[Accidental encounter with a Virus Dragon]

A month had passed since the end of the training, the sound of someone running echoed inside the cave along with another being closely following behind, panting heavily. The person kept on running as he knew full well what would happen if the creature caught up.

Haru: Dammit, I should've known better than to go on this quest. My greed got the best of me when I saw the rewards.

He said as he kept running, now clad in a short-sleeved black dress shirt, grey pants, and brown combat boots. Along with an olive green coat with fur on its collar, flowing in the wind as he ran for his life.

Eventually he reached a big open area in the cave, one with a large opening overlooking a lush forest, running towards it as fast as he could wanting to exit it as he got close, the creature got the drop on him by emerging from beneath the entrance, blocking the way.

Haru: This thing isn't going to let me go that easy, damn. I just have to kill it, right, then I'll get those rewards.

He says as he starts unsheathing his sword from his hip. The sword's shark teeth-like edge shone as the light from the exit hit it, as Haru activated {Swift Demise} facing down the monster right in front of him.

The monster, a giant skeleton with long arms and snake-like skeletal lower half a large exposed heart, let off a loud growl at him as he firmly held his sword in his gauntlet-wearing arms, getting ready to charge at it.

Haru: Here we go!

He then runs towards the creature as it sends bone tendrils to attack him, parrying them with his sword as his other skill {Sharpened Edge} kept the blade perpetually sharpened in his hands.

Although it was a bit too late for him as a tendril was speeding towards him, and with no time to defend, he only managed to redirect the attack to his right shoulder.

This led to him being sent back where he entered this part of the cave, hitting the rock wall as he spit out a bit of blood while using his sword to slowly chop through it, the bone cracking a bit as he kept on in desperation.

Haru: C'mon, keep going, just a little more.

He thought to himself as another, albiet large tendril was coming, and in an act of rash decisioning he planted his sword on the ground and punched the already cracked tendril pinning him off. Then, using the same arm he used to punch it off he caught the tendril coming for him.

Haru: You're not getting me the second time, boney bastard.

He then, using the sharp fingertips of his dark grey gauntlets, planted it into the cave walls and then used it as leverage to get on the tendril before picking up his sword and rushing towards the monster up it's own tendril.

At a certain point in the run he leaped towards it's ribcage where its large beating heart was encased inside, easily breaking through the ribs and stabbing through its heart with his sword, instantly killing the monster.

The force of the skeletal monster's fall broke off the edge of the cave's opening, causing them to fall a short distance into the forest. With the deactivation of his skill, Haru ends up on his knees inside the monster's ribcage, sword still planted in its heart.

Haru: I actually pulled it off, I rea-ah damn that hurts.

Reeling from the pain of his still impaled shoulder, he takes out the cracked monster bone as quickly as he could, wincing a bit at the pain before taking out a healing potion and spilling some of it on the entire wound.

Slowly the wound began healing as he chugged some of the bottle to restore his vitality, the wound only leaving behind circular holes in his clothing where it had pierced.

He then collected some of the bones of the skeleton, namely the ribs and the jaw to sell off or show off when he goes back into town, although it may take a while since he didn't know his way around the forest.

Haru: Now then, let's see what experience I got from this thing, Status.

The screen shows him that he's just grown to level 20, along with a strange message next to his two class-specific skills. The message being "New Skill Acquired, Unlock?"

Haru: Hmmm, eh it'll be fine just click it.

And so he clicks the message, the new skill reveals itself along with a ranking of SS, shocking and getting a grin out of Haru since the monster not only got him to level 20 but also gave him a new high-ranking skill.

The skill was {Skeletal Master} a skill that, like the monster he fought to get it, allowed him to create and manipulate bones at his whim.

Haru: Bone manipulation huh, not bad considering I've seen firsthand how strong it was. Though I should prioritise getting back to town, somehow.

Saying this he then started to walk around where he thought the correct path was, eventually getting lost as the sun was beginning to set, making him very nervous.

After a while of aimless wandering he eventually stumbled upon a large clearing near a lake. Deciding it would be good enough to camp out in, he then set up a small campsite, more or less a firepit with some wood in it near a large black rock with crimson vein-like patterns on it.

Haru: Fishing it is I guess, all I have to do is cook it over a fire and I'm good.

He then takes off his fur coat and boots, rolling up his pants so they don't get wet as he hunts for fish. Stepping into the lake he then realises that it's very cold but goes through with it if it means he could eat.

Haru: Alright, time to put that new skill to use.

He then activates {Skeletal Master} and creates a bone spear along with a bone basket to put fish in, needing a couple minutes to make them as this was his first time using it.

Haru: I've never fished in general before, but spear fishing is probably simple enough to pull off. All I need to do is stab a fish and boom, I have dinner.

After saying this, he spent almost two hours trying and failing to catch some fish, eventually he did manage to score around five of them before returning to his campsite to cook his catch.

Putting his boots and coat back on, along with setting the basket of fish next to the fire pit. He then goes to cast one of the few, yet basic spells he can use.

Haru: Here we go, Fireball.

A small ball of fire appears in his palm before chucking the ball into the fire pit, creating a nice campfire for him to cook his fish on.

Grabbing the same bone spear he used earlier to catch the fish, he proceeded to use it to hold the fish as he cooked it, regularly taking it out of the fire so it wouldn't turn to ash.

Haru: Time to dig in, woah, this tastes better than I expected. Well worth the suffering it took to get this, I'm eating like a king tonight.

Taking his time, cooking and enjoying his caught fish, eventually filling his stomach with a satisfied smile on his face, forgetting most of his problems at that moment.

Haru: Ahhh, that was bliss. Man, I'm stuffed.

He then went over to the large rock near his campfire, laying his back on it, getting ready to sleep and end the day, casting a water ball spell and putting out the fire before he hit the sack.

As soon as he was about to doze off, he heard a loud monstrous noise. Although being extremely tired, he paid no mind to it just wanting to sleep, repeating the words "I'll deal with it later." in his head.

His eyes slowly blinked open, as he began to wake up he noticed something in the corner of his eye, moving like it was a tail. This triggered him wide awake, immediately going over to investigate it. He touched and poked around the tail, with it reacting everytime.

Eventually, after a while of touching and poking around, he heard a loud yet sleepy sounding female voice coming from somewhere. He then looked towards where he thought it was coming from to see a dragon's head, the weird shape, pattern, and color all making sense now that he thought about it.

With no time to get his sword, he creates a bone spear in his hand, along with activating {Swift Demise}, getting himself ready to fight the dragon if this was what was about to happen.

Dragon: F-five more minutes, please.

Haru: Huh, did I hear that right?

He thought, lowering his spear as the dragon fell asleep once more. Picking up his basket, going to fish since he had a spear in hand, leaving the one he had already made still stabbed into the ground.

With the same luck as he had before, he was once again only able to get around five of them, leaving him with a look like he expected that to be the case after last night.

Haru: Breakfast is served I guess.

Setting up the fire the same way he did, cooking his catch in the same careful way he did for dinner. After eating breakfast, he then took off his coat to go practice with his new skill.

Haru: Let's see, how about a sword.

Concentrating on the sword's image, he manages to create one, albeit it's more baton-like rather than an actual sword that could cut things.

Haru: Hmm, what if I do this?

He then adds spikes onto the front and back, with the ones nearest to the top of the blade being longer, although this made the sword heavy to wield effectively as he discovered.

Haru: Well, I guess that was a dud. I should probably focus on creating spears, spikes on the ground, and sharp tendrils instead. Bone armor might be an option but I don't think I can pull it off right now.

As he trains himself and gains experience throughout the remaining daytime using his new skill, the dragon slowly wakes up, her gaze fixed towards him, silently observing him as he honed his skills in the afternoon.

After a while as the sun sets, he stops and with his remaining two fish, cooks one as a small meal after his training session, deeming it as a reward for himself. Taking a bite of his meal, he notices her gaze.

Haru: Hey, um, you want some? I can cook you the last one, I'll go catch some more later.

Dragon: Eh, can I really have some?

She said in a tone reminiscent of a child who got offered a snack after asking shyly. Confusing Haru who expected a slightly stoic reaction before lightening up.

Haru: Yeah, I'll cook it right now if you want.

Taking the other spear he made, and using it to cook the fish for the dragon, using the same method he used to cook his share, took him a while before he was ready to feed the dragon.

Haru: Here you go.

Dragon: Mmmmm, delicious. To think there were such good fish nearby, to thank you, how about we form a contract?

Haru: Hold on, is she actually serious? Despite the fact that my knowledge of those types of contracts only come from anime and manga, this is still a big deal. Assuming that this dragon is as powerful as I think, this could be my chance to live easily.

He thought to himself as a smug grin crept up his face, confusing the dragon before he snapped out of it just a moment later.

Haru: I accept your offer.

Dragon: Alright then, all you need to do is draw some blood and touch my palm.

The dragon then shifted its body to get its hand out, extending it towards Haru.

Haru: Got it.

He then created a small sharp bone in his hand, using it like a knife to slice his other hand, drawing a suitable amount of blood as he winced a bit in pain.

Approaching the dragon's palm, he then placed his hand. The act of that led to the dragon's body glowing pure white, reshaping into a humanoid form before revealing itself.

Dragon: Ahhhh, now I get why the others like their human forms, it's so roomy now. These clothes are nice too, really matches my hair.

A human appears out of the light, her hair was black going into a deep crimson in it's tips. Wearing a crimson blazer with a white undershirt underneath along with black knee-length skirt, and dark gray leg armor with metal boots.

The outfit reminded him of some school uniforms he'd seen only in anime and manga, only really missing the necktie or the ribbon it would usually have.

Dragon: Oh yeah, I guess I should at least introduce myself to my contractor then.

She then approaches him, getting a bit too close for his liking. Her piercing purple eyes meet his, scaring him a little.

Dragon: I'm Elleth the Virus Dragon and I'll be in your care from now on, treat me well 'kay?

Haru: Likewise. Virus Dragon huh? That's interesting, not really the typical fire-breather type.

Elleth: Cool, right? I can do all sorts of neat things with my viruses. Though I mostly use it to make myself a mind controlled army you see, oh and here.

She happily grabs his hand from the sides out of the blue, surprising Haru. Showing off the still bleeding wound he used to sign the contract, then released a cream-colored substance, one that acted like grains of sand and a flowing liquid at the same time. The substance then sunk into the wound, fully healing the wound in a matter of seconds, shocking him.

Elleth: Surprised? It's a repairing virus, basically healing magic in a sense to put it simply.

Haru: Amazing, but could you let go of my hand now? It's kinda embarrassing y'know?

This garnered a slight blush from the dragon girl, leading her to immediately let go of his hand along with getting a good chuckle out of Haru before patting her head and ruffling her hair a bit.

Haru: I'll have your back and you'll have mine. Right, partner?

The patting got him a warm yet embarrassed smile out of her, she then gave him a tight embrace, confusing him a bit before returning the favor and hugging her back.

Haru: So I finally got to say that line, it's so cheesy though. In anycase, when was the last time I was hugged by someone other than my parents. The last person I remember was Touka, but who knows how long that was, could be a week ago or several years. Maybe I should just shut up and enjoy the moment.

He thought as she kept on hugging him, eventually snapping out and letting go since it was going on a bit longer than he'd been comfortable with.

Elleth: Now then, is there anything you'd like me to do?

Haru: Hmmm, how about you turn back into your dragon form and fly us to town. I think it should be in that direction.

Pointing his hand towards the area he entered this clearing from as he went over to the pair of bone spears and the basket, with one touch disintegrating them into nothing only leaving the now extinguished campfire as any evidence someone was there.

Elleth: Roger that, but aren't the citizens of the town going to freak out when we land there? A large threatening looking dragon is going to cause some knights or whatever to come and try to take my head.

Haru: Don't worry, just land somewhere that gets us within walking distance of the town.

Elleth: I'm blaming you if we end up in trouble, got it?

Haru: Fair enough, though I don't mind since I'll have an excuse to use my new skill in actual combat.

She then turns into her dragon form, this time ready to fly off. Lowering a wing to help Haru up so that he could hitch a ride.

Elleth: Hold on tight, since I'm not really used to having someone ride. Here we go!

The two then fly off aiming for a spot within the town's walking distance but still far enough that they won't be noticed by any of the citizens. They fly over their intended landing zone, a hill nearby the town.

Elleth then slowed down before making a successful attempt to land on it, thankfully they were also able to be quiet enough so they wouldn't cause any trouble.

As Haru got off her dragon form she went back into her human form before joining him towards the town. There they reached a gate with a pair of guards doing their duties, where they were stopped.

Guard: Name and business please?

Haru: Kanzaki Haru, I came here a day or so ago and took on a quest. I'm back to collect the reward, oh and the girl behind me is with me as well.

Guard: I see, you two can pass.

They then get in the town, with Haru leading the way as Elleth follows along. The pair then head to the town's hall to get his reward for the quest that gave him his bone manipulating skill.

Elleth: So this is what human towns are like, it's a lot better than seeing them run away in fear from me.

She said lost in thought as she almost walked past the hall had it not been for Haru grabbing her arm and snapping her out of her train of thought.

Haru: Jeez, you were about to walk past this place. Now c'mon, follow me.

Elleth: Huh, oh yeah right.

The pair then made their way inside the hall, the building still with a good amount of people hunting for quests.

Elleth: I'll be wandering around this place if that's fine with you.

Haru: Sure, this'll only take a minute or so.

He then approaches one of the receptionist's desks and shows his quest flyer to the lady working there and asks for his reward.

Female Receptionist: Please wait here as I go get them.

Haru: Alright.

As he waited for her to return he shifted his gaze back and forth between the desk and the hall's quest board all the while tapping his pointer finger on the table quietly.

Female Receptionist: Here you go, sorry for the wait.

She then hands him the rewards which were around ten gold since it was a five star quest.

Haru: Ah, thanks. Hey Elleth, I got the rewards let's go now.

He then made his way to the door to exit as she trailed just behind him, following him back to the inn he stayed in before he went out for that quest.

Innkeeper: Ah, welcome back. Here's your room key back sir, oh and is she with you? We can provide an extra pillow if you want.

Haru: She is and throw in the extra pillow. We'll be leaving some time tomorrow as well.

Innkeeper: I see then, I'll go arrange that. You two can proceed to your room now.

Haru: C'mon let's go.

Elleth: Hey wait up!

The two then make their way towards the room, and luckily for Haru, the things he had left there before he went out were still there left untouched as far as he knows.

As they enter the room, Elleth notices something that causes her to voice her concern. All the while Haru hangs up his coat and sheathed sword on a rack near the door.

Elleth: Eh!?!? Only one bed, don't tell me you planned this from the start!

Haru: Planned what? How would I know there was a dragon sleeping in that forest, I just got lost after finishing my quest.

Approaching her to give a light karate chop to her head, his metal gauntlet made a slight klink sound as he did. Then going on to make his way to a bag that he had in the room, rummaging through it looking for something as Elleth made her way to a chair near the window and bed.

Haru: Here, catch!

He then throws a sheathed shortsword towards her, which ended up hitting her in the head causing her to yelp out a bit in pain.

Haru: I said catch, but take that though. Even someone like you, who has a lot of power at their fingertips, might wanna have a little something just in case. Plus I'd rather not risk losing you since it'd be on me.

That last part elicited a blush from the dragon girl as Haru took off his gauntlets and boots, placing the gauntlet on the bedside table and the boots right by it.

Haru: In any case I'll be heading to bed first, if anyone comes by it's most likely the extra pillow I asked for you.

He said as he made it so there was enough space in the bed for her to sleep in, taking the area by the walls of the inn for himself, almost instantly falling asleep.

Elleth: Got it, maybe I should as well when the pillow arrives. Ah, he's asleep already, he must've been really tired. Though I can't shake the feeling that he's going to end up broken if he isn't already, weird

Thinking to herself as she looks over the sleeping Haru. Her blazer taken off, folded on the table with the shortsword he handed her, her leg armor placed underneath the table, just waiting for the pillow to arrive so that she can sleep as well.

She then hears a knock at the door, snapping her out of her thoughts and making her jump a bit in her chair. All before standing up and heading over to answer it.

Inn Worker: Here's the extra pillow as requested ma'am.

Elleth: Thanks.

She takes it in her hands as the employee leaves as she closes the door, heading over to the bed lying down next to him on the pillow.

Elleth: Could've thrown in an extra blanket, y'know.

She jokingly whispered as she tucked in before turning off the lamp using its pull chain. Marvelling a bit at how the humans' technology has advanced, recalling a time when they still used candles for lighting.

The next day soon came, Elleth was the first of the two to wake up. Finding that Haru was hugging her in his sleep, while embarrassed she just simply smiled at him not wanting to disturb his slumber.

Haru: Touka, love...

The still asleep Haru said something that caught Elleth off guard, although brushed it off as somewhat of him just dreaming, nothing more.

Elleth: Cute, though I should wake him up. It'd be bad if we were late for breakfast, wouldn't it.

Whispering a bit so she doesn't accidentally wake him up, instead opting to poke his cheeks. The moment her finger poked him, his eyes opening to the dragon girl's smile.

Haru: Mornin' I guess.

Elleth: Morning, c'mon now get up we're heading down for breakfast.

Getting up from the bed, she walked over to the table, sitting down on her chair to put on the leg armor that she had left underneath it before standing up to grab the shortsword and attaching it on her waist. Finally finishing up by putting up her blazer.

All the while Haru was just sitting on the bed, still in the process of waking up as Elleth was brushing her hair. Stretching himself a little, his grunting noises garnering a giggle from the dragon girl as she kept on with her hair.

He then grabbed his boots and gauntlets from the bedside, easily slipping the gauntlets on and struggling a bit tying his boots' laces. Getting up to grab his coat and sword hanging near the door just as Elleth had finished brushing her hair.

Haru: Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you last night. We'll be leaving after breakfast so take the bag with you alright?

Rubbing his eye still trying to wake up as Elleth reluctantly agreed and closed up the bag before holding by its strap on her back as Haru stared at her blankly, scaring and confusing the girl a bit.

Elleth: Is there something wrong?

Haru: No, it's just you really do look like a schoolgirl.

He then walks out of the room without saying anything else, leaving Elleth confused about what he said about her.

Elleth: Was that supposed to be a compliment? Ah, hey wait for me!

She soon followed him down, finding him having already gotten a table for the two of them, currently reading the menu thinking about what he should eat to start his day.

Elleth: You really are the worst, you could've at least waited for me.

Haru: I know, I know, now then what do you want? I'm going for a nice hot soup, but they have pancakes as well if you want that.

Elleth: I'll go with the pancakes.

Inn Worker: Hey there, are you two ready to order or do you need more time?

Haru: Order, I'll be taking the soup while she gets some pancakes, throw in some coffee for us too.

Inn Worker: Got it, wait here shortly as we prepare your order.

After a couple of minutes of waiting they get their order and have their meal, shortly then after Haru gave his room key back to the manager, telling him that they were leaving.

The pair then head out of the inn with Haru leading the way as Elleth was wondering where they were even going at this time of the morning.

They then arrive at a train station, Haru lined up to get a ticket as Elleth walked around the station curiously, having only seen the trains themselves from above in her dragon form until now.

Haru: Yo, I got the tickets now let's go.

Elleth: Coming!

The pair then made their way towards the train, after boarding it they then found their seats and waited as other passengers came in. Haru decided to take a nap since he knew the ride was going to take a little while.

After a while the train began to depart, the steam it emitted flew back as it moved. The light blue trails of smoke hidden mostly in the grayish steam indicated the train's magical power source.

Meanwhile in the kingdom of Ersune, a pair of female voices could be heard strolling about in the kingdom's shopping district. The sound of clinking armor could also be heard in the back as they talked.

A thin tail with an arrowhead tip whipped behind one of them, as they were walking they talked about a reunion that day with a certain someone and getting them a gift. Window shopping as they strolled around that part of the kingdom.

One then went into a shop as the other kept on strolling, seemingly agreeing to split up for a short while as they each tried to pick out a gift for the certain someone they were going to meet. Though in the end, they didn't pick out anything.