Morning came with the gentle hum of wind through the trees and the occasional sound of a confused duck trying to snore.
Takeshi stirred, half-buried in moss. His feathers were ruffled, his body sore, and his dreams had been haunted by giant air conditioners chasing him through fire. He groaned.
"Okay… mental note: dying leaves trauma. Got it."
He opened his eyes and blinked against the sunlight. The bunny was sitting nearby, chewing on a weird purple carrot. It looked too happy for someone who watched a volcano explode last night.
"Good morning to you too, demon rabbit," Takeshi muttered. "Sleep well? I sure didn't."
A soft chime echoed in the air.
[New Quest: Reach Civilization.]
Objective: Find the nearest settlement before dying of hunger, dehydration, or stupidity.]
He squinted at the glowing text. "Rude, but fair."
He looked around. The dungeon's edge was gone, and the landscape had shifted. Beyond the trees stretched rolling hills and, far in the distance, faint towers glimmering in the morning light.
"That must be the city," he said, excitement sparking in his chest. "Finally, people! Real human interaction! Food that doesn't explode! Maybe even a bed!"
The bunny squeaked, unimpressed.
"Okay, fine, you can come too," Takeshi said. "But if they try to make stew, I'm throwing you in first."
The two set off together. Takeshi waddled across the hills, his short legs working overtime. Birds chirped above, and the sky was impossibly blue. The air was fresh, the world buzzing with quiet life. It felt unreal, like walking through a dream that refused to end.
Every now and then, the system would ping random nonsense.
[Tip: Ducks cannot fly long distances.]
[Tip: Fire and feathers don't mix well.]
[Tip: Talking to yourself too much might cause insanity.]
He glared at the invisible system. "Yeah, thanks. Love the emotional support."
Hours passed before the first sign of civilization appeared: a wooden fence and a scarecrow wearing rusty armor. Beyond it, a small village shimmered with magical barriers, protecting humble stone houses and windmills powered by glowing runes.
A sign creaked in the wind.
Welcome to Quackland Village. Population: 128 Humans, 0 Ducks.
Takeshi froze. "You've got to be kidding me."
The bunny hopped forward and looked back at him.
He sighed. "So, the first place I find… is literally called Quackland. Either the gods have a sense of humor, or this world is trolling me."
They approached cautiously. The villagers were going about their day trading goods, repairing carts, casting small spells to clean their streets. Everything looked peaceful. Until someone noticed him.
A little girl dropped her basket of apples. "Mama! Mama! There's a duck! A talking one!"
"Wait, what?!" Takeshi squawked, realizing too late that he'd said that out loud.
Dozens of eyes turned toward him. The market went silent.
A burly man holding a spear pointed it in his direction. "By the gods, it speaks!"
Takeshi raised his wings defensively. "Okay, everyone calm down. I'm friendly! I'm just… lost! And technically dead, but that's complicated!"
The villagers didn't calm down. Several drew weapons, and someone started chanting a spell.
"Burn it!" shouted an old lady. "Talking animals are cursed!"
"Oh come on! That's duck discrimination!"
He backed away slowly. "Listen, I just need directions! Maybe a sandwich? No? Okay!"
A flash of blue light exploded near his feet, sending feathers flying. "Alright, diplomacy failed!"
He sprinted toward the nearest alley, the bunny hopping frantically behind him. Fireballs exploded around them as the villagers shouted. "Catch it! Don't let it escape!"
They ducked literally behind a barrel. Takeshi panted. "Okay, note to self: maybe don't talk immediately next time."
The bunny gave him a look that said 'you think?'
A shadow fell across them. Takeshi turned and saw a young woman leaning against the wall. She wore a hooded cloak, leather gloves, and had the kind of smirk that promised equal parts danger and sarcasm.
"Well, this is new," she said. "A duck and a rabbit hiding from farmers. What did you steal, exactly?"
"Nothing!" Takeshi said quickly. "Just their sense of normality!"
The girl raised an eyebrow. "...It talks."
"Yes, I talk. And I'm also capable of sarcasm, panic attacks, and spontaneous combustion."
She stared for a moment, then sighed. "You know what? I've seen worse. Follow me before they decide to make dinner out of you."
She turned and darted through the alley. Takeshi and the bunny followed, weaving through crates until they reached the back of a small tavern. She pushed open the door and gestured them inside.
"Welcome to The Boiled Griffon," she said dryly. "Stay quiet, or you're toast."
They slipped inside. The tavern was dimly lit, filled with the smell of ale and roasted meat. A few customers were scattered around hunters, adventurers, and one guy clearly asleep in his soup.
Takeshi looked around in awe. "Wow… actual people. Civilization. No lava monsters trying to eat me. I could cry."
"Don't," the girl warned. "You'll get salt water in the beer barrels."
She led him to a back corner and sat down. "Alright, talking duck. Explain yourself before I regret helping you."
Takeshi puffed up his feathers, trying to look confident. "The name's Ghost. Long story short, I died, woke up as a duck, accidentally caused a volcanic explosion, and now I'm trying to survive long enough to evolve or something."
She blinked slowly. "That's… a lot."
"Yeah, I get that reaction a lot."
The bunny squeaked in agreement.
The girl smirked. "Well, Ghost, my name's Lira. I'm a freelance adventurer and part-time bounty hunter. You're lucky I'm the one who found you first. Talking animals fetch a nice price at the capital."
"Wait, what?"
She laughed. "Relax. I'm not selling you… yet."
Takeshi narrowed his eyes. "Not helping, Lira."
She leaned forward, studying him with curiosity. "You said you can use fire? Show me."
He hesitated. "Inside? I kind of have… control issues."
"Just a spark."
He sighed, focused, and let out a small quack. A faint puff of flame appeared in the air before fizzling out.
Lira's eyes widened. "Holy hell. You weren't lying."
"Told you. I'm not just a duck. I'm the duck."
For the first time, she laughed genuinely. "Alright, Ghost. You've got my attention."
He smiled proudly. "See? Progress. Someone finally doesn't want to murder me."
A mug shattered across the room.
Someone shouted, "There it is! The cursed duck!"
Takeshi froze. "Spoke too soon."
Lira groaned. "You really are bad luck."
"Correction," he said, flapping his wings, "I'm flammable luck!"
The door burst open. Villagers stormed in with torches and spells ready. Lira grabbed her dagger, rolling her eyes. "Guess we're fighting our way out."
Takeshi sighed. "And I was hoping for a calm morning."
He stood beside her, feathers bristling, eyes glowing faintly.
"Alright, Lira," he said, grinning. "You take left. I'll handle right. And if things go bad…"
"Yeah?"
"Try not to roast me."
The tavern burst into chaos the moment the villagers charged in.
Tables flipped. Ale spilled. Someone screamed "Exorcise it!" while another yelled "Get the frying pan!"
Takeshi ducked instinctively, both literally and figuratively as a chair flew over his head. "Okay, what kind of villagers carry battle spells?!"
Lira drew her short blade, spinning it effortlessly. "Welcome to Quackland," she said with a smirk. "The people are friendly until you start talking."
Takeshi glared. "Your sarcasm isn't helping!"
"Neither is your quacking!" she shot back, slashing through a man's staff before it could ignite.
The bunny, clearly done with everyone's nonsense, dove under a table and began throwing small carrots at people's ankles like miniature grenades. Each impact released tiny bursts of light that stunned whoever got hit.
"What in the did your rabbit just weaponize vegetables?!" Lira shouted.
"Don't question greatness!" Takeshi yelled, puffing his feathers as his instincts kicked in. "Alright, system, give me something useful!"
A faint ping appeared before him.
[New Skill Unlocked: Tactical Panic Lv.1]
Description: When cornered, increases dodging speed by 50%. Also causes loud screaming.
"...Accept!"
He darted across the floor, sliding between legs, quacking furiously. Each time someone tried to grab him, he slipped away in a blur of feathers and chaos. The tavern floor was now a battlefield of spilled drinks, magic sparks, and angry humans chasing a fire-prone duck.
Lira blocked a club with her blade, kicked her opponent back, and shouted, "Ghost! Any plan that doesn't involve dying?"
"Working on it!"
"Work faster!"
Takeshi spotted a barrel labeled "Explosive Ale – Do Not Drop." His duck eyes sparkled.
"Oh, that's perfect."
He waddled over, flapping his wings to get attention. "Hey, everyone! Over here!"
Half the room turned.
He took a deep breath. "Fire Quack!"
A burst of flame erupted from his beak, hitting the barrel dead-on.
For a second, nothing happened.
Then came the boom.
The explosion blew open half the wall, sending smoke and debris flying. Villagers screamed and scattered. Takeshi soared through the air, feathers smoking, before landing face-first in a pile of flour.
Lira coughed through the haze. "You're insane!"
"Technically," he said, muffled by flour, "I'm crispy."
They scrambled out through the new hole in the wall as shouts rose behind them. The village alarm bells began to ring.
"Congratulations," Lira said breathlessly as they ran through the street. "You've made yourself the most wanted duck in the region."
"Hey, not my fault I'm combustible!"
Before she could reply, a gust of wind swept through the street, followed by a calm, measured voice.
"Stop right there."
They froze. Standing at the end of the road was a tall figure in dark robes. His long silver hair shimmered under the sunlight, and a staff topped with a glowing blue crystal floated beside him. His expression was unreadable.
The villagers immediately bowed. "Sir Eldric! That's the cursed duck!"
Eldric tilted his head, studying Takeshi. "A talking, fire-breathing duck. Remarkable."
Lira whispered, "Who's this guy?"
"The name screams 'boss fight,'" Takeshi muttered.
Eldric raised his staff. "Step away from the creature, miss. It's unstable magical residue, not a living soul."
"Excuse me?!" Takeshi shouted. "I am very much alive and emotionally fragile, thank you!"
Eldric didn't respond. A magic circle formed beneath him, crackling with runes.
Lira cursed. "He's charging a spell."
Takeshi's instincts flared. His feathers glowed faintly, a soft ember light pulsing beneath them. "I've got this."
"Are you sure?"
"No. Not even slightly."
The air grew tense. Eldric's spell hummed louder, wind whipping through the street. "By order of the Royal Mage Guild, I will contain you, creature."
Takeshi stepped forward, defiant. "Contain this."
He inhaled sharply, channeling all his mana into one massive Fire Quack. The ground shook as a column of flame burst forward only for Eldric to raise his hand and casually redirect it skyward.
"Impressive," the mage said, unfazed. "But unrefined."
Lira grabbed Takeshi's wing. "Run!"
They sprinted down a side street, dodging magical blasts. Eldric pursued calmly, teleporting short distances ahead like a shadow. "You can't escape. Surrender peacefully."
Takeshi shouted back, "You first!"
They turned a corner and burst into the town square only to find themselves surrounded by guards.
Lira raised her blade, panting. "We're trapped."
Takeshi frowned, eyes narrowing. "Not yet."
His feathers shimmered again. Heat radiated off him. Sparks began to swirl in the air.
Eldric stepped closer, staff glowing brighter. "Enough. You're endangering everyone."
The flame within Takeshi pulsed wildly, responding to his fear, his frustration, his will to live. The air around him shimmered.
Lira took a step back. "Ghost… you're glowing again."
He smirked. "Then let's make it count."
The explosion that followed wasn't just fire it was color. A swirling vortex of orange, gold, and crimson engulfed the square. The magic in the air twisted, bending toward him.
For a heartbeat, everyone froze. The guards' armor melted slightly. Eldric's staff cracked. The bunny, somehow untouched, stood proudly beside him like a furry general.
When the light faded, Takeshi was standing in the center of a scorched circle. Smoke drifted from his feathers, but his eyes burned bright with flame.
Eldric lowered his staff, shock breaking through his calm facade. "That power… that's not ordinary fire magic."
Takeshi wobbled slightly, exhausted. "No kidding. My everything hurts."
Lira ran to him. "You alright?"
"Define alright."
The villagers stood in silence, staring at the small, smoldering duck that had just incinerated a town square.
Eldric finally spoke. "You're coming with me."
Takeshi frowned. "To a lab? Because that sounds like a bad time."
"To the capital," Eldric said. "The guild needs to see this. And if you truly possess that flame… you might be more valuable alive than dead."
Lira crossed her arms. "He's not your experiment."
Eldric gave her a sharp look. "And you are?"
"Someone who just saved this bird's tail from getting roasted," she snapped.
The mage regarded her for a long moment, then sighed. "Very well. Both of you will accompany me. But any more explosions, and I won't hold back."
Takeshi glanced at Lira. "He's definitely holding back the murder vibes, right?"
"Totally," she said dryly. "Couldn't be more chill."
The bunny squeaked as if to say, we're doomed.
Takeshi sighed, spreading his small wings. "Alright. Fine. Lead the way, wizard man. But if anyone tries to cook me, I'm biting ankles."
Eldric turned, the faintest hint of amusement flickering in his eyes. "Noted."
They began their uneasy march out of Quackland, leaving behind smoking ruins, terrified villagers, and one very confused bartender sweeping up ashes.
The morning air was crisp, and the sun climbed lazily over the horizon.
Takeshi trudged along the dirt road, wings dragging behind him. Every few steps, he let out an exhausted sigh that made Lira roll her eyes.
"For the love of the gods," she said, "you've been complaining for two straight hours."
"I'm a duck," Takeshi said flatly. "We're not built for long-distance hiking."
"You're not built for exploding towns either," she shot back.
"Fair point. Still did it, though."
Eldric walked silently ahead, his black robes barely rustling. The staff floating beside him emitted a faint hum, like a lazy bee that could vaporize you at any moment. Every once in a while, he'd glance back at the two with a look that screamed: why am I babysitting idiots?
The bunny hopped along happily between them, occasionally stopping to chew on grass. Out of everyone, it seemed the most at peace.
"Hey, Lira," Takeshi said, breaking the silence. "What exactly is this 'capital' he's dragging us to?"
"It's called Ardentia," she said. "Center of the Mage Guild, biggest city in the Western Continent. Basically, if you want to be dissected or experimented on, it's the best place."
"...I feel so reassured."
She smirked. "Relax. They probably won't kill you. Probably."
Eldric's voice cut through the air, calm and cold. "I can hear you."
"Good," Lira said sweetly. "Then maybe you'll hear the part where we're not lab rats."
He ignored her, eyes fixed on the road. "You misunderstand. I'm not taking you there for dissection. The Guild has rules. The Phoenix Flame you unleashed last night it's ancient magic, thought to be extinct."
Takeshi tilted his head. "Phoenix Flame? That sounds epic. And also like a bad idea."
Eldric nodded. "It is both. That power could burn entire kingdoms if left unchecked."
Lira crossed her arms. "Then maybe don't tick him off."
"Agreed," Takeshi said. "I can barely control my aim when sneezing."
Eldric's gaze softened slightly, though his tone stayed clinical. "You're not the first creature to hold the flame, but you might be the first to survive it. The Guild will want to understand how."
Takeshi frowned. "So… I'm a science project with feathers."
Lira nudged him with her boot. "Look at it this way you're special."
"Yeah, special like a fire hazard."
The road wound through gentle hills and patches of forest. Birds sang overhead. The world seemed peaceful again deceptively so.
They stopped by a stream to rest. Lira refilled her flask while Eldric meditated quietly, runes glowing faintly beneath his feet. Takeshi stared into the water, his reflection shimmering.
"I still can't get used to this," he murmured. "Every time I look at myself, I half-expect to see… me."
Lira sat beside him. "The human you?"
He nodded. "Yeah. It's weird. Back home, I was just a guy who wasted his life on games and snacks. Now I'm… this."
She leaned back, arms behind her head. "You could've died and stayed dead. Instead, you got a second shot. Maybe don't waste it worrying about feathers."
He blinked. "That was… surprisingly motivational."
"Don't get used to it."
A faint chuckle escaped him. For a brief moment, the world felt almost normal.
Then, the ground trembled.
Eldric's eyes snapped open. "Something's coming."
From the forest ahead, a series of guttural growls echoed. The trees shook as several figures burst out—wolf-like creatures with black fur and glowing red eyes. Their breath sizzled against the air.
[Hellfang Wolves – Level 6]
Status: Hungry. Very Hungry.
Lira drew her blade instantly. "Great. Breakfast with company."
Takeshi spread his wings. "You take left, I'll handle right."
Eldric raised a brow. "You'll handle them?"
"Confidence is 50% survival," Takeshi said, then muttered, "and 50% stupidity."
The first wolf lunged. Lira met it mid-air, slicing across its side. Another charged toward Takeshi. He ducked, spun, and unleashed a burst of flame. The fire caught its fur, and the creature yelped, rolling on the ground.
"Yes! It worked!" Takeshi shouted triumphantly.
Then the fire spread to the nearby grass. "Oh. Less good."
Eldric sighed, raising his staff. A wave of frost swept across the flames, freezing them solid.
"Control," he said sharply. "You must will the fire, not let it rule you."
"Yeah, I'm still working on that tutorial level!"
The wolves regrouped, circling them. One lunged at Eldric, but his staff pulsed with blue light, blasting it backward with a burst of wind. Lira dispatched another with precision, her movements graceful yet brutal.
Takeshi, meanwhile, found himself surrounded by two wolves. "Okay. Don't panic. Remember your training. Wait, I don't have any training!"
The wolves lunged simultaneously. Instinct took over. His feathers ignited, forming a blazing aura. With a desperate flap, he released a ring of fire that sent both creatures flying.
When the smoke cleared, he stood panting in the center, feathers glowing like molten gold.
Eldric watched silently, impressed despite himself. "You learn fast."
"Yeah, because dying twice wasn't on my to-do list," Takeshi said.
The last wolf limped away into the forest. Lira sheathed her blade and exhaled. "You know, for a talking duck, you're not half bad."
"Thanks," he said. "For a human, you're surprisingly violent."
She grinned. "That's a compliment."
Eldric extinguished the remaining embers with a flick of his hand. "We move before more arrive."
As they resumed their journey, Takeshi felt a strange warmth in his chest—not from his power, but from something else. Maybe belonging. Maybe purpose.
He waddled up beside Lira. "Hey, you think I'll ever, you know… evolve into something cooler? Like a fire phoenix? Or at least a swan with attitude?"
Lira smirked. "You? Nah. You'll always be my crispy little duck."
"Rude. Accurate, but rude."
Eldric glanced back at them, an unspoken smile tugging at his lips before he hid it again. "You two are going to drive me insane before we even reach the city."
"That's the plan," Takeshi said proudly.
The trio continued down the road, the sun setting behind them, painting the sky orange and red the same colors that danced in the small duck's eyes.
Somewhere far ahead, the towers of Ardentia shimmered faintly, and fate quietly whispered:
The world has only just begun to burn.