The Steel-Claw Eagle screamed above the valley, its wings cutting through the fog like blades. Every flap sent a wall of wind roaring down the slopes, tearing branches from trees and hurling rocks through the air. Stone cracked somewhere in the mist, echoing like thunder. This is definitely not something you wanna catch yourself in.
Null crouched behind a jagged boulder, the Frostfang Sword trembling faintly in his grip. His pulse steadied as his senses sharpened—every shift in the fog, every tremor in the ground became a signal. His mind ran the numbers: wind direction, dive angles, strike windows. He needs to time all of his attacks right. If Stella attacks from the left and the eagle dodges to the right. He needs to predict the movement and throw the sword beforehand.
A low growl vibrated through the air. Stella.
He felt it in his chest more than he heard it. Even as a hatchling, her presence filled the world—contained power, like a storm coiled into a golden heartbeat. When sunlight brushed her scales, she looked like molten metal come alive. Her wings flexed once, and her tail twitched in warning. It was a beautiful sight to behold. Leo feels incredibly lucky to have her as his companion.
The Eagle dove.
Wind howled. Null rolled aside as the monster smashed into the spot he'd been a heartbeat ago. Dust and rock shards blasted across the ground. The valley shuddered. He came up in a crouch, blade raised, breath syncing to the rhythm of the fight—each step deliberate, each move precise. This was his chance to stand above most and rise.
The Eagle's wings unfurled again, slicing trees clean in half. Null ducked behind another boulder, heart hammering, as debris screamed past. The creature's next cry hit like a shockwave.
Stella didn't hesitate. She leapt from her perch, tail whipping through the mist. When she struck the Eagle mid-flight, the impact rolled across the valley in a trembling shockwave. Pebbles danced at Null's feet; the fog twisted like it was alive.
Then came new vibrations—different ones. Footsteps. Dozens of them.
Figures emerged through the fog: a small army of players, half-armored, weapons drawn. At their head strode a man in black and red, a snake-and-sword emblem gleaming on his chest. His smirk was the kind that always meant trouble.
"Well, well," he said, voice slick as oil. "The famous First Dawn. Trying to solo a Silver boss? Why not share the loot?"
Null's grip tightened. "You're in the way."
"In the way?" The man spread his arms, feigning generosity. "No, I'm giving you an offer. My guild could use someone like you. You've got a dragon wow so impressive. Join us, and you'll be well compensated."
Null glanced at Stella, who crouched low, her wings partly open, smoke curling faintly from her nostrils. Then he looked back. "No thanks." He is not the type to cause trouble but if trouble comes to him he is not scared of them.
The man's smile thinned. "You don't even know what I'm offering. Real money. Just hand over the dragon and walk away rich."
The word partner echoed in Null's head. He remembered the warmth beneath his hand, her heartbeat, her trust. She is more than a pet but someone he holds dear. his hope.
"You want me to sell my partner?"
The man laughed—a dry, hollow sound. "It's just a pet, kid. Better sell it before someone takes it from you."
Something cold clicked into place inside Null. He will not let anyone disrespect Stella. He opened his inventory, calm as a storm's eye.
"Your mistake," he said.
He activated [Lucky Strike].
The first attacker dropped instantly. Silence followed—a half-second of disbelief—then chaos. Normally its impossible to one hit someone at this stage but Null is a different type of beast currently. Something they cannot afford to offend.
Null moved through them like water, parrying, sidestepping, redirecting blows. Even with Stella locked in combat above, his control over the ground fight was absolute. Sparks flashed with every clash of steel.
High above, the Eagle shrieked, fury burning through its wounds. It turned its rage toward Stella.
"Now!" Null shouted. Gesturing to Stella to continue to attack the Eagle.
She heard. She always did. Stella banked midair, tail lashing. Her strike met the Eagle's dive head-on, sending feathers scattering like silver fire. The crash rattled the valley.
Stella didn't stop. She rose above the creature, wings flaring wide as white-gold flames gathered in her throat. The light spread across the fog, painting everything in molten hues.
Then she breathed.
Fire poured down like dawn breaking across the world. Power only ancient dragons are known to have. The Eagle screamed once—then fell, wings charred and broken, body crashing into the rocks below.
Silence followed. Not even the wind dared move.
Stella landed beside Null, her armor—freshly formed Cinderweave Plates—still glowing with heat. She pressed her head lightly against his shoulder.
Null rested the Frostfang on one shoulder and stared at the fallen boss.
"Still think she's just a pet?" he asked quietly.
The guild leader's confidence shattered. "You're... insane," he muttered.
"Maybe." Null's tone stayed calm. "Now leave. Before she decides you look interesting."
They ran. The fog swallowed them one by one.
Only the soft sounds of leaves and distant birds returned.
Null exhaled, tension easing out of his muscles. Stella chirped, rubbing her face against his chest, the faint light of her armor pulsing like a heartbeat. Together they looked out over the valley—broken stones, drifting fog, and victory humming in the air.
Then a system chime echoed in his vision:
[Player 'Null' has achieved the world's first Silver-tier Boss Kill!]
Reward: Title "Silver Slayer," +1000 Global Reputation, +Special Trait Bonus
Across the world, every player saw the message.
"First Silver boss already?!"
"No way—it's Day One!"
"Who's Null?!"
"That's the guy who soloed the Wolf Alpha!"
"Its first dawn again!"
Guild scouts watching from the hills exchanged quiet looks.
"If he's not in a guild yet," one murmured, "he will be. Or someone will make sure he can't compete."
Null ignored the chatter. His focus stayed on the mist ahead—two massive shapes prowling in the distance. The Corrupted Tiger. The Corrupted Lion.
He lifted his sword. "Two left," he whispered.
Stella's eyes gleamed in answer.
Together, they walked into the fog. The storm wasn't over—but for now, the world felt steady beneath their feet.
And the bond between them, forged in blood and fire, felt unbreakable.