The Protagonist's Sister Is Actually The Strongest

Honestly, I felt a little like Vulcanus now as I observed all the possible reactions that Draconic Mana could trigger in people and how it could adapt and evolve according to their skills and elemental affinities. Not a single one of them developed something similar. Most gained the power to conjure Dragon Flames, and these flames took on their elements. 

Even an element like Ice didn’t stop these flames, as they simply became Blue Flames of Ice, likely what Ice Dragons unleash in their breath attacks. Despite the many dragons out there, they all share the ability to exhale flames from their mouths. 

These flames change elements based on their elemental affinities, from Life Flames, Holy Flames, Ice Flames, Poisonous Flames, and more. It’s honestly fascinating. 

Ah, right, about me, I gained two new Skills. They’re pretty basic, though, but I appreciate them and the bonus stats I got along the way. 

They’re unfortunately not true dragon skills but from the “Draconic Beasts,” so they’re beneath true dragon skills. I think they could evolve or, even better, combine into something stronger. 

But for now, two are not enough. I could probably try a quadruple skill fusion at this point, but I need more Skills. 

If I sacrifice the skills used as ingredients, the skill points will decrease slightly, but the resulting skill could be much stronger. 

Let’s be honest, it’s not like I desperately need these skills, but what I could obtain through fusion is the really fascinating stuff. 

For now, I’ll test them in battle! 

I gained ten whole levels from that fight, so these Draconic Beasts were definitely packed with EXP. We should search every nook and cranny and hunt as many as we can. 

Their cores are of high quality, and their materials, such as scales, meat, blood, bones, claws, fangs, and horns, are all top-notch, even more so with my Max Level Gatherer Skill. 

“Alright, is everyone feeling alright? We should continue,” I said. “Maybe we can eat some dragon meat after we deal with another wave. I’ve been spreading my Mana Senses around, and this place is packed with creatures. We’ll be fighting all day long.” 

“Yeah, I also detected them,” Jack nodded. “We’ll definitely need breaks to eat and recover our Energy and Mana over time. This volcanic place is far from safe.” 

“Heh, don’t worry about it. I’ve got a plan, brother,” I winked at him. “For now, shall we continue?” 

“Sure!” Annabelle said. “I’m pumped up for hunting some more yummy lizards!” 

She had already started eating one, snacking on the tip of the tail of a draconic beast she had hunted. 

Well, I guess that’s fine. 

“Hey, Annabelle, don’t eat that! What if it’s poisoned? We have to purify it first with holy magic!” Kevin complained to her. “Can’t you have some patience before we eat lunch?” 

“Nuh-huh, this one is mine, I caught it, Kevin! You can’t have it!” Annabelle giggled, jumping away from him while running around with the huge piece of meat carried by her little teeth. “Hehehe!” 

“Hey, stop running!” Kevin said. “Ugh...” 

“Calm down, son. Let the girl eat whatever she wants,” Hilda said. “Also, did you forget she can turn into a giant spider? She’ll be fine. I doubt any poison in that meat could affect her negatively.” 

“Yeah!” Annabelle giggled. 

“Is it tasty?” Baihe asked her, quite curious. 

“It is! Tastes like smoked meat, but it’s actually raw... it’s kind of warm too, salty and spicy!” Annabelle took another bite. “Do you want some, Baihe? You’re nice, so I’ll share!” 

“Uuh, no thanks,” Baihe stepped back as she saw the still-bleeding, raw piece of tail in front of her. 

It had quite a foul smell. It definitely needed to be purified and cooked first. 

And it was turning purple? 

“Why is it purple?” Hilda asked curiously. 

“Ahhh, sorry! I shouldn’t have offered it...” Annabelle giggled. “I injected my venom to make the meat softer to eat.” 

“What? Like a spider?” Henrietta wondered. 

“Yeah! Well, I’m technically not completely human...” Annabelle rubbed her chin. “Heh, I would say I’m more spider monster than human!” 

“Uh... Well, I guess if she doesn’t take it badly...” Jack muttered. “Let’s not talk about that. I don’t want to strike a nerve.” 

“I agree,” I nodded. “Let’s go! I think we can ride my familiars! Violet, come!” 

“Kyuuuuhh!” 

Violet let out a cute cry, moving to my side after he finished snacking on a draconic beast carcass he had nearly eaten, leaving only a few clean white bones behind. 

We climbed onto Violet quickly, and he led us deeper into the Dragon Lair, using Gram as our guide, as he could easily pinpoint the largest concentrations of Draconic Mana. We ventured deeper into the First Layer. 

I explained to my brother and the others what I learned from Gram, omitting the part where he can talk, because only I and the Constellations bound to me can hear him. I’d rather not make them think I talk to my sword. 

“So you can use your sword to do that? Well, that’s amazing,” my brother said. “I can tell the atmosphere is getting thicker... but with the Draconic Mana we absorbed, I think we can handle it just fine. Though, yeah, we’re definitely getting a debuff.” 

“We need to hunt more and absorb more cores,” I said. “And later eat their meat too. But for now, hmm, I think we’re getting closer to a big nest.” 

“Over there!” Annabelle said. “Look! Anna, look! It’s like... Um, what are they called?” 

“Forests?” Kevin asked. “Yeah, it’s like a forest made of red and orange crystals...” 

“And flames!” Hilda said. “Oh, wow, I didn’t see this back then. Is this new? A blazing forest... I shouldn’t be surprised based on everything I’ve seen in my life so far, but honestly, it’s quite a unique view.” 

“Yeah, despite how much it burns, it’s quite pretty,” Henrietta nodded, holding my brother’s hand. “See? Even in this dangerous place, there are beautiful places.” 

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