Chapter 185 - Capture the flag

They set their flag at the top of Zeus's Fist. It's this cl.u.s.ter of boulders in the middle of the west woods that, if you look at it just the right way, look like a colossal fist sticking out of the ground. If you look at it from any other side, it looks like a pile of enormous deer droppings. Still, Chiron wouldn't let the campers call the place the Poop Pile, especially after it had been named for Zeus, who doesn't seem to have much of a sense of humour.

Anyway, it was an excellent place to set the flag. The top boulder was twenty feet tall and really hard to climb, so the flag was clearly visible, like the rules said it had to be, and it didn't matter that the guards weren't allowed to stand within ten yards of it.

Drako was behind with Nico, the twins brothers (Drako learned that they were the Stoll brothers) and a son of Hephaestus (they called him Beckendorf). They were the ones in charge of the defence.

In other words, the ones with Drako were utterly useless.

"We'll send out a decoy to the left," Thali told the team. "Silena, you lead that."

"Got it!"

"Take Laurel and Jason. They're good runners. Make a wide arc around the Hunters, attract as many as you can. I'll be taking the main raiding party around to the right and catch them by surprise."

Everybody nodded. It sounded good, and Thalia said it with such confidence you couldn't help but believe it would work.

Thalia looked at the Percy, they were both the captains of the team. "Anything to add, Percy?"

"Um, yeah. Keep sharp on defence. We've got five guards, two scouts. That's not much for a big forest. I'll be going with Thalia, but I will be a little bit behind. Yell if you need help-"

"And don't leave your post!" Thalia said.

"Unless you see a golden opportunity," Percy added.

Thalia scowled. "Just don't leave your post."

"Right, unless—"

"Percy!"

Drako saw with his own eyes a few sparks on Thalia's arm when she touched Percy's. That seemed to hurt since Percy keep quiet.

That's what you got for angering Zeus' daughter, boy.

"Sorry," Thalia said, though she didn't sound particularly sorry. "Now, is everybody clear?"

Everybody nodded. They broke into smaller groups. The horn sounded, and the game began.

Silena's group disappeared into the woods on the left. Thalia's group gave it a few seconds, then darted off toward the right.

Drako waited for something to happen. He climbed Zeus' Fist and had a good view of the forest. He remembered how the Hunters had stormed out of the woods when they fought the manticore, so he was prepared for something like that—one huge charge that could overwhelm them. But nothing happened.

He summoned Gandiva, waiting to attack any Hunter on sight.

He caught a glimpse of Silena and her two scouts. They ran through a clearing, followed by five of the Hunters, leading them deep into the woods and away from Thalia. The plan seemed to be working. Then, he spotted another clump of Hunters heading to the right, bows ready. They must've spotted Thalia.

"What's happening?" Nico demanded, trying to climb up next to Drako.

Drako helped Nico to climb, and he looked towards the Hunters that were going to Thalia and Percy.

They were far from Drako, but he knew that he could shot some good arrows there.

"Hey, Nico. Remember what have I told you before."

Nico's eyes lit up.

"Are you showing me something amazing?"

"Yeah," Drako nodded.

Drako created a magic arrow, to Nico's amazement. The arrow instantly gained the properties of a Noble Phantasm.

But that wasn't enough, Drako needed a blast.

He activated his latest ability, Branch Destruction. The arrow began to burn with a warm fire. Nico had to step back because of the pressure being emitted.

"You're going to burn the forest!" Beckendorf cried out in alarm as he saw what Drako was doing

"I don't think so," Drako replied as he fired the arrow.

The arrow was aimed at a place a little farther away from the Hunters, as he did not want to kill them.

BOOM!

A large explosion occurred on the right side of the forest.

The slayers following Thalia fell in a daze, but none had suffered more than a few minor injuries. It took a little less than a minute for them to come to their senses and continue running—just enough time for Thalia's group to continue without trouble.

"You're crazy!" Hephaestus' son screamed again.

"You idiot. I am the one loved by nature. Neither nature can harm me, nor can I harm nature."

Drako didn't even deign to look at him.

"Look," Drako pointed at the 'fire'.

To everyone's surprise, except Drako, the fire was disappearing. The flames, unable to spread, were rapidly disappearing.

Beckendorf lowered his head in shame.

"Sorry, I misunderstood you."

"Don't worry, I would have done it too if I were in your place."

Drako looked on the distance, Percy had separated from the group and went to the flag alone. Soon, he couldn't see him anymore because of the trees.

"Hey, forest, can you help me with this one?"

"Who are you talking to?" Nico asked.

"Hi, friend Of course!" An elderly feminine voice resounded on Drako's head.

Drako looked at Nico. "The forest, she is our fourteenth member."

Nico looked astounded, but Drako ignored him.

"The Hunters are going to appear soon, aren't they? Where are they?" Drako asked.

"Well, there are five with those guys running. One of them is the bait for your team on their flag, while the other five are waiting to ambush Poseidon's son. The last two are running towards you right now. They are going to appear here in thirty seconds."

"Okay, thanks for your help, sister."

"No problem! No problem!"

Drako looked at the rest of his team. They were… weak as f.u.c.k.

"Anyone has paper and pen here? I need to send a message to Percy."

They all looked confused until one of the Stoll brothers searched for something on his pocket.

"It's not a piece of paper, but this will do."

What he got was... pink panties.

"This isn't a pen, but I think this will do," the other brother said.

What he took out was one of those markers you use when someone falls asleep at a party.

These sons of Hermes...

"Okay, quick."

Drako took both and wrote a message to Percy, warning him of the Hunters' trap.

With another magic arrow, and after asking the forest for exact coordinates, Drako shot the arrow right at Percy's feet.

Percy was so surprised he almost peed himself, but that's something for another day.

"By the way, whose panties are those?" Drako asked out of curiosity.

"From one of the Hunters."

Drako prayed that no one would discover Percy with those panties in his hands.

Just as the forest had warned, two Hunters appeared in front of Drako and the rest.

They were none other than Zoë and the big girl, Phoebe.

Zoë ran ahead, knife in hand, while Phoebe stayed behind with her bow.

"You hold Phoebe, I'll fight Zoë," Drako ordered.

There was no way Drako would fight Zoë head-on with just his fists. She was going with a heavenly bronze knife, a super-effective material against monsters. Dragons were also a kind of monster, so this kind of material was almost as effective as dragon-slayers' weapons.

Drako put Gandiva away and brought out his new weapon, Laevatein.

The sword, now that its fire was suppressed, looked more of an obsidian colour. Unlike when its fire was fully unleashed and shone a dazzling golden colour, it now seemed duller and darker.

Zoë raced at Drako like a cheetah, wielding her hunting knives. Without a doubt, Drako activated his Touki.

Drako stats right now where as follows.

STR- 929

END- 579

AGI- 2160

MAG- 600

And Zoë stats.

STR: 1623??

END: 1459

AGI: 3123

MAG: 2135

(Remember that Drako in his human form has half of his stats. In his dragon form, with touki his stats are like this.

STR- 1860

END- 1160

AGI- 2160

MAG- 1200

In other words, he is half as strong as when he is in his true form. Also, remember that Zoë is the strongest of all the Hunters and that Drako is only a Dragon King right now. Tiamat, Yu Long and these dragons are Great Dragon Kings. Drako has still a long way to go.)

Drako's long sword and Zoë's knives clashed.

Drako had to step back instantly for two reasons.

First, the difference in physical strength between the two.

Second, Zo�� was running while Drako was practically standing still.

This had left Drako at a huge disadvantage.

However, Touki was not the only thing Drako had to improve his skills.

Branch Destruction was the best mana burst skill in existence. This was a mana burst skill of rank (A++).

Artoria Pendragon's mana burst is of rank (A), and is what makes that Servant so powerful. Her entire fighting style uses this skill as a centre.

Surtr's flame was very powerful, but Drako was confident he could handle it. Without thinking of the consequences, he let the flame circulate through his body.

Pain at the level of when he was evolving ran through Drako's body. Even with all his resistance, the pain was still significant.

Drako grimaced, but Zoë believed it was due to her superiority. She continued to attack, and Drako continued to retreat.

Drako took advantage of these moments to get used to the pain in combat.

"Surrender, you don't stand a chance!"

"Hahahaha!"

Drako laughed like a madman. The fire that coursed through his veins was thrilling him. Little by little, the fire was settling inside him, and Drako felt the pain disappear.

No, the pain was not gone! It was Drako who had grown accustomed to it!

Drako was not aware of it, but several notifications were appearing in the system at this very moment.

Step by step, his fire resistance skill was upgrading!

[Level of resistance skill [Fire Resistance] was increased from 4 to 5]

[Level of resistance skill [Fire Resistance] was increased from 5 to 6]

[Level of resistance skill [Fire Resistance] was increased from 6 to 7]

[Level of resistance skill [Fire Resistance] was increased from 7 to 8]

Zoë gritted her teeth and continued to attack hard as she saw that Drako was not giving up.

On the other hand, Phoebe was slowly breaking down the resistance. The Stoll brothers had several arrows in their helmets, and Nico was bravely trying not to die.

At least Hephaestus' son seemed to be barely defending himself.

[Level of resistance skill [Fire Resistance] was increased from 8 to 9]

[Level of resistance skill [Fire Resistance] was increased from 9 to 10]

[[Fire Resistance] has reached MAX level]

Fire Resistance had reached level 10!

Each level, Drako cancelled ten percent of the damage caused by fire attacks.

In other words, Drako was totally immune to them now!

The flames of Surtr are the most powerful flames that exist, capable of destroying entire worlds. Drako had been enduring that flame inside him so that he could use it to his advantage. Thanks to that, he had managed to bring the ability to its highest level!

If Drako hadn't had Fire Resistance at level 4, cancelling 40% of the damage, Drako could have died before this skill went any higher!

In fact, Drako's HP had been reduced by almost 70%!

But, all this had been worth it.

[Resistance Skill reached level MAX, Endurance boost.]

END had gone up to 800! More than 10% of what I already had!

But [Fire Resistance] wasn't the only skill he'd levelled up.

[Level of resistance skill [Pain Resistance] was increased from 5 to 6]

[Level of resistance skill [Pain Resistance] was increased from 6 to 7]

Drako stats right now where as follows.

More importantly, Drako had assimilated the flames of Surtr into himself. A skill that was intended to be used in projectiles or Laevatein, as Drako had done before, had been assimilated into a body.

Drako was literally on fire right now.

Zoë was a little scared. Drako had gained new strength, and now he was stronger than she was.

She was being pushed back by Drako!

And this was because Drako was doubling all of his stats!

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Drako using Branch Destruction (Dragon form)

STR- 1162*2= 2324

END- 800*2= 1600

AGI- 1350*2= 2700

MAG- 750*2= 1500

Human form

STR- 1162

END- 800

AGI- 2700

MAG- 750

With Touki (Human form)

STR- 1860

END- 1280

AGI- 4320

MAG- 1200

With Touki (Dragon form)

STR- 3720

END- 2560

AGI- 4320

MAG- 2400

(AN: I just realised since Branch Destruction is a *2 in all stats, is the same as Drako having his dragon power on human form xD.)

BTW, leave me anime's in comments of Beta main character, or dense main characters!