Supreme BeastTamer: I Can Copy and Upgrade Skills 10x!-Chapter 491: First Encounter [1]

"Stay with me," Zara said to Nox, her voice barely a whisper and her steps cautious. She glanced around from left to right as if expecting something or… someone to appear at any moment.

Nox noticed her tense shoulders and couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow. "What is it?" he inquired, walking just two steps behind her.

What is she so afraid of? His gaze briefly swept around. Apart from a single pathway flanked by towering trees with frosted trunks, there was nothing particularly suspicious.

He tried to spread his senses into the bushes as well, only spotting weak Wildlings and intermediate-tier beasts who were clearly minding their own business, too terrified to approach the two.

So then… why was she tense?

The silence seemed to stretch endlessly. After a while, however, Zara spoke in a low, hesitant voice. "I should’ve told you this sooner. We Dragons are very prideful creatures, but despite our pride, there’s one thing we dislike the most."

Zara paused as if allowing her words to sink in.

"What is it?"

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"We hate attention and humans," Zara finished, her voice steady but cautious at the same time—perhaps because of Nox.

Nox’s expression didn’t change, but inwardly, he wasn’t surprised. He had expected some level of hostility, considering how rare dragons were in the outside world. If they had sealed themselves away, cutting ties with the human continent, it was only natural for resentment to fester.

"And yet you brought me here." Nox felt like facepalming. "You should’ve told me this earlier."

Zara clenched her dainty fists. "I was desperate." She halted in her steps, then turned to Nox, staring him in the eyes. "Besides, not all of the kingdoms hate humans. In fact, there are a few tribes that want us to live among the other races. One of those kingdoms is my Frostspire Kingdom."

She continued, "My kingdom will accept you, and if the King—my father—sees potential in you, he will protect you from the other kingdoms as well."

Nox exhaled, mist escaping from his mouth and curling in the cold air. In a steady voice, he said, "So all I have to do is show potential?"

Zara nodded. "Yes, but that doesn’t mean it will be easy," she added, her expression serious. "The other kingdoms will still see you as an outsider, and even within Frostspire, there will be those who won’t accept you."

Nox chuckled, crossing his arms. "So basically, I just have to impress a bunch of dragons who already hate my existence? Sounds fun."

Zara sighed. "I’m being serious. The moment they realize what you are, they’ll look for any reason to get rid of you. And if they can’t do it openly, they’ll find another way. So no matter what, you have to impress my father and give him a reason to protect you."

"I’ve heard you. I’ll impress him," Nox said confidently, "even if that means I’ll have to go all out."

Zara studied him for a moment before nodding. "Fine. But no unnecessary risks. Just follow my lead."

Before she could take a step, she suddenly froze.

Nox immediately tensed as his instincts flared. Before he could react, the air around them shifted, and a suffocating presence—powerful and overwhelming—descended upon them.

A moment later, Nox saw several figures emerge from the bushes.

I didn’t even sense them… Nox’s hair stood on end, and his eyes narrowed slightly.

The five figures walked with measured steps, carrying themselves with a regal aura.

At first glance, they appeared human, but their sharp, predatory eyes and the faint scales shimmering along their necks and arms told a different story.

Dragons.

Zara’s expression turned grim.

Although these people were classified as commoners, their strength far surpassed hers. Furthermore, they also had the numbers advantage.

Even with Nox’s help, she didn’t think they stood an actual chance.

The gazes of the five figures immediately fell on Zara, and shocked expressions appeared on their faces. It had been a long time since they last saw her.

"Princess!"

The five immediately gave a low bow upon seeing Zara.

Meanwhile, Zara’s expression remained unreadable as she nodded slightly in acknowledgment, though her posture didn’t relax. The presence of these five dragons wasn’t a relief—it was a problem.

Nox, on the other hand, watched them closely, his eyes missing nothing.

It seems they haven’t noticed me yet. He mused to himself, contemplating whether to use Phantom Cloak and turn invisible, but he decided against it.

Sooner or later, he would have to show himself anyway. So why not just start now?

At that moment, one of the figures sensed a presence and looked behind Zara. A shock far greater than seeing the princess appeared on his face.

Just a second later, the rest also noticed him.

It didn’t take long for their initial shock to fade. One of them, the tallest of the group with silver-blue hair and piercing ice-colored eyes, straightened first. His gaze locked onto Nox, his expression quickly shifting from confusion to cold hostility.

"What is that doing here?" he demanded, his voice sharp and filled with an unhealthy dose of disdain.

Ah, here we go, Nox thought, resisting the urge to sigh. He had expected hostility, but the sheer intensity of their animosity was almost amusing.

Now let’s see how this plays out.

At that moment, holographic screens floated above the five dragons, displaying their names and ranks.

[Valen - Emperor Tier Level 8]

[Isolde - Emperor Tier Level 7]

[Theron - Emperor Tier Level 6]

[Selrik - King Tier Level 8]

[Vaelis - King Tier Level 7]

Nox’s gaze swept across the five dragons as their names and ranks materialized in front of him. As expected, they were strong—especially the one named Valen, who was an Emperor Tier Level 8. Even the weakest among them was a King Tier Level 7, meaning they were leagues above ’most’ creatures he had encountered.

However, what made Nox feel that dealing with them would be especially difficult was the fact that…

All five of them were elemental beasts.