The message Arc (9)

The Dragons

Though dragons are feared for their true colossal forms, many choose to live and fight in humanoid bodies. But don't be deceived—this form is not a weakness, but a calculated advantage.

In their humanoid form, a dragon's scales become denser and harder than in their draconic state. These refined scales lie beneath their skin, offering powerful natural armor that is nearly impossible to penetrate and get any damage with regular weapons. Only Ancient relics and weapons can damage them. Aside from that there is one more thing that have the potential to kill them and they are divine weaponry.

Dragons in this form are agile, intelligent, and highly adaptive. The human-like shape allows them greater flexibility in wielding weapons, executing complex martial techniques, and engaging in strategic hand-to-hand combat. Their humanoid form makes them deadlier in duels and elite battlefield scenarios, where precision matters more than overwhelming size.

While high-tier dragons often rely on raw power and devastating breath attacks, most dragons in combat prefer to fight with their razor-sharp claws—evolved extensions of their power. These claws are capable of tearing through steel and slicing through enchanted barriers with frightening ease.

However, even among dragons, hierarchy is respected. Normal dragons rarely engage in hand-to-hand combat against high-tier dragons—doing so would be suicidal. The gulf in strength, speed, and magical density between tiers is enormous.

But for most, the humanoid form is not just practical—it is the perfect balance of power, elegance, and deadly efficiency.

Scene: Thorn Forest – The Clash Begins

The very air around them crackled—thick with overwhelming mana pressure. The beast radiated a flood of power, its massive body pulsing with an unnatural glow. Trees nearby withered as if the life was sucked from them, and even the soil beneath their feet trembled.

Captain James Rodricks clenched his twin blades, eyes locked onto the hulking terror before them.

His voice rang out through the rising mist:

"My comrades—today, we stand on the edge of death.

But if luck favors us, we might live to tell this tale.

We're not here to defeat it... we're here to escape."

He gathered the team into a tight huddle, whispering the plan. A brief silence followed. Then...

Jack Dawn burst out, adrenaline blazing through him.

"That's a damn brilliant plan! If we pull this off—we live!"

With a fierce grin, he added,

"But first... let's teach this monster who we are!" With battle cries erupting, the four launched forward.James dashed ahead like a bolt of light, dual blades flashing in the dark. He closed the gap in a breath, leapt high toward the towering beast's face, aimed for his massive eyes and screamed "Twin Blade Sword Style – dancing

Dragon !"

Captain James's twin blades danced like lightning, his arms moving faster than thought.He struck the creature's eyes—one, two, three, four... again, again and again and again and again shouting like crazy — Die , Die ,die ,die ,die ..... Just Die you Monster. even he lost count.The beast roared, its scream shaking the forest to its roots.

A blast of magical soundwave burst from its mouth, a shockwave layered with raw mana.James's eyes widened just before it hit.He was flung like a broken arrow. smashing into a massive tree, the impact splitting bark and shaking leaves loose like rain.

"Captain!" Jack's voice tore through the chaos. "Are you alright?!"

James coughed, blood at the edge of his lips, but raised his hand with a grin.

"Still breathing... Kill that monster!"Jack's eyes flared with fury. "Daniel ,let's show him what hell's looks like.!"

But just before they charged, a shadow cut through the mist.

Hans Luther—former elite of the shadow division—appeared in a blink beside the beast's tail.With deadly precision, he whispered: "Shadow Step: Phantom Sword Style – Black Mist."

His blade moved like a phantom's breath, slashing across the massive tail.

But—clang! It barely left a scratch.

"Damn it," Hans muttered. "That hide... it's denser than obsidian."

Hans didn't stop.With eyes narrowed and blade glowing in eerie black light, he whispered again:"Shadow Step…"He vanished in a flicker of shadows—reappearing beneath the beast's towering frame, right at its soft underbelly.

"Phantom Sword Style – Shadow Severance!"His blade slashed upward in a brutal arc.A deep, jagged scar tore across the creature's belly, dark blood gushing out like tar.The beast howled—an unearthly, guttural scream that echoed through the entire Thorn Forest.Its body twisted in pain, its legs thrashed, flattening trees like weeds underfoot.Watching from a distance, Daniel's eyes widened. "Did… Did Hans just teleport?"Captain James, started to explain, coughing a little amount of blood through his mouth still recovering from his injury gripping his dual blades, gave a sharp nod. "That's one of his shadow arts," he said through grit teeth.

"As a former member of the Shadow Force, it's no surprise. He's a master of stealth, speed, and assassination. That's what makes him dangerous—even to monsters like this."

Daniel's lips parted in awe. "Incredible…"But there was no time to admire.

The monster reared up, blood gushing from its belly, its tentacles flailing wildly, crushing trees and boulders alike.

Its crimson eyes now glowed brighter, with rage and Anger. But until that monster can do anything. One more fatal blow landed on him by Hans cutting ,One of his

Tentacles.Without pausing, he vanished again, reappearing near the writhing tentacles. "Shadow Step: Flashing Thunder!" A streak of black lightning tore through the fog, slicing through one of the beast's tentacles. A screech echoed, blood-like ooze spilling into the dirt.

"It's not backing down," Jack growled. "It's getting serious!"

Captain James took a step forward, blades glowing with mana again.

"Then so are we."