I Only Tame Dragons

Horizon had refused to form a [Blood Contract] with the harpies, his instincts warning him against it.

He knew too well the dangers that came with such a pact.

Blood Contracts were always riddled with loopholes, hidden traps that either party could exploit. It was a gamble—one that could twist promises into deadly bargains.

No matter how desperate the harpies had seemed, Horizon wasn't about to bind himself to something so dangerous.

He wasn't naïve. If things went wrong, death wouldn't just be a temporary setback—it would be the end. No revival, no second chances. His life, his mission, everything, would be erased in an instant.

There were risks he was willing to take. But that? Never.

Von stared at the mutilated corpse, a frown creasing his brow. "That didn't look like a normal Lizardfolk," he said, his eyes lingering on the twisted, decaying body.

"We call them Abominations," Violet spoke up, stepping forward cautiously. Her violet hair gleamed faintly in the dim light. "For reasons we don't fully understand, some Lizardfolk evolve—or rather, devolve—into this undead-like state. They become faster, stronger, but far less mortal."

Horizon and Von's eyes shifted in unison toward Nyx. Their judging eyes bored into her.

Nyx crossed her arms, her lips curling into a playful sneer. "Don't look at me. I didn't do it." She paused, her voice taking on a darker edge. "Not yet, at least," she added with a snicker.

"We don't have time for this," Violet cut in, her expression growing serious. She pointed toward a waterfall in the distance.

Behind the thundering curtain of water lay the mouth of a cave, dark and foreboding. "They're keeping our Priestess inside. We need to move quickly—there will be more of these abominations within."

The deafening roar of the waterfall grew louder as they approached, the sheer force of the crashing water reverberating through the ground beneath their feet.

Mist hung in the air, turning the moss-covered rocks slick and treacherous. The entrance to the cave was barely visible behind the cascade, just a narrow corridor of darkness that descended deep into the earth.

The group—Horizon, Nyx, Von, Cappy, Lydia, Violet, and a handful of harpies—stood at the cave's entrance, their faces illuminated by the last slivers of daylight that streamed through the forest.

"I hate this already," Lydia muttered, glancing at the shadowy cave. Her hands trembled slightly as she held her daggers.

"Try not to slow us down," Nyx barked. Her wings twitched impatiently as she eyed the entrance, already itching for whatever treasure awaited inside.

The stench hit them as they stepped inside—the pungent odor of rotting fish and damp earth filled the air, thick and oppressive.

The tunnel was narrow, forcing them to walk in single file, with water trickling down the walls. The sound of their footsteps echoed ominously, swallowed by the depths of the cave.

"Stay alert," Horizon whispered, his eyes scanning every corner for signs of movement. "Abominations or not, we can't afford to be caught off guard."

They pressed on, deeper into the cave. The narrow passage eventually opened into a wider chamber, dimly lit by a faint glow emanating from the cracks in the stone walls. The light danced eerily on the water pooling at their feet, casting long, flickering shadows.

As they ventured further in, the sound of low growls echoed through the chamber. Shapes shifted in the darkness ahead—more Lizardfolk, their distorted forms barely visible in the gloom.

"We're not alone," Cappy whispered, gripping Von's hair.

"Quit pulling my hair, or I'll go bald," Von complained, irritation lacing his voice as he swatted lightly at the creature perched on him.

"Get ready," Violet urged, her voice tight with tension. "These creatures are stronger than the others."

Their Priestess was somewhere beyond this darkness, and failure was not an option once they were inside.

Experience new stories on empire

Suddenly, from the shadows, the first of the Lizardfolk lunged. Its gray, decaying skin rippled as it attacked, its claws glinting in the dim light.

Horizon moved like a blur, his blade flashing in a single, fluid arc. The steel met the Lizardfolk's neck with a hiss, as the enchanted edge of the [Drakescourge Scimitar] ignited on contact, leaving a sizzling trail of burning flesh in its wake.

The creature's head toppled to the ground, its lifeless body crumpling soon after, smoke rising from the seared wound.

Nyx didn't waste a moment, and instructed, "Horizon, skin it. Lizard skins are always valuable as leather."

Without hesitation, Horizon got to work. This time, he was ready, pulling out a [Preserver's Container] from his pack to store the Lizard's hide and some of its claws.

[ACQUIRED! Lizard Skin x2, Trash Item]

[ACQUIRED! Lizard Claw x10, Common Item]

"Trash item?" Horizon frowned. That meant it was practically worthless, taking up space in his inventory. With a flick of his wrist, he discarded the skins.

"Maybe because the skin's already rotting," Von explained, kicking the decaying corpse with a disgusted look. "They're greasy and falling apart."

Horizon cursed under his breath and focused on looting gil instead.

"This isn't the time for that!" Violet snapped, her voice trembling with frustration.

They were in a life-or-death situation, yet Horizon seemed more interested in his spoils than the mission at hand.

But one sharp glance from Horizon silenced her. His eyes, narrow and intense, glinted like steel.

"Treasure is treasure," he said coldly, pocketing the gil pouch before moving on without another word.

Violet could only stare at him, bewildered by his actions.

Von chuckled, patting her on the shoulder. "Don't mind him," he said with a grin. "Treasure is what keeps him motivated."

"I . . . I see."

Eventually, they pressed forward, and encountered more Lizardmen and this time some Giant Crocs in the shallow waters joined in.

Von's bullets whistled through the air, piercing the skull of another charging abomination. The creature crumpled mid-stride, its momentum carrying it forward before collapsing in a heap.

"We need to find that priestess—fast," Von said, reloading his weapon with a snap. "Before these freaks surround us." His eyes scanned the corners, every shadow a potential threat.

Nyx hovered above, her skeletal wings beating rhythmically as she surveyed the area from a height. "There's a cluster of them to the left!" she shouted, pointing out a hidden group of Lizardfolk lurking in the shadows.