Meeting a higher dragon

The teleport circle flared with violet light as Mia and Vix vanished from the platform.

"Liam, please take care. Run away if things get too dangerous!" Mia had shouted, her voice already fading into static.

Liam turned back to the Wyrmling, who was already channeling another energy blast.

But then, something happened,

Suddenly, a deafening boom shattered the silence. The sky split open in a flash of white fire and violet static. Winds screamed across the Shadow Expanse, tearing at the ground. Cracks formed in the obsidian terrain.

The Wyrmling, sensing danger, immediately flew away.

Seeing that the wrymling had fled, Liam also activated his own teleport scroll.

However, nothing happened.

[Teleportation Failed: Unknown Error - Code 9X-REDACTED]

"What the hell?" Liam muttered. "Redacted?"

Liam turned his head toward the source—and even he froze. Quietly, he took out Cloak of Abyssal Mist and hid in a dark corner.

Above, two figures clashed mid-air like living gods.

One was a colossal dragon—its scales burning gold and red like a living inferno. Each beat of its wings created thunderclaps. Its eyes were ancient, filled with rage and pain. Its very presence warped the air around it.

[Flame Sovereign Vyraani – Dragon Queen– Level 500]

"A Higher Dragon!" Liam exclaimed.

Facing it was a formation of elite human warriors flying on shimmering magic discs. At the center of them floated a man with silver armor, a long crimson cape trailing behind him, and a blade longer than a man was tall—its edge pulsing with destructive intent.

[Valdrik – Commander of the Heaven's Brand – Human Ascendant – Level 500]

A human… matching a Dragon King in power.

"I never thought I'd witness this again," Liam whispered, eyes wide.

The dragon roared—a furious sound filled with more than just wrath.

It was grief.

"You betrayed me, Valdrik!" Vyraani's voice echoed across the realm, every syllable shaking the clouds. "We fought side by side. You swore loyalty to the pact!"

Valdrik's voice was cold, clinical. "The world changed. You didn't. The pact was a relic of fools and monsters."

"You used us," Vyraani spat. "Used our flames to conquer the Obsidian Highlands. And now… now you cast us aside like refuse?"

Valdrik raised his blade and laughed. "That's not exactly right. I am just casting you aside. I am still friends with the second princess."

"What? Alisha..."

"Well, since you are going to die, there is no harm in telling you. Yes, your travel plans, the ambush, the death of your guards, all were orchestrated by Alisha."

"How... How is this possible? I never had any animosity with her. She always seemed so friendly with me." Vyraani shuddered, sinking into despair

"Well, haven't you heard of the saying, keep your friends close, and your enemies closer? Hahaha. With you gone, she will be the next in line to command over the dragon tribe. Of course, she wants you gone. Go on lads, get her."

The other humans surged forward, spells blazing—void bolts, storm spears, binding chains. Vyraani twisted, a halo of flames exploding from his wings, burning five of the mages to ash mid-air.

Liam stood frozen in place. The sheer pressure in the air was enough to make his knees buckle.

But the worst was yet to come.

Valdrik raised his sword high.

[Divine Severance – Ultimate Skill Activated]

A beam of red-white energy shot down like judgment itself, aimed straight at the dragon's neck.

Vyraani roared in defiance. He surged forward—

—but the sword met flesh.

SLASH!

Blood—not red, but molten gold—splashed across the sky as the dragon's left wing was severed, falling like a blazing comet.

Vyraani crashed into the cliffs just beyond Liam's position, the impact shaking the entire Shadow Expanse. Dust, fire, and shattered stone exploded outward.

Liam shielded his face, coughing through the chaos.

"Valdrik… you bastard," Vyraani coughed, blood dripping from his mouth.

Valdrik descended slowly, blade glowing. "Your time is over, Dragon Queen. Die, and let your sister take over. Do not worry, we will make a temple dedicated to you and your courage, where you will be worshipped forever. Hahaha.."

The remaining humans raised their weapons.

Then, suddenly—Vyraani's eyes flickered.

A rune on her chest pulsed, one that hadn't been there before. Something ancient. Something forbidden.

She whispered, "I won't let you desecrate my corpse."

And with that—she vanished.

Not teleported. Not escaped.

Vanished—leaving behind only a burning crater, scorched golden blood, and a stunned silence.

The humans froze.

Valdrik stared at the air where the dragon had been.

"Impossible…" he muttered. "What happened?"

"Everyone, scatter around. She can't be strong after losing so much blood to escape. It was probably her last trump card. Find her, and kill her!!"

"Yes, Sir."

The entire legion started scrambling to search for the dragon, but to no avail. Soon, after searching for a few hours, the knights gave up.

"Sir, we searched everywhere, but she seems to have vanished."

"Let her be. Here is a piece of her clothing stained. This should be enough to proclaim her dead. Deploy some scouts to constantly search for any news of her, and let us go back to meet Alisha."

"Yes, Sir."

The last of the flying knights vanished into the distance, their formation scattering into the skies like vultures who'd lost their prey. The thunderclouds began to clear, leaving behind nothing but scorched air and the scent of molten stone.

Liam finally let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding and deactivated his cloak.

His body ached, his armor was half-charred, and his HP had dropped dangerously low during the shockwaves from the clash. But more than anything, his mind was reeling.

"Vyraani…" he muttered, squinting at the crater where the Dragon Queen had fallen.

That name had never appeared in the original version of the game.

"I've heard of Alisha—the Dragon Queen who ruled during the final era of war," Liam whispered. "She is supposed to be another celestial, the most ruthless of them all, and under her, the dragon clan became an absolute tyrant. "

His eyes narrowed.

"Then who the hell was Vyraani? Someone Alisha killed to become stronger?"

He glanced up at the sky one more time.

"No… doesn't matter. I'm not strong enough to be involved in this mess. Not yet."

The storm in the sky might've passed, but a different storm was brewing in his thoughts. One that told him the game world he thought he knew… was shifting in ways even he couldn't predict.

Liam opened his inventory and pulled out a fresh teleport scroll. Unlike the one before, this one sparked cleanly.

"Let's get back to somewhere that doesn't have exploding dragons."

[Teleporting to: Highvale City]

In a flash of pale blue light, the Shadow Expanse vanished.

"System. Show me all pending notifications"

Ding!

Level up!

Congratulations on reaching level 50. Now you can unlock other classes by learning the profession from a master.

New skill unlocked - [Askalard's will] - Activate to absorb 90% of damage taken for 0.3s. Also, reflect 50% of it back to the damage dealer. Cooldown 10 s

Nice! Another alternative to Dodge, with some damage as well!

Allocate all free points to luck. 

Ding!

Attributes updated.

Good, now let's head back to the inn to catch up with the others.

But just as Liam was about to leave, he got another notification from the system.

Ding!

[System Warning!] You have altered the fate of a Vyraani, the Dragon Queen, preventing her from dying and giving her another chance

Your intervention has changed events drastically.

Penalty Triggered

The system understands that you did not mean to interfere with the party. However, you must ensure Vyraani dies by any means within 7 days, or you will lose up to 10 levels permanently.

Days Remaining - 7/7

"What? How did this trigger now?"

Liam took a look at the previous warning he had received/

[System Warning!] You have altered the fate of a Minor Boss (Aria), preventing her dark destiny to become the "Fallen Princess Boss" under the cult's influence.

Your intervention has changed events drastically.

Penalty Triggered

The system understands that you were forced by a quest to save the girl. However, you must ensure Aria transforms into a boss monster by any means within 7 days, or you will lose up to 5 levels permanently.

Days Remaining - 1/7

"So now I am set to lose 15 levels? Just great. But how did I end up saving Vyraani? Didn't she escape using some technique? How did I influence her survival?"

"Oh wait, the Greater Beast Taming Charm..."

Liam quickly pulled out the charm and was shocked by what he saw..

There was an orangish hue around the center, indicating that it had been bound to something!

"Is Vyraani inside this..." Liam's heart thumped.