First Legendary Dragon: Starting With The Limitless System

Occasionally, strange small beasts—small rabbit-sized creatures with oddly colorful fur, squirrel-like animals with unusually large eyes, or tiny reptiles adorned with bright patterns—scattered hurriedly from their path, clearly sensing the group's formidable presence.

"Interesting fauna," Felira softly murmured, intrigued by the small creatures' exotic forms and vivid colors. "Their coloration likely serves as camouflage in such a different colored forest."

Elias grinned lightly, glancing around with amusement. "They're cautious enough, at least. Looks like they instinctively recognize us as dangerous."

Sylvia quietly agreed, calmly observing a colorful creature swiftly vanish into the underbrush. "They've probably encountered powerful beings before."

Suddenly, a sharp rustling echoed clearly from the nearby bushes. Orion immediately halted, eyes narrowing sharply, muscles instinctively tensing in preparation.

Without further warning, a large beast lunged aggressively from the dense foliage, a massive wolf-like creature covered in thick crimson fur, standing nearly as tall as Orion himself. Its eyes glowed fiercely, filled with aggressive hunger as it aimed directly for Orion.

However, Orion merely stood still, utterly unperturbed, his dual-colored eyes calmly watching the beast's reckless charge. Before anyone could react further, a flash of cold silver flickered sharply through the air.

In a single smooth, graceful motion, the enormous beast was cleaved cleanly in two, its momentum immediately halted as both halves of its body collapsed heavily onto the forest floor.

Everyone turned instinctively toward the source of the attack, eyes widening slightly at the impressive scene. Nyss stood calmly, her small figure holding a massive scythe easily taller than herself, its gleaming silver blade shimmering with faint hints of mana.

Orion's lips curled into an amused, appreciative smile as he gently nodded toward Nyss. "Impressive, Nyss. Your choice of weapon suits you perfectly."

Nyss's icy gaze met Orion's calmly, a faint, barely noticeable smile appearing momentarily on her usually expressionless face.

She quietly adjusted the enormous scythe with surprising ease, her voice softly confident as she replied, "This isn't the first time you've said this, but thank you."

Arya and Emilia exchanged impressed glances, quietly admiring Nyss's decisive strength and precise control.

Kale thoughtfully assessed Nyss's unusual yet effective weapon choice, nodding respectfully. "Indeed, quite unexpected yet remarkably fitting."

Elias whistled lightly, clearly impressed, while Sylvia quietly smiled approvingly. Felira's eyes gleamed softly with respect, appreciating the silent elegance and power Nyss had just demonstrated.

After pausing briefly, the group swiftly continued forward, encountering various other beasts along their path.

These encounters served as perfect opportunities to further test their newly honed skills and teamwork. Each confrontation was swiftly and efficiently handled, allowing them to steadily advance deeper into the unknown as they had mostly met Tier 1 to Tier 3 beasts.

Eventually, after carefully traversing the dense, colorful foliage for a while, they unexpectedly stepped onto a clear paved path cutting cleanly through the dense forest.

Arya thoughtfully examined the path, her violet eyes brightening slightly as she remarked, "This looks like an official road. If we follow it, we should be able to find a city or settlement."

Orion nodded in agreement, his gaze sweeping both directions thoughtfully. "Good observation. Let's pick one direction and follow it cautiously."

The group collectively agreed, beginning to move carefully along the paved road, their steps quieter yet steady with cautious anticipation.

After traveling a short distance along the road, the distant sound of carriage wheels and horse hooves soon echoed clearly ahead.

Instinctively, everyone halted, calmly watching as two ornate carriages, pulled by sturdy-looking horses, gradually approached their position along the road.

Each carriage was escorted by four visibly alert guards dressed in sturdy yet slightly unfamiliar armor, along with two coachmen who steered the horses calmly.

However, most striking were the two elegant and mature female figures seated within the carriages, whose distinctly animalistic features—sharp, feline eyes, and sharp tiger-like ears atop their heads—clearly marked them as Tigerkin.

Both parties immediately halted as soon as they clearly noticed one another, instinctively becoming cautious. The guards swiftly tightened their grips on their weapons, their sharp eyes carefully assessing Orion's group.

Orion calmly stepped forward, his hands open and clearly visible to emphasize their peaceful intentions.

His voice remained composed and sincere as he addressed the wary Tigerkin guards. "Please, don't misunderstand. We bear no ill will. We're simply wandering adventurers exploring unfamiliar lands."

The guards exchanged cautious glances, but before any could speak, one of the mature Tigerkin women elegantly leaned out from the carriage.

Her amber eyes gleamed sharply as she carefully inspected Orion and his group. Her voice was gentle yet firm, tinged with mild curiosity. "Humans? There seem to be more and more of you appearing lately."

Orion raised an eyebrow thoughtfully, mildly surprised by her remark as he didn't expect the previous groups to arrive at the same location as them. "There have been others before us?"

The woman shook her head slightly, a trace of impatience coloring her expression. "We don't have time to discuss this now. If you follow this road directly, you'll eventually reach a city. We're currently in a hurry—we need to save some kidnapped children."

She began retreating back inside the carriage, clearly intending to end the interaction. However, Orion swiftly raised his hand to halt her departure.

A thought sparked vividly in his mind, his eyes briefly shining with shrewd calculation. 'In such an unfamiliar place, having local guides would greatly benefit us. And what better guide than someone grateful because we saved their children?'

Orion's decision was made in an instant. Clearing his throat, he spoke firmly, confidence and sincerity clear in his tone, "Wait, please. We might be strangers to this land, but we strongly believe in justice. Tell us the location of these children, and we'll help rescue them."

A stunned silence fell momentarily over both groups. Orion's friends stared at him with dumbfounded expressions, clearly not expecting this spontaneous act of heroism.

Arya blinked rapidly, Emilia tilted her head with visible confusion, and Kale simply stared blankly. Felira's gentle face showed clear surprise, while Sylvia remained composed yet subtly raised a curious eyebrow. Nyss was as stoic as ever, though a faint gleam of curiosity appeared in her usually icy eyes.

Elias openly gaped at Orion, muttering quietly under his breath, "Did he seriously just say we are warriors of justice?"

However, noticing Orion's determined and unwavering expression, none of them dared object openly. Instead, each silently nodded in awkward agreement, their movements slightly stiff but convincing enough to pass as support.

The second Tigerkin woman leaned forward from her own carriage, eyes narrowed skeptically. Her voice was cautious yet filled with frustration, "It's not that simple. The group responsible is notorious for keeping their kidnapped targets hidden in separate locations. Even if we manage to apprehend the kidnappers themselves, we still wouldn't know where the children are being held."

Frowns creased everyone's brows, disheartened by this complication. Yet, in contrast, Orion's dual-colored eyes abruptly lit up, a mischievous and slightly sinister grin gradually forming on his lips. His expression sent chills down Elias's spine.

"Then," Orion began slowly, his voice dripping with calculated cunning, "What if we had a child they would inevitably target and kidnap? This child could lead us directly to their hideout."

Every gaze instantly snapped toward Orion, eyes wide in shock and confusion. Arya's lips parted slightly in disbelief, Emilia blinked in surprise, Kale wore a thoroughly puzzled expression, Felira visibly paled, and Sylvia raised both eyebrows high in astonishment.

Even Nyss seemed slightly taken aback, her gaze shifting towards Orion.

While Orion looked toward Elias with an evil smirk on his face.