The clash shook the chamber, every blow echoing like thunder. Elior's claws scraped against the Wraith Knight's flaming blade, each strike rattling bone and armor. His blood dripped freely, hissing as it hit the glowing runes beneath his feet.
The knight pressed forward, relentless. Its hollow voice rasped:
"Yield your blood… and your soul."
Elior snarled, crimson flame leaking from his fangs. "Come take it."
---
Breaking Point
The knight's blade punched through his chestplate, grazing his ribs. Pain flared white-hot. Elior's vision blurred, but the systems screamed louder:
> [Critical Condition – 9% Vitality Remaining]
[Warning: Host on the verge of collapse]
The vampire's voice grew venomous: "Give in. Let hunger take everything."
The dragon's roar bellowed: "Evolve or die!"
The Overflow Engine chimed almost gleefully: [Loot Potential skyrocketing—evolutionary reward unlocked].
---
Forced Evolution Trigger
As the knight raised its sword for the finishing blow, Elior's blood ignited. His veins burned molten red, scales spreading further across his chest, his claws lengthening into obsidian talons.
> [System Notice: Triple Protocol Synchronization Detected]
[Evolution Pathway: Hybrid Ascension – Stage 1]
Transformation: Initiated.
Elior screamed as his body warped—wings of half-formed dragonfire sprouting from his back, his jaw lengthening slightly with beast-fangs, his aura darkening into something predatory and ancient.
---
Blood-Dragon Reversal
The knight's blade descended. Elior caught it with one clawed hand, sparks and shadow-fire exploding outward. His grip held.
He inhaled, then exhaled a stream of Bloodfire Breath—denser, hotter, searing with soul-essence. The knight's skull-face cracked, flames sputtering.
He wrenched the blade aside and plunged his other claw into the knight's chest.
> [Soul Drain Active]
15% Vitality Restored.
Wraith Knight Essence Absorbed.
The knight shrieked, its form splintering, shadow and fire leaking into Elior's arm.
---
The Fall of the Wraith Knight
With a final roar, Elior ripped the knight's chest wide open. The dungeon guardian crumbled, its sword dissolving into motes of shadow, its body collapsing into ash.
> [Boss Defeated: Wraith Knight – Tier 3 Elite]
Rewards:
• Dungeon Heart (Epic)
• Soulsteel Fragment (Rare)
• EXP +800
> Level Up!
Current Level: 5
The Dungeon Heart rose from the altar, glowing brighter, as if acknowledging its new master.
---
Claiming the Heart
Elior staggered forward, wings trembling, eyes glowing like embers in a storm. He reached out and seized the Dungeon Heart.
The chamber shook violently. The runes burned crimson. Energy poured into him, threatening to tear him apart—yet his three systems roared in unison, binding it to his body.
> [Dungeon Cleared: Tier 1 Core Secured]
[New Function Unlocked: Core Assimilation]
Allows the host to anchor dungeons, draw resources, and evolve through their Hearts.
Elior fell to one knee, chest heaving. His form stabilized, wings fading into smoke. His claws and scales remained, proof of the transformation he had begun.
He looked at the Heart pulsing faintly in his palm, then at the shadows ahead leading deeper into the world.
A grin split his bloodstained face.
"This… is just the beginning."