Crashout
Hah… hah… breath… breath…
I stood over the massive corpse of Titan, the King of Tigers, my chest heaving. "One more down," I muttered. "Three to go." I glanced at the body one last time and smiled. Titan had been a true warrior—worthy of respect. Then, without another word, I turned and began the long walk back to base.
Thirty minutes later, as I trudged along the worn path, my mind drifted. It's really been a thousand years, I thought. Though for everyone outside this realm, it's only been one. I sighed. Time moved strangely here, and with it, memories faded. Faces, voices, even names blurred. I might've forgotten everything if not for Moon. She always asked about the outside world. Her questions forced me to remember what I otherwise might've lost.
When I reached the base, I paused, scanning the clearing. Empty.
"Where's Moon?" I mumbled. She usually sensed me before I even arrived. Always came running. "Moon!" I shouted. Nothing.
"Maybe she's just busy…" I said to no one, trying to calm myself. I decided to wait, but the unease had already begun to gnaw at me. To distract myself, I headed down to the river. I stripped and stepped into the cold water, letting it wash away the battle's blood and dirt. As I cleaned myself, I caught my reflection in the water. My eyes… the light in them had dimmed. I shook my head. "No… just a little longer. Then I'll get my happy ending." My hands clenched into fists. "I will defeat Balerion. No matter what."
After washing up, I got dressed and returned to the cave. Still no sign of her. My frown deepened. "Where is she…?" I sighed again. She had to be busy. That was all. I walked inside and began to cook using my skill: God's Hand (Lv. 31): The food you make will make even the gods crave.
Ever since unlocking it, I'd stopped buying junk food from the system and started cooking everything from scratch. When I told Moon, she cried for hours. I only got her to stop after cooking for her. She said it was okay… but that pizza and burgers were better. I nearly popped a vein. Still, I smiled at the memory.
While stirring the pot, I opened my status window: Strength: 75. Defense: 76. Dexterity: 74. Stamina: 79. Intelligence: 36. Magic: 76.
"System, why isn't my intelligence increasing?"
Host, just because you're strong doesn't mean you're smart.
"Are you calling me stupid?"
No, Host. I'm saying your intelligence is not high.
"You son of a—who do you think you are?"
Cursing me is cursing yourself. I am your system, connected to your very being.
"You damn—"
Ten minutes passed in a storm of swearing and frustration. Eventually, I sighed and glanced at my skills again.
"System, why is my divine skill still locked?"
Host, as I've stated, you are not strong enough to use it.
"Tch. Then tell me how strong I need to be!"
You must max out all stats—except intelligence.
"...You bastard."
Just answering your question.
"Whatever."
Host, your food is burning.
"What?" I turned, eyes wide. "F*ck—my chicken soup!"
Ten more minutes later, I slumped down again, sighing for what felt like the hundredth time. Still... no Moon.
"Where the hell is that brat?" I muttered. I stood up, walked out of the cave, and scanned the area again. Nothing. "Tch."
I left the base and began to search.
Three days passed.
Hah… hah…
I hadn't stopped moving. No sleep. No rest. Not a trace. "Damn it, where are you, Moon?" I had scoured all of Level 4 and half of Level 5. That's when I reached a cliff and saw it—a scorched field, miles away.
I jumped without hesitation.
When I landed, the air reeked of burnt blood. I searched the charred earth until something caught my eye. A tail. "This… Moon's tail." My pulse spiked. Panic gripped me. I followed the faint trail, chest tight, breaths shallow.
Please… be okay.
An hour later, I reached a cave. The scent of dried blood filled my nose. I rushed inside—and froze.
There she was. Moon. Covered in blood. Still. Too still.
I dropped to my knees and pulled her into my arms. "Moon!" I shook her gently, voice cracking.
Her eyes opened—barely. "Erik… everything hurts," she whimpered, tears forming.
"Don't cry. I'll make the pain go away." I bit down the panic. "System, give me a potion!"
Host, no potion will wor—
Just give it to me!
...Very well.
I grabbed the vial and poured it gently between her lips.
"Please work," I whispered, tears threatening to fall.
"It still hurts…" she sobbed.
"System! Find a way to heal her!"
Host, her core is gone... and so is her essence. There is no cure.
"Just find a way, dammit! Please!"
She hiccupped, barely conscious. "It was… Balerion… the King of Dragons. He said he needed my core and essence… for his offspring's evolution…"
She whimpered, voice fading. "Please… make it stop…"
"Don't cry, Moon. I'll get you all the junk food when we go home, okay?"
"Really?"
"Yes."
She gave the faintest smile. "Pinky promise?"
"Okay." We linked fingers. But as soon as we did, her smile faded. Her eyes dulled.
"Moon?" I shook her. "Moon, what's wrong?"
"I don't… feel good…"
Her eyes slipped shut. Her body stilled. And then… she began to dissolve, her body turning to particles of light.
"No… no, please don't leave me…" My voice cracked, breaking. "AGHHHH!"
I roared, my scream echoing through the cave and far beyond. Why? Why me again? Can I never catch a break? Why does this keep happening?
Her final words echoed endlessly in my head.
"Balerion came and attacked me…"
Over and over.
"Balerion… Balerion… Balerion…"
I clenched my fists, trembling with fury.
"I'll kill you… I'LL KILL YOUUU!!!"
System: Host, please calm your emotions.
Emotion Control has been automatically activated.
Emotion Control… failed.
Error. Error.
[Berserk] has been triggered.
Error. Error.
???? has been revealed
[Dragon Seed] — Awakening…
[Dragon Seed] — Blooming…
[Dragon Seed] → [Dragon Transformation] initialized.
Transformation in progress…
"AGHHH!"
My body convulsed violently—bones breaking and reshaping, muscles tearing and rebuilding. My skin hardened, darkened, morphing into jagged, gleaming scales. My face stretched into a snout. Spikes erupted from my spine. Wings tore from my back in a spray of blood and bone. I grew—massive, monstrous. Power flooded my veins.
And then… it was complete.
Due to transformation you have gained a 25+ point boost in all stats.
I opened my eyes. The world seemed smaller now. Insignificant.
I raised my head and let loose a roar that shook the heavens.
"BALERION!"
Note: dragon form looks like Igneel from Fairy Tail but with golden brown skin. His size is ¾ of a bewilderbeast.