Chapter 5: Of Flame and Fang
ROOOOOOAAAAAAR!!!
The swampy jungle trembled under the weight of chaos. A monstrous dragon, the size of a double-decker bus, thrashed through the murky terrain. Black-scaled, red-eyed, wings flared wide, it was a sight pulled from nightmares—and it was furious. Fourteen spiked-armoured alligators surrounded it, some launching water cannons, others attempting to retreat.
Around them lay the half-eaten corpses of two monkeys and a snake. Two alligators were already dead, their bodies torn by enormous claw marks. The dragon snarled.
"You arseholes—how dare you eat my money-makers!" it bellowed, voice like rumbling thunder.
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Thirty Minutes Earlier
After absorbing his first spiked alligator, Armaros stretched, letting the stiffness melt from his joints. He rolled his neck with a small satisfying crack and then began walking slowly toward the tree where he'd stashed the carcasses of the lizards and snake he'd previously hunted.
> "System," he said casually, hands behind his head, "how much would my strength increase in dragon form?"
> [When in dragon form, Host's strength is multiplied by three.]
> "Only three? I was expecting more dramatic flair."
> [Multiplication stacks with current base stats. Additional effects apply.]
> "Now we're talking. Any other perks?"
> [Yes. Host may access Dragon Skills. Would you like a list?]
> "Hit me."
> [Dragon Skills Unlocked:
Stunning Roar
Absolute Destruction Flames
Diamond Scales
Soul Drain
Life Enhancement
Blood Healing]
The system elaborated:
> [Stunning Roar: Induces fear and temporary paralysis in enemies within range. Effectiveness decreases based on opponent strength.] [Absolute Destruction Flames: Releases the signature fire of the Dragon God Scythian. Highly destructive. Mana cost: High.] [Diamond Scales: Passive. Increases resistance to physical and magical damage.] [Soul Drain: Passive. Strengthens host's soul with each kill.] [Life Enhancement: Active. Converts mana into health regeneration.] [Blood Healing: Active. Uses consumed blood to regenerate injuries.]
Armaros nodded, clearly impressed. "Alright, alright. That's some proper dragon BS. One thing, though... when did I become the dragon god's child? That wasn't in the pamphlet."
> [By absorbing the divine blood of the Dragon God Scythian and Demon God Abaddon, Host has inherited their lineage.]
> "...Right. Wait… they're both dudes. Are they—"
---
Elsewhere…
In a dimly lit room, cluttered with books and glowing crystals, the Primordial Goddess of Chaos was sprawled out lazily on a couch, watching a floating screen like it was the latest episode of her favourite sitcom. When Armaros spoke, she nearly choked on her grapes.
"He actually called them gay! HA! Oh my stars, this kid's killing me. Gods, I love this boy. I have to tell them. This is going to be delicious."
She snapped her fingers and disappeared into a rift of swirling chaos.
---
Back in the Swamp
Armaros halted mid-step, blinking. "Wait a second. Don't I have spatial storage?"
> [Talent Confirmed: Spatial Pocket. Usable on non-living objects.]
> "...I totally forgot about it. Genius move, Armaros. Genius. Let's hope those corpses are still hanging where I left them."
He broke into a jog, pushing through vines and muddy water, ducking under thick branches, swatting away mosquitoes the size of his thumb. The air was thick with humidity, and something about the stillness felt wrong.
Five minutes later, he found the tree—or what was left of it.
It had been snapped cleanly in half, and the remains of the lizards and snake were already being devoured by a dozen hungry spiked-armoured alligators. The sight made Armaros twitch.
> "You arseholes. You're eating my money. That's it. Time for a little economic correction."
> [Dragon Transformation Initiated.]
His bones cracked, muscles swelled, and his skin hardened into shimmering black scales. Wings unfurled from his back, and his pupils turned to slits. Within seconds, he had become a towering draconic beast.
> ROOOOOOAAAAAAR!!!
The sonic shockwave sent birds fleeing and stunned the predators before him.
> "How dare you eat my money-makers!"
With a snarl, he lunged forward. His claws swept like blades through the marsh. One slash—two alligators down. Another—two more. He pivoted, tail whipping through the air, crushing a fleeing one into the mud.
The stunned alligators began to recover, now fully aware of the monstrous predator before them. Several fired off water cannons. The impacts pelted his scales like blunt hammers. Not enough to break him—but annoying.
> "You annoying oversized handbags. Burn."
> [Skill: Absolute Destruction Flames activated.]
A gout of dark blue flame erupted from his jaws, flooding the swamp in hellfire. Trees blackened. Water boiled. The remaining eight alligators were turned to ash.
> [Dragon Transformation disengaged.]
He shrank down, panting slightly but otherwise unharmed. Steam rose from his body.
> "Let's see if I finally get that damn armour."
He approached the remains and activated his signature talent.
> [Gluttony]
Black mist oozed from his palm, spreading like an ink cloud. The corpses vanished, one by one.
> [Host has absorbed a Spiked Armoured Alligator. All stats increased by +7. Passive Skill Gained: Water Maneuverability.] [Host has absorbed a Spiked Armoured Alligator. All stats increased by +4.]
> "Wait—no spiked armour?"
> [Spiked Armour is not a transferable skill. It is a biological trait.]
> "Ugh. This again. Well, at least I'm getting stronger."
He sat for a moment, glancing at his stats. Every digit had climbed. He was no longer the weak, desperate boy from three years ago.
> "System. Can I store the rest?"
> [Affirmative. Initiating Spatial Pocket... Complete.]
---
Three Hours Later
Bloodstained, half-drenched, and smelling like burnt swamp gator, Armaros walked through the city gates.
People stared.
Mercenaries paused mid-laugh. Vendors trailed off mid-sale. Soldiers eyed him cautiously. His aura was different. His walk—too calm. Too efficient.
He ignored them.
At the butcher's, he unloaded six alligator corpses and the leftover bait-lizard. The butcher whistled low.
"You take these down yourself?"
"You asking 'cause you wanna give me a discount or charge me more?"
The butcher laughed. "Twenty-six thousand credits. Take it or leave it."
"Deal."
He pocketed the credits and walked to a local inn—one with actual plumbing.
A room with a working toilet ran him 10,000 credits for the month. Worth every penny.
Inside, he took a long bath, washed his clothes, and stood by the window in only a towel while they dried.
His reflection caught his eye. The silver hair. The red eyes. The lean but hard body covered in scars.
> "Yeah," he whispered. "I'm not that kid anymore."
He flopped onto the bed, body exhausted but mind alert.
> "System. Tomorrow, we hunt that monster with the invulnerability skill."
> [Confirmed. Preparations recommended. High threat level estimated.]
> "Don't care. The sooner I get that skill, the sooner I stop being killable."
Outside, the moon hung low over the city.
---
Far Away...
In a fortress shrouded in night, a shadowed figure watched a monitor showing Armaros' dragon form frozen mid-roar.
A gloved hand pressed to the screen.
"So the bloodlines merged. The child of two gods lives again."
They turned to another monitor—this one displaying an encrypted dossier titled: Project Armaros.
"Let the games begin."
They smiled, teeth glinting behind a silver mask.
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