The boy realized his error. Yet it was already too late. The stomp and the shout he made previously had already reached the creature.

  As the black lower dragon's head lifted with deliberate grace, revealing a set of fierce, amber eyes that flickered open instantly, the vertical slit pupils took shape, devouring incoming rays of sunlight. It was still slightly clouded from sleep as it shook its head.

  There were just a few fleeting moments for the young warrior to think. Both drakes and lower dragons had very similar sizes, but their power and, most importantly, intelligence were too far apart. A sense of doom and dread filled his mind for the first time since he started his quest.

  Shivers traveled down his spine at the realization. This beast could devour him in a single strike. The boy had to think fast. As he looked around. Nothing but cliffs and peaks, barely any boulders for cover. The only advantage is enclosed space. It will not fly away, and it will be difficult for it to navigate this big body. I have to move fast.

  But without realizing it, the boy had already moved a few steps forward, attracted by the fascination of the mighty and glorious beast. He felt the pull, the urge tugging from within.

  Despite that the lower dragons were just hatchlings compared to the full-grown beasts. Their soul essence had already entered the stage of evolution.

  This revelation made the encounter so much tougher. Those creatures possessed more concentrated life power, mana, and an arsenal of active abilities. But even with that high intelligence, they were still unable to converse but could somewhat discern human speech. The young warrior felt the urge to get even closer.

  As the beast was no longer clouded, its eyes shone with a fierce intelligence the moment it locked its gaze on the intruder. Making him freeze immediately.

  He could see now, standing dangerously close. Those jagged spikes that adorned the scaled creature’s head. Its framing mouth was filled with rows of glistening, serrated teeth as it emanated an extremely slow, low growl from deep within its chest.

  The sound was vibrating through the air, reverberating within the stones and Drake’s ears, clutching at his heart. He felt as if it skipped a few beats. The creature shook off the final remnants of sleep from its formidable body. Tendrils of smoke curled from its nostrils, mingling with the light mist that arose from the ground. And the air suddenly felt moisturized, making breathing harder.

  This is a real lower dragon, a beast of actual legends. A normal person would faint already, and many adventurers would immediately retreat long before getting this close.

  Yet, all I can feel is excitement, excitement, and elation. I'm about to put my everything, my life, on the line. Yes, definitely. I can feel how scared I am. Shivering deep to the bone. And every fiber of my entire body is screaming to leave this place and run as fast and as far as I can.

  But my grip on the axes is strong. I’m not shaking. What is this feeling? I have to keep moving forward. Deep in my heart, I can sense it. My desire overcomes this primal emotion. This feels truly empowering and… It feels… Liberating!

  Hah, this must be the feeling. The one I was longing for since the day I was born!

  The lizard-like creature tilted its head to the side, like it was both puzzled and admiring the contemplating young human. Lower dragons were only at the start of their eons-long journey for knowledge and power. But throughout their lifetime, they stayed curious and peculiar beasts.

  Drake raised his head once again. Looking straight into the eyes of his soon-to-be mortal enemy. The young warrior assessed that this one was definitely young, judged by its glittering scales and soft-looking nostrils. Two hundred years at most. This meant it would be at least three hundred more years before it would even enter its early adulthood. I may still have a chance.

  Like reading through the young human emotions, the beast jerked and flapped its wings. Releasing a mighty guttural roar with a gush of wind that sent dust and small gravel right into the face of the intruder.

  The boy did not flinch as he deflected a few of the bigger flying stones with his axes, sending the sparks flying.

  All these new revelations only steadied his resolve rather than stopping him now. Everything around felt refreshing and exciting. He took out a few self-made potions from his bandolier and chugged them down. His emerald eyes glittered, power surged through his veins, his muscles filled with vigor.

  Drake did not waver. Even for a second he did not lose his focus on the beast. His pupils dilated and then narrowed fast, fixating his gaze on the monstrous creature. He took the battle stance, showing his readiness to attack, daring the creature.

  He was a challenger and an intruder inside the lair of the mountain king. And the young man was there to take its crown. He fixed his stance, rotating his ankles and burying his feet in the ground. The legendary battle without a single eye to see was about to unfold.

  The lower dragon could no longer tolerate such insolence, but the warrior was not yet done. “Let's dance!” He bellowed, taunting the beast in front. His words rang out like a war cry. It was his declaration of defiance against fear and fate. The stone walls and jagged peaks of dead rocks around him seemed to whisper back, beckoning for glory.

  But to his surprise, the visibly angry and agitated creature jerked its head in a way that resembled a nod. Both acknowledging the challenger, the small human's bravery, and no foul play by trying to strike it in its sleep. That was how Drake decided to interpret that.

  The powerful legs, muscled and reminiscent of those of a lion, planted firmly on the ground. As it raised its frame into a defensive stance. As it tried to spread its fleshy wings wide, the creature was stopped by the lack of proper space.

  Yet their sheer span cast an ominous shadow over the adventurer, who now stood dwarfed beneath the looming figure. The sun reflected off sharp scales, creating an illusion of radiance punctuated by the looming threat of hidden violence.

  Drake swung a few times and jiggled his axes. The blades caught within the light threw a wild array of reflections around. Challenging the stark dark shadows dancing around him. With a powerful cross, he clenched them together, emitting sparks that fell on the charred black ground.

  The dragon stood there, waiting for the first move. The mighty, intelligent titan of scales and fire was ready to dance, but it was intelligent enough not to rush into the fight. Its eyes glinted with both wisdom and untamed rage.

  After all the theatrics, the boy gathered all his resolve. Drake plunged towards the beast, with his weapons ready to strike.

  The ground beneath him shifted, and the air thickened like a shroud. With each push of his leg, he was gaining more and more momentum. Anticipation boiled within him. The steel in his hands ached for the first blow. The closer he got, the more he lowered himself to the ground.

  Using a flick of its tail, the dragon suddenly dashed back slightly, yet only enough to give him time to react. It was a display of dominance and respect at the same time.

  This was the core difference between a mere monster and a sentient one. No matter how strong it was, it never looked down on its opponent. Exercising utmost caution every time, it was learning its enemy's strengths.

  Its gaze was all the time fixed on the warrior, tracking his movements. Nostrils flaring as it inhaled deeply, its glands preparing for release. It reminded the adventurer that it was not merely a beast but a living embodiment of age, magic, and primal beastlike ferocity.

  No way backing out of this now! Drake thought to himself, already close to striking at the dragon’s scaled belly.

  But as he surged closer, the lower dragon lunged immediately, jaws snapping with formidable force. The young boy deftly sidestepped, feeling the rush of wind as the creature's teeth grazed over him.

  In a fluid motion, he spun on his heel, axes raised high as he pivoted upwards. With full force he brought both blades crashing down on the dragon's thick, scaled shoulder. The impact echoed with steel, sending vibrations through his arms as the edges slid across the creature's armor-like skin with a massive shower of sparks. Too shallow! But that will leave lots of dents.

  The dragon slightly growled, mostly unfazed by the blow, and swiped its massive talons at Drake. He ducked barely in time, feeling the rush of air from the claws slicing through the space where he had just stood. The ripping sound filled the air as one of the claws opened the thick leather cover of his lamellar.

  Realizing the dragon's speed, it was time to adjust. The young warrior pivoted and rolled over, appearing on the side under the wing.

  He lunged into a quick series of strikes while casting physical enhancement. He delivered a few well-placed double swings. Right at the joint, his axes flashing like silver lightning among the dim shadows dancing inside the ravine.

  Yet the scales were still too strong there. So he swiftly changed his aim for the underbelly, where the weakest scales appeared to be. Desperately hoping, struggling to find an opening. The boy attacked again and again. Chipping more on his axes rather than the creature’s defenses.

  All was to no avail. His hands throbbed and vibrated with each strike. The one that would cut a lava boar in two with a single swing barely left a mark over a single scale. If it goes like this, I'm bound to lose this battle of attrition.

  Every time the dragon swung back, its claws and jaws were getting closer. Drake had to dance around or dive between its limbs. The slow pace and rotating speed of the big creature were the only advantages he had left. But his options were running thinner with each passing moment.

  The fight raged on fiercely in the depths of the Borok Mountain. Stone gravel dust swirled in the aftermath of blows exchanged. Drake was locked in a dance with the ancient black lower dragon.

  Each clash of steel against scale resonated through the entire place. Alerting every beast and creature around about the fateful clash. There either would be a new king or a tasty meal.

  Sweat covered his gaze as the heavy-breathing warrior searched for respite. Dark clouds gathered above, and the drops of rain descended. The temperature dropped immediately. The cold of the droplets tingled at his senses, momentarily breaking his battle trance.

  That was when he noticed, through the overmoisturized air. For a moment smoke changed to fire within the beast's nostrils, and it opened its mouth with a loud growl. The boy darted to the side to avoid the fiery breath aimed at him, and the firebolt narrowly missed flying over his ear with a hissing, crackling sound, evaporating the water into small steamy clouds. The air felt scorching hot.

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  The creature followed up immediately, lashing out with its tail as it turned sideways. A whiplike appendage of immense power struck the ground beside him, breaking the stones and sending a shockwave that knocked the warrior off his feet.

  Momentarily disoriented, he scrambled to regain his balance, but the dragon was far too quick and capitalized on this opening.

  With a bone-chilling roar, the lizard creature darted forward, opening its mouth with sharp teeth. Trying to gape at the young warrior. Drake barely managed to raise his axes in a timely defense, but the beast twisted its neck reactively, and its teeth closed around his left shoulder with a vise-like grip.

  “Arkh!” He screamed as the pain exploded through him. Fire was coursing through his veins as the beast’s powerful jaws clamped further and tighter. Lifting him effortlessly off the ground, it tried to snap part of him off.

  But it was taken aback immediately. It was something that stunned the lower dragon completely. It stood there puzzled as it applied more and more power to its jaws. Yet nothing was cracking. Its teeth could not sink any deeper. Something was wrong. It was impossible to comprehend how it was unable to break the young human’s body with all its mighty jaw strength. This was something it did not expect at all.

  While Drake still grunted in pain, he tried to fight back with his free hand. He was unable to strike, so he poked the handle of his axe right into the creature’s eye with all the strength he could gather. The angle was far from ideal for any substantial damage.

  This angered and agitated the beast to the point of snapping. So it jerked its neck with all its power and released the hold of its jaws. Throwing the young warrior aside like a ragdoll.

  Finally free and flying through the air, he had no time to think or react, just braced himself for the impact. The boy crashed against the jagged, rocky terrain. A breath was knocked out from his lungs in a flash. Bright stars exploded in his vision, and the world swam around him, turning upside down, shaking from side to side.

  He struggled to get up, crawling on his elbows. He felt the warm tide of blood pooling beneath him. The weight of unfathomable darkness loomed at the edges of his consciousness, whispering promises of sweet surrender. It was a once-forgotten but familiar feeling of inevitable demise. The one he did not remember even once during the year of his training.

  But the young warrior knew too well. He was now entirely different. There was no way he would be so fast to plunge himself into despair. Cooping blood, he chuckled. He felt excited, overjoyed. Rekindled desires burned like flame within his chest. This much is nothing. My body has more to offer. This time I will truly show you what I've got!

  Gritting his teeth, he forced himself to focus. Slowly rising to his feet, struggling for balance, he glanced at his shoulder. Seeing the raw gash where the jaws had bitten down, deep and gruesome, pouring out with each beat of his heart.

  The pain was blinding, but he saw the dark blur. The beast opted to stay at a distance. As it released a triumphant screeching growl that pressured his eardrums. And then, he felt it in his bones. It was the fear-enticing ability.

  Such was this cunning creature that it tried to twist the knife of despair deeper within him. Drake could imagine no other beast being so cautious and calculating.

  “Not like this… I have to resist this…” He muttered to himself, the words barely escaping his parched, tightly pressed-together lips. The fight within him felt overwhelming, like a candle caught inside the gush of the stormy wind. Yet the glimmers of his will simply refused to be extinguished.

  Gathering every shred of strength, Drake forced himself to straighten up his shoulders. Breathing heavily, gasping for air. He recalled everything he had fought for, the life he cherished.

  The warm embrace of his parents seemed to have enveloped him. Now, he could not let their killer roam free no matter what. Clinging hard to the resolve deep within, he tried to direct all his pain into power. At this point he knew that only his will and the adrenaline that surged through his veins were keeping him conscious.

  With a fierce, grunt-like roar, Drake Antos jerked slightly forward, clutching his axes hard, the leather handles screaming in his grip. His body was screaming in protest, crying from torturous pain. Still, he raised his weapons as he locked eyes with his foe once again. Standing proud, now poised to strike once again.

  The lower dragon blinked and tilted its head slightly, trying to read the emotion of its enemy. “Come on, then! I'm right here!” The young man shouted in a heavy, hoarse voice. Challenging the beast. The fire of determination and defiance blazed in his emerald eyes ever brighter.

  But the beast hesitated still. It was sensing the unmasked shift in spirit. And for a moment, just enough for Drake to spot it. Hesitation?! A seed of doubt flickered in its eyes. A creature was nowhere near accustomed to facing such resolve. Especially not after the fear-enticing victory spell.

  In that heartbeat of hesitation, Drake saw his opening. He rushed towards the danger, pushing through the pain that clawed at him. Summoning every single ounce of his strength in this moment. Compressing and compiling it into a single condensed spot.

  Something snapped and exploded. The young warrior felt an immersive change in his body, as if what was heavy became light, as if all his strength returned and even multiplied fewfold.

  Presently a massive smile covered his face. He was sure what it was. At that time of crisis and peril, he overcame his limits and acquired a new skill. There was no mistake that it was an [Indomitable Will]. One of the very skills many famed and acclaimed warriors could only dream about.

  The sheer power of it allows a person to resist nearly any fear-inducing effect and also push their body way beyond its current limits.

  Drake continued to surge forward with renewed vigor, closing the distance with a speed that defied not only his injuries but humanly defined standards. Channeling everything he had left, he spun low and struck upward in a powerful arc, his axes cutting through the air like thunder. Splitting the scales open and ripping part of the fleshy wing.

  With lightning speed, Drake managed to land a few more double swings in combination with cross-attacks from the side.

  The lower dragon growled and grunted, jerking backwards. It was truly bewildered by this sudden and fast resurgence. It attempted to dodge, turning sideways, but Drake twisted, anticipating its movements. His axes found their mark, slicing across the creature's flank in a flurry of flashing steel that finally reached the flesh under the previously opened scales. Chipped axes grazed the pale flesh underneath. Blood spattered in a fiery spray as the mighty creature puffed smoke, gagging in pain.

  The warrior targeted those precisely for a succession of hits. As the creature recoiled, its uneven roars of surprise silenced any leftover doubt that could linger in the young man’s heart.

  Drake felt that he had managed to seize the moment and turn the fight around. Despite being heavily wounded himself. The beast was now staggered and more vulnerable. Without hesitation and with newfound vigor, the young warrior pressed his advantage, weaving around the dragon with the agility of a feline predator.

  The more he pressed, the more momentum he gained. The more time passed, the more wounds opened on the creature’s scaled body. Yet the warrior knew that his weapons were hanging on a thread. He had to secure his victory soon. He did not know how much time was left.

  Rotating fast on his legs, he sped into a circular motion. Entering the most perfect Axe Whirlwind he could ever dream of. Slashing more open wounds at the creature’s belly and grazing its fleshy wings, it tried to block it with them. Once looming and mighty, those seemed like damaged sails or torn drapings. The legendary might was gone and dusted. Only blood and open flesh left.

  The creature now saw only one way of escape. It had to take flight. But the young warrior was no fool. He was not about to let his prey get away, lick its wounds, and come back to destroy him.

  With an extreme, desperate burst of energy, Drake managed to vault over the lower dragon's back. Planting one axe deep into the scales just behind its wing joint. The creature scowled as it flopped to the ground like a broken mast. Trying to get it back up, it could not believe that it found itself ensnared by this human hatchling.

  The young warrior gritted his teeth, every fiber vibrating with pain, as he pulled himself even closer, feeling his wounds throb with each movement. The backlash would start soon. He had to hold on. Come on, just a little more… Soon! Drake repeated to himself.

  With all his strength, he drove his axe by turn into the tender joints of its wings and limbs again and again, right between the cracked scales. The mounting pain and damage force the creature to slump to the ground.

  As it twisted its neck back trying to reach the annoying human on its back. But the young boy had found a good footing between its spikes, able to evade any attempt with deft agility.

  The drake thrashed violently, but the boy held firm, his spirit unyielding. He continued to ram at the beast, strike after strike. Drake could feel the tides of battle entirely shifting as he guided those strings himself.

  A surge of despair washed over the mighty creature as it constantly blinked its eyes and puffed smoke out of its nostrils. Feeling its vulnerability and futile attempts at defense, it was losing the grip.

  The young warrior stood firmly on its back, drenched in his own and the mighty creature’s hot blood. He growled and shouted at the top of his lungs.

  “Today I am not your prey. I’m the only and sole king of this mountain now!” The boy bellowed every word slowly with a hoarse voice, as if to solidify the promise to himself.

  The black lower dragon twitched and continued to struggle, but the damage done to its joints was much too severe. It still twisted its neck like a wounded snake, trying to weasel out, shake the man off its back, or reach him with its jaws. But there was no way it could not even crawl forward. The limbs were no longer responding to its will.

  Ultimately, Drake's bodily enhancement buff stacked with his potions and in combination with his newly acquired skill. Provided him with unexpected, beyond-human physical capabilities. The entire mighty creature's form trembled beneath him now, blood gushing from its wounds.

  With another strike, one of his axes shattered. The steel could no longer support the onslaught. The other one was still hanging by a thread. It does not matter now! Discarded the broken hand by flinging it hard into the air. The wood shattered over the hard stone. The rain was still pouring.

  With another thrust, Darke broke through the haze of any pain and doubt left. He was finally ready to claim the victory against the legendary creature that had nearly taken his life just a few moments ago. The lower dragon underneath was now barely moving. It fully collapsed to the ground as a slump. Breathing heavily, letting out disjointed growls and puffs.

  This alone was the feat not many at Adventurers Company could boast about, even when hunting as a party of five. And to achieve such a victory in a single combat was just the stuff of the most bogus tales.

  Panting heavily, bloodied but victorious, Drake Antos rejoiced. Throwing his hands high in the air. A few stray rays of sun showed themselves from behind the heavy dark clouds. Looking into the sky. He cried so loud that the rocks around shook. “YEEEEEEEEEEEEES!”

  Those were his feelings of defying the odds. The sweet fruit of victory. The virtue of pushing oneself to the edge of breaking. And the young warrior felt that he finally had crossed the bridge to the other side. All the walls he built for himself within his mind crumbled during this fierce encounter. Or rather, he smashed those into dust with the might of his own fists and wits.

  He jumped down. Staring before the muzzle of the lower dragon. Drake was now towering tall over the bleeding, powerless foe. The man was about to deliver the final blow.

  As the lower dragon's furious struggles subsided into a measure of acceptance. The beast, now weary and humbled, raised its head and regarded the human before him. Yet not with fury but with a newfound respect. The intelligence, the acceptance, and the understanding in its ember eyes felt nearly human. Evoking a strange emotional wave within the boy's mind.

  What’s going on? What’s happening? It feels so strange. Like…WHAT?! I can understand its feelings, like it is trying to say something. Arkh, makes no sense. Huh, I must be just too exhausted. I better finish this now.

  The ancient beast simply bowed its head, offering its neck, offering the opening of the scales at the base of its head. Acknowledging the human hatling who had risen from the brink of defeat to claim the victory.

  In that moment of profound realization, something abnormal had occurred. As the golden and violet glow covered the creatures. The hues of magic energy, like ribbons, started slowly rising from the beast’s body. Like small arms, they reached for the young warrior. Slowly rotating, they circled around him. Thick tension filled the air.

  A peculiar, warm, tickling, and mysterious sensation filled the boy’s body. Delicate threads of light began to pulsate in the middle of his and the lower dragon's chests.

  Gradually, more and more of those golden threads reached out to Drake, now fully engulfing him. And enveloping his entire body in an unnatural burning fervor.

  The surge of immense power streamed from all directions. All of his wounds began to close off right in front of his eyes. Electrifying buzzing sensations coursed through his veins. Soothing calm filled every fiber of his being.

  Now, as the young warrior looked down into the dragon's fierce eyes. He saw more than he could yet fathom. It was not just a former foe but a formidable ally.

  A reserved smile appeared on his face. The boy chuckled loudly. So this is why I had to endure all of that?! I see…

  Drake finally lowered his axe as he bent to one knee. Reaching his hand out towards the fully submissive noble creature. He put his hand over the spiked head and brushed it slowly with his palms. A new bond was woven through the pain and suffering they had endured.

  “Don’t worry. I can finally understand!” The young warrior said in a low, tender voice.

  The final revision and update for RR of this chapter was done!

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