I Only Tame Dragons

Chapter 143 Shadows of the Jungle

"Move! Now!" Von shouted, leading the charge through the dense jungle. His voice was sharp, cutting through the chaos as the serpent let out a bone-chilling hiss.

Lydia stumbled over a twisted root but managed to steady herself with her blades. "Where are we even going? It's gaining on us!" she yelled, panic creeping into her voice.

"Anywhere but here!" Horizon snapped, glancing over his shoulder. The serpent was closing in, its immense body crashing through trees and underbrush as though they were nothing more than twigs.

Silphie flew ahead, her sharp eyes scanning the surroundings for any possible escape route. "There's a slope up ahead!" she called out. "If we can get there, we might lose it in the ravine!"

The group veered toward the slope, their boots slipping on loose dirt and foliage as they scrambled up the incline. The serpent was relentless, its sinuous form carving through the jungle like a destructive wave.

"Frigid, can you slow it down?" Horizon ordered.

Frigid nodded and turned on his heel and slammed his hands into the ground. A wall of frost erupted in the serpent's path, crystalline shards glinting in the light. The serpent reared back, hissing in frustration as its body collided with the ice. For a brief moment, it slowed.

"Go!" Frigid growled, his voice as cold as the frost he conjured.

The group didn't waste a second, scrambling over the ridge and into a narrow ravine below. The air was damp and heavy, the thick foliage above casting long shadows over the uneven ground. Silphie spotted a cluster of jagged rocks further ahead, partially obscured by vines and moss.

"Over there!" she gestured. "We can hide!"

They rushed toward the rocks, squeezing into a cramped crevice just as the serpent smashed through the ice barrier. Its roar echoed through the jungle, a sound of fury that sent shivers down their spines.

Horizon pressed his back against the stone, holding his breath. The others followed suit, their bodies tense as the serpent slithered into the ravine. Its tongue flicked out, tasting the air, while its head swayed back and forth, searching for its prey.

"It's looking for us," Lydia whispered, barely audible over the pounding of her own heart.

"No kidding," Nyx sneered, her grip tightening on Horizon's hair.

Silphie peered out through a small gap in the rocks, her sharp eyes locked on the serpent. "It's blind in tight spaces. It's relying on smell and sound."

"Don't move," Von said, his voice low but firm.

Minutes felt like hours as the serpent's massive head loomed closer, its golden scales brushing against the rocks that concealed them. The faint scent of its venom filled the air, a sickly-sweet odor that made Lydia's stomach churn.

The serpent lingered for a moment, its tongue flicking dangerously close to their hiding spot. Then, as if deciding its prey had vanished, it let out a frustrated hiss and began to slither back toward the jungle.

"Is it gone?" Lydia whispered, her voice trembling.

Horizon, however, didn't share their patience. The idea of sitting still made him restless. "You all stay here. I'm going to look around."

"Are you out of your mind?" Lydia snapped, glaring at him.

Nyx smirked, leaning against the wall. "Guess you're itching to see what's out there, huh? I want to come too!"

"I don't blame you," Von admitted with a shrug. "Staying here does get boring."

"Boring?" Lydia said incredulously, crossing her arms. "You know what's not boring? The beasts out there waiting to tear us apart!"

"Keep your voice down," Nyx hissed, shooting her a sharp look. "Do you want them to hear us and make that a reality?"

Lydia clamped her mouth shut, pouting as she glanced away. "I'm just saying it's reckless to go out there."

Frigid nodded thoughtfully. "She's got a point. But sitting here doing nothing? That's not really an option either for men like us."

Lydia shot him a look and lightly smacked his arm. "Whose side are you on?"

"I'm on everyone's side," Frigid replied.

Despite her protests, Horizon was determined. Lydia could only watch with frustration as he and Nyx prepared to leave. Von, as usual, stayed behind, leaning into his role of keeping the ladies protected.

"Don't do anything stupid," Lydia called after Horizon, her voice a mix of concern and exasperation.

Horizon glanced back with a faint smirk before disappearing into the dense forest. As much as Von might have wanted to explore too, he stayed back, his priorities clear: keep the group intact, especially Lydia and Silphie.

The idea of exploring outside didn't hold much appeal for Von—not when it meant staying back with two beautiful ladies.

Meanwhile, Horizon moved swiftly through the trees, leaping effortlessly from branch to branch with Nyx following close behind. Their movements were deliberate, avoiding any sudden noise that might draw the attention of beasts beyond their capabilities.

"Hunt?" Nyx asked, raising a brow. "I thought we were exploring."

"We are," Horizon replied, his tone calm but serious. "But we need to conserve the apple we got from the Apple Tree Dragon. There are still two more games ahead, and we can't afford to run out of food this early. If we can hunt something here, all the better. I'm also keeping an eye out for materials—anything useful we can scavenge."

Nyx smirked, shaking his head as he followed Horizon's lead. "You've always got a plan, huh? Fine, I'll tag along. But if we stumble on something bigger than us, don't expect me to play hero."

"Noted," Horizon said with a faint grin, his eyes scanning the dense foliage.

The pair moved seamlessly through the forest, their senses sharp and their footsteps quiet, the thrill of the unknown driving them forward.