418 True Beastmen

[ Level-Up bar progress +20%! ]

[ You have absorbed the blood essence of a 'Corrupted Soldier', purification in progress… ]

[ You have obtained 127,359 EP! ]

[ Objective 1's threat 'Corrupted#5' has been eliminated! ]

[ Level-Up bar progress +20% ]

[ You have… ]

[ Objective 1… ]

[ Level-Up bar progress +20%! ]

[ You have leveled up! ]

[ You have reached level 113! ]

[ Objective 1's threat 'Corrupted#2' has been eliminated! ]

[ Level-Up bar progress +20%! ]

Though I tried to simply ignore the system's spamming for the few seconds I took to approach the 'guides', I still couldn't stop myself from taking a few quick glances at the screens when I received the level-up message…

'I didn't expect to hear this so soon…'

Originally, taking the limited number of level-ups I got in the full-scale war of the Nature Domain into consideration, I thought I would take forever to level up again if I didn't chance upon a similar event, but somehow, I was proved wrong almost as soon as I stepped into the new domain.

'This can only mean the new type of quest is nothing normal…'

To begin with, receiving an increase of EP that's worth 120% of the level-up bar from defeating a few mobs certainly didn't make sense, only the second escort target's reward could be considered reasonable in comparison. The type of the quest containing the word 'player' also pointed towards several suspicious possibilities.

That being said, it was still an opportunity to be reaped, leveling was still undeniably the fastest way of directly raising one's strength, if a few more dozens of such mobs were to appear during the escort quest then I wouldn't mind playing along even if this was a part of some suspicious plot.

'I have to follow along till I grasp the domain's situation anyway…'

"Uhum…���

Standing before the closest 'guide', I let out a low sound as I readied my throat before voicing out the words that I had prepared for this exact situation.

[[I seem to have been called here to provide assistance against the danger that had befallen this land, however, as I do not know the domain's exact situation, I would be grateful if you provide me the information that I lack]]

Manipulating my voice to be more deep and befitting of my current 'attire', I merely spat out a pile of nonsense that I based on the vague description of the quest as well as the special species of the 'guides'.

"As expected! You must be the champion of the great Azure Dragon, I'm deeply honored to meet the true descendant of one of our Dragon Clan's greatest ancestors!"

'Indeed, this must be the Fire Domain…'

However, unlike the werehumans that were artificially created through the practice of beast arts and were often called beastmen as well, the Beastmen of the Fire Domain were believed to be its original inhabitants as well as the descendants of the great beasts who obtained the ability to polymorph into human forms.

'Though it's a bit of a stretch to call these two as half-dragons…'

Judging through simple visual appraisal, the dispersed scales on their skins, the wriggling tail as well as their snake-like eyes, it would be easier to call them half-lizards instead, but it wasn't that the name of their clan held no truth to it.

[ Race: Humanoid lesser dragons (Green) (Diluted) ]

At the very least, the 'Eye of Knowledge' identified them as lesser dragons, though with diluted blood as expected, they seemed to be far descendants of the Green Dragon whom I had very recently come into contact with his blood essence.

"Oi! Show some respect."

As I was having these thoughts, the one who recognized me as the so-called 'Champion of the Azure Dragon' hit the still in shock companion of his and slightly lowered his head.

"There is no need for such formality…"

Lowering the tone of my voice which I seemed to have risen a bit too far to show my friendliness, I wondered if there really existed an 'Azure Dragon' and what was his exact blood relations with both the Sky Dragon and the Green Dragon whose bloodline combination have given me these 'Azure' scales.

"Ah! Then excuse me for asking this, while I do want to grant your wish as quickly as possible, would it be okay with sir Champion if we delayed discussing the domain's situation till we reach our clans land? Not only does staying here expose us to countless dangers, but I am also sure that our clan elder's explanation would be much more thorough than mine…"

"I do not mind, but please refrain from calling me this way, just refer to me as Azure."

I nodded slightly as I listened to the trigger dialogue of Objective 1's second task, it seemed like everything would indeed go as the quest has predicted for the time being, which wasn't a bad thing for me who has already started playing the role that the quest wanted me to.

"Great! Then let us be on our way!"

Roar!

As soon as the half-dragon 'guide' finished his words, he and his companion let out a low cry as their bodies started changing!

Their claws got slightly longer as their palms enlarged while their feet followed suit as they lowered their postures, seemingly ready to dash ahead.

"We will show you the way."

Exchanging a simple glance with me, they started running in the opposite direction to the destroyed trees that resulted from the Corrupted's chasing.

As I contemplated whether I should let out my wings and carry along the two half-dragons while flying to reach our destination faster, I decided against it as I used minimal speed to keep up with the 'guides'.

"I will be in your care then…"

Though it would definitely save time to rely on flight, I believed it would be better to make use of the time to farm a few more levels using this peculiar quest!