Alex tore through the air at full speed. The wind whistled in his ears, slicing through the clouds as he flew toward the mountain. There, he could feel it: a powerful being awaited him. Or rather… he hoped it still was the case.
His heart was racing.
"A dragon…" he murmured, a smile on his lips. "If I defeat it… I'll be able to create legendary weapons. And above all… I'll be able to breathe fire!"
He jumped from mountain to mountain, the peaks rushing past at lightning speed. In moments, the snow-capped summits were behind him. He finally spotted a gaping cave carved into the black rock. Without hesitation, he plunged in. His feet slammed onto the ground with a dull thud, raising a cloud of dust.
But…
Nothing.
The dragon was there. Immense, lying down. It didn't move.
Alex squinted. "What…?"
He approached cautiously, then climbed onto the scaly body. The dragon still didn't react. He jumped on it.
Nothing.
Then, slowly, the dragon's body shifted. It tried to rise but fell heavily. Dozens of swords were lodged in its flesh. Its wings were tattered, its breath weak.
Alex froze.
The dragon turned its head toward him. Its golden eyes met his.
And to his great surprise… he felt no hostility.
The dragon's voice echoed in the cave, deep but gentle.
"You have a great heart… pure and ardent, like the fire of a forge."
It was female.
Alex sat slowly on a rock, lowering his gaze.
"No… that's not true…" he murmured. "I gave up everything for this dream. I neglected my family. Even in death, I thought only of the forge. Only now… do I begin to regret it."
The dragoness closed her eyes softly.
"You were obsessed, yes… But you always protected those you loved. Even if your heart burned for the forge, it also shone for them. I see it."
A faint smile appeared on Alex's lips.
"You think… I can change?"
She nodded slowly, then pointed to a hollow beneath her belly. There lay… an egg. Huge. Its scales were black, edged with violet reflections.
"Drink my blood, young ghoul… Let its draconic power flow through you, and make you strong enough that nothing can ever break your will or block your path. Keep the flame of my legacy within you… And in return… I beg you… Protect my child. No matter what it will cost you."
The young ghoul, still kneeling, felt fire in his blood. His eyes shone, not from pain, but from a strange feeling he barely understood: a mix of admiration, sadness… and responsibility.
Tears rose to his eyes without him fully knowing why. He nodded slowly, and in a trembling voice, replied:
"I… my name is Alex."
The dragoness looked at him silently. Then, unexpectedly, she smiled. A gentle, deep, almost maternal smile.
"I am Limora."
At that very moment, something changed in him.
They had known each other for only a few minutes, perhaps an hour at most… yet this encounter had marked Alex more than many years spent surviving alone. He would never forget it.
Alex stood up, his hands trembling. He took the egg in both arms, looking at it like a sacred treasure.
"You can count on me… Limora."
The dragoness smiled, at peace.
"I am counting on you, Alex…"
And with a soft breath, she passed away.
Alex pressed the egg to his chest, knelt beside the massive body… and bit.
[Skill: Blood Acquisition – Activated]
You drink the blood of your target…
Analyzing…
Skill acquired
Description: Draconic Breath
You release a destructive blast of pure flames, incinerating everything in its path.
Skill acquired: Tyrant's Roar
A guttural roar that shakes the ground and breaks hearts.
Skill acquired: Eternal Scales
Your skin becomes nearly invulnerable.
Skill acquired: Draconic Terror
Your presence becomes that of a dragon. It crushes will, commands silence, and spreads panic.
[You absorb an immense amount of draconic mana.]
[Next evolution: ???]
Time remaining until evolution: 168 hours.
Alex still held the egg against his chest. He was no longer afraid. He didn't even think about his future transformation. He was simply…
Happy.
A wide smile spread across his pale, mummified face.
"It's time," he said, his red eyes shining like rubies. "It's time… to forge."
And his laughter echoed in the cave, hoarse, strange… but incredibly sincere.