I Only Tame Dragons

Seraphina, watching the unfolding chaos, was the first to react. She spun on her heel, her voice sharp and commanding. "He's right! Retreat, everyone!"

For a brief moment, both the Kingdom of Stars and Wingless Valkyrie stood frozen, stunned by the absurdity of the situation.

Then, like a dam breaking, chaos erupted. Members of both guilds began retreating in all directions, abandoning their posts as realization dawned.

In the first place, it had been the Kingdom of Stars who initiated this fight. Why hadn't they thought of this strategy earlier? They could have saved themselves so much HP, mana, and effort.

Cedrick stood inside the barrier, his fists trembling with anger as he watched his opponents scatter like leaves in the wind. "Come back, you cowards! You dare run away from a fight?!"

Horizon's voice echoed faintly from the shadows. "For a mage, you're an idiot! What do you think this is, a duel? Strategy beats brute force, prince!"

Cedrick's face flushed with fury, his princely demeanor shattered. He stomped his foot, his frustration boiling over. "Don't let them get away! After them!"

"Come after us, and you're all dead!" Horizon's mocking laughter echoed through the forest, taunting Cedrick and his allies. "The only reason you're still breathing is because you're hiding inside that fancy little circle. Step outside, and it's game over!"

He paused for effect, his voice carrying a cold, unshakable confidence. "Your so-called impenetrable barrier isn't a shield—it's a prison. As long as you stay in there, you're safe . . . but useless. And if you step out . . ." Horizon chuckled darkly, the sound fading into the distance, "you'll meet the fate you've been trying so hard to avoid."

Cedrick's command rang hollow. His allies hesitated, knowing full well that stepping outside the barrier would mean abandoning its protection—and the precious relic's power would be wasted.

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Cedrick's anger burned hotter. If they escaped, all this effort and their most valuable artifact would be for nothing. His hands clenched tightly as the realization set in: he had been outmaneuvered, not by raw strength but by sheer cunning.

"DAMN IT!" Cedrick's furious scream ripped through the forest, echoing ominously among the towering trees. His frustration was palpable, the sound of it lingering long after he fell silent.

Meanwhile, the Wingless Valkyries had already retreated to a safe hiding spot. From their vantage point, they observed the scene below with a mix of amusement and relief.

"Whew, that Cedrick guy's a total idiot," Velvet said, laughing as she leaned back against a tree. "Is he really the second prince? Wasting an artifact like that . . . what a joke."

"It's all thanks to Horizon," Seraphina added, her tone light but appreciative. "If not for him, we wouldn't have thought of fleeing too."

"That's right," Fiora agreed, though her voice held something more—a subtle warmth that hinted at her growing admiration for Horizon. She glanced away quickly, pretending not to notice the others' teasing looks.

"I think our debt to him just keeps piling up," Aria said with a sigh.

Everyone nodded in agreement, though Dawnfire couldn't resist adding her usual flair. "If only he'd show even the slightest interest in women, I'd gladly offer him a night of . . . comfort, free of charge, of course. He's saved us enough times to earn it."Nôv(el)B\\jnn

"That's disgusting!" Velvet shot back, smacking Dawnfire on the head.

Fiora's face turned bright red, and she instinctively covered her ears. "N-no! Don't say things like that!" The very idea of Horizon being ravaged by Dawnfire made her heart race for all the wrong reasons.

"Alright, enough," Seraphina said firmly, cutting through the chatter. "Let's focus. We need to find a safe spot before those beasts catch up to us."

Without waiting for further protests, she took the lead, and the group quickly followed, their lighthearted banter replaced by wary silence.

Meanwhile, somewhere in the forest, Horizon was darting from branches to branches, a sly grin tugging at the corners of his mouth. He hadn't managed to make Trisha's team forfeit the game entirely, but forcing them to waste a precious artifact? That was a win in itself.

Every mistake they made was a step closer to their downfall.

"Plenty of time to make them lose the game," Horizon murmured to himself. His voice was calm, yet laced with a quiet, calculating malice. "And when the time comes . . . Trisha and Travis will pay."

The thought alone fueled his determination. Horizon wasn't in a rush. Victory was sweeter when savored, and he intended to enjoy every moment of their inevitable defeat.

But for bow, he needed to win the game first.

"Those idiots," Nyx scoffed, his voice dripping with disdain. "Simple tricks require simple solutions."

"Still . . ." Horizon's eyes narrowed as he gazed out into the dark expanse of the forest. "That Cedrick knew something about this place. He wasn't acting blindly—it's like he knew when the beasts might appear. He wasn't an idiot enough to eliminated Wingless Valkyrie under this circumstances unless he knew something."

Nyx tilted his head thoughtfully. "You think there's a set time when the monsters appear?"

"Maybe," Horizon replied, his voice calm but laced with curiosity. "But what bothers me is how he knew. It wasn't random."

"Magic?" Nyx suggested with a shrug.

Horizon shot him a sideways glance. "Could you do it?"

"I don't need something as cheap as magic to figure out what's happening," Nyx said dismissively. "I'll simply kill every beast in this forest and take control of the domain myself."

Horizon smirked faintly. "Right. Forget I asked."

Nyx crossed his arms, the gleam in his eyes hinting at arrogance. "What's the big deal, anyway? So he knows when the beasts show up—so what?"

"It's not just that," Horizon said, his tone growing more serious. "I'm wondering if he knew because of some spell or . . . something else."

Nyx raised an eyebrow. "Something else?"

"Someone," Horizon said quietly, his voice barely above a whisper. "Someone that favoured for the Kingdom of Stars to win."

Nyx didn't flinch. His expression remained neutral, but there was a flicker of understanding in his gaze.