Balong of the Red Crystal Hunters stood there quietly, awaiting everyone's response.
His implication was clear—all fifty-three people present should abandon their original objectives and join him in confronting the final boss, the Fire Dragon!
Many hunters hesitated.
Most had only co to earn a modest profit.
The Fire Dragon of Dragon's Roost was overwhelmingly powerful, far beyond what amateur hunters like them could handle.
Fighting the Fire Dragon had never been part of their plans!
But now, Balong of the Red Crystal Hunters was personally inviting them.
Chen Qi narrowed his eyes suspiciously at Balong and the equipnt carried by the Red Crystal Hunters.
Giant anti-dragon cannons, fire-resistant tattoos, high-lting-point shields, No. 13 Fla Potions...
Top-tier dragon-slaying gear.
There were more than just Dragon's Roost among the D-class dinsional rifts at sea.
What reason, other than revenge, would drive soone to return to this rift after ten years?
The Hunter's Treasure... Chen Qi imdiately thought of it.
Unlike previous treasures, he knew neither its location nor its difficulty.
A strong intuition told him Balong was also after the Hunter's Treasure—and that the old man likely knew more than he did.
Everything Balong was doing now, under the guise of revenge, probably had another purpose.
"Balong, you won't betray us, will you? Take all the materials after killing the dragon?"
"What nonsense! Big Brother Balong has shared all his skill cards and profession cards with us these years!"
"Balong's old now. Money ans nothing to him.
Avenging his brothers is his only wish."
"Revenge? What's that got to do with us? How do we know he won't ambush us?"
A few hunters voiced dissent.
Balong smiled.
"Friends, I follow the Code of Scales and the God of Daylight. I would never break my word or violate my principles.
Besides, if I wanted to ambush you, why would the Red Crystal Hunters gather you all together?
With just eight of us against over forty of you, it'd be suicide.
I swear to you, I genuinely want to clear this rift.
And with the Blood Blade Pirates here—who uphold order in these waters—how could I possibly harm you under their watch?"
Little Red Riding Hood blinked. He'd actually ntioned her!
But Balong wasn't wrong—the Blood Blade Pirates did offer protection services.
Whether guarding islands or clients in rifts, it was part of their business.
Unlike other pirate crews, they valued their reputation highly.
Their good na earned them support from many islanders.
Little Red Riding Hood puffed out her chest, glaring irritably at Balong.
She had to admit, Balong had rift-clearing experience.
With his help, this rift would be much easier.
Materializing a blood-red longsword, she addressed the crowd:
"50,000 Shell Coins! If any bastard dares attack others during this rift expedition, I'll intervene!
Rest assured—once paid, I swear on the Blood Blade Pirates' honor that I'll protect you."
Though barely 1.6 ters tall, she exuded an intimidating aura like a frigid gale.
The hunters exchanged glances.
With the Blood Blade Pirates' protection, Balong wouldn't dare touch them!
50,000 Shell Coins for a bodyguard wasn't too expensive. Chen Qi withdrew the amount from his Backpack Card.
Despite her foul mouth, Little Red Riding Hood was famously loyal and trustworthy at sea.
The extra insurance was worth it.
Under her witness, all fifty-three participants paid up.
"Don't worry, I'll keep you safe," she said, pocketing the coins.
Balong grinned.
"Excellent! With the Blood Blade Pirates guarding us, we can unite against the Fire Dragon!"
Cooperation truly was the best approach.
Taking the lead, Balong announced:
"Follow , everyone. Those charcoal monsters only offer trivial spirit points.
I know a path to the summit that avoids them entirely."
Familiar with the route, Balong led them up the volcano.
His team even produced climbing tools to take shortcuts.
Chen Qi maintained a safe distance, cautiously trailing the group.
What would've taken a day to ascend was conquered in just two hours under Balong's guidance, reaching a plateau near the summit.
Wiping sweat from his brow, Balong said:
"Let's rest here briefly."
They now stood on a broad flat area.
Just above lay the dragon's nest!
"Huff... huff..."
The heavy breathing of dragons was already audible.
Following Balong's directions, the group leaned against rocks, panting heavily.
"Finally made it!"
"I'm exhausted! This place is scorching!"
Suddenly, Balong openly retrieved a red crystal from his Backpack Card.
Chen Qi sipped from his canteen, eyes locked on the crystal.
Having studied Dragon's Roost extensively, he recognized it—a Fire Crystal.
When shattered, its elental aura would lure the dragon down!
Wait—
Balong planned to aggro the dragon here!
Gripping his weapon, Chen Qi stared at Balong.
Noticing the gaze, Balong remarked:
"Oh? Impressive, young man. You recognize this?"
Other Red Crystal Hunters also turned to look.
"Read about it. That's a Fire Crystal, right?" Chen Qi replied, drinking more water.
He'd tried staying inconspicuous, but his montary surprise had been caught by this "Giant Hand" Balong.
Aggroing the dragon here ant Balong wanted chaos!
"Balong, what are you doing?"
CRACK!
The crystal shattered, releasing scorching heat across the plateau!
Holding the blazing remnants, Balong explained:
"Relax, friends. No ill intent.
The summit's too cramped—this is the ideal battleground."
The hunters were stunned. They never expected Balong to force them into dragon combat!
They'd just paid the Blood Blade Pirates for protection!
But there was no ti to think.
With the crystal's destruction, hurricane-force wingbeats roared from above—like an approaching storm!
Two Fire Dragons descended like falling stars from the peak.
Little Red Riding Hood brandished her sword, charging forward:
"BALONG, WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?!"
This bastard had initiated combat without consent!
Balong chuckled:
"My apologies. I assud you were all prepared. But this truly is the perfect mont."
"YOU'RE DEAD AT!"
True to her paynt, she aid to bisect any threat to the expedition—starting with Balong!
But Balong calmly drew a revolver from his coat and fired!
BANG!
"Pathetic bullets!"
She slashed the projectile midair—only for red powder to burst onto her.
Blushing unexpectedly, she demanded:
"What is this powder?!"
"Who knows?" Balong smirked cryptically.
Spreading his arms, he declared:
"The dragons co! Now is the ti for us hunters to face them!
Fight! Hunt!"
Chen Qi observed the descending dragons.
As Balong claid, he'd participated in this rift a decade ago.
And he'd spent ten years preparing for this return!
Everything unfolding was within this "Giant Hand's" grasp.
The Blood Blade Pirates' presence changed nothing.
"What the hell is this powder?!"
Little Red Riding Hood chugged three universal antidotes from her Backpack Card.
Watching the impending chaos, Chen Qi silently drew his black blade.
Human vs. human. Human vs. dragon. The battle had begun.
ROAR!
A draconic bellow like a tsunami struck them.
Once the dragons saw them, retreat was impossible.
Their primary fighter was still guzzling potions, clueless about the powder's effects.
"Ahem..."
Chen Qi approached her:
"Little Red, antidotes won't work. That's not poison—it's an extrely rare dragon aphrodisiac.
Though dragons have no interest in humans, they'll still fixate on you as their primary target."
This powder, which could induce bizarre attraction in large creatures, was a prized commodity in the gender- and species-diverse Goldenfinch Kingdom.
Chen Qi recalled it could only be obtained in C-class rifts—exceeding Dragon's Roost's normal rewards in rarity!
"?"
She froze, surprised that a first-tier chef would know this... and warn her.
But an aphrodisiac?! Was he stupid?
Chen Qi clarified:
"Simply put, you're first in line for dragon attacks."
"Huh?"
BOOM!
The male dragon crashed down like crimson lightning, slamming into her!
Its tail coiled around her petite fra before hurling her against a distant wall.
Though she blocked with her arms, the impact sent her flying a hundred ters, blood spraying instantly.
Seeing this, Balong unsheathed his greatsword:
"Good. The Blood Blade's Little Red should keep the male dragon occupied."
Turning back, he spread his arms wide:
"Fire Dragons! The Red Crystal Hunters have returned!
Comrades, there's no turning back now! Let us slay these beasts together!
FIGHT! HUNT!"
"Co, dragon! Let feel your wrath! Show if you can stop us again!" Balong laughed maniacally.
Sothing's off... Chen Qi observed the distant female dragon.
Its storm-scarred body radiated endless fury, scales emitting flas—a berserk state usually seen in phase two!
Why was it enraged imdiately?
"Interesting."
Chen Qi grinned, leaping back to distance himself from Balong.
Balong channeled energy into his greatsword for a mighty strike—
Only for the female dragon to charge instantly, smashing him into the rocks!
"!"
The hunters reeled from the scorching shockwaves.
What kind of speed was that?!
Their two strongest mbers had been swatted aside in seconds!
Chen Qi simultaneously wrapped himself in protective energy and retrieved the Deepsea Water Spirits' Backpack Card.
"ROAR!"
The twin dragons exhaled, ready to incinerate everything.
Suddenly, everyone received a frenzied inspiration:
[The female dragon has entered berserk mode, seeking to unleash its agony upon the world. Rift distortion increased by 5%.]
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