As the echoes of the fleeing hunters faded into the distance and the freed dragons began to settle, a soft, shimmering light appeared in front of me—subtle, almost like it wasn't really there.
A notification popped up, visible only to me:
Mission Complete: Rescue Operation – Neutralize Ryker's Hunters
Rewards:
1x Advanced Healing Potion
300 SP
Skill Unlocked: Tactical Strike (Enhances Speed Stinger's combat reflexes for coordinated attacks)
I blinked, heart pounding. No one else could see it—Hiccup was still busy guiding the dragons to safety, and the Speed Stinger's tail twitched impatiently, waiting for the next command.
I grinned. Perfect. I didn't even have to say a word, and my first mission had gone flawlessly. My stats, my SP, and even the bond with the Speed Stinger were growing stronger—and no one would ever know the true scale of what just happened.
I leaned back, letting the adrenaline ebb slightly, and whispered to the dragon beneath me, "Looks like we're even more unstoppable than I thought."
The Speed Stinger hissed low, scales shimmering in the sun, and I felt it—the first real taste of power in this world, completely hidden from everyone else.
This was just the beginning…
With Ryker and his hunters gone, the immediate danger had passed—but the dragons weren't safe yet. They were still scattered around the rocky wilds, wings twitching, claws scraping, some hesitant, others skittish.
I leaned forward on the Speed Stinger, whispering, "Alright, let's get these guys somewhere safe. No hiding this time—let's move."
The dragon hissed softly in agreement, tail flicking and claws gripping the uneven terrain. Then, with a sudden surge, it shot forward, speed and agility unmatched. I held on tight, leaning into each twist and turn as we moved.
The first Deadly Nadder flinched at our approach, but I held my hand out, speaking softly. "It's okay… you're safe now."
The Speed Stinger's tail flicked, not to attack, but as a subtle signal, guiding the Nadder gently in the direction I wanted. Its presence alone was enough to keep the dragon calm, and soon we had the first one following us steadily.
We moved across the rocky cliffs, the freed dragons gradually following, creating a small but impressive parade of wings and scales. I could see Hiccup coordinating with Toothless, ensuring none of the dragons panicked or flew off.
Every so often, a hunter tried to get in our way—or a dangerous path threatened to slow us—but the Speed Stinger's agility and paralytic tail made it easy to clear obstacles. No one dared come too close.
I glanced at the line of dragons behind us, their roars now of excitement and relief rather than fear. "We're almost there… just a little further," I said, voice steady despite the adrenaline still pumping through me.
Finally, we reached a safer plateau, one with fewer predators and better space for the dragons to move freely. The Nadders flapped and stretched, testing the air, and for the first time in what felt like forever, they looked calm.
I patted the Speed Stinger's neck, smiling. "Good job. You've done more than anyone could've asked today."
It hissed in contentment, tail twitching lazily now, muscles relaxing under me.
Hiccup walked over, eyes scanning the scene, clearly impressed. "You handled that… incredibly. The dragons are safe, and Ryker won't be able to round them up anytime soon."
I grinned, looking at the freed dragons stretching their wings in the sun. "Yeah… and we didn't even have to hide."
The wilds were alive with movement and sound, chaos transformed into freedom. And I knew, deep down, that this was just the first of many missions—and the beginning of a power I was only starting to understand.
I pulled up my status menu, eyes scanning the numbers with a mixture of excitement and calculation:
Name: Austin Smith
Title: None
HP: 200 / 200
SP: 300
Strength: 40
Dexterity: 20
Intelligence: 10
Constitution: 20
Shop: Locked
Dragons: 1
Dimenal Travel: Locked
A grin spread across my face for a moment—40 Strength, 20 Dexterity, 20 Constitution. Yeah… I was a glass cannon. Incredible power, lightning-fast reflexes, but one solid hit could take me down.
I frowned. That wasn't going to fly. Not in this world.
I focused, letting the SP I had earned fade from my vision as I poured everything into Constitution.
Constitution: 50
Immediately, I felt a shift—a warmth, a sense of durability spreading through my body. My HP surged upward like the system was laughing at my previous weakness:
HP: 500 / 500
I blinked, disbelief and satisfaction mixing. My glass cannon build had been dangerous, fun… but fragile. Now? Now I could take hits, survive longer, and truly coordinate with the Speed Stinger without worrying that one misstep would end everything.
I leaned back, letting out a slow breath. "Okay… this is better. Much better."
The Speed Stinger nudged me, tail flicking lazily, as if it approved. I laughed quietly, a thrill running through me. This world—I could survive here, I could fight here, and I could reshape it.
And no one had any idea just how strong I was about to become.
I was still standing on the plateau, watching the freed dragons stretch and test the air, the wind carrying the scent of pine and distant sea. The Speed Stinger crouched beside me, tail flicking lazily, muscles relaxed—but I couldn't shake the uneasy feeling in my gut.
And then I noticed it.
A flicker of movement far across the cliffs, almost blending into the jagged rocks. At first, I thought it was a shadow from one of the dragons, but no… this was deliberate. Controlled. Watching.
Ryker.
I didn't see his face clearly—he was too far—but the posture, the confident stride, the way he scanned the area… it screamed hunter, predator, and strategist all in one. He hadn't attacked. Not yet. But he was marking his next move, observing, waiting for the perfect moment to strike again.
I felt a chill run down my spine, despite the adrenaline still humming from our victory. "He's not done," I murmured to the Speed Stinger, fingers tightening on its scaled neck.
The dragon hissed softly, tail flicking, picking up on the tension I felt. Its claws dug into the stone, ready.
I leaned back, eyes narrowing, calculating. Ryker was clever. Patient. Dangerous. And he now knew someone—or something—had interfered with his plans.
That meant the next time we met, it wouldn't just be about rescuing dragons. It would be personal.
I exhaled slowly, letting the wind whip past me. "Good," I muttered. "We'll be ready for him. Next time, it's not just the dragons who'll be free… it's going to be him paying the price."
The shadow shifted again before disappearing behind a cliff face. But I didn't blink. I knew one thing for certain: Ryker was already planning his revenge, and the hunt had only just begun.