Redridge Mountains, Gale's Tower.
Smaug swooped down from the top of the tower, using the air currents to suddenly ascend and disappear into the clouds.
Lu'an'na, with the Hurricane Crossbow on her back, looked into the distance with a monocular telescope.
In the western part of the Redridge Mountains, there were some Kaldorei towns and villages where the Kaldorei had always lived peaceful and quiet lives. But after the Burning Legion arrived, everything changed.
Demons swept through like locusts, leaving only destruction in their wake. Houses were burned, Kaldorei were killed, and the survivors, though constantly fleeing, were still being hunted down.
This situation only changed a few months ago when Lu'an'na came to scout.
Because the main forces of the Burning Legion were attacking to the west, there were only small groups of demons hunting survivors here. With Smaug's help, these small groups of demons were no match for her.
Soon, Lu'an'na became the Guardian of this area, respectfully called 'Demon Hunter' by the survivors.
Lu'an'na also enjoyed hunting demons, but because she had to guard Gale's Tower, she had to return every few days.
The demons had clearly learned this pattern; they usually wouldn't move when Lu'an'na was present. They would only start their hunt after Lu'an'na had been gone for half a day.
After a few such incidents, Lu'an'na also noticed something.
So, this time, after returning to Gale's Tower and confirming everything was fine, she immediately turned back.
Although Smaug was a bit tired, before leaving, he replenished his energy with water from the Well of Eternity. During the flight, he gradually converted that energy into physical strength, supporting him through this sudden attack.
Soon, Lu'an'na spotted the demons; it was a Doom Guard leading over a dozen Fear Guard.
"Hush—"
She whistled, and Smaug immediately narrowed his eyes, then flapped his wings and soared high. He flew directly above the demon squad, then suddenly turned, plunged out of the clouds, and swooped down.
The loud whooshing sound alerted the Doom Guard. He looked up, saw Smaug, and was instantly terrified.
"Retreat quickly!"
The Doom Guard shouted, immediately folding his wings to free-fall. The Fear Guard following him had no time to react before Smaug crashed into them. Smaug's massive body directly smashed them to pieces, then continued relentlessly to pursue the Doom Guard.
Lu'an'na scoffed as she unslung her Hurricane Crossbow, conjured an energy arrow, and shot it at the Doom Guard. Three arrows, swift as the wind, struck the Doom Guard's neck and the roots of his two wings.
"Ah—"
The Doom Guard screamed, then fell to the ground, becoming a bloody mess.
"Hoo—"
Smaug took off again, skimming the ground, and flew back into the clouds. Lu'an'na re-slung the Hurricane Crossbow onto her back, then took out her monocular telescope to search for new enemies.
In one day, Lu'an'na took down over a dozen demon squads.
As night fell, she had Smaug land in a forest. In a clearing by a small river bend, a group of Kaldorei were making a fire and cooking.
They were the survivors from the vicinity, and this place was their temporary gathering point.
Seeing Lu'an'na arrive, they happily welcomed her, carrying several roasted wild boars to Smaug's mouth.
Smaug, delighted by the hunt, opened his mouth wide and swallowed the wild boars. He smacked his lips, a little unsatisfied, and immediately looked at Lu'an'na fawningly.
Lu'an'na rolled her eyes at him, "I know, I'll roast another one for you in a bit."
The Kaldorei chuckled awkwardly; they truly couldn't understand the dragon's taste. The wild boars Lu'an'na roasted weren't delicious at all, but the dragon just loved them.
Lu'an'na came to the campfire, asking about their situation while roasting wild boars for Smaug.
The survivors had been fleeing for a long time, and they desperately needed a safe place.
Lu'an'na thought for a moment, "Perhaps you can move east. The war in Darkmoon City has ended, and you might be able to live there."
The survivors were overjoyed. They brought out their last fine wine and celebrated.
Lu'an'na also drank a little; she had been busy all day and needed a good rest, and a little wine would help her sleep.
The survivors still maintained their habit of traveling at night. After dinner, they immediately set off, heading towards Darkmoon City.
After seeing them off, Lu'an'na found a hidden cave nearby and moved in with Smaug.
In a hazy sleep, Lu'an'na suddenly heard someone whispering, sounding somewhat anxious.
Lu'an'na wanted to open her eyes, but her eyelids felt heavy. Was it because she drank alcohol before bed? But fruit wine shouldn't have this effect!
She reached out and patted Smaug, but Smaug remained motionless, also sleeping soundly.
Lu'an'na grew alert, fumbled for her dagger, and stabbed herself in the thigh. Stimulated by the pain, Lu'an'na finally opened her eyes.
At this point, she finally confirmed that the wine she drank before bed was problematic.
She pushed Smaug hard, but Smaug continued to snore. Clearly, the wild boar he ate had also been tampered with.
Just then, the weeds in front of the cave were pushed aside, and a Kaldorei led a group of demons inside. Seeing Lu'an'na awake, he seemed a bit surprised, "I didn't expect you to be able to break free from my magic."
Lu'an'na looked coldly at this Kaldorei; he was an old-timer among the survivors.
"Why betray me? Haven't the demons caused you enough pain?"
The Kaldorei laughed, "Don't blame him, because he's already dead!"
Before his words faded, the Kaldorei's body swelled rapidly, soon reaching the cave ceiling, growing wings, his nails lengthening wildly, and fangs appearing.
He was, in fact, a Dread Lord.
Lu'an'na was shocked; she hadn't expected the traitor to be a demon in disguise.
The Dread Lord said with a smile, "Lu'an'na, my master greatly appreciates your abilities. If you surrender, my master will grant you everything you desire."
"Can I desire for you all to die?" Lu'an'na said mockingly.
She unslung her Hurricane Crossbow, aimed it at the Dread Lord, "Demons, I'm not afraid of you."
The Dread Lord scoffed, "Don't make pointless resistance. No one can refuse my master's grace. Go to sleep! When you wake up, you can meet my master."
With that, he cast a Sleep spell on Lu'an'na.
Lu'an'na felt sleepiness wash over her; even with the wound helping, she couldn't resist the urge to sleep. Before falling asleep, Lu'an'na decisively aimed her crossbow at Smaug and pulled the trigger.
The intense pain made Smaug leap up violently, directly collapsing the cave.
The Dread Lord angrily retreated from the cave, "Damn it, this girl would rather be crushed to death than surrender."
Just as the demons didn't know what to do, a rainbow streaked across the night sky, crashing onto the collapsed stones of the cave. The rainbow retracted, and the demons vaguely saw two figures within it: a massive dragon and that Kaldorei girl.
The demons looked at the Dread Lord, and the Dread Lord also looked speechlessly in the direction the rainbow had flown.
He had never seen this magic before.
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