Artificial Fantasy

Chapter 128: The Great Dragon

[A few hours ago...]

[Rawr! Rawr!]

I chuckle as the baby [Sapphire Dragon] climbs onto my head when I take out another [Roasted Boar] for him to eat. "Hey! Hey! I get that you're hungry, but don't climb on my head to get it!" I am quickly greeted by his licks instead. "Oh, come on! That tickles! Hahahaha!"

It has only been 2 hours since I started both [Quests]. So far, the dragon's flying progress is now at 90% and while he has a few bruises from some falls I missed catching him on a few occasions, his [HP] remains at 100% thanks to a few potions and food I've given him during breaks. If he keeps this up, he'll be able tofly by himself at no time. Of course, that would mean he'll have to leave once Bai Hu comes back with his mother. I want him to have a good life with his mother. But at the same time, I might not see him again for the whole game. It hurts to let him go. But I know he's better with his dragon friends than being stuck with me.

[Rawr?]

Oh... I've been so lost in my thoughts that I almost threw the [Roasted Boar] in the other direction. "Sorry about that. Here." I give the boar to the baby dragon, and he enthusiastically accepts it. "You've been an awesome student, little guy. A little more and you'll be flying to the skies in no time."

[Rawr...]

To my surprise, he whines in dismay. I can tell from his face that he might also be sad once he reunites with his mother. I can share his sentiments as I gingerly stroke his head. I might as well assure him without knowing whether or not I might not see him again. "Don't worry, we'll see each other again. At least from the sky..." The dragon whines again. I groan, realizing that might've been a poor choice of words. "Sorry. Honestly, I'm not sure if we will see each other again. But I promise I won't forget you. We didn't have pets back home because of Dad's allergies and when I met you, I felt like you're the pet I wanted for so long. At the same time, I knew that would mean taking away from your mother and friends and I don't want that to happen. It hurts, but I would rather let you become a dragon with the freedom of the sky than be a pet owner who yanked you away from your home."

[Rawr...]

It hurts telling him the facts, but that's what I think about being a pet owner. I'm okay with pet shops and stuff. But if it means being an owner who forced a family apart, then I can't say "yes" to that offer. At the very least, I feel like that's what he wants after the [Quests] are done.

[Rawr! Ra-aw?] Suddenly, the dragon looks up to the sky and grows angry. [Grr... Rawr! Rawr!]

Huh? Has he detected another monster? Strangely, there's no rustling or growling behind the bushes. So how...

[ROOOOAAAAARRRRR!!!]

That's a bit deeper and louder than this little guy. Did Bai Hu come back with his mother? I quickly look up and see a red blur coming towards us like a meteor.

"Spirit of Sylph, I ask for your aid. Grant me the power of the wind to outrun and defeat my opponents! [Bluster Speed]!"

Without uttering another word after the buff spell, I grab the dragon and charge out of the open area before the blur crashes into the ground, creating a large crater that it occupies. If I hadn't buffed myself before it hit us, both of us would have died back there. I don't know how it happened, but I know that "monster" ain't the baby dragon's mother.

[ALRIGHT! WHERE ARE THEY?! I SENSED A LARGE MANA COMING FROM THIS LANDMARK!]

Huh? Did that dragon...just talk by now? No... I noticed a new notification as soon as he "talked".