— I want... I want to control everything... Nobody will suffer anymore!
— That's your real truth, Mitsurugi.
— Even if I sacrifice millions, they'll stop suffering after dying!
— Your body has infinite potential. Your power won't stop growing until you die.
— But I won't let that happen! If I become strong enough, I'll become a goddess like you!
— That's right. But you spent centuries in a cage. You have to compensate for the wasted time. Open your wings and fly high, half-dragon cub.
— Yes! That's what I truly want!
The goddess snapped her fingers and Mitsurugi woke up. She instantly spred her wings and jumped. In the air, she turned into a full dragon and destroyed the mansion's ceiling.
She used her new form to fly towards the nearest village. She spat fire and killed half of the villagers. Then, she remembered she had to eat them to gain power. She turned into her human form again and started chasing everyone.
They ran in horror, trying to escape her grasp. She always managed to grab them with her claws and eat their head, then their body. Her face was full of their blood, but not only that. She was smiling. Her true self was finally taking control of her body. She wanted to do this since she was abandoned. It was refreshing. Her human morals went over her head, but she quickly remembered her goal.
To devour, to become invincible. Nothing could stop her now. She would create a new world after a few million sacrifices. A perfect world, where she rules everything. She would be the justice enforcer. It was about time to dethrone the useless humans. They would finally have a taste of their own deadly sins. They would feel fear and be overwhelmed by her evil.
But humans were not the only species who deserved that. Every single living being deserved to suffer. Of course, their suffering would disappear after she was satisfied. It was a sacrifice for the greater good. She had to be paid somehow, like any politician who did nothing but make people's lives worse for their own good.
It was her turn to decide their fate. It was time for a revolution.
— P-Please, spare my son at least!
She listened to their pleas, but not because she would grant their wish. It was because their despair was delicious.
— Thank you for having a son. For increasing the pool of suffering I need to consume. He'll finally have a purpose. A noble one.
— R-Really?! So you'll spare him, right-
She ate the mother's head instantly. Then, she devoured the kid's body in one gulp.
— It's like they say, blood and despair are the best seasoning.
— S-Stop right there, monster! If you don't surrender immediately, I will call upon the heroes of the metropolis!
— Ah, the heroes! Call them, I dare you. I'll let you live, but for each minute they don't arrive, I'll kill 10 more.
The armored guard ran in fear.
— I wonder what they taste like... They will be such a fine collection to my body. Especially that top hat girl.
Mitsurugi finished eating the mother and left the small house. Several armored guards were aiming their crossbows at her. She quickly severed their heads, even though they were wearing helmets. The last one managed to hit an arrow on her head, piercing it. She stopped for a moment, since her brain was damaged. Then, she took the arrow out and pierced the guard's head with it. She was now a few centimeters taller and bigger than before. Not only her power grew, but also her body.
Suddenly, a harpoon arrow pierced her heart from behind, damaging it so much that she would not be able to move unless she pushed her body beyond its limits. A big old man was a few meters behind her. He was the one who shot the harpoon. He had white hair and beard and wore simple brown clothing and mechanical goggles. He was a bit fat, but very muscular. He looked like a somewhat regular old man, but he was way stronger than that.
— Oh, I thought you were a dragon... The locals can't tell the difference, it seems. But you have wings, so you must be a half-dragon.
— How... how did I not see you?
— Well, it's night.
— Don't play the fool... the entire village is burning. I can see better than any human...
— Not any human, it seems. I may be old, but I'm not rusty.
— Who are you...?
— I'm Dar, the dragon hunter. Also one of this country's main heroes.
— How did you arrive here so quickly...?
— Like I said, I'm a skilled hero.
The old man retracted the harpoon and pulled Mitsurugi's body. He took a massive hammer from his back and hit her body with such strength that the hammer vibrated. Her skin was very hard, so the impact released a shockwave that put out the nearby fire.
Her body flew so fast that it hit a mountain kilometers away from there and pierced through it entirely. She tried to get up, but her body was almost obliterated. Her wings were still working, even though they were punctured and severely damaged. Because her body was now lighter, she managed to fly slowly.
When she was in the sky, the old man reached where she was. He shot the harpoon again and hit her. He swung the rope down, throwing her body to the ground and causing a crater to form. He jumped to get to her side faster.
— You're more durable than most dragons. Half-dragons are really a different breed.
— Why... don't you finish me...?
— Because I'm a dragon hunter, not a half-dragon hunter.
— That's a... flawed logic...
— Maybe it is, but who cares? I'm sparing you because I can see the potential you have. Luckily, I was looking for a partner.
— A partner...?
— Yeah. Not just for missions, but also to stick around. Being a nomad has its disadvantages. I'm in need of a friend.
— A friend...?
Nocus's smile quickly surfaced in her memory.
— I don't want friends... I need power...
— I'm not saying it's omnidirectional. You help me, I help you. Also, you have a hate for dragons, right? We have the same enemies, except that I hunt them for fun and money.
— What makes you think... I'll not kill you...?
— You're not on my level, for now. Until you surpass me, we'll be close friends.
— That's not true... If you get on my way, I'll devour your body...
— Okay, I accept that. But be kind, please. I don't want a slow and painful death.
— Only my mood will decide that...