CHAPTER 74: 74 HUMANS ARE FRAGILE (3/4)

"I remember it!"

"I finally remembered it!"

"I need to give him a return gift!"

Snap!

The Hungry Dragon in the Endless Maze clapped sharply, amazed at its own wisdom.

To actually remember, truly worthy of this master!

"When receiving a gift, you must give a corresponding reward, yes, that’s right!"

But after the excitement, Valentina fell silent.

She suddenly remembered the one who taught her all of this.

Wendy.

A small human who awakened her Warlock talent as a child and was ostracized by her family, ultimately choosing to wander alone.

According to Wendy, her talent was actually excellent, unwittingly awakening the Warlock capabilities at five years old.

This should have been a gift.

But her family were ordinary people, among the most conservative of believers.

Unable to understand and even hostile towards this power, they viewed Wendy as a monster, subjecting her to blatant discrimination and prolonged abuse.

Finally, after enduring ten years, Wendy left that nightmare of a place with unwavering resolve, setting it ablaze.

Wendy wanted to find the Giant Dragon.

She had read a sentence in a book—

Through some research, some believe that the Warlock bloodline originates from the Giant Dragon, and by becoming its servant, it might grant greater power to the Warlock.

After another ten years of wandering, she finally found a sleeping Giant Dragon atop a cliff summit after overcoming numerous hazards.

A colossal beast exuding a terrifying aura.

But Wendy forgot one thing—trespassing into the beast’s territory equates to provocation!

Awoken by the unfamiliar presence, the Giant Dragon instinctively wanted to crush the intruder with its claws.

Wendy tried to escape desperately but couldn’t; the Giant Dragon cornered her with ease using its tail.

But at the final moment, the Giant Dragon stopped.

Perhaps due to a similar aura between the two, Valentina didn’t kill her, only flapping her wings to drive her away.

Yet the lucky survivor Wendy didn’t give up.

She climbed the summit time and again, pleading to Valentina—let me be your servant.

And Valentina repeatedly refused, knocking her down the mountain.

Initially, Wendy could climb back in a day, but later it turned into two days, three days... four days.

Ultimately, on the eighteenth day, after arduously climbing to the summit for the eighth time, the compassionate Giant Dragon didn’t drive her away.

The Giant Dragon allowed Wendy to stay by its side.

Wendy found shelter for the first time, and Valentina gained her first servant.

Thus, they spent thirty years together.

During those thirty years, Valentina mostly slept, and every time she woke, the surrounding scene changed considerably.

With each blink, the once-new things became rusty, while the summit grew more splendid with some items she had never seen before.

Strangely shaped Dragon totems, unknown source minerals, well-built steps...

And, most uniquely—Wendy had changed from how she first appeared.

She had grown old.

Not completely aged yet, but time had left clear marks on her face.

Though similar, the two were ultimately different.

Valentina was a powerful Giant Dragon, while Wendy was merely a frail human.

Humans are very fragile.

They easily die.

Injury, illness, hunger, war... and aging.

Even if unaffected by external factors, they still age and disappear with time.

How can humans avoid aging?

She knew the answer deep down.

Ultimately, everything would meet its end.

Whether human or Giant Dragon.

Whether mortal or divine.

All would perish in the end.

She understood this.

But Valentina didn’t want to accept Wendy’s departure too soon.

She wanted to extend their time together.

As a reward for all the effort over the years, Valentina broke the rules and allowed Wendy to become her kin, transforming her bloodline into that of a Dragon Vein Mage.

She succeeded.

Wendy became young again, returning to the appearance when they first met.

She gained a powerful physique, the ability to breathe fire, an overwhelming presence...

Although Wendy’s future power increase would be as slow as a Giant Dragon, she would also have a longer lifespan.

Valentina thought this would be enough.

It should have been enough.

But later.

One day, Valentina awoke from a nightmare only to find Wendy collapsed beside her.

She lay in a pool of blood, marked by countless wounds, and her heart completely shattered.

Wendy’s injuries were too severe.

It was remarkable she lasted until Valentina awoke, not even giving her a chance to save her.

Only leaving a final message—"Valentina, I’ve let you down, unable to accompany you for a millennium..."—before permanently closing her eyes.

Valentina understood.

Humans are weak.

They are very resilient yet exceptionally fragile.

Just a gentle tap leads to death.

Wendy abandoned her master, her soul returned alone to the Sea of Chaos.

Just like when she walked alone to Valentina’s side years ago.

After that...

The memories grew somewhat hazy.

Valentina only remembered unleashing immense Dragon Breath, burning the Lord’s castle forged with molten iron and the filthy trash within to ashes.

No, not just one... four!

Those four Fallen cities teeming with evildoers—all who dared harm Wendy, her servant, she spared none!

Burned them all with Demon Flame!

All of them!!!

Though in the end, it led to her being captured by that deceitful elder, punished, and locked away, Valentina never regretted her actions.

She only regretted not immediately fleeing upon seeing the elder... sigh.

Click.

As Valentina pouted in hindsight regret, a large door suddenly materialized near the railing gate.

"Oh? You’re only just coming... back?"

Thunk.

A blood-stained silhouette suddenly emerged from the door, silently crashing heavily before her.

Thud!

"Herbert!!?"

The once witty, humorous, elegant, and noble young man now lay like a tattered rag at her feet.

"..."

Valentina’s breath halted.

The past and present, two completely different figures gradually overlapped and finally merged completely.

Thunk.

At this moment, a string within Valentina’s mind...

Snapped once more.