Lucian couldn't help the fre of irritation rising in his chest. He thought to himself that the people of The Taegeuk Kingdom really cked basic manners.

  He had no desire to waste any more time on small talk. "Since you aren't going to sit, then just tell me why you're looking for me," he said bluntly.

  Thorne gave a small, arrogant smile, his posture oozing condescension. "We’ve come to give you an opportunity to rise above your station."

  "An opportunity to rise?" Lucian asked, unimpressed.

  Aurelia remained silent, merely signaling with her eyes.

  Thorne nodded and immediately shared a page from a Beast Compendium with Lucian.

  Lucian opened the Beast Compendium, and for a moment, he was genuinely taken aback. Inside was an egg—specifically, an egg of The Dragonflight!Ironcd Wyrm Egg (Ptinum-Tier Special Item)Description: Draconic Mastery can be used to domesticate this item. Success grants a Draconic Familiar—the Ironcd Earth Wyrm (Juvenile Form).Ironcd Earth Wyrm (Earth Wyrm Subspecies, Juvenile Form)Level: 1Gender: MaleStrength: 72Agility: 67Spirit: 35Endurance: 133Skills:Ironcd Wyrm Scale (Passive, LV1): The naturally hardened skin of the Ironcd Earth Wyrm. When attribute-based attacks hit its skin, the damage is reduced by 10%.Giant Tail Sweep (Active, LV1): Swings its massive tail to attack enemies.

  To be honest, the stats of the creature inside this egg were quite high. The Endurance attribute, in particur, had broken into triple digits. For an average member of Humanity, this was something they could only dream of obtaining. It was a testament to the raw power of The Dragonflight.

  However, once you’ve seen the ocean, a pond looks like a puddle. Lucian had seen Nyx’s stats when she was Level 1.

  Comparing this Ironcd Earth Wyrm to Nyx was like comparing a common lizard to a god. At most, it was just a lizard with slightly thicker skin.

  Setting the stats aside, Nyx’s skills alone were leagues ahead of this creature. The Ironcd Earth Wyrm only had one passive, Ironcd Wyrm Scale. It cked any other passives like Draconic Bloodline or Draconic Constitution. Even its defensive passive was a joke—Nyx reduced damage by 50%, while this thing only managed 10%. The gap was staggering.

  As for active skills, Giant Tail Sweep was clearly no match for Nyx’s Jaw Strike. And the Magma Breath that Nyx could breathe? This Dirt-Wyrm didn't have a clue how to use that.

  Looking at its pitiful 35 points in Spirit, Lucian suspected this Dirt-Wyrm would never even learn a single magical attack. At the end of the day, it was just a rge, durable lizard with high Endurance.

  Even in its best category—defense—the gap between it and Nyx was monumental.

  It wasn't surprising, though. What rank was Nyx, and what rank was this Ironcd Earth Wyrm? Lucian remembered clearly that Nyx’s egg was a Mythic-Tier special item, whereas this Ironcd Land-Wyrm was merely Ptinum-Tier.

  Lucian didn't know everything about The Dragonflight, but he had heard that they were categorized by the purity of their bloodline, ranging from Great Wyrms to Lesser Drakes. The creature before him was likely a Land-Wyrm, a tier even lower than a Lesser Drake. If its bloodline were any thinner, it probably wouldn't even be called an Ironcd Land-Wyrm; it would be an "Ironcd Wyrm-Lizard."

  Lucian truly found the creature beneath his notice.

  "Well? Surprised?" Aurelia asked. Seeing Lucian’s long silence, she assumed he was stunned by the Beast Compendium, paralyzed by shock.

  She arched a slender brow triumphantly and smiled. "With your limited experience, it's only natural to be frightened by such a powerful creature."

  "I can tell you right now, this is a member of The Dragonflight. It is likely the only one in the world that can be controlled by Humanity."

  "This egg was a reward House Aurelius obtained from a Secret Realm called the Ruined Wyrm Nest. It is unique in this world. There will never be a second one."

  "Although it is only a Land-Wyrm with partial draconic blood, it is still a genuine member of The Dragonflight, an incredibly powerful existence!"

  "I believe you can see its power and future potential from those staggering attributes, can't you?"

  Lucian looked at Aurelia’s smug expression. She acted as if this egg were some peerless treasure. He really didn't have the heart to tell her—You call this thing a dragon?

  Maybe I should just show her Nyx’s stats?

  But no, one should be kind. Lucian didn't pn on crushing her spirit that badly.

  Suppreasing a ugh, he nodded dismissively. "Yeah, the stats are decent."

  "..." Aurelia’s smile stiffened.

  She couldn't understand how he could remain so calm. Was he so ignorant that he didn't realize what this egg represented?

  Yes, that had to be it. Either he was so uncultured that he didn't understand the significance of the Ironcd Land-Wyrm’s heaven-defying stats, or he was so cynical that he figured the egg had nothing to do with him and thus didn't care.

  Thinking this, Aurelia felt slightly better.

  Aurelia lifted her chin slightly, her lips curling into the kind of smile a benefactor might give a beggar. "Such a powerful Draconic Familiar... don't you want it?"

  She paused, then added, "Your css is Dragon Tamer. Without a dragon, you’re just a useless waste, right?"

  "You’ve seen it for yourself. This Ironcd Earth Wyrm is a genuine draconic beast. It can be tamed by your Draconic Mastery. Once you take it as your Draconic Familiar, your css traits will activate, and you’ll become a true Dragon Tamer!"

  "That is one of the three strongest Hidden Csses. In history, there are no records of how powerful a Dragon Tamer with a Draconic Familiar can be! You have the chance to be the first in the world. Doesn't the thought alone excite you?"

  "Uh..." Lucian thought for a moment. Well, I am indeed very strong, and I definitely count as the first in history.

  "It's pretty exciting," he said, though his expression remained perfectly ft.

  He imagined that if Chloe were here to witness this conversation, she would have burst out ughing.

  A Land-Wyrm? Lucian had a magnificent Dragon Sovereign!

  Lucian had heard enough to understand their intent. He cut to the chase. "So, you came to find me because you happen to have a Land-Wyrm, and I happen to be a Dragon Tamer, right?"

  "Exactly!" Aurelia nodded, gd that Lucian wasn't completely stupid. "If you weren't a Dragon Tamer, I wouldn't have bothered coming to a backwater pce like Riverport City."

  "In this year’s Css Awakening, you’re the only person I know who became a Dragon Tamer. That is why you’ve been graced with my presence to discuss this matter."

  Pointing at the Beast Compendium, she spoke in a tone of supreme authority. "I have the power to turn you from a loser into a powerhouse. As long as you agree to a few of my demands, this egg is yours."

  Lucian was already sick of her attitude, but his curiosity got the better of him. "What demands?"

  "They’re easy!" Aurelia held up one finger. "First, you must become a servant of House Aurelius. You will serve us with total loyalty. Whatever I say, you do. No exceptions!"

  Lucian almost ughed at the first condition. A single egg and you want me to be your sve? You’re a princess of The Taegeuk Kingdom, but you really think too much of yourself!

  Aurelia wasn't done. She held up a second finger, her tone growing more solemn. "Second, you must renounce your citizenship of The Dragon Federation and become a citizen of The Taegeuk Kingdom."

  "Dragon Tamer is a powerful css; only The Taegeuk Kingdom is worthy of possessing it. A mere Federation doesn't deserve a Dragon Tamer!"

  "If you want to be a true Dragon Tamer, you must join us. I think this is a great thing for you. Not only do you get your dragon, but you become a noble citizen of The Taegeuk Kingdom. From then on, the people of The Dragon Federation will have to look up to you."

  The second condition made Lucian’s blood boil. So, according to you, anyone powerful has to belong to The Taegeuk Kingdom?

  Those Taegeuk Rats really didn't know who their ancestors were!

  Aurelia, completely oblivious to Lucian's growing impatience, continued to bask in her own self-importance.

  "Well? These two conditions aren't that difficult, are they? Just becoming one of us and working for House Aurelius. We can guarantee that you will become the top expert of The Taegeuk Kingdom. Power and status will be within your reach!"

  "Heh!" Lucian let out a cold ugh. Maintaining a bit of national dignity, he decided not to curse like a sailor.

  "Are you delusional?"

  Aurelia froze. "What...?"

  She was stunned. She had offered what she considered a magnificent bounty, yet this man had responded with btant disrespect.

  "Are you insulting me?" Aurelia's eyes narrowed, a fsh of fury crossing her face.

  Lucian waved a hand, his smile icy. "Sorry, I just couldn't help myself."

  "You want me to quit The Dragon Federation and become a dog for your House Aurelius over a single egg? I find it hard not to say what I just said."

  "If you came to Riverport City just for this, you can leave. I have zero interest in that egg."

  "Don't let the door hit you on the way out!"

  Lucian pointed toward the shop entrance, his meaning unmistakable.

  Aurelia’s face turned frigid, her teeth grinding with a sharp, audible click.

  Seeing her so enraged, Thorne couldn't just stand by. He stepped forward, his voice low and threatening. "Kid, aren't you being a bit too ungrateful?"

  "Her Highness is giving you a chance at greatness! Instead of showing gratitude, you dare to be insolent! You're just a commoner—do you believe I won't hesitate to teach you a lesson?!"

  Aurelia scoffed coldly. "It seems that if I give a dog a friendly face, it forgets it's a dog."

  "Thorne, teach him some manners! This man clearly responds better to the stick than the carrot. Once he’s been humbled, he’ll reconsider my terms."

  Thorne nodded. "As you wish!"

  He turned toward Lucian and began to walk forward with heavy, deliberate steps.