Page 31

The Chimera’s dive was over, leaving impressive results.

With just one attack, it had downed three Eagle Guards, eliciting a loud cheer from the creatures in the Embers Nest. Even the usually prideful, red-dragon-subservient wyverns raised their heads and let out triumphant roars.

“Roar—”

The three-headed beast reveled in its success, each head emitting a harmonious, thunderous roar of satisfaction.

It beat its wings forcefully, riding the currents to climb for another assault.

“Monster, your opponent is me!”

A dark shadow streaked past the Chimera from behind.

Alger’s expert riding skills, combined with the eagle’s aerial acrobatics, allowed the eagle to ride the Chimera’s air currents, staying in its blind spot.

Leaning forward, Alger swung his sharp sword, slicing into the Chimera’s tough hide.

Blood splattered in mid-air.

“Aah!”

Feeling the wound on its back, the Chimera let out an enraged howl.

Immediately, it twisted in mid-air, whipping its muscular dragon tail toward the position behind it.

“Igor!”

Alger called to his partner, gripping tightly with his legs.

The eagle understood instantly, rolling sideways in the air to deftly avoid the strike.

The dragon tail swished through empty air, leaving the Chimera furious. It accelerated, twisting its dragon head around to spew searing flames at the pursuing Eagle Guard.

“Boom—”

Flames ignited the air.

But the Chimera’s neck couldn’t swivel all the way around.

Alger, steering with one hand, only needed a slight sidestep to evade the fiery breath. Using his maneuverability, he angled himself again to the Chimera’s blind spot directly above.

“To master the sky is to master all,” the old instructor always told them.

Seeing this persistent Eagle Guard still behind, the Chimera dove downward again.

“Swish—”

With a precise wing spread, it abruptly halted, hoping to make the Eagle Guard crash into the rock wall.

However, Alger wasn’t falling for it.

He calmly tailed the Chimera, making a controlled turn.

But during this maneuver, his keen eagle-like vision caught an unusual detail.

The Chimera’s left wing extended half a beat slower.

In that brief moment, Alger’s sharp eyes detected it.

“Its left wing has an old injury!”

Alger spoke with excitement.

He gently stroked his eagle’s feathers, prompting a sharp screech as the eagle dove.

“Swish—”

This time, the blade sliced across the Chimera’s hind leg.

Alger was patient when dealing with large beasts.

He didn’t expect to kill it in one strike, aiming instead to wear it down with his mobility.

Against such creatures, a patient hunter often claimed the prize, while a reckless fool risked his life.

Of course, barbarians were an exception.

Knowing that the Chimera’s wings were injured, limiting its agility, the Eagle Guard captain’s attacks became bolder.

This time, the eagle even hovered directly below the beast.

“Unleash the tide!”

Alger’s muscles tensed, and his movements accelerated.

Within seconds, he swung his sword multiple times, each slash slicing through the thick lion-hide, cutting deep into the Chimera’s flesh and even grazing its soft internal organs.

“Aah—”

The Chimera howled in agony, then, suppressing the pain, swiped its clawed paw downward.

But by then, the eagle rider had already shifted to its side, spotting yet another weak point.

“Follow through!”

As he finished one slash, Alger swiftly shifted to deliver a side slash, precisely slicing the Chimera’s descending claw.

The Chimera roared again, lifting all three heads in unison.

Eagle feathers and blood flew.

Under Alger’s expert skills, the eagle passed over the Chimera’s back, side, and belly time and again. Each strike drew blood, yet the Chimera failed to lay a claw on even a single feather.

This was the difference between a beast and a warrior.

The wyverns attempted to help, flapping forward.

But they were already struggling.

Each wyvern soon found itself encircled by small formations of seven to eight Eagle Guards, left only to roar angrily as they flailed, swinging their tails aimlessly.

“Igor, left side, up.”

Alger’s tone held a note of excitement—taking down such a large creature always stirred his blood.

“I’m going to slice off this thing’s wing!”

“Screech!”

With a piercing eagle cry, Alger and his eagle became a dark blur, diving towards the now-dazed Chimera.

Just as his sword was about to strike the dragon wing—

“Fireball!”

A blazing fireball shot up from the ground toward the eagle.

The ogre mage Langpu had been waiting below, watching for just such a moment of distraction.

“Igor!”

Alger shouted, adjusting his body to steer.

Mid-dive, the eagle managed to bank sharply, narrowly dodging the fireball.

Only the edge of its right wing was singed, leaving a charred line.

However, this mid-air adjustment had thrown them off balance.

The Chimera, regaining its senses, seized the rare opportunity. Frustrated by its mounting injuries, it simply wanted to unleash its fury.

With a roar, it swung its lion’s claw.

“Bang!”

Feathers and blood scattered.

The eagle, along with its rider, was sent flying over ten meters.

Even as they spun and tumbled through the air, Alger held tightly, refusing to fall from his eagle.

“Igor, veer right!”

Not only did he manage to stay mounted, but he adjusted his balance, helping the injured eagle to stabilize its flight.

Seeing Alger still airborne, the Chimera grew even angrier, lunging forward again.

“Eagle Guard, assemble!”

“The Chimera’s nearly done!”

Alger raised his sword high.

The surrounding Eagle Guards disengaged from the wyverns, gradually surrounding the Chimera in a coordinated formation, ready to continue harrying it.

Arrows flew from all directions, accompanied by sudden spear thrusts from behind.

The Chimera, now covered in wounds, was visibly struggling.

Though not highly intelligent, the Chimera knew that if this continued, it would meet its end. It could no longer tolerate the “pesky flies” swarming around it.

So, all three heads let out hoarse growls, feinting a few lunges. When the Eagle Guards backed off slightly, the Chimera turned and fled.

It was heading toward the cave to establish a defensive position.

Alger immediately recognized its intent.

“It’s trying to escape!”

“Eagle Guard, prepare for a mass assault!”