Evolved
Alex, amidst the anticipation of reaching the next level, hadn't expected the profound transformation that awaited him. Excitement surged through him at the prospect of newfound strength.
As he turned his gaze toward Del, a sense of fortune enveloped him. Winning the fight had not only proven his prowess but also highlighted the strategic error of underestimating him. Del and Mike, confident in their abilities, had foregone their unique powers, a miscalculation that cost them the battle.
The dagger embedded deep into Del's stomach, and the blood on both Del's and Alex's hands bore witness to the intensity of their confrontation. Alex, well-aware of the resilience of ability users, knew that death was unlikely for his adversaries. They were akin to cockroaches, resilient and challenging to eliminate.
Without hesitation, Alex pressed the "yes" button, a smile playing on his lips. However, his joy was abruptly interrupted by an ominous notification.
\[Warning: This process is irreversible\]
Despite the foreboding message, Alex, driven by enthusiasm, forged ahead with the evolution process.
\[Evolution process has now started\]
In an instant, joy transformed into agony. A searing pain pierced Alex's heart, forcing him to his knees. It felt as if his heart had been violently torn from its place and displayed before him. His organs accelerated, and his skin underwent a grotesque metamorphosis, peeling off only to be replaced by a fresh layer.
Suppressing the urge to scream, Alex clenched his teeth so tightly that he feared they might shatter. Then, a surreal spectacle unfolded. Yellowish scales emerged, puncturing through his skin and coated with his own blood. Fingernails elongated into sharp claws, their light-yellow hue contrasting with the darkness of his surroundings. Leg nails breached through his boots, teeth sharpened, and canines elongated, rivaling those of a wolf.
As his body underwent a tumultuous expansion, cracks echoed the breaking of bones. Simultaneously, bones grew larger, rearranging to fortify his physique.
What seemed like an agonizing eternity for Alex was, in reality, a mere five minutes. A new notification brought an end to the harrowing process.
\[Congratulations, you have successfully evolved\]
\[You have now become a hatchling\]
Alex fixated on the words, pondering the meaning of becoming a hatchling. Was he now akin to a reptilian entity, emerging from an egg? The uncertainty lingered, challenging his understanding of his newfound form.
To dispel doubts, Alex revisited the initial system notification.
\[Congratulations, you have acquired the Red Dragon System\]
His mind raced with incredulity. Dragons, mythical beings confined to fairy tales, were supposedly real, according to the system.
\[Dragons were mystical beasts that existed in the medieval ages; they were extremely powerful beasts, but due to some tragedy, they became rare\]
A quest unfolded before him, beckoning him to delve deeper into the lore of dragons.
\[Quest\]
\[Find out more about dragons\]
\[Reward: 20 Exp\]
Surprise mingled with determination in Alex's thoughts. Dragons, once thought fantastical, now demanded his exploration.
"Wonderful! A hatchling, the lowest tier of a dragon. I've also got a new quest," Alex mused, indifferent to the specifics of his transformation. His focus remained on becoming stronger and exacting revenge, a commitment that superseded the mysteries of his newfound draconic identity.
Surveying his transformed self, he marveled at the intricacies of his altered physique. Yellowish scales formed an intricate armor, providing both protection and an aesthetic allure. His sharp teeth, now three inches in length, promised a formidable bite. A fifteen-inch-long claw, a lethal extension of his being, further accentuated the transformation.
Touching his face, he discerned the subtleties of the scales. Smaller scales adorned the sides, while the front boasted an arrangement of even tinier scales. Every facet of his being now resonated with the aura of a formidable killing machine, a testament to the potency of his evolution.
After closely scrutinizing his transformed self for a few minutes, additional notifications materialized in front of Alex.
\[Your stats have increased\]
\[Skills unlocked: Lv1 Inspect\]
\[Transformation\]
\[Note: The system guides the user on the path of becoming a hybrid, not a full dragon, only partially transformed with dragon attributes\]
Notably, Alex observed an increase in his stats and the acquisition of a new skill, "Inspect," which seemed self-explanatory. The "Transformation" skill caught his attention as it offered the ability to toggle between a humanoid dragon form and his regular state, retaining dragon attributes.
'Half human, half dragon. Cool,' Alex thought, seemingly unfazed by the transformation, finding a certain allure in being a dragon encased in human flesh.
Eager to test his newfound abilities, he decided to examine Del's lifeless body on the floor.
\[Name: Del Marks\]
\[Race: Human\]
\[Ability: Wind\]
\[Vitality: 30%\]
\[??????\]
\[??????\]
Examining Del's status revealed crucial information. The "Inspect" skill allowed Alex to discern others' statuses and abilities, with "Vitality" indicating the critical condition of the living. Del's vitality below 50% suggested a precarious situation.
Upon standing up, Alex deactivated his "Transformation" skill. His body underwent a slight reduction in mass, scales and claws retracting into his form, reverting him to a human state. Before departing, he decided to perform one more test.
\[Name: Mike Mars\]
\[Race: Human\]
\[Ability: Ice\]
\[Vitality: 64%\]
\[??????\]
\[?????\]
Now certain that vitality below 50% denoted critical condition, Alex acknowledged that some of Mike's information remained locked, indicating a power beyond his current grasp. Carrying both Del and Mike effortlessly, he recognized their weightlessness, deciding to place them at the forest's edge for potential discovery, despite their nefarious actions.
Ensuring their safety, Alex briefly scanned the surroundings for any onlookers. He then checked his own strengthened stats to gauge his newfound strength.
\[User: Alex Red\]
\[Race: Hatchling\]
\[Berserk Mode: 20%\]
\[Level: 2\]
\[20 / 200 Exp\]
\[HP: 15/15\]
\[Strength: 10\]
\[Agility: 10\]
\[Stamina: 10\]
\[Skill points: 1\]
Noting the increased stats and the unlocked feature, Alex acknowledged the need for a more thorough inspection later. Without delay, he sprinted towards the dormitory, utilizing his enhanced speed. While running, he glanced at his blood-stained body, a thought crossing his mind.
'I need to take a bath,' he contemplated, pondering the potential reactions of others if they were to see him in such a state.
****
**[Author's Note:]**
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