I Only Tame Dragons

Chapter 140 A Reckoning on the Horizon

The hawk's golden eyes narrowed as it studied him. The magical circle flared with light as the first attempt concluded, but the hawk resisted. The seal cracked, and the ritual failed. Horizon sighed but didn't waver.

"Stubborn, aren't you? Fine," he said, summoning the circle again. "You don't realize what's at stake here. Let me make it clear—you're not just joining some ordinary summoner. You'll be part of something bigger. Fight for me, and you'll have the chance to conquer, to rule. Resist, and you'll end up nothing more than a pile of feathers."

The second attempt began, and the hawk gave another defiant cry, its will still unbroken. The circle dimmed again, signaling another failure. Horizon clenched his fist, his patience thinning but his resolve growing sharper.

"Alright, last chance," he said, his voice cold as ice. His Dracolich and Wisteria Dragon stood behind him, silent but imposing, their gazes locked on the hawk as if to remind it of the power it had just faced.

Horizon leaned closer, his tone dropping to a growl. "I'm not playing games. Submit, or I'll finish you here and now. You've seen what I can do. You really want to test my limits?"

The hawk let out a softer chirp, its body trembling slightly. It wasn't fear—it was calculation. The once-proud creature seemed to weigh its options, its golden eyes darting between Horizon and the allies standing behind him. Finally, it let out a low, reluctant squawk and bowed its head.

The magical circle flared brightly, sealing the pact. A surge of energy connected Horizon and the hawk, and he felt the bond solidify in his core. A victorious smirk played across his lips as he straightened.

"Smart choice," Horizon said, reaching out to pat the hawk's icy feathers. It flinched slightly but didn't resist. "Welcome to the team."

The Dragon Ice Hawk let out a low, resigned chirp, its pride battered but its strength now a part of Horizon's growing menagerie. Another powerful ally had joined his ranks, and Horizon couldn't be happier.

Nyx finally settled above Horizon's head, her tiny wings fluttering lazily as the Dracolich, Wisteria Dragon, and the newly tamed Dragon Ice Hawk all returned to him.

"Well, that went better than expected," Nyx said with a huff, crossing her arms. "You're still insane, though."

Horizon smirked. "Insane, but successful."

Turning toward the distant exit, he stretched his arms and broke into a run. "Let's get out of this place before something else shows up."

Nyx rolled her eyes but followed, her voice trailing behind him. "Finally! I thought we'd never escape this dimension."

With the first challenge complete and victory secured, Horizon raced toward the glowing barrier, his sights set on the next phase of the game.

As they approached the exit, a faint shimmer of light broke through the oppressive gloom, marking the boundary between the cursed dimension and the real world.

Seraphina and her group watched the scene from a distance. A small smile tugged at her lips as she motioned for her teammates to step back. "Let them have their moment," she murmured. The Valkyries understood, choosing not to intrude as Horizon celebrated with his guild.

The first challenge had been brutal. Almost all the weaker guilds had been wiped out, their dreams of glory shattered in the expanse of the dimension. Of the competitors in their category, only Nyx's guild had emerged unscathed. Most of the survivors belonged to top-tier guilds—those ranked in the first and second tiers. And, of course, there was Horizon's guild, standing tall amidst the wreckage.

Still, not everyone had made it back yet. Some guilds remained trapped in the dimension, fighting for their lives or scrambling to complete the challenge. Knowing this, Horizon's group chose to seize the opportunity to rest.

"Let's head back," Horizon said, his voice steady. "We've earned a break—and a feast."

The guild's celebration wasn't rushed. They gathered around a large campfire, sharing hearty meals and recounting their exploits. Silphie finally got her dessert, though she insisted on seconds—and thirds.

But even as they rested, Horizon's mind was already at work. Back in his workshop, he meticulously examined their gear, laying out the spoils they had retrieved from the frozen dimension. Every piece of loot was scrutinized for potential upgrades. Some equipment needed repairs; others could be enhanced or infused with new properties.

The challenge had tested them to their limits, but it had also rewarded them handsomely. Horizon's fingers brushed over a shimmering gem—the core of the Ice Golem. He smiled faintly, already imagining the possibilities it held for their future battles.

The guild's victory in the first challenge was a hard-won triumph, but it was only the beginning. The road ahead promised to be even more perilous, with stronger foes and tougher trials waiting to push them further.

For now, they allowed themselves the rare luxury of rest. The days passed in a blur, a fleeting calm before the storm of the next challenge.

When the time came, the second trial loomed like a shadow over the survivors. The players, now fewer in number, gathered once again in the expansive grasslands conjured by the elves' masterful illusions. Rolling meadows stretched endlessly under a sky painted with hues of dawn, a serene contrast to the tension crackling in the air.

"The numbers have thinned out a lot," Von remarked, his tone edged with a mix of unease and anticipation.

Horizon nodded silently, his gaze sweeping across the field. The remnants of the first trial—battle-hardened and wary—stood in their respective formations. Each guild carried the scars of their survival, their resolve sharpened by the challenges they had endured.

Then he saw them.

Trisha and Travis stood amidst their guilds, faces as unreadable as stone. Horizon's breath hitched for a moment, but not from the surge of emotions he once might have felt. The betrayal that had gnawed at him for a year no longer stirred anger or heartbreak. Instead, it kindled something far more potent—a burning resolve for vengeance.

His hands tightened into fists at his sides, his mind already racing through possibilities. In this second trial, there would be no hesitation, no second thoughts. If the opportunity arose, he would deliver the reckoning they deserved—by his own hands.

The wind carried the murmurs of players preparing themselves for the trial ahead, but for Horizon, the world had narrowed to two targets.

His guild would rise, and Trisha and Travis would fall.