Absorbing Magical Energy

The sweet voice of a young girl prompted, "Residual Blood and Fire Magic energy detected. Absorb it?"

Redd responded without hesitation, "System, absorb it immediately."

At his command, the sweet, girlish system voice sounded again. "Absorbing energy."

A moment later, the voice confirmed, "Energy absorption complete. System mission completion increased by one percent."

Redd hurriedly opened the mission panel to check and found a two-percent indicator beside the energy collection mission.

Joy stirred in his heart. It seemed that hatching King Ghidorah did not require finding a living dragon. A dragon's skeleton would do as well-or rather, anything containing magical energy would do.

However, Redd soon realized that a single dragon skeleton could provide only 1% of the energy. At this rate, he would need to find 100 of them.

And whether any intact dragon skeletons remained in the ruins of Valyria was still unknown.

The thought gave Redd a headache, and he finally sighed. "I'll just have to take it one step at a time."

Redd continued onward. Not long after he left, the dragon's skeleton collapsed with a crash and dissolved into nothingness.

He knew that the skeleton had fulfilled its purpose. He had absorbed its energy to hatch King Ghidorah.

Redd's heart was filled with anticipation and determination. He knew his journey had only just begun, and more challenges and adventures awaited him ahead.

But he believed that as long as he persevered, he would surely fulfill his dream and let King Ghidorah soar through the skies once more.

Redd continued onward, his thoughts entirely occupied by the challenges to come and the hope of hatching King Ghidorah.

He did not notice that behind him, where the dragon's skeleton had vanished, countless twisted, abnormal creatures began surging out of the ground.

These creatures included various snakes with tendrils growing between their scales, all sorts of insects whose enormous mouths, packed with large, sharp teeth, were bigger than their bodies, and rotting lumps of flesh in various shapes with a human organ or limb growing from them.

They moved in packs, twisting and writhing, struggling and rolling, mingling as they advanced. The sight was so utterly revolting that disgust even overpowered fear.

These creatures did not move quickly at first, but as time passed, they gradually picked up speed until they approached a human walking pace.

They were moving in precisely the direction Redd had gone.

Redd, however, knew nothing of this and continued walking resolutely toward the shattered volcanic peak where the Dragonpit lay.

Redd's gaze was firm, and his heart was filled with determination.

He knew his journey was full of unknowns and dangers, but he also believed that as long as he persevered, he would surely fulfill his dream.

He did not know that a potential crisis was quietly drawing closer behind him.

But he knew that whatever difficulties he encountered, he had to face them bravely, for this was the path he had chosen. This was his destiny.

Redd looked up at the sky and saw heavy clouds of volcanic ash, dark and gloomy, as though they shrouded the entire world in gray.

He tried to determine his bearings by the sun, but it was all in vain. The volcanic ash clouds were so thick that not even sunlight could penetrate them, much less guide him.

Redd could not help feeling a little helpless. He knew he had lost his way.

Along the way, Redd had taken several detours around lava blocking his path, further muddling his already uncertain sense of direction.

Now he stood in a depression, surrounded by towering rock walls and mountain peaks that completely blocked his view. He could not even see the shattered volcanoes.

Redd could only rely on his memory and head in roughly the right direction.

This place was desolate and silent. Without a dragon to ride through the sky, Redd could only walk alone on the ground.

He lamented the desolation and danger here, especially the broken ground, crisscrossed with fissures that seemed like endless abysses.

Strange nocturnal creatures dwelled beneath the fissures, lurking in the darkness as they waited for prey to arrive.

Some fissures carried streams of scorching lava, giving off searing heat that sent a chill down his spine.

Others occasionally spewed great quantities of superheated gas, as though some enormous beast beneath the earth were breathing.

Redd advanced cautiously, trying to keep away from the fissures so that their scorching heat would not roast him alive.

Just as Redd was feeling lost and helpless, the view before him suddenly opened up, revealing a forest.

Excitement immediately welled up in his heart, because a forest might mean water.

He could hardly wait to explore the forest and find water to quench his thirst and ease his plight.

With a sword in his right hand and a shield in his left, Redd cautiously made his way into the forest.

The trees were tall and dense, obstructing his view and making his surroundings dim and mysterious.

He felt as though he had entered an entirely new world, one full of unknowns and dangers.

He knew he might encounter all kinds of unknown creatures and dangers in this forest.

Although his Dragon Might intimidated the surrounding creatures into keeping their distance, he could not rule out the possibility that creatures unafraid of Dragon Might existed in the forest.

Redd advanced cautiously, his steps light and steady as he tried to avoid making too much noise.

He remained vigilant at all times, protecting himself with his sword and shield.

His gaze was firm and sharp, as though he could perceive every danger hidden deep within the forest.

However, shortly after Redd entered the forest, a group of cursed creatures arrived at its edge.

A great number of deformed monsters followed behind them. Every one of these creatures that had eyes bore a crimson gleam in them, as though they were emissaries from hell.

Each used its own unique means to pick up the lingering traces of Dragon Might in the air, followed immediately by all manner of roars whose meanings were unclear.

Redd's heart tightened. He knew these creatures were coming for him.

He quickly hid behind a large tree, held his breath, and tried not to make a sound.

He inwardly counted himself fortunate. Without the protection of his Dragon Might, these creatures would have discovered him long ago.

However, the cursed creatures and deformed monsters did not give up. They continued deeper into the forest.

Redd knew he had to find water as quickly as possible and then leave this place.

He cautiously followed behind the creatures, keeping some distance so they would not discover him.

Just then, Redd caught sight of a clear lake.

Joy surged through his heart. He had finally found water. He hurried to the lakeshore and drank deeply.

Redd quickly fashioned a simple water flask from wood, filled it, and immediately left the lakeshore.

He had no desire to run into those deformed monsters, especially in this dense forest. If they surrounded him, his chances of escape would be minuscule.