Noir watched as the yellow eyes never left him for a single moment.
One after another, the monsters emerged from the undergrowth, slowly surrounding the little black dragon, who followed them with his gaze, and beside him lay the corpse of the creature he had just killed.
Noir watched the pack as he slowly wagged his tail. They looked bigger up close. Their curved fangs jutted out from their scarred snouts, and their muscles tensed beneath their gray fur.
There were twelve... no, thirteen, counting all the monsters; mana coursed through his body.
’Well... that explains why he was so calm, wandering around all by himself.’
One of the monsters stepped forward and let out a deep growl.
The others responded instantly.
Noir felt his Draconic Senses pick up on every breath, every movement of their legs, and every rapid heartbeat.
They were launching a combined attack. The little dragon’s pupils narrowed.
A searing heat built up in his throat just as two wolf-boars lunged at him from opposite sides.
Noir opened his mouth. A stream of flames shot out, burning all the nearby grass and brush.
The fire struck the monster on the left head-on, engulfing it completely and causing it to let out a heart-wrenching scream.
However, the second one managed to dodge the dangerous flames with a quick, fluid movement.
But it wasn’t enough. Noir spun around, taking advantage of the slight edge he had, and activated [Draconic Claws]. His claws glowed with a dark light.
Slash!
Its claws tore through the fur and flesh with a wet, unpleasant sound. The creature was hurled against a tree, which cracked under the force of the blow.
’Kakaka! I am powerful—come at me, all of you!’
And as if they had been listening to the thoughts of the small, majestic black dragon, three monsters advanced at once.
One in front and two on either side.
’Why didn’t anyone tell me that wolves work as a team?!’
Noir leaped backward just as the first one snapped its jaws shut where his neck had been a moment before.
The other two changed direction immediately; it had happened too fast. He could only see a pair of fangs, dripping with saliva, graze his side.
Without a second thought, he activated [Stone Skin]. His black scales took on a grayish hue.
The impact reverberated throughout his body... but, fortunately, it didn’t break through his defenses.
The monster recoiled with a growl of pain after one of its fangs broke off.
’Damn! That was close.’
Noir seized the opportunity. He flapped his wings hard and lunged forward, his claws piercing the chest of another creature.
Then he spun around, struck a second one with his tail, landed on a log lying on the ground, and gasped for breath.
The ground had become a chaotic mess of churned-up earth, damaged trees, and smoke.
And yet... There were still too many of them. Six pairs of yellow eyes continued to watch the little black dragon from the underbrush.
Noir could feel his Draconic Senses working at full capacity, as was his breathing; the smile that spread across his face wasn’t one of confidence... it was pure adrenaline.
’Great.’
’Looks like it’s cardio day today.’
The pack roared in unison. And this time, they all attacked together.
***
The pack pounced on him all at once.
Noir felt his Draconic Senses overwhelmed by the sound of paws pounding the ground, the ferocious growls, and the smell of blood that filled the air.
He had no time to think.
Only to react.
The little dragon flapped its wings and flew away just as two wolf-boars collided right where it had been a moment earlier.
He landed on a rock and opened his mouth. Flames burst forth with a roar, sweeping across the area like a searing wave.
Two monsters tried to dodge them. One succeeded... the other didn’t.
Its fur burst into flames instantly, and the creature began rolling across the ground, letting out desperate screams.
Noir didn’t have time to see the result. Another enemy appeared in his blind spot. Sensing the danger just a split second before impact, he activated [Stone Skin] once more.
The fangs struck his hardened scales with a sharp crack. Pain shot through his side, but the bite failed to penetrate his defense.
That was way too close!’
With a roar, he spun around and activated [Draconic Claws]. His claws glowed with dark energy.
SLASH!
The attack pierced the monster’s snout, leaving deep gashes before hurling it into a tree.
The beast never got back up... but there were still far too many of them.
Three wolf-boars began to surround him again, moving with terrifying coordination.
One feigned a frontal attack.
The other two spread out.
’They’re learning too fast!’
Noir leaped backward as the first one lunged at him.
It was a trap.
The other two creatures appeared from both flanks.
The little dragon spread its wings to steady itself and spun around. Its tail struck one of the monsters, knocking it off course by just a few centimeters.
That was enough.
The second one managed to catch up to him; its fangs scraped against the scales on his shoulder and sent him tumbling to the ground.
Noir stood up immediately; dirt covered his black scales, and his breathing was heavier. And yet, he was smiling.
That sensation was coursing through his entire body once again... adrenaline. The thrill of facing a dangerous enemy.
’Maybe I’m becoming too much of a dragon.’
The golden sphere spun rapidly around him, as if to remind him to stay focused.
And it was right.
Two monsters charged toward him, zigzagging with brutal coordination. Noir planted his paws firmly on the ground... and waited.
When they were close enough, he opened his mouth; the flames erupted at point-blank range.
The heat wave made the air tremble. When the fire died down, only two charred bodies remained.
The last wolf-boars retreated. For the first time since the fight began, they showed fear.
Noir took a step forward. His scales still retained the grayish sheen of [Stone Skin], his claws were still covered in the dark energy of [Draconic Claws]... And small plumes of smoke were escaping from his snout.
It no longer looked like prey.
He was the predator!
Who’s at the top of the food chain?... A Dragon!
One of the monsters let out an uncertain growl. Then it backed away. The others followed suit. The pack had made its decision.
Run away.
Noir watched as they disappeared among the trees.
For a few seconds, the forest fell silent once more.
Then he let out a long sigh, and the little dragon sank down onto the shattered ground.
’First things first, then rest.’
Noir forced himself to get up despite the exhaustion and pain caused by the monsters’ attacks; he approached one of the corpses.
And he began his feast.
[The unique Skill Devourer has been activated.]