I Only Tame Dragons

Chapter 107 The First Day of the Competition

"What is this place?" Lydia muttered to herself.

In this mysterious realm, the landscape sprawled out before Horizon and the others like a dream, shaped by forces unlike any they'd encountered.

The realm seemed divided into distinct regions, each dedicated to a single element: Forest, Water, Desert, Fire, and Ice.

These realms lay separated by miles of wilderness and some magical barrier that none could yet fully understand.

When the group first landed in this new dimension, they found themselves at the heart of the Forest, surrounded by towering trees that scraped the sky.

The air was filled with the earthy scent of damp moss and the rustling of leaves as a gentle wind wound its way through branches high above. Vines hung down like green curtains, swaying lazily, while vibrant mosses and wildflowers blanketed the forest floor, creating a soft carpet underfoot.

Sunlight pierced through the dense canopy in scattered beams, casting pools of light and shadow over the forest floor.

It was an ancient place, heavy with the aura of secrets and memories, as though countless souls had once wandered here, leaving behind only whispers in the breeze.

The map they'd received was crude, and barely decipherable. Still, it showed a clear demarcation of the five realms, each arranged like spokes on a wheel, with their current location, the Forest, at the center.

Surrounding it, each elemental region extended outward, each a realm unto itself. The Water region was marked by waves, the Desert with a barren stretch of dunes, the Fire realm was etched with flames, and the Ice region depicted in jagged icicles.

To win, they'd need to find the exit – somewhere deep within these mysterious lands.

"Well," Horizon said, closing the map on his screen. "At least we got the Forest. Better than being dropped straight into the Desert or Fire zones. Here, we won't need to worry about food or water for a while."

Von nodded, scanning the trees around them. "True. Plenty of cover here as well. Gives us the chance to set up a solid base before scouting the other regions."

The group quickly agreed on a plan while they still could and no other group were present to disrupt them.

Horizon and Nyx would go ahead and search for the exit. The rules didn't specify that the entire group needed to reach the exit together to secure victory; just one person finding it would suffice.

It was the kind of loophole that could make a world of difference in a competition where survival and strategy mattered as much as skill.

Their strategy seemed simple: split up to increase their chances of finding the exit without exposing everyone to the dangers lurking beyond the trees.

Strange plants with thorny vines and leaves glistened with an oily sheen, hinting at toxicity. Creatures scurried in the shadows – some familiar, others bizarre and alien.

As they ventured deeper, Nyx stopped abruptly, pointing to a set of tracks in the mud. They were deep, clawed, and unlike anything she had ever seen.

"Horizon, look at these tracks," she whispered, crouching down to examine them closely. "Whatever made these is big – and probably predatory."

Horizon frowned, studying the marks. "Let's keep moving, but stay alert. We're bound to run into all sorts of strange beasts here." And worst, players.

This dimension was big but not that big, so they were bound to bump into other groups.

The deeper they went, the darker the forest became, even though the sun still hung high in the sky. The dense canopy overhead allowed only slivers of light through, creating an ever-shifting pattern of light and shadow.

The air grew thicker, filled with the sounds of chirping insects and distant animal calls. Every so often, they'd come across remnants of previous travelers – a broken sword hilt here, a tattered piece of fabric caught in a thorn bush there.

After a few hours of travel, they came upon a clearing that appeared untouched. In the center stood a tall stone monolith etched with unfamiliar symbols. It radiated an eerie, cold light, pulsing faintly like a heartbeat.

"What do you think this is?" Nyx asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Horizon studied the monolith, running a hand over the strange markings. "No idea. Could be a marker, or maybe something left by the ones who created this realm. We should be cautious – there's no telling what kind of magic is at work here."

Deciding not to linger, they moved on, taking mental notes of the clearing's location in case they needed to return. Hours passed as they explored the edge of the Forest, occasionally catching glimpses of the other regions beyond.

It took only two hours before Horizon stumbled upon a skirmish, where players clashed fiercely in a chaotic brawl.

Hidden above in the dense canopy, Horizon observed the scene unfold, his gaze sharp as he took in the action below.

At least two guilds had joined forces against a single group, their numbers forming a deadly circle around their target. It was an unexpected sight—the Roaring Beast guild, led by none other than David, the fierce beastfolk warrior, was holding his ground with his companions, fighting off both sides with remarkable tenacity.

"Isn't that our beastfolk neighbor?" Nyx whispered, her eyes narrowing as she took in the scene. "Looks like he's in a serious bind."

The two guilds surrounding Roaring Beast were relentless. One, the Iron Fangs, was known for its brute strength, their members wielding heavy weapons that could crush bones with a single swing. The other, Nightshade Syndicate, specialized in ambush tactics and poison, a lethal combination in tight quarters.

Together, they pressed in on David and his team, exploiting any opening they could find.

But even as his forces grew weary, David fought on, his roars echoing through the forest as he launched strike after strike, showing no sign of backing down.