Lucas scanned the area, noting the charred remains of the wolves. He sheathed his katana and was about to turn away when he heard the rustling of leaves behind him. He spun around, grabbing his sword once more, ready for another fight.
But it wasn't an enemy. The Wyvern, the very creature he had helped, was approaching him with labored steps. It was injured, its wings dragging on the ground, and blood seeping from numerous wounds. Lucas tensed, unsure of its intentions. But as it drew closer, it stumbled and fell heavily to the ground.
Seeing the creature's vulnerable state, Lucas cautiously lowered his weapon. The Wyvern, breathing heavily, looked up at him with weary eyes. It stretched out its neck and gently touched its head to Lucas's chest.
Suddenly, a burning pain seared through Lucas's chest, causing him to gasp and fall to his knees. He clutched at his chest, feeling as if his heart were being squeezed by a fiery hand. The pain was intense but quickly subsided, leaving him panting and disoriented.
The Wyvern, with great effort, used its tail to drag something from behind it. To Lucas's surprise, it was an egg. The Wyvern pushed the egg towards him with a look of desperate determination.
Lucas stared at the egg, then back at the Wyvern, confusion written all over his face. "What am I supposed to do with this?" he muttered, still catching his breath. "I'm just a kid myself. How can I take care of yours?"
The Wyvern's eyes, filled with pain and desperation, locked onto his. There was a plea in those eyes, a silent request that pierced through Lucas's initial resistance. He saw the motherly instinct, the need to ensure the safety of its offspring, and it softened him.
Sighing, Lucas reached out and gently took the egg into his hands. "Alright, alright," he said, his voice tinged with reluctant acceptance. "I'll take care of it. But just so you know, I'm not exactly experienced with... parenting."
The Wyvern, as if understanding his words, gave a weak, grateful nod. It then laid its head down, exhausted, its breathing shallow. Lucas could see the life slowly fading from the creature's eyes, knowing it had entrusted him with its most precious possession.
As he cradled the egg, a wave of responsibility washed over him. He had never imagined himself in such a role, yet here he was, holding the future of a dying creature in his hands.
"Guess this changes things," he said quietly, looking at the egg. "I hope you're worth all this trouble."
With a final glance at the Wyvern, which had now closed its eyes for the last time, Lucas stood up. He carefully placed the egg into his storage ring, ensuring it was safe. The weight of his new responsibility settled on his shoulders, but so did a sense of resolve.
"Let's get moving," he murmured, turning away from the scene.
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"So when will you come out?" Lucas asked the egg, which was about five inches tall and placed in front of him. He sat on a stone, the wind blowing his pale hair, which had grown to reach his ears. His piercing emerald eyes looked at the egg with interest.
"Well, looks like you aren't coming out any sooner, which is actually better for me." Lucas shifted his gaze from the egg and closed his eyes. "I don't know what your mother did to me, but I'm feeling pain in my chest..." he exhaled, finger-combing his hair back from his forehead.
"I shouldn't keep you in a storage ring; don't know what will happen if I do." Lucas picked up the egg and placed it in his shirt near his chest. "I think you'll stay nice and warm in there."
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"Been 7 months, and I'm finally here at the location," Lucas said as he shifted his gaze to the mountains at the edge of the forest. "Time to finish off my family's dirty work."
Lucas summoned his katana and revolver as he approached a cave opening about ten feet wide. "So this is the trafficking cave system of the traders," Lucas muttered, amazed as the cave started to get wider and wider the more he walked.
Lucas walked in the shadows of the tunnel without any light, his eyes enhanced by mana to see in the dark. He wore a black cloak, his face concealed by a black mask adorned with a red line running from the forehead to the left cheek.
Lucas moved silently through the dark tunnels, his enhanced vision cutting through the gloom. As he approached a large, dimly lit cavern, he saw the receiver—an older man with a grim face—handing over a bag of gold to a trader. The trader, in turn, handed over a chain that led to a young elf, her eyes filled with despair.Lucas smirked under his mask.
"Finally, the trail I've been following for months pays off. This bastard is about to lead me straight to them," he thought.He watched as the receiver secured the elf, giving orders to a few of his men before they started moving.
Lucas kept his distance, following them cautiously through the winding passages for three days, always keeping just out of sight."This is it. The final piece of the puzzle," Lucas muttered to himself, anticipation tingling through his veins.
His thoughts turned dark. The group finally emerged into a hidden valley, revealing a well-guarded compound. Lucas grinned behind his mask. "There it is. Time to tear it all down."
As night fell, He watched the guards, noting their routines and weak points. Once he felt confident in his observations, he moved in, his movements a blur.
The first guard never saw it coming. Lucas's katana flashed, and the man's head fell from his shoulders. Blood sprayed the stone wall, the sound muffled by the cloak of darkness.
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