It didn’t take long for Terry to master his armor, and that improved the flow of the battle drastically. The final effect particularly had been very useful since it enhanced the power of his allies. However, when victory was approaching, something troublesome happened.

The battlefield fell into an eerie stillness as a deafening roar reverberated through the air, causing even the fire drakes to pause in their relentless assault. The ground beneath their feet seemed to tremble with the sheer force of the sound, sending shivers down the spines of both allies and enemies alike.

Wide-eyed and filled with a mixture of awe and trepidation, the fighters ceased their movements, their weapons frozen mid-swing. The once chaotic clash of blades and magic was replaced by an unsettling silence, broken only by the lingering echoes of the colossal roar that had resonated through the mountainous landscape.

Fear etched itself onto the faces of the fire drakes, their fiery eyes widening as they, too, felt the unmistakable presence of something greater. The ferocious beasts, known for their fierce nature and unyielding aggression, now stood momentarily subdued, their instincts urging them to retreat from the unknown force that had made itself known.

Eventually, something from a distance began to approach; they didn’t know what it was, but everyone knew that it was trouble... All eyes turned towards a magnificent creature that emerged from the billowing smoke and flames. It was no ordinary fire drake but a true fire dragon, towering above the battlefield with an air of regality.

With scales ablaze in vibrant hues of crimson and gold, the fire dragon’s majestic form commanded respect and awe. Its eyes, shimmering with wisdom and ancient knowledge, scanned the battleground with a piercing gaze. The intensity of its presence was palpable, igniting a mixture of fear and fascination among those who bore witness.

And then, to the astonishment of everyone, the fire dragon spoke. Its voice boomed with a commanding resonance, carrying across the battlefield and demanding attention. Each word it uttered resonated with a depth and power that sent shivers down the spines of all who heard it.

"Humans... you finally have invaded my land... for this crime, you shall pay with your lives," The fire dragon said.

"Wow, a talking dragon... I heard that back in the day, animal shows and contexts existed; I bet you could become pretty famous back then," Terry said.

"... What did you say?" The fire dragon asked.

With a sly grin spreading across his face, Terry taunted the colossal fire dragon. His actions were met with a mix of gasps and murmurs from the group, unsure of the consequences that such provocation might bring.

Sweat glistened on Terry’s forehead, a sign of the heat and pressure of the moment, but he showed no signs of faltering. His body tensed, muscles coiled like springs, ready to unleash their energy. The beads of sweat mingled with the dust and soot on his face, creating streaks of determination that mirrored the fire burning within.

A silent challenge passed between them as Terry locked eyes with the fire dragon. It was a daring move, one that defied reason and pushed the boundaries of bravery. Yet, despite the sweat clinging to his brow, Terry exuded an air of unwavering resolve.

The onlookers, their own brows moist with perspiration, held their breath as the tension in the air grew palpable. It was as if the collective sweat mirrored the collective anticipation and trepidation that hung over the battlefield.

Of all times that Terry could show his reckless and mad behavior... they wondered if Terry had no disregard for their lives. While he moved toward the dragon to become its sole target, it was clear that the dragon could burn down the whole mountain if he had to.

"Before you become my lunch, you should explain a few things," Terry declared. "Why did you use those guys, and why are you capturing guild masters?"

Terry wanted to shout in the ears of the others to make them run... he was trying to buy time for them to escape, but they were too dumb to realize that. Who the hell would try to talk with a fire dragon in that situation? Only a mad man...

"Kukuku, kekeke... after just such a small amount of time, humans must have gone mad," The fire dragon said. "How pathetic. Still, perhaps I should humor you and save time by offering yourselves to me."

"You skipped a bunch of steps there, mate," Terry furrowed his eyebrows.

"You have a particular aura. Your trait will be more useful to me if you pledge yourself to become my underling. That is why I will humor you this time," The fire dragon explained. "Just eating you won’t be efficient enough."

A collective gasp escaped the lips of the fighters as the realization settled in. The air grew heavy with shock and apprehension, their eyes widening in disbelief. It was a revelation that sent a shiver down their spines and made their hearts skip a beat.

The notion that the fire dragon possessed the ability to consume them, absorbing their unique traits and powers, struck them with a profound sense of vulnerability. Fear etched itself onto their faces, their features contorted with a mix of horror and unease.

Whispers of disbelief filled the air as the fighters exchanged glances, a silent acknowledgment of the grim reality they faced. The sweat on their brows now mirrored not just the physical exertion of battle but the heightened anxiety that enveloped them.

Gone was the confidence and bravado that had permeated the battlefield moments ago. It was replaced by a somber realization that their very essence, their abilities, and their strengths were now at risk of being devoured by this mighty creature.

"You can devour traits? That is strange," Terry said. "It would make more sense if you make barbecue faster or something. Oh, I get it now... you wanted the traits of guild masters because you thought that they were the strongest ones around, too, had for you, but your guess was wrong. They are only good at paperwork and at making things harder than they should be. They are, in essence, the peak of incompetence."

Terry meant that since those morons still weren’t showing any signs of running away...