Chapter 34: Dragnil’s New Helper

Chapter 34: Chapter 34: Dragnil’s New Helper

"Yes, a Mind Sea. Look at it closely, and you will see the difference," she instructed in a cryptic tone.

​Krono did as she asked. He closed his eyes and focused his awareness inward, diving into the deepest reaches of his own mind.

​There, what was once a desolate void filled with absolute darkness had completely transformed into a serene, crystal-clear lake. Lush greenery and towering trees surrounded the water on all sides.

​It looked incredibly peaceful.

​Right beside the edge of the lake rested a small, elevated plateau.

​On top of the plateau sat Adira, fully clad in her crimson battle dress. Her long white hair swayed gently in a phantom wind, and her bright ruby eyes glinted sharply as she looked up at the sky, staring directly at the spot where Krono was observing everything.

​She smirked knowingly at him.

​"Do you see the difference now? I have meticulously crafted the most magnificent Mind Sea you will ever lay eyes upon."

​She smiled, looking genuinely beautiful in her ethereal realm.

​However, Krono simply retracted his gaze and opened his eyes in the dark cellar.

​"What difference does any of that make? I mean, a pretty lake did not actually increase my stats or my combat power, right?"

​"It does not. But it will be beneficial for you in ways you can never even imagine," she replied, purposely keeping a mysterious edge to her voice.

​Krono wanted to press the issue further, but suddenly, the heavy wooden door to the cellar pushed open.

​"Oh, so you are awake?"

​Krono instantly snapped his gaze toward the stairs, only to see a towering, two-horned dragonoid wearing a stained chef’s uniform slowly stepping into the room.

​Krono’s crimson pupils contracted in alarm. Did a member of the dragon race actually save him? Or was he currently locked up as a captive? Judging by his unrestricted limbs and the lack of chains, the latter was highly unlikely.

​"Yes, I am awake. But who are you?" Krono asked, his tone instantly becoming wary as he secretly prepared to activate his new skill.

​The hulking dragonoid raised his large hands peacefully.

"No need to raise your guard, child. I am Dragnil. I am nothing but a simple tavern chef. I brought you down here from the alleyways. You were lying out there completely unconscious."

​"But you are a dragonoid," Krono pointed out, "Why did you not hand me over to the patrol guards?"

​Dragnil let out a heavy sigh before replying, There is a very long story behind that. Just know that my life was saved by a human once. Consider this my way of repaying that old debt."

​Krono stared into the large creature’s eyes, searching for any hint of deceit. Finding none, he finally relaxed his tense shoulders.

​"Thank you," Krono said, actually sounding sincere for the first time since he woke up.

​"No need for thanks. Are you feeling hungry? Should I bring breakfast up here, or do you want to eat downstairs? Ah, wait. You do not have horns. You cannot go out into the dining hall like this."

​After realizing the flaw in his plan, the hulking chef immediately hurried back downstairs.

​Krono did not have to wait long.

​Dragnil soon returned, carrying a pair of realistic fake horns.

​"Wear these, child. Even though they will not fool anyone looking closely, they will at least spare you from the casual glances of nosy lizards."

​Krono did not like the idea of wearing props one bit. However, his current situation forced him to accept the disguise.

​They were a pair of small, curved black horns that actually looked rather cute on his small, seven-year-old frame.

​Following Dragnil, he descended the stairs into the main tavern. Through the windows, Krono saw a massive row of hungry guests waiting outside, all eager just to get a chance to eat inside.

​Dragnil looked at the boy apologetically.

​"It looks like I will be extremely busy soon, Krono. Please take a seat in the corner, and I will serve you as my first customer."

​"No need for that. I am not that hungry."

​Instead of sitting down, the young boy walked directly toward the front door. He pulled it open, instantly letting the loud crowd of customers enter and fill up the empty space.

​Krono shot Dragnil a look as if saying, "Let me lend you a hand."

Creak!

The heavy wooden doors creaked wide open, and a loud flood of burly dragonoids poured into the cozy tavern.

They were large, boisterous, and entirely focused on getting their morning meals.

​However, the chaotic chatter came to a sudden halt when the frontrunners noticed the tiny figure standing by the entrance.

​Krono stood completely still with his small hands neatly folded behind his back. The fake black horns sitting on his head made him look exactly like a very young, slightly grumpy dragonoid hatchling.

​"Well, I will be damned," a scarred, green-scaled mercenary chuckled

Hs walked up to the ordering counter and said, "Dragnil, you old reptile! Did you finally get yourself a helper? I thought you swore you would work this kitchen completely alone until the day you died."

​Dragnil quickly wiped his massive hands on his stained apron and forced a hearty laugh.

"Things change, Garek. The boy is a distant nephew of mine from the lower districts. He needed some honest work, and I desperately needed an extra pair of hands."

​Another regular customer, a tall female dragonoid with shimmering blue scales, cooed loudly as she walked past Krono.

"He is absolutely adorable, Dragnol! Just look at those tiny little horns. What is your name, sweetie?"

​Krono felt his right eye twitch in supreme annoyance.

"Hehehe...."

Inside his mind sea, Adira was laughing so hard she was practically rolling around on her grassy plateau.

The legendary Godless Hero found the situation incredibly entertaining.

Krono replied in a flat tone,

​"My name is Krono. Please take a seat at table four. I will bring your drinks shortly."

​Despite his extremely cold attitude, the customers seemed entirely charmed by his overly serious demeanor. They quickly filled the wooden tables, shouting their usual breakfast orders to the kitchen with familiar ease.

Krono got himself busy, hoping he would stay here until he finds a way out to the human partition.

But things rarely goes as planned.