The Dragon Emperor of Another World: Awakening of a Legend

CHAPTER 2: Find a Town

Feya Town lay nestled in a shallow valley of blue-leaf trees and flowering mana reeds. It was the kind of picturesque place that made you second-guess danger even existed, until you stepped into its alleys after dusk.

Ethan adjusted the straps on his Arcane Godslayer Gear, his eyes scanning the cobblestone road ahead. Celestia Draconyx walked just behind him, arms folded, tail twitching lazily.

Ethan Lockwood was still struggling to wrap his head around his new reality. The Arcane Godslayer Gear he’d spent countless hours grinding for in The End of the Divine Realm was now strapped to his body in the flesh, and his once-virtual companion, Celestia Draconyx—a proud, humanoid dragon girl—walked beside him, every bit as fierce and enchanting as she’d been in the game.

Yet despite his otherworldly power and Celestia’s unwavering protection, he couldn’t help but feel like a lost traveler. At least in Feya Town, he saw a chance to learn the local ways. The town felt less like a settlement and more like a breathing entity—one of music, color, and an overwhelming sense of unknown possibility.

“Alright,” Ethan muttered, staring up at a wooden sign that creaked softly in the wind. “First stop—civilization.”

Beside him, Celestia Draconyx folded her arms. Her tail swayed lazily, but her gaze was sharp. “Try not to embarrass yourself. This isn’t a tutorial zone.”

The cobblestone paths stretched out like a maze, bordered by cozy-looking shops with hanging lanterns and magical signage that pulsed gently with ambient mana. Market stalls lined the street, overflowing with exotic goods—beast-hide boots, floating candles, and pouches that whispered when touched. The air smelled of honeyed bread and something faintly alchemical.

Celestia, for all her aloof grace, turned heads. Her scaled arms and curved horns marked her as a rare sight, but most citizens regarded her with curiosity, not fear. Children giggled from behind carts, sneaking glances at the dragon girl as she inspected a sapphire pendant with faint interest.

“If you want it, just say so,” Ethan said, trying not to smile.

“I don’t want anything,” Celestia replied curtly—then added, more softly, “But it would look good on me.”

Ethan chuckled. Without another word, he handed a gold coin to the merchant and pocketed the pendant.

As they continued exploring, Ethan peppered the locals with questions. The currency system was surprisingly logical: silver coins handled daily life—food, lodging, low-grade equipment—while gold coins were reserved for larger transactions and noble contracts. Then there were shards, jagged fragments of elemental crystal that pulsed with innate energy.

A merchant demonstrated one such shard by briefly levitating a chair.

“Only certified mages and merchants are allowed to trade them,” she warned. “They can amplify spells or backfire spectacularly.”

Ethan quickly pocketed the information—and a few low-grade shards.

Next, he stumbled into a quaint bookshop built from ashwood and carved dragonbone. A bell chimed softly as they entered. The bespectacled owner looked up from behind a stack of scrolls.

“I’m looking to learn the language,” Ethan said, “Ancient Tongue, right?”

“You’re lucky,” the shopkeeper replied. “The Academy of Virdan offers accelerated training to foreigners. You’d better enroll before the next moon cycle.”

Celestia raised a brow. “You? Studying? That’s the first sign of the apocalypse.”

“I learn fast,” Ethan retorted. “As long as it’s not math.”

That afternoon, they visited the academy—a multi-towered structure overgrown with ivy and enchantments. Inside, glowing glyphs floated mid-air, shifting between phonetic lessons and cultural facts. Ethan dived into the lessons like a fresh raid boss, converting phrases into battle callouts and market haggling terms.

Celestia occasionally peeked into his class, arms crossed, tail twitching. “If you get top marks, I’ll consider being impressed.”

Five days passed. Ethan could now barter for potions, navigate back alleys, and even engage in light banter with merchants. His accent still made Celestia smirk, but he was proud nonetheless.

They returned to their rented inn—a modest place with a rooftop view of the glowing city. That night, lanterns floated into the sky like fireflies, carrying handwritten wishes from children and lovers.

Ethan leaned against the railing, drink in hand. “I think I’m finally getting the hang of this.”

Celestia sipped from her glowing glass, one leg crossed over the other. “Good. Because confidence makes you soft. And this world doesn’t forgive softness.”

He blinked. “Did something happen?”

Her expression darkened, just a little. “There are whispers. Of nobles disappearing. Of monsters crossing the roads unchecked. Something is stirring in the eastern marshes.”

Before he could respond, a voice rang through the air—a street crier pacing the plaza below:

“Hear ye, hear ye! Combat Tournament begins at week’s end! Glory, coin, and sponsorships await!”

Ethan’s ears perked up. He leaned over the railing, eyes shining with excitement.

Celestia groaned. “Oh no. I know that look.”

Ethan straightened with a grin. “It’s just a friendly competition. You know… for research.”

Her tail thumped the table. “There’s no such thing as a ‘friendly’ duel when money and pride are involved.”

Still, she didn’t protest as he pulled out a parchment map and began circling the arena location.

As the lanterns continued their slow ascent into the night sky, a hush fell over Feya Town. But beneath the quiet shimmer, something stirred—a ripple in the threads of fate.