Leo stood tall with his arms crossed behind his back, sharp blue eyes meticulously scanning a translucent map projected by his system, the neon lines and dots pulsating like a living entity. The map displayed Alex's current movements, a solitary red dot moving slowly through the southeastern region—a crimson beacon of fate hurtling toward the inevitable.
"Shadow Force," Leo's calm but commanding voice resonated through the air, drawing the attention of his dedicated subordinates, their black-clad forms blending seamlessly into the shadows of the room. "Keep a tight watch on Alex."
His words hung heavily in the air, a decree that illuminated the tension within the group, a collective commitment to their leader's vision.
"Especially his interactions with any merchants. If he strikes a deal, I want full details within the hour."
With resolute bows, the black-robed members of the Shadow Force vanished like shadows merging with the encroaching darkness, their obedience a striking reminder of their loyalty to the mission that Leo had woven.
Leo turned back to the map, sipping tea calmly, allowing the warmth of the beverage to seep into him as he pondered the intricacies of the unfolding narrative, until a soft chime sliced through his thoughts, prompting his attention.
[Ding! Shadow Force Report: Alex has accepted a task—eliminate goblins harassing villagers and stealing food.]
Leo raised an eyebrow and leaned back, the corners of his mouth teasing the edges of a smirk. "So... it begins," he mused, recalling the story from his past life with vivid clarity. Today was the day Alex would encounter his most powerful ally—a being that would one day stand beside him through wars, trials, and the very fabric of destiny itself: the Celestial Dragon.
A legendary species that had lingered in the shadows of lore, thought to be long extinct after the Ancient Monster Calamity that had swept through the world like a ceaseless tide of destruction. Back then, when monsters were titans, larger than life and corrupting the land, the dragons had been mankind's finest allies.
But they paid a heavy price. Celestial Dragons—noble, powerful, majestic beings—had vanished, wiped out by relentless battles that spanned epochs, their cries echoing in the annals of time.
Today, however, Alex was destined to stumble upon something that would reshape his fate forever. A dragon egg. Not just any egg, but the last Celestial Dragon's egg—the final remnants of a legacy long thought obliterated.
Leo's eyes narrowed, determination etched across his features. "Not this time," he growled softly, refusing to let destiny dictate the course of his actions.
With a swift motion, he opened the [System Mall] and quickly browsed through the monster companion section, his heart racing with anticipation. Sure enough, dragon eggs were available for purchase—tempting glimpses into potential future allies. But as he scrolled down the listings, all he found were weak quality eggs, feeble offspring devoid of the majesty associated with the Celestial Dragon lineage.
"System," Leo called out, his tone laced with impatience. "Is there any powerful dragon egg in the mall?"
[System: No powerful dragon species egg available in current mall listings. High-tier eggs must be obtained through plot deviation or world exploration.]
Leo wasn't surprised. He had expected this. This world had its own twisted rules, and he intended to exploit them to their fullest.
He glanced at the available egg listed in the mall, a dull option that registered in his mind like a sad parody of magnificence, labeled:
[Glacion Dragon Egg - Price: 5000 Points.]
Curiosity ignited within him as he clicked for the full description.
[This dragon is known to be the weakest among all dragon species. It is lazy, consumes an excessive amount of food, and refuses to fly unless absolutely necessary.
While physically strong, it is known to sleep more than fight. Recommended for use by merchants or farmers for hauling goods.
Once it recognizes a master, it is extremely clingy and will refuse separation.]
Leo read the entire description twice, his features morphing from intrigue to outright amusement.
Then he burst out laughing, the sound rich and full in the quiet of the training hall. "A gluttonous, clingy dragon? What a ridiculous creature."
Still, with a resolve burning in his heart, he clicked to purchase it without hesitation.
[Ding! Congratulations to host for purchasing the Glacion Dragon Egg. Egg has been stored in system inventory.]
The moment he acknowledged the egg's arrival, Leo's expression turned serious once more. That Celestial Dragon Egg… that was the real prize and he would have to keep it secret at all costs to steer fate in his direction.
With quick commands, Leo shared his will with the Shadow Force. "Go to these coordinates—" he provided a location marked on the map, a hidden cave not far from the goblins' hideout. "Retrieve whatever you find there.
Especially if it's glowing. And be quick. Do not let Alex get there first."
Each operative moved with immediate obedience, their training kicking in seamlessly as they melted into the shadows, disappearing without a trace. Hours passed as Leo paced slowly inside his training hall, the anticipation coursing through him like electricity when another chime rang.
[Ding! Item delivered. Shadow Force successfully retrieved unknown egg from hidden cave. Egg coloration: blue and white.]
The moment Leo heard the notification, a sly smile curved his lips, an expression of triumph settling over him. "So, it was real after all," he murmured, his heart racing with the thrill of victory.
Inside the cave, the Celestial Dragon egg had remained hidden for untold years, disguised under ancient runes that could only be bypassed by those familiar with draconic lore—a protection that had kept its precious contents safe from those who would exploit its power.
But Leo had seen through its veil of deception and struck early, claiming the egg for himself. Now, the shimmering blue-and-white orb lay in a cushioned box inside his room, glowing softly as if it were imbued with the very essence of the cosmos.
He gently reached out and stroked its cool surface, feeling a connection pulse through his fingertips, a silent promise of unfathomable potential.
"Welcome home, my future partner," he whispered, the words hanging in the air like an incantation, solidifying his bond with the legendary creature before it was even hatched.
Meanwhile, back at the goblin task location, Alex was on high alert. Despite the knowledge that he faced several adversaries, he couldn't shake the unsettling sensation creeping under his skin—a gnawing feeling that he was being watched, like prey stumbling unknowingly into a predator's gaze.
"Strange… I feel like I'm being watched," he murmured, brow furrowing in confusion as he glanced around, instinctively seeking the source of his discomfort.
Then—
"Achoo!"
He sneezed hard, the force surprising him, and rubbed his nose with a grin that split his face wide open.
"Haha! Which beauty is thinking about me now? Sophia? Or maybe Selena?" he proclaimed, his voice ringing with self-assuredness, buoyed by the confidence of youth and an inflated sense of importance.
His team exchanged awkward glances, the atmosphere thickening with shared disbelief.
"Is he… okay?" one Shadow Force member whispered through their communication channel, incredulity dripping from his words.
"Delusional," another offered dryly, their exasperation evident.
"Or maybe narcissistic. Definitely narcissistic," a third chimed in, the light banter cutting through the tension of their mission.
Leo, watching the entire scene unfold through a live feed from his system, chuckled softly to himself, amusement dancing in his blue eyes. "My dear Alex… how pitiful.
Every opportunity you think belongs to you will now become my stepping stone," he stated, confidence oozing from his words, the thrill of victory pulsating through him like a runner crossing the finish line.
He held up the Celestial Dragon egg again, admiring its ethereal glow, a symbol of power and potential that would soon belong to him.
"Enjoy dealing with the goblins, Alex. I already got your real reward."
And once again, somewhere deep within the verdant embrace of the forest, Alex sneezed uncontrollably.
"Definitely Selena this time," he said to himself, smirking as he dismissed the unsettling feelings that continued to nag at him.
Back in the shadows, Leo's agents almost dropped their binoculars in bewilderment at the unfolding spectacle.
"…What is wrong with this guy?" one of them muttered, witnessing the absurdity of it all.
They all sighed, a sound laced with exasperation, but their loyalty to Leo only deepened.
After all, their master had snatched yet another miracle from the grasp of destiny's chosen one—a feat that only stoked the fires of their allegiance. Each victory, each triumph, buoyed them, transforming them from mere followers into a tightly-knit force united by ambition and shared purpose.
And he was only just getting started.
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To be continued…
(✧ω✧)
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