"It's catching up!"
Helena screamed, pointing at the dragon relentlessly chasing them. "Go faster, Exiled Immortal! We're going to be eaten!"
"I'm already giving it my all!"
Exiled Immortal gritted his teeth, manipulating the wind around him to create turbulence in an attempt to slow down the dragon.
But against such a massive creature, all efforts seemed futile.
Within a breath, the dragon was right in front of Helena, its colossal form casting an oppressive shadow!
"It's... it's caught up!"
"Damn it, there's no other way. We'll have to fight it! Big sis, I'll hold it off while you escape. Go find John and get him to figure something out!"
"No! You'll die! You can't take on a monster like this!"
"If we keep running, we'll both die! There's no time!"
Without giving Helena a chance to argue, Exiled Immortal threw her, letting the gentle breeze carry her safely to the ground.
Exiled Immortal turned to face the dragon, raising his arms as he transformed into the eye of a storm.
A green tornado began to form around him!
But at that moment, the dragon seemed to sense something and suddenly halted its pursuit.
It looked back, paused for a moment, and then, ignoring Exiled Immortal and Helena entirely, turned and left.
Seeing this, Exiled Immortal's heart raced, but he had no idea what was happening.
"It just... left?"
"No! That direction—John and the others are over there! Exiled Immortal, we need to get back!"
"Big sis, you stay here. I'll go check it out."
Dissipating the storm, Exiled Immortal hesitated but ultimately decided not to take Helena with him.
Leaving Helena here alone might expose her to danger, but bringing her back with him would be certain death!
"No way! Exiled Immortal, take me with you! Exiled Immortal!"
Watching Exiled Immortal leave without looking back, Helena stomped her foot in frustration.
She understood his intentions, but what was the point of survival if it wasn't with her companions?
"John, Exiled Immortal... please be safe!"
...
Meanwhile!
John, who had been resting with his eyes closed, suddenly jerked his head up as if he had heard something, and locked eyes with the dragon!
"What in the world... is going on?"
"John, run!"
Behind the dragon, Exiled Immortal rode the wind at maximum speed but still couldn't overtake the dragon.
He shouted, "Jump off the cliff! I'll catch you! Trust me!"
"What the hell... what kind of monster is this?"
If King Behemoth was this powerless, how long could Shadows of the Past hold out, even if it was slightly stronger?
Yet, the anticipated fiery obliteration didn't occur. The dragon simply stared at John, a strange glint in its eyes.
"Finally... found you."
John's head shot up, eyes wide with shock!
"You... you're talking to me?"
"I was sent by someone to deliver something to you."
The dragon spoke!
And it seemed to recognize him.
This unexpected turn of events left John stunned. After a few seconds, he asked in confusion, "Who are you...?"
"You don't need to know who I am. Someone asked me to give you something."
As the dragon spoke, the scales on its chest suddenly fell away, and a giant egg covered in flame-like patterns dropped and landed firmly in front of John.
Staring at the dragon egg, which was almost as tall as himself, John looked up and asked, "What is this...?"
"He wanted me to remind you that changes are coming soon. Until then, keep strengthening your abilities. This dragon egg is a gift to aid you."
"Who is he? Has there ever been a black dragon like you on Mount Olympus?"
"I never said I was from Mount Olympus."
The dragon exhaled deeply, the heat almost knocking John off his feet.
"You must find the answer to your questions yourself, John. Don't disappoint him."
With that, the dragon gave John no chance to ask further questions. It flapped its massive wings and soared into the sky!
Seeing this, John's heart continued to race.
He had survived, but in such a strange manner.
"What... just happened?"
Looking at the dragon egg in front of him, which seemed to pulse with life, John tentatively reached out to touch it.
"Hot! It's so hot!"
Seeing the burn debuff appear on his status bar, John took a sharp breath.
Just a brief touch had burned his palm. John couldn't imagine what kind of weapon this egg would hatch into!
"Wait... if we win the dragon hunt event and get first place, could I get a second dragon egg?"
At this thought, John felt a surge of excitement.
One thing was certain: once this egg hatched, it wouldn't be a lowly earth dragon.
It might even grow to rival the dragon he had just encountered.
Thinking this, John felt a wave of heat in his heart.
One dragon was already overwhelming. What if there were two?
As his thoughts raced, John reached a conclusion.
"S. must die!"