Vampiric Blade

Although Blaze was extremely disappointed, Jarak was stunned by the fact that she actually managed to wound the Earth Wyrm Quindragon.

'Remarkable! Even dragon-slayers with skills above average can't hurt a Quindragon with ordinary dragon-slaying weapons,' he thought to himself. 'It seems I've met another interesting one… Should I recruit her?'

He walked towards Blaze but stepped past her, glancing over his shoulder to look at her dumbfounded expression. As he brushed by, his voice turned hostile, saying, "Step aside, woman. That's an order." …After defeating this Quindragon, he needed to find out as much information about her as possible.

Blaze clicked her tongue in annoyance. She didn't like being ordered around, especially by strangers such as this man whose name she didn't even know. But even so, she obediently turned and walked away without looking back, aware of the danger that she could bring upon herself if she stayed too close. So technically, she didn't give in to his order, she was just moving away in her own volition…right?

Screeeeeech!

The enraged Quindragon released another powerful roar as Jarak came close once more, only this time, it was different. This roar wasn't a roar of warning or to display the extent of its prowess. It was a roar that aimed to intimidate the opponent into giving up with hopes not to engage in actual battle.

After Blaze managed to make a cut in the back of its neck, its dragon's senses kicked in, warning itself of the dire situation it was in. The Quindragon lost a significant amount of blood from that single wound, compelling it to start thinking of a strategy to save its life. Though the wound wasn't deep, it was located at the nape, the most lethal spot a wound could be. She couldn't win against Jarak like this...!

Jarak slowly walked towards the dragon, lazily swinging his weapon left and right as the pinky finger of his free hand went to pick the inside of his ear. On the cross-guard of the katana displayed a dragon's head, protecting the user from the sharp blade. The handle was long, the blade short, seemingly as if it were defectively designed by the blacksmith who crafted it.

But Jarak was unbothered, proceeding to wield it with both hands.

Jarak glared at the backpedaling Quindragon as weird markings gradually appeared onto the right side of his body, spreading to his right arm and up to his face. His bright, purple iris glinting dangerously in his right eye, decorated with markings to make it look as terrifying as a literal dragon's.

"My, my," he sneered, running the tip of his tongue across the top row of his white teeth. He held his weapon up, twisting and turning it flexibly in the air. "Can you hear that, dear Quindragon? My precious blade is thirsting for your blood. Do you think…you can satisfy it?"

He charged.

Screeeech!!!!

Screeeech!!!!

Screeeech!!!!

He touched down shortly after, and the Quindragon crashed to the ground right behind him, barely twitching. Filthy green blood was splattered all over his katana, and it began to tremble, alive, taking pleasure in drinking the dragon's fresh drawn blood.

Almost immediately after, the blade shone blindingly, emitting purple light in all directions. Slowly but surely, it grew in size, stopping only when the short blade it once was rivaled the length of the massive Quindragon.

Everyone's jaw dropped upon seeing such a magical occurrence happen before their eyes, flabbergasted. Only a few moments ago, they were thinking and fighting hard to survive…yet this man made it seem so easy, finishing off their threat in just seconds.

Even the hatchlings ceased action against their human opponents, panicked for their fallen mother. They knew the meaning behind their mother's cries and wanted to come to her rescue, but seeing such a monstrous sword craving for their blood made them shiver in fear. They were nothing but ants in Jarak Lockster's eyes, and could do nothing but await their mother's death.

Meanwhile, Colleen wrapped Kingsley's arm around her neck, lifting him to his feet as he mumbled, "She should've left me back then…" He was completely unaware of his surroundings, not even noticing Colleen help him.

Colleen's eyes traveled to Kingsley's miserable expression and she pressed her lips into a hard line, thinking how painful it must be for him after witnessing his very sister getting devoured before his eyes. She felt sorry for him, trying to console him as she whispered into his ear, "I…have never seen Alexandria so eager to do something in my life…"

When Kingsley didn't respond, she held back tears and continued. "She was always reluctant to do things on her own and always stayed under the protection of your wings. But when she rushed back for you, my perception of her drastically changed, Kingsley. She no longer was the little sister you always needed to protect in every step of your lives. She came back because, for her, it was the right choice to make.

"She saved you, Kingsley! So don't you dare leave her sacrifice in vain. Get yourself together and act as the great commander you always were. Alexandria is watching. You wouldn't want her to see you in such a pitiful state, would you?"

Kingsley trembled, his eyes quivering as tears threatening to stream down his face. She was right! Alexandria's death would've been for nothing if he let everyone die here. Instead of focusing on his loss, this was a critical moment when he should do what he can for his remaining subordinates.

So Kingsley struck his spear into the ground, using it to help him stand up in his resolve. "You're right, Colleen," he said, his voice regaining its firm strength. "I am indebted to you. Go help the others, I can manage on my own."

Colleen scowled at him. "Don't you want to know why I became friends with Blaze despite always being caught up in her mess? It's because she's more amazing than what other people think. Leaving a comrade behind to die is not an option. I learned that from her, and Alexandria did the same for you. Besides, I'm a range-type dragon-slayer. Leaving you to fight is unnecessary. So shut the hell up and tell me the plan."

Kingsley chuckled in response, lightening up at the lecture he was given. But because of it, he lost proper hold of his weapon that he supported his weight on and slipped, losing his balance.

Colleen tried to catch him, but he was too heavy for her to carry alone. And so with a shout, the two toppled over onto the ground, Kingsley planting his face right in between her round, soft breasts.