Translator: AnubisTL
The Sierre Wilderness remained as scorching and sweltering as ever, as if perpetually trapped in summer.
The parched earth was choked with dust, and the blazing sun beat down from the heavens, illuminating Garos as he circled overhead.
Compared to a year ago, Garos had grown. His length had increased by nearly half a meter, reaching approximately 6.6 meters.
However, his body had become significantly more robust. His limbs were thick and powerful, his back and chest broad and muscular, and even his neck appeared thicker and more rigid.
The dragon's overall physique was formidable. Even through his scales, one could sense the steel-like muscles beneath, as if forged from iron.
Among red dragons and gold dragons, few young dragons could rival Garos's strength.
In terms of physique, Garos was the equivalent of a "Tyson" among young dragons of his age.
But that wasn't all.
The most striking change was in Garos's dragon wings.
First, their wingspan now reached a full fifteen meters, more than twice his body length. Moreover, the wing membranes were covered in a layer of fine dragon scales that, at first glance, resembled feathers. These scales, arranged in overlapping layers, perfectly guided airflow as he soared, preventing resistance and instead creating a propulsive force.
The membrane at the root of Garos's dragon wings, which had once been the most painful part when he flapped them, had thickened threefold.
Layer upon layer of folds, like steel forged through countless hammer blows, formed a structure resembling hundred-refined steel.
Along the wing edges, a new layer of metal-hued, razor-sharp material had grown. This substance could easily tear through the air and slice through living flesh, transforming the dragon wings into massive scythes that radiated a dangerous, awe-inspiring sharpness.
Over the past year, power training had taken a backseat. Garos had spent nearly every waking moment, whenever he had free time, tempering and refining these dragon wings. His efforts had paid off.
After a recent evolution,
Garos could now soar through the sky on wings alone, his aerial speed far surpassing that of other dragons of his Life Grade.
His Life Grade remained unchanged at 7,
but Garos felt he could now defeat two of his former selves.
"I need to test the results of this evolution."
"You'll be the one, Earthstorm Bear."
His gaze pierced through the clouds as Garos looked down upon the surface below. He spotted an eight-meter-tall creature dwelling among the hills—a massive bear-like beast covered in steel-like, yellowish-brown fur, resembling an ordinary brown bear amplified and reinforced.
The Earthstorm Bear before Garos was level 8, but it was no match for the level 8 petrifying lizard he had faced before.
Earthstorm Bears were among the more powerful demonic beasts, with a certain probability of reaching legendary status.
Not only did they possess formidable physiques, but they also commanded numerous earth-based quasi-spell skills.
While they couldn't compare to dragonkind, they were more than capable of crushing most other creatures of their level.
In the fir forest below the hills,
the Earthstorm Bear was scratching its back against a Centennial Iron Fir, showering the ground with bark fragments like a downpour.
Garos's purpose today was to test his current strength, not to hunt.
He chose not to ambush, instead unleashing his Dragon Might to announce his presence.
With a flap of his wings, the air currents mixed with his Dragon Might, forming nearly visible ripples that swept over the Earthstorm Bear.
The bear, which had been rubbing its back with a look of pleasure, suddenly froze. Its fur bristled like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, and it looked up at the sky.
In its vision, a black dot was rapidly growing larger as it plummeted downward.
Scales, horns, claws, tail, wings—it was unmistakably a giant dragon! Though its size suggested it was not yet fully grown, it was clearly a young dragon.
The Earthstorm Bear, intelligent and fearless, stood on its hind legs before the young dragon Garos, roaring and bellowing.
The earth and stone before it suddenly heaved upward, coalescing into massive rocks.
With a stomp of its foot, five or six colossal boulders erupted into the air, hurtling toward Garos.
Garos met the first rock head-on, lowering his head and charging.
Crash!
The rock shattered like tofu against his dragon horn, the fragments grazing his scales and leaving only faint dust marks.
The remaining four boulders.
Though he could have smashed them directly, Garos avoided a reckless frontal assault.
He unfurled his massive dragon wings, stirring up fierce winds. The dragon danced through the air, weaving through the gaps between the boulders with agile grace, his movements fluid and dragon-like.
Strength, speed, defense—Garos refused to have weaknesses, striving for comprehensive development.
Having repelled the Earthstorm Bear's initial assault, Garos approached the side of the lush, tree-covered hill where the beast lurked below.
Folding his wings, he plummeted down the slope, diving through the canopy.
Oak branches scraped against his scales with a shrieking sound. Where the blade-like edges of his wings swept, rows of ancient trees were severed at their roots, falling like stalks of wheat.
The Earthstorm Bear roared, slamming its massive paws into the ground and erupting ten earth spikes from the soil.
The young dragon suddenly folded its wings and curled into a ball. Its tail, wrapped in splintered wood and fallen leaves, swept through the air, shattering the spikes at their bases. Flying rock fragments embedded themselves in tree trunks like bullets.
The bear plunged its claws into the ground, lifting a thick slab of rock and hurling it at Garos.
Instead of retreating, Garos charged forward. He slid the edge of his wing into a crack in the rock, then beat his wings violently, sending the entire slab soaring into the sky.
Sunlight filtered through the floating rock, casting mottled shadows. The young dragon seized the opportunity, darting from the border of light and shadow to close the distance with the Earthstorm Bear in an instant. Its claws tore through fur and flesh, sinking deep into the bear's shoulder. With a mid-air flip, it slammed the massive beast through the air like a sack of rags.
The rolling bear crashed through seven oak trees before coming to a halt.
Roar!
The bear roared, suddenly grabbing a broken log and hurling it skyward.
Earth-yellow magical energy enveloped the log, causing it to explode into a hail of razor-sharp spikes as it approached Garos. The projectiles whizzed through the air in a deadly storm aimed at the dragon.
Garos's draconic face remained calm. His massive wings unfurled abruptly, sweeping away the barrage of wooden shards.
The few spikes that struck him bounced off his hardened dragon scales, unable to penetrate.
Only areas like its eyes required special attention.
"My turn!"
The Earthstorm Bear, having just unleashed a barrage of quasi-spell skills, was now panting heavily. The young dragon, however, showed no signs of fatigue, its wings beating furiously as it accelerated toward the bear.
Heavy Rock Armor!
Facing the approaching dragonkind, the Earthstorm Bear planted its feet firmly on the ground, reared its head, and roared. The earth and stone around it suddenly came to life, surging like liquid and surging up its legs in an instant to engulf its body. Layer upon layer solidified, forming a formidable granite-textured armor.
Simultaneously, the dragon's right wing unfurled, slicing through the air with a piercing shriek like a scythe and slashing toward the bear.
The bear raised its thickest armored arm, smashing it against the dragon's wing.
Clang—Screech!
The metallic clang of colliding metal rang out first, spitting dazzling sparks, followed by the sickening sound of flesh being torn.
The Earthstorm Bear howled in pain. The dragon's wing shattered the armor on its arm almost instantly, then tore through the tough fur and flesh beneath, snapping bone.
As Garos and the Earthstorm Bear flashed past each other, the upper half of the bear's arm, dripping blood, flew through the air.
(End of the Chapter)