Yuki couldn't stop staring at Odessa's dragon. The creature moved through the air like water flowing upstream, its long serpentine body coiling around gracefully. Crystalline green scales caught the crimson light of the dungeon sky, making it glow.
It had no wings, yet it flew effortlessly, its whisker-like tendrils trailing behind its head.
It was nothing like Owen.
Owen was compact, powerful, with defined limbs, bat-like wings, and a robust frame. He looked like he was built for combat, claws meant for tearing, jaws meant for crushing, wings meant for aerial dominance.
Odessa's dragon looked like a work of art that had somehow learned to fly.
"You're staring" Owen muttered telepathically, a hint of jealousy in his tone.
He used his [Dragon's eyes] skill to take a peak at Odessa's Dragon.
[Tamed Beast: Azure sky Dragon]
[Specie: Sky Dragon]
[Rank: S]
[HP: 7000]
-Atk: 2500
-Def: 1500
-Agi: 6500
-Mana: 10000
---
It was of the same Rank as Owen but something about it's specie being 'sky dragon' and not just 'Dragon' tugged at Owen's interest as he remembered the crazed komodo dragon's species was 'Earth dragon'.
"I'm just... surprised" Yuki replied mentally. "I thought all dragons would look like you."
Odessa noticed Yuki's expression and laughed. "First time seeing a dragon-kin up close?"
"Dragon-kin?" Yuki blinked.
Odessa gestured to her serpentine companion, which coiled lazily in the air beside her. "Most people call them dragons because they're classified that way by the Hunter Association, but technically, this beauty is a dragon-kin, not a true dragon."
"What's the difference?" Yuki asked, genuinely confused.
Odessa's violet eyes sparkled with enthusiasm, clearly, this was a topic she loved. "Okay, so, true dragons are what your Owen is. Four limbs, two wings, pure bloodline breed ,you know?. They're apex predators by nature."
She patted her serpentine dragon's head affectionately. "Dragon-kin, on the other hand, are creatures that share some draconic traits but aren't pure-blooded. They're still incredibly powerful, but they're more... specialized. Like this one, she's classified as a dragon, but she's really and azure sky Dragon. Amazing at wind and water manipulation, terrible at fire and Physical attacks."
Owen perked up at that. "So I'm better?"
Yuki ignored him.
Odessa continued. "Remember that Komodo Dragon you fought in the C-Rank dungeon? The one that was the dungeon boss?"
Yuki nodded.
"That was also classified as a dragon, a Crazed Giant Komodo Earth Dragon, right? But it wasn't a true dragon either. It was an Earth Dragon-kin. Powerful in its own right, but it didn't have wings, couldn't use breath attacks the way your Owen can, and definitely didn't have a pure bloodline."
Yuki's mind reeled. "So... Owen is rarer?"
"Much, Much rarer" Odessa said seriously.
"True dragons are almost extinct. Most tamers who claim to have 'dragons' actually have dragon-kin. Wyverns, drakes, serpents, basilisks, all technically dragons by classification, but not true dragons. Your Owen, though?" She looked at the small black dragon with genuine admiration. "He's the real deal. You're incredibly lucky"
Owen puffed his chest out smugly. "Hear that, Yuki? I'm incredibly rare"
"Your ego is also incredibly rare" Yuki shot back mentally.
Odessa clapped her hands together. "Alright! Enough dragon talk. Let me introduce you to the rest of the party!"
She gestured to the three other hunters. Each of them had a tamed beast already summoned beside them.
"This is Garrick" Odessa said, pointing to a burly man in reinforced leather armor. Beside him stood a massive reptilian creature, easily twice a human's size. It had thick, dark grey scales, a muscular build, and a tail that dragged along the ground like a battering ram. "His tamed beast is a Giant Komodo Earth Dragon, same species as the one you fought, but this one's been trained and evolved properly. B-Rank."
Garrick grunted a greeting, his eyes sizing Yuki up with mild curiosity.
"And this is Sera" Odessa continued, motioning to a tall, elegant woman with sharp features and pale blonde hair. Beside her coiled a monstrous creature with three distinct heads, each hissing independently. Its scales were a green, and its yellow eyes glowedwith malice. "She has a Three-Headed Basilisk. Also B-Rank. Very nasty if you get on her bad side."
Seraphine offered a polite nod but said nothing.
"And finally, Tomas" Odessa said, pointing to a wiry young man with a cocky grin. Perched on a rock behind him was a sleek, dragon-like creature with wings for arms and two powerful hind legs. Its body was covered in dark red scales, and its tail was riddled with spikes. "His tamed beast is a Wyvern. Fast, aggressive, and perfect for hit-and-run tactics. Also B-Rank."
Tomas gave a lazy wave. "Pleasure"
Yuki nodded to each of them, feeling distinctly out of place. They were all B-Rank hunters with B-Rank dragon-kin. She was a C-Rank with a true dragon that everyone seemed to revere but she barely understood.
"And of course" Odessa said warmly, "you've already met Alfred. He's our tank."
Alfred, clad in heavy plate armor and carrying a massive shield, bowed respectfully. "I shall ensure the Madam and Ms. Goldberg remain unharmed."
Owen huffed. "I'm the one doing the protecting here."
"Sure you are" Yuki muttered.
---
Hidden behind a distant hill, six hooded figures watched in silence.
Their skull masks glowed under the red sky.
One of them raised a hand, signaling the others to disperse in different directions and continue tracking The party.