Levi's heartbeat quickened, his breathing unconsciously growing faster, and an uncontainable light of excitement flickered in his eyes.
When he first awakened his Dragon Affinity, he had believed his life would be shackled to a hollow halo in name only. After all, in the flood of foreign memories that had poured into his mind, he had learned one undeniable truth—dragons were impossibly rare, and incomparably powerful.
But now… this Infinite Dragon Fusion System felt as if it had been crafted for him alone.
A dragon hatchling every week.
The ability to fuse them with materials, transforming their bloodlines and powers—
Even a mediocre hatchling could, through fusion, evolve into a battlefield-sweeping dragonlord.
And with such enhanced dragon companions at his side, he could one day hunt down and tame true wild dragons.
The thought sent a rush of exultation surging through him. Levi forced himself to suppress the rising thrill and turned his gaze to the four items before him.
They lay in quiet order upon the table, like treasures waiting to be claimed.
First, his eyes settled on the crystal vial filled with pitch-black liquid—the Physique Tempering Elixir.
"System, what does this elixir do?"
[Upon consumption, it will expel all impurities and turbid energy from the host's body, restoring the physique to a state of pure clarity.]
[A pure body is highly favored by magical beasts, and the host's cultivation speed and bloodline growth will be greatly enhanced.]
Short and direct, yet enough to make Levi unhesitatingly pull the stopper from the vial and drink it down in one gulp.
A treasure of such rarity—if anyone else knew of it, chaos would erupt in an instant.
Within a few breaths, Levi's skin flushed with a radiant crimson glow, and his blood surged through his veins like a roaring river.
Strangely, there was no pain—only the sensation of sinking into the finest of hot springs, his body kneaded by invisible hands of spiritual energy. The comfort was so intoxicating that his eyes closed on their own.
Five minutes later, he opened them again, his mind clearer than it had ever been, as if heavy chains had been stripped from his body.
Only… his clothes were soaked through with black filth, reeking with a pungent stench.
"Looks like my body was filthier than I thought…"
After changing into clean clothes and returning to the living room, he found the Eastern dragon hatchling awake.
It crawled slowly across the floor, its golden slit pupils brimming with curiosity.
Upon seeing Levi, it flapped its tiny wing membranes in excitement, leaping into the air before pouncing into his arms. Four small claws clung tightly to his tunic as it let out a soft, baby-like trill.
Levi chuckled, running his hand over its head crest and the cool, hard scales along its back. The hatchling closed its eyes in bliss, like a child soothed by a gentle embrace.
From birth, it knew—this young man was its master, the sole anchor of its soul.
Before long, Levi withdrew his hand and turned his gaze to the two rare materials laid out on the floor.
It was time to get to work.
"System," he said quietly, "I want to use the fusion function."
[Please select at least three fusion materials.]
Levi had already decided.
"Eastern Dragon Hatchling, Flame Lion King's Claw, Earth Giant Turtle's Shell—Fuse!"
In an instant, all three items were engulfed in golden light, each transforming into a floating orb of radiance.
Slowly, they drifted toward each other, merging into a single, dazzling sphere suspended in midair—its surface rippling with the power of thunder and storm.
[Fusion initiated. Please wait patiently.]
Levi stepped back to the long bench, eyes brimming with anticipation.
What form would the hatchling take after the fusion?
What kind of talent and power would it awaken?
He knew—only after seeing the result could he plan the road ahead.
[The host may rest assured—any fused dragon will be comprehensively enhanced in all aspects.]
The system's cold yet unwavering tone only stoked his excitement further.
…
Five minutes later, the light radiating from the sphere began to fade. Cracks spiderwebbed across its surface, as if it might shatter at any moment.
Levi held his breath, gaze fixed, just about to step closer—
Knock! Knock!
The sudden pounding on the door snapped through the quiet.
A crisp, feminine voice called from beyond the wooden door:
"Levi! Open up, it's me—Jessica!"
Levi's brows furrowed.
Through the memories he had inherited, the name surfaced instantly—Jessica Winters. The neighbor next door, his childhood friend in this life, someone with whom he'd shared nearly everything.
So close, in fact, that the former Levi had given her a spare key.
"Tch… really not the best timing."
He quickly crossed to the side bedroom, closed the door to block the sphere from view, and only then went to answer the front door.
He knew full well—if he didn't open it, Jessica could simply let herself in. And besides, more than a few people had seen him come home earlier; better not to arouse suspicion.
The moment the door swung open, a small, delicate figure launched herself into his arms, hugging him tightly.
Levi froze, caught off guard by the sudden embrace.
"Levi," Jessica looked up at him, eyes earnest, "I heard all about what happened today—your Affinity… it's Dragon Affinity, isn't it?
I know what you're worried about, but… you can relax. You have me."