Chapter 71: Chapter 67: The Hunters Arrive

The mist was thicker than usual that morning, drifting low between the towering ancient trees like pale rivers of fog. Sunlight filtered through the canopy in narrow beams, but most of the forest floor remained shadowed and quiet.

Too quiet.

High above the forest floor, on the wooden platforms of Greenwood Village, the elves had already begun their morning watch.

No one said it out loud, but everyone knew why.

Today, the hunters would arrive.

—

Commander Aerion stood on the eastern observation platform, arms folded behind his back as he stared out across the sea of trees.

Two scouts stood nearby, their eyes scanning the forest carefully.

One of them shifted slightly.

“Commander.”

Aerion didn’t turn.

“Yes.”

“I can feel the mana again.”

Aerion nodded.

“So can I.”

The second scout spoke quietly.

“They’re close.”

“How close?”

“…Less than a kilometer.”

Aerion exhaled slowly.

“Closer than I expected.”

The scout frowned.

“They move carefully. They avoid monster territories and keep to the river trails.”

“Experienced hunters,” Aerion said.

The first scout hesitated before speaking again.

“…They’re definitely tracking the dragon.”

Aerion already knew that.

There was no point pretending otherwise.

—

Across the village—

John yawned.

A massive, jaw-stretching yawn that revealed rows of teeth large enough to split armor.

Lythriel winced.

“You really shouldn’t do that near people.”

John blinked.

“What?”

“That.”

“What did I do?”

“You yawned like you were about to eat someone.”

“I *was* yawning.”

“That’s not how humans or elves yawn.”

“I’m not a human or an elf.”

“…Fair.”

They were standing near the outer platform again, looking toward the eastern forest.

John stretched his wings lazily.

The reinforced wooden beams creaked beneath his weight.

“They’re almost here,” Lythriel said.

“I noticed.”

“You can feel them?”

“Of course.”

“How?”

John tapped one claw against the wooden floor.

“Mana leaves traces.”

“Like footprints?”

“Something like that.”

She looked thoughtful.

“So they’re following yours.”

“Most likely.”

Lythriel sighed.

“Well… that’s inconvenient.”

John tilted his head.

“For who?”

“For everyone.”

John chuckled quietly.

—

A short distance away, Sylvara approached them carrying a small satchel of herbs.

“You’re both unusually calm this morning.”

Lythriel gestured toward John.

“He’s rubbing off on us.”

John looked mildly offended.

“That implies I’m contagious.”

“You are.”

“With what?”

“Recklessness.”

“That’s not a disease.”

“It is when you’re a dragon.”

John seemed pleased with that description.

—

Commander Aerion arrived a moment later.

“They’re about to enter the valley,” he said.

Lythriel straightened.

“That fast?”

“They’ve been moving since before dawn.”

John raised his head slightly.

“How many exactly?”

“Twelve,” Aerion repeated.

“Same group.”

Sylvara frowned.

“That’s a large hunting party.”

Aerion nodded.

“Yes.”

John stretched his neck lazily.

“Sounds crowded.”

Lythriel looked at him.

“You’re still not taking this seriously.”

“I am.”

“That doesn’t look serious.”

John gave her a sideways glance.

“What would you prefer?”

“Concern.”

“I’m concerned.”

“You’re smiling.”

“That’s unrelated.”

—

Aerion looked toward the forest again.

“Scouts confirmed something else.”

Sylvara raised an eyebrow.

“What?”

“They’re heavily equipped.”

Lythriel crossed her arms.

“How heavily?”

Aerion answered calmly.

“Dragon-hunting equipment.”

The air grew quiet.

Even John stopped smiling.

“Oh?”

Aerion nodded.

“Ballista bolts.”

“Mana binding chains.”

“Anti-dragon enchantments.”

Lythriel grimaced.

“That’s not a casual hunting party.”

Sylvara looked worried.

“They came prepared.”

John seemed thoughtful.

“…Interesting.”

Lythriel stared at him.

“That’s your reaction?”

“Yes.”

“They brought weapons designed to kill dragons.”

“Yes.”

“And you find that interesting?”

John shrugged.

“I’m curious how effective they are.”

She groaned.

“You’re impossible.”

—

Meanwhile—

Far below the village—

The forest valley opened into a wide clearing where the river curved between ancient trees.

Twelve armored figures moved carefully along the riverbank.

Their armor bore the symbol of a well-known adventurer guild.

The leader walked at the front.

A tall man with short dark hair and a long scar across his jaw.

His name was **Roderic Valen**.

A veteran dragon hunter.

He raised one hand suddenly.

The group stopped immediately.

One of the mages stepped forward.

“…What is it?”

Roderic crouched beside the river.

He touched the ground lightly.

Then he smiled.

“Fresh mana traces.”

Another adventurer leaned closer.

“The dragon?”

Roderic nodded.

“Definitely.”

A younger hunter whispered nervously,

“How big do you think it is?”

The mage answered quietly.

“…Very.”

Roderic stood again and looked toward the towering forest ahead.

“Stay alert.”

“We’re close now.”

—

Back in the village—

A scout ran across the upper bridges.

“They’ve entered the valley!”

Aerion nodded.

“That was fast.”

Lythriel leaned over the railing.

“Can you see them?”

“Not yet.”

John rose slowly.

His enormous body unfolded from the platform as his wings stretched wide.

The wooden structure groaned slightly.

Sylvara glanced up.

“You’re going out there, aren’t you?”

John looked down at her.

“They came looking for me.”

“That doesn’t mean you have to meet them.”

John smiled faintly.

“…It would be rude not to.”

Lythriel stepped forward.

“Wait.”

John paused.

“What?”

She looked at him carefully.

“Try not to destroy half the forest.”

“No promises.”

“That’s not comforting.”

John grinned.

—

Aerion spoke calmly.

“Where will you meet them?”

John looked toward the eastern valley.

“…There’s a large clearing about half a kilometer from here.”

Lythriel frowned.

“You know the area?”

“I hunted there once.”

“That explains the crater.”

“Yes.”

Aerion nodded.

“That location should keep the village out of sight.”

John stretched his wings again.

“Good.”

Sylvara sighed.

“Just… be careful.”

John blinked.

“…Of them?”

“Of everything.”

“That’s less specific.”

She crossed her arms.

“You know what I mean.”

John chuckled softly.

“Don’t worry.”

“I’ll behave.”

Lythriel snorted.

“That’s the most suspicious sentence you’ve said all week.”

—

With a single powerful movement—

John launched himself into the air.

**BOOM**

The force of his wings sent a blast of wind across the platforms.

Leaves scattered into the air.

Several younger elves grabbed the railings to steady themselves.

Within seconds the massive black dragon was soaring above the canopy.

Lythriel watched him disappear into the mist.

“…He enjoys this way too much.”

Aerion nodded quietly.

“Yes.”

Sylvara folded her arms.

“…I just hope the humans understand what they’re facing.”

—

In the valley—

Roderic suddenly stopped again.

He looked up.

“…Do you hear that?”

The mage frowned.

“Hear what?”

Then—

A deep thunder rolled across the sky.

Not thunder.

Wings.

The entire group looked up just as a massive shadow passed over the clearing.

The trees shook violently.

Wind blasted through the valley.

Several adventurers staggered.

Then—

The dragon landed.

**BOOOOOOM**

The ground shook as John touched down in the center of the clearing.

Dust exploded into the air.

Branches snapped.

When the dust cleared—

The hunters finally saw him.

A massive black dragon.

Golden eyes glowing like molten metal.

One of the younger adventurers whispered,

“…By the gods…”

Roderic slowly drew his sword.

His voice was calm.

“Formation.”

The hunters immediately moved into position.

Mage at the rear.

Two crossbowmen ready.

Chain specialists forward.

John watched them quietly.

Then he spoke.

His deep voice echoed across the clearing.

“…Good morning.”

Several hunters flinched.

The younger one whispered again.

“It talks.”

Roderic didn’t look surprised.

“Most dragons do.”

John tilted his head slightly.

“You came a long way.”

Roderic nodded.

“We did.”

“And you brought weapons.”

“Yes.”

John glanced at the ballista bolts strapped to one of the wagons.

“Those look expensive.”

“They are.”

Silence settled across the clearing.

Then John asked calmly.

“So.”

“Which one of you thinks they’re going to kill me?”

The hunters tightened their grips on their weapons.

Roderic stepped forward.

“We didn’t come here to talk.”

John smiled.

“That’s unfortunate.”

His wings slowly spread.

The air around the clearing began to tremble.

“…Because I enjoy talking.”

The hunters suddenly realized something terrifying.

The dragon wasn’t angry.

He wasn’t even threatened.

He looked…

Interested.

And that might be far worse.

—

Roderic studied the dragon carefully.

Years of hunting had taught him many things.

The most important lesson was simple.

*Never underestimate a dragon.*

This one was different.

Most dragons he had encountered radiated fury.

Territorial rage.

Ancient arrogance.

But this one?

It looked… amused.

Roderic slowly lifted his hand.

“Ballista ready.”

Behind him, two hunters began positioning the massive enchanted bolts.

John watched them curiously.

“Ah.”

“So those are for me.”

One of the hunters muttered nervously.

“…Obviously.”

John leaned forward slightly.

The movement alone caused several adventurers to tense.

He examined the bolt carefully.

The metal tip glowed faintly with enchantments.

“Anti-dragon runes,” John noted.

“Reinforced steel shaft.”

“Mana dispersal core.”

The mage’s eyes widened.

“…How does it know that?”

John looked at him.

“You’re not the only ones who understand magic.”

Silence.

Then John asked something unexpected.

“So.”

“Did you bring enough?”

The younger hunter blinked.

“Enough what?”

John smiled wider.

“Bolts.”

Before anyone could respond—

**FWOOOOOOOM**

John’s wings snapped open.

The wind alone knocked several hunters back.

The ground cracked beneath his claws.

Roderic shouted immediately.

“FIRE!”

**THOOM!**

The enchanted ballista bolt launched across the clearing like lightning.

The projectile slammed directly toward John’s chest.

The hunters held their breath.

The bolt struck.

**CLANG**

The sound echoed across the valley.

The massive projectile shattered.

The steel tip crumpled against John’s black scales like it had struck a mountain.

Fragments of enchanted metal scattered across the clearing.

Silence.

John looked down at the broken pieces.

Then he glanced back at them.

“…You might need bigger ones.”

One of the hunters whispered,

“…Oh no.”

Roderic’s expression hardened.

“Chains!”

Two specialists rushed forward with glowing mana-binding chains.

John watched them with interest.

“Those look fun.”

They threw the chains.

The enchanted metal wrapped around John’s foreleg.

Runes flared brightly.

The chains tightened—

Then snapped.

The metal links shattered like glass.

The two hunters stumbled backward in shock.

John gently lifted the broken chain.

“…You really should test your equipment before using it.”

The mage finally shouted,

“ATTACK!”

Spells ignited.

Fireballs.

Lightning bolts.

Ice spears.

They slammed into John in rapid succession.

Explosions filled the clearing.

Smoke rolled through the air.

When the smoke cleared—

John was still standing there.

Unmoved.

Unharmed.

He blinked slowly.

“…Are we done?”

The hunters stared in horror.

Roderic finally understood.

They hadn’t come to hunt a dragon.

They had walked straight into the territory of something far worse.

John leaned forward slightly.

Golden eyes glowing.

“…Now it’s my turn.”

—

High above the forest—

The watching scouts saw a flash of light from the valley.

Then another.

Then the distant echo of explosions.

One scout swallowed.

“…It started.”

The other nodded grimly.

“Yes.”

And far below—

The battle between dragon and hunters had finally begun.

—

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