Still, Terry was thankful for his guild members’ work since the other guilds had almost given up on exploring that world beyond the portal. Finding enemies beyond their bases was impossible. Fighting them on their bases was too risky for most people. So, the guilds decided to buy some of Terry’s stock of greysteel. Money wasn’t as valuable as human resources, after all.

In any case, it seemed that on the first day, the group that crossed the portal attacked the enemy’s base and killed one hundred enemies. Terry assumed that considering the mana stones and the greysteel that they brought back. Some of them were wounded, but not so many, thanks to healing wands.

"Maybe they will clear the dungeon in three days..." Terry thought.

In any case, Terry guarded the dungeons throughout the night again and eventually went to rest when morning came. Still, he didn’t sleep even for two hours when someone knocked on his door... he showed a really fed-up expression when Louis showed up, and he almost closed it on his face.

"We have a situation; all the guild masters of the country are being called to join a large operation," Louis said.

At first, Terry decided to ignore the call. Still, as soon as he heard more about the situation, he became more curious. Cleaning someone else’s mess still wasn’t his goal, but he decided to be more open-minded when he heard the word dragons. 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

Terry sat in front of the screen, his eyes locked on the horrifying video playing before him. The footage showed a group of fire drakes, their scales glistening in the sunlight, soaring across the sky with an air of malevolence. Flames billowed from their gaping maws as they unleashed a fiery onslaught upon a border outpost.

The hunters, valiantly clad in armor and armed with weapons, bravely attempted to fend off the ferocious assault. Their blades clashed against the scaly hides of the fire drakes, but their efforts seemed futile against the sheer power and intensity of the creatures. Terry could see the panic and desperation in their eyes as they struggled to hold their ground.

The fire drakes moved with swift precision, their wings beating with thunderous force. Streams of searing flames erupted from their mouths, engulfing the adventurers in a blistering inferno. The once-heroic figures writhed in agony, their armor melting and their bodies consumed by the relentless blaze.

Drakes are a type of dragon often depicted as smaller and less powerful than their larger counterparts. Drakes typically resemble scaled reptilian creatures with slender bodies and elongated necks. They possess powerful hind legs and strong forelimbs with sharp claws. While they are smaller in size compared to other dragons, drakes can still range in length from several feet to several meters. They have wings, which vary in size and shape depending on the species, allowing them to fly with varying degrees of agility.

One defining characteristic of drakes is their association with specific elements. Different types of drakes may have affinities for elements such as fire, ice, poison, or even electricity. This affinity is often reflected in their abilities and breath weapons, allowing them to unleash elemental attacks on their foes.

Drakes are known for their breath weapons, which vary depending on their elemental affinity. Fire drakes can unleash streams of searing flames, while ice drakes can expel icy blasts that freeze their enemies. Poison drakes can release noxious fumes or venomous gas, causing debilitating effects. Their breath weapons are potent offensive tools, allowing drakes to engage in long-range attacks or create strategic advantages in battle.

While not as majestic as larger dragons, drakes are still capable of flight. Their wings enable them to soar through the skies, albeit with varying levels of agility depending on the species. Drakes can maneuver swiftly and gracefully, making them formidable opponents in aerial combat. Their smaller size and agility allow them to perform intricate aerial maneuvers, making it challenging for enemies to land a hit.

Despite their smaller size, drakes possess impressive physical strength. Their muscular bodies and sharp claws enable them to effectively engage in close-quarters combat. Drakes can deliver powerful strikes and rend their opponents with their razor-sharp claws. Their strength, combined with their agility, allows them to swiftly incapacitate or dispatch foes in melee combat.

While drakes may not possess the same level of intelligence as some larger dragons, they are still considered intelligent creatures. They can exhibit cunning and strategic thinking in battle, utilizing their abilities and surroundings to gain the upper hand. Drakes are known for their ability to adapt to different environments and employ clever tactics, making them formidable adversaries.

"... You never said that a species of dragons were the ones that were about to cross the border," Terry furrowed his eyebrows and then said.

"They weren’t, originally; the monsters crossing the borders were two-headed wolves, but two days ago, a new portal appeared near the border, and the fire drakes were unleashed," Louis explained.

"Two days ago... When Terry cleared the dungeon by himself, was that a coincidence?" Vanessa asked.

The timing certainly was suspicious, but no one could tell what was the connection between both events. Was it a retaliation? The mechanic warriors probably didn’t have the resources to do that. Besides, the fire drakes probably were no one’s allies...

Louise showed everyone another footage... In the distance, a group of fire drakes emerged from the billowing clouds of smoke. Their scaled bodies shimmered with an intense heat, casting an ominous glow on the surroundings. With sinewy muscles rippling beneath their fiery scales, they advanced toward the fallen two-headed wolves, their eyes gleaming with predatory hunger.

As the fire drakes drew closer, their gaping maws widened, revealing rows of razor-sharp teeth glinting in the dim light. They lunged at the motionless creatures that didn’t have time to react, their jaws snapping shut with a sickening crunch. The wolves’ flesh and bone were torn asunder, devoured by the ravenous fire drakes with savagery.