Chapter 122: Riding the Thunderwing

When the Wild Steed Leader was struck by the massive Purple Celestial Lightning that tore open the sky without warning, the crimson glow surrounding its body fused with the descending violet lightning. The two forces twisted together, spiraling around the beast in a violent storm of energy.

Amid the deafening crackle of electrical friction, the Wild Steed Leader’s body stretched taller and stronger, its muscles tightening as its coat shifted into a vivid purplish red. Then, with a sharp surge of power, a pair of enormous twin wings burst from its sides, each spanning over three meters, glowing with the same fierce hue.

Its massive tail swayed slowly in the air, and the newly formed wings beat with a steady rhythm, keeping its body suspended above the ground. A concentrated glow gathered at its forehead, gradually shaping itself into a white lightning-bolt mark that gleamed like polished ivory. The symbol gave the creature an air of nobility and authority, adding to its already elegant and breathtaking appearance.

Marcus stared, his mouth hanging open.

’Holy cow.’

The Wild Steed Leader had finally completed its evolution. Marcus had no way of knowing its exact attributes yet, but its sheer presence alone was enough to leave him speechless. The power rolling off its body pressed against his senses like a physical force.

’Incredible.’

It had evolved into a Pegasus.

The creature had finally realized its long-held fantasy, transforming into a Pegasus capable of soaring through the skies. From its appearance alone, Marcus could tell it was no ordinary one. This was a top-tier Pegasus, carrying both Fire and Lightning attributes, a rare and terrifying combination. Judging by the aura it radiated, it was very likely a Divine Beast-level Pegasus, something players could only dream of encountering.

“Well, I’ll be damned,” Marcus muttered under his breath.

An ordinary Level 35 Wild Steed Leader, a creature that should have been among the lowest-tier horses in Dominion, had undergone such an explosive evolution. The leap in strength was absurd, far surpassing even many high-level beasts.

Marcus crossed his arms, a strange sense of pride rising in his chest.

He deserved some credit for this.

After all, the Wild Steed Leader’s successful evolution had not come out of nowhere. His constant harassment, repeated attempts at taming, and relentless provocation had pushed the beast to the brink. The humiliation and rage had piled up until it was forced to break through its limits and unleash its full potential. In that sense, Marcus was an indispensable contributor to this miracle.

If the Wild Steed Leader had even a shred of conscience, it should be thanking him.

And what better way to repay him than by becoming his mount?

Marcus was still indulging in that pleasant fantasy when a sharp hiss cut through the air.

The newly evolved Pegasus turned its head, locking eyes with him. It let out a low, hostile whinny as its hooves pawed at the air. With a powerful beat of its purple wings, it surged forward, gliding just above the ground as it charged straight at Marcus. The sight was both beautiful and terrifying. The massive wings crackled with electricity as they moved, purple flames dancing along their edges with a sizzling sound that filled the air.

Clearly, the Pegasus had not forgotten Marcus, nor the “help” he had provided.

Its eyes burned crimson with fury as it closed the distance, its killing intent unmistakable. It was not coming to express gratitude or admiration. It wanted to crush him beneath its hooves and tear him apart.

“You ungrateful beast,” Marcus muttered as he shifted his stance. “I go through all that trouble to help you achieve your dream, and this is how you repay me? No conscience at all.”

Even as he prepared to dodge the incoming charge, Marcus activated Insight, his gaze sharpening as data flickered into view.

Violet Thunderwing Steed

Level ???

Health ???

Skills ???

Currently in a state of extreme rage

’Violet Thunderwing Steed.’

Marcus couldn’t help but admire the name. It suited the creature perfectly. Unfortunately, its level was far beyond the range of his Insight skill, leaving most of its information obscured.

“Damn it,” Marcus cursed quietly. “No chance at all.”

This thing was at least Level 40, possibly higher. He already struggled against Level 45 Zephyr Steeds, and this monster was clearly on another level entirely. Any thought of taming it was pure fantasy. This attempt had failed completely.

Sighing, Marcus reached for a Town Portal Scroll, ready to retreat back to Pegasus Citadel.

Then he froze.

One line of text from the Pegasus’s status flashed through his mind again.

Currently in a state of extreme rage.

Marcus’s eyes narrowed slightly as a thought began to form.

’Wait a second.’

A creature overwhelmed by extreme rage would inevitably lose some of its rational judgment. While most people believed brute courage was what decided battles, Marcus had always trusted something else entirely.

Brains.

A slow grin crept across his face.

The Violet Thunderwing Steed was already consumed by rage, so what did Marcus really have to fear? If he handled this carefully and didn’t make a single mistake, there was still a chance.

The Violet Thunderwing Steed charged at him like a living bolt of lightning, its hooves tearing across the ground in a blazing rush. In its fury, it had completely abandoned any combat skills or tactics it might have possessed, focusing only on one instinctive goal, to knock Marcus down and crush him beneath its iron-hard hooves.

Marcus did not retreat.

Instead, a sharp smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth as his plan clicked into place. At the exact moment the Steed was about to slam into him, Marcus sidestepped cleanly, moved toward its flank, and dropped into a quick roll. Using the momentum, he wrapped both arms around the creature’s thick neck and vaulted upward in one smooth motion, landing squarely on its back.

He had tried something similar before with the Wild Steed Leader, but it had always ended badly. The horse had bucked like a mad beast, and its smooth back offered nothing to grip, throwing him off again and again. This time was different. The Violet Thunderwing Steed was just as furious, but the massive wings extending from its back gave Marcus solid points to brace himself against. Compared to before, its back was surprisingly stable.

That stability did not mean safety.

Damage numbers immediately flashed above Marcus’s head.

-180

-170

-210

Marcus pressed himself flat against the Steed’s back, positioning his body where its hooves and physical attacks could not reach. By all logic, the Steed should have been unable to harm him directly, yet the violent electrical energy spilling from its wings told a different story. Purple sparks filled the space around him, constantly arcing across his body and dealing nearly 200 damage every second.

“Holy smokes,” Marcus hissed. “That’s nasty.”

The Violet Thunderwing Steed wasn’t even attacking him intentionally, yet the ambient lightning alone was enough to tear through his defenses. Even as a high-Defense Knight, the damage was brutal. Any other class would have been thrown off within seconds.

Marcus reacted instantly, pulling out a Large Health Potion and drinking it in one gulp. The steady regeneration of 200 Health per second perfectly countered the damage. With his health stabilized, he raised his hand and began casting Taming on the enraged Steed.

“Ding! Stonehaven, your Taming skill has failed.”

“Ding! Stonehaven, your Taming skill has failed.”

Marcus did not panic. He had expected this. The success rate of Taming was notoriously low, especially against powerful beasts. It required patience, careful timing, and relentless endurance. Now that he was firmly on the Violet Thunderwing Steed’s back, he had committed himself completely.

He had to win.

His inventory was packed full of Large Health Potions, enough to last far longer than most players could imagine. Today, he would tame this monster, no matter how long it took. He continued casting Taming, again and again, without hesitation.

The Violet Thunderwing Steed could not tolerate this humiliation.

Its pride burned hotter than its lightning as it realized Marcus was riding it. With an enraged whinny, it spread its wings wide and shot into the air at terrifying speed. It climbed rapidly, then twisted sharply, executing reckless, high-difficulty aerial maneuvers in a desperate attempt to shake him off.

The Steed flew higher and faster, its fury spiraling out of control. It rolled, tilted, and spun violently through the sky, lightning flaring wildly around its wings.

Yet every desperate movement only made Marcus tighten his grip around its neck. He anchored himself more firmly and cast Taming even faster, refusing to give it a moment of peace.

And so, Marcus was carried through the skies on the back of the crazed Violet Thunderwing Steed.

They soared past the roaming Wild Steed herds, streaked over the territories of the Zephyr Steeds, and continued flying north, farther and farther away from Pegasus Citadel.

Then, a system notification chimed.

“Ding! Congratulations, player Stonehaven, on discovering the mysterious area Star Lake. Reputation increased by 100. Experience increased by 30,000.”

The Violet Thunderwing Steed had flown for nearly half an hour, covering at least thirty kilometers at its terrifying speed. As Marcus lifted his head, his breath caught.

Below them lay an astonishing sight, a vast expanse of water shimmering in layered shades of green and blue, so clear and vibrant it looked unreal.

“Star Lake,” Marcus murmured softly.

This was Star Lake, the place Pegasus Knight Mare had once mentioned, where the Pegasi gathered. A lake formed by the impact of the Solar Celestial Steed, a hidden region that could only be reached by chance or fate.

And somehow, carried on the back of a raging Violet Thunderwing Steed, Marcus had arrived.

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