SSS Rank Dragon Tamer: Unleashed-Chapter 14

Chapter 14: Food for a Molt

Lowmoor's winter deepened. Ice crusted on every slate roof, and chimneys spat thin smoke that vanished in a pewter sky. Guild scouts still guarded the gates, their slate‑gray cloaks a silent warning: We are watching.

Deep below greenhouse wing, in the dim blue glow of lichen, Zephyr crouched beside Star's nest. The hatchling's wings now stretched twenty‑seven centimeters tip to tip. Each flight drill lengthened the span, but they needed more growth. The System said a first molt would trigger at thirty‑five. Only then would Star's bones harden for true sustained flight—and only then could they risk the sky‑exit route Zephyr and Fenna had scouted on the ruined rookery roof.

Yet growth had slowed. The ember pellets were not enough.

Fenna unrolled a yellowed page she had stolen from the academy's sealed herb records.

"Fireheart moss," she whispered, tapping a charcoal diagram of a red‑veined plant. "Said to fuse with iron minerals and push reptile blood to burn hotter."

Zephyr traced the sketch. "Where do we get it?"

"Old smelter tunnels," Fenna replied. "Beyond the cliff‑face foundry, past the southern ravine. They closed that wing years ago. The moss only grows near warm ore pockets."

Zephyr looked at Star. The little dragon lapped water from a carved shell bowl, unaware of the danger outside.

He folded the map. "We go tonight."

After curfew bell, they crept from the cellar. Zephyr wore his mud‑stained caretaker coat; Fenna donned a dark healer's cloak scented with mint to hide their tracks. Star curled in the sling, disguised under spare bandages.

At the old laundry block a forgotten chute led to the foundry ash pits. Grent had whispered of it earlier that day, slipping Zephyr a rust‑picked key with a grunt and no questions.

They unlocked the hatch, slid down a metal slide, and landed on heaps of cold ash. Black dust rose around them, coating hair and skin.

Zephyr coughed. "Stay low. Scouts on the wall might see sparks."

They slipped into a corridor lined with cracked crucibles and rails for ore carts. The air smelled of rusted iron and old smoke.

Halfway to the moss chamber Dragon Sense flared—six red sparks ahead. Star hissed. From a crack in the floor oozed glowing orange insects the size of rats: Magma Mites.

[Rank C Support Predators — They feed on firestones, swarm warm mana sources.]

Zephyr felt them sniffing Star's hidden heat.

"Back," he ordered quietly.

But the mites rushed, mandibles glowing.

Star shot a puff of flame—too small to scare them. Zephyr gripped Fenna's wrist, ready to run.

Then Dragon Sovereign Bond pulsed. Command Aura Tier 1 engaged.

Zephyr focused, sending a silent instinct‐pulse: "STOP."

The mites froze, antennae twitching. Heat inside Zephyr's chest rippled outward like a drumbeat. The swarm shivered, chirped, then scuttled away, vanishing into cracks.

Fenna stared. "You just ordered them off."

"First time using Command Aura," Zephyr breathed. "Good to know it works."

They reached a vaulted chamber where slag rivers once flowed. In a hollow above a dull red coal seam, tufts of crimson moss glowed softly.

Star hopped from the sling, flapping up to the ledge. Tiny claws scraped rock as he tore loose clumps and glided back, dropping them at Zephyr's feet. frёewebηovel.cѳm

Zephyr mixed the moss with sunstone grit to form fresh feed.

Star swallowed the mixture greedily. Scales lit with faint internal embers; a soft hum vibrated through the cavern.

System:

• External mineral + fire plant synergy accepted.

• Growth multiplier boosted to 1.6× for 72 h.

• Wing Power +2.

Zephyr exhaled. "That should start molt."

They packed more moss in sealed jars and retraced their route, evading one more mite swarm and a sagging ore cart that threatened to slam from above.

Just before dawn they slipped back into the cellar. Zephyr collapsed on blankets, pulse thudding. Fenna brewed willowbark tea.

While Star dozed, Zephyr reviewed System notices:

Wingspan 29 cm. Projected molt in nine days with current intake.

Blood‑line purity 15 %.

Next host reward at 18 %.

A knock startled them. It was Grent, grime on his beard, eyes uneasy.

"News," he whispered. "Guild scouts plan a surprise vault search tonight. They want every locked chamber opened—including tunnels."

Zephyr's heart sank. "They will find the cellar."

"Move the beast," Grent said. He gripped Zephyr's shoulder. "I'll stall them an hour. After that—no guarantees."

He stomped away. Fenna clutched the tea mug. "We relocate to the rookery roof nest now. Star's flight nearly ready."

"It must be ready," Zephyr said grimly. "Tonight."

All day they prepared. Zephyr soaked Fireheart moss in cloud spring water, forming a paste Star licked from his fingers. Heat rose off the hatchling in shimmering waves.

By sunset Star's wings spanned 33 cm. Still short.

Zephyr and Fenna led him to the abandoned tower staircase. Up and down he glided, each flight longer, stronger. Zephyr's muscles burned from climbing, but he drove on, voice raw from encouragement.

Finally, on the last ascent, Star leapt from a high window ledge and glided across the courtyard, landing on Zephyr's shoulder without wobble.

System: Wingspan milestone reached—35 cm.

First Molt sequence beginning.

• Host stand by for 3 h stable warmth.

Star chirped once, then scales loosened, turning dull. He curled in Zephyr's arms, body trembling as new plates pushed beneath old.

They rushed to the rookery loft. Fenna piled blankets; Zephyr wrapped Incubation Aura around the dragonling like spring sunlight.

Three hours felt eternal. Outside, boot steps echoed—the vault search had begun.

At the second hour, a long crack rattled the rooftops—old beams breaking under the weight of Guild prybars far below. Zephyr held Star tighter, whispering calm.

At the third hour, old scales sloughed away in a shower of black shards. Bright new plates emerged, deeper violet edging, wings glistening.

Star shook himself, twice the strength, eyes radiant.

Molt Complete.

• Wing Power +5

• Fire Attribute +3

• New Skill: Spark Dash (short aerial burst).

Zephyr's relief stung his eyes.

Faint shouts echoed—searchers reaching the greenhouse. Time to fly.

Wind howled over the rookery roof. Snowflakes danced in dark rafters. Zephyr secured the sling loosely; Star hopped onto the parapet, testing new wings.

Fenna checked rope ties. "I rigged a pulley. Slide down the outer wall, then Star can carry you across the outer ditch in glides. I'll come next."

Star flapped, lifted a meter, hovered. Zephyr's heart swelled.

Below, torchlight flooded greenhouse windows—Guild scouts entering the cellar hatch. Too late to second‑guess.

Zephyr stepped onto the rope, Star circling him. He kicked off. Rope hissed, and cold air bit his face. Halfway down the wall, Star seized his cloak collar with strong claws. Wings beat hard. The dragonling dragged him off the rope into free space.

They sailed over the academy ditch—just a ten‑meter glide but glorious. Star landed on the snowy outer path, Zephyr stumbling to knees, laughing breathless.

Fenna zipped next, starshine in her eyes. Together they hurried into the pine woods, Star hopping ahead.

Behind them, bells rang—warning clamor.

Zephyr didn't look back.

They trekked through moonlit trees until dawn tinged the sky pink. Guild search horns echoed distant now. A fresh path opened down into the Gloom Hollow valley, leading south toward ranges unnamed on academy maps.

Zephyr paused atop a ridge. Lowmoor's roofs were tiny behind fir boughs. Star perched on his shoulder, tail curling around his neck, gaze fixed on broad sky.

Fenna slipped a hand into his, warm despite the snow. "We are exiles now."

He squeezed her fingers. "Not exiles—seekers. We will find a place where dragons are welcome."

Star spread new wings, catching first sunlight. A faint purple shimmer trailed his wingtips.

The System chimed:

Stage 2 complete — Safe sky exit achieved.

Blood‑line purity +3 % → 18 %

Host Reward: Dragon Sense radius extended to 50 m.

Next Objective (Stage 3):

• Establish secure lair for growth.

• Acquire beast core rank B or higher as evolution catalyst.

• Time: 60 days.

Zephyr breathed deep, crisp pine scented.

"New goals," he said. "New horizon."

He looked at Fenna—her hair windswept, eyes bright. At Star—small yet mighty. And beyond them, mountains scalloped the horizon, waiting.

"Let's keep going," he said.

Together they stepped into the wild, carrying a secret older than empires—and the flame of a future only just begun.