A deep silence settled across the scorched battlefield following the aftermath of Axton's battle with the Fire Dragon.

The air was still heavy with the smell of smoke and molten stone, yet amidst that eerie calm, Axton found himself breathing again.

A wave of humility washed over him as he processed what had just happened.

He had survived the attack of a Level 50 Unique Grade monster.

A Fire Dragon.

That thought alone sent a chill down his spine.

His heart was still racing, his mind replaying the explosion of fire that had nearly consumed him.

The clash between his Great Ice Wall and the dragon's Fireball had torn through the earth like a miniature apocalypse.

Axton stared at his trembling hands, then let out a long breath. "That… was too close."

Even now, his HP bar hadn't fully recovered, and his ice armour was barely hanging together.

The Fire Dragon's single skill had done this much damage.

That was the terrifying part.

The Fire Dragon had only used one skill!

Axton wasn't sure whether to feel relieved or insulted.

If that creature had gone all out, he doubted he'd still be standing here.

He clenched his fists. "So that's the power of a true dragon…"

Despite everything that happened, he had done it.

He had survived the trial.

He had pushed through the impossible and come out alive.

That, in itself, was a victory.

The familiar sound of a notification broke through his thoughts.

*Ding*

[You have passed the Dragon Knight Trial]

[You have gained the following rewards:]

[1. 20,000 EXP]

[2. 200 Silver Coins]

[3. Items (x2)]

"Let's see what we've got."

Axton opened his inventory, his excitement building for a moment until he actually saw the rewards.

The anticipation died instantly.

He hissed under his breath. "You've got to be kidding me…"

A Grade 2 Longbow and Arrow Combo and a Grade 1 Armour.

That was it.

Axton pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed.

It wasn't that he was ungrateful, but after fighting a Level 50 Unique grade monster, he had expected something far more substantial.

"This can't even be considered pocket change at my level," he muttered.

He still stored them in his inventory.

A reward was a reward, and in this world, even junk could someday prove useful.

Nevertheless, he couldn't help feeling a little disappointed.

"I fought a damn Fire Dragon, and this is what I got?" he said to himself, shaking his head.

Before he could complain further, another notification appeared.

*Ding*

[10,000x Critical Hit Activated]

[You have gained 20,000,000 Exp]

[Silver Coins multiplied by 10,000x]

A grin broke across his face. "That's more like it."

His Exp bar skyrocketed, glowing. Numbers flew past his vision at an almost ridiculous pace.

The exhaustion that had been weighing him down instantly melted away. He felt stronger and sharper, like every fiber of his being had been refined by fire.

He looked up at the sky, the light of victory glimmering in his eyes. "Guess it wasn't a waste after all."

A moment later, light surrounded him.

*Whoosh*

He vanished from the battlefield and reappeared back at the location where he had first met Drake, the Dragon Knight.

The world around him had changed again.

The burnt wasteland was gone, replaced by the serene clearing surrounded by mountains. The sky here was calm, blue, and filled with drifting clouds.

"Hmm, I see that you passed," a familiar voice said.

Axton turned to see Drake seated upon a massive boulder, arms folded, watching him with a knowing smile.

The Dragon Knight's armour glinted faintly under the sunlight. His presence alone radiated an aura of authority and quiet strength.

He began a slow, deliberate clap. "You truly are as incredible as the name you carry, Khan."

Axton met his gaze but didn't reply immediately.

The experience had left him drained, and words felt unnecessary.

Drake smiled faintly. "Still silent, I see. Good. Pride without arrogance. That is rare for someone of your strength."

Before Axton could respond, another notification appeared before his eyes.

*Ding*

[You have completed the quest — Dragon Knight Legacy]

[Reward: Dragon Crystal]

And then the critical hit set in again.

[10,000x Critical Hit Activated…]

[Please choose one]

[1. Dragon Crystal x10,000]

[2. Ancient Dragon Stone x1]

Axton froze. His eyes darted between the two options, but his mind was already racing.

"Ancient Dragon Stone…" he whispered. 'That name… it felt familiar.'

His memories flashed back to the moment he first met his dragon.

He recalled something about his dragon being linked to a race of Ancient Dragons.

If this stone was related to them, it meant one thing.

He didn't hesitate.

*Click*

He chose the Ancient Dragon Stone.

A bright light enveloped his hand, and an enchanting stone materialized before him.

It shone with a deep, golden glow, its surface shifting like liquid fire and crystalized scales.

Even from a distance, he could feel the immense power emanating from it.

"This… is definitely not ordinary."

He could sense that it wasn't just a simple upgrade material.

It was something alive, something that resonated with the very soul of dragons.

Whatever it was, he knew it would play a major role in his dragon's growth.

He closed his fingers around it, storing it carefully into his inventory.

Then, lowering his head respectfully, Axton turned to Drake.

"Thank you for everything," he said sincerely.

Drake smiled faintly at that. "You've earned it."

Axton hesitated for a moment before speaking again. "How about joining me back at Atlas City? I owe you at least some hospitality. You can rest, eat, and enjoy the city view for a while."

Drake chuckled, his eyes narrowing with amusement.

"You're generous, Khan. Oops! Should I say, Commander Khan now… but that won't be necessary."

He stood up from the boulder, brushing the dust off his armour. "We Dragon Knights are wanderers… nomads who follow the will and spirit of the dragons. My mission here is complete. So, I have to go."

Axton watched quietly, a faint smile on his lips.

He respected the dragon knight even more now.

Drake began walking away, his cape fluttering lightly in the breeze. Before he disappeared into the forest, he stopped and turned.

A calm smile spread across his face.

"We will most likely meet again, Khan."

And with that, a gust of wind swept across.

…Then, he vanished.

When Axton blinked, Drake was gone.

Not a single trace of his presence remained.

Only silence.

Axton stood there for a moment, feeling the emptiness the Dragon Knight left behind. Then, slowly, he laughed.

"What an interesting character," he murmured.

He tilted his head to the sky once more.

The clouds drifted lazily overhead, and the sunlight warmed his face.

The Dragon Knight Trial was over.

He had survived one of the hardest tests of his journey so far.

And now… he had something that could change the future of his dragon forever.

A small smile crept across his face. "Let's see what the Ancient Dragon Stone can really do."

With that, he summoned his dragon, ready to kickstart the next stage of the beast's evolution.

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