"Treasure?"
Upon hearing this word, the previously dispirited mood of the entire team vanished in an instant. Everyone perked up, eagerly investigating the forest's abnormalities. Soon, they too noticed the eerie stillness in the area.
The forest, once filled with the roars of tigers, the cries of monkeys, and the chirping of birds, had fallen completely silent.
"Are you sure it's because of a treasure and not due to some powerful creature? As far as I know, some mighty beasts can also cause such phenomena, where no birds or animals dare to remain," the golden-haired young woman asked. She sat astride a unicorn-scaled horse, her demeanor calm and confident. Though she had an unusual temperament and excelled in combat, she was also an avid reader, possessing extensive knowledge.
"It's different, miss," the knight named Rancher replied. "If this were caused by a powerful beast, the insects hiding in the trees would have been crushed to death by the beast's sheer aura. But look here—there are clear signs that the insects have fled. That's why I'm certain there's some sort of rare treasure in this forest, drawing all the creatures in the area to compete for it."
The well-read noblewoman, despite her vast knowledge, was no match for the seasoned experience of an old hunter.
"Even so, we must remain cautious. Such treasures could also attract powerful beasts."
"So, Rancher, where exactly is this treasure?" Most of the team dismissed the knight's warning, their eagerness overtaking caution.
"Let me see," Rancher said as he dismounted, carefully examining the traces left by the animals. Before long, he identified a direction.
"This way," Rancher pointed toward the spot where Muria stood.
"How are you sure it's this way?" someone asked skeptically.
"It's simple. I found traces left by forest lizards and snakes fleeing the area. All these marks lead in the same direction."
Guided by Rancher, the group slowly moved toward Muria's location.
Before long, their mounts grew restless, and the group began hearing the roars of various creatures. A heavy, pungent smell of blood filled the air, causing several members of the team to retch. Many of them were young adventurers with no experience in real combat, having joined this venture for the thrill of adventure.
"Silence!" the leading knight barked in a low voice. Years of battlefield experience had honed his instincts, and he felt an overwhelming sense of danger.
The team, drawn by the promise of treasure and silenced by fear, stifled their discomfort and cautiously advanced.
Meanwhile, all their actions were observed by Muria, who stood atop an ancient tree. At first, Muria paid no attention to the approaching group of locals.
However, a faint yet undeniable connection through bloodline stirred within him, drawing his gaze back to the group. When he examined them more closely, his eyes locked onto the core of the group: a golden-haired girl clad in a silver-white skirted battle armor.
"Is this... a coincidence?" Muria's true body, dormant within his heart, slowly opened its eyes. Under the scrutiny of an epic being, all illusions shattered.
Through this perspective, he saw a noble golden dragon slumbering within the girl's heart. The dragon exuded elegance but was in a deep, dreamless sleep, identical in state to another of his kin he had encountered before.
Yet, as Muria focused on the dragon, something unexpected happened. This dragon, bound by the deepest ties of blood to him, trembled ever so slightly, as though on the verge of waking. However, the reaction lasted only a moment before fading away.
"If there's stronger stimulation, it should wake up!" Muria's eyes gleamed with excitement. The possibility of awakening a relative filled him with longing, for he felt utterly alone in this vast world.
"What's happening?"
A sudden heat flared in her chest, causing the golden-haired girl, Arina, to clutch the silver-white armor over her heart. For a brief moment, her eyes transformed into golden slits, but in the next instant, the changes disappeared.
"What's wrong, my lady?" the knight near her asked in a low voice, noticing her unusual reaction.
"Nothing. Keep quiet. Rancher, can you tell what those creatures are fighting over?"
Arina gestured toward the blood-soaked clearing ahead, where thousands of creatures were locked in a savage struggle, tearing each other apart.
Every creature that collapsed from exhaustion was immediately torn to shreds by several others, their remains scattering across the bloodstained ground.
"I've never seen anything like this. This is the first time I've witnessed such a bizarre scene. What could be worth this level of madness? Even the smallest insects are joining in—it's completely irrational," Rancher replied, pointing toward the gruesome battlefield. His face showed both confusion and unease.
"Is this really unusual?" Arina asked cautiously, her voice low. Such a scene was utterly foreign to her sheltered life.
"Very unusual. Miss, I've seen powerful beasts fight over rare treasures before, but usually, only a few of the strongest beasts, with comparable strength, clear the area before competing. I've never seen anything like this."
"So, what do you think it is? Based on your experience, what's happening here?"
"My guess is that the treasure has shattered and been consumed by these creatures. That's why they're fighting. Miss, look at how quickly the creatures grow stronger after eating their fallen opponents. That's definitely not normal—it's the treasure's influence."
"What should we do, then?"
"We wait. Even though these creatures grow stronger by consuming each other, they'll tire out as the fight drags on. Once only the strongest remains, we kill it and claim the treasure."
Time passed as the creatures continued their brutal struggle. Eventually, a monstrous snake covered in spines, with additional claws growing from its underbelly, emerged as the dominant predator.
Hissss!
The snake, now the apex predator of the forest, viciously tore apart any creature that dared challenge it, devouring them whole. As it consumed more and more, its body grew larger, and its aura became increasingly terrifying.
With each meal, the snake evolved further. On its back, four massive bulges appeared, eventually splitting open to reveal two pairs of powerful black-scaled wings.
By now, the snake had transformed into a winged serpent dragon, its golden slit eyes radiating a domineering aura that made all living creatures cower. Wind swirled around its fifty-meter-long body, lifting it into the air.
Roar!
The newly-evolved serpent dragon let out a thunderous roar, signaling its complete metamorphosis. A powerful suction force emanated from its gaping maw, pulling in the remaining creatures and swallowing them whole.
"Rancher, is it time to strike?" Arina asked, feeling a strange sense of kinship with the creature.
"Miss, I think retreating might be the better option," Rancher replied, swallowing hard as he stared at the towering monster.
"But I think it's already too late," he added.
The winged serpent dragon, having devoured its competitors and completed its transformation, turned its golden gaze toward the adventuring party.
"Attack!"
Ignoring Rancher's advice, Arina decisively gave the command. Drawing her sword, she charged forward, leading the assault against the monstrous creature that was now eyeing them with clear hostility.
With their noble leader charging ahead, the others had no choice but to follow, forming a simple attack formation around her.
The serpent dragon, still basking in its newfound strength, sneered at the tiny creatures daring to challenge it. With a roar of fury, it lunged at them, intent on crushing the intruders.
The battle that ensued was both brutal and one-sided. Weapons clashed against the dragon's tough scales, bouncing off like dull blades against steel. Only a radiant golden sword, wielded by Arina, managed to pierce its flesh, dealing a significant blow.
The serpent dragon roared in pain, swiping at the golden-haired girl with its massive claw and sending two knights flying with a sweep of its tail.
In mid-air, the knights' bodies burst apart like blood-filled sacks, scattering flesh and bone. The horrifying sight didn't dissuade the remaining adventurers, but their terrified gazes locked on Arina, who now stood wounded, blood gushing from her body.
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