Jannet crouched low in the tall grass, his black-scaled form blending seamlessly into the swaying expanse around him. The larger human settlement loomed in the distance, its clustered buildings spilling smoke into the sky, its walls sturdy and watchful against the wilds of the plains. Even from this distance, Jannet could feel the hum of human activity, the mingled scents of sweat, wood smoke, and the faint metallic tang of armor. His tongue flicked out, tasting the air as his golden eyes tracked every movement along the road leading into the village.
For days, he had observed the settlement, his patience tested but never broken. Humans, he’d learned, had an aversion to massive predators suddenly appearing unannounced. He could hardly fault them for it—his twenty-foot frame, clawed limbs, and rows of serrated teeth were more than enough to inspire fear in even the most stalwart of hearts. His Sovereign instincts, however, demanded careful observation. He couldn’t afford to act rashly; he needed information, an understanding of how these humans lived, how they moved, and what their weaknesses and strengths might be.
But the settlement had proven to be a conundrum. Unlike the small village he had left behind, this place teemed with activity—merchants, soldiers, farmers, and even children moving in and out of the gates. Jannet noted the increased presence of guards patrolling the walls, their watchful eyes scanning the horizon. His usual tactic of slipping into the background was less feasible here. The plains offered little cover compared to the dense jungle of Newscar, and though he was adept at remaining unseen, the openness of the landscape put his skills to the test.
Still, Jannet waited. It was what reptiles did best, after all. Days passed as he observed from the shadows of a massive tree that grew stubbornly along the road. He watched the human caravans roll by, merchants with carts full of goods drawn by strange, donkey-like creatures with elongated ears. He tracked the soldiers on their patrols, their rigid formations and polished armor a testament to the kingdom’s discipline. And then there were the groups—smaller clusters of humans, typically numbering between four and eight. They piqued Jannet’s interest most of all.
These groups were different from the soldiers or the merchants. Their equipment was less standardized, their movements more fluid, less disciplined but oddly confident. Jannet’s enchanted ring revealed details that intrigued him: these humans had classes. Fighters, mages, rangers, healers—titles familiar from his fragmented memories of his human life. Their levels varied, but they were clearly trained, their gear showing signs of both wear and care. What caught his attention most was how these groups moved. They were hunters, but not of animals—they sought something else.
Jannet followed one group discreetly, his massive body moving with practiced silence. The group consisted of five humans, their ages striking him as remarkably young. They couldn’t have been much older than high school students by his reckoning—late teens to early twenties. There was a fighter, a burly young man who carried a massive sword with surprising ease; a mage, a slender girl with a staff whose end crackled faintly with energy; a ranger, their bow slung across their back as they moved with feline grace; a healer, their robes pristine despite the rough terrain; and another fighter, a smaller but scrappy boy armed with twin daggers.
He watched as they ventured deeper into the plains, their movements deliberate but tinged with youthful enthusiasm. It didn’t take long for Jannet to see their quarry—slime creatures, their gelatinous bodies wobbling across the ground with an almost comical lack of menace. The slimes were weak, their attacks predictable and slow, but the humans engaged them with surprising coordination. Jannet couldn’t help but admire their teamwork, even if their foes posed little threat. They struck with precision, the fighter cleaving slimes in two while the mage incinerated others with bursts of flame. The ranger’s arrows found their marks with unerring accuracy, and the healer ensured no injuries lingered.
For three days, Jannet watched this particular group, his hunger gnawing at him as he observed. The rabbits of the plains had grown scarce, their trails harder to find, and the slimes were hardly an appetizing alternative. He considered the young humans carefully, their camaraderie and skill reminding him faintly of his kin in Newscar. He found himself drawn to their dynamic, their blend of strength and vulnerability.
It was on the fourth day that Jannet decided to act. Hunger drove him forward, but curiosity and a desire for information tempered his approach. He waited until the group had packed up their makeshift camp and begun the trek back toward the settlement. Positioning himself near the road, he settled behind the gnarled tree, his massive frame hidden by the shadows it cast. As they passed, he let his voice, low and rumbling, slip into the air.
“Psssttttt,” Jannet hissed softly, the sound carrying just enough to reach them. “Hey. Don’t be scared.”
The group froze instantly, their weapons half-drawn as their heads swiveled toward the source of the sound. Jannet’s golden eyes glinted faintly in the shadows, his tongue flicking out as he observed their reactions.
“What was that?” the ranger whispered, their hand already on the hilt of their dagger.
“Who’s there?” the fighter demanded, his voice steady but edged with tension. His massive sword was drawn now, the blade gleaming faintly in the fading sunlight.
“It’s coming from the tree,” the mage said, her staff crackling to life as a faint glow surrounded its tip.
Jannet allowed himself a small sigh before speaking again, his voice calm but deliberate. “I mean you no harm. I’ve been watching you—your skills, your strength. I am curious.”
The humans exchanged uneasy glances, their weapons held at the ready but their stances uncertain. The healer stepped forward slightly, her soft voice cutting through the tension. “Curious? About what?”
Jannet shifted slightly, his massive form still concealed but his presence unmistakable. “The way you fight. Your methods. Your classes. You are not soldiers, but you are not weak.”
The fighter narrowed his eyes. “Show yourself.”
Jannet hesitated for a moment before stepping partially into the light, his head emerging first, followed by his massive shoulders. The humans recoiled slightly, their eyes widening as they took in his immense size and predatory appearance.
“By the gods,” the ranger muttered, their voice barely above a whisper.
The mage’s staff flared brighter, but the healer placed a calming hand on her shoulder. “Wait,” she said. “It... it’s talking.”
Jannet inclined his head slightly, his golden eyes locking onto the fighter. “Yes. I speak. And I wish to understand you.”
The group stood frozen, their weapons still raised but their fear tempered by a growing sense of awe. Jannet watched them carefully, his reptilian instincts reading their every movement, their every breath. He would need to tread carefully, but for the first time since leaving the jungle, he felt a flicker of hope. Perhaps these humans could offer more than just answers. Perhaps they could be a key piece to understanding this world.
Jannet lowered his massive frame slightly, his golden eyes gleaming in the dimming light. The humans were clearly nervous, their weapons still held at the ready, but their curiosity was beginning to outweigh their fear. He let his voice carry softly through the air, his tone even and measured, careful not to spook them further.
“I am the Sovereign of Newscar,” he said, his head tilting slightly as he observed their reactions. “That is all you need to know of me for now.”
The fighter, still holding his massive sword with white-knuckled tension, frowned. “Sovereign? Of what?”
“A nation of my kin,” Jannet replied smoothly. “A place where strength, order, and survival thrive. We have reclaimed what was lost to your kind and built anew. But I find myself far from home, seeking answers and strength of my own.”
The ranger shifted uneasily, their bow still in hand but no arrow nocked. “And you’ve been watching us? Why?”
Jannet let his tail flick lazily, a gesture more of thought than irritation. “Because you are not like the others I have seen—the soldiers, the merchants, the nobles.” His voice rumbled low, his reptilian mind trying to match human words to the instincts guiding him. “You seek strength. Not through conquest or theft, but through challenge. Even these slimes, weak as they may be, are opponents that test your skills. If you are careless or slow, they could harm you.”
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The group exchanged glances, a mix of wariness and intrigue flickering across their faces. It was the healer who stepped forward first, her staff held loosely but her posture cautious. “We are adventurers,” she said simply, her voice steady but soft. “We’re training—practicing our skills and leveling up so we can take on greater challenges.”
“Adventurers?” Jannet repeated, the word unfamiliar and heavy on his tongue. “Explain.”
The healer glanced at her companions, then back at Jannet. “We’re part of the Adventurer’s Guild,” she began. “It’s a kingdom-sponsored organization recognized by all seven human kingdoms. It gives people like us—those who want to fight monsters and protect others—a way to do so. We’re ranked based on our skills and accomplishments. Right now, we’re copper rank, which is the lowest.”
The fighter chimed in, his grip on his sword loosening slightly. “Everyone starts at copper rank. You take small jobs—hunting slimes, clearing pests, escorting merchants—and as you gain experience and complete missions, you rank up. Higher ranks mean better pay and tougher missions. We hope to move south eventually. The jobs are more dangerous there, but the rewards are greater.”
“The south?” Jannet asked, his curiosity piqued.
“The southern kingdoms,” the ranger said, their voice calm but tinged with ambition. “They’re closer to the Beastlands and Cathay. The monsters there are stronger, but so are the opportunities. It’s where adventurers prove themselves.”
“These things you say—adventurers, guilds, ranks,” Jannet said, his voice thoughtful. “They are foreign to me. Tell me, are there rules for such things? Restrictions?”
The mage, who had been silent until now, finally spoke. “The guild is open to anyone who can fight and follow its code. You have to register, of course, and abide by the guild’s laws. They’re strict about not harming civilians or breaking contracts. But once you’re in, your rank is recognized across all the kingdoms.”
Jannet let the information settle in his mind, his thoughts turning inward. This “Adventurer’s Guild” intrigued him. It seemed to offer a structure—a system—for those seeking strength and purpose, much like his own pursuit. And yet, he knew his presence would complicate things. Humans feared what they did not understand, and his size and nature were bound to provoke hostility.
He was quiet for a moment before speaking again, his voice honest and deliberate. “Adventurers and the ways of humans intrigue me. I, too, seek strength and to grow—to ‘level up,’ as you say. Would this guild be good for me?”
The group exchanged glances, their surprise evident. The ranger hesitated before answering, “I... don’t know. You’re not exactly... normal.”
Jannet inclined his head slightly. “Indeed. And as it stands, I cannot enter your town. Even with the promise of my best behavior, your guards would attack me on sight. But tell me, could the Adventurer’s Guild vouch for me if I offered my strength in service? Would they see the value in what I can offer?”
The healer bit her lip, her expression conflicted. “I’m not sure,” she admitted. “The guild has rules, but I don’t know if they apply to... someone like you.”
“We could ask,” the fighter offered, his voice uncertain but genuine. “We could go back to the guild and explain. See what they say.”
Jannet’s golden eyes studied them carefully, reading their unease and curiosity in equal measure. He inclined his massive head in acknowledgment. “Do so, if you wish. I will wait here for your answer.”
The group exchanged hesitant nods, their weapons lowered but not sheathed. They began to move back toward the settlement, their voices low as they murmured among themselves. Jannet watched them go, his mind churning with possibilities. This guild might be a path forward—if not for acceptance, then at least for understanding.
As the group disappeared from sight, Jannet settled back into the grass, his massive body still and patient. He would wait. It was what reptiles did best.
The afternoon sun warmed Jannet’s dark scales, the golden light glinting off their surface like polished obsidian. He lay stretched out across a patch of open road, soaking in the warmth with an almost meditative stillness. Despite the ring of warming keeping his body at a comfortable temperature, nothing could replace the natural pleasure of basking under the sun. His lizard brain reveled in the sensation, while the human part of his mind remained sharp and alert.
Though he appeared to be half-dozing, Jannet’s senses remained keen. His golden eyes scanned the horizon through slitted lids, and his tongue flicked out periodically, tasting the air for anything unusual. He was a predator, after all—apex not only in size but in vigilance. Even in the serenity of the plains, his instincts never truly rested.
It was during one of these moments, when his consciousness teetered between relaxation and readiness, that he caught movement in the distance. The familiar shapes of the young adventurers appeared on the horizon, their steps more purposeful than before. But this time, they were not alone. A figure walked with them, taller and older than the rest. This newcomer’s gait was confident, his posture straight and commanding in a way that marked him as someone of importance.
Jannet stirred, his massive frame shifting as he prepared to greet the group. He positioned himself on the road, lowering his body into a relaxed, non-threatening posture. Or at least, as non-threatening as a twenty-foot-long, nearly two-ton Komodo dragon could appear.
As the group approached, the older man stepped forward, his movements deliberate. His features were weathered but strong, with a chiseled jaw and piercing gray eyes that seemed to take in everything around him. His presence was magnetic, the kind of authority that came not from words but from a life of earned respect. Jannet’s identification ring buzzed faintly as he focused on the man, but the information it returned was frustratingly incomplete.
Human.
Level: Unknown.
Class: Unknown.
The data blurred and flickered, leaving Jannet with more questions than answers. He tucked the thought away for later consideration as the older man stopped a short distance from him, close enough to speak but far enough to respect the space between them.
“I am Clyde Vistone,” the man said, his voice steady and even. “Branch leader of the Adventurer’s Guild in this region. These young ones told me quite the story about a talking lizard—one claiming to be a Sovereign.”
Jannet inclined his head slightly, acknowledging the man’s words. “They spoke the truth,” he said, his voice low and resonant. “I am the Sovereign of Newscar, and I have come to offer a trade.”
Clyde raised an eyebrow, his gray eyes narrowing slightly. “A trade?”
“Yes,” Jannet replied, his golden gaze meeting Clyde’s unflinchingly. “I seek the ability to enter your cities, to explore them without causing panic or violence. In exchange, I am willing to work for your guild and its branches, offering my strength and skills as I pursue my own growth.”
The young adventurers exchanged glances, their nervous energy palpable. Clyde, however, remained impassive, his expression unreadable as he studied Jannet. The silence stretched for a moment, broken only by the faint rustle of the plains’ tall grass in the wind.
“You seek strength,” Clyde said finally, his tone more thoughtful than questioning. “Why?”
Jannet considered the question carefully. “To protect my people,” he said simply. “And to ensure that those who cannot protect themselves are not trampled by the strong. I have seen what unchecked power can do, I will not allow it to go unchallenged.”
Clyde’s expression shifted subtly, a flicker of interest sparking in his eyes. “And what would you do if the guild accepted this trade? If you were allowed into our cities?”
“I would learn,” Jannet replied. “About your people, your systems, and your ways. Strength without understanding is chaos. If I am to grow, I must understand the world around me. Additionally I seek to commence in diplomacy with this region's representatives”
The branch leader nodded slowly, his gaze never leaving Jannet. “You speak of strength as more than just physical power. That’s rare in any creature, human or otherwise.”
Clyde took a step closer, his movements careful but deliberate. “You understand what you’re asking, don’t you? The guild is not just a collection of mercenaries. We have rules, expectations. If you work for us, you’ll be held to the same standards as any other adventurer. Meaning no more slaughtering half of the duke's unexpecting armies.”
“I understand,” Jannet said. “And I am prepared to follow those rules, as long as they do not conflict with my responsibilities as Sovereign.”
The older man crossed his arms, his brow furrowing in thought. “This is unprecedented,” he admitted. “But I can see the value in it. You are... unlike anything I’ve encountered before. Your strength and intelligence are undeniable, but your presence will undoubtedly cause disruptions, even with the guild’s backing.”
He turned to the young adventurers, his gaze sharp. “Did you explain this to him? What it means to join the guild?”
The healer nodded quickly. “We told him about the ranks, the jobs, the rules. But... we didn’t know if it was possible for someone like him.”
Clyde’s lips pressed into a thin line. “You were right to think that though it's not completely impossible. Just... very complicated. However prisoners have been allowed to join the guild before on good behavior. I should be able to argue a similar clause.”
He turned back to Jannet, his expression softening slightly. “If I were to vouch for you, it would come with conditions. You would need to prove yourself—to show that you can work with others, follow orders, and respect the guild’s code. Are you willing to do that?”
Jannet inclined his head, his massive form shifting slightly as he settled more comfortably. “I am.”
Clyde studied him for a long moment, his piercing gaze seeming to weigh the truth of Jannet’s words. Finally, he nodded.
“Then I will bring your request to the guild council,” he said. “It may take time, but I will see what can be done. In the meantime, stay near this area. If you truly wish to be an adventurer.”
Jannet inclined his head again, a faint flicker of satisfaction stirring within him. “Thank you.”
Clyde’s lips quirked into a faint smile, the first sign of warmth in his otherwise stoic demeanor. “Don’t thank me yet, Sovereign. This is just the beginning.”
With that, the branch leader turned and began walking back toward the town, the young adventurers following close behind. Jannet watched them go, his mind already turning toward the challenges ahead. The path to understanding and strength was long and uncertain, but he was ready to walk it—one deliberate step at a time.