As they parked in the guild's lot, Dante, SteelArm, and Halstein exited the truck and made their way inside. Halstein's expression was grim but resolute as he called for every A-rank, S-rank, and two of their SS-rank members to assemble in the main hall.
Within moments, hunters emerged from their rooms, others returned from outside, and the two SS-rank members walked out from the basement, taking their places among the gathered crowd. A palpable tension filled the air as they all awaited Halstein's words.
"Thank you all for coming," Halstein began, his voice steady as he stood at the forefront. "I've called this meeting due to an urgent matter—this will be a large-scale raid."
"What's going on?" a voice called out from the crowd.
"There's been a sighting of a dragon in a nearby forest, and the entire area is encased in ice," Halstein explained, gauging the reactions of those present.
Before he could elaborate further, one of the SS-rank members interjected skeptically, "How do we know this is even real?"
"I went there myself and confirmed it," Halstein replied firmly, silencing the member with a sharp glance. The SS-rank hunter nodded, conceding the point.
"It's an ice dragon," Halstein continued, his tone growing more intense. "From what I witnessed, it can unleash a freezing breath, conjure swords of ice, and summon lances from the ground. However, it appears to have a limited range, suggesting it may be guarding something deep within the forest. We can't let a dragon roam freely in such close proximity to our guild. We need to infiltrate, uncover what it's protecting, and eliminate both the threat and the dragon."
Murmurs rippled through the crowd, excitement and anxiety mingling. Some hunters buzzed with the thrill of potentially becoming dragon slayers, their imaginations running wild with visions of glory. Others exchanged worried glances, contemplating the danger ahead. A handful of A-rank members, decided against participating and quietly slipped away to their rooms.
Yet, as Halstein scanned the room, he saw determination spark in the eyes of many. "For those who choose to join this raid," he declared, "prepare yourselves. We will need every ounce of strength and strategy to face this beast. Gather your gear, meet back here in an hour, and let's show that dragon what we're made of!"
The remaining hunters dispersed to prepare for the battle that lay ahead, a mixture of fear and excitement propelling them forward into the unknown.
After an hour, the guild's main hall buzzed with activity, hunters clad in gear and weapons ready for battle. Axes were slung across their backs, spears rested on their shoulders, and everyone sported matching uniforms featuring a fierce dragon wrapping its claws around a bone, symbolizing their unity and strength.
"March out!" Halstein commanded, stepping forward as the rest of the guild surged behind him. Just then, a news van pulled up, cameras rolling to capture the scene. "Here at the Dragon Bone guild in Nebraska, a large-scale operation is underway!" the announcer's voice rang out, broadcasting live.
As the news spread, other guilds took notice, their members turning on their screens to witness the spectacle.
"What in the world is happening?" a guild master murmured to herself, watching as one of the largest guilds in the world filed out of their headquarters in a coordinated line.
"Everyone! To the vehicles! We're on a tight schedule!" Halstein's voice boomed, cutting through the excitement.
Cars began to arrive, and guild members quickly hopped in, while others clung tightly to the sides as they sped down the road. A few members walked briskly behind the convoy, taking up the entire street, their uniforms glimmering under the bright sun. As they marched, the two SS-rank members noticed the news van and decided to showcase their power. They unleashed their mana, an impressive display that flowed around the group. Soon, every member joined in, their auras creating a dazzling array of green, blue, yellow, and pink that blended together in a vibrant wave.
Suddenly, the guild doors swung open with a resounding bang, the force echoing throughout the building. Instantly, alarms blared, their shrill wails piercing the air as red lights flashed ominously throughout the building. The heavy gates began to close with a metallic clang, the cameras shifted focus, capturing Stiles as he emerged. His long black and red hair flowed in the breeze, and his bright red eyes glinted with intensity.
Feeling the energy of the world around him, he took a deep breath and slowly exhaled. Locking onto the swirling mana of his comrades, he drew a piece of glass and made a small cut on his hand. From the blood, twin blades materialized, shimmering with power, before the cut healed instantly. His mana surged, enveloping the entire street in a crimson red aura that intensified the atmosphere.
As his presence grew stronger, Halstein raised a hand, signaling for silence. The alarms ceased as Stiles cracked his neck, the gates began to open again. His confidence palpable. In one fluid step, he appeared before the gathered hunters, striding alongside Halstein.
"So, what the hell do you want from me?" Stiles asked coolly, his gaze piercing as it flicked to Halstein. The tension in the air was thick, anticipation hanging like a storm cloud ready to unleash its fury.
Halstein spoke, "I needed everyone. No matter how unstable one may be."
"What the hell are we even doing?" Stiles asked, his twin blades morphing into small daggers that he casually slipped into his pockets. His eyes widened with frustration as he glanced around. "I was locked in a damn anti-mana cage and now I'm forced into whatever this is?"
One of the SS-rank members shot back, "What the hell are you doing? Shut up and fall in—" But before he could finish, Stiles moved, pinning him to the ground with a blade pressed firmly against his throat, blood oozing from the blade and dripping onto his neck.
"Shut the fuck up," Stiles growled, his voice low and dangerous. He stepped back, his hair flowing dramatically in the wind, leaving the SS-rank member gasping for breath.
"There's a dragon in the forest ahead, and we need all the help we can get from the guild," Halstein said, his voice steady as he walked alongside Stiles.
Stiles scoffed, a mix of disbelief and annoyance flashing across his face. "You expect me to help after you locked me in a damn cage for days?" He sighed, shaking his head as if the very idea was absurd.
"Look, I get it. You're not exactly thrilled to be here, but we can't do this without you," Halstein urged, his tone firm yet understanding.
"Fine," Stiles finally conceded, his voice loud enough for everyone nearby to hear. "I'll help, but don't expect me to save anyone who isn't worth saving." He rolled his eyes, crossing his arms as he walked.
The tension among the guild members shifted; some exchanged glances, unsure how to react to Stiles' blunt attitude. Halstein pressed on, determined to rally the team. "We appreciate your help, Stiles. Just remember, we're all in this together. Lives are at stake."
Stiles shot him a sideways glance, his expression unreadable. "Let's hope they're worth it, then."
After several tense minutes, the guild members arrived at the forest's edge, the air thick with anticipation. "Stay alert from here on out!" Halstein commanded, his voice cutting through the biting chill as they ventured into the icy expanse. The sound of ice crunching beneath their boots echoed ominously, a reminder of the danger lurking within the frozen trees.
As they pushed deeper into the forest, an eerie mist began to swirl around them. Suddenly, the dragon emerged from the icy fog, its massive wings unfurling like a dark storm cloud. With a powerful beat, it took to the sky, the air crackling with energy as it opened its maw, unleashing a wave of ice that surged toward the group.
"Behind cover!" Halstein shouted, urgency lacing his words. Shields were swiftly placed into the ground, spells activated, and protective barriers formed around the members. But amidst the chaos, Stiles remained unfazed. Instead of seeking shelter, he stepped forward, an unyielding grin spreading across his face.
"Y'all are such a bunch of cowards," he taunted, his twin blades shimmering as they materialized from his pockets. He could feel the dragon's power radiating in the air, a thrill coursing through him as he prepared to face the beast head-on.
He advanced with purpose, activating [Blood Dance]. The world around him faded into a blur as he slashed forward, a whirlwind of crimson energy swirling around him. The icy breath of the dragon surged toward him, but with a confident smile, Stiles cut through it effortlessly. Slashes of blood materialized in his wake, shattering the ice into countless shards that fell harmlessly to the ground.
Undeterred, he continued his relentless march, his voice ringing out, "Show me more!" he challenged the dragon as it soared higher, mana swirling ominously around its massive form. In response, ice swords formed in the air, launching toward him with deadly precision.
But with the speed granted by [Blood Dance], Stiles moved like a flash, slashing through each icy blade before they could reach him. Each strike sent splintered shards flying in all directions, while he deftly dodged the few that got past his defenses.
"You really needed my help with this?" he called out, a hint of confusion mingling with his amusement. His tone suggested he was both entertained and curious, as if he couldn't comprehend why so many had come to face a foe he found all too easy to handle.
Halstein's eyes widened in disbelief at Stiles' sudden surge of power. "What the hell happened to him?" he muttered under his breath, astonishment mingling with concern. "Continue forward!" he commanded, rallying the rest of the hunters to follow in Stiles' wake as they pressed deeper into the heart of the frozen wasteland.
Stiles moved ahead, a frown creasing his brow as he saw the dragon vanish into the mist. "Where the hell did it go?" he wondered aloud, scanning the mist-shrouded surroundings for any sign of the creature. Just as he was about to dismiss his unease, a low growl echoed through the air, sending chills down his spine. Before he could react, the dragon reappeared behind him, its massive claw crashing down with terrifying speed.
Stiles barely had time to brace himself before the claw struck, propelling him forward until he slammed hard against a nearby tree. The impact rattled him, but he was quick to regain his footing, only to find the dragon looming ominously above him. Its claw dug mercilessly into his shoulder, pinning him in place as a frosty breath coiled within its maw, ready to be unleashed at point-blank range. "Shit!" he gasped, bracing for the onslaught, his instincts kicking in as adrenaline surged through his veins.
Stiles drove his twin blades into the dragon's tough scales, but the swords shattered on impact, splintering into shards of ice and metal. In an instant, the dragon unleashed a torrent of ice breath, engulfing Stiles in a chilling blast that froze his body instantly.
The rest of the party sprang into action, warriors charging forward with enchanted weapons raised high, while mages positioned themselves at the back, casting fire-infused spells to counter the dragon's icy onslaught. As they advanced, the dragon noticed their approach and took to the sky, its massive wings beating the air with a powerful whoosh.
With a bone-rattling roar, the dragon began to soar in circles above them, summoning a raging blizzard that swirled into existence around it. The frigid winds whipped through the trees, and snow began to fall, enhanced by the dragon's magic. The blizzard surged toward the group of hunters, its icy tendrils reaching out like claws.
Several hunters caught in the tempest were swept away, their cries swallowed by the howling wind as they struggled against the onslaught. Halstein shouted orders, trying to rally his comrades against the storm, but the dragon's fury was relentless, and the blizzard continued moving towards them.