The Regression Of A Grand Mercenary

A Lesser Dragon’s Arrival; The Ash Dragon Descends.

The changed behavior of those monsters…something was off.

It was bugging me all day.

The absence of these monsters and animals kept pestering my thoughts. I was half sure and half unsure that maybe it was nothing and our clearing was just a lucky event, or maybe something is happening. Something beyond the idea our own control.

Feeling this doubt inside, I decided to look into it. So I got off work early and made my way deeper into the forest to search for even a single sign that a monster was nearby.

I looked for hours, searching in every nook and cranny, and to my efforts, I found nothing which was what I feared the most.

“I was right, something is off.”

Normally at this time of day, it would only be common if I came upon all sorts of monsters laying about in hiding, but even with my experience, I could not feel a single presence of both animal and monster.

Thinking back, the only ever time this happened in all my life as a mercenary was when a major event was about to happen. For animals to abandon their homes and for monsters to just flee about in a forest like this which was crawling with all sorts of resources, it showed sign that a bigger threat was approaching.

Animals and monsters moved alike in the sense of survival. For them to leave the forest meant that danger was approaching.

“…It can’t be…can it?” feeling doubtful, I still continued my search.

And that’s when it happened.

A sudden fall of pressure.

“!!?”

This presence…this feeling…

It is without a doubt the coming of a beast.

I felt it’s presence appear from above the clouds.

When I quickly turned my head up, I came to the sight of its large shadow.

“…”

What stood over the clouds was the magnanimous visage of a dragon’s shadow.

With it’s wings spread out and about, I couldn’t help but feel intimidated.

But as I stared at it more, I came to realize that it was only flying under the sun’s light, making it’s actual form not as big as any other dragons I encountered in my past life. At most, I can see that it was about 30 meters in length, from tail to head.

Although it may seem like a large dragon, I’ve faced many others who were a hundred times bigger. One example was the Glacial Dragon who I came face to face and ended up in a draw of our deaths.

And other than its large size over the clouds, I can tell all but immediately that it was nothing more than a Lesser Dragon, not a True Dragon of birth.

‘Those Gray scales…If I’m right, that dragon is a species known as the Ash Dragon. A Lesser Dragon by nature, yet formidable in its own right. Tales told of its abilities—not fiery breath, but an aura of withering, like a breath of ash that drains the life from anything it touches. Unlike the True Dragons, who radiate a vibrant, almost divine energy, this creature seemed to devour the light, leaving only a lingering darkness in its wake.

I held my breath, observing every detail I could gather. Its gray scales shimmered dully in the sunlight, almost blending with the sky’s murky afternoon hues. The shape of its wings was broad, each beat deliberate and slow as it glided, surveying the earth below. At this distance, I could make out jagged scars along its hide, as though it had survived battles with even larger beasts—or perhaps even other dragons.

Then, as if sensing it had been noticed, the Ash Dragon’s head tilted ever so slightly in my direction. My pulse quickened. I felt its gaze pierce me, a cold, calculating stare, sizing me up. It was not a mindless beast. This creature was intelligent, and perhaps it understood just as well as I did that we were both here with purpose.

“…This changes everything,” I murmured under my breath. Whatever had driven the forest’s inhabitants to flee was connected to this dragon’s presence.

As if satisfied, the Ash Dragon let out a rumbling roar similar to that of a crashing thunder that vibrated through the air, an ominous signal that resonated like a storm. With one last look, it lifted higher into the clouds, leaving only the ghost of its presence behind, a lingering feeling that darkness was settling over this land.

I stood there, a cold sweat running down my back, as the silence of the forest pressed in once more. The Ash Dragon had arrived, and something told me that its presence would ripple far beyond this forest.

From its roar alone, it was no doubt that even the villagers would have heard of it.

And for a lesser dragon to survey it’s gaze down on me like that, I can easily tell that it only came here for one reason and one reason alone.

To eat.

And one thing that dragons loves to eat is flesh, both from animal or man.

“Tch!”

I clicked my tongue and started making my way back to the village to prepare.

I need to defeat that dragon before it makes it down to the village. With my current, strength, I may be able to defeat it, but I need only the strongest of weapons to compete against a lesser dragon.

Despite it’s species, a lesser dragon is still a dragon. I can’t underestimate it.

So without wasting anytime, I ran at my fastest pace.

And using the affinity of the wind from when I devoured the twister a few days back, I implemented it into my body, making me move faster than before.

From the distance of where I am from the village, it’ll take me around five minutes to make it back home.

The dragon on the other hand can easily reach the village in just three, but because of it’s unpredictable nature, I don’t know when and how he’ll approach the village.

I need to get there faster!

***

Out from afar, Evelyn heard the cries of a thundering roar.

“…Did you hear that?” asked Evelyn as she was under the tent, making plans of the design in the building.

Desmond responded as he was standing right next to her.

“I did, it sounded like a monster’s roar.”

“Hmm, didn’t Thill say that he went off to look for monsters?”

“Yes he did. From what I heard, he was curious about the lack of attacks or even encounters from the monsters in this forest. It seems as though, a monster has finally appeared.” said Desmond.

“Yes, but something feels off for some reason. I feel like something is going to happen anytime soon…”

“Don’t worry Miss Evelyn, I’m sure its nothing too troubling for us to worry about.” said Desmond.

“I hope your right.”

But to their guesses, they did not expect that a monster was far above the clouds, circling it’s target.

***

I ran as fast as I could and quickly made way to my home where I encountered Tilly and Thalia playing by outside.

“Thalia, get your sister inside now!” I said.

But to my arrival, I could feel the dragon’s presence hovering just over the village. Turning my head up to the sky, I could see it’s visage again.

“Fuck!” without wasting anytime, I quickly claimed the sword that my father made and a pair of armor that was in the shop. Both an iron helm and a iron chest plate. These were perfect enough to hide my full face from the crowd.

If I dally anymore, things might turn for the worse.

As I made my way out of the shop, it was at that point that the dragon came out of the clouds and spread it’s wings for the villagers to see.

And soon enough, panic started to rise.

“What’s that?” they asked.

“Is that a dragon?!”

“It’s a dragon!! Everyone, run!!”

They screamed and ran away from the dragon’s shadow.

“Why is a dragon here?”

“Run away! A dragon has come!”

And to their shouts, soon it multiplied and nothing else could be heard by the fears in their voices.

“!?” when I looked around the shop, Thalia had already carried Tilly back inside while Theresa sheltered them.

Before I could leave to deal with the threat, I had to warn Theresa.

“Theresa, keep all of them safe inside the house.” I said.

Hearing my voice from across the helm I was wearing, Theresa could easily recognize that it was me.

“Thill? But what about you?” she asked.

“I’ll draw the dragon away.” I said.

“What?!” she was bewildered by my statement.

“I don’t have time to explain. Just lock the doors, bar the windows, and don’t come out until I’m back.” I urged, gripping the hilt of my father’s sword.

Theresa’s eyes reflected fear, but also the strength she was known for in the family. She nodded, clutching Tilly and Thalia close. “Be careful, Thill.”

Without a second glance, I dashed towards the dragon, ignoring the rising screams of the villagers as they scattered to take cover. I needed to draw the dragon’s attention away from the village, but with its sights set on us, it wouldn’t be an easy task.

The Ash Dragon was hovering, circling in a predatory pattern. It let out another thunderous roar, shaking the ground beneath me.

But despite it’s fearful presence, I wasn’t afraid.

I took a deep breath, channeling the wind affinity within me, the remnants of the twister I had absorbed. I could feel the energy crackling in my veins, urging me to move faster, to be stronger.

I raised my sword, narrowing my eyes on the dragon as I shouted at the top of my lungs, “Here! Over here, you overgrown lizard!”

The beast’s gaze shifted, its molten eyes locking onto me. Its lips curled back in a snarl, revealing rows of dagger-like teeth. Good—it was focused.

But it isn’t enough to actually put all his attention on me.

I had to attack him and make him all furious towards me.

So I readied myself.

With him up above the air, the only way I could get in close was to use the one Mobility Technique I learned from the Tempest Blades of the Gale.

By harmonizing my movement with the flow of the wind, I can easily make sudden and darting movements that appear to seem like a flash step. This technique emphasizes speed and evasion, allowing me to flank or retreat instantly.

And added by my mastery of using such a technique, it enables me to leap up to higher levels.

And even more so, because of me being able to absorb the affinity of the wind, I can increase not only my mobility technique, but my attacks as well.

This skill was named;

Mobility Technique – [Gust Step]

With how troubled the villagers were in trying to escape, I gave me the chance to act without worrying so much about the troubles of my identity.

I leaped from where I was standing, and all but so suddenly, I came to a distance close enough to the dragon, that my attacks will actually reach him.

Once I was close enough, I unleashed an attack.

Basic Technique – [Breeze Strike]

With a swift, light slash, I came to injure the dragon while in mid air. Striking him by it’s hind legs.

And with a sword of good quality made by my father, It was enough to even cut through the scales of a dragon.

All easily so, the dragon felt my attack and it started to bleed all to easily.

*RooooOOOAAARR!!!**

It roared again like a thunderous storm, but clear enough, that attack was enough to gain his attention all on me.

Once I did so, I started to fall down. When nearing the ground, I perfectly rolled over to dissipate the damage from such a height.

As I was now on the floor, I took off again with the intention of leading it out of the village. Now with the dragon’s attention fully on me, I didn’t want to waste anymore time, so I started sprinting toward the open fields nearby, where fewer lives would be at risk.

The dragon’s massive wings beat the air, creating gusts of wind that nearly knocked me off my feet as it pursued. It was closing the distance quickly, its body coiled in the air, prepared to dive.

As I reached the edge of the village, I turned to face it. My heart pounded with excitement yet again. It has been so long since I faced off with an enemy of such a size. I gripped the sword tighter, my resolve hardening. And to such a coincidence, I could see Evelyn and Desmond watching from a distance, wide-eyed but silent.

But I ignored them and focused back to the dragon.

“Come on,” I muttered to myself, holding my ground as the dragon descended. It dove toward me, its talons extended and its jaws wide open.

Already it was on the offensive, but by making use of it’s size, I can easily predict it’s actions from afar. The Ash Dragon by anatomical design only have a limited assets of attacks. First things to consider were its claws and talons. With how sharp they were, it can easily tore my body into pieces with a single strike.

And as for the tail, because of how lengthy and flexible it is, it can easily whip, tangle and possibly even pierce me with it’s precision. This monster, by nature was fierce.

But for the main danger of an ashed dragon was it’s ability to use magic to influence it’s attacks. Because of their high intelligence, I don’t know all of the skills kept inside it’s ability, but this dragon can easily destroy a village in a single hour using it’s skills hidden deep in its arsenal.

I can’t just expect it to use a common skill like a fire breath, but instead, I should look out for the entirety of its power.