Chapter 268: Want it? Then here you go.
“Although its body structure fits the typical four-legged, double-winged Ancient Dragon, its appearance did not trigger any observable natural disasters beforehand.”
The compiler muttered to himself.
Is it because it’s restrained, or is it simply incapable of causing such disasters?
Ancient Dragons that cannot manipulate the forces of nature to cause disasters are often super-large Ancient Dragons. They can still trigger massive calamities just with their sheer size and strength.
But this one before us is still within the usual scope of Ancient Dragons.
“His strength is formidable; even the Flame King Dragon couldn’t pierce through armor crafted from Peak Mountain Dragon materials with a single strike.”
Back on the ship, the Chief Hunter had already disinfected the split wound on his chest. Only half of his armor remained, which he held in his hand, showing it to a few people.
“My armor also contains elements from the Storm Dragon material, and my Slash Axe is more than capable for missions against Ancient Dragons, but—”
He shrugged, and everyone could see.
The armor couldn’t withstand even a single blow and was torn apart, while the Slash Axe broke outright during the clash. The only cost the monster paid was losing a few spines that could regrow quickly.
“It feels like getting kicked by a Fort Crab.”
The Chief Hunter added, still shaken as he put on his broken armor and gazed at the monster atop the Spirit Mountain Dragon.
The Peak Mountain Ball was moving from combat range to observation distance; they were moving away. However, the Ancient Dragon on the Spirit Mountain Dragon’s back was staring intently at them.
“He’s looking at the Peak Mountain Ball.”
With the Chief Hunter’s exclamation, the fortress guards aboard the ship immediately prepared for battle.
Who hasn’t experienced locking eyes with a teacher during class and being called upon to answer a question? The same goes for monsters and humans.
Locking eyes is rarely a good thing.
“He’s looking at the bow position of the Peak Mountain Ball… the Strike Dragon Gun!”
The compiler leaned halfway out of the ship, following the unknown Ancient Dragon’s gaze to lock onto the Strike Dragon Gun.
Is it hoping we use the Strike Dragon Gun?
Many people thought this, including Jié Jié.
Restraining Crossbows, Strike Dragon Guns—use whatever can restrain the Spirit Mountain Dragon quickly!
“Hmph, it knows the Strike Dragon Gun has immense power, meaning it’s been hit by one before. It might have even attacked a fortress before, hopefully news will reach Loke Clark soon.”
The commander snorted coldly, clearly dissatisfied with the monster disturbing the Spirit Mountain Dragon’s hunt. Loke Clark isn’t afraid of Ancient Dragon attacks.
Only large fortresses and key checkpoints equip Strike Dragon Guns. Any disaster requiring the use of a Strike Dragon Gun should have records, and those records are shared among all guilds. If there’s none, then it must be on its way.
“It’s also possible that it once witnessed a fortress using the Strike Dragon Gun to severely injure a monster.”
The adjutant offered an opposing opinion, existing to provide counterarguments to help the commander think and reduce the likelihood of errors.
“Regardless, this means it possesses considerable intelligence.”
“Just ignore it, let’s keep observing.”
The commander squinted; they had gathered enough information already. He had no intention of helping.
After all, the unknown Ancient Dragon would expend energy, but they risked their lives.
Jié Jié, atop the Spirit Mountain Dragon, understood this too. So what’s next?
He glanced at the support ship picking up the shedded armor behind him and focused again on the Strike Dragon Gun ahead of the Peak Mountain Ball.
If they won’t cooperate, he’ll just take it himself. Win-win situations shouldn’t favor only them!
With a flap of his wings, Jié Jié darted toward the front of the Peak Mountain Ball, gliding gracefully to face the advancing Strike Dragon Ship.
“He’s blocking our route! Damn it, prepare the Strike Dragon Gun!”
The commander frowned as the Chief Hunter waited by the firing button of the Strike Dragon Gun, and the fortress guards prepared for battle.
The Chief Hunter locked his gaze onto the unknown Ancient Dragon, trying to perceive every muscle movement.
To his surprise, the other side—the monster—was equally excited!
This implies—
“Fire the Restraining Crossbow! He might dodge!”
It wasn’t some big target like a Spirit Mountain Dragon; they only had one chance.
Come on.
Two lines of sight crossed, and Jié Jié saw the hunter operating the Strike Dragon Gun.
Come on.
He understood the rules well; if he wants it, he needs to take it himself.
Two Restraining Crossbows precisely pierced his wing roots. As the hinges tightened, the Peak Mountain Ball’s course was corrected.
Seeing the obviously ready-to-launch Strike Dragon Gun approaching, Jié Jié dodged to the side.
At this distance and with the Restraining Crossbow hits, he didn’t have time to break free. His side dodge was pulling the Strike Dragon Ship to tilt via the Restraining Crossbow ropes.
But the distance was enough.
The specially-made giant Strike Dragon Gun for Peak Mountain Dragons spun rapidly and thrust forward, slicing past the Extinction Dragon’s body.
Under the high-speed friction of the blade teeth, it shredded all the spines along its path, leaving a graze on the resilient dark skin.
But it was just a graze.
Ducking worked, after all. Jié Jié’s dodge and the Strike Dragon Ship’s tilt weren’t something that could be recovered by just the Restraining Crossbow ropes. The sharpest spear tip missed the Extinction Dragon’s body.
Or perhaps, it slid off.
Jié Jié stumbled slightly backward, feeling the pain of the grazed skin on the side of his chest. He knew it was time for his counterattack.
A pair of powerful claws pressed down on the still spinning Strike Dragon Gun. Initially, it caused arm abrasions, then the gun was forcefully pressed into the sand, beginning to slow down its rotation.
The collision of the Strike Dragon Ship was thus halted, even sinking the bow.
The expressions of the crew onboard froze.
The Chief Hunter reacted first, dragging the Great Sword from the Strike Dragon Ship and jumping down.
The Fortress Guard followed suit, jumping off the swaying ship, leaving a few members to control the armed equipment onboard.
Cannons need time to pivot, and the rocking ship made standing difficult. For a while, only the rapid-fire crossbows continuously bombarded the monster’s horns and wings. Most were deflected or shattered directly, with only a few managing to pierce the monster’s scales.
Jié Jié’s goal was clear. He grabbed the Strike Dragon Gun with both arms and pulled hard, intending to take this fine weapon away.
As he strained, the Strike Dragon Ship violently rocked under his drag. The commander lost his footing and fell.
He clung to the railing of the command platform, ordering the evacuation of the ship’s personnel, doing his duty faithfully.
But as the monster applied more force, the ship’s structure groaned in protest, and the gear mechanism of the Strike Dragon Gun emitted sounds of damage.
Its intent was clear.
“You want it? Then here you go.”
The commander rolled off the command platform, lying on his back as he stared at the shaking massive head in front of the ship, pressing another button with his body.
The Strike Dragon Gun ejected.
269
