Finally, three days had passed.
During the wait, it was mostly just Elara training, hunting, and talking with me. She was annoying at times, but it wasn't all bad.
My injuries weren't fully healed, but I was strong enough to walk. It was time to head for Bladepoint.
Morning light filtered through the leaves as we left the cave behind, our footsteps quiet against the damp earth.
It was peaceful. Since we destroyed the womb, this forest had been thriving in the little time we've spent here. I've been seeing more wildlife roaming around, slowly but surely this place will heal.
A faint smile tugged at the corner of my lips.
Elara paused, staring at me for a moment before walking ahead.
'What was that about?'
I shrugged and kept walking, the scent of pine and damp earth fading behind me.
It took us around an hour to exit the forest. We were met with the sight of lush greenland, as far as the eye can see. There wasn't a cloud in sight. It was like something out of a painting.
Before I could fully appreciate the view, Elara's voice rang from beside me.
"So, what's the plan for when we get to Bladepoint?"
Meeting her gaze, I replied.
"First I need to replace my exoskeleton and then grab some new weapons."
"And you want us to walk all the way there?"
"That's the plan."
Elara's brows knit together after hearing my reply.
"Are you really that useless without that scrap metal?"
"Yes." I replied indifferently.
"Can't we use transport?"
"Too expensive."
"Didn't you receive compensation for kidnapping me?"
"That money's already spoken for."
"Aren't you a dragon? Can't you just fly us there?"
A thoughtful silence stretched between us before she finally answered.
"No, I can't. I don't have enough energy for something like that."
"Then we're walking."
She seemed unsatisfied but there were no other options so she gave up.
'I can't really blame her for being irritated. The walk to Bladepoint will take us at least a day with no stops.'
I glanced down at my body still covered in bandages, and all I could do was inwardly sigh at myself.
"Let's go."
*
We passed many things along the way: wandering beasts, scattered villages, and even the occasional Terror that Elara dispatched without a second thought.
But it was the ruins that stayed with me.
Crumbled stone towers. Half-buried roads. Faded signs of a world that once was.
Before the Arches, before the System, before the Terrors… there was another Earth. One where people lived quiet lives, free of monsters and madness. Just humans, ordinary, fragile, unenhanced. Like me.
That world was gone.
In its place rose the Eleven Major Cities, built around the Arches after the first invasions. Massive cities where millions of adapters gather to grow stronger, to chase purpose, or to gain power.
Bladepoint is one of them. And we were finally close.
"So, what's the name of this blacksmith we're meeting?"
"Not a blacksmith, an engineer. His name is Dorian."
"His personality is a bit… Just don't piss him off."
She shot me a strange look but I didn't bother explaining. Bladepoint was already in sight, or should I say the arch was. Towering in the distance, it split the sky like a blade of obsidian. This particular arch was a gateway to the world "Durakath".
Durakath is home to the "Obsidian Reavers." Dark, mineral-skinned warriors said to wield blades that grow directly from their arms. I've never seen one in person, but I've heard the stories.
We were getting close to the city gates, so I thought it would be a good time to talk to Elara now.
I called out to her.
"Elara."
She didn't stop.
"Don't cause a scene," I warned.
She kept walking, ignoring me like I hadn't said a thing.
'So much for her being easier to control.'
When we reached the gate, a massive line stretched as far as I could see, hundreds, maybe thousands of people, all waiting.
'What is going on?'
I approached the first person I saw, a guy leaning on his spear and half-asleep in the heat.
"Hey, what's all this for?"
He blinked at me like I'd grown a second head. "You serious? Some lunatic showed up four days ago. He's offering 100,000 gold to anyone who can beat him in a fight."
"100,000?" I repeated, eyebrows raised.
"Yup. And no one's touched him. Not even a scratch."
He scratched his cheek. "Granted, he isn't accepting challengers above the Vanguard tier."
"Got it. Thanks."
"Yeah, good luck."
I turned to fill Elara in. "Hey Elara, it might be a while before we can—"
She was gone.
I clenched my fists, jaw tight.
'Of course she disappeared.'
***
ELARA's POV
I surged through the line, a blur to the naked eye.
'That scent… Could it be?'
My lips curled into a grin, sharp and electric. My eyes began to glow with a flicker of heat.
If it really was him...
The thought made something primal stir in my chest.
The front of the line came into view, guards scanning every fighter. One of them noticed me, too late.
"A Drakonid!? Hey stop!! You can't just—"
I launched forward, my foot planting on his shoulder as I vaulted over him, landing inside the city.
His scent led me to a wall of humans gathered in a wide circle.
I slammed my foot into the ground, leaving a shallow crater, and launched myself into the air, landing dead center in the crowd.
Standing across from me was a white-haired human. A white jacket draped loosely from his shoulders, black-tinted sunglasses hid his eyes, and a cocky smile tugged at his lips.
"Was wondering when you'd show up, lizard."
His voice oozed arrogance.
"Where's Griffin?" he asked.
Steam was already hissing from my skin. My blood was singing.
I almost charged him right then and there, but Griffin's voice echoed in my mind:
"Don't cause a scene."
'Too late for that.'
The crowd stirred.
"Hey! Who the hell are you?!"
"Yeah! You can't just cut in line!"
I shot them a glare. Silence.
"Oh shit, a Drakonid…"
"The hell's one of those monsters doing in Bladepoint?"
"They never come this far out…"
The shouts melted into whispers. I turned back to the arrogant human, locking eyes with him.
"I left Griffin at the gate. He'll be here soon."
"Interesting," he said, tilting his head. "So you ditched Griffin just to find me? Why's that?"
"Last time we met, you used a peculiar power." I took a step forward, the ground beneath me cracking slightly. "It's been on my mind ever since."
"Show me."
He chuckled. "I don't know if you're aware, but there's a fee to fight me, baby dragon."
My grin widened. "Your arrogance soars higher than I do, human."
He shrugged and held out his hand with a casual smirk.
"Come on then. I'll put the fee on Griffin's tab."
I lunged at him, muscles coiled like springs. My fist cut through the air, aimed straight for his smug jaw.
He didn't flinch.
Then his lips parted.
"Cease."
My body locked up, for a heartbeat, just one. But that was all he needed.
His foot slammed into my face.
The world spun. I rocketed backward, crashing toward the crowd, but caught myself just before impact, my feet skidding against the stone.
A single drop of blood trickled from my nose.
'Is that… my blood?'
"You're gonna have to do better than that, baby dragon," he called out, casually brushing dust from his sleeve. "Or I might get bored."
I stared at him and smiled. Finally, a human with an ability that could challenge me!
Rising to my feet, I let it all go. My hair flushed crimson, my eyes ignited, and the very ground beneath me began to melt.
"Hey! Your shirt's on fire!"
"Get back!! She's burning everything!"
"What the hell is she!?"
The crowd erupted in panic, scattering like leaves in a storm. I didn't care. My focus narrowed to a single point.
Him.
He tugged at his collar, fanning himself with exaggerated flair.
"Whew. You're gonna need more heat than that if you wanna see me with my clothes off."
I bared my teeth. "I've already figured you out."
He raised a brow. "Oh? Do tell."
"The power to impose your will on others…"
I took a step forward, steam rising in coils around me.
"Absolute Authority."