The sun pierced through the scattered clouds, bathing the mountain clearing in a warm, golden light.
Aleron stirred, his eyes fluttering open as the soft chirping of birds welcomed the morning. A gentle breeze brushed against his skin, carrying the cool scent of wildflowers and damp earth.
Beside him, the dragon lay curled like a colossal cat, its vast body rising and falling with each peaceful breath.
For a brief moment, silence and serenity filled the world.
Then came the hunger.
Aleron's stomach let out a loud growl the moment he fully awakened.
He sat up with a groan, brushing dried leaves from his body. His clothes, torn and frayed, looked no different from rags. As he adjusted his posture, the memories of the past few days rushed back like a relentless tide.
The frantic escape from the Genesis Coil. The brutal encounters with twisted abominations. The near-collapse in the wilderness, drained of strength and breath.
None of it had been easy.
It was a sharp contrast to his once peaceful life back on Earth.
Yet despite it all, Aleron preferred this life.
A faint smile curved his lips.
Driven by curiosity, he opened the system interface.
"System, take out the Tower of Heaven key. I want to see how it looks."
As soon as the words left his mouth, a ripple of shimmering light danced in the air. A small black key materialized before him, suspended midair. Its surface glistened faintly, etched with glowing cracks that pulsed like veins of stardust trapped in obsidian.
Tower of Heaven.
The phrase echoed in his mind, and he recalled the notification vividly—"A key to ascend and wander the starry skies…"
A thrill ran through his chest.
But first…
His gaze turned toward the forest ahead.
"I need something to eat."
Stretching out his limbs, he glanced at Ashkar. The dragon remained curled in place, moving slightly but still asleep.
He could sense the exhaustion clinging to the creature.
"You rest," Aleron said quietly. "I'll go find us something."
With barely a sound, he disappeared into the woods.
The forest was dense, filled with towering trees draped in moss. The air was damp and cool, carrying the soft rustle of unseen wildlife. Animal tracks pressed into the mud hinted at nearby movement.
Aleron activated his Infernal Eyes, scanning the area with focused precision.
After a few careful steps, a soft glow caught his attention.
In the distance, a faint light radiated from a footprint.
He moved closer and crouched to examine it.
The impression was deep, clawed, and unmistakably from a beast.
Following the trail with swift steps, he soon spotted a massive boar-like creature drinking from a nearby stream. Its hulking frame was covered in dark bristles, and two curved tusks jutted from its face like stone-carving blades.
Aleron lowered himself and studied the beast.
Just then, he noticed something nearby.
A shard of iron lay half-buried in the dirt. He reached for it silently and tightened his grip around the cool, rough metal.
Then he lunged.
In a flash, he closed the distance.
With all his speed and strength, he drove the shard forward.
A wet thunk echoed through the forest.
The makeshift weapon pierced the creature's skull, sinking deep. The beast crumpled to the ground with a heavy thud, its blood pooling into the soil.
Aleron blinked in surprise.
The boar had not even twitched.
Approaching the lifeless body, he muttered, "That'll do."
After a moment of struggling, he managed to hoist the beast over his shoulder. Muscles tensed, he turned back toward the clearing.
Ashkar opened one eye lazily as Aleron returned, then let out a long yawn.
"Wake up, sleepyhead," Aleron said, chuckling as he patted the dragon's head. "Time to cook."
Ashkar snorted, and a faint puff of reddish-orange flame escaped his nostrils.
"Good," Aleron grinned. "I'll take that as a yes."
He set the boar down and quickly began cleaning the carcass. In his past life, he had watched enough survival shows to know what to do.
After butchering and cutting thick slices of meat, he skewered them onto sharpened sticks and turned to Ashkar.
"Flame."
The dragon exhaled a precise burst of fire. The meat sizzled instantly, and soon the air was filled with the rich aroma of roasting flesh.
It smelled divine.
Aleron took a bite the moment it was cooked. The juices flooded his mouth with savory flavor, rich and slightly smoky.
"Gods… this is better than anything I ate on Earth."
He ate in silence, eyes glowing with satisfaction.
Ashkar tilted his head, puzzled.
He had been watching Aleron closely.
"Is it really that good?" the dragon thought.
Without hesitation, Ashkar reached for a skewered piece and bit into it. His sharp teeth snapped through the meat and the stick alike.
His eyes lit up immediately.
"Dad, this is really good! Almost as good as those abominations!"
Hearing those words, Aleron laughed softly, though a strange thought lingered in his mind.
If abominations really taste that good… what would it feel like to feast on one?
Just then, a faint metallic clink reached his ears.
He froze.
Muffled voices followed, growing louder by the second.
Aleron stood up slowly and turned in the direction of the sound.
Through the trees, he glimpsed movement.
Silhouettes emerged—three figures stepping cautiously through the underbrush. Two men and a woman, each clad in battered armor and gripping crude weapons.
Their clothes were stained with dust and blood.
Aleron narrowed his eyes.
Ashkar, sensing the tension, shifted subtly into a guarded stance, muscles coiled.
"…You sure this is the place?" one of the men whispered.
"Yes. The scouts said someone crashed here last night. There are traces of a large creature. Could be dangerous," the woman replied.
"I don't like this. We're too far from the city…"
City.
The word echoed in Aleron's mind, instantly drawing his attention.
He stepped forward, making his presence known.
"You're looking for me?"
Their heads whipped in his direction. Weapons rose. Their eyes hardened.
"Who are you?" the woman asked sharply.
Aleron raised both hands in a non-threatening gesture.
"Relax. I'm just a traveler who lost his way."
Their gazes flicked toward Ashkar.
Though they had not seen any footage yet and didn't recognize Aleron, it was clear from the dragon's presence alone that he was no ordinary man.
"…Your summon?" the man beside the woman asked.
Ashkar let out a low growl. The ground trembled subtly beneath his claws.
'Dad, should I bite off one of them like I did with those loud men before?'