A hiss, the tongue swept across jagged fangs.
High above, a dense mass of dark red clouds slowly spread outwards, soon engulfing the entire ruins of Shul'Tzureth City, expanding and permeating.
Bang! Bang!
The Elder Dragon, now standing, took a step forward, emitting continuous, fragmented growls.
The shadow cast by its colossal body surged ahead of the Elder Dragon.
Hoo~
A soft exhale, and a few scattered embers drifted from its maw.
The Black Dragon no longer watched the Elder Dragon but lowered its head, gazing at the edge of the shadow cast upon the archway before it.
This slight movement caused the Elder Dragon's advancing claws to hover for a moment before finally retracting and falling back.
Bang!
Sensing the colossal black shadow that remained stationary had retreated and failed to touch it, the Black Dragon raised its head to observe again.
The Elder Dragon immediately leaned back, adopting a posture of wanting to escape and retreat.
At this moment, whether it was the spirit of "drawing the sword" that Li Fan had conveyed, the Elder Dragon's body swayed back, and its heavy footsteps moved forward once more.
Bang~ Bang~
The Black Dragon's wing claws dug into the ground, its wing membranes bulging as they bent.
Its purple eyes flashed with sharp intensity, as if the Elder Dragon's actions had challenged its majesty, forcing it to take this seriously.
Roar! A dragon's roar echoed.
Boom~ The dark red clouds in the sky churned and expanded outwards, instantly engulfing the Shul'Tzureth City Guild's observation point.
The two young investigators were forcibly evacuated by the crowd, as in the event of an accident, someone had to transmit the situation.
Bang! Bang! ...
The Elder Dragon's pace quickened, its projected towering shadow soon swallowing the Black Dragon.
Hoo~ Hoo!
The Black Dragon's neck stretched forward, a few sparks flickered from its mouth, followed by a massive, fan-shaped stream of flames erupting.
The charred remains of the city walls crumbled into ash, the scorched orange earth melting and continuously sinking.
Heatwaves and thick smoke billowed upwards.
As far as the eye could see, the only area not affected by the flame stream was the region shielded by the Elder Dragon's massive body.
Bang! Bang! ....
The investigators hiding in the cave unexpectedly heard the sound of heavy footsteps still echoing.
The roar of the flame stream abruptly ceased, and everyone rushed to the cave entrance to observe.
A thick smell of burnt lake water wafted over, and countless black ash particles slowly drifted down from the sky.
In this pitch-black, charcoal-like, silent world, the Elder Dragon continued to move forward with a slow gait.
Tap~ Tap...
The mineral rock layers that had accumulated on its body over the years had now turned liquid and were dripping from its form.
Roar~
The Elder Dragon let out a low growl, indicating it was nothing more than this.
Boom!
Then its colossal body tilted sideways, and the entire ground trembled violently.
The unharmed Black Dragon appeared exceptionally calm about this. It curiously bent its neck, looking down at the Elder Dragon from above, as if seeking an explanation.
What made you so brave?
The melted shell on its head had sealed the Elder Dragon's eyes.
But it could still clearly sense the Black Dragon's gaze.
The molten solution from its shell had sealed its mouth as it cooled, and the Elder Dragon forcefully pushed it open.
Crack~
Hoo~
A gust of scorching air was exhaled, and as its neck moved, the Elder Dragon let out a low hum.
It meant, "I witnessed his presence."
Upon hearing this, the Black Dragon's relaxed body instantly froze.
Sizzle~ Crackle~
The layered scales on its chest, resembling snake skin, curled up, emitting an orange glow in the heat.
Its shining purple eyes immediately scanned left and right, as if searching for some formidable presence.
After a moment, the Black Dragon tilted its head back and gazed at the void in the center of the dark red clouds.
Hoo~ Its wings spread, and the Black Dragon leaped into the dense cloud layer.
The closest village to the Shul'Tzureth City ruins, Kokoto Village, was the first to observe the expanding dark red clouds.
With the confirmation of the forbidden one's appearance, the highest warning for a world-ending catastrophe was initiated.
Three days later, in the Grand Hall of the Guild Headquarters, the Guild Master convened all hunters of five stars and above, to inform them without reservation of the firsthand observational intelligence obtained at Shul'Tzureth City.
"The Elder Dragon retreated injured, the Black Dragon flew into the clouds and its whereabouts are unknown..."
In the front row of the Grand Hall, Li Fan, after reading the report, scratched his head in confusion.
The Elder Dragon's defeat was within his expectations, but what was the situation with the Black Dragon's departure?
In reality, monsters didn't stay within game maps like in games, but at least they should have a defined range of activity.
"If it appears in another region..."
Yudora sighed, she dared not think further about the tragic scene that would unfold if the Black Dragon suddenly attacked the East Dundorma.
"We can only have Huihui try to search for it first."
Li Fan also had no good solution for this.
The Monster Squad was capable of fighting against monsters of the forbidden tier, but if the opponent was solely bent on destroying human settlements, resisting and defending would be extremely difficult.
This was also a troublesome point about fighting on the original continent.
Since the Chief Hunter Squad had already declared their stance, the Guild Master and Zudda did not engage in extensive negotiations, as they understood that the Chief Hunter Squad could only play a supporting role in whether the Guild would engage the forbidden one.
At the entrance of the Guild Headquarters, a large number of Dragon-worshippers and citizens were gathered in protest.
The arrival of a world-ending catastrophe was unbearable for them, and the Guild Headquarters became the most suitable place to vent their emotions.
However, due to the presence of a large number of fully armed Guild Knights, the situation did not show signs of escalating.
Clang! Clang!...
On the streets, many shops were boarding up their windows and doors.
Numerous families, dragging their luggage, were anxiously heading towards the city exit.
The crowded masses had overwhelmed the airport, and a few airships began to disregard the city's flight regulations, departing at full speed.
Ding~ Ding~...
Hearing the familiar knocking sounds from the Guild workshop, the team's mood slightly eased.
"Oh! The Chief Hunter Squad has arrived, meow! Hello!"
A craftsman apprentice Felyne, with a bandana wrapped around its head, greeted them warmly.
"Hello Felyne, we'd like to have our weapons and armor undergo comprehensive maintenance."
Li Fan stated their purpose.
"Ah? Now, meow?"
The craftsman Felyne was very surprised.
This was because the Guild had terminated all contracts the moment the appearance of the forbidden one was confirmed.
"Yes."
Li Fan confirmed.
"What strange equipment, meow. I'll go call my companions to help carry it, and I'll pour you tea later."
After informing them, the craftsman Felyne quickly ran off.
"The equipment maintenance will probably take a long time, I'm going home for a bit."
Yudora, looking somewhat dejected, stood up.
"Mhm, please give my regards to your parents."
Seeing the atmosphere becoming somber, Dilo raised a paw and suggested, "Let's go eat grilled fish, meow!"
"The grilled fish shop probably won't be open... Alright."
Li Fan thought that instead of waiting here miserably, it was better to go out and change his mood.
As it turned out, the grilled fish shop was unexpectedly not closed. Li Fan bought 10 skewers at once, deciding to enjoy them to his heart's content with Dilo.
"Mmm~ Mmm~ This outfit has another tear, meow. I'll patch it up for you later."
Chewing on grilled fish, Dilo noticed a tear at the arm joint of the blue-striped bear pajamas and reminded him.
"The fountain plaza is ahead, there are benches there."
"Okay, meow."
At the fountain plaza, a large crowd of citizens and Dragon-worshippers were gathered, standing around the fountain, as if waiting for something.
"Kitty's mending technique, meow!"
On the bench, Dilo opened his needle and thread box, shouted, and then performed a backflip.
"Just sewing pajamas, can you not be so dramatic?"
Li Fan said with a helpless expression.
"Wuwu... I've been practicing for a long time, meow."
Dilo said aggrievedly.
"Alright."
Li Fan, sitting on the bench, turned to face Dilo and watched the preparatory movements of the kitty's mending technique intently.
At this moment, the people around the fountain suddenly parted to the sides.
A barefoot man in a red robe and hood, walking slowly, ascended to the edge of the fountain platform.
After a moment of silence, he spread his arms towards the sky, as if welcoming some divine inspiration.
A low voice sounded, and the song titled "The Legend of the Black Dragon" began to be chanted.
When countless wyverns are driven to its will, the legend begins.
Countless bodies will be torn apart, bones and blood crushed and drained, then it will appear.
Dust will burn, steel will melt, water will evaporate.
Winds will rise and clouds will gather, plants will wither, and fierce rebirth will occur.
Its name is Mirapoleias.
Its name is the war of destiny.
Its name is unavoidable death.
If you have a throat, roar; if you have ears, listen; if you have a heart, pray.
Mirapoleias, the heavens and earth will be overturned, utter its name, and the heavens and earth will be overturned.
Utter its name...
Utter its name...
....
Utter its name!
Utter its name!
Under the extremely infectious chanting of the Red Robe Brother, the people surrounding the fountain joined in, raising their arms and shouting together, the momentum growing louder and louder.
"Amazing, Red Robe Brother, to remember such a long passage of lyrics..."
Li Fan exclaimed in admiration.
"Sewn, meow!"
Dilo said, handing over the folded bear pajamas.
"You've improved again, Dilo."
After putting them on and comparing them with the other cat paw patches, Li Fan could clearly perceive a significant improvement in Dilo's sewing skills.
"It's alright, meow... By the way, Red Robe Brother is very popular right now."
Dilo remarked.
"Shh... He's coming over."
Seeing Red Robe Brother descend from the fountain and walk through the path cleared by the crowd, Li Fan gave a reminder.
Although Dilo didn't know what was happening, he immediately entered a state of hunting alertness, making no sound.
The Red Robe Brother, with his hood pulled down to cover most of his face, sat on an adjacent bench.
Dilo, turning to look, suddenly felt Li Fan pick him up and place him on his other side, clearly not wanting him to be too close to the other person.
The two, one blue and one red, in stark contrast, remained silent.
"No matter how many times, it's always the same."
Red Robe Brother muttered in a low voice, looking down.
"Ah?"
Li Fan was confused.
"I'm talking about the reward. The number of chants has increased each day, but the pay is the same as before."
Red Robe Brother explained.
"Yes, the Dragon-worshippers have always been stingy with their propagandists."
Li Fan agreed.
"Have you also worked as a propagandist?"
Red Robe Brother inquired.
"No, I just learned about the salary from you and Yellow Robe Brother before."
"Your clothes are tattered, I deduce you must be very short of money. I advise you not to enter this line of work."
Red Robe Brother advised.
"Mhm... I'm actually a hunter."
"A hunter... The current situation must be very difficult."
"It's alright, because there are still many hunters in this world who share my determination to win."
"Really? In that case, I might be unemployed soon."
"So it's better to make plans early."
Li Fan offered his advice.
"Thank you for your advice. I need to prepare for the next performance."
Red Robe Brother said, looking up at the crowded masses, and stood up from the bench.
"You missed a line in your Legend of the Black Dragon."
"Which line?"
"The last line: the awakened legend will be struck down to oblivion by a hero with infinite courage."
After Li Fan informed him, he took Dilo's paw and also stood up from the bench.
"Since the result is the same no matter how many times, it doesn't matter if a line is missing."
Red Robe Brother said, and then went to prepare for the next chant.
On the way back to the Guild workshop, Dilo curiously asked, "Is it because of the approaching calamity, meow? Red Robe Brother seems a bit dejected."
"Perhaps... By the way, where's the grilled fish? I remember only eating one skewer."
"Uh... I don't know, meow."
Dilo said, trying to suck in his protruding belly as much as possible.
When the true decision arrived, it would be too late to prepare for battle.
Therefore, as soon as the signs of the forbidden one's appearance were confirmed, the Guild's preparations had already begun.
A large number of urgently conscripted hunters were extremely busy.
A ship also set sail for the New World, preparing to transfer elite investigation teams to the original continent.
The next day, news came from the Dragonology Institute that the Dragon-knowledge ship led by Devyn, which had ventured into uncharted territory, was completely lost.
Apart from ecological intelligence and personnel support, they would be unable to fully commit to this operation.
Pokke Village, Yukumo Village, Kokoto Village, Gekko Village, and Bellena Village expressed strong willingness to participate, while other factions were mostly wavering, seemingly waiting for the Guild to make a decision.
All the pressure was now concentrated on the Guild Master and Zudda.
If they firmly declared their intention to engage the forbidden one in battle at this juncture, human forces would inevitably split into two factions.
The trouble caused by these two stances alone would greatly hinder the preparation work.
Maintaining a low profile and preparing for battle without making a statement was actually the best choice.
However, the entire world was waiting for the Guild's decision, leaving no room for maneuver.
Just as Zudda was at a loss for what to do, an intelligence report entered the Grand Hall.
"The leader of the Dragon-worshippers publicly admitted that the Alatreon is dead..."
Zudda looked at the document with disbelief.
The confirmed death of Alatreon was shocking enough, but for it to be confirmed by the leader of the Dragon-worshippers made it even more outrageous.
Feeling that this was false intelligence, Zudda quickly checked the detailed content.
"A sapphire dragon god jewel, horns that pierce the heavens, astrological evidence..."
Upon seeing the supporting evidence mentioned by the other party, Zudda, as the director of the Elder Dragon Research Institute, confirmed its authenticity. However, upon seeing the cause of Alatreon's death, he suddenly fell into confusion.
"A hunter team composed of Li Fan and Yudora, defeated it in the Everfrost Tundra, thus the dark star perished."