"ROOOOAARRR!"
A gigantic tyrannosaurus covered on black and crimson scales and flames roared, its body size of over fifty meters, covered on sharp spikes and breathing fire.
"RAAAH!"
Surtr surged from above the monster, as the dinosaur-like beast was fighting against Nadia, Mina, and Jamar. Axe strikes cut through its scales, white flames weakened it, and explosive mushrooms distracted it.
"[Blazing Dragon Blade Decapitation]!"
With all his might, the young Fire Dragon unleashed a devastating slashing attack with his divine sword, forged by combining the souls of his family into a single item!
SLAAAASSSHH!!
"GRYYEEH…!"
BAAAMMM…!
The monster gave out a last shriek of agony before dying, its head rolling over the floor. The floor trembled, as the gates at the end of the hall slowly started to open.
Above the gates, there was a sign saying [Next: Floor 46].
Despite how simplistic the monster looked like, that was a Rank 9 Initial Stage Divine Monster, the boss of Floor 45 of the Trial of Endurance. They were almost midway through the Trial, with only 54 floors left.
"W-We did it…!" Surtr celebrated, quickly resting over the floor.
Everyone else did pretty much the same, the boss was incredibly strong because it was further buffed by the Trial, and they also had to fight against thirty other monsters helping the Boss as well.
"Hahh…" Agni gasped for air, having unleashed all the magic he could, he helped everyone with his almighty buffs and the ability to temporarily awaken SSS Rank Divine Abilities on anybody. "It has been getting slightly tougher as we advance."
"And we're just halfway through…" Laughed his sister, Leona. "Sir Surtr, should we take a break? How about we have a meal?"
"Sure." Surtr nodded. "Everyone, let's gather together, I'll make something!" Surtr said, opening his Inventory, which was imbued within a ring he had crafted using Space Spirit Stones and his Unique Skill [Heavenly Smith], and taking out several cooking utensils, ingredients, and more, which Drake had given to him before they departed.
"Phew, I wonder how Drake and everyone else is doing." Jamar wondered, sitting nearby.
"He said that they would be looking for a special Divine Treasure he needed to create… an Ascendancy Law? Or whatever it was called." Said Nadia.
"Ascendancy Law… I've heard about Divinities, but what is that?" Mina wondered.
"Master said that they were like a Divine Abilities, Divinities, and Unique Skills all merged together into a single power." Surtr said. "And more… He said that it was the key for anybody that reached Rank 10 to keep growing stronger. Eventually, we might need to do the same he's doing right now…"
"Such a power… I wonder if only the Venerables ever developed those…" Said Agni. "I suppose it is only natural for master to have the talent to become a Venerable too!"
"I guess it couldn't be helped, he's too strong and handsome." Leona giggled, thinking about Drake made her blush.
"Sis… just give up, it's not going to work…" Agni sighed.
"I-It's just a crush, okay?!" Leona blushed even more.
"Hahaha! I hope Master Drake can wait for us a bit longer, we're getting there steadily, at the very least." Surtr smiled, cooking some rice and a huge stew.
"Surtr, your rice's burning again!" Mina panicked.
"Eh?!"
.
.
.
(Drake's POV)
As the morning arrived, Tyrannus, the chief of the village, stepped out of his house once he made sure to learn everything we could tell him.
He quickly explained to his people what had truly happened, who were we, and about Emerald's condition. There wasn't a villager that didn't felt slightly bad over their Sacred Beast, who got a beating for them.
Honestly, he reminded me of Surtr a bit, but Emerald is still fairly different… Are all young dragons kind of like this? Well, I was also like them to an extent, but never too much like Emerald.
Even though he's irritating sometimes, I can't help but feel empathy for how he feels and for what he does… He's fast asleep right now, but I'm sure he'll be waking up quite soon.
Amehia, the chief's daughter, was a strong Spirit Magician, a Druid, who had contracts with many Spirits. She had excellent magic and potential, and she seemed to share a strong bond with Emerald, both were good friends.
I suppose he really loved this place, even after they hated him for what he said and started chasing him around, he forgave them too quickly…
"And that's that…" Tyrannus sighed. "Lord Drake is thinking about something for now, and we'll definitely won't stay idle about what's going on. We'll go to the Ancient Ruins and find those that were taken away from us… Even if we have to go against that monster."
"The Ancient Ruins…"
"What if the barrier breaks? What will we do then?"
"Is that monster somehow related with the barrier?"
"Chief… what will happen to us?"
Tyrannus felt similarly to them, but as the chief, he had to muster the strength to face his people and tell them the truth.
"Honestly, I don't have any idea myself." He spoke. "But what I know is that as long as we stay together, there's always hope for survival. Let's not lose faith, and let's work together, everyone… We will find a solution eventually, with everyone's help."
"T-That's right…"
"Chief, thank you…"
"What should we do now then?"
"Please tell us, and we'll work harder than ever before!"
"For now, rest, eat, and make sure to rest some more. I need everyone to be on top condition. Warriors, half of you will remain in the village and the other half will come with us and Lord Drake into the Ruins. Make sure to be ready." Tyrannus spoke.
"OOOOHHH!"
The lizardmen roared mightily, as the chief walked back home, sighing in relief.
"They are quite the organized group of people…" Kraxka smiled. "It reminds me of our village as well, in those times before we joined Lord Drake."
"I guess they are much better than us, that always kept each other's tribes separated." Larzak sighed. "I'm sure that they will be able to thrive, even without a barrier, and even if they don't accept lord Drake's help."
["Drake, I can sense the Divine Treasure… It is within the Ancient Ruin's Depths…"]
["It is strange, however… its powers, are growing larger… Something else is going on in there."]
We'll have to find out then.
"They understood at the end." Tyrannus entered the house again. "For now, we should prepare… I don't know if we'll be of some help, but fire does sure annoys that thing, we could use that against them."
"Yeah, I believe that would work well." I nodded. "Though, are you sure you want to come? We could go on our own, you don't need to risk your lives."
"Please, Lord Drake, don't say such a thing to warriors such as us." Laughed Tyrannus. "It would hurt our pride as warriors if we didn't came along and helped you out, even if minimal, the people missing are not even related to you, they're our family… It feels like the right thing to do, even if… we cannot even do much."
"I get it." I smiled. "Fine… But you are not going there with that shabby armor and weapons. I'll get you something good. Oi, sleepyhead, wake up already, you're helping out too." I moved Emerald's head with my tail.
"UAAGH! E-Eh? Ahh…" Emerald woke up while screaming. "I'm alive?!"
"Of course you are alive!" Amehia reprimanded him. "Now get up, you're going to help too!"
