I Only Tame Dragons

Chapter 149 Echoes of Ferocity

As if to punctuate his point, the serpent whipped its tail around with deadly force, smashing through a line of trees in a single sweep. The tiger dodged nimbly, launching itself forward and clamping its powerful jaws around the serpent's neck. The serpent's body writhed in agony, but it didn't relent. Instead, it coiled tighter around the tiger, squeezing with enough force to crack stone.

The air grew thick with tension, the forest trembling under the sheer ferocity of the beasts' clash. Horizon's mind worked furiously. If we wait too long, we'll be caught in the aftermath. But if we move now, we'll risk getting noticed.

"Now," Horizon whispered, his voice low but urgent. "The moment they break apart, we make a break for it. Stick close and stay low."

Nyx gave a nonchalant shrug but followed Horizon's lead, crouching slightly, ready to move.

Just as Horizon predicted, the tiger delivered a brutal blow with its hind legs, forcing the serpent to release its grip momentarily. The two beasts separated, each circling the other, eyes locked in primal fury.

"Go," Horizon hissed, and without a moment's hesitation, they dashed forward, weaving through the fallen trees and shattered debris. Every step felt perilous, but Horizon's sharp instincts guided them, avoiding the beasts' line of sight.

Behind them, the battle resumed, the sounds of snarls and hisses echoing through the forest like thunder. Horizon didn't look back, but he could feel the weight of the fight pressing against his senses—a deadly force that could crush them if they weren't fast enough.

After what felt like an eternity, they finally slipped past the danger zone, ducking behind a thick outcropping of rocks. Horizon took a deep breath, steadying himself as the distant roars continued to shake the forest.

"Next time," Nyx said with a smirk, "let's take the long way around."

Horizon shot him a sideways glance, his lips curling into a faint, dry smile. "Next time, I'll leave you behind."

The aftermath of the colossal battle was anything but serene. Horizon and Nyx barely had time to process the ferocity of the fight before the ground beneath them trembled once more, sending vibrations rippling through their bodies.

"Wait—" Horizon began, but his words were cut short by an earsplitting roar.

In the distance, the serpent's massive form writhed in pain as the tiger delivered its final blow—a savage swipe of its claws that tore through the serpent's thick, obsidian scales. The serpent's pained hiss echoed through the forest, a haunting sound of defeat that made the air seem even heavier.

For a fleeting moment, Horizon thought the worst was over. The tiger, triumphant, let out a deafening roar that shook the very trees. But as the serpent's body convulsed in its death throes, its gargantuan frame was hurled through the air, flung like a ragdoll by the victorious predator.

"Move!" Horizon shouted, his voice sharp with urgency.

Nyx reacted instantly, leaping back into the shadows, but Horizon hesitated for a split second too long. The serpent's massive body hurtled toward him, its shadow looming like a tidal wave about to crash.

Horizon's instincts kicked in. He dove to the side just as the serpent's body slammed into the ground where he'd stood moments earlier, the impact creating a shockwave that sent dirt and debris flying in all directions.

He hit the ground hard but rolled with the momentum, quickly springing to his feet. His chest heaved as he took in the scene: the serpent lay still, its once-menacing form now lifeless. The venom that dripped from its fangs hissed and sizzled as it seeped into the soil, leaving blackened scars in its wake.

"That was too close," Horizon muttered, brushing dirt off his sleeves.

Nyx emerged from the shadows, her expression calm but her eyes sharp with amusement. "You've got quick reflexes. I'll give you that."

"Save the compliments," Horizon snapped, his gaze shifting back to the tiger.

The massive beast stood atop a small ridge, its piercing blue eyes surveying the battlefield. Its fur gleamed under the blood-red sky, streaks of serpent blood staining its pristine coat. It exuded an aura of absolute dominance, a creature that had not only survived but thrived in this brutal forest.

Horizon and Nyx stood frozen, their breaths shallow as they tried not to draw the tiger's attention. But the beast seemed uninterested in them. With a final, guttural growl, it turned and disappeared into the thick underbrush, its massive frame vanishing as if it were nothing more than a phantom.

It had been injured by the serpent too and another battle wasn't ideal for it.

The silence that followed was deafening. The forest, which had been alive with the sounds of battle moments ago, now felt eerily still. Even the usual hum of nocturnal creatures seemed muted, as if the entire woodland held its breath.

"We're not sticking around to see if it comes back," Nyx said, her voice low but firm. "Let's go."

Horizon nodded, ready to continue, but something made him pause. His gaze flicked back toward the serpent's massive carcass, now lying still amidst the shattered trees and scorched earth. Despite the danger they had just escaped, an idea took root in his mind.

"Wait." He gestured toward the dead serpent. "Let's forage it."

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Nyx raised an eyebrow, glancing warily at the enormous beast. "You sure that's a good idea? Its blood's still sizzling on the ground. Might be more trouble than it's worth."

Horizon didn't respond right away. He approached the serpent cautiously, mindful of the acidic venom that continued to drip from its fangs, burning holes into the soil.

Though he couldn't claim the serpent as one of his undead minions—its stats were far too high for him to control—there might still be something useful to extract. Creatures of this size and power often had valuable parts, and in a contest where every advantage mattered, leaving such a resource untouched felt like a waste.

"If we're lucky, we might find something rare," Horizon said, crouching near the serpent's tail. "High-tier materials like this don't just fall into your lap every day."