The world was silence.
Then, it roared.
Pain tore through him—not just physical, but something deeper, something primal. The air smelled of ash and scorched earth, thick with the scent of fire and decay. Around him, the ground quaked as if the planet itself feared what had just awakened. Trees swayed violently, their roots trembling, and somewhere in the distance, a colossal roar split the sky.
He tried to move, but every motion felt foreign. His senses screamed at him, chaotic and overwhelming. Heat. Sound. Smell. Shapes. Light. And beneath it all, a pulse—a heartbeat that wasn't his own—pounding through his very bones.
He opened his eyes.
The world was vast, brighter and sharper than anything he remembered. Shadows stretched unnaturally across jagged rocks, and the forest surrounding him seemed alive, watching, waiting. He was… small, impossibly small, though not fragile. His body was covered in scales that shimmered black with streaks of crimson, glowing faintly like embers in a dying fire. His claws dug into the jagged stone instinctively. Wings folded awkwardly against his back, still weak but taut with potential.
A strange, tingling awareness spread through him—like a sixth sense, or perhaps a voice echoing in his mind.
[Dragon System Activated]
Welcome, Reincarnated Dragon.
Your journey begins now.
Objective: Survive.
Reward: Strength.
The voice was calm, emotionless, omnipresent. It didn't explain. It didn't need to. Survival was simple: kill or be killed. The clarity it gave him was intoxicating.
Instinct surged first. Hunger, fear, and the sharp craving for power flowed through him like fire. His tail flicked against the rocks. His wings twitched. He tested his claws, scratching the ground, feeling the bite of stone under talon. The world smelled alive—wild, untamed, dangerous. And he was small, vulnerable, but not defenseless.
A shiver ran down his spine as the earth shook again. From the shadows of the jagged cliffs emerged a creature larger than any house. Its scales were jagged obsidian, teeth long enough to pierce bone, claws sharp as scythes. Its molten eyes locked onto him, glowing like fire in a blackened world. Hunger radiated from it in waves.
Instinct screamed at him to run.
But he did not.
A surge of adrenaline and unspoken understanding flowed through him. Claws dug into the stone, wings flexed against the tension of his muscles, and he lunged.
The system's voice returned:
[Trial 1: Kill or Be Killed – Progress 0%]
He did not understand the trial, but he understood its meaning. Kill… or die.
The first swipe of his claw barely grazed the beast's hide. Heat flared in his chest, and instinct, combined with the system's subtle guidance, spurred him to roar. A torrent of fire erupted from his throat. It wasn't controlled—more instinct than skill—but it hit the monster full force. Smoke, flesh, and heat collided as the creature staggered, screeching in fury.
It lunged. Its claws raked across his side, slicing through scales, drawing blood, and sending him skidding across jagged rocks. Pain and fear mixed in a cocktail he had never known before. Every fiber of his being screamed to flee, yet something deeper—primal, violent, hungry—pushed him to fight.
He rose to his feet, fire burning in his throat again. Claws and tail struck with precision this time, fueled by the system's guidance. Pain became power. Rage became strength. Each strike, each beat of his heart, each roar of defiance poured raw energy into his body. The beast staggered, then collapsed under the ferocity of his attack.
[Trial 1 Complete – Reward: +5 Strength, +2 Agility, Fire Breath Unlocked]
The system's voice chimed again. No praise. No congratulations. Just facts.
He breathed heavily, wings quivering. Smoke curled from his nostrils as his eyes scanned the surrounding wilderness. The forest seemed to recoil from him, alive with eyes that watched, feared, and waited. He realized something vital: this world was far larger, far more dangerous than he had ever imagined. Monsters, humans, and beasts roamed everywhere, many far stronger than the first predator he had slain.
He flexed his wings experimentally, lifting himself slightly off the ground before crashing back onto the jagged stones. Hunger gnawed at his stomach. He had tasted blood, fire, and death, but survival required more than instinct—it required strength. Power. Knowledge.
[Dragon System Update]
Next Objective: Explore and Hunt.
Hint: Strength lies in survival. Fear all. Fear none.
The first rays of dawn painted the jagged cliffs in shades of fire and blood. The forest below whispered, alive with motion. Creatures stirred, sensing the presence of something extraordinary. Something terrifying. Something… dragon.
He moved forward cautiously, talons scratching against stone, wings partially unfurled. Every sense was on high alert. The world was alive, and it was dangerous. A flick of movement to the right—a pack of wild beasts, no larger than a horse, yet moving with deadly precision. Their eyes glowed faintly with intelligence, as if aware of him already.
He snarled, feeling the heat in his chest, the thrill of the hunt sharpening his instincts. They charged.
He met them head-on. His tail swung like a battering ram, smashing into the largest of the beasts, sending it tumbling into a tree. Fire licked from his jaws, searing the air around him, and the others hesitated, their coordination breaking. Within moments, he stood victorious, claws slick with blood, chest heaving.
[Skill Acquired: Combat Instinct +1]
The forest fell silent again, save for his own ragged breathing. He realized something almost intoxicating—the creatures here feared him. Even the wild beasts that had terrorized lesser beings trembled at his presence. A dragon was no mere predator; a dragon was a force of nature.
He pressed onward, moving deeper into the forest. Rivers of lava glinted in the distance, mountains loomed like sleeping titans, and the wind carried whispers of creatures far larger, far older, and far deadlier than anything he had yet faced. This world was unforgiving, but it was also a crucible. Every battle, every kill, every challenge would make him stronger.
For the first time since his rebirth, a thought formed—a plan.
He would not simply survive. He would dominate. He would grow until the kingdoms themselves feared his name, until monsters bent before him, and until no being—human, beast, or god—could challenge him.
The fire in his chest flared again. He spread his wings fully, feeling the weight and strength of his new body. Hunger, rage, and instinct all merged into a single purpose: grow. Kill. Survive. Become unstoppable.
And in that moment, the first shred of realization came to him: ordinary enemies would not be enough. This world had dragons that ruled continents, monsters that could level cities, and beings beyond imagination. If he wanted to survive—and thrive—he would need to become more than a dragon. He would need to become something legendary.
He flexed his claws once more, testing the air. The forest below quivered in anticipation, as if sensing the rise of something extraordinary.
He was awake. He had survived the first trial.
And the world would never forget the sound of his roar.