"Whoa, are you okay, Vex? The ride to here didn't hamper you, did it?"
Even in the midst of the darkness of night and the surrounding foliage, Flenn's eyes are able to pick up Vex's subtle back rubbing.
"No, I'm fine. No need to worry about me."
My back has endured much worse before…but why is she staring so intently at me? It was just a little itch.
"It's okay man, you can be honest. I know that the lil' motorboat isn't the most comfortable thing to ride…especially the seat you were sitting on. She's an old boat that I'm borrowing from a longtime friend of mine, so it can't be helped."
"Pftt. Are you sure that it wasn't also because of your lackluster steering? You can't blame the boat for everything, you know."
"That's completely irrelevant. Don't even get me started on you… Say, wanna know what she did that one time? Look at her face, she knows exactly what I'm talking about."
"Tell him a single word, and I'll make you regret abandoning your kid, only using this job as an excuse."
"For your information, that whore and I promised not to commit past that one night. She lied, so she paid the price. Just because I'm tolerant of you as my colleague, doesn't mean I have to be the same way with your distant cousin."
"You know, perhaps it wouldn't be such a bad idea to use Sylow as dragon bait. Don't you agree, Vex?"
"Flenn, leave that man out of our petty squabbles. We can resolve this later. Isn't that right?"
"..."
The shift from playful banter to bickering is such an emotional whiplash. I'm surprised that we are still walking forward as normal without stopping for drama. Obviously, there are unresolved issues between these two, but I wasn't paid to care about that. Actually, I have yet to be paid, so how about everyone shut-up and focus on the task at hand?
"...Anyway, all I said was that I am fine. I don't think I need to detail my personal opinion about the ride itself. There's supposedly a dangerous dragon looming somewhere on this island, so I would rather focus on that. In addition, it's also dark, so I need to be more vigilant."
For a moment, a moment that felt longer than in actuality, only the ambience of soft footsteps against the damp ground and vegetation remain audible. A small chilling breeze blows past.
"Wow dude, you are super serious when it comes to handling business. Reminds me of…her."
"...yeah, she would have gotten along with Vex very well."
"..."
The air around them sinks, further intensified by the humidity of the islet. As everyone continues walking in silence, Flenn–who still trails behind–lifts her twitching noise towards the sky.
"That smell…the disgusting smell of heat. Sylow, Vex, we are getting close!"
"This trail does feel familiar…yeah, everything checks out. Stay on guard everyone!"
Hmm, so they can display a serious attitude when necessary. The fact that they are suddenly bracing themselves like this…just how big of a threat is that dragon?
"Flenn, since you are the leader of this quest and seem to be the most familiar with this plan, wouldn't it be better if you lead in the front?"
"NO! I-I mean…I can't right now. I hope you understand. Though I will support and do my part from here. Let's keep going, okay?"
"...?"
Given her random outburst, she must be suffering from trauma that the dragon caused to her. After all, it not only prevented them from completing their original quest, but it killed half of their party members. It's no wonder why she was desperate enough to turn to someone like me…as much as I would like to, I won't press her on that.
"I understand, Flenn."
"...thanks."
After a few more minutes of circumspectly walking, the party comes across a mountainous structure similar to that of a cave. It has a mouth that invites the living inside of to the other side–the interior of the island.
"--! Flenn, there it is! We've arrived at the entrance again! We are so close, it's unreal."
"Sylow, we were close last time until…until that thing ruined everything."
Flenn points her finger at the giant beast, the dragon resting beside the tunnel passage. The light from the stars gleam on the dragon's albino white scales. Its furry periwinkle mane sways from its own exhaust. The dragon's breaths are so subdued that one would mistakenly think that the dragon is outright dead.
"So that's the aforementioned dragon…"
Dragons are among the rarest creatures to find. Everyone knows that they exist, and the average person is likely to have a few encounters with them throughout their life…myself included. At the end of the day, dragons are just a rare breed of demi-human. I'm not sure why they choose to maintain their beast form instead of their default humanoid one–perhaps to appear threatening? Regardless, they should be subject to human reasoning to at least some extent, even when transformed into a full beast. If it comes down to it, I'll try a more pacifist approach. I was only hired to get the dragon out of their way after all–I don't have to risk my life trying to slay it in vain.
With that being said–
"Flenn, Sylow, I'm not sure what your exact strategy is when it comes to dealing with this dragon, but it is sleeping. Rather than attack it, it would be best to just sneak by it and enter the tunnel into the heart of the islet–your original goal from the beginning."
Sylow shrugs after considering Vex's words.
"Huh, that actually does seem like a sound strategy. We don't know why the heck this dragon is here in the first place…but if we can avoid any more needless deaths then we should try. Right, Flenn?"
Flenn's bunny ears droop, she holds her hand over her heart.
"...Even though it took Edd and Miffy's lives…the dragon gets to rest peacefully?"
"...That dragon will get its just desserts one day–I'm sure of it. I'd rather take that opportunity at another time…let's take heed to Vex's advice. We are paying him to help us, might as well, right?"
"...yeah, you're right. Let's carefully sneak up ahead. I'll stay back here, okay?"
Flenn flashes a smile so bright, it dazzles as if it were the stars shining in the sky over them. The two men nod in affirmation, continuing their trek ahead–carefully treading the uneven terrain beneath them.
Given the nature of our job, it's only natural that stealth is the common skill that all Dark Mercenaries excel at. Those who can't perform that well…won't be Dark Mercenaries for long. Anyway, aside from the brief situation earlier, working with Flenn and Sylow is much more tolerable due to their adequate skillfulness in this area. Seriously, they didn't need me here with them specifically, but money is money.
"Okay guys, I've made it in the tunnel. The path ahead looks clear and easygoing from where I'm standing!"
Sylow, who is at the forefront of the party, whispers his report back to his teammates behind him. Vex, standing only a few away from the dragon's resting face, receives Sylow's message–though his head is facing towards the dragon.
"..."
For some reason, its scale and mane color combination tickles my mind…but I can't recall exactly why.
As Vex is pondering, the dragon's nostrils slightly flare up, taking in the air around it, just as he finally walks forward.
Oh well, it could be a repressed memory from a dream. I'm almost in the tunnel–maybe my brain will clear up once I pass to the other side–
SLIK
"How dare you breathe a single breath peacefully! Did you really think I'd let you slide? That I'd forgive you?! Does this blade feel familiar? It should–it's from my friend that you killed!"
"?!"
Unable to contain her rage, Flenn lashes out, thrusting a sharp dagger into the dragon's neck. Unsurprisingly, the dragon became immediately aware of Flenn's presence–or rather, everything surrounding it, Flenn and her party included. As the dragon rises, Flenn's mind that was drunken with vengeance sobers up, being replaced with her body's instinct to survive, resulting in her hopping away towards the tunnel.
"--Gaah!"
"Flenn!!!"
Before Flenn could even land on the ground from her third hop, she was snatched by the dragon. Sylow, despite once being the furthest ahead, is the first to run out the tunnel and cry out to Flenn. Although Vex is also concerned, he doesn't withhold his frustration.
"Oh come on you idiot, why would you attack it?! The plan was to sneak past it–we all literally just agreed to that to avoid jeopardizing the main objective!"
"I know, I know, but I couldn't control myself! I'm sorry, but I need your help getting away from this vile beast!"
"Vex, I also acknowledge that what Flenn did was incredibly stupid and reckless. Despite that, would you please–"
"I got it. I'll try diverting the dragon's attention, and you could focus on getting Flenn back."
"Let's do it!"
Vex and Sylow split ways, going in opposite directions. Vex looks up to the dragon towering over him, its attention still remaining on Flenn in its hand.
Whistle
"Hey dragon, I'll kindly ask you to release that bunny girl and fly away elsewhere. I was hired to deal with you, but nobody has to get hurt tonight. Final offer!"
Hearing the tiny voice of the comparatively small human, the dragon looks downward just lightly beyond the nails on its feet. Its eyes are drawn towards the source of the bothersome noise–Vex.
"..."
"...?"
This dragon is surprisingly calm. When it was forcibly awakened from its slumber by way of a throat stab, it made no sound. As it captured its aggressor and stared her down, it made no attempt to roar or anything. Despite me taunting it to divert its attention, it is looking at me calmly–no signs of outward aggression. This level-headiness is unusual…that means something is on its mind for sure. We need to be circumspect.
"Sylow! There's something off about this dragon, so we need to stay alert and be extra cautious until–"
"YOU. EVERYTHING…IT'S ALL YOUR FAULT."
A deep, bellowing voice cuts off Vex's communication, demanding everyone who can hear to pay attention to its source–the dragon.
"Eh? Did the dragon actually speak?"
"I FINALLY FOUND YOU, I RECOGNIZE YOUR SCENT. DO YOU TAKE ME FOR A FOOL, HUMAN? NO MATTER HOW MANY YEARS PASS, I WILL ALWAYS TELL YOU APART FROM THE OTHERS!"
"Vex, dude, you really have personal beef with a dragon? You're even tougher than I thought!"
"There's a misunderstanding–this is all one-sided."
"Uh guys, could you rescue me from this dragon? I can…feel its g-grip getting…tighter!"
"I HATE YOU!"
Throw
"Gaah!!!!"
"Flenn!!!!"
The dragon carelessly tosses away Flenn, discarding her as an insignificant object that lost its luster. All of its attention is focused on one man alone.
"EEEEeEK!"
"I've got you, Flenn!"
Sylow, using the power of his legs, leaps through the air to meet Flenn before she could splatter. Their landing is a little less than graceful, but unscathed.
"I'm not sure what's going on here, but it's obvious that this dragon has a vendetta against me alone. Sylow, take Flenn with you and hurry along through the tunnel–I'll deal with this. I don't want you two to be collateral damage."
If they die, then all of this would be in vain. I can't lose that money!
"You don't have to tell me twice! We're out of here!"
"Good luck, Vex! I got my best attack on the dragon, so I'm leaving the rest to you!"
Sylow, with Flenn in hand, sprints through the tun