《Dragon Marksman》Chapter Twenty-Three: Morph
Advertisement
Placing the scroll on the side of the table, Yi Qiang looked at the Grand Elder.
"I have a few questions."
She smiled and nodded.
"I presume they pertain to that little guy on your shoulder?"
"Yes."
"Ask away. One at a time of course, this old mind can't keep up with much anymore." The elderly lizardwoman chuckled.
Yi Qiang took a deep breath, collecting himself and firming the question's wording in his mind.
"What do you know about the dragons?"
A knowing smile appeared on the Grand Elder's face as she heard his question.
"Such a big question, but it's to be expected. Well, Chosen, it's a long story, but I presume you want to hear it all," she looked to Yi Qiang for assurance, continuing when she saw his nod, "without any details left out.
"The story, or the known one at least, begins on this continent, the Moonhall continent. The humanoid races are actually foreigners, though with the way they treat the continent, you wouldn't think so. The dragons and the beast races, that's what you and I are, are the true natives. Yes, back then when the humanoids were first arriving from the Feudal continent, dragons were rampant - they had their own society, heirarchy, and culture, and, well, we were getting along just fine without them.
"But the everpresent human greed reared its ugly head, and they got ambitious. They could have coexisted with the dragons, setting the course for a long, peaceful, and prosperous friendship, but the major human leaders elected not to do so - they pictured, in their minds, standing over a majestic dragon's corpse, wreathed in glorious treasure and riches. Of course, some wise higher-ups opposed the decision, but they were quickly and ruthlessly silenced. One of them, Jiuxian, formally known as the Jade Sage, was even framed for a great crime - the punishment of which was the slaughter of his entire family lineage as well as his own torture and eventual death. But that's not important.
"As you could expect, the war brought on many, many deaths. Most of them were those of the humans - the dragons, enraged by our unwillingness to listen to reason and ability to place greed over the value of life, furiously slaughtered the humans as if they were a blight upon the land. In fact, the only reason that they survived for those ten years were the formations and gifts the dragons had given them - as masters of magic, the dragons' talent with artifacts was unparalleled, and their advancement in that field far surpassed that of the beastmen.
Advertisement
"But ten years passed, and the innovation one day after marked the return of the human race as the leading one - a horrible creation christened the Bloodcore Cannon. But that name doesn't properly begin to convey the evil nature of this object.
"It worked not through magic or personal strength, nor on enlightenment or willpower. All that was needed for this weapon to conjure power strong enough to slay dragons was enough humans. It used them as a sacrifice, twisting and warping their souls and flesh and blood to form a crystallized object called the Bloodcore.
"Of course, the humans, now desperate to try anything for survival, sacrificed those weaker than them to this artifact. Chaos reigned the streets, as soldiers burnt down houses to smoke out the hiding humans within. Some of those couldn't get out, but the long-since-numbed soldiers moved onto the next house.
"The war ended, simply like this. Of course, human population was decimated in the meantime, but regardless, the dragons were the ones hunted to extinction. And the humanoids prevailed, and began to develop into the empire they are today.
"Until some millenia later, it was revealed to the humans that dragons still walked the earth. No one believed it until a capable and unscrupulous wizard cast away the spell of a disguised human. Bloodshed ensued.
"It was human against human, each suspicious of the other, thinking their identity to be that of the evil, powerful dragon, the beast capable of murdering their kin in droves.
"But this was the last tumult, the final era of chaos, when the humans settled down because of the emergence of one dragon.
"This dragon had seen past the selfishness of the humans, finding it in her vast heart to forgive them, and absolve them of their sins through that forgiveness. Even as these humans, who she had spent so much time to bring herself to show mercy to, attacked her as she tried to speak with the leaders of the humans, she persevered; her strength was below that of no other dragon, and instead far surpassed theirs.
"That one dragon's name and motive has long been lost to the ages, but it thanks to her we do not live in times of bloody war today."
Advertisement
When the Grand Elder was finally done, Yi Qiang sat back, staring at his partner. Did you know about this?
"No, but it feels right."
He nodded and turned back to the elderly lizardwoman.
"Thank you. I will take my leave now, and set out by dawn tomorrow."
"No more questions?" She asked, visibly surprised.
"No, I think I know enough now. What matters to me is not in the past, but hidden somewhere in the present."
She nodded. "A wise outlook for someone so young. I won't escort you out. These old bones don't have much energy left in them."
The door closed with finality. Something had come to an end, but Yi Qiang could not place his finger on what.
He woke to the gentle snoring of Shenyu, who had nestled next to his head in the crude mattress they were given. Rising gingerly, so as not to wake the small dragon, he looked out the door, checking the time.
Seeing that the sun was about to peek out over the horizon, Yi Qiang picked Shenyu up, praying the baby dragon would stay asleep as he cradled him with both arms, running out towards the direction of the exit. That exit probably isn't the only one, nor the nearest, but I don't feel like looking for another even if it saves me time.
Suddenly, he realized Shenyu had grown. As Yi Qiang run steadily, he looked down, squinting his eyes to make out the dragon's form in the dim natural lighting.
Shenyu hadn't grown by a small amount - no, shockingly, the dragon was maturing at an incredible pace. The hatchling that was previously the size of his foot had grown to three-quarters the size of his arm, no small growth.
The faster the better, this means he can begin to defend himself sooner than I had expected. Hopefully, he isn't stunted by the lack of food I had at my disposal.
Suddenly, it had struck Yi Qiang that he had yet to use the scroll the Grand Elder had given him. Luckily, he already knew which skill to morph: Bow Mastery.
There were multiple reasons for this. Chief among them was the fact that Yi Qiang would probably receive the greatest boon if he morphed this skill - the fact that it was a passive skill enhancing all of his bow work made it invaluable. Also tempting to the marksman was the hope that his bow's previous skill level would affect the outcome of the new skill, whether in how powerful a skill it was or in its initial level.
So, opting not to deliberate further, Yi Qiang retrieved his scroll and read the window that popped up.
Please select the skill you would like to morph:
Active:
Dragon Marksman's Judgement(Level 9 Novice)
Arrow Burst(Level 4 Apprentice)
Mark(Level 1 Journeyman)
Empyrean Dragon's Armaments(Lvl 2 Apprentice)
Analyze(Lvl NA)
Passive:
Rapid Training(Lvl NA)
Empyrean Dragon Physique(Lvl 6 Apprentice)
Qi Control(Level 2 Apprentice)
Sneak(Lvl 5 Journeyman)
Bow Mastery(Lvl 4 Master)
Yi Qiang selected Bow Mastery, watching with anticipation as the screen notifying him of the new skill popped up.
You have gained the skill Empyrean Marksmanship(Level 1 Expert, Passive)
Your skill with the bow transcends ordinary proficiency, each arrow carrying the nobility and strength of the Empyrean Dragon.
+31% damage with bows
-6.2% to cost of any skills with bows
+31% firing rate
+7.25% to Qi damage while wielding a bow
Yi Qiang grinned.
Advertisement
The Floating Dungeon
Welcome to the land of Terra. A world where dungeons are one of the many races occupying it. Follow the story of a transplanted soul from another universe, trying to make her way as a dungeon core under unusual (for dungeons in Terra) and different circumstances than others with the same fate.
8 168Nameless Hypocrite
"Bastard, surrender yourself!" "You think you can escape our encirclement?!" "An omnicidal fiend like you can only atone in death!" Despite his precarious situation, a young man ignored the union's provocations. His violet robe was in tatters, showing the incredible number of attacks he received, yet there was no sign of injury. Noticing the light smile tugging at his lips, the pursuing heroes warily watched him, cautious of a final attack. It was only by working together that they could corner a monster like him. An arrow pierced the air, beelining towards the young man. A malicious gleam revealed itself in his eyes; he unsheathed his sword, a long, curved blade, and deflected the projectile, spiking it into the ground. The archer's eyes widened before being split in two. He died suddenly and indignantly. The group backed away; their former confidence diminished greatly by the invisible counter. It was then that the young man sighed, his voice full of lament and self-pity. "Being a saint truly is difficult, even the world cannot understand my righteous actions." The expressions of the surrounding heroes turned ugly. Such blatant hypocrisy! Yes, the protagonist is a villain. We don't do morals here. New chaps when I write them
8 177Real Real Life
Jamie was having a bad day, until he was crushed to death by a beer delivery truck and things became a whole lot worse. Thrown back into the 'Real World', but now with access to his own stats and those of others Jamie must undertake a series of quests in order to level up and advance, and figure out just what in the name of all that is unholy is going on. Which is the real world? Is he in a game? A simulation? And who actually is his online friend Barry. Inspired greatly by the MUDs of the 90s, many of the aspects will be familiar to those who experienced the joys of text adventures, MUSHs, MURPEs, MUDs, modern MMORPGs or just some good old fashioned cybering with a 17/f/Cali who was anything but. This humorous, harem LitRPG story is the first story by experienced author Jamie Haremie under this pen name. Jamie has previously written horror and romance (sometimes together!) as well as tons and tons of riveting TPS reports. (Late 90s cultural reference? CHECK). Any and all comments and suggestions welcome!
8 230Kalestra's Chosen (*Finished*)
Hin and Xan are transported from Earth during a storm and wake up on the planet Kalestra. They fight to find their bearings and their place in a prophecy. A place of magic and danger, where Dragons and the Fae hold an uneasy truce and have to work together to save and train the child who will hopefully save them all from an evil that waged war against them a thousand years ago. An enemy they thought they had thoroughly defeated. Co-authored by RR user sjourn. Some strong language. **This is a first draft rendering**
8 222Pilgrim
Pilgrim We are all on our own journeys. Fame, fortune, or something more. Follow Sam Sander, a man who was tossed aside in a world that did not care. He seeks a higher calling, one that he may have found after having an encounter of the divine kind. Sam will use otherworldy powers to defend Lumen City. New friends, unreal enemies, and facing the past all await our hero on his pilgrimage.
8 147Drifting Clouds, Sheltered Storms (DROPPED)
In the entire Empire, the Frozen Empress rules supreme. Yet, the land is in a constant state of war. The cultivators fight over the pettiest matters. The peasants are in constant revolt. And the ruling lords war incessantly and without rest. And it is all the fault of the Frozen Empress. Her ascension to the throne and true Divinity has caused such bloodshed. This is the story of her journey to ascension. Of hope and despair. Of betrayal and deceit. Of a young girl becoming the empress of a vast empire through her own might!DROPPED
8 158