"Thank you, Arch. This gift is truly special." Ella exclaimed in awe, completely captivated by Archer's mesmerizing gaze.
With a gentle smile, he approached Ella and lovingly kissed her forehead. Then, he opened a portal to his domain.
Before Ella walked through the portal, Archer explained how to use the bracelet. "To return to me, simply think of me and infuse the bracelet with mana. It will teleport you back to my side."
With a nod of comprehension, Ella absorbed every word he spoke and proceeded to pass through the portal, bidding farewell to Archer and Teuila as she left them behind.
Approaching Teuila, Archer extended his hand. "Shall we continue, princess?" he asked with a playful grin.
Teuila glanced at him from the corner of her eye and playfully poked him. He swiftly dodged her attack and playfully poked her back, making her laugh.
After their lighthearted moment, they composed themselves and resumed their journey. The weather was pleasant, accompanied by a gentle breeze that caressed their faces, enhancing the peacefulness of their surroundings.
Suddenly, Archer's Aura Detector began to ping, alerting him to the presence of a group of ten humans approaching.
He discreetly alerted Teuila to be on guard, his voice barely above a whisper. "Teuila, get ready. We have a group of humans heading our way."
She met his gaze and acknowledged his warning with a nod. Just as she turned her head, a tall and unkempt man, with disheveled hair and tattered leather armor, walked out from a bush.
Sensing the imminent danger, Sera found safety by crawling into Archer's shirt, seeking refuge against his chest, like a clinging baby koala.
With a sinister expression, the man's gaze fixated on Teuila, his lips curling into a malicious grin.
"Well, well, my dear lady. How about you join our merry band? We can guarantee quite an enjoyable time together!"
The atmosphere crackled with electric tension as the bandits closed in, surrounding Archer and Teuila with malicious intent in their eyes.
Archer's lips curled into an evil smile as he uttered a single word, barely above a whisper.
"Draconis."
In an instant, he transformed into his Draconic form, his scales shimmering, his eyes blazing with an otherworldly shine.
Undeterred, Teuila drew her gleaming sword, The bandits hesitated for a split second, their confidence shaken by Archer's instant transformation.
But before they could fully grasp the unfolding spectacle, Archer and Teuila unleashed a powerful display of fierceness and precision.
He used his sharp claws to attack the bandits, easily breaking through their defense. One bandit tried to block with a shield, but he swiftly cut through it.
Archer used his tail to stab a bandit. Then, in a quick motion, he lifted the bandit's body and threw it forcefully at the bandit leader.
Meanwhile, Teuila danced through the chaos with graceful fury, her sword singing a deadly symphony with each swing.
She deflected a strike and swiftly retaliated with a lightning-fast slash across a bandit's neck, blood spraying through the air.
Caught off guard and overwhelmed by the power and skill of the pair, the bandits began to crumble beneath the weight of their own arrogance.
Archer's draconic form proved unstoppable, and Teuila matched his intensity, each movement a testament to her training.
After several slaps, the man finally stirred and regained consciousness, his face showing signs of pain from the blows.
The bandit's eyes widened with fear as he saw the pair before him, imagining them as a demon duo hiding behind youthful mischief.
Teuila looked at the man and let out a playful giggle, saying, "Arch, your eyes are so beautiful."
Archer, surprised by her flirting, thought to himself. 'Is she really flirting with me at a time like this?'
He chuckled to himself, then turned his attention to the bandit lying on the ground and inquired, "Tell me where your hideout is. If you do, there's a chance I won't end your life."
The bandit leader gazed up in terror at the smiling young man, his voice caught in his throat as his eyes shifted towards the mysterious girl with vibrant blue hair.
Without hesitation, Archer delivered a series of forceful slaps to the bandit leader's face, his voice firm, and commanding. "Tell me, Mr. Bandit. Where is your hideout?"
With a voice trembling with fear, the bandit finally found the courage to speak. "It's further north in the Howling Jungle. There's a massive tree, and nearby, we've claimed a vast cave system as our hideout."
Desperate to save his own life, he revealed every detail he knew. However, his hope quickly turned to despair as he felt a sharp object pierce his chest.
Glancing downward, he discovered a stunning white tail impaling him. Archer effortlessly lifted the man, bringing their eyes to the same level.
The bandit spat out his words, his fading voice filled with disbelief. "But why? I've told you everything!"
Archer locked eyes with the man, his gaze unyielding. "Bandits deserve nothing but death. May you find redemption in your next life."
With a swift, calculated motion, he drove his claw deep into the man's chest, extracting his heart. he flung the bandit's body into the jungle.
Archer stored the heart in his Item Box, all the while aware of Teuila's wide-eyed gaze fixed upon him. She watched in disbelief as he moved about, collecting the hearts of the dead bandits.
Shaking her head in both disbelief and concern, Teuila couldn't contain her curiosity any longer.
Her eyes narrowed as she confronted him. "Arch, what on earth are you doing with that man's heart?"
Pausing for a moment, Archer met Teuila's gaze, sensing the unease emanating from her. With a weariness in his voice, he finally responded.
"Let's continue towards their hideout, and I'll explain everything along the way," he suggested.
Teuila nodded in agreement, and together they set off, heading north toward their destination.
They began their journey northward, silence hanging in the air as Teuila patiently awaited an explanation from Archer.
Realizing it was time to reveal the truth, he took a deep breath and spoke.
"Well, when I woke up from my coma, I discovered that I had become the White Dragon. As one of the perks of being a dragon, I have the ability to consume the hearts of both humanoids and beasts. These hearts hold a unique form of mana, and by consuming them, I gain various benefits."
Teuila abruptly halted her steps, her expression thoughtful as she mulled over the revelation.
After a brief pause, she turned toward Archer, a smile gracing her face, the very smile that had become so dear to him.
The pieces fell into place, and understanding washed over Teuila. "Well, that definitely explains your incredible strength. Though some might consider it cheating, I have to confess, Arch, I'm genuinely grateful that you possess this ability," she admitted warmly.
Her fingers interlaced with his, she gave his hand a gentle squeeze, her eyes gleaming with affection.
With a beaming smile, she added one final assurance, "Never forget, my Tama, I will always be by your side."
With a tender smile, Archer held Teuila's hand gently, his gratitude shining through. "Thank you, Teuila. Your support means everything to me."
In response, she planted a sweet kiss on his cheek, reaffirming their bond, before they continued their journey.
Eventually, they arrived at the colossal tree the bandit leader had mentioned. Archer, tapping into his heightened dragon senses, detected a foul odor wafting from the right side.
His gaze fixed upon the source, revealing a cave entrance guarded by a group of bandits.
Turning to Teuila, Archer relayed the information. "The cave entrance is just ahead, and it's being guarded by a group of bandits."
Teuila nodded, her determination evident. "What's the plan?" she inquired, ready for a fight.
Archer thought for a second before coming up with an idea. He turned to her and told her to follow him.
They cautiously advanced toward the cave entrance, with Archer unleashing darkness Element Bolts.
As they observed Archer's actions, Teuila swiftly conjured Water Bullets and joined him in launching their spells at the guards.
The projectiles, composed of water and darkness, struck each guard with deadly precision, causing them to drop lifelessly with a resounding thud.
Teuila couldn't contain her excitement and playfully nudged Archer, a wide smile gracing her face.
At that moment, he couldn't help but think to himself. 'This girl is so adorable.'
As they neared the entrance of the bandit hideout, Archer and Teuila took a moment to scan their surroundings.
However, Archer's instincts sharpened, and he swiftly halted Teuila's progress. Concerned, Teuila looked at him and inquired, "What's wrong?"
Archer met her gaze and calmly explained, "There's a trap set up at the entrance. Let me take care of it."
Stepping forward, he used his claw to dismantle the primary mechanism of the trap, rendering it harmless and removing the danger.
[A/N - Leave some comments, power stones, and gifts. It all helps support the book. Artwork in the comments or discord]
[Will be dropping 1 chapter for a few days to write my privileged chapters. Thanks for understanding]
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