Arata arrived at Glacia End, the border of the city, which was surrounded by towering mountains covered in thick snow.
"I've arrived at the mission location, but where's the dragon?" Arata said.
Not long after Arata spoke, a dragon, the one mentioned in his mission, appeared. It was a white dragon that had been causing trouble for the nearby villagers.
As the dragon flew, it saw Arata standing beneath it. The dragon descended to meet him.
"Human, you are bold to step foot in my territory. Are you prepared to face the consequences?" the dragon said.
Arata, hearing the dragon speak, was surprised, as the mission hadn't mentioned that the dragon could talk.
"Huh? You can talk?" Arata asked.
The dragon responded with a firm tone.
"Of course I can. I'm no ordinary dragon; I am of the Dragon God race," the dragon said.
Arata was shocked upon hearing this. The Dragon God race was one of the five strongest races in the world. The five races of gods were Fenrir, the Nine-Tailed Fox, Basilisk, Vampire, and the strongest of them all, the Dragon God.
"Huh? The Dragon God race? You mean one of the strongest races?" Arata said.
"Hoo, you know? That's right. I am of the Dragon God race," the dragon confirmed.
After hearing the dragon's words, Arata asked why it had come to disturb the villagers.
"So, what brings a Dragon God like you here?" Arata asked.
"I'm looking for someone worthy to be my training material," the dragon said.
"So that's why you're troubling the villagers?" Arata said.
"Hmm, troubling? They consider it troublesome?" the dragon replied.
"Of course! A mere human is asked to fight one of the strongest races, and you're calling it just training?" Arata said.
"Hey, they should be grateful to me. They can consider it training as well," the dragon said.
"Yeah, yeah," Arata replied.
The dragon then turned the tables and asked Arata why he had come to its territory.
"Don't just ask me, human. Now tell me, why have you come here?" the dragon asked.
Arata revealed his mission from the guild.
"I was sent by the guild to drive you out of here so that you no longer disturb the villagers," Arata said.
Upon hearing Arata's reason for coming, the dragon burst out laughing, considering Arata's words to be a joke.
"Hahaha, drive me out? In the month I've been here, no human has dared to say that to me, and you have the guts to say it?" the dragon laughed.
"What's the problem? Just because no human has dared to say it before, doesn't mean it will never happen," Arata retorted.
Impressed by Arata's courage, the dragon praised him and asked for his name.
"Hahaha, I admit your courage, human. Now tell me your name," the dragon said.
"My name is Arata Katsuragi, remember it well," Arata said.
"Alright, Arata Katsuragi. Now prove that your words are not empty," the dragon said.
"Fine, if that's what you want," Arata said.
Arata immediately drew his sword and prepared for battle.
Sword Skill: Yami no Kiri
The moment Arata used his skill, he disappeared, showcasing his incredible speed.
The dragon was stunned by the display of Arata's skill.
"Impressive. You are different from most humans I've fought, but that's still not enough," the dragon said.
As Arata was about to strike the dragon, he was suddenly pushed back by a powerful gust of wind.
"What? How could this be? My speed is supposed to be undetectable!" Arata said.
"You are fast, Arata, but you're fighting the Dragon God race," the dragon said.
"You're right. How about this?" Arata said.
Arata immediately prepared to use another skill.
"Alright, take this. Sword Skill: Kagutsuchi no Arashi," Arata said.
In an instant, his sword was engulfed in roaring flames.
"Hmm, very good, Arata. Now try breaking this," the dragon said.
The dragon then used its defensive technique.
Dragon Technique: Ryūshin Hōtenjin
In an instant, the dragon's body was enveloped in an impenetrable shield.
Arata surged forward toward the dragon. When his fiery attack collided with the shield, the shield cracked, and the dragon laughed, acknowledging Arata's strength.
"Hahaha, I knew your skill would make things difficult for me. Alright, I admit your power. Now it's time for me to get serious," the dragon said.
"What? You weren't serious before?" Arata asked.
Ignoring Arata's words, the dragon unleashed its next technique.
Dragon Technique: Tenshin Gyakuryūken
A massive sword appeared in the sky, seemingly capable of slicing through anything in its path.
As Arata watched the attack, he remembered the words of his late father, the greatest swordmaster.
"Arata, remember my words: this technique can only be used once a day, and when you use it, you will faint for a full day. Use it wisely," his father had said.
"Alright, master, I will use it wisely," young Arata had replied.
Recalling his father's advice, Arata knew this was the right moment to use his ultimate technique. He immediately took his stance.
"Alright, if that's what you want, then I will also get serious," Arata said.
Sword Skill: Tsukiyomi no Kekkai
The surrounding area instantly became as dark as night, signaling the extraordinary nature of Arata's skill.
The dragon looked around, confused.
"What is this technique? Why has the area turned into night? Who is he really?" the dragon wondered.
When the massive sword unleashed by the dragon collided with Arata's technique, the surrounding area was completely obliterated. Fortunately, the impact didn't reach the nearby village at Glacia End.
Arata, panting from exhaustion after using the technique, was astonished. The dragon seemed to have only suffered a minor scratch because, just before the techniques collided, it had used a shield to protect itself.
"What? How is this possible? A technique that could destroy an entire forest in seconds only left a scratch on it?" Arata gasped.
The dragon flew toward Arata.
"Hahaha, well done, Arata. With that, you've won. I admit your strength," the dragon said.
Hearing the dragon's praise, Arata smiled, then passed out from the effects of the technique.
"Really? Well, if that's the case, then I'm glad," Arata said before losing consciousness.
As Arata lay unconscious, the dragon grew concerned. It transformed into a human and rushed to heal him.
"Don't die, fool. We just met. Hold on a little longer," the dragon said.
The dragon quickly healed Arata.
What will happen to Arata? Why is the dragon worried about him? How will Arata react when he wakes up? Stay tuned for the continuation in Chapter 3.
*If I made any minor mistakes that might be distracting, I sincerely apologize. I have done my best for this novel, and if you enjoy it, please consider giving it a like and sharing your feedback, suggestions, or criticism so I can learn and improve. Thank you for reading, and see you in the next chapter!*