Chapter 22 – Test The Skill
The dragon swooped low over Riverwood, its roar splitting the sky like thunder. The sound vibrated through the wooden houses and shook loose snow from the treetops. Birds scattered in panicked clouds. Dogs barked wildly. Deer bolted into the forest as if the world itself were ending.
Villagers cried out and scrambled for shelter mothers pulling their children close, elderly men stumbling as the ground trembled beneath them. Every beat of the dragon's wings sent a violent gust crashing over the village.
Fwoosh!
Fwossh!
The air whipped into swirling eddies of dust and broken straw. The creature circled with terrifying grace its massive shadow sweeping over Riverwood like a passing storm cloud. The guards were already in formation, but Riverwood was a small settlement; they were too few, and far too terrified.
"Aim at the dragon! Hurry!" a guard captain screamed, voice cracking.
Bows twanged.
Arrows sliced through the air.
But every shot either clattered uselessly against the dragon's thick scales or missed entirely as the beast twisted and spun in the sky with unnerving speed.
Then suddenly the dragon stopped its motion.
Wings snapped open, halting its flight in an instant. It dropped onto the roof of a nearby house, the wooden beams groaning under its enormous weight. Tiles shattered under its claws. The dragon crouched low, its chest swelling.
A deep, ominous glow pulsed beneath its scales, spreading from its abdomen to its throat slow, molten red, like magma rising.
"God help us…" a guard whispered, trembling so hard he nearly dropped his bow.
The dragon inhaled, the air around its maw distorting with heat. Sparks danced between its teeth.
But before the inferno could erupt
CRACK !!
A streak of blinding white lightning slammed into the side of the dragon's head. The beast jolted violently, smoke rising from its scorched horn.
A voice echoed across the village:
"HEY! Dumb dragon! OVER HERE!!!"
Alex stood on the main road, boots braced wide, smoke drifting from his fingertips. Blue arcs of electricity crawled up his arms, lighting up his face in flashes.
The dragon slowly turned toward him one eye twitching, its jaw clenching in fury.
Alex exhaled, chest rising, the air buzzing around him.
With the perk points he had poured into Destruction, lightning didn't just crackle from his hands it roared.
The dragon threw its head back and unleashed a deafening roar of its own, directed straight at Alex. The sound washed over the village like a shockwave. Windows rattled. Chickens burst from their cages in blind terror. Even the guards staggered back, hands clapped over their ears.
Alex stood firm, cloak whipping wildly behind him, eyes narrowed.
And the dragon's fury fixed entirely on him.
Villagers stared at Alex with wide, disbelieving eyes some peeking from behind fences, others cowering beneath porches. No one had ever seen someone challenge a dragon head-on before.
"Who… who is he?!" a woman gasped, clutching her child to her chest.
"Hurry! Move! The dragon's focused on that man run!!"
But fear had already seized most of them.
Several guards threw down their bows and sprinted toward the river, armor clanking loudly as they tripped over crates and stumbled through mud. Others weren't so lucky their bodies refused to obey, terror freezing them where they stood. A young villager collapsed to his knees, hands trembling violently.
"Damn… m-my legs… they won't move!" he cried, eyes glistening with panic.
Alex turned toward him, sparks still dancing across his fingertips.
"Hey! Get out of there unless you want to be its next meal! MOVE!"
The villager shook his head desperately, voice cracking.
"I I can't! I'm sorry! My legs won't listen!!"
Above them, the dragon spread its wings and let out a furious hiss, smoke curling from its nostrils. Its good eye narrowed at Alex… while the other dripped with dark fluid.
Alex didn't hesitate.
ZRAK!! ZRAK!! ZRAK!!
He unleashed Lightning Bolt after Lightning Bolt rapid, relentless, like a machine gun of crackling blue light. The spells hammered into the dragon's face, and one bolt struck the beast directly in its eye.
The creature reared back, bellowing in agony. Its wings snapped open, scattering debris and sending a whirlwind of dust spiraling through the village. Shingles flew off rooftops. A cart toppled over.
With an enraged roar, the dragon kicked off the ground, taking to the air but it didn't leave Riverwood. It circled above, hunting, its shadow passing over Alex like a dark omen.
Alex's boots skidded on the dirt as he sprinted toward the frozen villager. The man's breath came in broken gasps, his hands shaking uncontrollably.
"D-Don't come! The dragon !"
"Relax. I've got you."
Alex pressed a glowing hand to the man's chest. Warm, golden light flowed from his palm, washing over the villager like gentle fire. Muscles unclenched. The man's trembling slowed. Color returned to his face.
He took a shaky breath and slowly, his legs held his weight again.
Alex gave him a firm nod.
"Go! Find shelter! Now!"
The villager stumbled at first, then broke into a panicked run toward the safety of the inn, casting one last terrified look at the raging dragon overhead.
The sky above Riverwood darkened once more as the dragon's massive wings eclipsed the sun. Its shadow crawled across the village like a living omen, stretching over rooftops, fields, and trembling villagers. Smoke, dust, and embers hung in the air, carried by the dragon's turbulent wingbeats. The ground vibrated beneath Alex's boots.
Alex's jaw tightened.
His fingers curled into fists crackling with leftover lightning.
He inhaled sharply steadying himself.
Another attack was coming.
Without hesitation, Alex burst into a sprint, the world around him blurring as he pushed his enhanced stamina to its limits. His footsteps exploded against the dirt, kicking up clouds of dust and broken straw. The cold mountain wind lashed against his face, but he didn't slow for even a heartbeat.
He had seen where the dragon was headed.
A small group of guards was attempting to escape toward the river, armor clattering loudly with each panicked step. Their fear was written plainly across their faces wide eyes, gritted teeth, shaking hands still gripping bows they no longer dared to use.
"Move…! MOVE!!" one guard shouted, stumbling over a fallen crate.
But they weren't fast enough.
Up above, the dragon tilted its wings, angling into a predatory dive.
Heat shimmered from its throat.
Smoke trailed from its nostrils.
Alex's eyes widened with horror.
"NO!"
The dragon opened its jaws.
FWOOOOOOSH!!
A hurricane of fire roared out, the flames so bright they reflected in Alex's eyes. The wave of heat hit the guards before the flames did dirt dried instantly, wooden fences ignited, and the air itself warped.
"AAAAAGH!! HOT!!!"
Their screams tore through the valley.
Several guards collapsed mid-run, their armor glowing red, the metal burning into their skin. Some thrashed in agony, rolling in the dirt as flames clung stubbornly to their bodies. Half their armor melted into molten chunks. Blisters burst on their skin, smoke rising off their scorched bodies.
The smell burning leather, charred flesh filled the air, thick and suffocating.
Alex's heart pounded with fury.
He lowered his body, accelerating into a near reckless sprint, every muscle screaming but obeying.
"HEY!!!" he bellowed, voice raw, full of rage and urgency.
He skidded across the dirt, boots carving trenches into the ground as he planted himself between the dragon and the wounded guards.
"OVER HERE!!!"
Lightning snapped violently around his arms, casting wild reflections on the dragon's molten eyes.
The beast turned.
Slowly.
Deliberately.
It fixed its furious gaze on Alex the one challenger who refused to bow, burn, or run.
And the dragon roared… shaking the very sky.
Alex thrust out his hand and fired another Lightning Bolt a blinding lance of blue-white energy that cracked through the air like a spear hurled by the heavens.
ZRAK!!
The bolt struck the dragon's neck, forcing the beast to snap its head toward him with murderous rage. Its throat swelled, fire gathering like a sun being born inside its maw.
Then
FWOOOOOOOSH!!!
A tidal wave of flames consumed Alex. The blast lit up the entire clearing, turning the ground beneath him orange and gold. The roar of the fire drowned out every other sound the crackle of burning grass, the groaning of heated stones, even the dragon's guttural growl.
For several seconds, the dragon stared into the inferno, its pupils narrowing in cruel satisfaction.
But then…
The flames thinned.
Smoke curled away.
And Alex was still standing.
Completely unharmed.
His cloak fluttered in the fading heat, unburned. His eyes glowed with determination. Across his exposed skin, rune-like tattoos ignited with dim golden light, pulsing from his arms and spreading across his body like living sigils before slowly fading back into his skin it's the effect of the enchanted ring
Alex stretched his neck with an audible crack and smirked.
"Hehehe… looks like your fire doesn't work on me."
He lifted his palm toward the dragon, as if enjoying the heat.
"Actually, it feels kinda warm and comfortable."
The dragon's expression shifted shock, then fury, then pure murderous intent.
With a fury-filled roar, it dove down from the air, slamming into the ground so hard dirt and splinters erupted into the air. It abandoned fire entirely now relying on raw, brutal force.
Its jaws snapped toward Alex
Alex twisted aside, narrowly avoiding rows of teeth that could crush boulders.
Its claws slashed
He ducked and slid under the sweeping strike, sparks crackling in his hands.
Its tail whipped around
Alex rolled aside as the tail smashed into the earth, leaving a crater where he'd stood.
He countered with rapid bursts of Sparks, lightning spraying from his fingertips in crackling arcs that scorched the dragon's scales. His enhanced stamina let him move with relentless speed sidestepping, spinning, leaping back into position with fluid agility.
"You're pretty smart for a lizard," Alex taunted with a grin.
"You realized your fire doesn't work, so now you're trying brute force."
The dragon snarled, saliva and smoke spraying from its jaws.
Alex narrowed his eyes, waiting timing every dodge, memorizing the rhythm of its attacks.
Then
There!
He caught the perfect opening.
Alex brought both hands together, electricity spiraling wildly between his palms. The ground around him hissed as raw power gathered blue, violent, unstable. His Dual Casting intensified the spell's force severalfold, the air vibrating with pressure.
"HYAAAH !!"
DUAR!!
The Dual Cast Lightning Bolt slammed into the dragon's chest like a thunderstrike. The Impact perk triggered instantly, staggering the massive beast backward with a roar of pain.
And then Alex repeated the pattern:
Dodge.
Counter.
Stagger.
Dodge.
Counter.
Stagger.
Every time the dragon lunged, it was met with another electrifying blast.
Every time it tried to take flight, the shock forced it back to the ground.
The dragon quickly realized the truth
If it flew, it would be torn apart mid-air.
So it stayed grounded, snarling, weakening.
Its breaths grew ragged.
Its limbs trembled.
Its wings drooped, scorched and numb.
Finally, its guard slipped.
Alex felt the moment like a pulse.
He planted his feet.
Electrical arcs erupted around him.
His eyes glowed bright blue.
"Eat this!"
DUAR!!!
A massive bolt ripped through the dragon's chest.
Then another
BRskrts!!
And another
BrsTks!!
And another
Brzztxxs!!
Lightning after lightning rained down, tearing into scale, flesh, and bone. Each strike echoed like thunder. The dragon shrieked in agony, its voice shaking the trees, scattering birds from miles away.
At last
With one final, broken roar…
The dragon's body collapsed.
Its enormous form slammed into the ground, sending a shockwave of dust across the village. Charred scales cracked and blackened. Smoke rose from its wounds. Electricity still danced across its body like fading embers of a storm.
The beast lay still.
Alex stood before it, chest rising and falling, sparks fading from his hands as the battlefield fell silent.
Villagers erupted into cheers raw, shaky, overflowing with relief after the terror they had just survived.
"The dragon is defeated!! It's really dead!!"
One villager sprinted across Riverwood barefoot, waving his arms wildly as he shouted at the top of his lungs, voice cracking from adrenaline.
"The dragon is defeated! The dragon is defeated!!!"
Doors burst open. People peeked from behind barrels, from under carts, from their homes where they had been hiding with trembling hands.
"Really?!"
"No way someone actually killed it?"
"Who brought down that flying monster?"
The crowd slowly gathered near the fallen dragon's smoking corpse. Ash drifted off its burnt scales. The smell of char and ozone lingered in the air.
There, in front of the massive body, stood a lone figure his clothes tattered and scorched, sleeves half-burned, hair sticking up from static. Alex panted heavily, still catching his breath, sparks of residual lightning crawling faintly across his fingertips before fading.
A gasp rippled through the crowd.
"Look! That's him!"
"That's our savior!"
"He protected us… all of us!"
Then cheering exploded like thunder.
"Wooooo!!"
"Thank the gods!!"
"Hail our hero!!"
Before Alex could react, three villagers rushed him at once
"Ah wait ?!"
and lifted him high into the air.
"HEY W-WAIT!! Wahhhh!!"
He flailed for a moment, completely unprepared as they carried him on their shoulders, spinning in excitement. Laughter echoed everywhere nervous, relieved, overflowing with gratitude. Some people cried openly. Others hugged each other. Children ran in circles around the dead dragon, still shouting "We're alive! We're alive!"
As Alex was hoisted above the crowd, he saw their faces smiling, exhausted, trembling with joy.
And unexpectedly… his chest tightened.
A warm feeling spread inside him relief, pride, happiness.
He had saved them.
He had actually saved everyone.
Alex let out a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding and smiled widely despite himself.
"Heh… I'm glad… everyone's okay."
For the first time in a long time, he truly felt like a hero.
But then the heavy clatter of armored boots echoed through Riverwood.
The guards had arrived.
Their faces were twisted with frustration, exhaustion, and something uglier beneath: jealousy.
"Where's the proof?!" one guard barked loudly, stepping forward with his chest puffed in defiance.
"How do we know he killed the dragon alone?!" another added, jaw clenched.
The joyful celebration froze instantly.
Cheers fell silent.
Children stopped laughing.
Even the crackling of burning rooftops suddenly felt louder.
The villagers looked torn between fear of the guards and gratitude toward Alex. A few took small steps back, uncertain what to say. The smoky wind carried the faint scent of burned wood and scorched dirt, adding a tense weight to the moment.
"You saw our injuries!" one of the surviving guards argued back, lifting his burned arm. His skin was red, blistered, trembling from pain.
"We paid the price fighting it! Look at us!" another shouted, voice breaking as he revealed a deep burn across his ribs. "Don't just give him the glory!"
Alex's eyes softened. Their wounds were severe some shaking from shock, others barely standing.
He stepped forward slowly, raising his hands.
"Here," he said gently, "let me heal you."
Warm golden light bloomed from his palms the soft, soothing glow of Healing Hands casting long shadows across the charred ground. The injured guards flinched at first, but as the magic touched their skin, the pain faded, replaced by warmth that eased their breathing. Burned flesh mended. Blisters flattened. Skin knitted itself back together.
Though the spell consumed mana, Alex's enchanted ring pulsed faintly with blue light, and his Fortify Restoration effects made the cost almost negligible. When he began to feel drained, he calmly pulled out a mana potion, uncorked it with one thumb, and drank.
"Bring the injured to me," Alex called out, voice firm yet kind. "I'll heal them all."
Villagers rushed forward, guiding wounded neighbors, supporting limping guards, carrying people burned or shaken. Alex moved from person to person, kneeling beside them, pressing a steady hand to their wounds, and whispering reassuring words:
"You'll be okay."
"Hold still… just a little more."
"There we go. You're safe now."
After finishing with the wounded, he didn't stop. He sprinted toward a burning house, grabbing a bucket and helping form a water line. He forcefully kicked apart a smoldering beam to free a trapped villager underneath. He climbed onto a collapsed rooftop to help pull out a crying child.
Bit by bit, the devastated atmosphere of Riverwood softened. Flames dimmed. Smoke dissipated. The cries of pain turned into sighs of relief.
The guards who had previously spoken with bitterness now stood silent. Their shoulders slumped. Their eyes lowered, shame growing in their expression as they watched Alex work endlessly to help everyone friend or foe.
Finally, one guard stepped forward and bowed his head.
"…Forgive us," he said quietly. "For our careless accusations."
Another removed his helmet, pressing it against his chest. "We were wrong to doubt you."
Alex smiled lightly and placed a hand on the nearest guard's shoulder.
"It's fine," he said warmly. "You were brave enough to shoot arrows at a dragon. You've never fought one before it's natural to panic. But next time…" He tapped the guard's armor gently. "You can't slack off. This era requires everyone to grow stronger."
The guards nodded firmly, determination replacing their earlier envy.
As Alex stepped back, he glanced around.
This world was different from the game.
Much harsher. Much more alive.
In game, adventurers could indeed slay dragons alone.
in game, guards were stronger than this.
And in game level scaling truly existed, even bandits might wield Daedric armor. But not in this world. The thought sent a strange thrill down his spine then alex thinks about what will happen to the people of skyrim in the future if they are weak like this. they have experienced an era of peace therefore they are weak.
As dusk settled, the villagers gathered around Alex, cheering once more but now with respect, gratitude, and awe.
They lifted him again much more gently this time and carried him toward the Sleeping Giant Inn.
"Make way! Our hero is here!"
"To Arcane Dragonbane!"
"To the Radiant Healer!"
The inn's lanterns glowed warm and golden, welcoming him with music, laughter, and the clatter of celebratory mugs.
They celebrated through the night songs, cheers, endless gratitude filling the air.
Alex ate, drank, laughed, blushed at the praise, and enjoyed the warmth of true community.
And they partied until sunrise, the light of dawn spilling over Riverwood as if blessing the village reborn from fear into hope.
Status
Main Level: 31
Perk Points: 9 → 2
Health: 200
Stamina: 160
Mana: 250
Destruction: 50 → 54
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