'You're kidding me, right?'
Once I managed the draw my eyes away from its majestic figure, I found myself in an enchanting forest.
'Huh? Why am I here? How did I get here? Where am I? I'm not supposed to be here. Where should I be? What should I-'
"Calm down child. I don't have much time so I need you to listen keenly."
'It's not that easy you-, wait, huh?'
I didn't dare refute its words out loud but as I tried to complain in my mind I realized that I suddenly felt less frantic. As if all of my worries were being kept somewhere else.
'As expected of a dragon.'
"Are you feeling better now?"
It felt weird that I was suddenly talking with a dragon but I couldn't allow myself to freeze up.
"Yes. Would I be correct in assuming that you saved me?"
"Indeed."
'As I thought.'
I was naturally grateful to this dragon, but more than that, I couldn't help but feel suspicious.
"Thank you very much. I'll definitely repay this favour if given the chance."
"Oh, will you stand by those words?"
At this point I realized the trap that I had fallen into, but it was too deep for me to climb out.
'Damn it!'
"Yes."
"Good, that makes things simple then. I need you to help me protect this forest."
'There it is, some ridiculous grand quest!'
I knew that backing out wouldn't be easy but couldn't help but bring up my reluctance.
"Pardon me for saying this but, I don't believe my skills would be up to such a task. After all, I did just need you to save me so would you mind changing your request?"
While not wanting to get any deeper into this forest conflict was my true motive, it was also true that I didn't believe I was up to the job. Though I was actively blocking the memories of that lich, I still remembered the one it served and the one who was behind this forest invasion. Therefore, I knew that I was definitely no match for that monster.
The dragon agreed with me but that didn't mean the conversation could end there.
"That's true. The current you is no match for that troublemaker. However, I can give you the power to face it."
'So you're not giving up, eh?'
"That's sounds very nice and all, but with your strength can't you take care of this yourself?"
The one above the lich was certainly terrifying, but that was only from my perspective. To a dragon, that master would just be a normal snack.
"No, unfortunately there are reasons why I'm unable to protect this forest myself."
I was curious as to what could stop the awe-inspiring being before me, but it made sense. If the opposing force didn't know if the dragon could take part in the battle then their armies could be wasted. Therefore it made sense that they already knew the circumstances of the dragon or at least had enough certainty that the dragon couldn't stop them.
With these facts known I found it harder to refuse this task and it must have shown since the dragon followed up.
"What? Don't tell me you plan on going back on your word and repay kindness with malice?"
'Tch.'
Unlike before, there was a bit of admonishment mixed in with the gentle tone of the dragon. There was no pressure behind it however, it was still enough to inspire an urge to kneel and beg for forgiveness. I urgently resisted but it still left me frightened and reminded of who I was dealing with.
"No. I shall help you. But if it seems hopeless then I'll escape."
"That's fine. In that case I'll just have to use my last resort."
I thought it would try and force me to stick to this ship to the end, but luckily the dragon was understanding. Since I said I would, I planned on trying my hardest but I didn't want to get myself killed.
As I nodded in agreement, the dragon continued.
"Make your way to the centre of the forest, and, I recommend you stop using that peculiar skill of yours."
Even without it being specific, I knew it was talking about my unique skill. Putting aside how it found out about it, there was something I had to ask.
"Why? Shouldn't you want me to get as strong as possible?"
"That is true, but using that skill is too risky. I wouldn't want you to die before you could be of use."
"Huh, what do you mean? Sure I messed up this time but that was just because I was greedy. If I use it carefully then,"
"No, the problem is not with the skill, it is with your soul. It's already become this distorted, so the next time could be your last."
"Distorted?"
"Perhaps it would be better if I showed you."
Suddenly, a screen of water rose from the ground to above my head.
"What the hell!"
Before I could be surprised by this, I flinched and stumbled to my butt. What was before my eyes was completely not what I expected. It had the shape of a human but looked like some patchwork monster. Claws grew from the head, mouths opened on the limbs, tails fought each other around the abdomen. It was as if someone got kicked into a mixer with a bunch of different animals. More than aesthetic repulsion, something in my core was disgusted by this sight. But as I looked at my hand, I discovered that it was indeed me.
"How but no why could when but then this monster my-"
"Calm yourself, young one."
Along with the lowering of the water mirror, the dragon's soothing voice pulled me back from the brink of insanity. Coming back so quickly made me wonder if this was some sort of magic but I was much too distressed to care about that.
'That thing, was me.?'
Even though I was sure, I still couldn't believe it. When I looked back at my hand, it was pale as usual, but I didn't think it was an illusion. That monster, was truly me.
"Th-thanks."
"Do not think much of it. We are now partners with the same goal, it is only natural that I stop you from ruining yourself. But it seems recovery won't be easy. Take your time, I shall be waiting."
With its last line, the fantastical forest faded away.
"Ha...ha...ha..."
Although that dragon was gone, I didn't immediately go back to normal. How could I, after what I had just seen? If I lifted my hand in this dark space, nothing could be seen, and yet I could still vividly imagine that horror-inducing form I had.
'Calm down. Calm down. Stop thinking about it.'
I repeatedly told myself to stop before I went insane from this unease, but it had little effect. I didn't know if my body actually existed in this space and yet I was still breathing so heavily.
'This can't go on.'
In order to bring about any sort of change to my precarious situation, I looked at the only thing I could in this space.
"Quite the overbearing gift."
On the evolution tree, the three branches that lit up now had their lights forcefully restrained by a branch one level higher than them, on the same level as 'Vampire' and 'No Life King'. It grew directly from 'Unique Ghoul,' and was labelled, 'Forest Dragon's Kin'.
It didn't seem to be a very well known race, but the fact that it was at the same height as 'Vampire' and 'No Life King' proved that it was a race with a lot of potential. Furthermore, just being related to a dragon was something to be grateful for.
As I looked at the evolution tree, I felt peace return to my cluttered mind.
'That's right. I don't have to rush. I might not be able to get stronger in here, but I'll be fine as long as I get time to straighten my head out.'
I looked away from the evolution tree and closed off my vision. My very first priority was to fix my soul, but before I tried doing that I had to go through the memories of that lich. It would certainly be difficult, but I couldn't let myself be afraid. My greed might have pushed me to the brink, but I couldn't let that greed be wasted.
'God, I really wanted to have fun and relax in this world you sent me to, but I suppose playtime's over. This time I can't settle with moderate strength. I have to get strong enough to deter anyone from bothering me, no matter who, even a dragon.'
The time for leisure was over, from now on, would be work time.