I Only Tame Dragons

Horizon's voice softened, though his concern remained clear. "We need you here, Von. Don't let that power take control of you."

Von glanced back, his smirk fading as he met Horizon's gaze. For a brief moment, there was a flicker of something unspoken between them—understanding, trust, and perhaps even fear of what lay dormant within Von's soul.

"I've got this," Von said finally, his voice steady. "I won't let you down."

Satisfied, Horizon stepped back, allowing Von to make his way into the arena. As Von approached his starting position, his opponent was already waiting—a hulking warrior clad in crimson armor, his presence alone radiating dominance. The audience erupted in cheers and jeers, the crowd splitting into factions as they took sides.

The announcer's voice boomed across the stadium, hyping up the battle as the two fighters squared off. Von's opponent cracked his knuckles, his grin wide and cocky.

"You sure you're ready for this?" the assassin taunted, his deep voice carrying over the noise of the crowd. "I heard you're tough, but I've crushed tougher."

Von tilted his head, his expression unbothered. "You talk a lot. Let's see if your fists can back it up."

The assassin growled, the taunt hitting its mark. As the signal to start was given, he lunged forward, his massive frame moving with surprising speed. But Von was faster. He sidestepped effortlessly, his movements fluid as water, evading the attack with almost insulting ease.

From the sidelines, Horizon crossed his arms, his sharp eyes never leaving Von. The others were watching intently, but there was no trace of worry among them. They knew Von's strength. They knew what he was capable of when he fought.

The match was already tipping in their favor—and Von hadn't even needed to transform.

Von stepped into the arena with a calm, measured stride, his twin guns glinting under the arena lights. His opponent, a wiry assassin clad in shadowy gear, was already crouched in position, daggers poised and glinting with venom.

The assassin's eyes darted around nervously, studying Von's relaxed stance, but he couldn't shake the tension gripping his chest. This wasn't just a match for the assassin—it was personal. Lydia had been injured in their last encounter with this assassin, and Von hadn't forgotten.

The crowd was electric, buzzing with anticipation. They had seen Von fight before, but this time, there was a dangerous edge to his composure. His movements were deliberate, his expression unreadable, and his relaxed grip on his weapons only added to the air of menace surrounding him.

The assassin made the first move, darting forward with the agility of a snake. His daggers flashed in a quick flurry of strikes, aimed to overwhelm Von before he could react. But Von didn't flinch. With a flick of his wrist, he fired a single shot at the assassin's feet, halting him in his tracks.

The assassin skidded to a stop, eyes wide. The shot hadn't hit him—it hadn't even grazed him—but the precision was enough to make him hesitate. Von smirked, spinning one of his pistols lazily before pointing it at his opponent.

"That's all you've got?" he drawled, his voice dripping with mockery. "I expected more from someone who thinks they're tough enough to hurt my guildmates."

The assassin's jaw tightened, anger flashing in his eyes. He rushed in again, this time zigzagging to avoid Von's line of fire. Continue your journey with My Virtual Library Empire

But Von was unbothered. He fired another shot, this one ricocheting off the arena wall and grazing the assassin's shoulder. The assassin stumbled, clutching his arm as blood seeped through his dark gear.

"Oops," Von said, his smirk widening. "Looks like I missed. Or did I?"

The crowd erupted into cheers and gasps, utterly captivated by Von's effortless dominance. Every shot he fired seemed intentional, like he was toying with his opponent rather than trying to finish him off. The assassin's frustration was palpable, his attacks growing sloppier with each failed attempt to land a hit.

"You're quick," Von said, sidestepping a desperate lunge. "But quick doesn't mean much when you can't hit your target. Tell me—why aren't you using any of those boost cheats your guild is so fond of? That's the only way you'd stand a chance, isn't it?"

The assassin snarled, his pride wounded. "I don't need cheats to beat you!"

"Really?" Von cocked his head, feigning surprise. "Because from where I'm standing, it looks like you're struggling to even keep up."

With a sudden burst of speed, Von closed the distance between them, his guns blazing. He didn't fire to kill—he didn't need to. Each shot struck the assassin's weapons, disarming him with pinpoint accuracy. The daggers clattered to the ground, leaving the assassin wide-eyed and defenseless.

The crowd was on their feet now, roaring in disbelief. How could someone fight so flawlessly, so effortlessly? It wasn't just that Von was powerful—it was the way he carried himself, the way he made his opponent look like a rookie in comparison.

On the prestigious guests' dais, the Elven Queen sat regally, her expression calm yet commanding. Beside her, Princess Lyralithra observed the battle with an equally composed demeanor, her emerald eyes reflecting a quiet confidence. Neither showed any hint of surprise at Von's dominance in the arena. They knew all too well the extent of his strength.

Among the elves, there was no one of Von's age who could rival him—not in skill, not in power, not in sheer presence. Even his younger brother, once considered a prodigy in the kingdom, had fallen short when matched against Von's will.

"If only he wasn't cursed," the Queen thought, her gaze lingering on Von as his guns rang out like thunder. Her voice, though unspoken, carried a weight that only she and Lyralithra could understand.

Had Von been free of the dark curse that plagued him, he would have undoubtedly ascended to become the greatest warrior in Eldrasil's long history. With his unparalleled talent and prodigious abilities, he could have reshaped the future of the Elven Kingdom, elevating it to heights no other leader had achieved.