Tale of the Red Dragon Without Dragon’s Might
Chapter 306 - 301: Forming a Team

Chapter 306: Chapter 301: Forming a Team

"Brother, you’re not seriously thinking of messing with a Frost Worm, are you...? Those big guys are even scarier than dragons."

Leon was still rambling about heading to Snow Flow Canyon when he suddenly heard a spirited voice. He turned around but saw no one, looked left and right, still nothing.

"Look down, I’m here."

It wasn’t until that spirited voice spoke again that Leon finally spotted its owner: a small, bouncy Halfling. From the way he was dressed, the dagger and hand crossbow at his waist, it was clear he was a Wanderer.

"Thanks for the warning." Venturing outside, especially now in his human form, Leon remained particularly polite.

Unless he revealed his Dragon Form, no one would believe he could take on a Frost Worm. Those things required a world-class master to deal with, and Leon couldn’t be bothered to explain all of this. Instead, he said, "I wouldn’t dare mess with a Frost Worm. I just want to catch a glimpse of it, you know, broaden my horizons."

Of course, that’s what he said. But with such a powerful creature, a Frost Worm was bound to have rare alchemy materials on its body. If Leon were lucky enough to encounter one, he certainly wouldn’t mind taking it down.

"Not even worth a glimpse," the Halfling warned. "If there are really Frost Worms in Snow Flow Canyon, just getting close will get you eaten... Those big guys will suddenly burst forth from the frozen ground and devour anything within the reach of their massive jaws."

"Alright, thanks, I got it." The Halfling’s kindness hadn’t gone unnoticed, and Leon didn’t give even a hint of impatience.

"You look strong." The Halfling’s round eyes scanned Leon from head to toe. He noticed Leon’s clothes and shoes, all enchanted Magic Equipment, but what drew his eye most was Leon’s extraordinarily charismatic face. "You must be a Magician, right?"

"No, I’m not a Magician. I’m a Druid," Leon joked. After mastering the 72 Transformations, he could fully impersonate and play the part of a Druid.

The Halfling’s eyes were filled with doubt.

"I’m not lying," Leon said, spreading his hands. "What use would I have for lying to you... I could transform into a bear right now to prove it."

Since it wouldn’t take much time, Leon didn’t mind humoring the Halfling, especially since he believed the little guy had something he wanted from him. After thinking about it, Leon decided on what to transform into, rolled his shoulders, and morphed into an Owlbear.

A hulking, plushy, bear-like body covered in feathers, paired with keen vision and sharp senses, and boasting ferocious Multiple Attacks—the Owlbear was a terrifying existence, especially for the low-ranked adventurers who made up the bulk of the adventurer’s guild members.

The moment Leon’s Owlbear form appeared, it immediately caused chaos throughout the adventurer’s guild hall.

The Halfling carefully reached out and touched Leon’s arm, then immediately jumped up, shouting, "It’s real, it’s real, it’s a real Owlbear!"

Leon let out a low growl and returned to his human form. "Now do you believe I’m a Druid?" he asked.

"Alright then," Leon continued, "What do you need from me?"

"First, allow me to introduce myself," the Halfling said, puffing up his chest. "Clifford. My name is Clifford."

Leon merely nodded, showing neither approval nor disapproval.

"Recently, people have been disappearing continuously in Whale Bone Town near Dagger Bay. We’ve been commissioned by the City Lord of Iron Port to investigate these missing persons, and right now we need a Druid," Clifford said, looking at Leon with hope. "Interested in making some pocket money?"

"Didn’t you first assume I was a Magician and approach me because of that?" Leon asked with an amused smile, "Don’t you need a Magician, not a Druid?"

"A Magician works, but a Druid works too," Clifford replied. "We mainly need a Spellcaster."

"While I am a Druid, I specialize in shapeshifting and can barely use any Spells. I’m afraid I’d disappoint you," Leon said, shrugging.

"It doesn’t matter if you’re not a Spellcaster, as long as you’re strong," Clifford said with a grin. "An Owlbear, though—an Owlbear! I’ve never seen a Druid who can transform into an Owlbear before. Can Druids really turn into Owlbears?"

Clifford kept muttering. When Leon finally agreed to join them, Clifford was already preparing delicious food for him.

"I haven’t even decided to join you yet..." Leon muttered. He had other things to do—see the Frost Worm, visit Edwin in Bern, and casually explore the adventurer’s guild. Right now, he wasn’t interested in playing the role of an adventurer. Just as he was about to decline, his peripheral vision caught sight of a girl walking toward him.

She was a slender girl with a cascade of silver hair that flowed smoothly down her back. Her skin was as white as snow, and she wore a slightly tattered leather coat that tightly wrapped around her delicate frame. At her waist hung a Longsword with an intricately carved rune on its hilt. The soles of her deerskin boots were caked with dirt and dust.

"Clifford, step aside. Let me convince him," the silver-haired girl said, waving the Halfling away.

Leon stayed silent, watching the silver-haired girl intently.

"My name’s Isily," the silver-haired girl said, tilting her head to look up at Leon with an expectant expression, as if waiting for his introduction in return.

Not wanting to refuse her gesture, Leon replied, "Leon."

"Leon?" Isily tilted her head slightly. "That’s a fake name, isn’t it?"

"It’s my real name," Leon said with a small nod.

"What a strange name," Isily mused aloud. "I feel like I’ve heard it somewhere before."

Leon raised an eyebrow. Given the distance from the Belen Kingdom to Watchtower Port—several thousand kilometers—it shouldn’t have been possible for his name to spread this far. At best, the Talia Alliance or the Empire might’ve heard of it.

"Where exactly did I hear it?" Isily frowned, wracking her brain. Unable to recall, she finally gave up, saying, "Never mind, if I can’t remember, I won’t think about it."

Leon smiled, though he felt a twinge of disappointment. His fame wasn’t widespread enough yet.

As expected, Isily didn’t dwell further on his name. Instead, she circled around him, commenting, "You claim to be a Druid, but from the look of you, you don’t seem like one at all."

"Do I have to wear leather armor to be a Druid? Druids aren’t incapable of wearing metal armor; they just choose not to. It’s like how vegetarians can eat meat but choose not to," Leon said without batting an eye. "My school of Druids believes that green mountains and clear waters are as valuable as gold and silver."

Isily nodded thoughtfully, then suddenly stepped closer to Leon and asked, "But how do you explain the scales on your cheekbones?"

Leon instinctively reached up to touch his face, feeling no scales. Only when he saw the mischievous smile on the silver-haired girl’s face did he realize he’d been tricked.

"You’re not a Druid," Isily said after a pause. "And you’re not a Dragon Vein Mage either."

"If I’m not mistaken, you’re a dragon," Isily declared, pointing at Leon. "Am I right?"

Leon crossed his arms and replied, "Why don’t you keep guessing what kind of dragon I am?"

Isily stared at Leon, biting her finger as she thought aloud, "Golden Dragons excel at shapeshifting into animals and humanoids, but they’re generally aloof, private, and dislike joking around. Silver Dragons often use humanoid forms, but I’m sure you’re not a Silver Dragon. Bronze Dragons are also proficient in shapeshifting, prefer humanoid forms, and have a strong sense of justice... No, you’re not a Gemstone Dragon either."

"I can’t figure out what kind of dragon you are, but knowing you’re a dragon is enough," Isily said, inching closer to Leon. "Ah, you wouldn’t want others finding out you’re a dragon, would you?"

"If you don’t want people to know you’re a dragon... that could be troublesome," Isily said, wrinkling her nose in a mock threat. "Think of it this way: join us, and I promise I won’t tell anyone you’re a dragon."

"Can I return the favor and say the same to you, Silver Dragon?" Leon said with a sly squint.

Indeed, the moment Isily had appeared, Leon had seen through her true identity—a rare adolescent Silver Dragon, out wandering in the world.

Isily pursed her lips. "I knew I couldn’t fool you."

"So, what makes you think you can threaten me?" Leon countered.

"Because I’m not afraid of trouble," Isily said with her hands on her hips. "I’m not afraid of trouble, but you most certainly are."

"Alright, fine," Isily said, patting Leon on the arm. "If you’re not too busy, could you just help us out... for the sake of kindness and justice? You wouldn’t want to see families lose fathers, sons, and husbands one after another, right?"

To Leon, an adolescent Silver Dragon who had essentially presented herself on a silver platter was clearly more important than Edwin or the Frost Worm. Smirking, he said, "I hope you won’t regret this."

"Why would I regret it?" Isily asked, puzzled. "Do you think there’ll be danger involved?"

"It’s just a missing persons investigation," she said resolutely. "I’m guessing it’s the Sea Hag at work."

"You know what a Sea Hag is?" Isily continued. "They’re said to be the ugliest type of Hag, with pale skin covered in slimy scales, hair like seaweed, and lifeless doll-like eyes."

Leon simply watched Isily with a knowing smirk.

"I’m not even in my youth stage yet, so don’t get any funny ideas," Isily said, rolling her eyes at Leon.