Aaron attempted a move but a feminine voice stopped him. "Hold, don't move, or I'll shoot," she said, coming out of a dark distance with a bow and arrow pointing at Aaron.

Aaron's gaze narrowed further, her features hidden behind the night's darkness.

The arrow he held, he effortlessly broke it into two and tossed it to the ground. He pointed at the bear. "That bear's mine," he said.

The warrior-like young woman was unmoved. She heard someone approaching and immediately hid herself. The man she saw was covered in blood and dirt and looked dangerous. By instinct, she fired.

To her surprise, he caught it easily.

Still pointing the arrow at him, she said "I found it"

Aaron's gaze narrowed "I killed it"

They both stood in silence, watching each other. The warrior-like young woman's eyes held skepticism but Aaron was unbothered. He walked and sat near the fire while saying, "I don't mind sharing."

Cautiously, the woman sat opposite him, her bow within her reach, and her guard still high up. The wind blew the fire mildly, the flames increased, bringing both their features to view.

The busty woman was a vision of stunning beauty. Her fiery red hair cascaded down her shoulders, framing emerald-like eyes that blazed with doubt and a hint of warning. Her slender nose bridge led to full crimson lips. Her attire, suited for an adventurer, showcased a subtle yet alluring cleavage.

Her body and hair were without jewelry and her face was bare from makeup. Aaron paid her no attention, she was neither of his enemies.

Aaron, on the other hand, had a hair full of mud, a body that reeked of blood, empty blue eyes, and a dangerous aura surrounding him.

His appearance made the woman feel as if he actually killed the bear.

"Who are you?" The woman asked, squinting her eyes.

Without looking at her, Aaron answered in a flat tone "We are strangers, now and forever. Who I am does not concern you. We shall share the bear and part ways"

She frowned deeply, instantly regretting why she even bothered. She was curious about him and what kind of person he was, but he looked stubborn, and his words were harsh.

"My name is Subject," she said, still trying to speak with him. Aaron responded in silence, her voice only irritated him.

Subject averted her eyes to his back, which had the most blood stains, and said "You are wounded, I can help"

"I don't need your help" Aaron's gaze was fixated on the fire.

She frowned, her forehead puckering, Did he not hear her? She was offering to apply ointment on his back and he was rejecting? Her frown deepened, and after a short contemplation, she rolled her eyes "Suit yourself"

Minutes later, Subject pulled out two small knives, one of which she tossed to Aaron and the other she held against the bear's skin.

Aaron watched her, his brows slowly creasing, as she cut a large portion of the bear's thigh "You're going to eat all that chunk of meat?" His thoughts escaped his lips.

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

Subject scowled at him "Oh, so you want to talk now?"

Aaron frowned, he merely pondered about how she would finish it by herself. She looked so frail.

"This isn't for me," she said. With a flick of her wrist, the portion of meat soared upwards. Aaron's gaze followed, his eyes tracing the arc of the meat until it vanished into the shadows above.

A sudden snap of jaws echoed through the air, and Aaron's head jerked back and he slowly looked behind. His eyes widened as he beheld the majestic creature. What he had thought to be a boulder was actually…. "A dragon!" he exclaimed.

As if confirming, the dragon lazily exhaled, releasing a warm gust of air through its nostrils. The sound sent shivers down Aaron's spine.

Aaron's dreadful look averted from the dragon to Subject who stifled a laughter. She was mocking him.

"Scared?" She teased, her grin widening. "You look like you've seen a ghost"

Aaron frowned, his eyes narrowing as he scrutinized Subject. Her nonchalance was unnerving, given the dragon's intimidating presence. She was seemingly unbothered, slicing another chunk of meat and tossing it to the creature with ease.

Subject noticed his intense gaze and reassured with a smile "Don't worry, he's harmless"

Aaron was taken aback by her words, his brows knitting together. His mind trailed off, incredulous. Harmless? A legendary predator feared for its ferocity, an unstoppable force capable of mass destruction? Harmless?

Aaron was speechless, three decades of experience, he never thought he'd ever hear those words.

Dragons were rare creatures, notoriously violent and untamable. Their habitats were sacred, and they defended them to their death. Yet, here one was, docile and obedient to this strange woman.

Aaron's mind swirled with inquiry but he quashed the rising tide of curiosity. His purpose was singular; his objective after awakening was to end the royal and Voldar bloodline. All else was mere distractions, superfluous noise to be silenced.

Subject asserted from Aaron's reaction that he had never seen a creature as such. She readied herself to answer his questions— it would be her chance to learn about him —Instead, Aaron resumed eating as if nothing had happened.

Though disappointed, she couldn't force him.

Hours later, when they were done eating, Aaron attempted to leave, but his fatigued body betrayed him. He needed rest so he laid far from Subject's tent, sparing her any chatter. He rested his head on a flat rock, brushing over what to do next before succumbing to the darkness that clouded his eyes.

By the time Aaron got up the next morning, the sun had already risen. He slowly sat up. Looking around, his gaze landed on Subject where she stood next to the large creature.

She had packed up her tent and was feeding the remaining carcass of the bear to the dragon. Aaron slowly stood up, his eyes scrutinizing the ferocious creature.

Now that it was morning, its distinctive features stood out. Bright green eyes, scaly body, massive wide wings, gnarled black long horns sticking out of its head. It looked just as the books describe —A colossal breath of destruction.

All these were punctuated by a powerful aura. Yet, Subject believed it to be docile.

Aaron gawked at the dragon, oblivious of his bareness from his waist upwards.

Aaron's stare was intense; the dragon noticed this and tensed up, giving Aaron a stare of its own. The dragon's breath hissed slowly as if daring Aaron to make the first move.

"You're up" Subject's intervention eased the tension. Aaron looked at her as she drew close to him. It was only then he noticed his clothes were in her hands.

He searched himself; he was covered in bandages, from his back to his chest and even his hand too. A mix of embarrassment and fury flashed in his eyes. "What did you do to me!?" He asked

With a nervous laugh, Subject replied "You kept tossing back and forth in your sleep. Your wound was getting worse and I couldn't just sit back and watch"

Aaron narrowed his eyes "I told you, I don't need your help"

Subject sneered "Tch! You're so stubborn, you should be saying 'Thanks for helping me, Subject,' instead you're complaining" She extended her hands, annoyed, "Whatever, here are your clothes"

Aaron received them. They were wet and had fewer blood stains. 'She washed them?' He looked at her angrily.

Subject averted her eyes, scratching her chin with her index finger, "What? I tried to wash them but it was harder than I thought it'd be"

'This foolish woman!' Aaron cursed inwardly, gritting. What should he wear now? 'She should have just kept her grubby hands to herself,'

His fist was clenched, he looked like he was suppressing the urge to hit her. Seeing this, Subject wanted to apologize quickly. She opened her mouth to speak but her words were interrupted by the sudden low, ominous rumble beneath their feet.

It almost felt like an earthquake as the ground trembled. They exchanged alarmed glances, looking around. Then, a sudden, swift swooshing sound filled the air. Birds burst out of the treetops, fleeing in panic.

Subject and Aaron looked up, their eyes widened in unison.