“Oh my, what happened, Savirei?” Krisel exclaimed after seeing Savirei’s swollen face. It didn’t looking very bad, but Krisel still managed to notice it.

“I had a little accident happen, that’s all. Hello Krisel and Tarrion. Sorry, but Rockin hasn’t shown up yet,” Savirei informed, showing a smile.

“Tch… Hmph, hi,” Tarrion grunted before greeting her. “I’ll have a drink.” He added then went to sit down at one of the free tables available.

“Ronna, would you mind checking on table six and seven, please?” Savirei asked one of her workers before turning to Krisel again. “And who are those people that came with you if I may ask?”

“Those people are the reason why Tarrion wants to speak with Rockin. They would like to join our clan,” Krisel informed her.

“Oh, wow. And here I thought I’ll be the first one to find a new member to join our clan yet you have found four instead of one,” Savirei wasn’t exactly sad about the fact that Tarrion and Krisel had found four people compared to her finding only one.

“You have someone who wants to join our clan too?” Krisel became curious.

“Yes,” Savirei said, but didn’t disclose who it was.

“Hmm…” Krisel simply smiled instead of asking about who the person was.

“It’s my new hire, Lilfira,” Savirei said, knowing what Krisel’s smile meant.

“Wow, the half dragonkin girl? How did you talk her into joining our clan I wonder?” Krisel was curious to know.

“Well, it wasn’t too difficult. Although, her situation wouldn’t have allowed her not to join a clan, ours or anyone else’s, really,” Savirei said.

“Huh? What do you mean?” Krisel asked.

“Well, it’s a rather delicate matter and a little private too, but she is…” Savirei was about to reveal some information about it, but her words were cut off when the door to her diner opened and several people walked in one after another. “Oh no…” Savirei’s face went slightly pale.

“What? What are you… Huh?” Krisel turned around only to see three red dragonkins enter the diner, with one of them standing out more than the others. For one, the dragonkin who entered the diner first looked to be bigger than the other two. Second, the horns on his head looked to be longer compared to the other two, in addition to growing in a halfmoon shape and making it look like he was wearing a crown of sorts. The same dragonkin was also wearing a full plated armor and it looked to be made out of an extremely high-quality metal too. The armor had blueish glow to it and looked to be magically enchanted too. The dragonkin was also wearing a thick, gold-plated necklace that was hanging down his chest on the outside for everyone to see, a red, fiery emblem showing in the middle of it. “What… who are they?”

“Those men are the reason why Lilfira needs to join a clan… or why my face is swollen right now,” Savirei told her.

“What?” Krisel exclaimed, looking shocked after hearing it.

“Who is the owner of this establishment?!” The important-looking dragonkin asked in a harsh, loud voice.

“At least he didn’t call it a barn for animals to feed this time,” Savirei chuckled before stepping out from behind the counter. “If you excuse me, Krisel.” She walked to greet the new guests.

“Savirei… Oh, Tarrion,” Krisel gasped before rushing to where Tarrion was sitting.

“Welcome to my humble diner. My name is Savirei. How can I be of service?” Savirei greeted the guests, standing a short distance away from them.

“If you hand over Lilfira to us nothing bad will happen to this place… or people in it,” the biggest dragonkin spoke to her, his words sounding nothing other than a warning or even a threat.

“Oh my. That sounds scary, but I don’t know who you are talking about I’m afraid, or even if I did, I have no authority to hand over anybody to anyone, kind sir,” Savirei said, trying to sound very polite.

“Don’t you dare lie to us, furry face! We’ve seen her working here just this morning!” One of the other two dragonkins, who’s name apparently was Bregerthak, growled at her.

“Now that’s quite a rude way to address someone,” Savirei commented, trying to keep a smile on her face.

- ‘Bam! Smash!’ – Bregerthak swiped his tail in response to her words, smashing at the nearby table and breaking it in the process, the ruckus drawing attention of everyone who was inside the diner.

“Oh my, who’s gonna pay for the damages I wonder?” Savirei asked playfully, touching her face with her right hand.

“It won’t be just a table next time,” Bregerthak threatened her, making a step forward.

“Humph,” the important looking dragonkin furrowed his eyebrows before raising his left hand up, Bregerthak stopping and making a step back to stand where he was. “It would be wise on your part to not test my patience.” The dragonkin added, throwing a chill piercing glare at Savirei.

“And what would the Raging Flames Tribe want with a little girl I wonder?” Savirei asked, making the big dragonkin’s eyebrows shoot up, even if a little.

“That is of no concern to you,” the big dragonkin retorted.

“Oh, but it is. You see, our little Lilfira is under the protection of my clan. Which means Raging Flames Tribe targeting Lilfira is the same as targeting my whole clan. As renowned as the Raging Flames Tribe is, I have my doubts you would want to make enemies of another clan for any minor incidents that might’ve happened in the past which I am certain could be solved peacefully,” Savirei delivered the news.

She wasn’t wrong by saying all that. All members who belonged to a clan would have some sort of protection, provided the clan could offer any protection that is. Many clans would avoid clashing with each other for the most part. It was more beneficial to resolve matters without a fight and cooperation was always valued above strife in the long run. However, Rockstars Clan was just a small clan that was created a few days ago and had no standing nor any reputation as a clan yet, so Savirei was basically bluffing in an attempt to reason with the dragonkin who looked to be if not the leader of the Raging Flames Tribe then at least somewhere close to one.

“Humph,” the big dragonkin furrowed his eyebrows again before raising his left hand again, turning his hand to make his fingers point forward after he did so.

“Hah,” Bregerthak smirked before stepping forward to approach Savirei.

“Huh? Wha…” Savirei stepped back, feeling intimidated by the approaching dragonkin.

“You should’ve just listened to the Chief and given the half-breed to us right away,” Bergerthak declared, raising his fist to swing at Savirei.

“Aaah!” Savirei covered her face in fear.

“Humph,” Bregerthak swung.

- ‘Bang.’ - But his punch was blocked by Tarrion jumping in and raising his shield in front of him. That just saved Savirei from probably a major injury. She quickly scurried to get out and away to a safe distance.

“Huh?” Bregerthak grimaced.

“Humph,” Tarrion threw a punch back at Bregerthak.

“Eh?” Bregerthak blocked it by raising his arms in front of him, Tarrion’s punch forcing the dragonkin to make only a step back. “Oh?” He looked visibly surprised to learn how strong Tarrion’s punch was. “Hmph, just don’t think you can stand in my way, dry-skin. Haah!” Bergerthak swung directly at Tarrion, putting more force into his next punch.

“Shield Block,” Tarrion used his skill to block. It was a wise move on his part because Bergerthak’s punch was much stronger than the one he intended to punch Savirei with, pushing Tarrion a few feet back on impact despite the fact he used his Shield Block skill. “Tch…” Tarrion knew right there and then he was dealing with someone strong. By this time, whoever was in the diner rushed to get back to the other side of the dining area, so they wouldn’t be caught in the fight.

“A Tank, eh?” Bregerthak commented, showing a menacing grin. “Step aside or else.”

“You attacked my clan member. Don’t think I’ll let it slide,” Tarrion grunted back at him.

“Your clan member? Oh, are you saying you’re the clan’s leader?” Bregerthak asked.

“What if I am?” Tarrion glared at him.

“Ahahaha!” Bregerthak laughed out loud. “In that case, all I have to do is bash your head against the wall to show neither you nor your clan is worth a grain of sand! Huuumph!” Bergerthak declared before swinging at Tarrion again.

“Shield Bash!” Tarrion used his skill, but instead of blocking Tarrion met Bregerthak’s punch with a shield bash of his own, deflecting the dragonkin’s punch and forcing Bregerthak to expose his face when his arm was thrown back after the impact. Tarrion was about to follow up with his own punch when a tail swipe hit him on his right side just under his arm, making Tarrion flinch on hit too.

“Hmph,” Bregerthak threw another punch at Tarrion in an attempt to knock him out, but Tarrion was quick to raise his shield to block it.

“Ghm…” Tarrion blocked but was pushed back by how strong Bregerthak’s punch was.

“Hah, did you actually think you deflected my punch with your puny shield bash just now?” Bregerthak smirked at him. Apparently, when Tarrion deflected Bregerthak’s previous punch, the dragonkin shifted his body to the side on purpose, so he could use a tail swipe to smack Tarrion with. Whether it was intentional on his part or whether Bregerthak was bluffing right now was hard to tell. “I think it’s time I show you the difference in our strength, dry-skin. Hraaah!” Bregerthak rushed forward from where he was standing suddenly, raising his right hand in order to punch Tarrion again.

“Spark,” a spell was cast.

“Huh? Wha…” Bregerthak’s body was hit by a shock, stopping his advance for a brief second.

“Haaa!” – ‘Smack!’ – Tarrion used the opportunity to punch the overconfident dragonkin in the face.

“Ghuah…” Bregerthak felt it, the power of Tarrion’s punch forcing him to make a few steps back. It wasn’t enough to knock him off his feet, however. “You’ll pay for this, dry-skin! Hraaa!”

- ‘Smack! Smack! Bam!’ – Before Tarrion could attack again, Bregerthak jumped forward and started throwing punches at him one after another.

“Ugh… Ghh…” Tarrion couldn’t do anything else other than block the incoming attacks, the power of Bregerthak’s punches pushing him back little by little.

“What’s wrong, dry-skin?! Haa!” Bregerthak yelled out before raising his hand again to deliver another punch. “Huh? Humph!” But switched to cover his face when he noticed someone about to do something.

“Boost Strength,” Krisel cast a spell again to assist Tarrion, her spellcasting making Bregerthak’s stop attacking before taking a defensive stance, Bregerthak probably thinking Krisel would cast the same spell as before.

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

“Haah!” Tarrion used the opportunity to try and punch Bregerthak again.

“Tarrion, watch out! Boost Stamina!” Krisel cried out before casting a spell to toughen Tarrion’s defenses.

- ‘Smack!’ – A punch hit Tarrion’s face from his rights side, making Tarrion flinch. – ‘Swipe! Bam!’ – A tail swipe followed before Tarrion could turn towards the person who punched him, forcing Tarrion to almost tumble down, but he somehow managed to keep his balance up and stay on his feet, probably thanks to Krisel’s Boost Stamina spell she had cast on him several seconds ago.

“You, dry-skins are pissing me off! Rhaar!” Bregerthak raged, squatting down before smashing at Tarrion with his right shoulder.

“Ghaah!” Tarrion was blown away. Because Bregerthak was on Tarrion’s left, Tarrion was able to use his shield to somehow block his attack, but due to him being unstable on his feet and because how powerful Bregerthak’s tackle was Tarrion was knocked off his feet, falling backwards on the floor with a heavy thud.

“Tarrion!” Krisel exclaimed, rushing to his side to check on him the next moment.

“Tch…” Bregerthak grimaced, probably being annoyed by the fact that Tarrion managed to raise his shield in time to block his shoulder tackle.

“Hey, you can’t do that!” One of the patrons yelled out.

“Get out of here or else!” Another one joined in.

“Eh? You have something to say? How about you come here and stop me? Hrr…” Bergerthak retorted to the shouts.

“Stop wasting the time, Bregerthak,” the second dragonkin who was now standing next to him said.

“Ah, s… sorry, Nirongeth. That dry-skin Tank got in my way. I’ll take care of him now,” Bregerthak said, turning to engage Tarrion again.

“Hold it,” the big dragonkin spoke from behind the other two, forcing Bregerthak and Nirongeth stop and turn to face him.

“Yes… sir,” the two dragonkins obeyed, stepping aside and letting the big dragonkin to pass.

“Humph,” Tarrion got up before stepping forward to block the big dragonkin’s advance.

“Hmm…” The big dragonkin furrowed his eyebrows, looking at Tarrion from above. He was basically a head taller than Tarrion was if not more. “Bring Lilfira to me or else.” He ordered.

“N… nha-“

- ‘Swipe! Bash!’ – Tarrion was about to say no, but received a tail swipe from the big dragonkin unexpectedly the moment he opened his mouth, the hit blowing Tarrion away and throwing him into the wall, Tarrion smashing at it with his back, falling on the floor right after.

“Tarrion!” Krisel exclaimed, rushing to his side to check on him.

“This was the last warning. Bring Lilfira to me right now,” the big dragonkin threatened, glaring at the small crowd of people with an intimidating look in his eyes.

“Ah… tss…” a few people squirmed, fear and panic dressing their faces.

“I’m sorry, but Lilfira is not here anymore,” Savirei stepped forward, trying to bluff she wasn’t afraid of the big dragonkin. “I forgot to tell you she had left right before you came in. I now see she had a good reason for it.”

“Hmm…” the dragonkin narrowed his eyes while looking at Savirei before grabbing her by the throat unexpectedly.

“Ah? Hhghh…” Savirei struggled to break free.

“You lie. Either someone brings her here right now or I will break your neck,” the big dragonkin was very serious when he said that, lifting Savirei up in the air. “Well?”

“Hey, what’s up with the two lizard… whoever blocking the entrance?” A male voice was heard from where the diner’s entrance was.

“Huh?” The big dragonkin, with everyone else who heard the person speak turned to see who it was.

“Rockin,” Krisel exclaimed, letting a sigh of relief.

“Huh? Savirei?! You… Ranalaiya…” I turned my head back to quickly address Ranalaiya who was about to enter the diner after me to tell her something before turning to face forward again. “The fuck do you think you’re doing, lizard-face?! Let Savirei go, now!” I yelled out, taking out my two shields from my storage before gripping them tight.

“What? How dare you call our Chief like that? You’ll pay for your insolence, dry-skin!” Bregerthak growled before charging at me. “You dry-skins need to know your place! Hraa!”

“Shield,” I raised my Tarkee King’s Shield to block.

- ‘Bam! Crack.’ – My magic defense shield cracked, but wasn’t shattered by the lizardman-looking creature’s punch.

“Why you!” Bregerthak was about to throw a punch with his left fist next.

“Shield Chain!” I unleashed my stun attack on him, the magic shield that hit him breaking, the chains shooting out, tying him in place and making him unable to move or do anything.

“The… hell?!” Bregerthak exclaimed, being shocked he couldn’t move a single finger.

“Shield!” I sidestepped to the side, so I could aim at his spiky, horn covered face without obstruction, my smack with my Piercing Shield, as well as, the magic shield from my attack skill bashing his skull so hard, one of his horns broke off before my attack blew him away, making him fly into the wall on the opposite side of the diner.

“Ghah! Cough…” Bregerthak coughed, crashing down on the floor after the impact. By that time, my Shield Chain skill’s effect wore off and he could move again, so he tried to pick himself up.

No shit! He’s freakishly tough. I couldn’t believe my attack didn’t knock him out cold.

“You… lowlife dry-skin. I will…” Bregerthak was about to stand up.

“Sylfrin, pin him down,” I issued an order.

“Yes, Master. Frost Spear,” Sylfrin extended her hand forward, casting a spell.

“AAAAH!” Bregerthak yelled out when a spike resembling a spear made out of ice shot up from the ground, piercing his left thigh, Bregerthak gripping onto it and wailing from pain.

“Bregerthak!” Nirongeth shouted. “You filthy… huh? What?” He was about to rush either me or Sylfrin, but saw something move behind Sylfrin which made him hesitate.

“Voras, go,” Sylfrin issued an order, her spiderling pet quickly running around the tables and jumping on Bregerthak’s face.

“Ghaaa!” Bregerthak freaked out, seeing a Halluspider only two inches away from his eyes looking right at him.

“Make one move and I’ll order it to pluck his eyes out,” Sylfrin spoke out loud basically to all three dragonkins inside the room, her pet which was named Voras by Sylfrin herself, clacking its pincers in front of Bregerthak’s eyes a few times.

“Eeh… tch… mmh…” Bregerthak’s face changed colors from brown to dark red, probably from rage or pain in his leg, or both. Either way, neither he nor the other two dragonkins dared to move.

The moment that one, in my eyes lizardman-resembling guy was taken care of, I turned to see if the big guy was still holding Savirei by the neck which he still was.

“Let… her… go!” I raised my voice.

“Humph…” the big dragonkin narrowed his eyes while looking at me, and I thought he’d do something horrible to Savirei, a very cold chill running down my spine upon such terrifying thought, but fortunately, he let Savirei go, the sly wolf-woman slipping down from his hand and falling on the floor.

“Cough… cough…” Savirei coughed, massaging her neck.

“Someone help her, please. Huh? Oh,” I asked in a loud voice, with two people rushing to help her up, me recognizing who they were.

“You bastard! I don’t know who you are, but what the fuck you think you’re doing attacking my friends like that?” I was really mad right now, but I was also confused. I had no idea what actually happened here, except that some lizardman-resembling men from my point of view attacked my friends. I’ve noticed Tarrion being injured too, which meant he had fought those three before I got here.

“Watch your mouth, filthy human or else-“

“Nirongeth!” The big dragonkin raised his voice, cutting Nirongeth off.

“But Chief, this human…” Nirongeth turned slightly to the side, so he could face the big dragonkin and was about to say something again.

“Silence!” The Chief dragonkin ordered loudly, his eyes showing Nirongeth better listen or else.

“Y… yes, sir,” Nirongeth obeyed, making a step back.

“And don’t move from your spot,” the big dragonkin added before turning to face me again. “I let your subordinate go, now call your people off as well.”

“So they could attack me or my friends again? I don’t think so,” I refused. “How about we wait for the city’s guards to arrive for you to explain them everything instead? You look big and mighty, but I doubt you are above the law.”

“Humph,” the big dragonkin’s left eye twitched, not that I was able to see it. “I came here to get Lilfira. She belongs to me yet your clan members refused to cooperate with us.”

“First of all, I don’t know who that is. And second of all, that doesn’t give you the right to attack or hurt them,” I stated point blank.

“What?” The big dragonkin looked visibly surprised by my answer. He turned to give a short glance towards where Savirei was at before turning back to me. “Fine. We will take our leave now.”

“Huh? Really? Just like that? You think you can simply leave after injuring my friends?” I grimaced at him.

“Ghm…” The dragonkin in front of me furrowed his eyebrows before easing up. He then opened his Item Storage Box, and I was afraid he will take out a weapon from it or something, but instead, he took out two potions that looked like Healing Potions to me and a handful of coins before placing them on the nearby table. “Here are two Healing Potions and twenty gold coins. Should be enough to heal your subordinates and cover the damages done to this place.”

“Huh?” I gasped. Two Healing Potions aside, I wasn’t expecting him to offer twenty gold coins for the repair bill.

“Chief…” Nirongeth was about to say something, but the stern look in his Chief’s eyes made him shut his mouth.

“Can you call off your people and let us leave now?” The big dragonkin asked.

“Well…” I hesitated, my eyes shooting back and forth at each of the three dragonkins. He made a generous offer and I didn’t want to cause trouble for Savirei or anyone else, nor did I know how the city guard would react or which side they would take, so I decided to let it go. “Fine. Sylfrin…” I spoke to her before motioning with my head just slightly.

“Voras,” Sylfrin called off her spiderling pet.

“Dhaaa…” Bregerthak exhaled before opening his own storage to take out a Healing Potion to heal his injured leg.

“We will be taking our leave now,” the dragonkin in charge said before making his way towards the exit.

“But Chief, we…” Nirongeth wanted to say something.

“We’re leaving,” the big dragonkin stated after stopping right next to Nirongeth, making him shiver.

“Yes… sir,” Nirongeth acknowledged it. Bregerthak was probably intending to say something as well, but after seeing and hearing the other two interact, followed them while keeping his mouth shut, the three dragonkins leaving the diner one after another.

“Humph?” The big dragonkin narrowed his eyes to look at someone after they were outside on the street. “Get them up.”

“Huh? Did that dry-skin…” Bregerthak exclaimed, seeing his kin lying on the ground, knocked out called.

“Get him up,” the big dragonkin ordered.

“Ah, yes, Chief,” Bregerthak hurried to get his brethren.

“This is unforgivable. Chief Sanokard, why did you not let me fight? I would’ve ripped that human apart!” Nirongeth roared in indignation.

“You fool. If you had moved even an inch, you would’ve lost your head in an instant,” Chief Sanokard told him.

“Ah? What?” His words making Nirongeth gasp in disbelief. “I would’ve… lost my head?” It was hard for him to believe.

“That… human had someone else sneak up to you, probably using Shadow Blend ability, and they could’ve sliced your throat at any moment if you were to make a single step in any direction,” Chief Sanokard explained to him.

“There was someone like that with him as well?” Nirongeth said, massaging his neck.

“It looks like we’re not dealing with just any clan here. We need to learn more about that human and his clan, and to learn where they are hiding my daughter,” Chief Sanokard stated, him and the other dragonkin leaving the premises right after.

{back inside Savirei’s diner}

“You feeling ok now?” I asked Savirei after I had her drink the Healing Potion.

“Yes, thank you so much, darling,” Savirei smiled, but from how she held herself it was evident she was still shaken from what happened.

“Good timing, Furball,” Tarrion spoke to me.

“Ahh… you’re welcome,” I made a silly grimace.

“Tch… that means you were late, dumbass,” Tarrion scoffed at me.

“Well, sorry. If I had known you were to pick a fight with some weird looking lizardmen I would’ve came back from the dungeon earlier to cheer you on,” I didn’t lack sarcasm myself.

“Dragonkin,” Tarrion said.

“Eh? What?” I couldn’t understand what he meant.

“Those were dragonkins, Rockin. Red Dragonkins to be more precise,” Savirei explained it to me in more detail, looking to be feeling calmer too.

“Red Dragonkins? Like, dragons or something?” I asked, making a weird facial expression. I’ve heard of dragons back in my world, but those were big flying monstrous creatures that were breathing fire and stuff.

“Dragonkins are not exactly dragons, but have some features similar to them and some of the Red Dragonkins can actually breath fire too,” Savirei added to her explanation.

So, they do have dragons in here after all. That thought made my skin tingle.

“Ahhh… ok. So… what happened here? Why did they attack you?” I wanted to know before remembering something that big dragonkin had told me. “Wait, that big guy said he was here to get someone. Lil… Little… something… someone.”

“Lilfira,” Savirei told me.

“Yes, that… him, her, whoever. Why would those dragonkins think this… Lilfira is here in the first place?” I couldn’t understand.

“Because she is working here at my diner,” Savirei said, making me even more confused.

“Working at your diner? Wait…” I tried to remember every single person who I knew was working for Savirei, not able to remember anyone who went by the name Lilfira.

“Oh, you haven’t met her yet, darling,” Savirei informed me, probably noticing I was trying to figure out who it was.

“I’m… confused,” I said, crinkling my nose.

“So sorry. Let me send someone to get her, so I can introduce you,” Savirei said, leaving the table we were sitting at then returning to me in a short while. “You see, I hired her shortly after you left for the dungeon. She is of a dragonkin race too. Well, half-dragonkin to be more precise, but… I allowed myself to let her join our clan. I’m so sorry for not asking for your permission first. I hope you’re not mad at me.”

A lizardwoman? Ah well, who cares. The big question is why those dragonkins were after her. I mumbled in my head.

“Ah, what? Yeah, I guess. I don’t know. It’s probably ok, so… don’t worry about.” I couldn’t object to Savirei inviting someone to our clan simply because I haven’t set any rules on how someone could apply yet.

“Excuse me, Miss Savirei,” a woman spoke to her, interrupting our conversation suddenly.

“Eh? Wha… Who…” I turned to see who it was, only to have my mouth open wide and not wanting to close.

Wa… woooah… I stared at the redhaired woman with the weirdly shaped ears and some strange scales resembling tattoos under her eyes in an astonishing amazement. She was also wearing a waitress’ uniform which made her look both cute and dazzling.

“Well, let me introduce you to our Rockstars Clan leader. This is Rockin Starling. This is Lilfira Flamelash,” Savirei introduced us to one another.

“It’s… a pleasure to meet you, Mister Rockin,” Lilfira said, bowing in front of you. “Miss Savirei was kind enough to invite me to join your clan, but I’ve already caused you so much trouble. I’m really sorry about that. I will understand if you decide against me joining your clan.”

“Eh? What?” I asked, basically not hearing anything she had said just now simply because I was staring at her like a dork. When Savirei mentioned earlier that Lilfira was of a dragonkin race, I was expecting her to look like those dragonkins from before. However, Lilfira looked to be very much human and very much beautiful, and that’s why I was staring at her so intently.

“Lilfira here was asking if it’s ok for her to join the Rockstars Clan, Rockin,” Savirei told me what apparently Lilfira asked me a moment ago.

“Ah, yeah, sure,” I said without thinking.

“See? I told you so,” Savirei told Lilfira, showing her a very sweet smile.

Huh? What were we talking about just now? I didn’t know what just happened, but I decided to think it was a good thing.