KYAAAH~

His desperate shout and the agonizing scream of the devil beast echoed across the dense dark forest accompanied by the humming sound of the midnight rain.

After countless smash on his enemy, Aldwin finally lost all his strength and limped down as well just beside the so-called dragon girl.

The Manananggal is finally dead with its head totally busted.

Its shark-like mouth had been over-stretch from Aldwin's relentless hit that it has been severed from the head a good two meters away. Somebody parts of the Manananggal refused to surrender with its creepy momentary twitching.

With the unpredictable fight finally ended, silence has finally taken over the messy dark forest.

"Not bad for a measly human..." The dragon girl complimented Aldwin still with her proud tone.

"Hehe..." Aldwin could barely say any more words. The dark clouds in the sky continued to linger around, keeping them well hidden from the moons soothing light.

-------

"So, tell me, if you don't mind."

Aldwin, who is gasping for air started talking to the girl who also happens to be unable to move due to her injuries. The bright glow of the moon desperately trying to escape the cover of the black clouds reflected in his brown eyes.

"Is what the Manananggal said a while ago true? That you are a dragon?"

"..."

The girl did not reply right away. She instead chooses to ignore Aldwin's questions. With stubbornness, Aldwin asked another question.

"So aren't you supposed to be the strongest creature? How come you can't even beat a manananggal. I used to picture dragons as the mightiest of all beasts but after seeing you I think-"

"You were right."

The girl could not bear it anymore. After hearing Aldwin who is about to look down on her, she finally decided to talk on her defense.

"Just to let you know, I am currently on my weakest state due to that lightning tribulation which you have witnessed a while ago."

"Lightning tribulation?" Aldwin struggled to look at the woman but after seeing her half-naked body, he decided to switch back on looking at the dark clouds. Paying no mind to Aldwin's blushing face, the woman continued.

"Lightning tribulation is something you do not have to know about. The point here is that I am a dragon and you do not have the right to underestimate me human. Not to mention, I was not even able to use an ounce of my true strength from that battle thanks to my previous injury. If I was on my dragon form, I could have just swiped that manananggal into pieces with just a single finger."

"Ooh. So can you transform now?"

"I told you I can't right now. Shifting to human form allows us dragon to lessen the stress on our body during recovery since it was much smaller compared to our other large true form."

With pride back in her eyes she added, "To tell you the truth, I could have destroyed that Mananggal without your help."

"Wueee~?" Aldwin could not help but sneer in her overinflated pride.

"You are too stubborn human. I told you, I can take care of myself."

"Grandma said that people are stubborn. Especially girls. But I am sincerely trying to help you. I am not asking for any returns. If I see a person who needs help, I will do what I can to help you. Doesn't matter if you refuse, I will help you because I want to! Grandma said that's what men are for, to protect the weak!"

"Did you just called me weak?" the dragon made a chilly smile and added:

"Do you want to die so much?"

"No still value my life. I am just following my values. Although yes, I am a little bit stubborn."

They both looked up at the sky while they rested weakly in the wet and muddy ground while Aldwin constantly coughed.

"But I am still going to kill you when I recover."

"uhoo!... why?"

"Because you are not supposed to see a dragon. Letting you live would ultimately expose the secrets of Dragons in the world. We have been hiding from the human eye to avoid unnecessary trouble and your science panic. That's why I have to end you here human." Not a single trace of sympathy could be seen in her cold serpent eyes.

The rain has finally stopped and the sky is slowly clearing up revealing a beautiful Milkyway full of shining stars.

The dragon girl has finally stood up.

She seems to have recovered a bit of her strength and not a single wound can be found in her body thanks to her supernatural healing ability as a dragon.

Without emotion in her face, the dragon lady stood before Aldwin, cracking her bones and seemingly preparing herself to destroy Aldwin.

"..."

"any last words?"

"uh..."

Aldwin was unable to utter any words from the unexpected form of gratitude from the girl he just saved. His vision was too blurred from his wet face.

It seems he has suffered hypothermia from being exposed in the windy cold rain with barely any dress for quite a long time.

Right now, the dragon girl was wearing the oversized T-shirt that he gave to cover her. Aldwin usually wears this T-shirt at home as it was his most comfortable shirt.

It was a Christmas gift for him from his grandma who purposely bought him an oversized T-shirt for the sole purpose of saving money from buying new clothes in the future as he grew.

Unfortunately, he lacks enough nutrition and he was just barely 5 foot and five inches tall.

For some reason, the dragon girl had traces of hesitation in her eyes as well. They remained quiet still for almost an hour.

"I never knew it could end up to this..." With mixed emotions of sadness and regret, Aldwin closed his eyes as he prepared himself for what is to come.

Luckily his grandma seems to have not come after him in this godforsaken place. The forest was too dangerous after all when it's raining in the middle of the night. Aldwin was pretty sure that she must be worried sick at home.

Knowing that the girl is serious, Aldwin pleaded.

"Can I at least say goodbye to my grandma?"

"I am afraid no. Bad luck for you to save me human."

"I see... then make it quick, please. I am hurting."

"What do you mean?"