"When are we leaving?" Zara asked with a lost, dumbfounded expression, as if she were looking at a rare species. "You... you really are eager to die, aren't you?"
This was the only thing Zara could say when she saw the excited gleam in Nox's eyes. Was he really underestimating the strength of an Alpha Scourge Beast? Didn't he know how terrifyingly powerful those dragons were?
"It seems you don't really know much about the Scourge Beasts." Zara sighed, doubting if it was the right choice to trust this male.
Nox nodded with a slightly embarrassed expression on his face because, in truth, even he had no idea what the Scourge Beast looked like. All he knew was that the Scourge Alpha Beast leader was at the Legendary Tier—a rank much higher than Emperor Tier and just two steps away from Sovereign Tier.
Nox knew it would be tough battling a Legendary Tier beast, and he could lose his life, but the risk was worth it. An army of dragons at his disposal? That would be the most powerful force in all of Eos. This was the reason he was eager to start this journey right away.
Besides, he could go on a copy-and-upgrade spree for both his pets and himself before heading to the Kingdom of Frostpire, where Zara came from. He would be armed to the teeth to avoid being at too much of a disadvantage.
At that moment, Nox exited his thoughts as Zara began to inform him about the Scourge Beasts.
"The Scourge Beasts are not your ordinary beasts... they're dragons, just like me," Zara began, her icy gaze fixed on Nox, as if trying to drill some sense into him. "They are corrupted, tainted by chaos itself. Their bodies emit an aura of destruction, and their very presence corrupts the land. But as for the Scourge Alpha… it's on another level entirely. Its roar alone can shatter mountains, and its flames devour anything, even magic."
Nox listened intently, but there was a flicker of excitement in his dark eyes that Zara couldn't ignore. Was this boy insane, or was he truly confident in his abilities? She couldn't tell.
"And yet," Nox said, interrupting her, "you still think you can face it. You came here to complete your evolution so you could stand against it. Why is it so hard to believe that I want to help you?"
"Because helping me means you're putting your life on the line," Zara stated calmly. "Do you have any idea what a Legendary Tier beast is capable of? You might be strong, Nox, but this isn't some entrance exam sparring match. This is life or death. And if you die, your ambitions, your dreams you spoke about will die along with you."
Nox smirked. "Dreams are meant to be pursued, even if the path is dangerous. Besides…" He paused, his eyes glinting with determination. "I have no intention of dying. I've faced impossible odds before, and I'll do it again."
I thought I'd die several times in Snowhelm, but I still managed to survive, Nox thought.
Zara let out an exasperated sigh, crossing her arms. "You're either the bravest person I've ever met… or the most reckless. Maybe both."
"My sister would have said reckless, but I call it being brave," Nox replied with a confident smirk. "But I'm not backing down. If anything, you should be glad I'm this stubborn. It means I'll see this through to the end."
Zara studied him for a long moment, her icy aura flickering around her. There was something about his confidence, his sheer audacity, that was both infuriating and oddly reassuring. Maybe, just maybe, he wasn't as reckless as he seemed.
"Fine," she said at last, her tone begrudging. "But don't say I didn't warn you. The Scourge Alpha is unlike anything you've ever faced."
"Warnings noted," Nox said with a grin. "Now, tell me everything I need to know about these Scourge Beasts. If we're going to do this, I need to be prepared."
Zara hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Alright. The Scourge Alpha commands an army of corrupted dragons. They're not just mindless beasts; they're intelligent, cunning, and fiercely loyal to their leader. Each one is a force to be reckoned with, even the weaker ones. And the Alpha…"
Zara paused and shivered, a grim expression on her face as if she were reminiscing about a bad memory. A moment later, she said, "Its power... its flames can incinerate anything they come into contact with in seconds."
Nox's eyes flashed when he heard this. Though he had not witnessed the skill being used, from Zara's expression and the tension in her voice, he could tell that the skill would be very troublesome to deal with. However, thanks to learning this information, he would be able to make the necessary preparations in time.
"This reminds me," Nox suddenly said, a thoughtful expression crossing his handsome features. "How long do we have before the Scourge Alpha makes its move?" he asked.
"Not long," Zara admitted, her expression grim. "The corruption is spreading faster than we anticipated. Our ice walls are beginning to thaw. My people are barely holding the line, and the Alpha could attack at any moment."
"Then we don't have time to waste," Nox said firmly. "We'll leave a few days from now. But first, I need to prepare. If I'm going to face a Legendary Tier beast, I need to be at my best."
Zara raised an eyebrow. She was genuinely curious about the preparation Nox wanted to do beforehand and didn't even know when the words left her mouth.
"And how exactly do you plan to prepare for something ?"
Nox smirked. "Let's just say I have a few tricks up my sleeve. Trust me, by the time we reach your kingdom, I'll be ready."
Zara didn't respond immediately, but she could see the determination in those beautiful dark eyes. Whether he was reckless or not, he was committed to this. And for some reason, that gave her a glimmer of hope.
After making some plans, the two left, and the next day, Nox took yet another leave from the academy. This time it wasn't for an auction but for the Adventure Guild.