would never have come here searching for it.
Among certain natives who had learned to speak High Valyrian and the Common Tongue, the Shadowed Long-Winged Dragon was known as the "Dark Demon Serpent."
Where it appeared, death and slaughter followed.
Compared to it, even the savage and bloodthirsty swamp pterosaurs seemed tame.
In many native legends, the Shadowed Long-Winged Dragon attacked prey from the skies or treetops.
It only appeared during the darkest hours of the night.
Because the moon had been full these past few days, Jon could only rely on chance.
During these days of searching, Jon had already captured many types of long-winged reptiles. For common species such as swamp pterosaurs and striped variants, he had even obtained their eggs.
"Whoosh… whoosh…"
Just as Jon was considering how to capture the Shadowed Long-Winged Dragon, a strange sound suddenly reached his ears.
"Crack…"
Following the sound through an owl's vision, a massive shadow entered Jon's sight.
The creature hung upside down from a tree branch like a bat.
Its tail coiled tightly around the trunk like a serpent, its talons gripping firmly, while the claws along its wings hooked into the bark.
Its grotesque draconic head slowly scanned the surroundings like a hunting sentinel.
The tree it clung to was enormous—towering like a giant.
Suddenly, the Shadowed Long-Winged Dragon seemed to detect something. Its gaze snapped toward a point to the northwest.
Through the owl's enhanced vision, Jon saw two massive figures moving beneath the leaves.
Giant apes.
Over the past few days, Jon had encountered them many times.
Giant apes, giant lizards, and giant pythons—these were what Jon had come to call the "Three Overlords of the Rainforest."
Each dominated its own territory.
Giant lizards ruled the swamps and rivers.
Giant apes occupied the ground and hollowed trees.
Giant pythons claimed the canopy above.
Although these creatures were powerful, Jon had often found their corpses scattered throughout the forest.
It was precisely because of this that he became certain the Shadowed Long-Winged Dragon existed.
At this moment, just like Jon, the creature was staring at the two massive figures below.
One male. One female.
Jon could tell easily.
The female's exaggerated chest and the male's grotesquely large reproductive organ made the distinction unmistakable.
Under the scattered moonlight, the two beasts were engaged in primal mating.
Jon glanced once—and immediately looked away.
Not out of shame—but because the sight was simply too disturbing.
The Shadowed Long-Winged Dragon, however, watched with intense focus.
A thin strand of saliva even dripped from its mouth.
Clearly, it was excited.
This was something Jon had never observed in other long-winged creatures.
The so-called "dragon lust" likely came from ancient human interpretations of serpents.
In many old legends, serpents symbolized sin and corruption. When people witnessed masses of snakes intertwined in mating, they assumed such creatures were driven by overwhelming desire.
As creatures often compared to serpents, dragons inherited that reputation.
In Westeros, there were even dark tales of dragons and princesses—though some claimed those stories actually involved giants instead.
"Swish—!"
Just as the two apes reached a critical moment, the Shadowed Long-Winged Dragon struck.
It dove like a black arrow from the sky.
Its wings spread like a torn sail, controlling its descent—slowing just enough while maintaining lethal speed.
This was clearly a specialized hunting technique.
"Bang—hiss—!"
In mere seconds, it slammed onto the male ape.
With claws and fangs working in tandem, the ape's limbs—every one of them—were rendered useless.
"ROAR—!"
The female reacted too late.
With a furious roar, she charged and swung her massive fists.
"Smack—THUD—!"
But the dragon had already anticipated the attack.
Its tail lashed out like a whip.
The female ape was sent flying.
She crashed violently into a tree trunk, producing a dull, bone-shaking impact.
Had her body not been so resilient, she would have died instantly.
Before she could recover—
The Shadowed Long-Winged Dragon pounced again.
What followed made even Jon narrow his eyes.
The scene resembled a twisted tale—like a villain tormenting helpless lovers in some cruel story.
The male ape lay crippled, forced to watch.
The female—
Helpless.
And the dragon—
A monster reveling in domination.
"…Interesting."
Jon's voice was low.
"This is no ordinary species."
"It might even be one of the experimental remnants from the Valyrian Freehold."
During this hunt, Jon had been attempting to use his Dragonlord abilities to control these creatures.
Yet unlike normal beasts, these long-winged reptiles resisted fiercely.
Their intelligence was low—
But their souls were strangely strong.
Perhaps that was precisely why the Valyrians once experimented on them.
"Hiss… hiss…"
By now, the Shadowed Long-Winged Dragon had finished its grotesque act.
The female ape was left broken—her body covered in blood.
It seemed the creature had deliberately prolonged her suffering.
If not for its expressionless face, Jon might have sworn it was smiling.
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