Chapter 26: Basic Defense Rune (Request Monthly Tickets, Request Follows)

“Then what can you do?”

Facing Luo Si’s final soul-question, Samantha stood tall and proud, like a swan, and said: “I can inscribe alchemical runes! Basic Defense Rune!”

Mentioning the rune she had mastered.

Samantha was excited and told Luo Si: “Shall I inscribe one for you? I’ve already practiced on myself—my technique is refined, I guarantee no mistakes.”

Samantha’s tail curled around to the front, swaying before Luo Si’s eyes.

On each fiery-red, gemlike tail scale, countless crooked marks—like earthworms crawling—crisscrossed haphazardly, shapeless, yet among them were traces gradually becoming orderly: rough but commendable patterns.

Her technique showed visible improvement.

“Go ahead.”

Luo Si considered, then slowly nodded.

He stood before Samantha, chest out, muscles bulging to lift his gray buffer scales, exposing the black-red armor beneath—forged like molten steel.

“Start by inscribing one here.”

Samantha drew a deep breath.

Her dragon pupils narrowed, focused, and her claw slowly carved into one of Luo Si’s chest scales.

Magical energy gathered at the tip of her claw, the tip glowing like a red-hot iron; as it touched Luo Si’s scale, sparks flew, emitting a grating, metallic screech.

And as time passed.

The scratches gradually formed a shield-like pattern; when Samantha completed the final stroke, the full rune circuit was complete.

It was rough, not beautiful, but overall it took shape—an imperfect, crude finished product.

Luo Si squinted.

As the alchemical rune completed, he clearly felt something new on that scale.

Magical energy flowing through his dragon blood converged toward it.

The rune flared instantly, covering the entire scale.

Luo Si gently stroked the scale.

The texture felt strange—not direct contact with his own scale, but as if an invisible, resilient film had been plated over it.

“Test its strength.”

Luo Si extended a sharp claw, pressing it against the scale and slowly applying pressure.

The rune flickered erratically, then dimmed, cracked, and finally shattered with a crisp snap—the film-like sensation vanished.

Luo Si had not even exerted much force yet.

“Defense is mediocre, unremarkable.”

He made his assessment.

But remember, Samantha only knew the most basic, beginner-level alchemical rune, and even that was imperfect and crude.

Yet it still provided some defensive effect.

Once Samantha’s alchemical skill improves further.

Enhancing dragon scales, claws, and teeth with alchemical runes remains worth anticipating.

“Not bad. Keep at it.”

Luo Si casually praised her, then told her to get on with her business.

“Don’t you want me to inscribe more?”

She asked, reluctant to stop.

Inscribing on herself felt different from inscribing on objects; Samantha wanted to increase her proficiency by inscribing Basic Defense Runes on Luo Si.

Luo Si saw through her intent.

And he had no interest in being a test subject.

Glancing at Mober, the Earth Tyrant Bear, leaning against a ironfir tree, scratching its back, Luo Si said: “Let Mober practice with you. You can enhance its scales with alchemical runes in exchange for it hunting food for you.”

Samantha did not refuse, stepping toward the Earth Tyrant Bear.

After learning Samantha’s purpose, Mober widened its eyes, thumped its chest, and agreed immediately.

Alchemical rune enhancement—something even its damned father never had—and done by a true dragon himself? Mober had no reason to refuse; it was thrilled inside.

Hss!

When the red dragon’s claw tore through its skin, Mober growled, gritting its teeth against the pain.

It had no scales; the Basic Defense Rune had to be inscribed directly on its skin. The process was unpleasant, but bearable.

Luo Si’s gaze returned from the two.

He paused to think, then flew to his usual large rock slab, closed his eyes slightly, and coiled down.

He was not sleeping—he was delving into the spells hidden within his bloodline.

Dragons are innate sorcerers; at a certain age, they awaken minor spell-like abilities.

But through self-exploration, one can master them earlier.

Generally, young dragons lack spell-like abilities, relying solely on claws, teeth, and body combat—dragonbreath being their ultimate trump card.

Fireball.

Life Level Detection.

These were skills Luo Si had mastered through his own exploration.

When his mind sank inward, focused within.

Luo Si clearly felt the surging, dense magical energy flowing like tides through his veins, carried with his blood to every limb and extremity.

As a naturally supreme magical creature.

Dragons are born with innate magical energy—magic power.

Through breathing, they draw magical energy from the air and store it in their veins, gradually converting it into usable magic.

Feeling the rhythmic ebb and flow of magic and blood within him.

Luo Si’s mind gradually emptied, relying on instinct to sense the spells hidden in his bloodline.

The Adaptation Evolution talent had some effect here, but not as direct or obvious as its enhancement of his physical body.

Yet Luo Si was not in a hurry.

Time passed slowly; he calmed his spirit, exploring gently.

In an instant.

A month had passed.

A desolate mine pit, jagged with strange rocks.

A young red dragon lay on the ground near the pit, feigning rest, its tail flicking lazily against the earth—yet its eyes remained open, blinking occasionally, showing tension.

Soon after.

The predator lurking underground sensed the faint tremors and crept silently closer.

When the distance closed, the ground began to shake; the red dragon sensed the anomaly, flared its wings, and took flight.

Boom!

Soil and rock erupted, shattered, dirt and stones spraying.

The massive body of the Rock Crusher Worm surged upward, its meat grinder-like mouth opening to bite the red dragon—but the dragon had already ascended, leaving it biting air; its body began to fall back.

At that moment.

A darker shadow, faster than it, plunged down.

Splat!

Claws tore through the carapace, gripping the worm’s flesh tightly.

Luo Si flapped his wings, muscles beneath his scales unleashing immense force, yanking the level-7 Rock Crusher Worm clean out of the ground.

The worm writhed desperately, but to no avail.

“Caught it! Hope it works as I intend.”

Carrying the Rock Crusher Worm, Luo Si’s spirit stirred, and he flew back toward the Ironfir Hills, the young red dragon Samantha following close behind.

(End of Chapter)