Reborn as a DRAGON

'A vampire is a parasite, they lack the ability to generate positive mana to sustain their bodies and instead trade it for black mana. Thus to survive they drink what they lack from others. Once drained, the victim can either live as one of the lesser vampires, to copy their cruel role model and master and feast on others even though they themselves are feasted upon... or die. What the vampire lords fear most, however, is those whom have escaped and recovered. For they are the vampire slayers, not born but made in the depths of the abyss.' —The book of Underworld creatures.

*************

My vision was blurry, although I pushed on with sheer adrenaline, the blood loss was slowly getting into me. The Werewolf was no better, the death grip that ripped my flesh apart lessened as he no longer struggled as much.

His claws which tore at my chest now hanged limply at his side, sensing my chance, I sinked my sharp teeth into the back of his neck with renewed vigor causing even more blood to gush out.

With a final sickening crunch, the monster's neck snapped as his jaw finally loosened its bite on my shoulder, his body no longer twitching. At that, I pushed my teeth even further for good measure and was met with no resistance whatsoever.

Seeing that the monster was finally dead, all of my strength seemed to leave me at once as I collapsed to the ground with a loud thud, the Werewolf's corpse fell to my side with blood seeping out of its wounds.

My face and my scales were caked in dark crimson blood, my shoulder was missing a few chunks of flesh as a large bite mark remained, a testimony to my previous battle.

My chest felt like it was on fire as blood seeped out of the large claw marks left behind from the monster's desperate last attack. It was a close call, a brutal fight. There was no graceful dodging, no flashy magic attacks, nothing of such sorts. Just two monsters fighting.

That was my first hunt in this world, my first real near-death experience, and I survived, although I did not come out of it unscathed, I still managed to escape with my life. And for me, that was already an accomplishment.

Pushing the giant corpse away from me with my claw, I then turned to my back and faced the sky, my wings made it a bit uncomfortable to lay like this but I was too exhausted to care.

As the adrenaline rush left my body, all I was left with were sore muscles, various wounds, and a pain that made me want to kill myself. My eyes gazed at the blue sky as it expanded above like an ever-growing dream.

A feeling of drowsiness threatened to overwhelm me, darkness seemed to whisper into my ears urging me to close my eyes and rest. 'I worked hard so I deserved a small break, right?'

'Just a quick nap before I drag this ugly bastard back to father...I wonder how the rest are doing? Did they already finish their hunts?'

With a final glance at the sky above, my eyes slowly closed as I let myself sink into the comfortable embrace of darkness. As I began to lose myself in the pleasant blanket of the dark abyss, a sudden sharp pain to my side jolted me awake, a growl unconsciously escaped my mouth.

A familiar figure loomed above my head and stared down at me with what seemed to be a mixture of emotions. 'Blacky?'

My little brother glanced at the giant corpse of the Werewolf by my side, a hint of awe flashing through his eyes before he gazed back at my injured body.

His one eye squinted as he seemed to consider something while looking at me. 'This brat, don't tell me he's going to kick me while I'm down?' My heart grew anxious at the notion, yet as I tried to push myself off the ground, my body seemed to protest as a jolt of pain caused me to collapse once more.

'Is he still holding a grudge over our last fight? He did lose an eye...Shit, I gotta get up!' I slowly turned, my claws digging into the ground below as I gritted my teeth in pain.

'This is bad!' I was in no position for another fight, my body was a mess while Blacky did not seem to have any immediate sign of injuries on him.

With a low growl full of discomfort, I finally managed to get back on my feet as I situated myself between Blacky and my prize. I still did not know what he was doing here, did he already finish his hunt? Or was he eyeing my prey?

Though I was in no condition to fight, I nonetheless still glared at him with a gaze full of suspicion. My teeth were bared in hostility as Blacky eyed me in apprehension, his stare moved between me and the Werewolf's body seemingly contemplating on something before he finally reached a decision.

He glanced at me with his snake-like eye and then lowered his head, a sign of submission as I came to understand. Blacky then gradually made his way towards me, his body exuding nothing but good intentions, yet I still had my guard up. One could never be too safe.

Once he reached my side, Blacky slowly brought his snout to my wounded shoulder and licked it. I flinched at the sudden pain which caused him to pause before he used his head to nudge me, his eyes glanced at the monster's corpse and then back at the direction where father should be at.

Not quite understanding his intention, I peeked at the Werewolf's body and then back at him before I ultimately decided to try and drag it back since he did not appear to have any intention of making a move against me.

I lowered my head to the corpse, my body seemed to protest in pain yet I ignored it as I closed my jaw around its neck and proceeded to drag it back to my father.

I shot a quick glimpse at Blacky who simply watched the entire ordeal before following behind me. His eyes constantly scanning our surroundings in an alert manner.

'Is he escorting me?' An absurd thought made its way to my mind as I looked at my little brother who maintained a small distance behind me, as an even more ridiculous one followed.

'Who would have thought, the little brat can be cute.'