Chapter 77: Chapter 73: First Contact

Morning arrived slowly over Greenwood Forest.

The mist that usually lingered between the massive trees was thinner today, allowing warm sunlight to filter through the dense canopy. Birds returned to their morning songs, and the river running beside Greenwood Village sparkled with faint golden reflections.

For most of the villagers, the day felt almost normal.

Almost.

But several people in the village knew better.

Things were moving.

And somewhere in the forest, a dragon was watching.

—

John lay across a massive branch near the top of one of the ancient Greenwood trees.

The branch alone was thick enough to support an entire house, and his massive black body stretched across it comfortably.

His golden eyes were half-closed as he observed the village from above.

From this height, the entire settlement looked small—wooden platforms connected by bridges, houses built into the trunks of colossal trees, and elves moving about their daily routines.

But John’s attention wasn’t on the villagers.

It was focused on the newcomers.

Elena Virel.

And Marcus Hale.

The two adventurers who had arrived the day before.

John had been watching them since sunrise.

“…Interesting,” he murmured quietly.

Unlike the hunters who had previously come to kill him, these two behaved differently.

They weren’t rushing into the forest.

They weren’t gathering weapons.

They were asking questions.

A lot of questions.

John shifted slightly on the branch.

“…Smart.”

Very smart.

And that made them far more dangerous.

—

Inside the Greenwood tavern, Elena sat at a wooden table with several maps spread in front of her.

Marcus leaned back in his chair, drinking from a large mug.

“So,” he said casually, “what have we learned so far?”

Elena tapped a spot on the map.

“The dragon was last seen here.”

Marcus looked down.

“That’s deep in the forest.”

“Yes.”

“Monster territory.”

“Exactly.”

Marcus scratched his chin.

“Which means the dragon is either extremely confident…”

“…Or extremely powerful,” Elena finished.

Marcus nodded.

“Fair point.”

Elena glanced toward the tavern door where Commander Aerion stood speaking quietly with Sylvara.

“They also confirmed something else.”

Marcus raised an eyebrow.

“What?”

“The dragon talks.”

Marcus nearly choked on his drink.

“…It what?”

“It speaks.”

Marcus stared at her.

“You’re serious?”

Elena nodded.

“The villagers confirmed it.”

Marcus leaned back slowly.

“Well.”

He let out a quiet whistle.

“That definitely complicates things.”

Elena folded her arms.

“It means the dragon is intelligent.”

Marcus smirked.

“Most dragons are.”

“Not like this.”

Marcus raised an eyebrow.

“What do you mean?”

Elena lowered her voice slightly.

“The villagers said it negotiated with them.”

Marcus blinked.

“…Negotiated?”

“Yes.”

Marcus leaned forward now, suddenly interested.

“Well now I really want to meet it.”

—

High above the village, John chuckled quietly.

“…Careful what you wish for.”

His tail flicked lazily.

For the first time in several days, he felt something resembling amusement.

These adventurers weren’t like the others.

They weren’t driven by greed or arrogance.

They were cautious.

Thoughtful.

And curious.

Just like him.

Which meant…

He might enjoy this.

—

Later that afternoon.

Elena and Marcus stood at the edge of the forest trail leading deeper into Greenwood.

Aerion stood with them.

“You’re certain you want to do this?” the elf commander asked.

Marcus grinned.

“Absolutely.”

Elena remained calm.

“We’re not here to fight.”

Aerion studied her carefully.

“That depends on the dragon.”

Elena nodded.

“Yes.”

Sylvara approached from behind.

“Be careful,” she said quietly.

Marcus chuckled.

“Don’t worry.”

He tapped the sword at his side.

“I’m very persuasive.”

Sylvara rolled her eyes.

“That’s exactly what worries me.”

—

The two adventurers stepped onto the forest trail.

The deeper they went, the quieter the forest became.

Towering trees blocked most of the sunlight, and thick roots twisted across the ground like ancient serpents.

Marcus glanced around.

“…You feel that?”

Elena nodded.

“The mana density.”

Marcus frowned.

“It’s higher than normal.”

Elena looked thoughtful.

“This forest has always had strong mana currents.”

Marcus shook his head.

“Not like this.”

They continued walking.

Then suddenly—

Marcus stopped.

“…Wait.”

Elena froze.

“What?”

Marcus slowly looked upward.

“…We’re not alone.”

Elena followed his gaze.

And her breath caught.

High above them, perched across several enormous branches…

A massive black dragon stared down at them.

Golden eyes glowing.

Wings folded.

Silent.

Watching.

Marcus blinked.

“…Well.”

He exhaled slowly.

“That answers that question.”

—

John tilted his head slightly as he studied the two humans below.

They didn’t panic.

They didn’t run.

They didn’t attack.

Good.

That meant this conversation might actually be interesting.

His massive wings unfolded slightly as he shifted his weight.

The entire tree creaked under the movement.

Marcus looked impressed.

“…That thing is huge.”

Elena remained calm.

Her emerald eyes met John’s golden gaze.

“…Hello.”

John blinked.

“…Hello.”

Marcus immediately burst out laughing.

“I can’t believe that worked.”

Elena ignored him.

“We’re not here to harm you,” she said calmly.

John slowly climbed down from the branches.

Each movement was controlled and powerful.

When he finally landed on the forest floor, the ground trembled slightly.

Now standing before them, the dragon’s size became even more overwhelming.

Marcus crossed his arms.

“…Yeah, okay. Definitely not a small dragon.”

John studied them carefully.

“…You’re different from the others.”

Elena tilted her head slightly.

“The hunters?”

John nodded.

“You didn’t bring dragon-killing weapons.”

Marcus shrugged.

“They’re expensive.”

John snorted.

“…Honest.”

Elena stepped forward slightly.

“We came because someone inside the Adventurer’s Guild is sending hunters after you.”

John’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“…I know.”

Marcus raised an eyebrow.

“You know?”

John nodded.

“They left agents watching the village.”

Elena frowned.

“That confirms our suspicions.”

Marcus looked between them.

“Wait… what suspicions?”

Elena crossed her arms.

“Someone is manipulating the guild.”

Marcus whistled.

“Well that’s a problem.”

John’s tail flicked behind him.

“…Why are you telling me this?”

Elena answered honestly.

“Because if someone powerful wants you dead…”

She looked directly into his eyes.

“…that could become everyone’s problem.”

John stared at her for several seconds.

Then slowly…

He smiled.

A dragon’s smile.

“…You’re smarter than most humans.”

Marcus laughed again.

“She gets that a lot.”

Elena ignored him.

John lowered his head slightly, bringing his massive face closer to them.

Marcus didn’t move.

Elena didn’t flinch.

Interesting.

Very interesting.

“…What are your names?” John asked.

Elena answered first.

“Elena Virel.”

Marcus pointed at himself.

“Marcus Hale.”

John nodded slowly.

“…John.”

Marcus blinked.

“…Your name is John?”

“Yes.”

Marcus burst out laughing again.

“A dragon named John.”

Elena sighed.

“Marcus.”

“What? It’s funny!”

John watched them quietly.

For the first time since arriving in this world…

He was having a normal conversation.

And strangely…

He didn’t hate it.

—

But far away…

Deep inside the forest.

The man with the broken crown staff watched everything through a magical scrying orb.

The image showed the dragon speaking with the adventurers.

His smile faded slightly.

“…Unexpected.”

He had planned for chaos.

Violence.

Blood.

Not conversation.

His fingers tightened around the staff.

“…Very well.”

If the dragon wanted allies…

Then he would give them enemies.

Powerful ones.

He raised his staff.

Dark mana gathered around the broken crown symbol.

“Release them.”

Deep beneath the forest floor—

Ancient seals cracked.

Massive eyes opened in the darkness.

And something enormous began to move.

—

Back in the forest clearing.

John suddenly froze.

His golden eyes narrowed.

“…Something’s wrong.”

Elena immediately noticed the change.

“What is it?”

John looked toward the distant mountains.

“…Something just woke up.”

Marcus frowned.

“A monster?”

John’s voice was serious now.

“…No.”

His wings slowly spread.

“…Something much worse.”

And deep within Greenwood Forest—

A roar echoed across the land.

Not the roar of a dragon.

Something older.

Something far more dangerous.

Something that had been sleeping for centuries.

And now…

It was awake.

—

100 ps = 1 extra Chapter

200 ps = 2 Extra Chapter

30 Golden ticket = 3 Extra Chapter

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep