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Chapter 7 - THE BLACK DRAGON

Yet, he pressed on, his spirit unwavering. The forest was no longer a mere obstacle; it had become his sanctuary, shaping him into a man of resilience. The weak man had awakened his dormant strength, harnessing the power that lay within. He had not succumbed to the allure of surrender but had fought fiercely against the adversities that beset him. In time, the man emerged from the depths of the forest, his countenance transformed. The chipped sword that had once symbolized his vulnerability now bore witness to his indomitable spirit. No longer weak, he had become a force to be reckoned with – a survivor. He carried with him tales of resilience and determination, etched into the very fabric of his being. And with each step forward, he carried the honor of his journey, a testament to the transformative power of perseverance and the resilience of the human spirit. Tired and sheltering himself from the searing heat, he stumbled into the cave, hiding from the relentless rain, he leaned on dragon's face, to which it responded by opening its eye, staring at him with an intensity that sent a shiver down his spine. The dimly lit cavern reeked of sulfur, and the crimson glow emitting from the dragon's scales cast eerie shadows on the ancient stone walls. Ben looked up as the black beast started to move, shaking dreams off it's slumber. He diddled backwards out of the cave unable to escape. Despite his timid appearance, his heart burned with unyielding determination and an unwavering belief that there was more to him than met the eye. All he could do was stand guard and face it with all he had. As the dragon blinked its colossal eyes, Ben's heart raced, but his resolve did not waver. He had spent months studying wyvern weaknesses, crafting a plan that seemed absurdly audacious yet potentially effective if he ever faced a dragon. His knowledge of ancient scriptures from ruins had revealed a hidden truth — the dragon possessed a vulnerable spot, a microscopic spot between its scales that could be exploited.Summoning the courage he had been nurturing all his life, he reached into a small bag he made from animal hide hanging from his waist, producing a vial of blue hob goblin blood. Rumored to possess magical properties, this potion was meticulously brewed under the guidance of wise wizards from forgotten times. The concoction was said to grant temporary strength—to transform even the weakest of beings into formidable adversaries. The man's legs trembled as he stepped back, readying himself for the most daring feat of his life. With a swift motion, he uncorked the vial and tossed the shimmering liquid into the dragon's open eye. The beast let out a thunderous roar, writhing in agony as the potion's magical properties took effect. The dragon's fiery breath, once unquenchable, was momentarily subdued as it was evolving into something more powerful, granting the man a fleeting window of opportunity. Without wasting a moment, our hero reached into his satchel again, pulling out a partially gleaming, ancient chipped sword that had been stolen from the dungeon. Its blade, forged from an enchanted metal, radiated a brilliance that matched the strength of the dragon's wrath. With unsteady hands, he raised the weapon high above his head, channeling all his energy into a single purpose: to strike the fatal blow. Summoning every ounce of strength and agility he possessed, the weak man leaped towards the dragon's grounded form. He maneuvered around the mighty creature, his movements deliberate and calculated. The dragon thrashed, trying desperately to regain control, but to no avail. With a skill surpassed only by the legends of old, Ben positioned himself at the dragon's underbelly.With a mighty swing, he plunged the enchanted sword into the dragon's vulnerable spot. A blaze of brilliant light engulfed the cave as the black dragon let out a deafening screech, its vile essence vanishing into oblivion. It lay there lifeless, still and frozen in but still alive, evolving. Ben took no time to hesitate and immediately forged a force contract with the beast, to which it vanished into the summoned beast dimension, awaiting it's orders as it completed it's evolution.Ben's frail form stood tall, blood dripping from his injuries, but his eyes were burning with triumph. The world stood in awe of his unimaginable feat, for legends were not born solely from the strong, but from those who dared to believe in themselves. Ben, once a weak man had outsmarted the black dragon, proving that one's strength lies not in their physique alone, but in the depths of their resolve, their unwavering spirit, and their indomitable will to rise above their limitations. There he stood, up on the mouth of the cave, he could spot the city, the capital he had so desperately craved. He had entered with nothing, but he now had beast materials, portions, and above all, confidence.