The Sword Of The Fire Dragon

The Arrival of Reinforcements.

Hydra transformed once again into a massive dragon.

With a single light leap, Arya jumped onto Hydra’s back. Hydra’s wide wings flapped powerfully, creating gusts of wind that scattered dust and rocks around them.

“Hold on tight, Arya! If you can’t handle my speed, just close your eyes!” Hydra commanded.

Arya gripped tightly onto Hydra’s protruding bones on its back. But the handsome young man had no intention of closing his eyes. For him, Hydra’s incredible speed while flying brought an unmatched adrenaline rush.

The massive dragon soared high into the sky with strong wingbeats. Suddenly, it darted forward at a speed that was almost impossible to follow with the naked eye.

---

In the forest, Sarwana’s unleashed energy blast had devastating consequences. More than 30 low-skilled warriors, who had merely intended to observe the battle between the giant ape and seven skilled fighters, met gruesome deaths. Some bodies were dried up, while others perished with burst hearts. Blood vessels ruptured, causing blood to ooze from their skin pores.

Dozens of trees in the blast’s vicinity shed their leaves, leaving their branches barren. Though the trees didn’t topple, the immense pressure made it unlikely for them to regrow leaves anytime soon.

Kelana Jati, Darmawisesa, and the remaining warriors who survived could only swallow nervously. They couldn’t yet determine whether their decision to attack the giant ape was wise or reckless.

But the die was cast; they couldn’t retreat from a fight they had instigated themselves, even if it meant risking death at any moment.

This time, it wasn’t just seven warriors facing Sarwana but dozens at once. Those who joined had the same motivations as Kelana Jati and the others.

Sarwana sneered, revealing his ferocity. The golden staff in his hand spun rapidly, creating gusts of wind that scattered leaves. The ruler of Panguripan Gorge seemed eager to slaughter them all.

Though the warriors had surrounded Sarwana, none dared to strike first. They were waiting for someone else to make the move, each harboring their own fears.

---

Grroaaaaagh!

A deafening roar from the sky shattered their concentration. The now-open forest, stripped of leaves, allowed them a clear view of a dragon circling above.

Even Sarwana looked up. His eyes narrowed as he noticed a human figure riding the massive dragon. However, he couldn’t make out who it was.

“Hydra, don’t land. Let me assist Sarwana on my own,” Arya said, glancing downward.

“Are you sure? Wouldn’t it be better if we descended together?” Hydra asked.

“They’ll mark my face if we descend together. It’s not that I’m afraid, but they’ll be curious about how I could be with you!”

“So, what’s the plan?”

“Drop me off a bit further away. Or if you prefer, transform into your human form!”

“Alright.” Hydra flapped its wings and flew away from the scene.

Below, the warriors, eager to claim the Fire Dragon Sword, noticed the figure riding the dragon but couldn’t clearly see who it was.

One unsettling thought crossed their minds: if the dragon had a rider, there was a good chance the Fire Dragon Sword already had an owner. Questions flooded their minds—would their efforts bear any fruit?

Eventually, some decided to retreat, leaving behind those still encircling Sarwana.

Seeing this, Kelana Jati and Darmawisesa, both fiercely determined to claim the Sky Dragon Sword, were consumed with rage.

“Cowards! If I get that sword, I’ll hunt you all down no matter where you hide!” Kelana Jati shouted.

But the old man’s threats fell on deaf ears. The retreating warriors had abandoned hope of obtaining the strongest legendary sword.

They also knew their limitations. If someone had managed to tame the dragon, they were undoubtedly far beyond their own abilities.

---

“Attack!” Kelana Jati suddenly gave the command.

But before the encircling warriors could move, two figures darted in and attacked several warriors positioned behind Sarwana.

The giant ape turned to see Arya alongside another young man of similar age.

“Mighty Dragon Palm!” Arya’s attack struck swiftly, landing on the back of one of his targets.

The man was thrown forward and died instantly. Though the strike hit his back, thick smoke billowed from his chest.

Arya was stunned. Though this wasn’t his first kill, he hadn’t expected his technique to be deadly with just one strike. It made him realize how resilient Hydra’s body was, having endured the same attack without issue.

Kelana Jati and the others were momentarily shocked by the sudden appearance of the two young men. But the surprise wore off quickly as they regained focus.

Like the others, Sarwana shook his head in disbelief. Arya had mastered the Mighty Dragon Palm technique in just two days, and his execution of the move was already flawless.

---

The battle resumed.

Kelana Jati and the other warriors attacked their three opponents with reckless abandon.

While Arya still showed signs of hesitation in facing his attackers, Hydra, with his vastly superior skills, calmly deflected every strike. Even when weapons were used against him, he nonchalantly blocked them with his bare hands. This further terrified his opponents.

If their weapons couldn’t harm this young man, they realized their deaths were all but certain. Hydra’s calm demeanor, coupled with his unsettling smile, only deepened their fear.

Only those with unparalleled martial prowess could fight while smiling, they thought.

Their fears were justified. Hydra moved in a blur, striking down four warriors simultaneously. Within moments, their bodies lay shattered from his claw-like fingers.