126. Dragon Temple 1
Inside the Dragon Temple. A vast wasteland filled with red soil. Red dust winds scattered ominously through the air. Broken structures lay scattered around them, alongside shattered eggs the size of human torsos. There, the knights of the 1st and 7th Divisions had gathered.
The knights scanned their surroundings, taking stock.
"Th-this is the Dragon Temple."
"I never imagined there'd be such a vast space inside..."
Now that they had entered the temple's interior—a space as expansive as the exterior—their bewilderment took hold. As the knights looked around in dazed expressions, it began.
"Cawwwk."
"Krrrk."
Strange cries filled their ears. Turning at the sound, they saw baby dragons wailing and scurrying about. Massive heads atop tiny, three-proportioned bodies. Small wings flapping as they darted around. Their yellow bodies evoked chicks. These were hatchlings, baby dragons—3rd to 4th grade monsters known for their boundless energy. They resembled dinosaurs more than dragons, destined to grow several times larger through stages of development.
The 1st Division knights eyed the hatchlings and began to relax.
"What're these things?"
"Total chicks."
"Generous estimate, maybe 4th grade..."
"Don't drop your guard, everyone. These are just part of the Dragon Temple—divided into three zones."
He was right. The temple's interior fell into three main areas: the wasteland where hatchlings roamed, the nest piled high with eggs, and the oasis housing adult dragons.
Viva Bascon gave a faint smile at the sight of the hatchlings.
"Perfect warm-up. Everyone, advance."
The moment his words fell.
"Yes, Centurion!"
At Viva's command, the O-Fang Knights and 1st Division charged the hatchlings.
Thud thud thud.
The two-meter hatchlings spotted the approaching knights and bared their fangs.
"Krraaak."
"Caaaak."
Instinct told them these were threats.
As the hatchlings braced, the 1st Division swung their weapons.
Swoosh.Swoosh.
Swords, spears, and clubs closed in on the hatchlings' bodies.
But.
Ting!Ting!
The knights who struck blinked in shock.
"...?!"
The hatchlings' bodies had turned silver. Now hard as rock, they took no scratches from blades—like striking stone.
"Silver light from their bodies all of a sudden..."
"Tricky bastards..."
As the 1st Division knights' pupils wavered, the hatchlings seized the opening and lunged.
"Caaak!"
"Krrk!"
Frenzied hatchlings sank teeth into necks and arms. Knights twisted in agony, screaming.
"Kaaaagh!"
"Uaaagh!"
But no matter their struggles, the hatchlings clamped tighter—like rabid pups obsessed with bones. Swords and clubs bounced harmlessly, only goading fiercer bites.
Soon.
Rip.
Necks and arms tore free. Knights collapsed, eyes rolled back.
The sight refocused the others.
"Baby dragons packing this punch..."
'Stronger than they look...!'
Cute exteriors aside, underestimating them was folly. These were dragons—genetically superior to other monsters.
As 1st Division faltered, the five O-Fang Knights up front entered the fray.
Thud thud.
Mounted, they charged the hatchlings.
Swoosh.
Swoooosh.
They swung swords, spears, and clubs—not plain strikes, but infused with Mana of Strength, weapons enlarged.
That instant.
"Kyaaak!"
Screams rang out. Hatchlings toppled one by one.
Thud.Thud.
O-Fang pressed on, fanning into a star formation to encircle them.
Crack!Crack...!
Flesh tore. Linked assaults left hatchlings reeling.
Club from the left. Blade from the right. Spear surging from behind.
Slash!Slash...!
Heads cleaved in two amid slicing sounds. Blood sprayed, broken eggs rolling in the mess.
Fallen hatchlings drenched in gore. Wounds targeted heads, armpits, hearts—proof of O-Fang's veteran precision.
1st Division roared approval.
"O-Fang Knights live up to the hype. Flightless lizards like these?"
"Dragons or not, just wet-behind-the-ears pups."
1st Division brightened. 7th Division scowled, momentum crushed.
Bin eyed Viva with unease.
'This isn't the plan.'
Bascon's scheme: one group distracts dragons, others hunt the relic. Viva defied it, forcing a contest with Bin and 7th—same rank centurions.
Viva glanced around, then smirked at Bin.
'Show me what you've got.'
Subtly asserting dominance.
But Bin wouldn't yield.
'You want it? Fine.'
Bin signaled his knights. They raised shields in unison.
Soon.
"Krraaak."
"Caaaak."
Blood scent drove hatchlings wild, lunging at 7th Division legs.
But the sound was off.
Ting!Ting!
Armor should've pierced, flesh rent. Yet the hatchlings' fangs glanced harmlessly.
Even they seemed baffled.
"..."
1st Division gaped.
"N-no way... Monster attacks bouncing off?"
"What the hell's that gear...?"
Bites and claws—no damage. Fangs and talons snapped instead.
As hatchlings fixated on the shielded knights.
Swooooosh.
Swooooosh.
Vast sword and spear winds hurtled forth—from Bin and Hite.
Winds crossed in an X.
Crack.Crack.
The clustered hatchlings froze solid. Shabest's power.
1st Division reeled.
"Froze 'em in one shot..."
"Just like that..."
As 1st and 7th culled hatchlings, 1st Division pondered. Lower numbers meant stronger units—so 7th should've been weaker. Yet gear and teamwork bridged the gap. No, they matched or exceeded.
Sensing the tide shift, Viva moved.
'Time to shine...'
He leaped skyward.
Whoosh. Impressive height.
Yellow light bloomed from his hands, forming a bow.
Viva gazed down at the hatchlings from midair.
'Opening, Multiple Shot.'
Perfectly stable despite hovering.
Light from the bow splintered into dozens of arrows.
Swoosh.Swoosh.Swoosh...
Ear-piercing whistles. Dozens of yellow arrows rained on hatchlings.
Pierce!Pierce!Pierce!
Arrows riddled bodies mercilessly.
Pierce! Blood fountained from heads.
Luna watched, speechless.
"Shaping that many arrows at once...!"
Impossible for normals—mana drain too high. Only Viva's mana amplification syndrome enabled it.
1st Division stared, awestruck.
"Young Master Viva, as expected."
"Leagues above the others..."
"Archery, swordplay—a once-in-a-century genius of Bascon..."
Hatchlings littered the ground. Pure slaughter. Not one arrow missed; they embedded precisely, then faded.
Swoosh.Thud.
Viva landed, smirking at Bin and 1st Division.
But 1st Division trembled like cornered beasts.
"...!"
Eyes wide with ghostly terror.
Viva smirked at his men.
'Trembling over that? Pathetic...'
Assuming his Opening spooked them.
But a chill hit. Their stares fixed behind him.
Battle over, breaths steadying.
Crack.Crack.
Shed skins peeled from fallen hatchlings. They rose anew—as bulky orange dragons. Larger wings, bulkier frames, sharper claws and fangs. Several times bigger.
"...!"
Dozens transformed; knights' eyes widened. Mana signatures brought dread.
Luna sweated.
'All these... 2nd grade monsters...!'