Chapter 106: The Fall of Silas Ashborne
Chaz realised he had made a grave miscalculation.
He had known the dragon’s real strength was sealed. He had known it was supposed to be a B-grade creature. Even if dragons were notoriously powerful, he had believed that he and his strongest combatants could eventually bring it down.
Reality shattered that assumption the moment they clashed.
With a single exchange, he understood why every previous attempt to stop the dragon had failed. At first, he had blamed the commanders of the first army for their incompetence, the scattered state of the second army, and the dragon’s reckless fury, believing its impatience had forced it into its humanoid form before it was ready.
Now he knew none of that had mattered.
’It’s an early-stage A-grade dragon.’
That single realisation changed everything.
Even Chaz no longer believed he could defeat it alone. Standing at the same rank meant little against a true dragon.
’I need to change my approach.’
’A direct confrontation is no longer an option.’
Instead of forcing a decisive battle, he reorganized his forces into a wide formation, ordering them to surround the dragon, harass it relentlessly, and retreat before it could retaliate. His B-Enhancers would strike, withdraw, then repeat the process until countless small wounds accumulated into something fatal.
It was a slow strategy, but it offered far greater odds of success.
Then another report arrived; Cher and Silas had been spotted heading toward the mine.
’Everything is still moving according to my will.’
The dragon continued advancing toward the same destination, and knowing his daughter was there only reassured him. Although his tactics had changed, the outcome he desired remained within reach.
To ensure the dragon never changed course, Chaz followed several hundred meters behind, keeping enough distance to avoid provoking it. When the dragon reached the mine and released a deafening roaring challenge, a faint smile appeared on his face.
The confrontation he had been waiting for had finally arrived. And yet, when he saw only Silas standing atop the mine, with no trace of Cher whatsoever around, he reached an immediate conclusion.
’Trying to sacrifice yourself so Cher can escape?’
’Under different circumstances, I might have admired that resolve.’
’But today, there is no escaping my trap.’
He completely misunderstood the situation, believing Silas had stayed behind only to buy time for Cher. His men had already spread across the surrounding hills several miles away, sealing every possible escape route.
Then everything happened in an instant. Even an A-Enhancer like Chaz froze.
One moment, the dragon was poised to tear Silas apart. Next, Silas kicked the dragon into the abyss and threw himself over the edge after it.
For several seconds, Chaz simply stared blankly. Then reason returned.
’A fall like that won’t kill it.’
’A B-Enhancer could barely survive it.’
’An early-stage A-grade dragon certainly will.’
A smile slowly spread across his face.
’But the same cannot be said for a D-Enhancer like you, Silas Ashborne.’
’Your sacrifice will be in vain.’
The dragon would survive, but it would emerge grievously wounded. All he had to do was wait for it to climb back to the surface.
’First, I’ll find Cher.’
’Then I’ll force her to face the wounded dragon.’
’After I obtain what I want... I’ll kill it.’
A cold, sinister smile crossed his face as he ordered his men to search for his daughter and bring her back alive.
***
"Hahaha! That nasty brat finally got what he deserved."
On the opposite side of the mine, far from where Silas and the dragon had plunged into the abyss, the surviving Dark Hunters could only catch glimpses of what had happened.
They hadn’t seen the entire confrontation, but they had seen enough. The dragon struck, and a heartbeat later, both it and Silas disappeared over the edge.
"Such a fall is certain death."
The Wyvern leader burst into laughter.
"It truly is satisfying to watch him get what he deserves," the Chimera leader said with a cruel grin.
"That gives us our chance," the Scorpion leader said as he turned toward the others. "Everyone’s attention will be on the fallen dragon. They’ll all rush over, hoping to claim a piece of it. You know what that means."
"Does that mean we can claim a piece of the dragon, too?"
One of the survivors spoke with barely restrained excitement. The mere thought sent the others into a frenzy, their hearts pounding with anticipation.
"What a bunch of idiots."
The Scorpion leader’s cold rebuke silenced them at once.
"A dragon won’t die from a fall like that. At most, it’ll be badly wounded, which only makes it even more dangerous. If any of you have a death wish, then go ahead and jump. I’ll stay here and collect the Mana Crystals we actually came for while you rot at the bottom of that cursed abyss."
The eager expressions instantly vanished. No one dared meet his gaze. No one dared to think about the dragon.
"Much better," the Chimera leader said with a satisfied nod. "Start collecting the crystals. Only Gold-grade crystals and above are worth taking. Leave the worthless scraps behind."
The Wyvern leader immediately raised a fist into the air.
"We’re back in business, lads! Move out!"
The Scorpion leader merely rolled his eyes. The shout had been completely unnecessary, but that was simply how the Wyvern leader was. He always acted before thinking.
***
Silas wasn’t suicidal.
While testing this plan inside the Time Mind World, he had repeated that situation dozens of times.
Every simulation ended the same way. His shadow always escaped death, though surviving required something he had never attempted before.
The instant he leapt from the cliff, he crushed a Mana Crystal in his hand. Mana surged through his body, and then he poured everything into his legs.
Normally, that only sent him bursting forward at frightening speed. But after countless simulations, he discovered something he had missed.
It wasn’t Mana alone propelling him. Every burst of acceleration also triggered an eruption of Wind Element beneath his feet, creating a powerful upward force that launched him slightly into the air before carrying him forward.
That explosive lift was the key to surviving.
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