A Dragon against the Whole World

Chapter 72: Chapter 72: Howling Moon Clan, the Advancing Red Copper Dragon

Needleleaf Valley, Sulfur Pool.

Galos throws pieces of Red Copper Ore into it.

This ore is distributed around Needleleaf Valley, a type of fire element metal ore, which reacts with the Sulfur Pool, creating a high-temperature reaction. The Violent Bears have previously used red copper to enhance the Sulfur Pool’s effect, making it boil hotter and produce more steam.

Sizzle, sizzle, sizzle!

When pieces of Red Copper Ore come into contact with the Sulfur Pool water, bubbles continuously emerge from the pool, sizzling, and the temperature keeps rising.

Galos doesn’t jump into the Sulfur Pool water to soak.

He raises his Dragon Wings coated with Snake Dragon Poison Blood over the Sulfur Pool water, allowing the areas corroded by the poisonous blood, full of holes, to bear the impact of the high-temperature steam.

The steam carries moisture.

Penetrating every pore on the Dragon Wings, the pain it brings makes Galos’s mouth twitch slightly.

Ordinary high temperature means nothing to him.

Because of the blessing of fire, his fire element resistance has been continuously increasing, beyond its previous highest level, with ordinary fire damage being largely immune.

But high-temperature steam is mixed damage.

Especially mixed with water system damage countering Galos and the combined pain from snake venom, the feeling is indescribable. If one must describe it, it’s like having a mouth full of ulcers and then eating a spoonful of chili powder, stirring with your tongue to spread evenly over each sore spot.

”Even if the attempt fails, the water system resistance will still improve somewhat.”

The intense pain during non-combat times is even harder to bear, Galos’s tail keeps flicking, and his Dragon Wings tremble.

But his gaze is fierce, stretching his Dragon Wings to endure the steam impact.

”Pain? I’m the master of my own body.”

”Paltry pain, submit to me!”

”This isn’t pain, but exhilaration, this feeling is exactly what I want.”

Galos grins, then throws another piece of Red Copper Ore into the Sulfur Pool, making the steam denser and hotter, causing him to grimace in pain but stubbornly refuses to move his Dragon Wings.

Elf Dragon Vera and Red Dragon Samantha glance at each other and see the shock in each other’s eyes.

”Galos has become more twisted.”

”He actually tortures himself like this, ordinary pain can no longer satisfy him.”

Samantha silently steps back a few paces away from the steam-filled area, speaking.

”When did Galos start showing these symptoms?” Elf Dragon asks in confusion, ”Could he have some kind of dragon mental illness?”

The Dragon’s brain is developed, more capable of perceiving the essence of the world.

But this also increases the likelihood of dragons developing mental illnesses.

Infinite gluttony, extreme thirst for magic, nest-wandering... all belong to dragon mental illnesses. Galos’s symptoms are uncommon, but Elf Dragon feels it’s somewhat like a sign of ’mental illness.’

”I remember he always liked this.”

Samantha touches her chin thoughtfully and says, ”This isn’t mental illness but a kind of fetish. In my lineage, it is mentioned that some intelligent creatures enjoy the feeling of injury and pain.”

”Galos is probably like that; the more pain his body feels, the more he enjoys it.”

Elf Dragon suddenly understands, nodding, ”No wonder Galos is different, even his fetish is so strange.”

Galos’s mind is fighting against the pain, not noticing the conversation between the two dragons.

Otherwise, he would surely have slapped them with his claws to make them pay for their slander!

Three days later, he still needs to visit Crescent Valley; if the Werewolves of Howling Moon Clan refuse, a battle might be necessary. This time, Galos refrains, stopping after a short while.

Time passes quickly.

In the blink of an eye, three days have passed.

Galos is almost recovered, so he takes flight towards Crescent Valley.

To be cautious, two days ago, he ordered Möbel to lead most of the Violent Bears to Crescent Valley. Galos doesn’t need them to attack but asks them to keep a certain distance, stay on the outskirts, and hide.

This way.

If communication with the Howling Moon Clan doesn’t go well.

With the Violent Bears’ assistance, they can surround and annihilate the Wolfman Tribe, with a higher chance of leaving no members behind.

Meanwhile, Crescent Valley, Howling Moon Clan.

Elder Shaman and Chieftain, along with a group of adult Gray-haired Werewolves, are waiting inside the clan territory for the dragon’s arrival. Some werewolves have fresh wounds, the number of giant wolves in the tribe has increased, and the werewolf numbers have decreased accordingly.

These ten days.

The Howling Moon Clan hasn’t been peaceful.

Elder Shaman and Chieftain, the highest clan leaders, tend to submit and follow dragons.

They occupy the highest positions, bear the most pressure, and realize how difficult survival in the wilderness is for their tribe. By reviewing ancient clan records of dragon knowledge overnight, they realize, Galos might be just a young dragon, yet he can kill the evil serpents they consider formidable enemies. Such performance isn’t typical of dragons.

Following a young dragon with extraordinary potential.

This is a good choice for the Wilderness Clan.

Moreover, because of Galos’s final kind words, they feel Galos isn’t a bloodthirsty evil dragon.

But within the tribe, opinions are not unified, and some werewolves resolutely believe they cannot let wolves in due to the shadow left by the Cliff Snake Dragon.

Soon, differing opinions turned into different factions.

The originally peaceful discussion gradually became intense.

Gray-haired Werewolves respect strength above all else, and since a resolution can’t be reached, they’ll fight; whoever has the bigger fist, they listen to in the end.

Thus.

To determine the future direction of the clan.

At this crucial juncture, a group of werewolves with the same goal but different ideas started dueling, eventually ending with a victory for the Shaman and Chieftain’s side.

Those who participated in the duel and lost.

According to the Howling Moon Clan’s tradition, they willingly became giant wolves, gave up intelligence, and continued to guard the clan with natural instincts and thoughts, led by other werewolves.

Swoosh!

With a sharp whistle approaching.

To show his strength, Galos again streaks through the sky like a red comet, descending onto the territory of Howling Moon Clan.

His gaze sweeps over the werewolves, finally fixed on Elder Shaman.

Galos smiles slightly and says: ”Have you decided? Will you choose to follow beneath my wings to a brighter path, or refuse my good intentions and continue to struggle in the wilderness?”

Elder Shaman is the first to bow his head, kneeling before Galos.

”Honorable and mighty dragon, it is our Howling Moon Clan’s honor to serve you.”

”From this day forward, Howling Moon Clan will become your followers, offering loyalty. Wherever you go, the Howling Moon wolves will follow.”

It’s as if a switch was flipped.

One by one, werewolves kneel before Galos.

Thus, Galos gains his first followers of intelligent beings.

The process is smooth, like a natural progression.

Soon after, Galos quickly notices the change in the number of giant wolves and werewolves in Howling Moon Clan.

”What’s with these additional giant wolves?”

He asks Elder Shaman.

Elder Shaman’s gaze is complex, slowly saying: ”They were warriors with opposing views, now stripped of intelligence to become beasts, guarding the clan in another way.”

Then, he informs Galos of the specific process.

This makes Galos ponder and reflect.

He just offered a choice, didn’t care about Howling Moon Clan’s reaction, only waiting for the final result.

To make a choice, Howling Moon Clan.

Underwent an internal struggle within just ten days.

This further makes Galos realize.

In this world where the strong prey on the weak, strength is so important.

A strong being’s idea, a whim, can decide the fate of a weaker being, granting them rebirth or plunging them into the abyss.

Meanwhile.

Sel Wilderness North, between wilderness and Eternal Frost Tundra, Red Maple Ridge.

Red Copper Dragon rises into the sky.

”Born evil mixed-blood dragon! I will find you, then defeat you! Capture you, train you, transform you into a good dragon!”

With brand new equipment, after half a year of harsh training, the Red Copper Dragon soars spiritedly into the sky.