I Only Tame Dragons

It was as if the elves had set this trial to test the bonds between rival guilds and adventurers alike, daring them to set aside differences for a common goal.

Alone, the Guardian was an insurmountable force; together, perhaps they had a shot at toppling it.

But they had already triggered its awakening, and the only path left was forward.

Seraphina's resolve hardened as she raised her blade. "We're in this now, like it or not. Keep the pressure on, and watch your weapon durability," she commanded, her voice a steady anchor amidst the rising chaos.

She glanced at her sword, already showing the faintest signs of wear from the impact against Eldergrove's resilient stone form. They were in for a grueling battle.

Horizon was grappling with the same thoughts as Seraphina. How could this challenge have been designed with such an insurmountable obstacle?

The Eldergrove was clearly not intended to be taken down by a mere five-person team.

They needed help—at least four other guilds.

Horizon had faith in his team, confident that with Damon, Ford, David, and the might of his dragon companions, they could bring down the Eldergrove.

But the cost of such a victory might be far too high; he wasn't willing to sacrifice his army for a single boss fight.

And what about the other regions? They couldn't afford to exhaust their forces on just one Guardian. The thought of tackling all the formidable foes lurking in the shadows of this sprawling domain within the time limit sent a chill down his spine.

If they continued on this path, they'd be wiped out long before the ten-day deadline was reached.

The elves who crafted this game had to know this; they couldn't want the competition to end before it had barely begun.

Yes, the challenge should be hard—after all, it was a once-in-a-lifetime event, held every year with grand rewards awaiting those brave enough to persevere.

Yet the elves couldn't possibly want the participants to meet their doom in the very first encounter. They had crafted this competition with care, intending to milk every ounce of challenge and excitement, ensuring that the event not only tested the mettle of its players but also profited from their trials.

The spectacle needed to draw in the crowds, fueling the hype and anticipation for the grand rewards that awaited those who persevered.

Failure in the early stages wouldn't just end the journey for the players; it would also extinguish the flames of interest for the onlookers.

The elves had orchestrated this grand stage for a reason, and they intended for it to unfold dramatically, with players rising to the occasion against the odds.

"So, in short . . . ," Horizon said, his voice steady despite the turmoil in his mind. "There's got to be a way to get through the next region without engaging that monster."

As he spoke, Nyx's keen eyes drifted to the Eldergrove, noticing a peculiar detail. "Hey, look at that. The thing doesn't seem to be moving beyond that circle of grass."

The realization hit them like a bolt of lightning. It was as if the Guardian was bound to its territory, unable to cross an invisible threshold.

Perhaps it was a limitation imposed by the very magic that birthed it, a rule set forth by this dimension.

"No . . . it seems to be protecting that monolith," Horizon mused, a spark of realization igniting within him. "Perhaps that's the exit to this region."

Nyx narrowed her gaze, channeling her focus entirely on the monolith. "Now that you mention it, I could sense a strange energy emanating from it," she replied.

"It's possible you couldn't detect it before because it wasn't active," Horizon explained. "If we can reach that monolith, we might just avoid a direct confrontation with the guardian."

He paused, strategizing. "If we can lure it away from the monolith, we stand a chance to sneak past it and reach for the monolith. It's risky, but if we play our cards right, we can turn this situation to our advantage."

"Then it's settled," Horizon declared. "We'll use them to slip past into the next region." He pointed at Wingless Valkyries, ready to put the plan into action.

Meanwhile, Velvet dashed past, her daggers glinting. "Guess we'll just have to make it bleed, one cut at a time," she said with a wild grin, unfazed by the guardian's massive health pool.

Around them, the forest seemed to echo Eldergrove's energy, its ancient, almost sentient aura pressing down on them like a weight.

They each steeled themselves, ready for a fight that would push them to their limits. This would be no ordinary battle — it was a trial of endurance, skill, and sheer willpower, and the only way out was through.

Eldergrove roared again, the sound washing over them like a thunderstorm. Its emerald eyes locked onto Dawnfire, perhaps sensing the threat her flames posed.Nôv(el)B\\jnn

With surprising speed for a creature of its size, it swiped an arm across the battlefield. Dawnfire rolled away just in time, but the ground where she'd stood was crushed into a crater, earth and roots curling up in jagged spikes.

"Keep it moving!" Velvet shouted, her figure darting around the guardian, her daggers flashing as she aimed for any weak points she could find.

Yet every strike seemed to barely scratch its rocky exterior, the creature shrugging off her efforts as though they were nothing more than insect bites.

Aria, from the safety of the rear, began chanting a powerful melody, casting waves of buffs and illusions to support her team. The haunting tune sharpen their senses, giving them a faint edge against the imposing threat before them.

Eldergrove bellowed as it swung its massive limbs, roots and vines extending like whips, sweeping across the battlefield with relentless fury.

For every wound inflicted, it seemed to repair itself with astonishing speed, drawing life force directly from the earth beneath.

Wingless Valkyries quickly realized that the ground they fought on was its lifeline; each step they took was on terrain Eldergrove could manipulate at will.