Chapter 2 : The Dragon Encounter

"I hope the Dragon Slaying Sword actually slays dragons," Roland muttered, gripping the hilt tightly.

The Earth Dragons, close relatives to true dragons, inherited their kin's brute strength and fiery breath, capable of obliterating small armies. Roland's pulse quickened as he led his warhorse out of the cave, hurriedly saddling up. Putting on the vest would have to wait; surviving came first.

Luckily, the trained Shire warhorse wasn't fazed by the dragon's presence, giving Roland a fighting chance.

"Let's go!" he shouted, urging the horse forward.

"Roar!" The Earth Dragon lunged, jaws wide open.

"Whoa!" Roland yanked the reins, narrowly dodging the massive maw.

"Take this!" he yelled, swinging his sword.

The blade cut through dragon scales, drawing a roar and a gush of hot blood.

"It works!" Roland marveled, landing another blow on the dragon's leg.

Enraged, the dragon whipped its tail, but the warhorse dodged nimbly.

"Boom!" A fiery breath shot past Roland, the heat intense even through his armor.

"That was close!" he gasped, feeling the heat radiate.

"Ha!" Roland blocked an incoming tail swipe with his sword, the impact almost knocking it from his grasp. The tail split in half, the Dragon Slaying Sword proving its worth.

"Ow!" The dragon roared, its fury now focused on the pesky knight.

"Time to finish this!" Roland charged, dodging another fiery blast and slicing through the dragon's belly.

The dragon's blood spattered, but Roland kept hacking until he created a gaping wound.

"Not good!" he realized, remembering the dragon's massive weight. He scrambled out from beneath it just in time.

The dragon collapsed, dead. Roland breathed a sigh of relief, finding his warhorse patiently waiting nearby.

"Dragon Hunter: Completed. You have successfully proved your courage and strength. Reward: The Dragon Knight*1. You can summon it at any time." The ring on his hand glowed again.

"A Dragon Knight?" Roland's eyes widened. He knew this was a game-changer.

"Summon!" he commanded, eager to see his reward.

"My lord!" A young, blond knight appeared, looking strikingly handsome.

"How old are you?" Roland asked, noticing the youthful face.

"Eighteen, my lord," the knight, Caslow, replied respectfully.

Roland, only sixteen before crossing over, felt a pang of jealousy. "What's your level, and where's your dragon?"

"I am a great knight, and my dragon is in the dragon flute," Caslow explained.

"Summon it," Roland ordered, intrigued.

Caslow played the flute, and a ten-meter-long blue dragon appeared, its four legs and sleek form indicating its noble lineage.

"A four-legged flying dragon! Not bad," Roland said, impressed.

He knew exposing his dragon knight too soon could invite trouble. In this magic-altered Middle-earth, many would covet a dragon flute.

"Alright, put it away," Roland ordered, knowing he had to be cautious.

Roland envied Caslow's gear: Adamantine Dragon Armor, Mithril Longsword, Dragon Spear, and more. Roland had only a sword and shield by comparison.

After dealing with the dragon's body and storing the useful materials in his system's space, Roland returned to the cave, hoping for some rest.

Lying down, he couldn't help but think of the challenges ahead. Tonight, though, he was just grateful to be alive.