I Received System to Become Dragonborn

Chapter 595: Through The Winding Tunnel

The final invader stood trembling, his weapon barely steady in his hand. Though his face was hidden beneath his visor his fear was unmistakable in his hunched stance and wavering grip.

He glanced nervously from Eccar to his fallen comrades and swallowing as he realized he was now alone against a foe who hadn't even broken a sweat.

Behind Eccar, Elena, Darek, and Tovan stared in shock. Their eyes wide and mouths slightly open. They felt no Magic radiating from him and no sign of the Dragonborn power they'd expected to see, yet he'd moved with speed and power they'd only imagined.

The enemy soldiers who each wielding advanced red laser blades had been taken down in mere seconds. The realization filled them with awe and of course, hope. If this powerful being was on their side, then maybe they had more bigger chance.

The lone invader struggled to regain his composure, pointing his red laser sword shakily at Eccar. His voice came out shaky but defiant, laced with a desperate attempt to sound intimidating.

"Wh-Who…who are you?! You dare to attack us?!"

He was sure that Eccar wasn't the natives of this world because no way they can be this strong.

Eccar took a slow ominous step toward him, his gaze locked on the invader. A dark smile touched his lips as he held the soldier's gaze, unmoved by the weapon pointed at him.

"I'm the one who will bring your kind to the ground," Eccar said.

In a flash, he moved, crossing the distance in the blink of an eye. Before the invader could even react Eccar's hand shot up and grabbing him by the visor. The invader gasped, his fear now fully transforming into terror as Eccar's grip tightened. The soldier's sword faltered and slipped from his fingers, the red light dimming as it clattered uselessly to the ground.

Eccar's grip tightened, his expression cold as he slammed the final invader to the ground with a forceful boom.

The impact rattled the earth and a low groan escaped the soldier's lips before Eccar lifted him and slammed him down again.

The visor shattered, revealing a face that startled Eccar momentarily — a normal human, his features devoid of any alien traits or grotesque markings.

He stared at the man's face, a flicker of curiosity in his eyes. The invader looked disturbingly like an ordinary human, someone who could have belonged to Erend's world or any human world, really.

But he felt no sympathy as he tightened his grip then slamming the invader down once more, ending any resistance. The soldier lay limp, blood pooling around his head as the life drained from his eyes.

Elena, Darek, and Tovan looked at what just happen in front of their eyes. Their expressions a mix of awe and also chill. They watched as Eccar moved with calculated precision then picking up one of the fallen red laser swords and killing the rest of the invaders with a ruthless efficiency.

There was no hint of hesitation in his movements and no flash of mercy in his eyes. To them, it seemed as though he had simply flicked a switch, slipping effortlessly into the role of a unstopable force and just killing them like bug.

They shivered; even as he fought for them, his cold detachment was unnerving. This is the power of the Dragonborn, a being who have reach higher state then they have ever imagined.

When he finished, Eccar let the final weapon drop and dusting off his hands.

"We're done here. Time to move," he said, his tone low and composed as if the massacre had required no more effort than a simple task. He glanced at Elena, Darek, and Tovan, giving a slight nod for them to lead the way.

Swallowing, Elena nodded and turned and together with Darek and Tovan they started walking, casting occasional glances at Eccar who moved silently behind them.

With him nearby, their fears began to go, replaced by a hope that keep rising. They no longer felt like hunted prey; the tide had shifted and Eccar's presence was a constant reminder that they had someone strong on their side.

As they traversed the desolate land, Eccar took in the devastation around him — the black ash that clung to the air, the molten patches of ground, and the mounds of corpses that told tales of resistance that crushed too quickly and too easy.

He grimaced, a quiet anger simmering within him. These people, despite their courage, were outnumbered and overpowered, and the devastation around him spoke of how dire their situation truly was.

Hours passed, and finally a familiar landmark appeared ahead. It a small and concealed cave nestled near a pile of charred corpses. It looked unassuming,but Eccar sensed a shift in the atmosphere as his companions moved toward it, recognizing it as the path home.

They entered the cave, Eccar following close behind.

As they entered the cave, Elena, Darek, and Tovan each lit a small torch, casting warm light over the walls.

Eccar followed close behind, he don't need his Dragon Eyes with their lights guiding the way so he cancelled to use it.

The tunnel stretched deep and winding then splitting into countless forks and hidden paths that seemed to disappear into the stone. Every time they approached a fork, the three natives moved forward without hesitation, intuitively choosing the right path.

Eccar frowned, marveling at how they navigated with such confidence in these twisting depths.

Noticing his curiosity, Elena glanced over her shoulder with a faint smile.

"Only those born of this world can feel the energy of our homeland," she explained. "It's how we keep it safe. No outsider can find it without one of us to guide them."

Eccar nodded, understanding. This underground refuge was protected not just by its isolation but by a bond its people had with the very rock and earth around them.

After hours more of winding through tunnels, the narrow passage suddenly opened into a vast, sprawling cavern.

Eccar's eyes widened as he took in the sight of the underground city that looks far larger than he'd expected.

It was like a hidden world, bustling with its own life. Crystals embedded in the ceiling and walls emitted a soft glow, casting light over buildings carved directly into the stone.

Homes were clustered close together with only a door and a few narrow windows. The structures had a rugged practical beauty, blending seamlessly with the rock around them.

People moved along the narrow streets, each absorbed in their routines. Some wore the same black, molten armor as Elena, Darek, and Tovan, while others were dressed in simple brown garments.

A few stopped to watch as Eccar and the other three warriors passed, their eyes widening with a mixture of awe and respect. They exchanged whispered words, glancing at his tall, imposing figure with a hint of reverence.

Elena turned to Eccar, nodding ahead. "We must meet with our elder quickly."

Eccar returned a respectful nod to the people and followed as they wound through the streets, passing clusters of townspeople. Many offered small bows as they passed and Eccar returned each one with a nod, his stern gaze softened slightly in acknowledgment.

At last, they reached the biggest structure within the cavern, a massive building carved deep into the rock face. The stone was intricately etched with symbols, some glowing faintly in the crystal light. Two armored guards stood by the entrance, their faces solemn as they stepped aside to allow Elena, Darek, Tovan, and Eccar to enter.

Inside, the dim light cast long shadows across the smooth stone walls, and a sense of ancient calm filled the air as they walked deeper into the elder's hall.

In the main chamber, they found one of the elders seated on a raised stone dais, her figure draped in a simple brown robe. She looked up at the sound of their approach, her eyes widening as she recognized Elena, Darek, and Tovan.

But when her gaze fell upon Eccar, her eyes grew even wider, her expression shifting from surprise to something close to awe and perhaps fear.

Her hands trembled slightly as she whispered, "The Dragonborn…"

It was as if that single word held all the weight of her thoughts, her voice catching with emotion. She hadn't expected to see them returning through the front entrance, rather than the portal they'd disappeared into before. Her eyes lingered on them with relief, and then a growing disbelief as she turned back to Eccar.

After regaining some composure, she stepped forward and wrapped Elena, Darek, and Tovan in a warm embrace, tears brimming in her eyes. When she released them, she reached out for Eccar, clasping his hand in her own. Her grip was firm, yet her shoulders shook as tears began to fall and streaking her cheeks.

Eccar looked down at the elder, his brow furrowing in confusion, unsure of how to respond. Sensing his discomfort, Elena gently guided the elder back to her seat and helped her settle onto the chair.

Around the elder's chair, four other seats remained empty.

"We've come home, Elder. And we managed to bring the Dragonborn with us," Elena said.

The elder nodded, her face softened by gratitude. "Yes… yes. You three are very brave," she murmured, her voice thick with pride and relief. She quickly wiped her eyes and then called over one of the guards standing near the entrance. "Summon the rest of the elders. Tell them it's urgent," she ordered.

The guard nodded and hurried off.

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