The drake's roar shook the arena, its molten breath scorching the sand. Nick darted aside again, his new reflex skill pulling his body just barely out of harm's way. The crowd erupted, half cheering, half jeering.
"Not bad for a worm," Lyra muttered from her throne, though her gaze lingered on him longer than before.
The goddess floated beside Nick, giggling. "Careful, Player Nick. You've bought yourself seconds… but dragons don't run out of fire."
"Great pep talk!" Nick snapped, ducking under a swipe of the drake's claws. His knees buckled, heat blistering his skin. "How the hell am I supposed to survive ten minutes without a weapon?!"
The system chimed in his vision:
> NEW OPTION AVAILABLE
Temporary Weapon Unlock: [Flamebound Shard].
Requirement: Make Princess Lyra acknowledge your will.
Nick blinked, dodging another jet of flame. "Wait—are you saying my weapon depends on her?"
The goddess smirked. "Bingo. Win her attention, earn your edge."
Nick cursed under his breath. Romance system my ass. This is suicide!
The drake lunged, maw opening wide, fire gathering in its throat. Nick's instincts screamed—no way he could dodge this one.
In desperation, he turned toward Lyra, shouting with every ounce of defiance he had:
"Princess Lyra! If I die here, it won't be crawling like a coward—it'll be standing like someone worth your time!"
The flames burst from the drake's mouth—
But so did a flash of light.
A fragment of molten crystal appeared in Nick's hand, pulsing with heat. The system dinged:
> WEAPON UNLOCKED: Flamebound Shard (Temporary).
Attack +10, Fire Resistance +20%.
Nick's eyes widened. "Oh, hell yes."
He thrust the shard forward just as the flames engulfed him. The crystal blazed, splitting the fire like a shield. The crowd roared in shock.
Lyra's lips parted, her fiery eyes narrowing—not in disdain, but in intrigue.
The system chimed again:
> Princess Lyra: Interest +5. Trust +2.
Nick staggered forward, the shard glowing brighter with each step. "Round two, lizard. Let's dance."
The drake snarled, claws digging into the arena floor, preparing another charge.
The goddess licked her lips, eyes sparkling with mischief. "Mmm… now this is getting fun. Push harder, Nick. Make her burn for you."
Nick tightened his grip on the shard. For the first time, his gamer's grin returned.
The crowd, the danger, the system—it all felt like one massive boss fight. And he knew one thing for sure:
He wasn't losing this game.
---
✨ End of Chapter Four