Heal up and a Surprise

Using the mana I managed to regenerate from meditation to heal myself with a low level healing spell. I was finally able to top my HP and look at the notifications I received during and after the fight.

[ENCOUNTER COMPLETE!] Rewards: 2,430 EXP! Fel hyena pelt!

[QUEST!] What do we say to the God Of ****? Progress achieved!

New skill [Power Attack] unlocked!

New skill [Meditation] unlocked!

'Not a bad haul' throwing the remaining corpses to be harvested by inventory. I decide to use my [Meditate] to top my still depleted mana pool. I even managed to think of a name for myself. I hope it will be a hit among the dragonkind which I need it to be. Runa Ruya really fucked the Draconic races when she turned her cloak. The heir to the dragons killed her father and helped kill the demon king. We've effectively become the poster boys for treachery thanks to her.

After topping up mana I took deep breath before getting ready to continue on. It gave me pause. I smelt flowers, lime, and wood: maybe oak but one that made gave me pause was metal.

I wasn't the only one testing this dungeon anymore. Then came the icing on the cake.

[SURPRISE QUEST!] Hunter or hunted?

A party of adventurers has entered the dungeon trying to solve a mystery of a shining meteor crashing into the savanna! Will they hunt you down or will you hunt them?

Reward: 5000 EXP, travel kit x4, ?

Failure: ****

This [Quest] has automatically been accepted! So don't fuck up!

Well fuck, I can't back out and if I go forward I risk being pincered between this party and the dungeon's monsters.

I cast minor blessing and minor ward on myself before meditating to begin my next fight at full strength. 'Heh.' I think to myself as I wait for the enemy to arrive. 'Looks like I'll get to keep earning my name'

AN: the chapter isn't stopping but we'll be switching perspectives to the party hunting our "hero". Felt this would be the coolest way for you to see him for the first time.

"Alright, we're getting close." Rain spoke in a hushed voice. "Whatever landed here's not hiding it tracks at all, but it's definitely slowed down. We should get into combat formation. It's either realized it being followed or judging by the scorch Mark's, it's wounded and thus likely to attack first and ask questions later.

The four had begin together for over 3 years now. Growing into an effective adventuring party.

Rain their rogue named for the rainfall that marked the end of a 5 year drought on the night of her birth. She was the most practical of the group. Often coming up with plans that kept them alive.

Brit, a dragon tribe barbarian of some skill traveling the world to master herself Many called her reckless to the point of madness. But she always said that her rage was something to conquer. She had been steadily relying on it less. She actually said felt close to a breakthrough.

Meilin is a mystic of local renown. She's the brightest mage born in the savanna in nearly 100 years. Many say she'll out pace the region's current arch-mage in a year. The leader who brought them together.

Then there was her. Helena priestess to Pantheon of Light. She was never able to dedicate herself to a single God. She had always felt a dissonance with each one, but still believed in the whole. Many call her faithless, but Meilin called her wise. Told her that her power was proof of her faith, that true faith wasn't blind.

"If it is waiting for us it must be a descendant of a Great one, no other creature would be so bold." Brit grinned.

"Not everything with courage is of dragon Brit. You need to remember that not everything revolves around them." Meilin chided Brit's enthusiasm for any related to the Draconic races. Her people claimed many of the traditions and powers they had were taught to them by dragons that had ruled in ancient times. Her homeland did have a rather large population of dragonkind so there might be a kernel of truth to it. They would be the first, just look at Runa the Redeemed.

"I don't like this plan. Anything that can just walk away from a fall like that is going to be powerful. More powerful than we have really dealt with. I say we fall back and get another party involved." I didn't think this was a good idea.

"I see what you're saying Helly, I even agree to some extent. The problem is that any group I can think of is either out on their own job, or too weak to help. Sometimes we just have to roll the dice on things."

"She's right Helena, have faith. You the best at it are you not?" Meilin gave a reassuring simile.

"Our leader is right, Helly! Just make sure I stay standing and none will stop us!" Brit was fearless as usual. I envied her bravery.

"Shush. We're getting closer, and I smell burnt flesh… and blood. Watch for fire and lightning magic everyone." Rain whispered to us.

The cave opened up to a large cavern, scorch marks and bloodstains riddled the ground.

In the far part of the cavern sat a single creature. It seemed to be praying or meditating perhaps? It must have sensed because it opened its eyes and stood as we approached the cavern's entrance.

It was a little shorter than the average person. About as large as a dwarf, its scales were red as rubies and it's under belly was the color of amber with rippling muscles underneath . It wore simple leather armor, but it showed signs of battlefield damage as if to show proof of its valor. A thick tail laid near its feet. A weapon we would need to watch out for to be sure. Wings spread from it's back. A glider not a flier if Meilin's lesson were remembered. But most unnerving were it's that looked like emeralds. Eyes that were far too calm. It had known we were following it, but hadn't hid its tracks.

"Ha! I told you it was a descendant of a Great One!"

Brit strode into the cavern shouting at the dragon-kin.

"I am Brit, of the Dragon clan, daughter of Brii of Dragon clan! State your name and do battle so that you might know me!"

"Hang on there Brit! Our job is to find out what's happening, not challenge the would be cause!" Meilin spoke "Creature, would you be willing to answer our questions peacefully? I would rather not fight but we will if need be."

Rain hadn't said anything but was trying to flank the dragon-kin, slowly moving to put it between herself and brit.

"Out of respect for the rage warrior whose ancestors once served mine I offer this single chance. Leave, pursue me no further and I will leave you be. Refuse and you will all know suffering."

"I see. I'm afraid we've reached an impasse then." Rain drew her long dagger and short sword out, as Brit ready herself and her battle axe for a charge.

As he spoke 8 spears of blazing fire appeared around him. "So it seems. I am Ahkrinahjun Ruya, and you all meet your fate here!"

Terror gripped my heart as he spoke his name. Ruya was only used by those of the royal bloodline. A terrible thought popped into my head. He hadn't been hiding his tracks, he chose this area and cleared all the enemies out before we arrived, yet looked completely unharmed despite this area being one the tougher encounters in this dungeon. Despite my best efforts to be brave, I began to wonder, had we been hunting him? Or had he been hunting us?

I hurriedly cast a flame ward as the monster's flame spears shot forth. Even as their flames dimmed from my wards power. Three had managed peirce both Brit and Rain. Pinning them if only for a brief moment. I barely managed to dodge the spear lobbed at me.

Meilin had managed to dodge as well, and returned fire with four flame spears of her own that the monster ignored as he began to charge towards us. The spears washed over him with no effect. He then leaped slamming his tail into Meilin's chest, knocking her back and bowling her over before landing in front of me.

I barely finished casting healing spell to restore everyone's strength. Four more spears this time, made of stone, locked down Brit and Rain just as they were set free from the flame spears.

"Gahh! Damned magic! Face me properly Ahkrinahjun!" Brit wasn't liking being the monster's tactics. It wanted to take me and Meilin out of the fight, take on Brit and Rain without us there to support them.

I tried to move away but before could the monster's tail slammed the back of my leg and knocked me on back. As the wind was driven from my lungs, the tail came back and slammed my head into the ground. I knew no more.

AN: I hoped you all liked the Ahkrinahjun's reveal. As always feel free branch out a diferent direction.