Reborn as a Dragon:Rise of The Draconic King

Chapter 87 - 82: A Dragon’s Wish

Morning came slowly to Greenwood Forest.

The dawn light filtered through towering ancient trees, spilling soft golden rays across the forest floor. The air smelled fresh and alive, filled with the scent of moss, earth, and morning dew.

Birds chirped from the high branches above, their songs echoing across the forest canopy.

At the center of a large clearing near the elven village lay a creature that would terrify most kingdoms of the world.

A **massive black dragon**.

His scales were dark as obsidian, reflecting faint streaks of sunlight like polished metal. Each breath he exhaled carried a faint warmth, causing the morning mist around him to swirl gently.

Despite his intimidating appearance, the atmosphere around him was calm.

Peaceful.

This dragon was not a threat to the village.

He was its protector.

Slowly, the dragon stirred.

Golden eyes opened.

John Davis blinked slowly, adjusting to the morning light.

"...Morning already?"

He stretched slightly, spreading his massive wings before folding them back against his body.

The ground trembled faintly from the movement.

John yawned.

"Man... sleeping as a dragon really hits different."

His voice rumbled across the clearing.

Just as he was about to close his eyes again, a familiar voice interrupted him.

"Still half asleep, I see."

John turned his head.

Standing at the edge of the clearing were two familiar figures.

**Lythriel** and **Sylvara**.

Lythriel had her arms crossed as usual, her silver hair tied into a long braid that swayed slightly as she walked. Her sharp emerald eyes studied John with clear amusement.

Sylvara stood beside her, elegant and calm. Her long pale-blonde hair flowed gently behind her, catching the sunlight.

John smiled slightly.

"Good morning."

Lythriel snorted.

"Morning? The sun is already halfway up."

Sylvara nodded with a small smile.

"You have been sleeping for quite a while."

John blinked.

"How long?"

Lythriel grinned.

"Since yesterday afternoon."

John stared at her.

"...You’re joking."

"Nope."

Sylvara chuckled softly.

"Dragons apparently require a lot of rest after large battles."

John groaned.

"Well... to be fair, I did fight an entire monster swarm."

Lythriel shrugged.

"Excuses."

John flicked his tail lazily.

"You’re just jealous because you can’t sleep like this."

Lythriel poked his massive side with the end of her spear.

Clink.

The sound echoed sharply.

Her eyes widened slightly.

"...Your scales are even harder now."

John tilted his head.

"They improved a little."

Sylvara stepped closer, curiosity lighting her eyes.

"Improved?"

"Yes."

"How?"

John paused.

That was... a dangerous question.

"Ah... dragons naturally grow stronger as they age."

Sylvara nodded thoughtfully.

"That makes sense."

Lythriel, however, narrowed her eyes.

"Hmm."

John chuckled.

"You don’t believe me?"

"Not entirely."

"Why?"

"You say things like an old scholar sometimes," she said suspiciously. "Not like a monster."

John grinned.

"Maybe I’m just a very intelligent monster."

Lythriel snorted.

"Arrogant dragon."

Sylvara sat down near one of John’s claws.

"You two argue like siblings."

"We are not siblings," Lythriel said instantly.

John nodded.

"Definitely not siblings."

Sylvara smiled.

"Well... whatever you are, it’s entertaining."

The three of them sat quietly for a moment.

The peaceful atmosphere of the forest wrapped around them.

Then John suddenly spoke.

"Can I ask something?"

Lythriel raised an eyebrow.

"You asking permission first is new."

John ignored her.

"When does winter usually start here?"

Sylvara answered.

"Two months from now."

"Is it harsh?"

Lythriel laughed.

"Harsh? Greenwood winters are brutal."

"Snow?" John asked.

"Lots of it."

John looked around the forest.

It was difficult to imagine the lush greenery buried under snow.

Lythriel leaned on her spear.

"The forest becomes quiet. Many animals migrate or hibernate."

Sylvara added gently,

"But the mana in the forest becomes stronger during winter."

John blinked.

"Really?"

"Yes. The ancient trees store mana during the warmer months. When winter comes, that energy slowly releases into the environment."

John nodded thoughtfully.

Interesting.

Very interesting.

He lowered his head slightly.

*System.*

The familiar voice appeared in his mind.

**[System online.]**

**[Host condition: Optimal.]**

John spoke internally.

*I have something I want to ask.*

**[Proceed.]**

John hesitated slightly.

*When can I regain a humanoid form?*

The system remained silent for a moment.

Then a notification appeared.

---

**[Humanoid Form Unlock Condition]**

Requirement:

Reach **Tier 10 Lifeform**

Reward:

• Draconic Humanoid Form

• Mana Compression Ability

• Advanced Skill Control

---

John’s eyes widened slightly.

*Tier 10...*

So it really was the threshold.

He was currently **Tier 9**.

Already powerful enough to dominate most monsters.

But Tier 10...

According to the system...

That was where things truly began.

John exhaled slowly.

"I miss it sometimes."

Lythriel tilted her head.

"Miss what?"

"...Being human."

Lythriel blinked.

Sylvara looked surprised.

John continued quietly.

"I like being a dragon. Don’t get me wrong."

He flexed one of his claws.

"The strength is amazing. Flying feels incredible. My senses are sharper than anything I ever experienced before."

Lythriel smirked.

"But?"

"But..."

John sighed.

"I miss having hands."

Lythriel burst out laughing.

Sylvara covered her mouth politely but couldn’t hide her smile.

"Hands?" Lythriel said.

"Yes."

"You have claws."

"That’s not the same."

John lifted one claw.

"Try holding a cup with this."

Lythriel imagined it.

Then laughed harder.

"You’d crush it instantly!"

"Exactly."

Sylvara nodded sympathetically.

"I understand what you mean."

John looked at her gratefully.

"Finally someone understands."

She smiled gently.

"Humanoid forms allow more delicate interaction with the world."

Lythriel wiped tears from her eyes.

"So the mighty dragon just wants to drink tea properly."

John pointed a claw at her.

"Yes."

"And eat normal food."

"And walk normally."

"And sit at a table."

Lythriel smirked.

"Admit it."

"What?"

"You miss being human."

John paused.

"...A little."

Sylvara looked at him thoughtfully.

"But you don’t regret becoming a dragon, do you?"

John thought about it.

The power.

The freedom.

The ability to survive in a brutal world.

He shook his head.

"No."

Lythriel grinned.

"Good."

"Why?"

"Because if you suddenly became human again, you’d probably become much weaker."

John smirked.

"Who says I can’t be both?"

Lythriel froze.

"...Wait."

Sylvara looked curious.

"You mean a transformation ability?"

John shrugged casually.

"Maybe."

Lythriel stared at him.

"Dragons can do that?"

John smiled mysteriously.

"Some can."

That wasn’t entirely a lie.

Many dragons in fantasy worlds possessed humanoid forms.

But in his case...

It would come from the system.

Sylvara leaned forward slightly.

"That would be fascinating."

Lythriel grinned mischievously.

"You’d look weird as a human."

John snorted.

"I was pretty handsome before."

Lythriel rolled her eyes.

"Sure."

"I’m serious."

"Of course you were."

John sighed.

"Why do I feel like you don’t believe me?"

"Because you’re a dragon."

Sylvara laughed softly.

"I would be curious to see it."

John chuckled.

"Well... if I ever unlock that ability, I’ll show you."

Lythriel crossed her arms.

"I’ll believe it when I see it."

John smirked.

"Deal."

After a moment, Lythriel suddenly stood up.

"Enough talking."

She pointed her spear at him.

"Fight me."

John blinked.

"...Again?"

"Yes."

"You lost the last five times."

"Six."

"Six?"

"You beat me yesterday morning too."

John chuckled.

"Well... are you sure you want a seventh loss?"

Lythriel grinned.

"I’m improving."

Sylvara sighed.

"You two are impossible."

But she stood up to watch.

The clearing soon became their training ground again.

Several elves gathered nearby.

Commander **Aerion** soon appeared as well.

He watched silently.

Lythriel spun her spear confidently.

"This time I’ll land a hit."

John lowered his head slightly.

"I look forward to seeing it."

"Don’t underestimate me."

"I never do."

"Good."

Lythriel suddenly dashed forward.

Her speed was incredible.

She moved like a green blur.

Her spear struck toward John’s foreleg.

CLANG.

The attack bounced off his scales.

Lythriel jumped back instantly.

"...Still ridiculous."

John chuckled.

"My turn."

He gently swung his tail.

WHOOSH.

Lythriel ducked.

The ground cracked behind her.

"HEY!"

"That was gentle."

"That was not gentle!"

The surrounding elves laughed.

Aerion watched carefully.

Even though John held back enormously...

His power was overwhelming.

Lythriel attacked again.

This time she leapt upward.

She ran across John’s leg and jumped toward his neck.

"Got you!"

Her spear struck downward.

CLINK.

No damage.

Lythriel stared in disbelief.

"...Unbelievable."

John looked at her calmly.

"Hello."

She jumped away instantly.

"Your scales are unfair."

John grinned.

"You said that last time."

Sylvara clapped lightly.

"That was impressive."

Lythriel groaned.

"I didn’t even scratch him."

Aerion finally spoke.

"You are improving."

Lythriel looked hopeful.

"Really?"

"Yes."

Then he added calmly,

"But the dragon is simply... overwhelming."

John lowered his head slightly.

"I’m still growing."

Aerion looked at him carefully.

"...I believe that."

There was something unusual about John.

Even compared to ancient dragons.

It felt like...

He was still evolving.

Still climbing higher.

And Aerion suspected that John’s true potential had not yet appeared.

---

Later that evening.

A large fire burned outside the village.

Elves gathered to share food and stories.

John rested beside the clearing.

Sylvara approached with a wooden bowl.

"I apologize," she said gently.

"Dragon-sized meals are difficult to prepare."

John chuckled.

"This is fine."

He carefully used his claws to eat.

Lythriel watched curiously.

"You really do act human."

John shrugged.

"Old habits."

"Still weird."

Sylvara smiled.

"It makes him approachable."

Lythriel grinned.

"Maybe."

John looked at the starry sky above the forest.

The night felt peaceful.

For now.

But deep inside his mind...

He opened the system window again.

---

**[Current Tier: 9]**

**Next Evolution Requirement:**

Unknown

**Estimated Difficulty:** Extreme

---

John narrowed his eyes.

Tier 10.

The beginning of the **true league**.

The level where beings could transcend ordinary limits.

And once he reached it...

He could regain a **humanoid form**.

John looked at his claws.

He smiled slightly.

"Soon."

Lythriel glanced at him.

"Soon what?"

John looked back at the sky.

"...Nothing."

But deep inside his heart...

He knew something.

His journey was far from over.

Tier 10 was not the end.

It was only the beginning.

And when he reached it...

The world would witness the rise of something far greater than a dragon.