Having experienced it once before, the heroes were far more composed when facing the dragon's sky-falling breath attack the second time.
Coupled with the enhanced agility granted by magic, the second dragon breath caused them no casualties at all.
This time, the dragon did not take to the skies again but continued its assault from the ground.
Seemingly having grasped how these "ants" fought, the dragon's attacks became more varied and targeted.
For instance, the wide sweeping tail attacks became fewer, replaced by quick, precise, and brutal strikes, like a whip snapping to the ground.
The tail strikes caused tremendous damage at blinding speed, leaving little room for defense. The only drawback was that the range was limited…
Moreover, the dragon's claw attacks were no longer simple "swipes" or "grabs."
Instead, it used its sharp claws to inflict genuine harm, and the strikes became increasingly accurate.
It seemed the dragon had realized that, against these irritating flies, injuring all ten fingers was less effective than severing a single one.
These attacks quickly bore deadly results.
Two heroes fell under the dragon's assault, one crushed into pieces by a tail strike.
Another was pierced through the chest by the dragon's razor-sharp claws, dead beyond revival.
Yet, the dragon did not anticipate that these tiny humans had also grown stronger just moments before.
Under the influence of magic, their attributes were fully enhanced: their strength increased, they could endure more attacks, and their evasive abilities improved.
Not to mention, the destructive power of their weapons had grown as well.
Dragon scales that were once impenetrable could now be broken by repeated strikes to the same spot, and the abdominal scales that had previously required clever tactics to breach could now be pierced outright by these enhanced weapons.
Because of this, the dragon's belly quickly became streaked with blood.
Arrows that had once been mere specks of dust to the dragon from afar now caused tangible harm.
Especially the arrows fired from Atalanta's "Heavenly Bow," which posed a genuine threat.
Even the dragon's semi-transparent inner eyelids could barely block their sharpness. Several times, the dragon felt searing pain as if its own eyeballs were struck.
Unbelievable.
Although even Atalanta could not guarantee hitting the eyes of a massive, constantly moving dragon every time, given the fragility of the eyeball, even minimal damage would result in significant injury.
Under these circumstances, the dragon, surrounded by the heroes, began to sense trouble.
The strengthened Argonaut heroes were now capable of inflicting real damage.
These injuries were no longer the negligible "-1, -1, -1" they had suffered before, they were genuine, non-negligible wounds.
Though it was delusional to think that such damage could defeat a dragon of its colossal size, these wounds nonetheless became unbearable.
Even humans, when bitten by mosquitoes all over, do not die, but that does not mean they wish to endure it.
For a moment, the dragon found itself powerless against these humans.
And that infuriated it.
In a fit of anger, the dragon unleashed a powerful tail sweep, forcing all the Argonaut heroes back, before finally retreating.
This was the first time in battle that the dragon had retreated on its own.
The heroes exchanged a glance.
A chance!
If things continued this way, they might actually win.
Looking at the dragon's scarred belly, their hearts blazed with fervor.
Even if they could not kill the dragon here, they could severely wound and drive it off. In that case, their mission would surely succeed.
Just as they prepared to charge forward and finish the dragon, it let out a roar of fury.
"Rooar..."
The dragon's roar created a massive sonic shockwave, forcing the heroes to stagger back and take a moment to recover.
"You wretched little insects," the dragon hissed, full of disgust and rage.
"I must admit, you are no ordinary insects. Your actions have truly angered me.
Consider yourselves lucky, for what you are about to witness is the true power of the first sacred beast under Goddess Hecate!"
"True power? Wasn't that just now its full strength?"
The dragon's words sent shivers down the heroes' spines.
What, then, was the dragon's true power?
The next moment, they witnessed its transformation.
A brilliant light erupted from the dragon's body, and soon a massive magic circle appeared beneath its feet.
As the circle flickered, countless energies from the heavens and earth converged onto the dragon, raising a terrifying tide of magical power.
Normally, only those attuned to magic could sense such a tide, but the heroes present were extraordinary. Even if they could not visually witness it, they felt that something was amiss.
"That creature… it's getting stronger!"
Instantly, everyone reached the same conclusion.
Sure enough, as the magical energy surged, the dragon's appearance began to change.
Its dark green armor turned into true black, resembling a hellish wyrm.
Changes also appeared near its head.
Apart from its original green dragon head, four additional heads sprouted from its shoulders.
One was entirely made of fire, like a fire elemental.
Another was metallic, with both head and long neck appearing mechanical.
The third head was completely blue, covered in round, fish-scale-like patterns with a slick, aquatic sheen.
Unlike typical dragons with horns and spikes, this head had fin-like structures on its cheeks.
The fourth head was pure white, lacking scales, covered instead in white feathers, with faint swirling air currents visible across them.
Finally, there was the original dragon head, now transformed like the body into a hellish black.
Thus, a five-headed dragon stood before them.
"Face me, you insignificant insects! Before you stands the king of dragons, the ultimate wyrm commanding the five great elements, the Five Emperor Dragon!"
The dragon's roar shook the entire forest, its overwhelming presence sending the Argonaut heroes into a shudder.
A terrifying enemy had arrived.
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