195 Bravery

The red flames roared in the night sky. That brilliant flickering was so bright, perhaps its illumination could be seen from several kilometers away. That being said, the hunter, who was still standing at the edge of the forest, could even smell the piercing burning scent of dread.

The mixed odor of sulfur, charred meat, and wood that had not burnt through was all in the air. Such a man as the old hunter could pick up the scent and can tell what was going on up ahead. At then, even with his sharp, calculative mind, he was unable to think rationally. Like all others in the face of dread, his mind was racing.

The hunter focused his gaze onto the flames and saw the things that he had not wished to see—a burning village. Houses that had collapsed due to the flames. Worse of all, the ember remained of the burnt villagers.

 That and, of course, the dragon.