POV: Marcos
After hiding and observing the adventurers' reactions, a feeling of excitement washed over me. I had always dreamed of becoming the kind of powerful protagonist we see in anime and manga, and now, somehow, I was living it. Using the name from Norse mythology, Fenrir, to present myself as a divine beast was an idea that came to me in the heat of the moment, but it felt perfect at the time.
The sensation of being in control and seeing others believe in my charade made me feel like a talented actor. After all, acting was the key to success in this situation.
Time passed, and the adventurers began to organize for the journey back. From the conversations I overheard while staying alert, it seemed they planned to pass through a nearby village. In fact, it was listening to these conversations that I finally discovered where we were: in a forest within the Duchy of Runa. The city these adventurers came from is called Esmeralda. It seems to be an important city, as they mentioned there is an adventurers' guild there.
After walking slowly through the forest for a long time, the sun began to set, painting the sky in shades of orange and purple, while the moon rose majestically on the horizon. The group stopped to camp in a small clearing surrounded by tall trees whispering in the wind. I would say they had walked quite a bit, but I needed to stay vigilant; I didn't know if it had been a good idea to stop there. Whether due to bandits or monsters, the tranquility of the night could be a trap, and they could end up being attacked. However, this wouldn't be a problem for me; even if some died, I could save Lara.
I decided to pause to check my status and better understand the updates. The gentle sound of rustling leaves and the fresh smell of wet earth around me made the environment somewhat comforting. To my surprise, my nickname had changed, and I was now known as "Fenrir."
[[Status]]
Name: Abaddon Belphegor...Demogorgon
Nickname: Fenrir
Race: God
Subrace: Wolf
HP: 1000/1000
MP: 1000/1000
Level: 1
STR: 100
VIT: 100
INT: 100
DEF: 100
AGI: 100
Points: 10
Passives: Divine Aura.
Abilities: Heat Resistance, Stealth.
[[Followers]]
[[Shop]]
[[Inventory]]
My eyes focused on the new tab [[Shop]]. With curiosity pulsing, I extended my paw over the blue interface, which immediately came to life with vibrant color effects and letters flashing in a series of colorful tones, creating a mesmerizing RGB visual spectacle.
Divine Shop - Unique Roll
Welcome to the majestic Divine Shop, with our exclusive "Unique Roll"! For a mere cost of 5 points, you will have the chance to spin and unveil the secrets that fate has in store for you. Perhaps you will acquire something genuinely extraordinary, or, well, it could be something not so dazzling.
"Hmm... who would have thought that even in another world, I would find a loot box system?" I thought, while my ears twitched at the slightest sound around me. I let out a low growl, a mix of frustration and curiosity washing over me.
"But anyway, I understand that by leveling up, I gained these points that I can spend on these rolls," I concluded, wagging my tail slowly while analyzing the bright interface before my eyes.
"System, how can I get attribute points?" I asked mentally, my eyes fixed on the system, waiting for a response.
System: The unique roll can grant attributes; just be lucky.
I let out a long sigh, showing my fangs in a snarl of irritation at the vague response. The moon was already beginning to illuminate the sky, and the group decided to stop to camp. I, always attentive, made a round around the perimeter, sniffing the air and capturing the scent of the trees and earth around me, ready to protect everyone should something go wrong.
As they set up the tents, I positioned myself nearby, my body relaxed but my senses always sharp. The night breeze caressed my fur, and my bright eyes observed every movement in the dark.
"I'm getting more used to this new body," I thought, as my eyes reflected the glow of the massive moon above me. "I was a bit shocked not to be human anymore, but... this body is so much better. It's always good to see the positive side of things," I completed the thought, letting my tail sway lightly as I admired the moon, which, although familiar, seemed much larger than the one on Earth.
As I contemplated the night sky, something unusual caught my attention. Small white orbs began to float across the ground, gliding gently through the air and illuminating the night around me. I tilted my head in curiosity, my eyes fixated on them. I slowly moved my paw toward one of the orbs, curious to understand what they were. As soon as I touched one, it dissipated, and a feeling of warmth filled my body, spreading through my veins like a gentle fire.
A metallic voice echoed in my mind, interrupting my moment of contemplation:
The small white orbs began to be drawn to me as if a giant magnet was pulling them in my direction. They floated gracefully around me before being absorbed into my body. "So, this is the power of the concept," I thought, watching the lights merge with me. "Interesting... but, system, how do I use this mana?"
System: With the power of the concept, you will be able to create magic. I will release a new interface.
[Creation of Magic]
[NAME]
[ELEMENT]
[DESCRIPTION]
System: The larger and stronger the magic, the more mana will be spent. However, this won't be a problem for the host.
System: First, imagine the magic, define an element, and finally, give it a name.
"Okay, while I wait, I'll create my first magic."
I lay down on my four paws, feeling the comfortable weight of my wolf body against the cold ground. I slowly closed my eyes. The world around me went completely dark, but I felt warmth forming in my imagination. It was a flame, a fire, a bonfire dancing before me. This was ordinary fire, but I needed something fiercer, something that would create a powerful combustion.
I focused harder, searching my memories of my previous world—the 21st century—for something that could inspire the creation of my first magic. I thought of blue fire, the hottest flame we knew, a fire capable of burning without impurities and with a destructive intensity.
My claws lightly dug into the ground, reflecting the intensity of my thoughts, as the heat increased in my mind. I needed to create something hotter, more intense, something beyond ordinary fire.
I imagined that orange fire transforming into red, but I knew I didn't need a simple bonfire. What I sought was something much hotter. I visualized an oven, the gas burning intensely, and soon the flame transformed again. Something hotter, purer—a blue flame, vibrant and devastating. The blue intensified, burning with an uncontrollable ferocity. This was the flame I wanted.
I slowly opened my eyes, feeling the power flow through my body. The name of this magic would be...
"Ignis Fatuus."
In that moment, before me, in my paw, appeared the blue flame, vibrant and pulsing, in constant combustion. The flame seemed alive, an indomitable force that wanted to consume everything around it. The ground around me had already turned black, burned by the intensity of the heat.
"This is amazing..." I thought, fascinated by the creation that had emerged from my own mind. The glow of the flame reflected in my eyes as I observed each movement of it, as if I were facing something dangerous but irresistible.
Next to me, a blue status window appeared, floating in the air, displaying the detailed description of the magic I had just created. It seemed to synthesize in words the destructive power I now controlled.
[NAME]: Ignis Fatuus
[ELEMENT]: Fire (Blue Flame)
[DESCRIPTION]: An intensely hot blue flame, whose color indicates its high temperature and purity. "Ignis Fatuus" consumes its targets with perfect combustion, leaving no trace behind. This magic is hotter than ordinary fire, capable of melting robust materials and heating the environment to the point where even the air seems flammable. However, the flame is unstable and unpredictable, requiring great control. When mastered, it becomes a devastating and lethal force.
"Burn or be consumed by the flames."
As I thought, controlling the mana was like breathing. I felt the magic flowing naturally, but being aware of its intensity, I deactivated the blue flame before anyone noticed. The heat ceased, and darkness took the place of the light that had previously emanated from me. My gaze turned back to the camp.
Lara was awake, sitting near one of the tents, her hands extended toward the campfire. Her long black hair glimmered faintly under the light of the flames, and her dark eyes seemed empty, lost in thought. She wore simple, torn clothes made of worn brown fabric, covered by a black cloak that obscured part of her figure.
System: Why don't you check the followers tab? Lara is there.
I thought about the status again and went to the followers tab, where I found what appeared to be a profile for Lara.
[Follower - Lara]
Name: Lara
Faith: 10%
Pts/day: 0.5
Rank: Category 1
Hmm... So followers generate points that I can use in the roll? This sounds like a casino system... So it seems I will need more followers to accumulate more points.
A few hours later, Lara went to sleep. The camp sank into silence, only the occasional sound of the breeze rustling the leaves. Drog took the watch, staying alert. As I gazed at the bright moon in the sky, I felt exhaustion creeping in. This world can be cruel, but in moments like this, it also has its own tranquil beauty, so I closed my eyes.