Chapter 309

Chapter 309: The Master of Granville Monster Forest

Deep within the Granville Monster Forest.

Beneath towering, densely-packed trees, five Earth Dragons of varying sizes congregated before a stone cavern entrance.

The largest stood seven to eight meters tall, cloaked head to toe in dark iron-colored scales—the most massive among them. Another brown-scaled specimen bristled with countless spines across its body, resembling a hedgehog more than an Earth Dragon at first glance. The smallest, barely half the height of their towering leader at three to four meters, possessed smooth emerald scales that gleamed under sunlight. A crimson-scaled beast with smoldering plates and vicious eyes stood beside an azure counterpart whose frost-crusted scales mirrored its glacial stare.

"El, why summon us all?"

The last arrival was the hedgehog-like Jon, directing his Psychic Call toward the obsidian-scaled giant named Aier.

"Have you noticed nothing amiss?" Aier countered.

"You mean those Earth Dragons?" piped Kekui, the petite green dragon, his shrill voice grating like metal on stone.

"Precisely. Yesterday—"

"Why bother with those weaklings?" Fire Dragon Fan interrupted, spewing flames like toxic spit. The fiery projectile struck ground, exploding across snowfields—melting drifts to water that vaporized into mist. Unquenched flames then ignited snow-buried grass, spreading rapidly—

Until a blizzard-charged blast smothered the advancing inferno.

"Orna! You ice-worm seeking battle?!" Fan roared as winter’s chill deepened around them.

Ignoring the fire-breather, the Ice Dragon addressed others: "I observed them pursuing some monster from the forest’s heart yesterday."

"Monster?" Fan sneered, though his sideways glance at Orna betrayed caution. "What fool creature would challenge dragon-blooded beings? Even failures outrank other forest dwellers."

"Yet Fan," Aier’s voice turned grave, "your words may hold truth. This forest might indeed harbor an advanced monster bold enough to defy us."

The iron-scaled leader continued: "At dawn’s light, mere dozens remain in the deep woods. Nearly a hundred have ventured beyond…and not returned. You grasp the implications."

The expressions of the other four dragons darkened simultaneously.

Nearly a hundred?

Since the Experience Value near the stone cave increased automatically at the fastest rate, and due to a certain presence within the cave, they had long confined their activities to the cave’s vicinity, rarely paying attention to the other Earth Dragons.

This was why Earth Dragon Aier only detected anomalies after nearly a hundred Earth Dragons had vanished.

For nearly a hundred Earth Dragons to be mobilized at once… the enemy…

"It must be ant-type monsters," Aier continued.

"Recently, I heard from those Earth Dragons that several ant-like monsters have been hunting creatures in our territory."

"Ants? Are you mocking us?"

"I speak truth. Though ants, these monsters are as large as wolfhounds."

Aier cast a sidelong glance at the fire dragon.

"Fan, you’d best watch your tone. Even at summer’s peak, you remain no match for me."

The fire dragon appeared ready to retort but ultimately snorted in displeasure.

"Regardless, should we not investigate firsthand? Those Earth Dragons might yet live," suggested the spiny Earth Dragon Jon.

After brief consideration, the other four dragons nodded.

The Earth Dragons’ survival mattered little to them; their true concern lay with the ant monsters that might encroach deeper into the forest and threaten their domain.

"Yet one among us must remain behind," Aier interjected.

Their gazes turned in unison toward the cavern behind them—a massive stone maw stretching over ten meters high and several meters wider.

Silence lingered.

"How long has Mother slumbered?" Ice Dragon Orna finally inquired, her voice shedding its frost for unexpected softness.

"Over a century. An eternity…"

"A hundred years since we last beheld her… Such prolonged absence… Could Mother have…"

"Cease your baseless conjectures!" Aier snapped at Jon.

"Mother rules Granville Monster Forest, foremost among the continent’s eight great woodlands. Such a sovereign could never come to harm! Our duty remains—guard this cave and await her awakening as commanded."

"But… after all this waiting, we remain ignorant of the cave’s secrets… Have you forgotten why Mother first fell into slumber?"

"…The dragon eggs?"

A heavy silence engulfed the Earth Dragons.

True dragons spring only from dragonkind unions, while they… mere Earth Dragons bearing richer draconic blood.

Their sole distinction from common Earth Dragons lay in their superior aptitude—the coveted S Qualification.

Legends whispered that reaching Class S might grant them dragon wings, transforming them into true dragons… but legends they remained.

Moreover, attaining Class S posed monumental challenges. The Experience Value required to ascend from Class A alone resembled an endless abyss.

"Ordinary spawning wouldn’t weaken Mother into slumber. Unless…" Kekui’s shrill voice pierced their minds. "…she produced eggs of extraordinary potential."

"Even should we exhaustively reach Class S and miraculously transform, Mother would still value true dragon offspring above us—especially those surpassing our latent capabilities."

"Ultimately, Mother forbids our entry because she fears we might—"

"Enough! Mother’s affairs warrant no speculation! Her decrees brook no doubt!"

Aier’s glare silenced Kekui. After the hush, the leader pondered guardianship assignments.

Given Kekui and Jon’s repeated requests to enter the cave, neither could be trusted to stay.

Regarding combat hierarchy:

Among the five, Aier reigned supreme. Orna followed, empowered by cold climes. Jon trailed next, then Kekui, with Fan weakened by chill air.

Decision made, Aier addressed the four:

"Orna and Fan shall guard the cave. Kekui and Jon—with me."

With roles assigned, the massive Earth Dragon departed alongside the spiny and smaller Earth Dragons.