LEVEL EVERYTHING UP in my Eldritch Tribe

Chapter 397: Dragon image

The particles began to coalesce. They gathered in mid-air a few paces in front of Lyerin, forming the faint outline of a shape—indistinct at first, like a figure seen through a dense fog. The mist began to swirl faster, drawn to the outline as if obeying an invisible command. The shape grew clearer, its edges sharpening, its form expanding, piece by piece.

First, the head emerged. It was massive, with a long, serpentine snout and sharp, angular features that radiated an aura of ancient power. The mist formed jagged ridges along its crown, which extended into curved, menacing horns that twisted toward the sky. Its eyes were empty sockets at first, hollow voids that seemed to stare into the very fabric of existence. But as the mana particles continued to condense, the sockets filled with glowing orbs of light—pale gold, flickering like the embers of a dying star. The sight of those eyes sent a chill through everyone present, for they seemed to see everything and nothing all at once.

Next, the neck took shape, long and sinuous, coiled as though ready to strike. Scales began to form along its length, each one crafted with exquisite detail. They shimmered in hues of black and gold, catching the light from the mana core and refracting it in mesmerizing patterns. The scales overlapped perfectly, forming a natural armor that seemed impenetrable. Along the sides of the neck, faint streaks of glowing blue light pulsed beneath the surface, like veins carrying liquid fire.

The body followed. It was enormous, broad, and muscular, exuding a raw, primal strength that was both awe-inspiring and terrifying. Massive shoulders gave way to powerful limbs, each clawed hand forming with meticulous precision. The claws were razor-sharp, curving into deadly points that seemed capable of rending the very air. Along the spine, jagged ridges rose, each one tipped with a faint glow that pulsed in time with the mana core.

The wings were next. At first, they appeared as faint outlines, translucent and ephemeral, but they soon solidified into towering appendages that stretched far and wide. The membranes between the wing bones were delicate yet strong, shimmering with an iridescent glow that shifted between hues of silver, gold, and violet. The wings were adorned with intricate patterns, like ancient runes etched into their surface, each one radiating a faint, otherworldly light.

The tail emerged last, long and whip-like, with a barbed tip that glinted ominously. It moved with a life of its own, swaying gently as though testing its newfound existence. The scales along its length were smaller and more flexible, allowing for fluid, graceful movement. At the base of the tail, faint wisps of mana curled and dissipated, as if the very air recoiled from its presence.

The entire figure was now almost complete, towering over them like a god made flesh. Its sheer size dwarfed everything else on the floating island, casting a shadow that seemed to stretch endlessly. The air around it crackled with energy, the mana particles still swirling, filling in the final details of the magnificent form.

And then, the dragon’s mouth began to form. Its lips curled back to reveal rows of jagged, gleaming teeth, each one as sharp as a blade. From its throat came a low, guttural rumble—a sound that resonated deep within their chests, shaking the very ground beneath their feet. The vibration grew stronger, and the sound rose in pitch, transforming into a deafening roar that seemed to split the heavens.

The roar was unlike anything they had ever heard. It was a sound of pure, unbridled power, a declaration of dominance that echoed across the sky and reverberated through the floating islands. The sheer force of it sent shockwaves rippling through the air, causing the Pig Orcs to stagger and the girls to shield their ears.

When the roar subsided, the dragon stood in all its terrifying glory. It was a creature of legend, brought to life before their very eyes—a being of immense power and majesty, born from the mana core and shaped by forces beyond comprehension. It gazed down at them, its glowing eyes filled with an intelligence and a purpose that none of them could decipher. And in that moment, they knew they were in the presence of something far greater than themselves.

The air was thick with tension as the radiant image of the dragon lingered for just a moment longer before, in a heartbeat, vanishing without warning. It disappeared as if it had never been there, leaving behind only the faint shimmer of mana particles dissolving into the air. The abruptness of the vanishing act left everyone stunned. The girls, still reeling from the awe-inspiring display, felt a deep, unsettling void where the dragon’s towering presence had been just moments before.

Elena was the first to break the silence, her voice trembling as she whispered, “What… what was that?” Her words were soft, but they carried the weight of every question that burned in the minds of the others.

Maria, wide-eyed, clutched her chest as if trying to steady her racing heart. “It was… it was so real. Did you see how massive it was? Those wings… that roar. It felt like it was alive!” She looked to Lyerin, her expression a mix of fear and desperate curiosity.

Sophia, still shaking slightly, pointed to the space where the dragon had stood. “Lyerin, what did you just do? What was that thing? That wasn’t just magic—no magic I’ve ever seen could do something like that!”

Fiona’s voice rose in pitch as she clutched Emily’s arm, her tone wavering between amazement and fear. “Lyerin, you… you have to explain. That thing—it was enormous! And its eyes—it felt like it was staring right into my soul. What is this place where something like that even exists?”

Natalie, ever the pragmatist, tried to keep her voice steady but failed to hide the slight quiver in her words. “Was it… was it dangerous? That roar—it shook everything. I thought the island was going to collapse. Are we safe here? Was that… was that a real dragon?”

Cornelia and Corora exchanged nervous glances before Corora spoke up, her voice filled with incredulity. “A dragon? Are you saying that was an actual dragon? Lyerin, you have to be kidding. There’s no way that something so terrifying—so enormous—just… appears like that and then disappears! That’s impossible!”

Lydia clung to Sophia, her expression pale. “But if it was a dragon… why did it vanish? Was it watching us? Was it… alive? Or was it some kind of memory? Lyerin, please, tell us everything! We need to know!”

Emily, normally calm and composed, found herself speaking quickly, her words tumbling out in a rush. “It wasn’t just big—it was… magnificent. The way it formed, the details, the scales… it wasn’t like anything I’ve ever seen. But it felt ancient, like it came from some other time, some other world. How did you summon something like that? And… why?”

Sophia suddenly grabbed Lyerin’s arm, her grip tight with urgency. “Lyerin, answer us! Don’t just stand there like that! You have to tell us what that was. Was it dangerous? Was it here to hurt us? What does it mean?!”

Amid the barrage of questions, Lyerin stood silently, his expression calm, almost amused. He let the storm of voices swirl around him for a moment before casually shrugging. “It’s a dragon,” he said nonchalantly, as if the answer was the most obvious thing in the world.

His words hung in the air, simple yet profound, and the girls froze for a moment, their collective shock rendering them momentarily speechless.