The wagons rumbled forward, wheels crunching against rough ground as the caravan slowly put distance between themselves and the serpent's territory. The labourers still restless, whispering nervously about the fight they had left behind, every jolt of the cart pulling their minds back to the flashes and tremors they had felt. Even the guards, usually stoic, kept glancing over their shoulders as if expecting a shadow to come slithering through the fog.

"Do you think he survived?" one of them muttered.

Another shook his head, uncertain. "No one should, not against that thing."

Before anyone could add to the dread, someone pointed up. "Wait—look!"

A figure strolled lazily through the sky, as though the air itself was solid ground beneath his feet. Gasps rippled through the group. Panic flared again, men reaching for weapons, but Zephyra merely raised her head from where she padded alongside the wagons. Her tail swayed, not stiff but loose, and the relief in her manner was enough to still the guards' hands.

It became clear who the figure was.

"Arden…" Boro whispered, wide-eyed.

The boy floated above them, his body gliding as though he owned the skies. His aura didn't surge wildly, but that calm confidence only made the sight more terrifying. He had not flown in a long time, yet there was no hesitation in the way he moved. The life signature he had taken from the drake carried him, and it felt so natural that he almost forgot he was defying what should have been impossible.

The murmurs turned reverent.

"That's not human."

"He—he beat that serpent, and now this?"

"Just what is he?"

Arden descended slowly, stretching the moment longer than necessary because he could feel their eyes and the awe in them. He touched down on the wagon with his usual grin.

"Miss me?" he asked, casual as if he had just gone to fetch water.

Rael barked a laugh. "Flying around just to show off? Pathetic."

"Admit it, you're jealous," Arden shot back, brushing imaginary dust off his shoulder.

Nyra shook her head but smiled faintly. "So, what was it this time?"

"A snake," Arden replied simply.

The word hung there, but the weight of it was enough. Everyone who had felt the oppressive aura earlier knew "snake" was a ridiculous understatement. Their minds reeled at how easily he dismissed it, yet he leaned back against the wagon rail like it was nothing worth talking about.

Rael grinned, eyes glinting. "And?"

"And it thought the mist could hide it. Turns out light burns through fog just fine." Arden shrugged, cocky. "It tried to wrap around me, so I lit it up. Not much of a story, really."

Gasps rose from the guards and merchants listening nearby. Their disbelief only deepened the reverence already brewing. It was as if they were watching not a young man, but some creature born to crush monsters.

Zephyra huffed from below, her voice rumbling in their minds. You exaggerate. You almost let it coil around you.

Arden leaned over the side of the wagon with a grin. "Almost. That's the keyword."

The caravan erupted with laughter, easing the last of their fear, though it left a deeper mark too. Reverence, and a quiet fear that lingered beneath it.

When the excitement finally died down, Arden shifted into the corner of the wagon, away from the noise. He opened the interface, the familiar glow rising before his eyes.

[Beast Defeated: Mistfang Serpent]

Life Energy Absorbed.

New Life Signature Gained:

Serpent's Veil Coil

Effect: The user can exhale or project a veil of mist that bends sight, sound, and aura perception. Within this field, movements flow like water—dodges and strikes become fluid, sudden shifts easier to chain. Every fourth dodge or strike coils latent energy into the next blow, briefly constricting the target's flow, slowing spellcasting or reflexes. The mist drains stamina if held too long, but in short bursts, it is a perfect weapon for ambush, escape, or reversal].

Arden exhaled softly, a grin tugging at his lips. "Not bad at all."

This wasn't just another flashy trick. He could already feel the synergy it offered. Coupled with his radiant techniques and the mirage step, the mist could make him untouchable, slippery even to enemies stronger than him. And that constriction effect… slowing a mage or beast mid-surge could turn the tide of a battle before it began.

A skill like this wasn't about raw strength. It was about control, deception, forcing opponents to play his game. It made him harder to read, harder to pin down.

He closed the interface, still smirking. "This is going to be fun."

The wagon rocked onward, and though the others thought he was resting, Arden's mind was already weaving the next set of fights, chaining possibilities together like threads in a web.

The group finally slowed when they reached a stretch of open ground backed by jagged rocks and a thin line of trees. Arden had already marked it earlier as a decent place to rest, and the guards moved quickly to secure the area, cutting down smaller beasts that strayed too close. Labourers pitched the tents and set up the fire, and soon the smell of roasting meat filled the night.

When the food was passed around, even Arden's party joined the circle. They ate with the others, laughter rising as stories of the day spilled out. The guards exaggerated their kills, Rael argued with them until Nyra threatened to count his, and the labourers leaned in, eyes wide with admiration. Even Boro looked at ease, his round face lit by firelight as he chuckled at a guard's joke. For a while, the night felt calm, almost normal

A/N:

Please Vote for me with Powerstones, and Golden Tickets.

Send Gifts to encourage me and also inspire my creation.

Also, Engage in the comments, drop any suggestions you have for the future chapters.

Your Reviews are also very neccessary for my growth.

Thanks for the massive support thus far.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.