Terror.
That was the only word that could properly encapsulate the overwhelming emotions that flowed through everyone who stood and watched.
… Who saw the emergence of a being that transcended their understanding.
No one could move—not even Adonis.
They all just looked in fear and trepidation, perhaps hoping they would not be struck down where they stood.
This massive being—over fifteen meters in overall height—was clearly beyond their means.
It was invincible.
"Ahh… I suppose this form is too much for you. Then—"
~VWUSH!~
In a flash of purplish-blue energy, the Dragon's colossal form slowly began to shrink.
Its beastly form began to grow humanoid, until it finally condensed into an entity that could pass for a human—save for a few features.
It still had three horns protruding from its head, and its long hair shone with a bluish-black allure.
It had split pupils, like that of a beast, but its eyes were mostly human-like, glowing purple.
Its sharp teeth were hidden behind humanoid lips, and while it had a skin that vastly resembled a human's, scales appeared in multiple areas—like a portion of its face, neck, and hands.
It had wings behind it, and a tail still dancing back and forth, despite wearing what resembled an elegant blue suit made from the best of materials.
Even in this form, a twisted grin remained on his face, and so its onlookers could not be at ease.
This… this BEING was one of absolute destruction.
No one stood a chance.
"You're not going to say anything? Even after making it this far? How boring…"
The Dragon, now in the form of a pristine adult male, began to walk towards the group.
Its formal shoes clacked hard on the ground, causing an echo to permeate the world around.
"You finally caught me. You've figured it out. That should be a cause for celebration, no?"
More steps were taken.
The fifty-seven could not move back.
There was an instinctive drive that told them that any sudden movement—even the slightest hint of defiance—would lead to their inevitable deaths.
They could only swallow the saliva and wait… perhaps hope for some sort of intervention from the stronger ones.
… From Adonis and Lucielle.
"I can't say I blame you, though. This is why we Dragons can never take your kind seriously." The thing chuckled.
"You're all too pathetic. It's hilarious."
This Dragon had a look of disregard for the prey set before it.
They were nothing before his eyes.
A human's pride could only take so much after being assailed with such demeaning words, and being treated worse than an insect.
And so—
"W-we're not afraid of you!"
—Someone finally spoke up.
No one knew who it was.
Perhaps it was merely one of the many soldiers, or an Otherworlder… whoever it was didn't matter.
The important thing was that the single voice caused others to get a hold of their courage and light up the flames of resolve in their hearts.
"Y-yeah!"
"Humanity will never give up!"
"You vile beast! You'll be—!"
~SPLOOSH!~
In a single instance, as if crushed by an invisible force from above, all fifty soldiers and mages were turned into smush.
Their bodies were flattened, causing blood and their internal organs to splatter out, like jelly out of a crushed donut.
The oozing liquid painted the surroundings red, even straining the attires of those who stood beside them.
All of this… in just a moment.
"I don't believe I gave weaklings the permission to speak."
The Dragon's arrogant tone echoed as he approached once again.
Despite only a few of them speaking, he had chosen to punish a whole fifty men and women. Their lives were as insignificant to him as dust was to a man.
He simply shrugged them off.
"I spared the rest of you because you're not so weak. At the very least, I can sense it within you… most of you…" The Dragon's purple eyes flickered.
"You have very good potential. You should be worth devouring."
Unlike humans, who got their EXP from directly killing their enemies, the anatomy of Dragons demanded differently.
They had to feast on their prey.
By doing so, they got portions of their strength.
"Hehe…" The Dragon kicked his lips with its long, beast-like tongue as he gazed upon their fearful faces in amusement.
There was no mercy or compassion to be found in its eyes.
Just certain death.
However, even in the darkest moments… when despair threatens to swallow one whole… there was still a chance for something beautiful to emerge.
… Hope!
"Lucielle… go get Brutus quickly." Adonis whispered.
"W-what?"
The Grand Mage was stunned by the Hero's words, and her reaction made it clear that she wasn't expecting him to be capable of uttering words.
Not after what they had all just seen.
"Get Brutus and return to back me up." Adonis continued.
His body was trembling; anyone could see that he was unnerved by the Dragon's presence.
Still…
"The rest of you should stay put. Make any unnecessary movements and you might fall into danger."
… Adonis kept speaking.
Was it due to his conviction that the Dragon wouldn't turn him into paste due to its desire to feed on him?
Perhaps.
Or maybe… just maybe… Adonis was confident that he would be able to resist the overwhelming force that just killed fifty of his companions.
Either way, he didn't seem to be backing down.
"Did you hear me, Lucielle?"
For a moment, there was silence.
Adonis kept his gaze on the smirking thing before them, while Lucielle gazed at him with shock.
Here was a boy who had just been summoned to this world, and yet he was far more composed than she was.
She felt ashamed.
After only a few seconds, though, the Grand Mage had to pull herself together.
"Understood!" Her crimson eyes glowed as she nodded.
She bit her lip and numbed her fear with pain.
"Thank you." Adonis nodded, still not removing his gaze from the advancing creature.
"Everyone, please… stick together. And remember… don't move!"
At this point, the Dragon could no longer contain its amusement.
"Hahahahaha!" It cackled, watching as Adonis fished out orders and looked so serious.
It was akin to an adult being confronted by a toddler who sought out a fight.
There was simply no chance.
"Seems like you plan on fighting me alone, human." Purplish energy began to manifest around its body.
The very air vibrated as a result of this revelation.
"I do."
Suddenly, Adonis took a step forward.
The loud clacking of his shoes caused the Dragon's echoing approach to cease.
It was now the blond-haired boy who took steps forward.
His body was still trembling, but he did not cease in his advance.
"Right here and now… I will defeat you."
Suddenly, golden glimmers of light began to manifest around Adonis. Sparkles radiated within his eyes, hair, and all over the rest of his body.
The tremblings began to get stronger.
Many might misunderstand and think Adonis was scared—just like everyone else.
But they'd be wrong.
Yes, he was indeed frightened by the sudden appearance of this impossible creature of untold horrors.
However, that wasn't the cause of his bodily tremors.
No… those only existed for one reason.
RAGE!
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Thanks for reading!
Do you think they'll be able to win against the Dragon?
Let's hear your thoughts!
