Predestined II

[Grayfia's POV]

My eyes blinked again and again as if I had just witnessed a ridiculous movie. Astounded, frightened… just how strong is he?! they didn't even have a chance, Dragon Kings, Dragon Emperors, Gods… in front of him they were akin to infants ready to be petrified and turned into treasures.

It was so preposterous, they didn't even have a proper death, their corpses would remain here for eternity, posing as treasures.

I saw how the three gigantic sculptures of a Dragon Emperor and two Dragon Kings fell together, dead. Before I could even comment on the matter I saw his silhouette disappear from the skies as if he was never there.

'Thank you' I heard him for the first time in my mind.

'Y-You're thanking me?' I asked back only to confirm something useless, only as a pretext to try and make conversation but no further words came from the mysterious entity whom I now considered something akin to an omnipotent being.

Hugging my knees I remained in that position for a long time, resolving my thoughts as my body regenerated.

With slight sadness due to our brief contact relieved due to my survival; I kept going onwards towards my destination, now with greater insight.

'He didn't kill me, he hasn't killed me yet, that means he's at least tolerating me… also, he said thanks' All of them were good signals for me.

My destination was a cave... it was a risky move but I needed to advance. Going into one of those caves to try and look for him was the only thing I could think of. Witnessing his strength brought me to despair, but his words... gratitude... brought me hope.

This gigantic and omnipotent dragon was capable of feeling and expressing gratitude, I merely told him about their ploy perhaps even if I didn't say anything he would have been able to resolve it, even then... he showed me gratitude.

My curiosity was boundless, no dragon in my world -even the weakest ones- would have done that.

Upon arriving at the cave they came from; I realised those Gods from before were still here. Their golden corpses had fallen like meteorites to the ground.

With a lot of apprehension my sight caught the entrance of the cave, it was gigantic light was barely coming from the inside, I'd have to make my own light. But moving forward could bring catastrophic results. He could erase me straight away for invading his property.

If he was able to sense those dragons before and come out, he could be perfectly surveying my movements and watching me right now. A single step forward could mean life or death, but I had no other choice if I wanted to make contact.

With a single step I entered the cave, bracing for death, but nothing happened.

'System, am I alive?'

[Yes, you are].

I sighed in relief and kept moving forward with slow steps, chanting a small flame to lit up my path, as expected everything was gold inside. The cave was deep and wide. What surprised me the most, was the number of sculptures.

Dozens of them, of entities, either entering or fleeing the cave. They didn't make it.

"R-Richter-sama?" I called, not wanting him to think I was just invading his territory for the sake of obtaining treasures, I wanted him to know that I'm aware he was watching me.

No answer came, but I can feel it... he's watching me. Once again, his lack of action is a good sign.

It wasn't his strength focused on me, or killing intent, or lust... it was merely... that sixth sense of feeling you're being watched. This time I didn't unwrap my wings around my body, he had already seen my body and it didn't change anything, so why would I bother? I felt more comfortable covering my body, and if we were to have a conversation, I wanted to speak to him in the most comfortable of ways.

Lest I once again say some nonsense like 'I came to conquer your heart'.

Thankfully, my mother doesn't know and won't ever know about this, otherwise... I would get bullied to the ground.

After two minutes of walking; I found a clearing, a part of the cave where it became wider, here they are: Treasures, piles of them. There were treasures scattered all around and at the very top of the mountain of treasures, a golden egg.

I finally realised why this was called a Treasury Realm, 'Dragons back in the underworld love to store their treasures in caves where they live, this planet… this whole planet is his treasury, it is unbelievable'

Any dragon back in my world would spit blood in jealousy before dying pitifully, this is something else. Looking down at my feet, I witnessed a sword. There was a layer of gold wrapping it due to the corrosion, but I could see a purple light shining through it. There was also a bisected golden hand attached to it!

I gulped, wondering if the corpse is somewhere around, I then recalled... far behind across the cave, there was indeed a man that had been fleeing and he was missing a hand.

Feeling curious, I wondered what was the story behind this.

Coins, swords, talismans, golden eggs… a lot of golden eggs. There were a plethora of petrified individuals of all races. I could identify mythical werebeasts, fairies… everything.

'Because I can inhibit that golden curse, that's the only reason I am here unscathed'.

After sighing once and with an unyielding resolution; I picked one of those treasures and braced. The atmosphere got a little tense, perhaps due to my own fear.

'System, am I alive?'

[Why do you keep asking? yes, you're alive].

*Phew!*