Starting out as a Dragon Slave
Chapter 37: The big night approaches

Chapter 37: Chapter 37: The big night approaches

The team stared at the massive body of the goblin boss lying on the ground, still in disbelief at Isaac’s incredible feat. A sudden euphoria gradually took hold of the group, quickly replacing the terror they had all just felt.

- Dude, you were absolutely incredible!" shouted Jonah, giving Isaac a friendly but brutal pat on the back that made him wince in pain. Seriously, where did you learn to move like that?

- Let’s just say I had a good teacher," Isaac replied simply, a discreet smile on his lips as he thought back to Akane’s invaluable advice.

Ella moved slowly closer, her eyes still wide with surprise:

- I’ve never seen anyone kill a boss so quickly and so cleanly... You’d better stay with us for a long time, Isaac!

- There’s no doubt about it," confirmed Mathis, enthusiastically picking up the cores of the defeated goblins. With you, our days are going to be a lot more profitable and a lot safer.

Isaac smiled silently, enjoying this moment of simple but profound joy. He clearly felt that his bond with this group had just grown even stronger.

They quickly finished recovering all the cores of the defeated goblins, as well as the massive and particularly valuable core of the boss berserker. Everyone was aware that their reward would be considerable this time, even if the guild would, as usual, be taking a large share.

They finally emerged from the dungeon, greeted by the bright afternoon sunlight. When they reached the guild offices, the welcome was swift and efficient: their loot was quickly estimated and the confiscated cores exchanged for a thick envelope of cash.

However, on examining the sum obtained, Jonah immediately grunted with obvious irritation:

- Seriously, guys? We’re busting our asses here, and they’re still taking a huge cut. This guild is really starting to piss me off...

Mathis nodded, clearly sharing his frustration:

- Yeah, but we don’t really have a choice... they control all the dungeons in the area.

Ella sighed softly, but smiled nonetheless as she carefully tucked her share of the loot into her pocket:

- At least we’ve got enough to survive and celebrate with dignity. That’s not so bad, is it?

Isaac smiled slightly, inwardly sharing their frustrations but relieved to have been able to improve his technique in the dungeon. He calmly tucked his share into his pocket, feeling the reassuring weight of money earned.

- Ella’s right, it’s not bad for today," he said softly. We did a good job, didn’t we?

Jonah immediately regained his smile as he turned to them enthusiastically:

- I’m totally in, man! After a boss like that, you deserve at least a few cold ones!

Ella nodded, amused by their enthusiasm:

- As long as you’re buying, Jonah, I’ll follow you anywhere you want to go!

Jonah burst out laughing, winking at Isaac:

- You’re coming with us, aren’t you? I want to hear how you mastered that crazy move. Tonight, it’s my treat, so no excuses!

Isaac smiled wider, touched by the sudden, warm complicity that now united their group.

- With pleasure, Jonah," he replied simply, savoring this precious moment of friendship.

And so the group quickly left the dungeon’s outskirts, making their way through the familiar streets towards a cosy bar where, for once, they could briefly forget the constant dangers of their life as hunters.

The bar’s warm, lively atmosphere immediately greeted Isaac and his group as they pushed open the door. The sound of lively conversation, the cheerful clinking of glasses and the lively music that gently filled the space immediately made them forget, for a moment, the brutal reality of their daily lives.

Jonah chose a large table in a slightly isolated corner, allowing them a modicum of privacy despite the noisy atmosphere. He cheerfully called out to the waiter to order his first round.

- Come on, guys, it’s on me tonight!" said Jonah, already enthusiastically raising his mug. We’re celebrating the new mysterious strength of Isaac, the toughest E-rank hunter in Paris!

Mathis burst out laughing as he reached for his glass:

- To Isaac! And to his fucking lightning sword from hell!

Isaac modestly raised his glass, amused and slightly embarrassed by their enthusiasm:

- Don’t exaggerate either... it’s just a start, guys.

Ella smiled softly, a little more reserved but just as sincere:

- Honestly, Isaac, that was impressive. I’ve rarely seen anyone move so quickly and efficiently. How did you manage that in such a short space of time?

Isaac took a long sip, pondering an honest but vague answer:

- Let’s just say I had... a very good teacher. Someone who really knows what she’s doing.

Jonah approached immediately, interested in this mysterious reference:

- Oh, a girl! Isaac, tell us about it right now, man!

Isaac felt his cheeks flush slightly under the teasing gaze of his friends:

- It’s not what you think... he laughed, awkwardly avoiding their amused curiosity. She’s just... really strong, and her advice is excellent, that’s all.

Jonah burst out laughing as he raised his glass to him:

- Whatever you say, man, your face speaks for you! To the mysterious warrior who makes Isaac blush!

The whole group burst out laughing as they toasted each other happily, eliciting an embarrassed but sincere smile from Isaac, touched by their sincere camaraderie.

The hours passed quickly, punctuated by laughter, anecdotes, jokes and, above all, confidences. Jonah shared his ambitious dreams of one day opening his own dojo to train young hunters, his eyes lighting up with a rare passion.

- You’ll see, guys, one day I’ll be the one training the best hunters in Europe!

Mathis, amused, immediately replied with a pat on Jonah’s shoulder:

- As long as you remember to invite us to give special dungeon survival courses, that’s fine by me!

Ella, silent but smiling, confessed more seriously:

- Me, I’d just like to open my own store one day. Something quiet, away from all this constant violence...

Isaac gazed softly at Ella, touched by her simple but incredibly human dream. He clearly sensed the difficult reality behind her gaze, understanding that each member of the group carried within them a dream, a simple but powerful hope.

- What about you, Isaac?" Jonah suddenly asked, his tone serious and calmer. What exactly is your dream?

Isaac, surprised by this direct question, took a few seconds to answer sincerely:

- I just want to offer Léna a better life. To be able to live without constantly looking over my shoulder, without having to risk our lives every moment. Just to live, simply...

His gaze wandered briefly, the image of a smiling, happy Léna flashing through his mind. A soft, sincere smile slowly appeared on her lips:

- To be quiet, just a normal life... for her especially. That’s my dream.

A warm silence settled briefly around the table, everyone aware of the simple but genuine force of his words.

Jonah finally raised his glass again, his smile more serious this time:

- So, here’s to all our dreams, guys! Whatever it takes to get there, we’ll get there together!

They toasted once more, with a deep, sincere intensity. At that very moment, Isaac felt an intense emotion wash over him. This group had become much more than just a team: it had become a real family, ready to follow him in every battle, in every challenge.

And so the evening went on, merry and lively, with everyone sharing stories, dreams, memories and even a few more intimate confidences over one glass after another.

But suddenly, Isaac felt the familiar sensation he had been dreading. His mind blurred slightly, his vision blurred briefly. He knew what it meant

His gaze immediately focused, serious and worried:

- Sorry guys, I really have to go," he muttered, rising hastily to his feet.

- Already?" gasped Jonah, surprised and a little worried by Isaac’s suddenly very serious expression. Are you sure you’re okay?

- Yeah, don’t worry, I just forgot something important at home," he lied hastily, grabbing his jacket. We’ll do it again soon, I promise!

Without waiting for an answer, Isaac abruptly left the bar, almost running into the cold, silent streets of Paris, slightly drunk but fully aware of the urgency. He had to get home before he was sucked back into this other world.

His heart beat violently against his chest as he ran, his thoughts invaded by memories of Akane, the dragon princess, the coliseum, and the terrifying challenges awaiting him there.

When he finally reached his apartment, he hurriedly opened the door, closing it violently behind him before immediately collapsing onto his bed, exhausted, panting, but ready to face what lay ahead.

- Come on," he murmured weakly, almost defiantly. I’m ready.

Immediately after these words, the familiar sensation, violent and implacable, engulfed him abruptly, carrying his mind back to the other world, to the mortal trials that awaited him.

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