Three years ago,
Max doesn't like this quietness in this cave. The atmosphere were strange and peculiar.
"You look uncomfortable." Grant Lancia aka Marquess Hagrav smirked on him.
Max nodded and have no intention of having a chat on this place.
He doesn't want to get too attached with this man.
As a brother of Duke Lancia, Grant has a bit arrogance and strong headed personality.
But he pays well for this journey. Grant want to find a dragon stone which hidden deep in this cave.
Since it was located in the Forbidden Forest, where all the dangerous creatures lived, Grant asked Max's to be his guardian. He just need one person who was the best on this kind of the quest.
For Max, it just an easy task. Forbidden Forest is just like a playground to him. He knew every little thing on that forest because he was practiced his ability in this forest since he was only 9.
Everybody, except his own family, acknowledge him as a prodigy. His teacher in academy predicted that someday in the future, Max can be a paladin.
But, he already tired of that nonsense and along with his friends, he created the guild to increase his wealth so when he reached adulthood, he can get free from that ignorance family.
"I sensed something powerful." Grant closed his eyes and breathe heavily.
Max nodded again. This Grant claimed that he is the best magician in this world. But, Max never once heard his name as one. Except for his love scandal.
"It is on the right side." He said again after saw a fork of the cave.
There is something wrong, Max thought to himself. I sensed something wicked over there.
Max drew his sword and whispered to his client, "Stay behind my back, Sir."
Grant rolled his eyes. "That why I hired you, Max. Protect me with all your might ."
Max walked carefully to the right direction. Grant uses a fire spell, which act like torch subtitute, on his left hand.
The cave's path was narrowed, but it only needs five-minute walk to find it end. It was a room. Or maybe something like that.
Grant turned off his fire spell since he didn't need. The room's wall was planted by hundred red stones that shining so brightly enough to light up the room.
A red dragon laying on the ground and watched it guests with unreadable expression.
But judging from it body language, seems like this dragon knows about their arrival.
"My name is Hark. What can I do for you, Travelers?"
Max feeling uneasy because dragons is not a humble creature.
Grant walked one step closer, "Give me the stone."
Hark's head tilted, "What kind of stone? There are so many valuable stones or orbs here. Feel free to take it."
'Feel free to take it?' Max brows raised and wondering why did this dragon acting so weird.
"Sir, let just get out from here." Max said while his eyes glued to the dragon.
"What do you mean, Max? This is the right one. The stone which guarded by the Red Dragon. It must be the one I was looking for."
"No, I think we are in the wrong room."
Grant harshly pushed his shoulder, "Don't outsmarting me. You know nothing. My magic power never wrong."
"But, Sire!"
Hark blinked twice and look at Grant with amusement, "So you are a magician, huh? You must be searching this."
It hands took something from it body. A glowing red stone which shaped like a teardrop.
"Mana stone… It is so beautiful yet powerful," Grant whispered while he can't take his eyes from it.
"But, you have to pass this exam."
"I'll take it." He said without even thinking for a second.
"Sir, it is the trap!" Max confidently say it. "Dragon is not a generous creature who easily give something. Let alone the valuable one! It must be trying to devour your soul."
"Be quiet, Max!" He said while gritting his teeth. After that, he turned his head to the dragon,
"Okay, I accept you challenge, Hark."
The dragon's pupil eyes getting bigger because of its excitement. "Good."
Suddenly, Hark's tail whipped Grant's body until he bumped to the wall.
"AAAAACK!" His body starting ignited the fire burning. Grant rolled to the ground and screaming in pain.
"Sir!" Max shouted but he can't move his legs. "DARN YOU LIZARD! RELEASE ME AT ONCE OR ELSE, I WILL KILL YOU!"
"Aww, no. Don't say a bad thing like that, Mortal." Hark said it in a calm voice. His eyes still glued to the burning man. "Isn't it amusing? How can human became so greedy? Wanting a power they don't deserve. I hate them."
Max tried to move his leg, but failed. His limb turn as hard as the stone.
"Sometimes we have to accept everything. Every weakness, the past, or even the future that would destroy us. So, why don't you bother to endangering yourself just for something you can't have?"
Max stop his struggling. 'Accept everything' was never in his dictionary. He always pushed himself to be stronger, more powerful and got richer than anyone else. He wants to be the best version of himself.
All he has to do just keep trying his best.
As if Hark can read his mind, he said with might voice, "Don't waste your time for wanting something impossible."
"AAARRRGHHH!" Grant's scream made Max shivering. He is dying. His client is on the brink of the death!
"Please, stop it!"
"Why?" Hark look so confused. It eyes were smaller than before. The cloud of steam from it nose getting thicker.
"He is dying!"
"Ah, is he?"
Max getting so frustrated. He stabbed his own leg with his sword.
The red blood was dripping from his thigh. He felt something stingy on his leg. But for Max, it is better than felt nothing.
"What are you doing?" Max swore he hates that calm voice more than anything.
Then he stabbed another leg. Now, as long as he felt the pain, he can move his leg.
"This is the part of my body! You have no permission to sealed it!"