Desolate World

'Ups!' As he knew he did something stupid, the words had already come out of his mouth.

Then an enormous body of the dragon came down slowly toward the clearance. His flaps of wings caused the air turbulence. Maybe because of the overwhelming way of Mars to show himself, the refugees evacuated from the place and went to the men who had just fought the monsters.

"Yes, it is me, idiot! Blame the mist I missed a few dozen kilometers," Mars said nonchalantly. 

The appearance of Mars caused the refugees in awe. Looking at the nervousness of the refugees, Ace sighed. Ace then jumped down the tree. 

While walking through the people, he said," Sorry, Lord Mars! The lengthy battle should make my psyche a bit messed up. You know… This battle was really frustrating. Until you came to save us.

By the way, Let me introduce the leader of these human refugees. Noah, come here! He is our village head, Lord Mars. He is the strongest creature in this forest."

Noah then came forward to the front of Mars and said, "Thank you for your arrival, great dragon lord. You saved us from annihilation tonight."

Mars then looked at Noah with interest, "You are not bad. You will be the humans' elder from now on besides Elder Phil."

Mars then took a bag, and gave it to Noah, "Here is some medicine that I got from Aria. They are no use to me. But for you, maybe it can save some lives."

Noah then saluted to Mars and said, "Thank you, Lord Mars. We are really happy to have a new home."

"Hahaha… It's okay. Excuse me, I need to talk something with Ace. 

By the way, if you can still fight. You can slay the remaining monsters that became retarded. They will not put up any resistance, and no other monsters will dare to come here anymore, as I have marked this area."

'Mark? It is more appropriate to be called a threat, right? But, to be able to frighten the crazy monsters. A lord existence is really something,' Ace said in his heart.

"Ace! Come with your son! I'll show you something," Mars said in a serious tone. He then flew in the North direction without waiting for Ace's answer.

Under the amazed looks of the refugees, Mars disappeared in the mist. 

'What is it?' Ace asked in his heart. He thought that it was strange Mars put a serious expression. And he wondered why Mars wanted him to take Geo. But, he didn't dare to make the temperamental dragon wait. 

After saying goodbye to Noah and Cloud, he took his son, riding Red to fly in the North. After a minute of journey, they saw Mars's massive figure. They then landed not far from the dragon.

Ace then found an unconscious big snake in front of Mars. Its body was full of wounds. It had a pair of wings and a fish like tail.

"Lord Mars, is it?" Ace asked.

He then checked its information.

[Snake Chimera (elite) (parasited), level 21]

"Call me boss!" Mars said.

"Uh, okay Lor…," Ace wanted to say something but then was cut again by Mars.

"Call me Boss! I have recognized your value. You did numerous achievements that maybe many dragons can't do. You are my direct subordinate, now." 

"Boss?...," Ace said with difficulty. 

Mars nodded, he then said, "Well, first, I'm sorry, I had lied in front of the refugees. In fact, While I flew to your location, I detected an unusual presence far away in the North. As I judged you can hold on for some time, I decided to see what it is."

Ace nodded. He also thought it was ridiculous for Mars to miss their location. As the system had estimated that he would arrive in five minutes, it was nearly impossible for him to be late more than twice of the estimated time.

"And is this what you have found, B-Boss?" Ace asked. He still couldn't be used to calling the dragon Boss.

"Yes. As you can see, he was parasited. If I'm not wrong, there is a creature inside it. And the creature inside it that made the monsters in the forest crazy. 

When I just arrived, I found dozens of high-level skeletons besieging it. Well, it's not entirely like that. Many monsters 'helped' it confronted the undead. So, as I didn't have many times, I 'handled' them in the shortest time and made it 'sleep'. 

Now, Geo! You are a monster tamer, right? Are you interested in it?" Mars asked.

Geo, who was distracted because of looking at the snake curiously, was surprised when Mars said his name.

"Uh... What did you say uncle dragon? I'm sorry, I'm not listening to your question," Geo asked with a shy expression.

"...," Ace and Mars were silenced by Geo's innocent words.

'Son, you are too fearless!' Ace began to sweat. He then looked at Mars's expression. Fortunately, the dragon didn't look angry.

Then Ace found Mars laughing, "Hahaha! Interesting kid. You have more guts than your father. I like it. You can call me uncle Mars from now on. 

I asked you, are you interested in this snake?"

Ace was pretty embarrassed by Mars's remark. But who wouldn't fear Mars? In the village, only Gon and Aria, who dared to communicate with this dragon 'casually'. Mars' aura made all people around him nervous. He was a dragon, a lord existence, and he had a level of almost 70. It was normal that most people would be nervous around him.

Geo nodded. He then said, " I just think that it is pitiful. I want to talk with it when it wakes up. If you don't mind."

Mars looked at Geo with interest. He then said, "Of course, you can. In fact, I want you to help me to communicate with this snake, and confirm something. 

If you agree to help me, I will give you something good. How about that?"

"Sure. But, we need to wait until it wakes up first, right?" Goe asked.

"No need," Mars said. 

He then kicked the snake while shouting, "Hey… Wake up! Or I will grill you as barbecue?"

Ace and Geo looked at the dragon with wide eyes.

***