Murky felt really nostalgic and suddenly felt like he had been transported back to his normal life on Earth. It was like he was sitting in front of the TV, watching a super interesting show about old animals on the Discovery Channel.
The show was all about dinosaurs, really old fish, and really big animals. Murky was even super interested in the huge bugs he saw.
At first, Murky wasn't sure what to think. He had some doubts because of his previous encounter with a really strong snake. But now, as he found himself being chased by bird-like dinosaurs while riding a really big mixed-up creature, all his doubts disappeared.
He was amazed by how real these creatures seemed.
They used to exist a long time ago, and now they were part of this strange world.
"Wow!"
Murky said to himself, unable to hide his surprise.
"I never thought I would actually see dinosaurs alive. And not in the past, but here in this crazy future."
He closed his eyes for a moment and said again, feeling a mix of wonder and doubt.
"Why am I so surprised by these old creatures when there are dragons in this world? Maybe it's because they feel more real or connected to me, making me believe that this world is not just a dream. It's like a dreamy end of the world or a really scary struggle for survival."
…
Meanwhile, the three colossal raptors, each as big as the bull horse Murky was riding, looked at each other with their side eyes.
"Hey, look at that kid," said the raptor on the left, sounding curious.
They kept chasing Murky and the bull horse, and the other two raptors stared into Murky's closed eyes.
"He seems to have lost hope, with his eyes closed like that," said the raptor in the middle.
The one on the right added skeptically, "Is he scared? I don't think so."
To their surprise, Murky smiled, causing the raptors to slow down for a moment.
The raptor's tone took on an indignant edge, perceiving Murky's actions as a taunt.
Then they picked up speed again, and the raptor on the left got really angry.
"Look at that tiny guy," it said angrily, feathers ruffling.
While the raptor on the left speculated further, its voice softer and more contemplative, devoid of offense or concern over Murky's provocation, if indeed he intended to provoke them.
It only asks, "Why is he riding that creature?"
He could sense that Murky's presence was so low compared to what he's riding or his mount, so he couldn't help but ask.
Meanwhile, the raptor positioned in the middle, its scales blending into a reptilian brown hue, bore feathers that drooped akin to its companion on the left.
Speaking with an air of authority, it pondered Murky's presence.
"Maybe he's someone important, a big shot of sorts," it calmly suggested, its voice resonating with an aura of wisdom.
Soon, the raptor on the right smoothed its feathers against its body, eyes sparkling with excitement.
A wide grin stretched across its reptilian lips as it spoke, brimming with enthusiasm.
"Ha-ha! Oh god sire, you were right!"
Seeing the disparity of presence of Murky and his mount, the right one finally gotten it.
"You're a genius," it exclaimed, nearly bouncing with elation.
"This young fellow seems to possess valuable qualities. Thanks to your plan, we followed him instead of joining the others."
Before being thrust into this game, these three raptors had excelled in the multiplayer mode of the previous era's final game, especially the one in the middle, consistently ranking among the top hundred players in nightmare mode.
This granted them a privileged starting point—one that involved a dragon.
As a victor, the raptor in the middle had the authority to invite ten individuals, its loyal underlings, to join and aid in its conquest.
Upon their arrival on this perilous island infested with dragon-slaying Vikings, the raptor in the middle commanded its two companions to stay indoors.
The other underlings left behind were puzzled and questioned this decision.
After all, wouldn't it be safer to venture outside or retreat to the rear, where the chances of encountering players like themselves would be minimal and then come back?
However, the raptor in the middle simply stated that there might be a considerable number of players converging in that area as well.
In light of this, it was wise to employ a strategy that had served it well in the past—the scavenger plan.
It would conceal itself in close proximity to danger, such as within huts, biding its time until the opportune moment arose to strike.
As the raptors closed in on Murky and the poultry dragon bull horse, their laughter reverberated through the battlefield.
"Ha-ha! We'll hunt down these injured Dragaurskins one by one, and this brat will be the first to meet his demise and soon, we'll go to the players back outside this village, and search for the injured ones!"
Exclaimed the raptor on the left, hastening its pace to catch up with Murky.
The raptor on the right matched the speed of its companion, while the raptor in the middle surged forward, surpassing them both.
Its mind raced with calculations as it observed the mount Murky rode.
"Judging by its swiftness, that poultry dragon is likely at the peak of the tenth stage, while the kid is only at the first stage. So, despite his importance to the tribe, he himself may not hold much significance," the raptor silently pondered.
"Or perhaps the giant Draugrkins of this village simply focused on eliminating the larger predator dragons, leaving this area relatively safe, they thought with that mount, that young fella would be safe?"
A reptilian smile formed on the raptor's face as it entertained these thoughts.
Gratitude surged within the raptor in the middle, as the nightmare had bestowed upon them the form of a dragon, even if it was at the lowest level.
Additionally, as a reward for ranking within the top hundred players in the previous nightmare era, the raptor could employ dragon-related abilities in this world. Among them, its most formidable power was the Pyroraptors—a mutated bloodline transformation gene inherited from its ancestors.
The raptor had maximized its physical capabilities while surviving in the nightmare of the past era, and now it could harness that strength here, surpassing others even at its restricted peak tenth stage.
Returning to the raptor in the present, positioned in the middle, now rapidly closing in on Murky and the poultry dragon bull horse, it spoke with a clear mind.
"Regardless of my thoughts or his identity, if they granted him this mount, he must be important. The mount is powerful compared to the predatory dragons nearby. If we hadn't concealed ourselves in dragon form, those towering warriors would have surely spotted us, they wouldn't have sent us here," it reasoned.
Once again, a reptilian smile adorned its face.
"Yes, yes, yes," the raptor in the middle silently affirmed, its gaze fixed on Murky and his mount.
The desire to kill burned within, evident in its relentless pursuit. It knew that with its higher stage and bloodline intensity, it could reach and eliminate their first-level tenth creature.
As the raptor drew closer, it could clearly discern Murky's face. To its surprise, Murky simply smiled.
"Concealed yourselves?" Murky inquired, opening his eyes and locking his gaze with the raptors.
"So, what is going on here?"
However, he had a weird smile on his face making the feathers of the raptors flutter and quiver.