[Conqueror's Rule effect has been activated.]
[All stats have been equalized.]
The system notification appeared simultaneously before the young peasant and the Draconic God of Fire and Conquest. However, Cloud had already been struck by the dragon's breath and had little to no time to comprehend the message materializing before him.
Fortunately, it activated at the precise moment, thereby mitigating the overwhelming destructive force the flames were meant to unleash. Within seconds, he managed to maneuver to relative safety, propelling himself backward and diving behind a massive boulder, using it as a barrier to prevent the flames from striking him directly. Even so, damage had been inflicted, though it was far less catastrophic than it would have been had he absorbed the full magnitude of the inferno.
In truth, the greater credit belonged to the Conqueror's Rule effect. Without it, his attempt at self preservation would have been utterly futile.
Cloud groaned as he examined his scorched skin. His trench coat still smoldered with lingering flames, which he hastily removed and discarded. A searing heat radiated across his body with crimson burns marking his flesh.
"Shit. It burns. Fuck…"
He was starting to get pissed off by the entire situation. First, he had been dragged into a battle with a damn colossal, overpowered lizard completely unprepared, and secondly, despite its overwhelming powers having been reduced to match his current level to establish balance, the lizard remained an indomitable threat.
The dragon's eyes burned with lust for battle against the peasant, emanating a threatening aura of power that only intensified its questionable resolve to devour him.
It spoke in a godly tone:
Cloud clenched his teeth, gripping his burning left arm in pain. He shifted slightly to glance over the boulder and catch sight of Ignivar, whose mouth exuded white mist.
He quickly ducked when its gaze nearly fell upon him.
'I'm really fucked, aren't I? I don't even have a weapon. I might as well use my greatest one.'
The young peasant frowned and began speaking:
"Hey, lizard. Let me give you a little spoiler. You're seeking a master, right? I will be the one to tame you. Yes, this peasant will. Also, could you try not to be stupid? Though I suppose I may be overestimating a lizard's intelligence. Ugh… to think you're practically attracted to your own death says a lot about that. Enough talk. The point is, you're a dumb, stupid ass lizard with no sense of fairness who was lucky enough to ascend as a Draconic God. Psst, anyone could do that. You're not special."
Ignivar's eyes flared with rage as it began gathering flames in its mouth once more.
'Oh. I guess my poor communication skills still worked, with a bit of pettiness, even against a godly beast.'
Now all he needed was a way to make the dragon's rage serve his interests. Of course, beings like this despised mockery, as their pride and honor mattered above all else, which favored a church rat like him with not an ounce of shame.
Cloud sighed, scrambling to his feet and instantly rushing away from his defensive position with his hands raised above his head.
"Wait!"
The dragon lifted its gaze questioningly, doubting the young human's intelligence. To step out unarmed and confront a Draconic God.
Was this pitiful peasant truly underestimating the wrath of a deity!?
Its wings rose in a graceful arc, seemingly prepared to strike him down with a single sweep.
"Just wait a minute! If I die right now without putting up a fight, completely defenseless and weak, don't you think that would tarnish your honor? I mean, you're using such an explosive ability on me. Even weakened, it's still powerful, and truly…
"...I'm quite amazed that a draconic lizard… I mean, god, is actually going all out to defeat me, and doing so without composure. Am I that special? That powerful? That much of a threat? For a peasant? Yet you speak of honor in battle. I don't see you proving that you deserve such a claim," Cloud said with unsettling calmness, though deep within, he was terrified.
He feared that the damn dragon might abruptly lose patience and kill him in the blink of an eye if this provocation failed!
For a moment, Ignivar seemed to pause in shock, attempting to process the young peasant's words and the weight behind them. Its wings lowered, and the flames gathering within its mouth dissipated. The crushing pressure of fear weighing on Cloud's chest eased slightly, allowing him to exhale, though he knew the confrontation was far from over.
Cloud sneered.
'Yes, yes. Says the one already trapped with me without realizing it. I think this lizard suffers from self adoration as well. Tsk.'
The Draconic God of Fire and Conquest released a searing plume of steam that washed over Cloud. Instantly, he felt as though he had been thrust into a furnace; within seconds, sweat drenched his body under the oppressive heat.
The moment the final words left the dragon's maw, the cavern dissolved, reverting to the endless white expanse. Cloud collapsed onto the ground in overwhelming relief, grateful to have returned somewhere safe. The brief confrontation with Ignivar had taught him much — he was nowhere near prepared to face the other dragons.
A flicker of madness ignited in his eyes as he examined his charred skin and scorched clothing.
"It's finally over. I'm alive. A chance to grow stronger? I'll take it. But I won't wait until then to tame you. Hahaha, you damn lizard."
[The Devouring Crown: Ignivar, the Draconic God of Fire and Conquest, has bestowed upon you a mid-tier Skill for piquing its interest.]
Cloud stood dumbfounded. Unable to accept it at once, he read the message twice. Certain words eluded him — such as "piquing" — yet he grasped the general meaning from the context. He rubbed his eyes.
'Huh? Am I hallucinating? That arrogant bastard gifted me a skill…? I got a skill. I actually got a skill!'
Startled, he sprang to his feet and attempted to seize the system screen, forgetting it possessed no physical form. His hands passed through it, and he stumbled forward, crashing face-first onto the white surface. Strangely, it did not hurt; it felt more like landing on a cushion of feathers. Still, that was the least of his concerns.
The skill was paramount.
[New Skill: …]
Cloud blinked repeatedly.
"…How is this considered mid-tier? Am I losing my mind?"
"Exit Box!"
A surge of blue light engulfed him instantly, transporting him back to his original location.