To be Nirvana's favorite was taxing.
I tried not to pout while my surroundings slowly shifted back to the screaming and madness.
The deserted place disappeared along with the burning tree.
Heat crept up my skin as real fire broke out from where the stage was moments ago. It snapped me out of the stupor I had fallen into.
The voice from the burning tree echoed in my ears. What he said last had left me dazed.
But I was no longer in that zone.
"Winter," I had my head turning left and right, putting a hand over my nose to prevent being suffocated by the smoke rising from the burning tables, chairs, and ceiling.
The flames were moving fast. It was licking the cloth of the tables and setting the entire thing on fire a second later.
"Dammit!" I hissed, still not finding Winter or Fifi amid the chaos.
Cries of panic and pain hang in the air as people continue to fight over who gets out first. Needless to say, the front door was blocked.
"Humanity is dead," I mumbled, still searching for both women.
'Fifi? If you could hear me, please say something!'
I waited for a response, standing in the middle of mayhem. A strange shape was taking form before me from the corner of my eye.
Goosebumps had the hairs on my body standing in attention.
Green scales slowly materialized in front of me, two beady eyes forming in the once hallowed space while I stepped away.
A large mouth completed its facial expression, and fins appeared on both sides of its head, displaying what was supposed to be a pair of ears.
Its body resembled a human but was twice larger than a regular one.
I took two steps back, distancing myself enough from the creature.
Where on Nirvana was Fifi when you need her?
Am I supposed to fight with this beast on my own?
[Tch]
"Damn," her timing couldn't have been more perfect. "Where have you been?!"
[Is that important right now?]
Her response merited a scoff. It was scary how she sounded more like me the longer we stayed together.
But she was nowhere in sight.
"Stop copying me."
[I'm not copying you, ew]
"Huh, whatever. So, am I supposed just to stand here, or are we going to fight?"
[Beast: Zardik]
[Danger level: Low]
[Evolution points granted: 500]
Fifi harumphed, ignoring my query.
"This is a low-level one?"
[Yes]
I narrowed my gaze at the creature. It was almost done making its appearance available. The only thing missing was its feet.
"I already fought with a medium level. I feel a little insulted."
Fifi snorted.
[Your statistics have been reset]
"What?!"
I was back to feeling a burning rage.
I swear, this was so unfair.
[You need to work hard to earn more than what you've lost]
I muttered unintelligible curses, zeroing in on the monster that stood only a few feet away.
"This is becoming more and more like a damn punishment than a blessing."
[...]
I scowled. The Zardik was standing at its full height. It had crooked sharp teeth, ready to snap at me anytime.
Oddly enough, nobody else could see the evident threat before me. People continued to panic, and nobody even glanced this way.
[Are you ready?]
"I don't have much of a choice," I said through gritted teeth, clenching and unclenching my hands into fists.
[...]
[Initiating Evolution]
[Evolving in 3…]
[2…]
[1…]
Warm heat spread through my body. Muscles and bones stretched and transformed. I thought back to the burning tree in the middle of nowhere and wondered who I had talked with.
It wasn't Nichen. That was for sure.
Recalling our conversation, I chased away the thoughts that came to mind before I could fully evolve. It would not be very pleasant if Fifi read my thoughts.
I want to keep a bit of my dignity intact.
Opening my eyes, instead of seeing the burning building and panicking people, a golden platform with square grid lines presented itself like a stage.
While I was floating several feet away from the enemy monster, I noticed how this new development wasn't part of my initial fights.
[Ehem]
Fifi jerked me out of my thoughts. If she had been standing before me, I was sure she would be rolling her eyes, finding my unsaid questions ridiculous.
[As I have told you before, a forcefield is initiated upon your evolution. This is what it looked like]
"Whoa," I exclaimed, not denying that I was impressed. It made me feel like I was inside of a game. Although truth be told, I'm an introvert who prefers to read books over games.
It was an influence of Winter. In the days that followed after she left for Harrith, I immersed myself in reading, hoping that I'd get to read to her again one day.
She loved it when I did.
Her compliment of loving to hear my voice made me practice reading with feelings, hoping to bring out the emotions that were bleeding through the pages of the book she had chosen.
[She's safe]
Fifi's sudden interruption made me blink. The Zardik was watching me, its eyes observant.
'Where's she?'
[She's safe]
Fifi repeated. Her tone told me I wouldn't get an answer more than that.
A puff of white smoke came out from my nose while I narrowed my gaze at the Zardik. It didn't move, but its eyes were watching me.
'One blow would be enough to kill this monster, right?'
[Perhaps]
'What do you mean by that?'
[Zardiks are low-level monsters, but they have high resistance against attacks. Their scales give them external protection and could bounce off an assault back to the one who fired it]
'Well, that's comforting.'
[They release damaging attacks using their fins. When its eyes glow red, you better brace yourself]
I glanced at the monster. It opened its mouth and snarled, snapping its teeth before licking its lips with the pinkish elongated tongue slipping out of its mouth.
'What are my options?'
[You can try the Nirvana Special]
'You're not going to suddenly roast me alive, right?'
[I wish I could]
I snorted.
'Fine. Let's do that. One Nirvana Special, please.'
[Hmph]
[Initiating transformation]
[Transforming in 3…]
[2…]
[1…]
A small fire appeared on my chest. It traced a round sigil with a dragon inside, exploding in a blinding light.
Minimal tingles pricked my skin, taking me a moment to re-open my eyes and adjust to the golden platform.
In my hand, a weapon made of steel appeared. Black gloves took shape and protected my hands.
Looking at myself, I couldn't help but be amazed.
"Whoa, this is so fricking cool."
I was back to my human form, wearing excellent black leather with a dragon sigil on the front.
A few minutes into my bewildered state, a warm breeze emitted from behind.
I turned and found a small dragon looking at me. It had black scales but was surrounded by orange flames. White smoke came from its nose, creating a trail as it slowly moved, circling me.
[Nirvana Special served. You will no longer have it next time, but if you earn enough Evolution Points, you will be able to have this option every time you evolve]
A surge of energy ran along through my fingertips.
I held the weapon in my hand firmly, my eyes ablaze.
Finishing its round, the dragon I saw looked me in the eye, distracting me. It held my gaze for a minute, making me feel small despite the powerful coursing energy I could feel pulsing in my system before it lowered its head.
"Uh, what…?"
[Do as it did, dumbo]
I frowned, promising to get back at Fifi later.
Reluctant as I may be, I blew out a sigh, closed my eyes, and gradually lowered my head.
[Fire Dragon Merging Complete]