Yet, I knew that in this modern world, strength alone was not enough to convince the developers to abandon their plans. I needed a new strategy, a solution that only the city could provide.
---
The city's bustle and prosperity far exceeded my imagination. Skyscrapers towered above me, cars and pedestrians flooded the streets—a world seemingly flowing with endless energy. However, amidst this vibrancy, I felt completely out of place. Wearing plain clothes and carrying an old backpack, I stood out starkly. The people moved with purpose, barely sparing me a glance, yet my unease grew with every step.
Following a lead left by my grandfather, I found a distant relative who ran a small tavern in the city. Though we shared blood ties, we were practically strangers, and he regarded me with cautious skepticism. Nonetheless, after hearing my purpose, he agreed to help me connect with some "more influential" individuals.
"But let me warn you, kid," he said, swirling a glass of wine while studying me with a complicated expression, "those developers aren't the kind of people you can reason with. If you want to make them back off, you either need something they desire or something that scares them."
I remained silent, nodding in acknowledgment. His advice wasn't wrong—I didn't have any leverage against them. All I had to rely on was the power of the dragon, the legacy left to me by my grandfather.
---
Nightfall came quickly. The city lit up with neon signs, their glow illuminating the sky. I wandered aimlessly along the streets, pondering my next move. Suddenly, a commotion broke the stillness. It came from a nearby alley.
I approached cautiously, my senses heightened. In the dim light, I saw several men dressed in black surrounding a young woman. She struggled fiercely, but her captors had covered her mouth, muffling her cries for help.
Even in the shadows, her beauty was unmistakable. Golden hair cascaded like a waterfall under the dim lights, her features sharp and defiant. Despite her predicament, there was no fear in her striking blue eyes, only resolve. That rare, commanding presence was enough to earn my respect.
I didn't know who she was, but I couldn't stand idly by. Silently, I crept closer, eavesdropping on the black-clad men's conversation.
"Get her in the car, quick!" one of them barked.
"With the governor's daughter in our hands, he'll have no choice but to agree!" another sneered.
"The governor's daughter?" The words made everything clear. They were using her to threaten the governor—an influential figure in the region and someone I had hoped to involve in my plan to save the village. If I rescued her, it could earn me a powerful ally in the fight against the developers.
With a decision made, I steadied my breathing, and the familiar heat of the dragon's power surged through my veins. It felt as though a slumbering giant had awakened within me. Quietly, I crept behind the first man and struck him at the base of his neck. He collapsed silently to the ground. The others turned, startled.
"Who are you?!" one of them shouted. "You're courting death!"
They lunged at me, but with the dragon's power coursing through me, their movements seemed sluggish. I dodged their strikes effortlessly, countering with swift and decisive blows. My fists carried the force of a tempest, and within minutes, all the men were incapacitated, groaning in pain on the ground.
The golden-haired woman had been watching the scene unfold. Her shock was evident, her wide blue eyes reflecting a mix of disbelief and awe. I freed her bindings and asked gently, "Are you alright?"
She stared at me, seemingly surprised by my calm demeanor, before nodding. Her voice, low and steady, carried no trace of panic. "Thank you, sir."
"Who are they?" I asked, even though I already knew the answer.
"Rivals of my father," she replied, adjusting her disheveled clothing. Her voice was calm and composed, a stark contrast to her earlier struggle. "They wanted to use me to blackmail him."
"Your father is the governor?" I asked.
She raised an eyebrow but didn't answer directly. Instead, she reached into her bag, pulled out her phone, and made a call. Soon, a sleek black car sped toward us. Several bodyguards in suits jumped out, rushing to her side.
"Miss Laura, are you alright?" one of them asked anxiously.
"Thanks to this gentleman," she said, casting a brief glance in my direction. There was no excessive gratitude in her tone, only a hint of respect.
I had expected her to say more or to thank me directly, but she only looked at me silently for a moment before turning and getting into the car. Her blue eyes, however, lingered on me as if trying to convey a message that words couldn't capture.
---
The cool night breeze swept through the empty alley as I watched the car disappear into the distance. Despite her reserved demeanor, I had a strange feeling that this encounter would not be the last. Laura's identity and my mission seemed destined to intersect, and perhaps my efforts to save the village would no longer be a solitary battle.
For the first time, I felt the full extent of the dragon's power. It wasn't just a gift but a responsibility. And tonight, it had helped me understand that my path forward—though filled with challenges—was one I could conquer.
With the city's lights glimmering behind me, I stepped out of the alley, ready to face whatever came next. The road ahead was uncertain, but my determination burned brighter than ever.