The Epic Dragon Titan

"Natural enemies! The world's balance?" Muria pondered. Dragons, though apex predators, are still part of the food chain. Thus, they have natural enemies. However, those creatures that hunt dragons rarely target ancient dragons. Instead, they often meet their demise. Therefore, dragons do not have true natural enemies.

Yet, nature seems dissatisfied with this state of affairs. The power of dragons, which relies on exploiting their surroundings, led to the emergence of deities known as Dragon Hunters.

"Like dragon slayers?" Muria frowned, deep in thought. "Nature requires balance. Even those seemingly detestable beings have a necessary role in the natural cycle." 

For example, 90% of dragon hunters have never hunted a true dragon. They usually target creatures with dragon blood, which are more aggressive and powerful than ordinary creatures. Such creatures, known as draconic beings, are widespread. Even the lowest kobolds have thin dragon blood. Dragon hunters exist to curb the spread of these dragon-blooded beings.

But knowing this profession exists for balance doesn't change the fact that their presence offends Muria. These beings have encroached on his territory, and he wouldn't hold back for the sake of balance—after all, it was his dragons being killed.

"Any god who takes up the role of Dragon Hunter should be killed, until no deity dares assume this position," Muria declared.

"Your Highness, it's not as simple as you say," another ancient dragon said with a wry smile. "A god who inherits the position of Dragon Hunter becomes a powerful divine force. Bringing down such a god requires a significant price. If we keep fighting, the dragon race won't be able to bear the cost."

"I see. I understand now. I have no further questions," Muria said, shaking his head to indicate he had no more to ask.

...

In a towering ice mountain, a group of humans in white cloaks secretly set up various traps and large dragon-hunting weapons in front of an ice cave.

"Keep quiet. Don't wake the crystal dragon inside."

"Don't worry. This dragon sleeps deeply. As long as there's no loud noise, it won't wake up. So, relax!"

"This is an adult crystal dragon. If it wakes up before we're ready, we're all doomed."

"Who cares if we die? Dying while hunting these filthy dragons means we can go to Lord Malok's divine kingdom and enjoy eternal life. That's a great outcome," a man setting up a dragon crossbow said indifferently, showing the typical disregard for life among divine followers, for whom death is just the start of eternal life.

Soon, these humans finished setting traps in front of the dragon's lair. At their leader's signal, one of them tossed a goblin rune grenade into the lair.

Boom—

A violent explosion shook the entire ice mountain, causing a minor avalanche. Amidst the roaring snow, a furious dragon roar resounded. The crystal dragon, awoken by the explosion, roared and emerged from its lair, spotting the humans who had disturbed its slumber.

It was injured, with scales on its neck and left chest peeling back, and translucent dragon blood dripping. However, these wounds were healing rapidly.

"Lowly humans, how dare you disturb my sleep? Prepare to become ice sculptures!" Enraged and slightly disoriented from being abruptly awakened, the crystal dragon didn't yet realize the impending danger.

"Don't waste time talking. Kill it as quickly as possible."

Ignoring the dragon's words, the humans fired their weapons.

Simultaneously, intense elemental fluctuations erupted at the dragon's feet, followed by a larger explosion. The dragon screamed in pain as its chest and abdomen were left bloodied and mangled. It tried to fly but found its wings unbearably heavy, as if burdened by two mountains—an anti-flight spell had been cast.

Realizing it had been tricked, the crystal dragon roared in fury and launched a desperate attack, knowing this could be its last stand.

The sounds of explosions and roars echoed through the mountains, triggering avalanches. But the commotion didn't last long. After a final, desperate dragon's cry, everything fell silent. Three humans, faces alight with excitement, hurried away from the mountain towards the nearest human kingdom, leaving their dead companions behind. Dragon hunting carries risks—even with meticulous preparation, a desperate dragon can still wipe out the hunters. Dragons are intelligent beings, not mere wild beasts.

Less than half a day after the battle, a massive rift opened in the sky above the mountain. A powerful crystal dragon emerged, exuding freezing cold that made the air crackle. The ancient dragon, seething with anger and murder, descended to the mountaintop, finding only bloodstains, broken arrows, a collapsed lair, and abandoned runes—all symbols of what had happened. The wise ancient dragon knew what these signs meant.

"My child!" The crystal ancient dragon roared with a mix of rage and remorse, already sensing through their blood connection that its offspring had been killed. "Who did this?"

The dragon's body emitted a powerful magical aura, which swept over the mountain's peak. Like time rewinding, the events that had occurred there replayed in the dragon's mind. The dragon saw its child being skinned, de-scaled, and butchered for materials.

Seeing this, the dragon became even more enraged, roaring so loudly that nearby mountains trembled, causing another avalanche. Finally, the dragon turned its gaze towards the human lands, knowing the murderers had fled there.

Without hesitation, the grief-stricken dragon flew towards the human territory, exuding a cold that turned the land below into a wintry wasteland as it moved, forming a sweeping blizzard.

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