Re-Awakened :I Ascend as an SSS-Ranked Dragon Summoner-Chapter 585: Dragon tamer 2

Noah stared at the drake, his mind racing through every option he’d tried so far. Fighting wasn’t working. Physical restraint was impossible due to the heat. Dominance displays just made it more aggressive.

’Stop thinking like a fighter,’ Noah told himself, watching the creature prepare another charge. ’Start thinking like a tamer. What do animals respond to besides threats?’

Food.

The realization hit him with such obvious clarity that he almost laughed. Of course. Basic animal behavior. You don’t establish dominance through combat if you’re trying to tame something. You establish trust through resources.

’I’ve got hundreds of beast cores in void storage,’ Noah thought, his mind already working through the logistics. ’If this thing feeds on concentrated energy like most powerful beasts do, those cores should be irresistible.’

He activated his void storage interface mentally, selected a category three core at random. The crystallized sphere materialized in his palm, glowing faintly with contained energy.

The drake’s reaction was immediate. Its aggressive posture shifted slightly, its eyes focusing on the core with clear interest. The patterns along its body dimmed from white-hot to orange, temperature dropping noticeably.

’Got its attention.’

Noah held the core out, not approaching, just letting the drake see it clearly. "You want this? Come get it. Slowly."

The creature took a tentative step forward. Then another. Its movements were cautious now rather than aggressive, predatory instinct replaced by something more basic—hunger.

When it was maybe five feet away, Noah tossed the core. Not far, just underhand, landing it about three feet in front of the drake.

The creature pounced on it immediately. Its jaws closed around the core, and there was a crunching sound like breaking glass. The core shattered, energy dispersing, and the drake swallowed the fragments in one gulp.

Then it looked back at Noah expectantly.

’Well, that’s a start,’ Noah thought, already pulling another core from storage. ’But one core isn’t enough to establish anything. I need to make this an extended interaction, build association between me and positive outcomes.’

He materialized a category four core this time. Held it up so the drake could see it clearly. "You want another one? Then you need to calm down. Stop trying to kill me."

The drake’s tail swished behind it, creating small sparks against stone. Its body language had shifted completely from aggressive to interested. Still dangerous, still ready to defend itself if needed, but not actively trying to eliminate the threat anymore.

Noah tossed the second core. The drake caught it mid-air this time, jaws snapping shut with that same crunching sound. Another quick swallow, another expectant look.

’It’s eating them too fast,’ Noah realized. ’If I want to use this to get close enough to touch that pressure point, I need to make it work for each core. Establish a pattern where it associates me with rewards.’

He pulled out a third core, but this time he didn’t throw it. Just held it, letting the drake see what it wanted but not giving it immediately.

The creature took a step forward. Noah stayed still, hand extended, core visible.

Another step. The drake’s temperature had dropped significantly now, patterns showing yellow instead of orange. Still hot, but manageable if he was quick.

"That’s it," Noah said quietly. "Come get it. No fire, no charging. Just walk over here like a civilized lizard."

The drake approached slowly, its eyes never leaving the core. When it was within arm’s reach, it opened its mouth expectantly.

Noah tossed the core directly into its mouth. The drake caught it, crunched, swallowed, and actually made a sound that might have been contentment. Like a cat purring, but raspier, with an underlying rumble that vibrated through the tunnel floor.

’Progress. Definite progress. Now I just need to repeat this enough times that it associates me with food rather than threats.’

He went through five more cores. Each time, making the drake come closer, stay calmer, maintain that lower body temperature. By the eighth core, the creature was eating directly from his hand, its teeth carefully avoiding his fingers as it took the offering.

Noah’s other hand slowly moved toward the drake’s side while it was distracted by the core. His fingers found purchase on the softer scales near the abdomen area. The drake tensed slightly but didn’t pull away, too focused on the energy it was absorbing.

’Almost there. Just need the right moment.’

The ninth core went down. Noah used the brief distraction to shift his position, getting himself into a crouch that would let him access the ventral pressure point properly.

The tenth core he held in his left hand while his right moved underneath the drake’s body. The creature was so focused on the food that it didn’t register what was happening until Noah’s fingers pressed firmly against that specialized scale cluster.

The drake’s entire body went rigid. Its patterns flared briefly, then dimmed to almost nothing. The temperature dropped rapidly, going from uncomfortable to merely warm in seconds. The creature’s legs buckled slightly, and it lowered itself to the ground in what was unmistakably a submissive posture.

Noah kept pressure on the spot while feeding it the tenth core with his other hand. "Good. That’s good. See? I’m not a threat. Just a guy with food who wants to be friends."

The drake’s eyes, which had been sharp and predatory throughout the entire encounter, softened. Its body relaxed completely, patterns now showing a gentle yellow glow that was almost pretty rather than threatening.

Noah released the pressure point and carefully moved his hand to the drake’s head. Patted it gently, feeling scales that were now just warm rather than scalding.

[Larva Cave Drake Successfully Subdued]

[Bond Available]

[Warning: Bonding Process is Permanent]

[Accept Bond: Yes/No]

’Might as well commit,’ Noah thought, selecting yes.

Purple void energy erupted from his hand, flowing across the drake’s body in patterns that looked almost like circuitry. The energy concentrated on the creature’s forehead, and for maybe three seconds, the Eclipse faction logo appeared there. Black circle with purple accents, the same symbol that adorned their headquarters, rendered in pure void energy against dark scales.

Then it faded, sinking into the drake’s body, disappearing completely like it had never existed.

[Bond Established]

[Larva Cave Drake Added to Pack]

[Status: Tamed - 1/2 Complete]

Noah pulled his hand back, studying the drake. It was still lying down, still calm, looking at him with what might have been trust or might have been anticipation of more food. Hard to tell with a lizard face.

’That’s interesting,’ Noah thought, his mind already analyzing what had just happened. ’Storm and Nyx didn’t need this marking process. But they were eggs when I found them, bonded the moment they hatched. Ivy was different though. She was a full adult when Vex Marduk had her captured on Raiju Prime, and I never saw any kind of mark appear when she joined me.’

He stood up slowly, and the drake remained calm, watching him but not moving aggressively.

’The Eclipse faction wasn’t formed yet when I got Ivy,’ Noah realized. ’We were still just Team Seven back then, operating under EDF jurisdiction. So is the system recognizing Eclipse as an actual entity now? Does faction establishment change how bonding works?’

Movement from one of the side tunnels interrupted his thoughts. More growling, but different from before. Deeper, more resonant.

The second drake emerged from the darkness. This one was slightly larger, its patterns showing more red mixed with the orange and yellow. Male, based on the broader build and more pronounced spikes along its spine.

And it looked pissed.

’Right. The mate. Who just watched me subdue his partner and is probably not thrilled about it.’

Noah reached into his void storage and pulled out another handful of cores. "Let’s try this again. Hopefully faster this time since your girlfriend can vouch for me."

The female drake chirped. Actually chirped, like a bird, which was surreal coming from something that size. She moved toward the male, rubbing her head against his side in what was clearly affectionate behavior.

The male’s aggressive posture softened slightly. Not gone, but reduced. He was still defensive, still ready to fight, but his mate’s obvious calm was affecting his assessment.

’Okay, so the mate bond works in my favor here. She’s not showing distress, which means he’s less likely to see me as an immediate threat.’

Noah tossed a core toward the male. Not close, giving him space, but near enough that the offering was clear.

The male approached cautiously, grabbed the core, crunched it down. His patterns dimmed slightly.

’Same process. Food first, trust second, submission third.’

It took twelve cores for the male instead of ten. He was more stubborn, more defensive, probably because he was the primary protector of their territory. But eventually, Noah got him into the same position—calm, temperature lowered, accepting food while Noah accessed the ventral pressure point.

The male submitted with the same rigid tension, then the same relaxation. Noah patted his head, accepted the bond prompt, and watched the Eclipse logo appear and fade on the second drake’s forehead.

[Bond Established]

[Larva Cave Drake Added to pack]

[Status: Tamed - 2/2 Complete]

[Quest Complete: Dragon Tamer]

[Reward Processing...]

[Reward: Access to Advanced Beast taming Features]

[Note: Bonded creatures now display enhanced loyalty]

Noah stood between both drakes, feeling slightly ridiculous but also proud. They were both calm now, their patterns showing gentle yellow, temperatures manageable. The female was actually leaning against his leg like an oversized dog.

"Kelvin, Sera, you can come over now," Noah called back. "They’re friendly. Mostly."

Kelvin and Seraleth approached cautiously, both of them staring at the drakes with clear disbelief.

"You just tamed two category five equivalent beasts," Kelvin said slowly, like saying it aloud would help him process it. "With what, food?"

"Food and finding the right pressure point," Noah confirmed. "Turns out they’re not that different from regular animals once you stop trying to fight them."

"That’s insane," Kelvin replied. "Also completely in character for you, but still insane."

They made their way back through the tunnel system, the two drakes following Noah like imprinted ducklings. The journey was easier now that they weren’t running from death, though navigating narrow passages with two fifteen-foot lizards proved challenging.

When they finally emerged back to the surface, Kelvin’s transport was still parked where they’d left it. The drakes looked at the vehicle with clear suspicion, but followed Noah aboard when he climbed in.

The flight back to Eclipse headquarters was quiet. The drakes settled near the cargo section, their temperatures low enough that they weren’t a fire hazard. Kelvin piloted while Seraleth watched the creatures with fascination.

"We didn’t find what we were looking for," Kelvin said eventually. "The void stone trail was a bust. But we found... what exactly? What do we call these things?"

"Drakes," Noah replied. "Dragon relatives, probably. Close enough that the system recognizes them as related species."

"You’re the only person in existence who has dragons," Kelvin pointed out. "And dragons weren’t even confirmed to exist until you showed up with Storm and Nyx. They don’t fit into category classifications because they’re not beasts in the traditional sense. So what the hell are they?"

Noah shrugged. "Beats me. The system doesn’t exactly come with a manual explaining where dragons came from or why they exist. I just know they’re powerful, they’re rare, and apparently I can bond with them."

The transport descended toward Eclipse headquarters, touching down on the main landing pad. Word had apparently spread that they were returning, because people were gathering to see what was happening.

When the boarding ramp lowered and two massive lizards walked out behind Noah, the crowd’s reaction was immediate. Shock, excitement, concern, all mixing together in a wave of noise that made both drakes tense slightly.

"Everyone stay calm," Noah called out. "They’re tamed. Friendly. Mostly. Just don’t try to pet them without asking first."

Kelvin caught up to Noah as they walked toward the main building. "Hey, listen. About the void stone hunt. I know today didn’t pan out, but—"

"We’ll try again," Noah interrupted. "Soon. I promise. We’ll dedicate proper time to finding one. Diana needs it, so we make it happen."

Kelvin’s expression shifted, gratitude mixing with something that might have been hope. "Thanks, man. That means... that means a lot."

"Diana’s not just your girlfriend," Noah said, pulling Kelvin into a brief hug. "She’s my friend too. I’d do anything for her. We all would."

Kelvin nodded, his throat working like he was trying not to get emotional. "I know. Thanks."

Sophie and Lila appeared from the headquarters entrance, both of them wearing identical expressions of amused disbelief as they took in the two drakes following Noah like oversized puppies.

"What stray did you bring home this time?" Sophie asked, though her smile suggested she wasn’t actually upset.

"Because Noah doesn’t do normal strays," Lila added. "Regular people find cats or dogs. You find fire-breathing lizards the size of cars."

Noah laughed despite himself. "They’re called drakes. And they’re perfectly well-behaved now that they’re not trying to kill me."

A new notification appeared in his vision, visible only to him.

[Bonded Creatures Require Designation]

[Please Assign Names to Larva Cave Drakes]

[Note: Names become permanent upon assignment and affect creature development]

Noah sighed, looking at the two drakes who were watching him expectantly. The female rubbed her head against his leg again. The male was investigating a piece of equipment someone had left near the landing pad.

"So what names do I give them?" Noah muttered to himself.

Sophie and Lila exchanged glances, both clearly confused by the question directed at nothing.

But the system was waiting. Two new additions to his collection of impossibly powerful creatures, and apparently naming them was his responsibility.

Noah looked at the drakes, at the Eclipse logo that had appeared and faded on their foreheads, at the way they followed him with clear loyalty despite having met him less than an hour ago.

Names. He needed names that fit.