novelraw Chapter 76: The Invincible Little Red Riding Hood
Chapter 76: The Invincible Little Red Riding Hood
[Inspiration Appraisal in progress...]
[Inspiration Appraisal Critical Success!]
[Rift Name: Dragon's Roost
Rank: D
Aspects: Flower, Cup
Description: A volcanic island where villagers hold annual rituals, hoping to receive a dragon's blessing and become one of them.
After countless prayers, two fire dragons came to dwell here.
Yet after consuming the offerings, they never left.
If the dragons remain, the volcano will eventually erupt and reduce everything to ashes.
The islanders have prepared flower boats, beseeching travelers to help drive away the dragons.Clear Condition: Expel the dragons! This is human territory!
Special Clear Condition (Floral Aspect): Dragons symbolize nature - you must make them leave without harming them.
Rift Distortion Rate: 27% (High distortion - extreme danger, proceed with caution)
Rift Rank Limit: Only second-tier or below supernaturals may enter.
Participant Limit: Maximum 100 people.
Inspiration Revelation: You witness two fire dragons descending from the sky, raining hellfire upon the world as they vent their pain and rage.
Special Inspiration Revelation: At the volcano's peak, you see a man with severed arms. Just as he's about to slay a dragon, black tentacles erupt from his body, and he perishes in the flames.]
Chen Qi quickly scanned the inspiration revelations. Another large-scale rift, and a D-rank with 27% distortion at that. In the New Sun World, each rank increase meant exponential difficulty growth.
"Twin Fire Dragons as the boss of Dragon's Roost? We've got troublesome opponents." The Twin Fire Dragons were famous as a couple boss in Dragon's Roost. One misstep and you'd face their combined assault. Worse, after killing players, they'd kiss right before the defeated players' eyes - adding insult to injury. The forums were flooded daily with newbie help threads about this boss.
When the dragons' health dropped below 50%, they'd flee Dragon's Roost. Expelling both meant clearing the rift. Chen Qi took out a cloth and polished his black blade until it gleamed.
The twin dragons were challenging, but fortunately their difficulty meant he had ample experience dealing with them, including special clearance methods. The floral aspect approach meant bypassing direct combat by pleasing the dragons for bonus rewards - animal communication, charm magic, etc. There were also... unorthodox methods. Players with dragon blood could even instigate marital conflict between the pair. His chef skills would prove useful here too!
Chen Qi focused on the second revelation. A hunter growing tentacles - could this relate to the Deep Sea Hunters' treasure? Not enough information... Packing up, he exchanged a glance with Pelu before boarding a flower-laden boat at the shore.
"Aren't you here on Flower Island for business? How are you so familiar with this?" Pelu stared blankly. Chen Qi seamlessly blended into the crowd, boarding a boat bound for Dragon's Roost with fifty others.
The Blood Blade Pirates sent only one representative - Little Red Riding Hood. Fenrir the Direwolf asked, "Hey Red, sure you don't want backup? Just two little lizards - my strength alone suffices to expel them!"
"Do all Blade Doctrine followers prefer solo combat?" Fenrir sighed. "Besides the dragons, there are other hunters." Sometimes humans were more dangerous than monsters.
Little Red Riding Hood's gaze briefly rested on Chen Qi before sweeping over others. She wasn't targeting anyone specifically - in her eyes, everyone present was trash! With a smirk twisting her lips, she exuded invincible confidence: "No worries, I'm the strongest!" Adjusting her clothes, she leaped onto the foremost boat.
Chen Qi observed her with interest. As the future Blade Witch, Little Red Riding Hood's strength indeed surpassed ordinary second-tier supernaturals. Her defining trait? Unbridled arrogance! But this rift seemed abnormal too. Chen Qi chose a middle boat among the traveling hunters.
As sea breezes carried them toward another world, a dark volcanic silhouette emerged from the mist. Hunters aboard began strategizing: "Fire dragons indeed - we'll need our full strength!" "We must unite - team battle formation!" "For coordination, we need a captain. I nominate Balong of the Red Crystal Hunters. Any objections?"
"Right! Balong has cleared one C-rank, five D-ranks, and thirty E-rank rifts - perfect leadership material." Chen Qi listened quietly. As they said, without special strategies, expelling the dragons required massive coordination - especially against two simultaneously. Few could withstand such an assault.
Under collective anticipation, Balong - leader of the Red Crystal Hunters - tapped his dagger and cleared his throat: "Since you insist, this old man shall command this operation." Chen Qi studied the red-haired elder wearing supernatural deerhide hunter gear, wielding a greatsword specialized against large creatures. Beast tattoos enhanced his exposed skin - clearly a professional in both fundamentals and equipment. Age and experience made him the ideal commander... though undoubtedly he'd hired supporters.
Chen Qi grew wary. Like his first impression of the Flower Witch, something felt deliberately artificial about this old man. Sulfuric winds brushed his cheeks as the black volcanic island appeared before them. Dragon's Roost had arrived.
Through dispersing mist, fifty-three hunters disembarked onto blackened earth. Charred cliffs surrounded them. The distant village had been reduced to smoldering ruins; charcoal-like figures writhed on the ground, spewing black smoke. Chen Qi advanced, gazing toward the volcanic summit where two dragons circled like orbiting embers - their nesting site where Dragon's Breath Grass grew.
"Better play safe - I'm still too green to handle two dragons simultaneously," Chen Qi mused. The safest approach remained cooperation. Now Balong stepped forward: "After long journeys, we gather here united by dreams. Our shared goal is rift clearance. Expelling the dragons guarantees each at least one skill card. Might I share some words?"
"Old man, spit it out!" Little Red Riding Hood snapped. She recognized the Red Crystal Hunters' thorough preparations.
Balong gazed at the circling dragons: "At my age, wealth and power mean little. Reputation, legacy, unfulfilled wishes - these matter most. This island holds my regrets." Rolling up his sleeve revealed a scarred arm - dragon burns! Chen Qi was startled; Balong's preparations exceeded expectations.
Someone gasped: "Old Hunter Balong... you've been here before?" Sighing, Balong reminisced: "Yes, ten years ago. My comrade died protecting us, fighting alone against a dragon. I watched his head get bitten off - a lifelong trauma. I return now to avenge him." Tears fell as he looked toward the summit.
The hunters were awed. Balong's prior experience would greatly improve their odds. Chen Qi pondered this revelation as Balong lifted black soil: "After ten years, this land remains unchanged. Though presumptuous, I understand this rift better than anyone here. Our strength permits direct confrontation. I propose a speedrun strategy - who will join me?"
Traveling hunters grew excited, envisioning bountiful returns. Balong stared resolutely at the peak: "Together, we shall expel the dragons!"