The Snake God with SSS Rank Evolution System

Chapter 387: A Familiar Welcome

After hearing Alice’s words, Adam let out a long, resigned sigh. His massive draconic head dipped slightly in defeat, and his voice carried a note of weary surrender."Alright. I’m sorry. I won’t do it again. Please—just give me a chance to find it."

Lilith’s crimson eyes gleamed with approval, her voice carrying a note of smooth satisfaction.

"Good. That’s how it should be. I’m glad you admitted your mistake. In that case, I don’t mind."

Alice’s ear twitched, her voice flat but carrying a hint of reluctant agreement.

"Fine. Hopefully the dagger is as good as Lilith’s."

Adam’s eye twitched, a low, exasperated rumble escaping his chest. His voice carried a note of tired frustration.

"I should never have brought this up..."

Ignis’s golden eyes lit up, her voice cutting through with sudden excitement as she pointed ahead.

"Look! There’s a monster we’ve fought before!"

Everyone turned, following her gaze. A wyvern circled in the distance, its massive wings beating slowly. It didn’t attack—it simply hovered, watching them with a wary, cautious gaze.

Azrynn’s voice carried a note of confusion, her yellow eyes narrowing as she studied the creature.

"It’s just... watching us? Why isn’t it attacking?"

Lilith’s voice carried a note of dry amusement, her crimson eyes gleaming with satisfaction.

"It seems the creature remembers us. Perhaps it’s wise enough to know when it’s outmatched."

Adam’s voice rumbled through his chest, carrying a note of quiet relief.

"Good. That makes things easier. We can pass through without any trouble."

The wyvern lingered for a moment longer, its gaze fixed on the group. Then, with a slow, deliberate beat of its wings, it turned and flew away, disappearing into the horizon.

Isolde’s pale blue eyes narrowed, her voice carrying a note of cautious concern. "Even if we agree to go to Kaelthar, isn’t it too conspicuous? We’re the ones who caused its destruction. If anyone recognizes us, it could cause problems."

Adam’s voice rumbled through his chest, calm and reassuring. "Relax. The city’s in ruins now. Most people have probably abandoned it. It’s not like there’s a bustling crowd waiting to recognize us."

Azrynn’s yellow eyes widened, her voice carrying a note of disbelief. "What exactly happened there?"

Lilith’s voice was light, almost dismissive, her crimson eyes gleaming with amusement. "We didn’t do anything wrong. Adam just got a little... carried away. His opponent was rather difficult to put down."

Adam’s voice rose, sharp with indignation. "What do you mean, ’carried away’?! That merchant was the one who caused all of this! He was the one trying to destroy everything—I just stopped him!"

Isolde let out a slow, measured breath, her voice carrying a note of weary resignation. "Regardless of whose fault it was, we still need to be careful. If there are survivors who remember us, they might not be welcoming."

Adam’s voice carried a note of quiet confidence. "Then we’ll be quick. Find the dagger, and get out before anyone notices."

Alice’s ear twitched, her voice flat with skepticism. "Easy to say. We could end up searching through every pile of rubble in this entire city."

Adam’s voice carried a note of quiet confidence. "I told you—I remember where I dropped it."

Ignis’s voice cut through, bright and excited. "Look! The city’s up ahead!"

The group turned their gaze forward. The ruins of Kaelthar stretched before them—crumbled buildings, shattered streets, and the unmistakable scars of destruction. But there were signs of life too. Scaffolding. Piles of fresh stone. The distant sound of hammers and voices.

Adam’s voice carried a note of surprise. "Seems like I was wrong. The city’s already starting to rebuild."

Isolde’s voice was measured, cautious. "So what now? Do we still go in?"

Adam’s voice was firm. "Of course. We’ve come this far. We’re not turning back now."

As they drew closer, the signs of reconstruction became clearer. People moved through the streets, carrying materials, working on structures. The city was far from livable, but there was a clear determination to restore it.

Adam descended near the edge of the settlement, his massive form shifting back to humanoid. His camouflage faded as he touched the ground. His voice carried a note of dry observation.

"It looks like it’s going to be busy here. Should we try disguising ourselves?"

Alice’s voice was dismissive, almost bored. "That sounds like too much trouble. Let’s just walk in and deal with anyone who causes problems."

Ignis nodded eagerly, her voice bright with agreement. "Yeah! That’s way easier!"

Isolde’s voice cut through, sharp with exasperation. "That’s barbaric. We’re just going to walk in like ordinary travelers. No one will recognize us—unless you decide to shift into your dragon form again, Adam. Then they’ll definitely remember you."

Adam’s lips curved into a faint, wry smile. "Fair point. I’ll keep my wings hidden."

They walked through the ruins with an air of casual confidence, blending into the sparse flow of workers and scavengers moving through the shattered streets. Azrynn’s yellow eyes swept the unfamiliar surroundings, her voice carrying a note of quiet anticipation.

"This will be my first real interaction with the outside world."

Lilith’s voice drifted over, smooth and instructive. "Then remember—you’re a Dark Elf. Hold yourself with pride. You’re not a beggar seeking shelter."

They approached the main gate, but before they could pass, a guard stepped forward, his hand raised. His voice was sharp, carrying the weary authority of someone who had been through too much.

"State your business here."

Adam’s brow furrowed slightly, his tone carrying a note of mild confusion.

"Hmm. The security’s a lot tighter than I remember."

The guard’s eyes narrowed, his voice flat with suspicion.

"Of course it is. We’re still recovering from the chaos caused by that destructive dragon. Every person entering this city has to be checked."

Isolde stepped forward, her expression calm, her voice sincere.

"We’re just passing through. We need to rest and resupply before continuing our journey."

The guard’s gaze swept over them, his voice carrying a note of cold skepticism.

"You’re looking for supplies in a city that’s still in ruins? That’s not a very convincing excuse." His hand drifted toward his weapon. "Unless you’re here on behalf of the kingdom, trying to take advantage of our weakened state."

Alice’s ear twitched, her voice dropping into a low, irritated murmur.

"See? This is exactly what I meant. Too much trouble."

Her claws extended slightly, dark violet energy flickering at her fingertips. Ignis’s flames flared, a wide, eager grin spreading across her face. She was clearly ready to burn her way through the inconvenience.

Before either of them could act, a voice cut through the tension—calm, familiar, and carrying a note of quiet authority.

"Let them through. They’re my guests."

The group turned. A woman stood a few paces away, her bandaged hand resting at her side, her amber eyes steady and unyielding. Her dark hair was shorter than before, but her presence was unmistakable.

Selena.

The guard’s eyes widened. He stepped back immediately, his voice dropping into a deferential tone. "My apologies, Lady Selena. I didn’t realize they were with you."