In the Shadow of the Dragon: Isekai Adventure

Word of Li Ran and the Darkmoon Dragon Princess's growing fame in Alva City had begun to circulate, attracting all manner of clandestine inquiries into Li Ran's origins and abilities.

Initially, Li Ran noticed nothing more than a few strange stares—something he chalked up to his "evil intent detection" skill, a magical sense carried over from his days in the game.

He dismissed it as idle curiosity until one fateful night, when a group of thugs and bandits cornered him in a tavern alleyway.

Their hostility was unmistakable, and Li Ran instantly realized this was no random mugging; someone was orchestrating these attacks.

Digging for answers, he began to hear rumors of a mysterious organization known as the Nightmark Eye—a shadowy network operating in the hidden corners of the city.

They were said to possess an extensive intelligence web and an elite cadre of enforcers, specializing in the purchase and trade of secret information.

In recent years, the Nightmark Eye had been active across the region, keeping close tabs on powerful or enigmatic individuals.

Li Ran was not entirely sure if the street thugs were linked to this group, but he knew he had to act swiftly. Staying one step ahead could mean the difference between survival and ambush.

Late one night, Li Ran was resting in his rented room at the Moonlight Veil Inn while the Darkmoon Dragon Princess, in her shapely human form, kept him company.

Whenever they found themselves alone in such close quarters, the atmosphere grew notably intimate.

The Princess, prone to occasional playful sulking, loved it when Li Ran caressed her silvery-white hair.

This time, Li Ran gently brushed his fingers across her cheek, whispering, "Having you by my side brings me such comfort." Startled and embarrassed by his sudden affection, she turned her face away, leaving Li Ran momentarily confused and staring at the ceiling in awkward silence.

Minutes passed in a hush. Suddenly, the Amethyst Spirit Ring on Li Ran's finger gave off a faint glow—perhaps reflecting all the strange events and furtive glances he had sensed lately, from the veiled remarks made at the Adventurers' Guild to the probing questions in local taverns.

"The Nightmark Eye is just one piece of the puzzle," Li Ran said quietly. "I can sense it—there are others like me in this world, other 'transmigrators.'"

He recalled overhearing experienced adventurers whisper about how, in recent years, numerous newcomers had appeared—fiercely powerful, oddly behaved, and ignorant of local conventions, but capable of meteoric rises. Their combat methods and equipment clashed with the world's norms, yet their feats bordered on the miraculous.

"If I managed to arrive here with my game gear and a companion, it stands to reason that they could too. It's entirely possible there's someone out there even stronger than I am."

He toyed with the ring, remembering his grueling dungeon raids from the old days. A mixture of relief and unease welled in his chest: relief that he wasn't alone in this world, and unease at the unknown motives of these other transmigrators. If their goals clashed, conflict seemed inevitable.

"We won't seek them out, but we can't ignore them either."

He glanced at the Darkmoon Dragon Princess; she met his gaze with calm understanding.

"Until things become clearer," Li Ran continued, "our best move is to keep getting stronger."

He reflected on how Master Eileen had upgraded his magical storage pouch and forged enhanced gear for the Darkmoon Dragon Princess.

Coupled with the combined might of the Amethyst Spirit Ring and the Void-Cleaving Blade, their battle power was already formidable.

Still, with new threats lurking in the shadows, there was no room for complacency.

Quietly, Li Ran began collecting every scrap of intelligence he could about the Nightmark Eye, discreetly laying detection traps throughout the city to guard against further surveillance or ambush. He also kept an ear out for rumors suggesting otherworldly visitors—those sporting bizarre equipment or acting in ways that defied local logic. Better to remain open to negotiation or alliance than rush into a fight blindly.

Night after night, he stood by his window, staring at the silent expanse of stars, consumed by a single thought: if he could establish a secure foothold in this land, it might grant him leverage in the turbulent struggles to come—perhaps even enough to stand on equal footing with other transmigrators.

But he knew all too well that the Nightmark Eye was only one of countless shadowy forces lurking within the cracks of this world.

There were sure to be darker, more horrifying secrets waiting to be uncovered.

As the Darkmoon Dragon Princess's lunar magic hummed softly at his side, Li Ran devised his next move: he would swiftly cut off this rising undercurrent of threats before turning his full attention to the looming challenge of other travelers like himself. After all, everything was only just beginning—and he intended to shape the battles ahead on his own terms.