After Arata fainted from using his technique, the dragon immediately transformed into a human form and appeared worried about Arata's condition.
"Hey, Arata, wake up!" the dragon said.
The dragon quickly approached Arata's unconscious body and was very concerned about his state.
"Don't die, idiot. Without you, I don't have a human friend who can match me," the dragon continued.
She continuously used her healing magic on Arata.
The next day,
Arata finally regained consciousness and noticed a woman sleeping on his hand. He didn't realize that the woman was the same dragon he had just fought.
He gently woke her up.
"Uhm, please wake up, it's already morning," Arata said.
"Hoahh, five more minutes," the woman replied.
Frustrated that the woman wouldn't wake up, Arata hit her on the head.
"Ouch, what the heck?" the woman said, holding her head.
Once she woke up, the woman was shocked to realize that it was Arata who had woken her up.
"Eh, Arata, you're awake!" the woman exclaimed.
Arata was confused about how she knew his name.
"Yeah, I'm awake, but who are you? How do you know my name?" Arata asked.
The woman pouted because Arata didn't recognize her.
"Hmph, it's only been one day since you passed out, and now you've forgotten me?" the woman said.
Arata tried to recall the events before he passed out.
"Sorry, I've tried to remember, but all I remember is my fight with the dragon from the dragon god race, and that's all," Arata explained.
The woman sighed, disappointed by Arata's lack of recognition.
"(Sigh) Well, I guess it makes sense that you don't remember me. Let me introduce myself. I'm the dragon you fought earlier," the woman revealed.
Arata laughed, not believing her.
"Hfthhh, don't joke. How could a strong dragon like that become such a beautiful woman?" Arata said, chuckling.
The woman blushed at his words and quickly transformed to prove she was indeed the dragon he fought.
"A...I can prove it. I...I am the dragon you fought earlier," the woman stammered, feeling embarrassed.
"Well then, prove it," Arata challenged.
The woman immediately transformed into her dragon form.
"Now do you believe me?" the woman asked.
Arata was shocked and immediately believed her.
"Yeah, now that I've seen it for myself, I believe you," Arata said.
The woman transformed back into her human form.
"But I didn't expect you could transform into a human," Arata remarked.
"Of course. This is the initial technique of all the strongest races," the woman said.
"Oh, I see," Arata responded.
After their conversation, Arata asked her what she planned to do next.
"By the way, what are you going to do now?" Arata asked.
"Hmm, since I've lost to you, I'll follow you from now on. But don't get the wrong idea. I'm following you because I want to interact with humans, not because I like you or anything else," the woman said, her voice tinged with tsundere attitude.
Arata was silent for a moment after hearing her words.
"Huh? Follow me? Are you sure?" Arata asked, surprised.
"Of course, I'm sure," the woman replied.
"But I can't guarantee you'll be at ease with me," Arata warned.
"Don't worry, if I follow you, maybe I'll be at ease," the woman said.
Suddenly, the woman realized how her words sounded and quickly clarified.
"B...but that's not what I meant! I said that because you're strong, and if I follow you, I'm sure I'll find some interesting opponents!" the woman said, her tsundere side coming out.
"I know, you're a battle maniac, aren't you?" Arata teased.
"Y...yes, that's what I meant!" the woman stammered.
Arata thought about her request. If she followed him, he could potentially finish his missions faster without using techniques that made him faint.
"Hmmm, alright then, you can follow me, but with one condition," Arata said.
"What condition?" the woman asked.
"My only condition is that you don't reveal your identity to the public. I don't want to complicate things by having a dragon god race following me," Arata said.
"Hmm, I won't reveal my identity. Alright, I accept, but I want to ask you for one thing," the woman said.
"What is it?" Arata asked.
"Give me a name," the woman requested.
Arata was surprised. Even though he didn't have a job as a beast tamer, he knew that naming a member of a strong race meant forming a contract with them.
"Are you sure? If I give you a name, you'll become my contracted creature," Arata said.
"Of course, I'm sure. Since you defeated me, you're free to make a contract with me. But don't order me to do anything perverted, or I'll freeze you instantly," the woman warned.
"Hmm, since you said that, fine, I'll think of a name that suits you," Arata said.
Arata thought for a moment and suddenly came up with an idea.
"Ha, I've got it! How about Tsukihina Ryuka?" Arata asked.
The woman immediately agreed to the name.
"Tsukihina Ryuka, huh? That's a beautiful name. Alright, I accept it," the woman said.
After she accepted the name, a symbol appeared on Arata's hand, confirming that their contract had been formed.
"Oh, this is what it feels like to make a contract with the strongest race," Arata said.
"Of course, but remember, don't order me around recklessly, especially if it's something perverted," Ryuka warned.
"Hehehe, alright, alright, I'm not that kind of person," Arata chuckled.
"Hmph, good that you're aware," Ryuka said.
Ryuka and Arata returned to the Adventurers' Guild to report that their mission was complete.
While on the way to the city, Ryuka seemed happy about the name Arata gave her.
"Tsukihina Ryuka, huh? What a beautiful name. I can't believe he came up with such a lovely name," Ryuka thought to herself.
Arata, walking beside her, noticed the happy expression on her face and asked her what was making her so happy.
"It seems like you're really happy, Ryuka. So, what's making you so happy?" Arata asked.
"Ehh, it's nothing. I'm just... Ha, right, I'm just happy because I'm sure there are many enemies waiting for me," Ryuka said, her voice still full of tsundere tone.
"Oh, I see," Arata responded.
Arata didn't press further about what was making her so happy, knowing that her source of happiness wasn't just about defeating others.
Some time later, they finally arrived at Elation City. As soon as they entered, many people seemed to be talking about Arata's old team.
What happened to Arata's old team? Will Arata tell Ryutaro everything about their actions towards him? And what will Yuna, the receptionist at the Adventurer's Guild, say when she hears that Arata defeated the dragon all by himself? Find out in the next chapter.
*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!*