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As a Faerie Wanderer, Richard could still utilize the faerie-gifted quasi-spell abilities, even in the thickening magic web that hindered normal spellcasting.

He closed his eyes slowly, focusing his awareness on the surrounding area.

[Primal Awareness]

This ability allowed him to detect strange creatures, dragons, elementals, fiends, and undead within a few miles—the very skill that had enabled him to ride freely behind enemy lines.

Within his consciousness, he sensed a massive energy entity moving toward them at an alarming speed, like a meteor with a singular purpose streaking across the horizon.

"How can it be this fast..."

Richard murmured in disbelief, his lips parting slightly.

According to common knowledge, red dragons possessed the largest, most robust physiques among chromatic dragons, but they were also considered the most cumbersome.

Their aerial agility paled in comparison to the bony black dragons or the slimmer green dragons. Yet this red dragon's speed defied everything Richard knew about dragonkind.

Cold sweat dripped from his forehead. If he didn't act soon, the red dragon would likely descend upon them, reducing them to nothing but ashes.

With this thought, he clenched his teeth and grabbed Abis's hand.

"Abis, come with me!"

[Earth Strider]

With faerie magic, their bodies shimmered with an emerald glow as they dashed through the forest, slipping through branches and thorns as if they were spirits of the wilderness. All obstacles seemed to willingly part for them.

However, within Richard's [Primal Awareness], the energy entity was still closing in at a visibly terrifying pace. He could even hear the roaring winds in the distant sky.

"If this continues, we'll definitely be caught!"

Sweat the size of beans formed on Richard's forehead. He knew that this mess was his doing, and he didn't want to drag his companion down with him.

"There's no other way! Abis, take the intel back to the Alliance. I'll lead the dragon away."

[Pass Without Trace]

Faerie magic gathered once more in his hand. Richard used fresh mud, soil, plants, and other natural materials to create a disguise. Within a few breaths, he had camouflaged the elven assassin as a sapling.

"You—"

Abis wanted to refuse, but she knew how crucial the mission was. She held the Ember Kingdom's map, which had to be returned south.

This was the Harpist Alliance—they existed to maintain balance in the world, to thwart the schemes of many evildoers, even at the cost of their own lives.

Yet the enemy was approaching faster than they had ever imagined.

The air filled with an ear-piercing howl as scorching gales swept through.

Above, a massive shadow blotted out the sky, casting over Richard. The sheer presence of it made his whole body tremble, the fierce winds nearly knocking him over. But the half-elf stubbornly raised his head.

"Oh god..."

Richard suddenly realized that this newly risen force of evil might be far beyond the Alliance's worst fears.

This was a catastrophe incarnate!

Before him was a red dragon, nearly twenty meters in length, covered in golden-red scales, each gleaming like molten lava. White-hot embers danced around its body. Every time it flapped its wings, a sulfurous wind blasted forth.

Thick smoke rolled out, veiling the skies and transforming the surroundings into what looked like the depths of hell.

Cassius gazed down at the half-elf, his golden eyes smoldering with a hint of rage.

"Was it you... disturbing my rest?"

Richard, still fleeing desperately, was horrified to realize that the dragon had said "you" in plural.

"Foolish disguise."

The red dragon flapped his wings slowly, and with the spreading ash and smoke, the kingdom's domain suddenly fell upon them, as if Cassius had seized the divine authority to snuff out all magic in the area.

The faerie magic flowing through Richard was extinguished without mercy.

The faerie-given disguise dissolved into mundane plants and soil, and the hidden elf assassin was laid bare before the red dragon.

"Abis, run!"

Richard shouted anxiously.

But it was already too late.

The massive form swept over the ground. Before Abis, a skilled assassin, could even react, the huge claw had already gripped her tightly.

The tall, slender form of the elf looked so pitifully small in the giant talons of the dragon.

Abis struggled and twisted, stabbing at the claw with her dagger and shouting, "Let me go, you vile beast!"

But before absolute strength, all resistance was in vain.

The dagger barely left a scratch on the red dragon's scales before it was flicked away, leaving only a white mark.

Cassius descended heavily to the ground, lifting the claw that held the elf, bringing her close to his face, a cruel smile forming.

"You know, my kin rather enjoy the flesh of young elven girls. They even have it recorded as a delicacy in our heritage."

"I don't have such barbaric tastes myself."

"But I'm curious..."

"What would it taste like?"

Abis trembled in fear, her body quaking. She could feel the sulfur-laden breath on her skin, a chilling premonition of death.

She had imagined dying for justice countless times—perhaps pierced by bandit arrows, or falling honorably on the battlefield. Never had she thought she would become a meal for a red dragon, dying in another's stomach!

"Richard, escape..."

Her past experiences flashed through her mind like phantoms. The elf couldn't help but turn her head—to look at the companion who had become so close to her.

"Don't grieve for me."

Abis and Richard had shared many adventures, and they both knew each other's feelings well. Yet they hadn't even had a chance to confess before this tragic farewell—and in such a dramatic fashion.

How cruel this was!

"No! Abis!"

Richard roared in despair.

Bereft of his faerie powers, he could do nothing but watch as his dearest companion was about to be swallowed by the dragon.

He picked up a stone and hurled it, but it was an almost laughable act. The red dragon ignored him entirely, still lifting the elf in his claw.

The stone clattered against Cassius's scales, then tumbled uselessly to the ground.

"No, no..."

Richard fell to his knees, murmuring in anguish.

Tears spilled onto the soil as despair filled his eyes, unable to witness the unbearable fate about to unfold.

Never before had the half-elf ranger felt so powerless. Even when surrounded by evil Red Robes or trapped in a bandit lair, he had always believed he could fight his way out.

But now, his vaunted faerie power was gone, and his closest companion was about to be taken from him.

But Richard noticed a massive shadow falling over him once more.

Did the dragon mean to devour him too?

Fine—he no longer had the will to live.

Meeting again inside the dragon's stomach—was that not a dark, ironic twist of fate?

Richard raised his empty gaze, startled to see the red dragon holding the unconscious elf, staring down at him. The golden eyes carried a chilling intent.

"Do you want her to live?"

"Tell me everything about you and your mission, and I might consider... delaying my lunch."