The Long Journey After Becoming an Ancient Dragon

This region was rich in magic, the lush vegetation thriving with life, creating a haven for various creatures.

As they walked along the path, they spotted a human figure.

Seeing another human was a rare occurrence for Aino and the others during their journey. After all, humans in this world were a minority, often huddled together in their territories and rarely venturing out alone.

The sight of a lone person here indicated the presence of a human settlement nearby.

Parker and Alea seemed excited. Since embarking on their journey, their interactions with the outside world had been limited. Seeing a fellow human after such a long time sparked a sense of familiarity—though this fellow human appeared to be in trouble.

A frail boy was desperately fleeing, pursued by a massive bear-like monster. The boy was clearly exhausted, and it was only a matter of time before he was caught.

The group exchanged glances. No words were needed. Parker immediately stepped forward toward the scene, while the others followed at a slower pace.

“...Run!”

Ordinary humans couldn’t outrun magical creatures. The boy was already out of breath, despair clouding his eyes. But when he spotted Parker, a glimmer of hope lit up his face—only to fade just as quickly when he noticed Parker’s average build and lack of an imposing aura.

Great, now not only would he be caught, but someone else would die with him.

Mosheler shouted a warning to Parker, not wanting to drag someone else into his misfortune.

But Parker simply waved at him, standing calmly in place.

Mosheler wasn’t entirely ignorant of the world. He knew that some people possessed extraordinary powers, wielding martial arts or magic. Could this man’s composure mean he was one of those powerful individuals?

“Earth Bind.”
“Earth Spikes.”

The surrounding area was dense with vegetation, and the bear monster was a slow, brute-force type. After a brief consideration, Parker formulated a strategy.

As the bear continued its relentless pursuit, the ground beneath its feet suddenly collapsed, trapping half its body in dirt. Massive earthen spikes then erupted from the ground, impaling the creature.

“Roar!!”

A pained howl echoed as the bear struggled violently, attempting to free itself.

“Wind Blade.”

Parker finished it off with this clean and efficient spell, minimizing environmental damage and avoiding attracting other monsters.

The bear’s howls ceased abruptly, its massive body collapsing into a heap of flesh.

With the danger resolved, Mosheler finally realized how exhausted he was. His legs gave out, and he collapsed onto the ground.

Even in his weakened state, he didn’t forget to thank the man who had saved him.

“Thank you, big brother! I owe you my life!”

“It was nothing,” Parker replied with a smile, trying to put him at ease.

The boy was thin and scholarly in appearance, dressed in patched, old clothes. Parker’s magical senses didn’t detect any magic within him, though there was a faint trace of something peculiar clinging to his body.

Not being an experienced adventurer, Parker couldn’t immediately discern what it was. He kept his doubts to himself, showing no outward reaction.

Soon after, Aino and the others arrived, and everyone briefly introduced themselves.

Mosheler explained that he was a resident of a nearby human village. The villagers often had to venture out to hunt or gather medicinal herbs, a risky endeavor.

As an ordinary human with no magical abilities, Mosheler avoided venturing too deep into dangerous areas. However, luck wasn’t on his side today—he encountered the powerful bear monster while picking mushrooms at the outer edge of the forest.

“Big Brother Parker, it’s a long way ahead. You saved my life, so please rest at my home for the night before continuing. The sun is about to set!”

The group agreed to the boy’s invitation.

Normally, they camped out in the wilderness, but the chance to stay in a proper shelter was a welcome change. Besides, Aino was curious about the peculiar energy surrounding Mosheler.

Compared to Parker, Aino’s senses were sharper. She detected a magical “mark” left on Mosheler by some magical being. Its purpose was unclear, but staying at the village might provide some answers. If not, she planned to remove the mark before they left, leaving Mosheler’s fate to chance.

As expected, the village was nestled in the mountains, exuding a rustic charm. The homes were crude wooden structures that seemed fragile enough to collapse under a strong kick.

The villagers didn’t appear wary of outsiders. They greeted Mosheler, cast curious glances at the group, and exchanged quiet remarks but didn’t try to stop them.

“Mosheler, who else lives in your house?” Parker asked casually, trying to get a sense of the situation.

“Hehe, my family’s gone now. But two years ago, I found a girl in the mountains. She said she was homeless and had lost her memory, so now it’s just the two of us.”

“Big Brother Parker, her name’s Xiningna. She’s a great cook! Tonight, you’ll...”

Mosheler’s face lit up as he spoke about the girl. It was clear she was very important to him.

“This is my house,” Mosheler said proudly, gesturing to a simple wooden hut.

“Got it,” Parker replied with a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes.

The house was saturated with magical energy.

Was a monster lurking inside, or was there something strange about the girl Mosheler mentioned?

“Xiningna, we have guests! Open the door!” Mosheler called, knocking twice.

A sweet, youthful voice answered from within. “Coming!”

The sound conjured an image of a lively teenage girl full of charm.

The door creaked open, revealing a shy girl with brown hair peeking out, half her face hidden as she observed the strangers with curiosity.

This was Mosheler’s perspective.

Aino, however, sensed a magical interference manipulating their perception. The illusion attempted to obscure reality, but its craftsmanship was crude. Aino silently shielded herself and her companions from the effect.

As the door opened further, they saw not a girl but tentacles emerging from within.

The massive appendages resembled insect antennae, some hanging in the air while others dragged on the ground. The creature’s body had yet to appear, but its tentacles had already made an unsettling entrance.

Its figure was lithe, clad in tattered clothes similar to Mosheler’s. But where its face should have been was a translucent, gelatinous surface, beneath which veins in shades of red and blue pulsed ominously. It had no discernible facial features, only two massive compound eyes and a circular mouthpart.

The “skin” was dotted with fine white hairs, giving it a texture that was far from smooth.

It spoke. “Hello, my name is Xiningna.”

Its hands, placed demurely in front of it, were also translucent and covered in dense fur-like hairs, with visible veins beneath the surface.

Alea quickly averted her gaze, covering her mouth to stifle a gasp.@@novelbin@@

The others didn’t look away. They stared, wide-eyed, at the grotesque figure that stood before them, claiming to be Xiningna.