Kai

Together with Caliban, we ran away from the Dragon.

I glanced back and saw that Rowan and Dustin went in one direction and Rino went in the other direction. I looked up and I saw that the Dragon was currently chasing after us. The dragon's huge wings created a gust of wind which caused the trees to sway.

"ROAR!!!"

The dragon landed right in front of us, crushing a lot of trees in the process.

Caliban and I skidded to a stop.

It opened its huge mouth and breathed fire right at us!

We dodged out of the way.

Caliban created a fireball and threw it right at the Dragon's face. However, it barely did any damage as it was a fire dragon meaning the dragon was immune to fire. So Caliban just unsheathed his sword and ran towards the dragon. He tried to stab the dragon, however, its scales were too strong to penetrate.

I grinned and said confidently, "I got this!"

(A/N: You Fool! You are just jinxing yourself!)

"Okay."

For the first time since I came to this world, I would be using my shadow manipulation.

I raised my hands and pulled the Dragon's legs in the shadow and with a startled yelped, the Dragon fell over itself with a loud bang.

With my shadow manipulation, Caliban was finally able to pierce the dragon with his lightning sword.

The Dragon roared with pain and it suddenly broke free from my shadow manipulation!

Nani!!!???

My eyes grew wide as I finally realized something very important.

The fucking sun was setting!!!

The only other ability I had was dark healing and poison. However, I never practiced how to use the poison skill.

There was no other way to beat a fire dragon unless we were able to combat it with water.

Wait..water?!

Didn't I have the blessing of the water god?!

Even though I did not know how to use the ability just like the poison ability, I was somehow able to summon a water ball just by visualizing it!

I then yeeted the water ball towards the Dragon and it howled in pain as if it got hit with holy water!

Finding it effective, I began to hit the Dragon with my water magic and while it was distracted from pain, Caliban would stab it ruthlessly with his lightning sword in its weak spot.

Thus, this occurred for an hour long.

Right when I was about to throw another water ball, I was shocked to find that I could not summon another water ball.

"I am out of mana!"

"Same!" Caliban looked in my direction and responded as he too has been using his mana for the past hour. He was panting heavily and it was obvious he was physically exhausted.

Compared to him, I fared a little bit better as I all had to do it through some water balls at the dragon without moving an inch but Caliban had to run around and dodge in order to strike the dragon.

Suddenly, the Dragon was about to swipe its claws at Caliban!

At this point, Caliban and I were both weak due to mana depletion. I knew that Caliban did not have the strength to dodge and so with a burst of energy, I blocked the Dragon's claws and nearly cried out due to the sudden pain.

It felt like a thousand arrows plunged through my chest. Although it was just a swipe, the Dragon's claw sliced deep into my skin and I had a faint inkling that it penetrated deep into my chest.

Sure enough, when I looked down, my shirt was ripped open to reveal slashes across my chest. My bones could be seen.

Sweat clung to my forehead as my knees began to wobble unsteadily.

"Kai!" Caliban yelled as he ran towards me. He placed my arm over his shoulder to help me stand.

"Leave me," I told him.

There was no way that we would be able to defeat this high ranked Dragon. Since I was injured so badly, I would end up bringing the two of us down.

At least I could stall for time for Caliban so that he could escape.

"Never!"

Caliban lifted me and carried me while running as he knew that I could not run, or walk for that matter.

The Dragon roared as it chased after us and after a few minutes, we came to a clearing in the forest.

It was clear as day that we could not outrun the Dragon.

Just then, hot air blew across my face because the dragon breathed fire again!

Caliban shielded me from the flames. Caliban was immune to fire (fireproof) because he had the Blessing of the God of Fire, Kairos.

Neither one of us can attack the dragon as our mana was depleted due to constant use. The only choice we had was retreat.

The fire dragon breathed fire again and this time it was closer than before.

Caliban put me down near a nearby tree and held his sword as he stood in a defensive stance.

"ROAR!!!"

The Dragon madly swiped at Caliban but he dodged in the nick of time.

How was he able to recover so fast? I thought when I saw him rolling around. Just a few minutes ago, he could barely move, let alone dodge.

As I watched the battle unfold before me, my breath started to get ragged and I felt as if someone was choking me.

I gasped for air, clutching my bloody chest. I groaned in pain and discomfort. Blood continued to fall from my open wound. If this continued, I would die of blood loss! I looked around and tried to ignore the pain.

There!

It was a medical herb designed to help treat open wounds. If I could just get it, then I will be able to stop my blood from flowing out. I gritted my teeth in pain as I stood up with shaking legs.

I raised my hand up to steady myself on the tree. The herb was about 6 feet away and I walked towards it slowly. Just when I was about to grab the herb, a sharp and sudden sensation went through me.

I clutched my wounded chest in pain. I staggered and collapsed onto the ground.

I was so close...

"Kai!"

Caliban, who was fighting the Dragon, plunged his sword deep into the Dragon's eye which caused the Dragon to yell in pain and the Dragon stopped attacking him for now. He immediately rushed towards me. I was breathing heavily.

Was I going to die again?

Caliban kneeled next to me.

Warm droplets of tears fell down my face.

Was Caliban...crying?

But...Why?

"Kai, don't leave me, don't die!"

Was I dying? This was so unfair! I did not even actively pursue Caliban due to the Royal Hunt! Damn it! Why did I declare that I was going to pursue him when I am going to die before I even have the chance to!

Gosh! I couldn't even open my mouth to tell Caliban that I love him because I am too weak!

With the rest of my strength, I managed to smile gently at Caliban.

Seeing my smile, Caliban's shoulder shook as he began to cry harder.

"Please...I haven't told you yet that I-" Caliban said with a heartbroken voice.

That was the last thing I heard before I felt my eyes close with exhaustion. What a cliffhanger, I thought. You haven't told me about what?

Soon, I faded into unconsciousness.