I Only Tame Dragons

The group set off cautiously, each step deliberate and quiet. The forest grew thicker as they moved north, the twisted trees forming an almost impenetrable canopy overhead. Shadows stretched across the ground, creating an eerie atmosphere that set their nerves on edge.

The deeper they went, the more they realized something was wrong. The usual sounds of distant creatures and rustling leaves had vanished, replaced by an oppressive silence. Even the wind seemed to have stopped.

"I don't like this," Lydia whispered, clutching her blade tightly.

"Stay alert," Horizon said, his eyes scanning the surroundings.

Suddenly, a low growl echoed from somewhere ahead. The group froze, their hands instinctively going to their weapons. Out of the shadows emerged a creature unlike any they had seen before. It was massive, at least ten feet tall, with a sleek black body covered in jagged, obsidian-like scales. Its eyes glowed an unsettling shade of red, and its claws gleamed like polished steel. Discover hidden stories at empire

"A Shadow Ravager," Von breathed, his voice trembling. "High-tier beast. We can't fight that."

Horizon's mind raced. Fighting was suicide, but running wasn't much better—Shadow Ravagers were known for their speed and agility. Their only chance was to hide or distract it long enough to escape.

"Silphie," Horizon said quietly, "do you have anything left? Any spells that can create a diversion?"

She shook her head. "I don't have much other spells except for support, but I can maybe cast a weak illusion, but that's it."

"It'll have to do. Cast it over there," Horizon instructed, pointing to a cluster of rocks a short distance away.

Silphie nodded and concentrated, her hands glowing faintly as she muttered an incantation. A shimmering illusion of a small animal appeared near the rocks, darting back and forth as if it were searching for food.

The Shadow Ravager's eyes flicked toward the illusion, and it let out a low snarl before prowling toward it cautiously.

"Now," Horizon whispered. "Move—slowly."

The group began to retreat cautiously, each step measured and silent. They initially feared that Frigid's massive size would make stealth a challenge, but to their surprise, the ice giant moved with more grace and caution than they did, his heavy footsteps barely making a sound on the forest floor.

They kept their eyes on the beast, hearts pounding in their chests. Just as they reached the edge of the forest clearing, the Shadow Ravager let out a deafening roar. The illusion had vanished, and it realized it had been tricked.

"Run!" Horizon shouted.

The group broke into a sprint, weaving through the dense forest as the Shadow Ravager charged after them. Trees blurred past, branches whipping at their faces, but they didn't dare slow down. The beast's heavy footsteps thundered behind them, growing louder with each passing second.

"Up ahead!" Von shouted, pointing to a narrow ravine. "We can lose it there!"

Without hesitation, Horizon led the group toward the ravine. They leapt across the narrow gap, landing on the other side just as the Shadow Ravager reached the edge. It skidded to a stop, snarling in frustration as it realized it couldn't follow.

Breathing heavily, the group collapsed on the ground, their hearts racing.

"That . . . was too close," Lydia gasped.

Horizon nodded, wiping sweat from his brow. "Yeah. But we're still alive. Three more days. We just have to survive three more days."

And so, the brutal challenge continued.

It was only during the first few days that the players had struggled desperately, many meeting gruesome ends at the claws and fangs of high-tier beasts. Every encounter was a gamble with death, and for those who failed, the game ended swiftly.

However, as time went on, the surviving players began to adapt. They learned the patterns of the beasts, discovered safer routes, and mastered methods of concealment. What initially seemed like an impossible challenge gradually became more manageable, though it was never without peril. By the end of the week, those who endured had done so through grit, cunning, and sheer will.

Cheers erupted when the Wingless Valkyries made it through, their reputation as one of the strongest guilds holding firm. The crowd's excitement only grew when the Brotherhood Legion, fan favorites to win, followed shortly after, looking battle-hardened yet victorious.

Next came the Kingdom of Stars, though their entrance lacked the same enthusiasm. Their faces were grim, and their disappointment was palpable. Despite securing their place in the next round, they couldn't hide their frustration. They had wasted a rare, irreplaceable artifact in a futile skirmish that gained them nothing. They might have survived the second challenge, but they walked away feeling as if they had lost far more.

After a parade of first-tier and second-tier guilds completing the round, a noticeable shift in the crowd's energy occurred when a seemingly unknown group appeared.

"And what's this?!" the emcee's voice boomed, instantly drawing everyone's attention. "A nameless guild—comprised of independent players—has made it through the second game alive!" His voice brimmed with astonishment. "Could they be this year's dark horse?!"

The bustling arena fell into a hushed murmur as whispers circulated among the crowd. Faces turned, eyebrows raised in disbelief. Skepticism was heavy in the air.

"Who are they?"

"Never heard of them."

"How did they survive when even some of the best guilds didn't make it?"

Speculation spread like wildfire. Were they a group of unknown experts hiding their true capabilities? Perhaps they possessed an artifact or hidden skill that allowed them to pull off the impossible? No one knew for sure, but the mystery only deepened the intrigue surrounding them.

Meanwhile, amidst the swirling buzz of gossip and doubt, Horizon and his group remained composed, unaffected by the stares and whispers.

"I'm just relieved we made it out of that ridiculous dimension alive," Lydia said, exhaling in relief. Her shoulders visibly relaxed, a sign of how tense she had been throughout the ordeal.

"And now we can finally eat some real food," Silphie added, her eyes sparkling at the thought of something other than survival rations.

Frigid gave a silent nod, his usual stoic expression unchanged, while Von stretched his arms above his head with a grin. Overhead, Cappy was chirping happily as if celebrating to finally taste real food.