Dragon Knight – Arc II: A New Life & Wraith
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Chapter 1 – One Month Later
One month had passed since Strom jumped from the cliff.
No Slayer Tower, no villagers spitting at his feet, no "monster" whispers.
Just a small rented house on the edge of a quiet mining town and a blacksmith job.
Strom hammered steel, repaired tools, and lived simply.
"Feels… normal," he muttered, sweat dripping. "Almost like I'm human again."
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Chapter 2 – Reunion With Sam
While hammering a broken pickaxe, a tap hit his shoulder.
"A new place, Strom," said a familiar voice.
Strom instinctively swung the hammer, stopping an inch from Sam's head.
"Damn it, Sam!" Strom shouted. "You almost got your skull opened."
Sam grinned: "Still fast as ever."
Strom froze, staring… then pulled Sam into a crushing hug.
"Thought you were gone… like everyone else," Strom whispered.
"Nah, bro. Someone had to check if you were still breathing."
They spent hours talking, laughing, and eating at Strom's shop.
"Feels like old times, huh?" Sam said.
"Yeah… it does," Strom replied, smiling for real.
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Chapter 3 – Wraith Enters
That night, Strom bought a blue diamond ring from a pushy old merchant.
"Classic ring, how much?" Strom asked.
"Twenty gold."
"Twenty?! Is it blessed by God or are you robbing me?"
"Take it or leave it."
He grumbled but bought it anyway.
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The Ring Speaks
Later, as he lay in bed, a sharp voice echoed:
"You chose the wrong path, idiot."
Strom sat up. "Who's there?"
"Humans… so dumb," the voice mocked.
He looked at the ring. "A hidden bitc# in my house?"
"Excuse me?!" The air shimmered, forming a woman with glowing eyes and sharp claws.
She lunged, but Strom caught her wrist mid-air and threw her to the floor.
"My landlord says no girls allowed, so fuc# off," he barked.
The woman groaned, standing up. "Name's Wraith… and you're rude."
"Name's Strom… and you're in my house."
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Who Is Wraith?
Wraith explained she was bound to the ring centuries ago as punishment.
"I killed… too many humans," she said with a grin. "Your knights? They want me dead."
Strom sighed. "Great. Just what I needed, a wanted demon in my house."
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Chapter 4 – The Hybrid Attack
The next day, Strom walked home with Wraith (now back in the ring).
"You humans always buy cursed jewelry, huh," she teased from inside.
"Shut up," Strom muttered.
A 25-foot snake-human hybrid burst from the forest, hissing and smashing carts.
Strom yelled to nearby villagers: "Get back! This one's mine!"
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The Chase
He threw a rock into its eye.
"Over here, ugly!" Strom taunted, running toward the outer plains.
When they reached open ground, he placed the ring under a tree.
"Miss, don't step in this," he said softly.
The hybrid lunged—Strom's aura flared, summoning a massive dragon-shaped blade.
"Enough for your life, kiddo." He slashed once, releasing a shockwave that split the hybrid in half.
The monster fell, lifeless.
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Wraith Reacts
Wraith appeared outside the ring, clapping slowly.
"Not bad, hammer boy. You fight like someone who's seen too much death."
Strom glanced at her. "Says the one hunted for killing half a kingdom."
Wraith smirked. "Fair point."
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Chapter 5 – Late Night Talk
That night, they sat on the roof, drinking cheap ale.
"So why so many human kills?" Strom asked.
Wraith shrugged: "They deserved it… mostly."
"Mostly?"
"Fine. I was angry, okay? But you, big scary Dragon Knight, you're no saint either."
Strom chuckled. "Guess we're both broken."
Wraith smirked: "Broken makes fun company."
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Chapter 6 – The Knights' Move
Morning came with armored boots stomping outside.
"We know you're hiding a blue demon!" one knight yelled.
Strom stepped out: "And if I am?"
"Then you're a traitor."
They left, but that evening a toxic gas bottle smashed into Strom's house.
Wraith stood in the smoke, unharmed. "Cute try. They'll regret this."
Strom clenched his fists: "This again…"
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Chapter 7 – Prison Reunion
Sam had been taken by knights earlier. Strom broke into their barracks but was caught and shackled with a curse bangle blocking his magic.
Wraith appeared, slicing through chains and soldiers alike.
"Can't leave you alone for one night, huh?" she said, freeing Strom and Sam.
"You love saving me, don't you?" Strom teased.
"Shut up and move."
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Chapter 8 – The King & Zoro
The knights reported Wraith's rampage to the king.
"Summon Zoro," the king ordered.
Zoro's Introduction
Zoro was an elite assassin—thin, sharp-eyed, with tattoos that pulsed when he drew his curved blade. His magic drained life energy, and every swing left black trails in the air.
"Your targets: Strom, the monster knight, and his demon accomplice," the king commanded.
Zoro smirked: "Dead before dawn."
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The Fight
Zoro attacked Strom and Sam with blinding speed, forcing them on defense.
"This guy's no joke!" Sam yelled.
Strom gritted his teeth: "He's fast… but not faster than her."
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Chapter 9 – Wraith's Wrath
Wraith appeared behind Zoro, claws glowing.
"Boo."
He spun—too late. She gouged his eye, ripping his life force apart.
Zoro collapsed instantly.
"You two fight like toddlers," Wraith said, dusting her hands. "Lucky for you, I like toddlers."
The king froze as Wraith approached. "Please… I—"
"Not worth killing," Wraith muttered, walking away.
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Chapter 10 – Three Friends
That night, Strom, Sam, and Wraith sat at his table.
Wraith smirked: "So, hammer boy and mage boy… who's your favorite?"
Sam choked: "W-What kind of question is that?!"
Strom sighed: "I regret buying that ring."
"Aww, you love me," Wraith teased.
For the first time in years, Strom laughed—a real laugh.
For now, he wasn't alone.