<h4>Chapter 1: Prologue</h4>


    In the midst of a world shrouded in darkness and gloom, perched upon a rugged mountain, six individuals gathered around a flickering campfire. An air of anxiety loomed over some, while others exhibited unwavering determination.


    Amidst the group, a man garbed in heavy armor sat upon a t stone, meticulously polishing his sword. His helmet had been removed, revealing a rugged face that had not seen a razor for the better part of a month.


    His eyes were clear and blue, with a hint of innocence behind them, a stark contrast to the domineering heavy armor he was wearing. Feeling the tense atmosphere, he spoke up, trying to lighten the mood.


    "Helen, what did you want to be when you grew up?"


    However, his question was met with a frosty gaze from a female ice mage, who sternly admonished him, reminding him that this was no time for such discussions.


    Archer, always the mediator, grinned mischievously at the ice mage. "Come on, Ice Queen, Jayce has got a point. We could use a goodugh before facing whatever''s out there."


    The ice mage red back, her icy demeanor undeterred. "First of all, it''s none of your business. And secondly, this is a dangerous mission, we can not afford to be distracted."


    Jayce, undeterred by the pretty woman''s words, persisted with a smile. "Ohe on, I''m sure it was something cool like wanting to be a model, or even an Idol."


    Helen rolled her eyes and turned her back to the fire, choosing to ignore the two men.


    "I guess I''ll start." Jayce said with a smile. Looking into the fire, his face turned a little serious, "I.. I always wanted to be a chef. Working my way up in the kitchen until I could own a Michelin star restaurant."


    A silence swept over the mountain after these words were said, causing Jayce to look up from the fire and investigate. He gazed at the faces of his battle party that had sweat and bled together over the years with a questioning look.


    After a few moments of silence, the team burst into uproariousughter, sending echoes throughout the mountainous range around them. Even Helen who had been attempting to ignore the chatter was holding her sides and giggling.


    Jayce blinked a few times before his face turned red in embarrassment. "W-What''s so funny!" he growled.


    A blond man finally managed topose himself, flipping the flowing hair out of his face before saying, "Jayce, thest time you cooked for us you almost burnt down our entire campsite. We had to find another beast to butcher otherwise we would have gone hungry!"


    The cohort burst intoughter once more, remembering the bumbling Jayce in front of the charred remains of their "dinner".


    Jayce sulked, puffing his cheeks at the reaction of his supposed teammates "Well, excuse me for not being a master chef like I had hoped!"


    Theughter subsided, and their leader, a towering figure armed with an enormous sword and shield, rose to his feet. He gestured for everyone to take their positions, their faces transforming into stern masks of battle-hardened warriors.


    Jayce, being part of the vanguard, took his ce at the front. But inwardly, he cursed himself for agreeing to this perilous expedition into the treacherous mountains. The mission was merely a scouting one, but doubt gnawed at his heart.


    Suddenly, the cohort''s attention shifted as they caught sight of a figure on the horizon. Eyes widened in wonder as the object gradually approached. After a moment of anticipation, they saw a pointed object, slowlying into view. As it got closer the cohort realized it was a sharp horn,ing into view was a colossal draconic beast, its scales gleaming with an otherworldly luminescence—a sight both awe-inspiring and unsettling.


    Theicalughter that had resonated moments ago turned into hushed whispers, the lightness of the moment swallowed by a wave of trepidation. The air crackled with tension as the beast''s presence became palpable.


    Jayce''s instincts kicked in, his voice cutting through the uncertainty. "Be on guard, everyone. This is no ordinary creature. Prepare for battle!"


    As if in response to Jayce''s warning, the beast let out a thunderous roar, shaking the very foundation of the mountain. Its fiery eyes locked onto the cohort, radiating an aura of ferocity and power.


    Jason saw a blood red name hovering over the colossal draconic beasts head, making him pale deeply. No one had ever fought a beast with a red name and lived to tell the tale. He looked over at his friends and swallowed deeply.


    From the looks on their faces, they had also seen the boss''s name and knew that there was no escape.


    In an instant, the beast lunged forward, ws shing through the air with a blinding swiftness. Jayce''s words were swallowed by the chaos as hisrades sprang into action, their weapons shing against the beast''s scales in a desperate bid for survival.


    The sh between the cohort and the colossal draconic beast grew increasingly desperate. Despite their battle-hardened skills and unwavering resolve, their efforts seemed feeble against the overwhelming might of the creature. The beast''s scales proved impervious to their weapons, and its ferocious strength surpassed anything they had encountered before.


    One by one, hisrades fell, their valiant struggles extinguished like flickering candles in the wind. Jayce''s heart sank with each loss, his own resolve wavering as he witnessed the futility of their fight. Yet, he refused to surrender. He would stand his ground until the bitter end, even if it meant facing the crushing weight of despair.


    The beast moved with unearthly speed, its ws tearing through the air like razor-sharp scythes. Jayce dodged and parried, his movements fueled by a mixture of desperation and determination. But with each passing moment, the odds stacked against him. The beast''s ferocity was unmatched, its attacks precise and deadly.


    In a terrifying disy of power, the creature let out a deafening roar that shook the very mountainside. The ground quaked beneath Jayce''s feet as he desperately tried to hold his ground. But as the battle unfolded, his fate seemed sealed. The beast''s movements became a blur, an unstoppable force of destruction.


    Jayce''s vision blurred with exhaustion and despair. Through the haze, he caught a glimpse of the beast''s massive foot descending upon him. In that fleeting moment, he knew his end hade. He closed his eyes, bracing himself for the inevitable impact.


    A deafening crack filled the air, followed by a bone-chilling silence. Jayce''s consciousness faded as the world turned to darkness.