Translator: AnubisTL
"Garos, how did you manage that breath attack just now?" Red-Silver Dragon Deborah couldn't help but ask. "And how can you appear so unfazed after unleashing such a powerful attack?"
Across from her, the red-iron dragon remained imposing, his aura undiminished, showing no signs of the exhaustion one would expect after such an overwhelming assault.
Garos shook his head slightly, offering no explanation.
The essence of that breath attack, he mused inwardly, was the culmination of all the energy I'd absorbed—from Red-Silver Dragon Deborah's attacks to the thermal energy I'd drawn from the environment.
As he meticulously recalled his earlier sensations and transformations, Garos began to grasp the full extent of his new scales' capabilities.
They had evolved in the direction he'd hoped for, yet with unexpected nuances.
Just as he'd desired, they would no longer overheat and explode. However, they retained their ability to absorb kinetic energy and mitigate attacks.
Moreover, they now possessed additional functions.
For instance, the ability to release cold air—or, more accurately, to absorb heat.
His scales could rapidly absorb thermal energy, creating a chilling effect. When struck by physical attacks, a portion of the kinetic energy absorbed would be converted into heat, while the scales simultaneously drew thermal energy from the surrounding environment.
Moreover, this thermal energy wouldn't dissipate through explosions.
This evolution of the dragon scales also involved changes to his internal organs.
All the absorbed and converted thermal energy would be concentrated until every scale shattered completely, reaching its peak limit. At that moment, it could be released in a single burst through his dragon breath, its overwhelming power surprising even Garos himself.
Though the method was somewhat unconventional and differed from his initial expectations, it still aligned with Garos's vision of an evolution that allowed him to accumulate energy to enhance himself. This compensated for his weakness in long-range attacks. If an enemy were struck by this dragon breath, he wouldn't even need to enter his frenzy state; he could instantly obliterate them, ending the battle.
The only drawback was that when the thermal energy reached its maximum, the reaction on his body became too conspicuous. His entire form would glow crimson, radiating intense heat, clearly signaling an imminent powerful attack, giving enemies ample time to react.
Putting himself in their shoes, Garos knew that if an enemy exhibited such a state, he would immediately halt his assault, focus his spirit, and prepare to dodge, temporarily avoiding the brunt of the attack.
Regardless of its flaws, he had ultimately gained a formidable new ability.
Under the moonlight, the black-and-red dragon scales on Garos's body shimmered with a metallic luster.
He picked up a fragment of the explosive scale, thinking, "It can absorb heat and release cold, and it can also unleash extreme bursts."
"Since it's evolved again, I should rename it—I'll call it the Cold Exploding Scale."
Garos was quite satisfied with the Cold Exploding Scale's effects.
It granted him a completely new ice attribute, eliminating his previous weakness to ice and even allowing him to deal weakness-targeting attacks against fire-type creatures.
Moreover, its appearance was more than twice as striking as the original explosive scale.
Just as Garos had imagined when he first evolved the explosive scale, he might one day evolve a magnificent set of dragon scales. While the Cold Exploding Scale wasn't particularly extravagant, it was certainly aesthetically pleasing.
Of course, practicality remained paramount; aesthetics were secondary.
"It's a pity it only gradually turns completely cold silver when absorbing attacks."
"Otherwise, I could pretend to be a silver dragon when facing creatures unfamiliar with dragonkind," Garos mused cheerfully.
"I still need to research it further. For example, how long can it endure when heat energy reaches its limit? Will it gradually dissipate or remain indefinitely? And can it be used before reaching its limit, and if so, what would the effects be?"
Although the Cold Exploding Scale regenerated quickly, it couldn't match the hyper-regeneration speed of his thorn spikes.
Now that they were completely shattered, it would take two or three days for them to regrow.
Garos mentally finalized some plans. Once the Cold Exploding Scales regrew, he would thoroughly explore their capabilities.
The red-silver dragon gradually calmed her shock, regaining her composure. With graceful steps, she approached Garos, her gaze filled with suspicion and curiosity.
"Is there something strange about me?" Garos asked.
"Too many things to count," she replied.
She scrutinized Garos's appearance, muttering, "A unique mutation from being a hybrid? I'm a hybrid dragon too, so why haven't I felt anything like this?"
"Perhaps the red dragon and iron dragon bloodlines are more compatible," Garos suggested casually.
Suddenly, the red-silver dragon's curiosity piqued. "Garos, do you think if two hybrid dragons had offspring, there's any chance they could simultaneously activate more than two types of hybrid traits?"
Garos pondered the question seriously.
He shook his head. "It's hard to say, but the probability would be vanishingly small. The odds of even two hybrid traits manifesting are already low, let alone three or four."
As he finished speaking, Garos gazed at the red-silver dragon.
Suddenly, he found her scales breathtakingly beautiful, her neck curving with extraordinary grace under the moonlight. A surge of inner heat threatened to overwhelm him.
A predatory glint gradually appeared in the red-iron dragon's eyes.
He abruptly changed his tone, turning to the red-silver dragon and saying, "There's a saying: 'Truth comes from practice.' No amount of theorizing can compare to firsthand experience."
He suddenly moved closer to the red-silver dragon, lowered his head, and inhaled the frosty scent emanating from her neck. In a low voice, he murmured, "Deborah, would you like to try? I'd be happy to accompany you. If we produce several generations of offspring, perhaps we can unravel the mysteries of hybridity."
Driven by his bloodline, the red-iron dragon spoke bluntly, boldly extending his invitation.
But as soon as the words left his mouth, Garos inwardly cursed his recklessness.
Each time he awoke from his slumber, the desires of his evil dragon bloodline surged with renewed intensity. In a moment of carelessness, the dragon's instincts had seized control, and he had failed to suppress them in time.
If his counterpart were another evil dragon, Garos's direct invitation would pose little problem. Assuming mutual attraction existed, the other dragon would likely accept eagerly. After all, Garos's appearance, potential, and power were all exceptional, leaving no logical reason for refusal.
But with metallic dragons, the situation was different.
Mere attraction wasn't enough to win their favor. They weighed many factors when choosing a mate.
Across from him, the Red-Silver Dragon Deborah froze for a moment, gazing at Garos with confusion, as if she hadn't quite heard what he said. After a few seconds, when the meaning of his words finally sank in, she abruptly retreated several steps, her scales suddenly scorching hot, nearly bursting into flames.
Deborah stammered, her voice a mix of embarrassment and anger, "You... you impudent Red Iron Evil Dragon! What nonsense are you spouting?!"
Garos hadn't yet responded or offered an explanation.
Her gaze darted away, and she suddenly flapped her wings, taking flight as if fleeing in shame. In her haste, she clumsily crashed into the cliff wall of the valley, then, disoriented, soared back into the sky, her departure slightly disheveled as she gradually vanished into the night.
"Well..."
The red-iron dragon scratched his head, watching Deborah's retreating figure. She won't just disappear forever, will she? Or worse, go running to her parents to complain?
If it were the latter, things could get complicated.
The power Garos had gained since awakening from his dragon sleep was still insufficient to challenge a fully grown silver dragon.
But upon reflection, based on his understanding of the red-silver dragon, she was likely just flustered and unwilling to face him at the moment. She'd probably return soon, and it was unlikely she'd resort to "complaining" to her parents.
Metallic dragons beyond adolescence rarely sought parental intervention. They viewed such behavior as a sign of weakness and an inability to stand on their own.
"Garos, remember to let reason guide your desires."
"This is the consequence of letting desire control you."
The red-iron dragon shook his head, inwardly admonishing himself.
He had been about to ask the red-silver dragon about the state of Dragon Valley over the past decade—its progress, any dangers encountered, or unexpected events. But his inability to restrain the surge of desire after his dragon sleep led to a reckless and presumptuous invitation that startled the red-silver dragon away.
"What are you spying on? Come out."
The red-iron dragon suddenly swept his right wing, creating a whirlwind that dragged the fairy dragon out from her hiding place in the bushes.
"Ah, Vera was just sleeping here. She didn't see anything."
Yes, she swore she hadn't witnessed the red-iron dragon's presumptuous and indecent invitation of love. Meanwhile, she silently prayed that he wouldn't fly into a rage at her rejection and vent his anger on her.
"Why are you backing away? Come here," Garos said to the fairy dragon, who was unconsciously retreating from him.
He could roughly guess what she was thinking, and couldn't help but feel somewhat speechless.
How is it that she always manages to witness my most embarrassing moments?
Now he definitely couldn't let the fairy dragon leave. Otherwise, when he eventually rose to become a renowned figure, he would have to constantly worry about her exposing his dark history.
(End of the Chapter)
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