My gaze darted to Yin Xie, who raised a single brow but said nothing.
"Let me get this straight," I said, crossing my arms. "You want me—a mere human with a death wish—to bankroll a dragon utopia?"
"Exactly," Yu Zhong finally spoke, his deep voice rumbling like distant thunder.
"Focus, Ace," Brandi urged, her tone firm. "This isn't just about us. Think of the alliances, the power you'd gain. Dragons owe no loyalty to humans, but with you… things could change."
"I don't even know what I'd get out of this," I muttered, glancing nervously at Yin Xie.
"Besides not being roasted alive?" Yin Xie quipped.
"Helpful, as always," I shot back.
Brandi chuckled, her voice smooth as silk. "You'd have access to dragonkind's treasures, knowledge, and power. Not to mention…" She leaned in, her lips curling into a sly smile. "Connections."
"Connections?"
"To dragons like me," she said with a wink, sending my thoughts into a tailspin.
"Alright, alright, let's say I'm interested," I said, raising my hands defensively. "What exactly do you need?"
"A place to start," Yu Zhong said simply. "Land, resources, and some joy."
"And dragon hearts," Milim added, licking her lips.
I groaned. "Of course. How many dragon hearts are we talking about?"
"Enough to sustain us to grade 5 mid grade power," Milim said.
Yin Xie smirked, clearly enjoying my internal conflict. "Well, husband, what's your decision?"
I sighed, rubbing my temples. "Fine. I'll sponsor you—but only if you don't turn my city into a barbecue pit."
Brandi clapped her hands together, her joy almost infectious. "Excellent! We'll discuss the details tomorrow. For now, let's enjoy the festivities."
"Festivities?"
Yin Xie nudged me. "The dragon ritual isn't over yet."
As the barrier around the arena dissipated, Valcaryx transformed into his humanoid form—a towering figure with fiery golden hair and scars that told stories of countless battles. He approached his lost opponent , bowing deeply in acknowledgment of his loss.
Then, to my surprise, Valcaryx turned to the crowd and roared, "Who dares challenge me next?"
"Oh, come on," I muttered.
Milim's eyes sparkled with mischief. "Care to give it a try, Ace?"
"Pass," I said immediately.
Brandi laughed. "Smart choice. But don't worry, there's more entertainment to come."
As the next pair of dragons entered the arena, I couldn't shake the feeling that I'd just signed up for more chaos than I'd bargained for. But hey, at least I wasn't bored anymore.
Chapter: The Offer of Chaos
The two dragons in the arena roared, their powerful voices shaking the colosseum to its core. The crowd cheered wildly, their excitement infectious, but my mind was spinning from Brandi's proposal. Sponsoring dragons? Was I insane for even considering this?
Yin Xie nudged me lightly, her expression unreadable. "You're awfully quiet for someone who just made a deal with dragons."
"Just weighing my options," I muttered, trying to mask my growing anxiety. "You know, like whether this is going to get me killed or just financially ruin me."
Brandi, ever the opportunist, leaned closer, her voice a seductive whisper. "Oh, Ace, don't think of it as ruin. Think of it as… an investment."
"Yeah, an investment in a fiery death," I grumbled.
Yu Zhong's deep voice cut through my complaints like a blade. "You made your choice, human. Now you see it through."
Milim chuckled, her petite form bouncing as she clapped her hands together. "Don't worry, Ace. You're part of something great now! We'll build a dragon sanctuary like no other."
"Sanctuary?" I echoed, raising a brow. "You mean a giant playground for oversized lizards?"
Milim pouted, crossing her arms. "We're dragons, not lizards! Honestly, you're lucky we like you."
Brandi smirked. "Enough chatter. Enjoy the ritual, Ace. You might even learn a thing or two about us."
I sighed, sinking back into my seat. "Fine, but if anyone tries to recruit me again, I'm out."
---
The next pair of dragons entered the arena, and the atmosphere shifted.
One was a fiery crimson dragon, his scales glinting like molten lava under the arena's lights. The heat radiating from his body was palpable even from our seats. His name was Pyros, a dragon infamous for his temper and sheer destructive force.
His opponent, on the other hand, was a deep sapphire blue, his body emanating a serene, almost otherworldly calm. Azureus, the Watercaller, moved with liquid grace, every step a testament to his mastery over water and ice.
"Now this," I said, leaning forward, "is going to be a fight."
"Pay attention, Ace," Brandi murmured. "This is more than just a show of strength. It's a demonstration of who's worthy to lead."
Pyros roared, unleashing a torrent of flames that scorched the ground beneath him. The barrier around the arena shimmered, holding strong against the onslaught. Azureus countered with a wave of water, the two elements colliding in a burst of steam that obscured the battlefield.
As the steam cleared, Azureus darted forward, his claws glowing with frost. He slashed at Pyros, leaving a trail of ice in his wake. Pyros retaliated with a powerful swipe of his tail, sending Azureus skidding across the arena.
"Do they always fight like this?" I asked, genuinely impressed.
"This is tame," Yin Xie replied with a smirk. "Wait until the real heavyweights step in."
The battle intensified, with Pyros summoning pillars of fire and Azureus responding with spiraling torrents of water. The crowd was on their feet, cheering as the two dragons clashed in a dazzling display of power.
"Place your bets," Milim teased, nudging me.
"No thanks," I said quickly. "I've already gambled enough by being here."
Just as Azureus seemed to gain the upper hand, trapping Pyros in a vortex of water, Pyros let out a deafening roar. His body erupted in flames, evaporating the water around him and forcing Azureus to retreat.
"Impressive," Yu Zhong murmured, his eyes gleaming with approval.
Pyros charged forward, his claws glowing with molten heat. Azureus stood his ground, summoning a massive wave that crashed into Pyros. The two dragons collided in an explosion of steam and light, leaving the crowd in stunned silence.
When the steam cleared, both dragons stood panting, their bodies battered but unyielding. The ritual master, a golden-scaled elder dragon, stepped forward and raised a hand.
"This duel is a draw!" he declared, and the crowd erupted into cheers once more.
As the two dragons transformed into their humanoid forms and exited the arena, Brandi turned to me, her expression thoughtful.
"Do you see now, Ace? This is what it means to be a dragon. Strength, pride, and unyielding will."
I met her gaze, the weight of her words sinking in. "And you want me to sponsor this?"
She smiled. "Yes. Because with your help, we can achieve even greater heights."
I sighed, leaning back in my seat. "You dragons sure know how to make a guy feel small."
Milim grinned. "Don't worry, Ace. Stick with us, and you'll be a legend in no time!"
"Or dead," Yin Xie added dryly.
"Yeah," I muttered. "Probably dead."
---------
Dragon heart: 1,020,658 units.
Boundless Wealth:
Slot 1: Phoenix blood vials
(242 unit. ) | [+121 unit the next day. ]
Slot 2: advanced storage ring
(1 unit. ) [+1 unit the next day. ]