I could hardly believe what I just accomplished. A dragon. A fucking dragon.
I'd only heard rumors about them, but they are said to be extremely rare creatures, and the chances of even seeing one are close to zero. I don't know whether I should count myself fortunate or just plain unlucky for actually coming across one, let alone fighting and taking it down.
Out of all of the monsters I've fought, that was definitely the most formidable one. But... I got lucky. If it hadn't underestimated me and just gone straight for the kill instead of toying around with me, then...
The thought sickens me.
I thought I had gotten stronger, but it looks like I have even more work to do.
I slowly stand up, still fatigued. Even though my body was healed, that battle drained the majority of my mana. I walk towards the dragon's body and examine it.
I wonder what powerful spell I could conjure up utilizing its corpse as a catalyst. Using my ring, I store the dragon's corpse inside. A blinding blue light surrounds the dragon's body as it gets sucked into the ring.
With the dragon's corpse inside the ring, I notice that its large figure was blocking something on the ground. It was the talon.
That talon was the only reason I won that fight. Its sharpness is definitely something that would be useful later. Maybe I can use it for...
I move towards the talon and pick it up, storing it inside my ring as well. I have plans for it.
A thought then crept into my mind.
SHIT, THE ELVEN WOMAN!
Exhausted and almost out of mana, I run normally in the direction of the elven woman, towards the trees still ablaze.
I kept running, calling out her name through the loud cracking of the flames, "WOMAN! WOMAN! WHERE ARE YOU?!?"
After what felt like an eternity of running around, the air kept getting more and more thick, filling up with smoke, until I finally spotted her. Coughing raggedly, I hastily move towards her still unconscious body as the flames start to close in. I grab her body and carefully carry her in my arms, almost like a hero saving a princess.
But I was no hero. Not even close...
I bolted out of the forest, legs moving until I neared an open area.
Out of breath, I carefully place the elven woman down and take a seat on the grass, trying to rest.
She was in terrible condition, her head was bleeding, and she was roughed up all over. It must have been from the fall.
Using the last of my mana, I cast a spell on her.
Healing.
The wounds on her body began to fade as the bleeding coming from her head stopped. Now fully exhausted, my body just lay on the floor, barely able to move. It was a combination of fatigue and using up all of my mana.
But the feeling that I felt in the moment made it seem that it wasn't for naught. I take another look at the elven woman.
Finally.
I was able to save her...
The people in this world are snakes and demons that hide in human skin. But for some reason, she felt different. She's the same as me.
Abandoned.
Her party didn't even seem to care about her. Although I regret that I wasn't able to save the rest of them, even back at the guild hall, with one glance, I could tell that they were just using her.
How despicable.
But perhaps...
I could take note of that.
Hours pass as I continue to lie still on the wide open field, recovering my body. Night begins to settle, and my strength finally starts to come back. The elven woman is still asleep. We can't go back to town right now. It's best to camp out here and head out first thing in the morning.
I walk around and gather a couple of sticks and stack them in one place, using a simple fire spell on them to get some warmth in the cold night. I decided to stay awake and keep watch in case an enemy tried to attack me or the elven woman while we slept.
About two hours passed of keeping guard, with nothing but my thoughts and the sound of the fire crackling.
**RUSTLE**
Something was rustling in the grass behind me, and I turned around to check what it was. To my surprise, it was the elven woman. She was finally awake. But she wasn't happy. Panicked, she gets up and looks around, not knowing where she is.
I stand up and slowly take steps towards her, "It's fine. There was a dragon, and you were hurt pretty badly, so I carried you over here."
But she was barely paying attention to my words. Every step I took towards her was a step she took away from me.
Seeing this, I stop in my tracks. She was clearly afraid of me. Why?
Is she not grateful for me saving her?
I calm my thoughts. "Sorry. You're safe now, but you should probably lie down because I didn't fully heal you."
A shocked expression forms on her face as she tries to cover her body with her arms.
Why is she...
NO!...
I became a little flustered, waving my hands around, "NO! NO! I SWEAR I DIDN'T TOUCH YOU IN ANY WAY!"
How did she even get that idea? How embarrassing.
I clear my throat, "Anyways, just get some rest. We're heading back to Briarhelm first thing in the morning."
I sit back down.
However, the elven woman ignores me and attempts to walk away into the darkness.
"I wouldn't recommend that," I say as she gets further and further. "There are strong creatures out there that would pounce on you from the dark as soon as they spot you. You wouldn't last a second."
She stops dead in her tracks and quickly turns around, taking a seat near the fire but in a spot furthest away from me.
It makes sense. She's weary of me, a stranger.
She lies back down, turning away from me, and goes back to sleep.
I return to guarding the little camp.
Hours pass, and I notice her tossing and turning in her sleep. At first, it was tiny, but the more time went on, it gradually became more frequent and it looked like she was in extreme pain.
What do I do?
What can I even do here?
I've never done this before.
I silently stand and tiptoe to where she slept, taking a seat right next to her. I raise my left hand and gently pat her shoulder, like a mother trying to calm her distressed baby.
This... is how you do it right?...
The elven woman suddenly awakens and jolts up, and in one swift motion, takes out a dagger concealed within her belt. This startles me, and I take multiple steps back, trying not to agitate her. She points the dagger at me, her arms trembling.
I put my hands up, trying to calm her down. "I'm sorry, it's just... You were tossing and turning in your sleep. It looked like you were in pain."
She stayed silent as I slowly took steps to the side, her dagger followed me.
You have got to be kidding me.
"Do you not speak or something?!?" I lose my temper, but take deep breaths and calm myself.
She still stayed silent, unfazed by my remark.
"What's your name? Where are you from?..." **Silence** "What happened? Where did that dragon come from?" I bombard her with questions. I needed answers, but she wasn't willing to tell me anything.
She just stayed silent, staring at me.
It's no use. This is pointless. She probably wants some space. I shouldn't pry any further.
I dropped my arms down to my side and turned around, walking back to the spot where I sat.
"C-c-Corisa," A soft and quiet voice spoke from behind me, slowly turning my head to reveal that it was the elven woman who had said it.
Shocked, I didn't know how to respond except to repeat what she said, "Corisa?"
She lowered her arms, still holding the dagger, and looked at me shyly.
"M-my name is Corisa."