NOVEL NEXT Chapter 16: The Hidden Dragon’s Nest
The sun was beginning to set as Strawberry trekked deeper into the wilderness of Aincrad's 1st Floor, her footsteps silent on the mossy ground. The forest around her had grown dense, the trees towering high above, their branches twisting together to form a canopy that blocked out most of the fading light. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and pine, and the quiet rustle of leaves whispered through the stillness. It was peaceful, but deceptive.
Strawberry's eyes darted between the shadows, her hand resting on the hilt of her Anneal Blade. The closer she got to Carsar's lair, the more tension seemed to build in the air, like a storm waiting to break. She knew that the rogue dragon was lurking somewhere nearby, guarding the hatchlings he had stolen from Fuzziel, the wounded topaz dragon.
Muffin, her horned bunny companion, sat perched on her shoulder, his tiny body tense. He sniffed the air cautiously, his little claws gripping her jacket tightly. He could sense the danger too.
"We're getting close," Strawberry murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. Her gaze scanned the darkening forest ahead, searching for any sign of Carsar or his minions. She had a clear objective: find the hatchlings, defeat Carsar, and bring them back to their mother. But the path to victory was never simple, and the shadows ahead promised a dangerous fight.
As she moved further into the forest, the trees began to thin, giving way to a rocky hillside. The ground grew uneven, with jagged stones jutting out of the earth, and in the distance, the faint sound of rushing water echoed through the air. The map she had found—the one from the Dragon Huntsman's journal—had led her to this location, and now, her instincts told her that Carsar's lair was close.
Very close.
The sound of muffled voices drifted toward her, carried on the wind. Strawberry slowed her pace, moving quietly toward the source of the noise. As she crouched behind a cluster of rocks, she saw them: a group of large, brutish creatures—likely Carsar's minions—patrolling the entrance to a large cave carved into the side of the hill. They were stone golems, their bodies massive and covered in cracked, jagged rock, their glowing red eyes scanning the forest for any sign of intruders.
Strawberry narrowed her eyes, her pulse quickening. These were no ordinary mobs. Golems were known for their resilience, and taking them down would require precise, calculated strikes.
"Muffin, stay quiet," she whispered, her hand tightening around her sword. Muffin chirped softly in response, his tiny body pressed low against her shoulder as he tried to make himself as small as possible.
Strawberry knew she couldn't afford to waste time or energy. Carsar was waiting inside, and she needed to conserve her strength for the battle ahead. But these golems weren't going to let her waltz into the cave unchallenged.
She took a deep breath, steadying herself, and then darted from the cover of the rocks, moving with the speed and agility that her Martial Arts Extra Skill had granted her.
The first golem noticed her almost immediately, its red eyes flashing with recognition as it raised a massive stone arm to strike. But Strawberry was faster. She dashed forward, her Anneal Blade flashing in the dim light as she slashed across the creature's side, aiming for the weak point in its stony armor.
The golem let out a low, guttural roar as the strike landed, cracks spreading through its rocky body. But it didn't fall. It swung its arm down with crushing force, and Strawberry barely had time to dodge, rolling to the side just as the ground where she had been standing shattered under the impact.
These things hit hard.
Another golem lumbered toward her, its heavy footsteps shaking the ground. Strawberry gritted her teeth, dodging its attack with a quick backflip. She couldn't let them corner her. She had to be smart about this—strike fast, keep moving, and take them down one by one.
With a burst of speed, she dashed between the two golems, her blade cutting through the weak points in their armor with swift, precise strikes. The first golem let out a final roar as it crumbled into a pile of broken stone, its glowing eyes flickering out.
The second golem was more persistent, swinging its massive arms in wild arcs as it tried to crush her. But Strawberry's reflexes were sharp, and she ducked under the creature's attacks, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. When it overextended, she leaped forward, her sword glowing with the energy of a Sword Skill as she delivered a powerful slash to its core.
With a crackling roar, the golem collapsed, its body crumbling into dust.
Breathing heavily, Strawberry wiped the sweat from her brow, her heart racing from the intensity of the fight. Two down, but there could be more inside.
"Let's keep moving," she said softly, glancing at Muffin. The little bunny gave a nervous chirp, but remained perched on her shoulder, his eyes wide with alertness.
Together, they approached the entrance to the cave.
The air inside the cave felt oppressive, heavy with the stench of stone and old blood. Strawberry's breathing was ragged as she kept her eyes fixed on Carsar, the massive rogue dragon standing before her, his dark, jagged scales glistening in the dim light of the cave. The intensity of his glowing red eyes sent a shiver down her spine, and she could see the raw malice burning within them.
Carsar wasn't just another monster. He wasn't like the bosses she had faced before. This was personal.
He had stolen Fuzziel's hatchlings, murdered her mate, and now stood guard over his ill-gotten treasures. The hatred that radiated from him was palpable, and Strawberry knew that this battle would push her to her limits.
Muffin, sensing the tension, chirped anxiously from her shoulder, his tiny body trembling as he clung to her jacket. Strawberry reached up and gently scratched him behind the ears, trying to calm the little bunny while she readied herself.
"You've come all this way," Carsar snarled, his voice like gravel grinding against stone. He flexed his claws, his tail twitching behind him like a predator ready to strike. "But you won't leave here alive. The hatchlings are mine now, and Fuzziel is too weak to stop me. I am the true ruler of this cave!"
Strawberry tightened her grip on her Anneal Blade, her heart pounding in her chest. "You're not the ruler of anything," she shot back, her voice steady despite the fear creeping into her thoughts. "You're just a coward who preyed on the weak."
Carsar's lips curled into a snarl, baring his sharp fangs. "You'll regret those words, human."
The cave was filled with the lingering echoes of Carsar's roars, each one reverberating through the jagged stone walls, rattling the loose rocks and debris scattered across the ground. Strawberry's breath came in shallow gasps, her lungs burning from the exertion of the battle. Her muscles screamed with every movement, but there was no time to focus on the pain. Carsar hovered overhead, wings spread wide, casting an ominous shadow over her.
From her position on the cave floor, Strawberry's heart pounded as she watched the rogue dragon ascend into the air. Carsar's jagged scales glistened darkly in the faint light of the cave, and his tail, long and whip-like, swayed behind him with a menacing rhythm. His chest began to glow, a sickly orange hue pulsing like a heart, and she knew what was coming next. His Breath Attack.
Carsar had already paralyzed her once with the noxious gas that spewed from his maw, and she had barely managed to break free of it. One more hit, and she wouldn't survive. Her health bar was dangerously low, and she couldn't afford to let her guard down.
Strawberry's mind raced as she ducked behind a jagged boulder, her chest heaving with effort. How do I bring him down? She had tried wearing him out, dodging and countering his strikes, but Carsar was relentless. His attacks came with a brutal precision that spoke to his intelligence. He wasn't just another monster—he was a predator, and she was his prey.
Carsar let out a roar that shook the entire cavern, his wings flapping heavily as he hovered in the air. The glowing light in his chest intensified, and the swirling cloud of paralytic gas began to form around him once again. This is it, Strawberry thought, her body tensing. If I don't stop him now, I won't get another chance.
Her eyes darted around the cave, searching for anything she could use to her advantage. The terrain was rough and uneven, littered with the remnants of Carsar's victims—broken bones, shattered treasures, and jagged rocks that could either help or hinder her. Think, think…
Then she saw it. A large, broken stone column, leaning precariously near the center of the chamber. Its base was cracked, and its top was barely held together by the surrounding rubble. If she could use that to her advantage, it might be enough to distract Carsar, to bring him down and give her the opening she needed.
Carsar snarled, his red eyes narrowing as he spotted her movement. "You're running out of time, human," he growled, his voice thick with malice. The glow in his chest reached its peak, and the paralytic gas swirled, ready to descend.
Strawberry didn't hesitate. She darted toward the broken column, her boots slipping on the loose rocks, but she pushed forward, her muscles straining with every step. Muffin, who had been hiding behind a nearby rock, chirped nervously, his tiny paws digging into the ground as he tried to keep up with her.
As she reached the column, Strawberry grabbed onto the jagged surface and pulled herself up. The sharp edges of the stone dug into her palms, but she ignored the pain. Her heart raced, every beat drumming in her ears, as she climbed higher, positioning herself directly beneath Carsar.
The rogue dragon hovered above, his wings beating steadily as he prepared to unleash his attack. His gaze locked onto her, but before he could react, Strawberry pushed off the column with all the strength she had left.
She soared through the air, her sword glowing with the energy of a charged Sword Skill. Her body twisted as she aimed directly for Carsar's exposed neck—the one weak spot she had been waiting for. The glow of his chest was blinding, the paralytic gas swirling around him like a storm, but Strawberry focused on the target.
Carsar's eyes widened in surprise as he realized what was happening, but it was too late. Strawberry's Anneal Blade sliced through the air, the edge catching the exposed flesh beneath Carsar's scales. The impact sent a shockwave through her arms, but she held on, driving the blade deep into his throat.
A deafening roar tore from Carsar's mouth as he convulsed in the air, his wings faltering. The paralytic gas dissipated almost immediately as his body began to spasm, and he plummeted to the ground with a thunderous crash. The ground shook beneath them, the force of his landing sending a cloud of dust and debris into the air.
Strawberry hit the ground hard, rolling across the rocky floor. Pain shot through her body as she skidded to a stop, her health bar dipping even lower—HP: 8%. She gasped for breath, her vision blurring from the impact, but through the haze, she could see Carsar's massive form lying motionless on the ground.
His wings twitched weakly, and his chest, once glowing with power, now flickered faintly. His health bar was nearly depleted, flickering dangerously close to zero.
Strawberry struggled to her feet, her legs shaking as she limped toward the fallen dragon. Her breath was shallow, every muscle in her body aching from the battle. But she couldn't stop now. This was the end.
Carsar let out a low, guttural growl, his red eyes still burning with hatred, even as his strength failed him. "You… think… you've won?" he rasped, his voice barely a whisper. Blood dripped from his maw, pooling on the ground beneath him.
Strawberry raised her sword, her eyes locked onto his. "It's over, Carsar."
With one final, powerful thrust, she drove her blade into the weak point in his throat, twisting it as she delivered the final blow. Carsar let out a bloodcurdling roar, his body convulsing one last time before his red eyes dimmed and his body went still.
A wave of silence washed over the cave as Carsar's massive form collapsed completely, the last flicker of life leaving his body.
HP: 0%.
For a moment, she allowed herself to revel in the victory. It had been brutal, and for a few terrifying seconds, she had thought she might lose her life, but in the end, she had triumphed. The hatchlings were safe, and Carsar would never terrorize anyone again.
A notification blinked at the edge of her vision, signaling her rewards and an update to her status after leveling up so many times. Strawberry took a deep breath and brought up her status menu, eager to see how far she had come since the start of her journey.
Strawberry's Status Update:
Player Name: Strawberry
Level: 23
HP: 2800/8000
EXP: 1850/15000 (Next Level: 24)
Col: 7200
She exhaled a long, shaky breath, her body trembling from the sheer exhaustion of it all. Her health bar was dangerously low, and her limbs felt like they were made of lead. But she had won. She had defeated Carsar and saved the hatchlings.
Strawberry's eyes drifted toward the corner of the chamber where the hatchlings were still huddled together. Their tiny, topaz-colored bodies were shaking with fear, their eyes wide as they cautiously peeked out from behind the rocks.
Strawberry sheathed her sword, her heart softening as she approached them slowly. They were so small, so vulnerable, caught in the middle of a battle they didn't understand.
One of the hatchlings, the smallest of the group, let out a soft whimper as it limped toward her, its wings trembling. A deep scratch ran along its side, and the dust and blood that covered them dulled its bright reddish topaz scales.
Strawberry knelt down, her movements slow and gentle, and reached out a hand to the tiny creature. The hatchling hesitated for a moment, its wide eyes staring up at her, before it nuzzled against her hand, chirping softly.
A wave of relief washed over her, and for the first time since entering the cave, she smiled. "It's okay now," she whispered, stroking the soft scales of the hatchling's head. "You're safe."
The other hatchlings, seeing that their sibling had approached her, slowly began to emerge from their hiding place. One by one, they huddled close to Strawberry, their small bodies pressing against her for warmth and comfort. Muffin hopped off her shoulder and nuzzled one of the hatchlings, his tiny nose twitching as he chirped softly.
Strawberry's heart swelled with emotion as she gently patted each of the hatchlings, feeling the weight of the responsibility she had taken on. They were safe now, but she still had to bring them back to their mother.
The dust had settled in the cave, leaving only the soft glow of the Topaz Gemstone resting in Strawberry's hand. It radiated a faint warmth, and she could feel its subtle pulse beneath her fingers, like a heartbeat. This wasn't just another piece of treasure. It was something far more important—a key to something larger, something ancient.
As Strawberry examined the gemstone closely, a quest notification appeared before her, shimmering faintly in her peripheral vision:
Quest Complete: Diary of the Dragon Huntsman—Phase 1 Rewards:
500 Experience PointsTopaz Gemstone (Not Transferable)
Strawberry felt a small surge of energy as the 500 Experience Points were added to her total, a brief flicker of light indicating her progress. The Topaz Gemstone, however, was the real prize. It was half an inch in diameter, a nearly perfect sphere, and it glowed with an ethereal orange light, as if the very essence of a dragon's soul was trapped within it.
She turned the gemstone over in her hand, noting its smooth, flawless surface. "This has to be important," she muttered to herself, her thoughts racing. The journal had hinted at more, and she suspected that this gemstone was just one piece of a much larger puzzle. What else did the Dragon Huntsman know? What other secrets had he left behind?
Muffin, perched on her shoulder, let out a soft chirp, his wide eyes fixed on the glowing gemstone. The little bunny seemed to sense its importance too, nuzzling closer to Strawberry as she pocketed the gem.
Suddenly, another notification flashed before her eyes:
New Quest Unlocked: <
Strawberry's breath caught in her throat as she read the new quest title. The Demon of the Mountains. The name alone sent a chill down her spine. This was the next phase in the Dragon Huntsman's questline, and whatever was coming, it was going to be more dangerous than anything she had faced so far.
She stared at the notification for a long moment, her mind racing. The Demon of the Mountains—what kind of creature was it? And what did it have to do with the gemstones? There were still so many unanswered questions, but she knew one thing for certain: she couldn't turn back now.
With Fuzziel's hatchlings safe and the rogue dragon Carsar defeated, the next part of her journey was clear. She would need to continue following the clues left behind by the Dragon Huntsman, and that meant seeking out more journal entries, more gemstones, and confronting whatever the Demon of the Mountains was.
As Strawberry tucked the Topaz Gemstone into her inventory, the hatchlings chirped softly, their tiny bodies pressing against her legs for warmth and protection. The battle with Carsar was over, but her responsibility wasn't. She still had to return them to Fuzziel, their mother, who was likely waiting with a heavy heart.
With a deep breath, Strawberry gently gathered the hatchlings, cradling the unhatched egg in her arms. The small creatures huddled close to her, their topaz-colored scales glistening faintly in the dim light of the cave. Muffin chirped excitedly, hopping alongside them as they began the trek back to Fuzziel's lair.
The forest outside the cave was quiet, the tension that had once filled the air now replaced with a sense of peace. Strawberry moved carefully, guiding the hatchlings through the dense trees and over rocky paths, her mind still buzzing with the implications of the new quest she had unlocked. The Demon of the Mountains—it was a name that echoed with danger, and she couldn't help but wonder what kind of monster awaited her in the next phase of her journey.
After a long trek through the wilderness, Strawberry finally approached the cave that housed Fuzziel's lair. The soft glow of the topaz dragon's scales shimmered in the distance, and as the hatchlings chirped excitedly, rushing forward, Fuzziel's eyes opened wide with joy and disbelief.
The reunion was immediate and emotional.
The hatchlings scampered to their mother, nuzzling against her massive form, their tiny bodies trembling with relief. Fuzziel, though still weak from her injuries, wrapped her wings protectively around them, her golden eyes brimming with tears of gratitude.
Strawberry stood back, watching the scene unfold with a sense of fulfillment. She had done it. The hatchlings were safe, and Fuzziel's family was reunited.
Fuzziel raised her head slowly, her gaze locking onto Strawberry. "You… you brought them back," she said, her voice thick with emotion. "I didn't think… I would ever see them again."
Strawberry smiled, though her exhaustion was evident in her posture. "They're safe now. Carsar won't hurt them—or anyone else—again."
Fuzziel's massive body trembled with relief, and she lowered her head in a gesture of respect. "I owe you a debt I can never repay," she whispered, her voice soft but filled with sincerity. "But I will try."
With a soft breath, Fuzziel exhaled a shimmering mist that wrapped around Strawberry, filling her with warmth and renewed energy. Her wounds healed, and her fatigue faded as the dragon's blessing flowed through her.
Blessing of the Topaz Dragon received. (+1 EVA for the next quest, stacks with normal EVA)
"And this," Fuzziel continued, reaching into the depths of her lair and producing another Topaz Gemstone, identical to the one Strawberry had found in Carsar's hoard, "is my gift to you. It holds a special power, though its true purpose may not yet be clear. Keep it with you. More of the journal entries may reveal the secret."
Strawberry carefully took the gemstone, its weight familiar in her hand, and added it to her inventory. Two gemstones now, both glowing with that same faint, ethereal light. Whatever their purpose, they were significant—pieces of a larger puzzle that would no doubt lead her deeper into Aincrad's mysteries.
As she stood there, Fuzziel nuzzled her hatchlings, her golden eyes softening with love and relief. "May the winds guide you on your journey, human. You have my eternal gratitude."
Strawberry bowed her head slightly, touched by the dragon's sincerity. "Thank you, Fuzziel. I'll take good care of the gemstone—and I'll make sure your hatchlings are safe."
With one final glance at the reunited family, Strawberry turned and began her journey back through the forest. Her next challenge awaited her, and it was clear that things were only going to get more difficult from here.
The Unveiling of DHA 2: The Demon of the Mountains
As Strawberry and Muffin made their way back through the wilderness, the glow of the Topaz Gemstones pulsing faintly in her inventory, her mind raced with thoughts of the next part of her journey.
The Demon of the Mountains—just the name sent a thrill of anticipation down her spine. The first part of the Dragon Huntsman's quest had led her to a powerful rogue dragon, but this next phase promised to be even more challenging. What kind of creature would she face?
A quiet chirp from Muffin broke her train of thought, and she glanced down at the little bunny perched on her shoulder. His wide eyes reflected the light of the fading sun, and he nudged her cheek affectionately.
"I know, Muffin," she murmured, reaching up to scratch him behind the ears. "We're not done yet. There's still more to this story."
As she walked, she pulled up her quest log, reviewing the details of the new quest she had unlocked:
<
Strawberry's eyes narrowed as she read the quest description. This demon wasn't going to be easy. But she had no intention of backing down now. The Topaz Gemstones had to be connected to the greater mystery of the Dragon Huntsman's legacy, and if she could uncover more journal entries, she might find the truth behind their purpose.
She continued onward, her mind set on the journey ahead. Her real adventure was just beginning, and whatever awaited her in the mountains, she would be ready.
With two Topaz Gemstones in hand and a new quest unlocked, Strawberry felt the weight of her journey settle on her shoulders. The Demon of the Mountains would be her next challenge, and the secrets of the Dragon Huntsman's quest were still waiting to be unraveled.