Alex rode on Alphox’s back, the cold wind brushing against his face as the dragon soared through the sky.
For four days, they flew over endless landscapes, the view below shifting from dense forests to barren lands, to mountain ranges that seemed to pierce the heavens.
The journey was long, but the experience of flying with a primordial dragon was unmatched.
When night fell, Alphox would slow down, his massive wings faltering slightly as fatigue crept in.
Landing carefully on open ground, the dragon would rest while Alex prepared their meals.
Using his [Digital Inventory Watch], Alex pulled out ingredients and started cooking.
The smell of roasting meat filled the air, but the final touch always came from Alphox.
With a single breath, he summoned his [Shadow Flames], their mystical energy cooking the food to [Perfect] every time.
The meals gave them buffs, stat boosts that would’ve been impressive for anyone else.
For Alex and Alphox, however, those buffs were completely useless.
They were far beyond what simple boosts could enhance, and too far from any real threat, but the food was enjoyable nonetheless.
On the third day, while flying high above the ground, Alex noticed movement below.
A group of monsters was advancing through the plains.
“Alphox, stop,” Alex commanded.
The dragon obeyed, descending closer to the ground, his sharp eyes also observing the creatures.
These monsters were level 1,000, formidable opponents for most, but Alex didn’t even flinch.
He leapt off Alphox’s back, landing gracefully.
Without drawing his weapon, he dashed into the group of monsters, dodging their attacks and landing precise blows.
He didn’t kill them immediately, choosing instead to toy with them for one simple reason: his [Destiny Points].
Each hit and dodge increased his [Destiny Points].
After a few minutes, his [Destiny Points] reached 100.
‘That’s just in case,’ Alex thought to himself, finishing the last monster with a single strike.
Kaelios had suggested farming [Destiny Points] before big battles, a strategy Alex had taken to heart.
After all, it was stupid to not start a battle at 100, since he could always potentially end it instantly with [Fated Cataclysm] or [World Cleaver].
With the monsters cleared, he returned to Alphox.
“Let’s go,” Alex said, nodding.
Alphox spread his wings and took off again, soaring back into the sky.
By the fourth night, the towering presence of [Dragon City] was close.
The aura emanating from the city was overwhelming, a suffocating energy that made even Alphox falter mid-air.
“We’re close,” Alphox muttered, his voice unsteady. “The draconic aura here is intense… plus, I can’t let them see me.”
As said before, he could sense the energy of dragons better than most since he was a Primordial Dragon.
The dragon descended, landing gracefully on the ground far from the city.
Alex couldn’t even see it yet, but Alphox was being cautious.
“It’s about 10 kilometers ahead,” Alphox explained, his tone grave. “But I can’t go any further. The primordial dragons inside will notice my presence.”
They weren’t able to sense him now because of the high amount of dragons inside, but if he got closer, they could definitely feel that he was there.
Alex nodded. “I’ll handle the rest.”
Alphox extended his claw, and Alex met it with his fist.
The two shared a brief moment of solidarity before Alphox disappeared into the [Shadow Pet Space], leaving Alex to continue alone.
He started running.
With his enhanced speed, the 10 kilometers disappeared quickly.
The scenery blurred as he dashed forward, covering the distance in under five minutes.
However, he slowed down once he got within three kilometers of the city.
Revealing his full speed now would be unwise; he wanted to keep his abilities a secret until the right moment.
Eventually, the grand silhouette of [Dragon City] came into view.
The city was massive, its sheer size overwhelming.
Towering walls made of obsidian stone surrounded it, with glowing red runes etched into every surface.
Tens of thousands of dragons lived here, despite their race’s small population.
Dragons valued purity and power above all else, and only those deemed worthy could reside in the city.
This was the strongest city in all of [Universal Descent].
There were no cities to rival its might.
As Alex approached the entrance, he noticed others moving toward it as well.
Dozens of NPCs from every race, goblins, orcs, beastmen, angels, demons, all heading for the same destination.
They had all come for the [Dragon Bloodline Trial].
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Alex blended into the crowd, keeping his expression neutral as he marched forward.
He clenched his fists.
The entrance to [Dragon City] was heavily guarded.
Two massive dragons clad in ancient armor stood at the gate, their eyes scanning the crowd with disdain.
[Dragon City Entrance Guard – Level 1,100]
Alex’s [Cursed Eyes of Truth] revealed their levels, though he was unimpressed.
These guards were strong, but Alex knew dragons fought above their levels, meaning they could likely handle enemies above 1,300.
Still, they were nothing compared to him.
The crowd whispered nervously as they waited.
“What’s taking so long?”
“Why aren’t they letting us in?”
“Thousands of people entered already… are we too late?”
The dragons at the entrance smirked, enjoying the unease.
“Pathetic insects,” one of them growled. “You’ll wait until we allow you to enter. Be patient, or leave.”
Their words silenced the crowd, but Alex’s gaze remained steady.
The dragons looked at everyone, even the angels, as if they were insects, eyeing every single one of them one by one.
He hated that look in their eyes, the condescending superiority.
It reminded him of the [God of Darkness], the same one who had killed him in his past life.
He despised it.
He clenched his fists.
“Be different,” Alphox’s voice echoed in his mind. “Go for it.”
The swirling vortex of energy in his pupils was still present, a mark of his connection to destiny itself.
The dragons’ gazes eventually fell on him, and their smug expressions shifted.
Their eyes widened in shock as they stared at Alex, unable to shake the feeling that they were looking at a god.
‘I’m tired of waiting,’ Alex thought, stepping ahead of the crowd.
The dragons growled as he approached.
“Hey, we said to wai—”
Their words faltered as recognition set in.
The golden energy in Alex’s eyes was unlike anything they had seen before.
Their instincts screamed at them not to challenge him.
“A-All right,” one of the dragons stammered. “The orders have been clear. Everyone can enter.”
They recovered quickly, not wanting to seem weak.
The crowd murmured in confusion, but Alex didn’t care.
He walked past the dragons, their massive forms moving aside instinctively to let him through.
In truth, there had been no orders.
The dragons simply enjoyed asserting their dominance, forcing weaker races to wait while they amused themselves.
Alex’s presence, however, had shattered their facade.
Ding!
[You have entered Dragon City.]
[Good luck. You are not wanted here.]
The notification appeared in Alex’s vision as he stepped into the city.
The atmosphere was thick with power.
Dragons in their humanoid forms wandered the streets, their piercing gazes scanning every newcomer.
Alex ignored them all.
His only goal was the [Dragon Bloodline Trial].
Alphox’s voice echoed in his mind once more.
“Partner, the trial has already begun. From here on, it’s serious mode. Don’t let anything or anyone hold you back.”
“I know,” Alex muttered under his breath, his fists tightening.
With unwavering determination, he moved forward.