I left Demiurge behind and began moving through the crumbling dwarven corridors. The further I went, the colder the air became. Not metaphorically—literally. The walls were slick with frost. The stone cracked in places where ice had expanded and split through it. My breath curled into the air as I walked, forming white clouds that quickly vanished in the dim light.
The Frost Dragon had to be close.
I used a detection spell—nothing elaborate, just something to catch the scent of powerful lifeforms. It pulsed outward like a ripple, and within seconds, I got a hit. Several, actually.
That was unexpected.
I followed the trail, weaving through ruined chambers and frozen staircases until I came to a large opening. The moment I stepped through the archway, I spotted them.
Evil Eye.
Tia.
Tina.
And Gondo.
They were hiding behind a jagged ice formation, their breaths shallow, faces tight with tension. When they saw me, they visibly relaxed. Evileye even let out a small breath, like she'd been holding it in for far too long.
"Alex," she whispered, just loud enough to carry. "We've got a problem."
I didn't respond immediately. I stepped forward and looked past them, beyond the cluster of ice and into the massive cavern beyond.
The place was vast—wide enough to hold a small castle, and it was clearly the nesting ground. Pillars of ice jutted from the floor, and stalactites hung down like crystal blades. The cold was oppressive here, deep and ancient.
At the far end, surrounded by a scattering of treasure and bones, stood a massive dragon. Its scales gleamed like frozen steel, and its eyes shimmered with pale, blue fire.
And it wasn't alone.
Three others loomed nearby, smaller but no less dangerous. They were curled around the outskirts of the chamber, alert but not aggressive. Not yet.
In front of the largest one, kneeling on the icy floor, was the Quagoa leader. I recognized him immediately—armored more ornately than the rest, with a deep scar running along one side of his snout. He wasn't speaking with confidence or command. He was begging.
"He's trying to make a deal," Evileye said, stepping next to me. Her voice was tense. "Offering something in exchange for the dragons' protection. And from the way they're listening... it's working."
"So the rats are calling for bigger predators," I muttered.
Tia and Tina stepped closer, silent as always. Tina leaned in. "There are four of them. We were prepared for one. That's what Gondo told us."
"And we were only here to assassinate the Quagoa leader," Tia added. "This changes everything."
Evileye crossed her arms, eyes flicking between me and the dragons. "We should leave. There's no way we can take on even one dragon, much less four. You know that."
Tina nodded. "We have no way of knowing their strength, and our goal was stealth, not a full confrontation."
She wasn't wrong. Not about any of it. Dragons weren't just powerful—they were apex predators, smart and cruel. One mistake, and the entire operation would fall apart. Well, for them.
But I am not afraid; after all, I once killed the father of dragons, and the one in front of me doesn't even hold a candle to that.
I kept watching the dragons, especially the largest one.
The Quagoa leader was still talking, his tone growing more desperate. I couldn't hear the words, but the dragon tilted its head slightly, as if considering the offer.
I narrowed my eyes. That deal couldn't go through. If the Quagoa allied with the dragons, the dwarves would never take their capital back.
Evileye looked at me. "Alex... we can't fight that. Even I would be forced to flee. No magic in my arsenal can bring down something like that—not quickly, and certainly not quietly."
"I know," I said, my voice calm.
"So?" she asked. "What are you thinking?"
"I'm thinking," I replied slowly, "that we're already too late to stop the negotiations. But we still have a target. That hasn't changed."
Tia tilted her head. "You mean the Quagoa leader?"
"Exactly." I nodded then turned to Tia and Tina. "If I hold off the dragons, can you eliminate him before they finalize anything?"
Tina and Tia exchanged a glance, their eyes narrowing in thought. They weren't the type to show hesitation, but I could tell they were calculating the risks. It wasn't the assassination that troubled them—it was what might come after.
"Assuming we can reach him before he finishes talking," Tina said softly, "we'll only get one clean chance."
"We'll make it count," Tia added, adjusting the grip on her weapon.
I looked over at Gondo, who had remained crouched behind the ice, his face pale but composed. "Stay hidden," I told him. "This could get loud."
He nodded wordlessly, swallowing hard.
Evileye stepped closer to me again, her crimson eyes sharp. "Are you absolutely sure about this?"
I gave a faint smile. "I've handled worse."
She didn't look convinced. "Alex, even I couldn't survive a real fight with one of those. What exactly are you planning?"
"I'm going to draw their attention," I said simply. "Nothing more."
"You're not going to kill them?"
I turned slightly, glancing at the four dragons again. They looked restless now, like they sensed something was off. The Quagoa leader had paused mid-sentence, casting nervous glances around the chamber.
"No," I replied. "Not unless I have to."
But accidents happen.
Evileye gave me a strange look. "You're not afraid?"
"I don't need to be," I said, my voice lower now. "I'm not exactly human, remember?"
Her lips parted slightly, but she didn't press the issue. Still, I could feel her curiosity digging at her. She wasn't the only one. Tia and Tina had heard too.
But there was no time to indulge their curiosity.
I stepped away from the others, walking openly into the chamber.
All four dragons turned to face me.
The temperature dropped instantly. The largest one let out a low, rumbling growl, ice forming along its breath as it exhaled. The Quagoa leader scrambled backward, tripping over his own feet and falling on his back. His eyes bulged in disbelief.
I didn't slow down.
"You've had your little conversation," I called, my voice echoing through the chamber. "But it ends here."
The massive dragon bared its teeth. "Who dares interrupt our council?"
"I do," I replied coolly. "And frankly, I'm not impressed."
A hush followed.
~~~
(This Arc is over in my Patreon and nex Arc is One Piece.)
You can join my Patreon for 3$. Around 250+ advanced chapters on my Patreon. I posted some exclusive NFSW on each R-18 chapter for you to enjoy.
Support me through my Patreon. It would be a big help
Support me:
patreon.com/BlackBolt517