I rushed into the bedroom, my heart pounding in my chest. There was Crystal, my beautiful all-white husky, standing in the center of the room. Her unique black-marked paws, a distinctive feature that always set her apart, were now trembling. Her fur, typically pristine and comforting, seemed to shimmer under the dim light filtering through the curtains, almost as if it were alive with an otherworldly glow.
Crystal was hunched over, whimpering softly, her body shivering uncontrollably. The sight filled me with an overwhelming concern. She was shifting awkwardly, her movements jerky and uncoordinated. Each whine she let out pierced my heart, echoing with an unmistakable note of distress. Her eyes, usually so bright and expressive, now seemed vacant, dull, as if she was staring into a void far beyond the room. It was a jarring and painful contrast to the joyful, playful companion I had known.
She glanced up at me, but there was no recognition in her gaze—only a distant, almost haunting emptiness. The bond we shared felt frayed, as though something had come between us. It was as if she was a stranger, a creature unfamiliar to me, trapped in her own turmoil.
The room felt colder, the air thick with an unsettling energy. My instincts screamed at me to do something, to help her, but I was at a loss. The supernatural events of the day had already turned my world upside down, and now, seeing Crystal in this state, I felt utterly powerless. Her whimpers grew louder, and I could see her muscles tensing as if she were bracing for something beyond comprehension. My mind raced, desperately searching for a solution, any way to ease her suffering and bring back the companion I knew and loved.
As I cautiously approached Crystal, hoping to comfort her, she suddenly bared her fangs and growled. Her teeth, which had always seemed normal, now appeared alarmingly long and razor-sharp, glinting menacingly in the dim light. It was unsettling to see her like this, her eyes reflecting a wildness I had never seen before. The fur along her back bristled, and her body tensed as if preparing to lunge.
I moved slowly, keeping my hands visible and my voice calm, trying to soothe her. "Hey, girl, it's okay," I murmured, my tone gentle and reassuring. Despite my efforts, she remained on edge, her growls deep and throaty, a clear warning to keep my distance. The room felt thick with tension, the air charged with an almost palpable energy.
"CRYSTAL!" I called out, hoping my voice would pierce through the haze of whatever was affecting her. The sound of her name seemed to momentarily break through her agitation. Her ears flicked back slightly, and the wildness in her eyes flickered. There was a tense moment where it seemed like she might not respond, but then her posture began to shift. The aggressive stance softened, her growling subsided into a low whimper, and she slowly lowered her head.
I breathed a sigh of relief, though my heart was still racing. "I know you're in pain, but you need to calm down so I can help you," I said gently, trying to maintain a steady voice. "If you bark at me again, I'll have to remind you of your potty-training days," I added, attempting to lighten the mood with a familiar, affectionate scolding. It was a weak attempt to inject a sense of normalcy into the surreal situation.
"Now SIT!" I commanded softly but firmly, hoping the familiar command would ground her. Crystal hesitated, her eyes locked on mine. After a few seconds, she complied, sitting down. Her body was still tense, and her breathing was heavy, but she was no longer growling. I could see the conflict in her eyes, a mix of fear, confusion, and pain.
I knelt down slowly, keeping my movements deliberate and unthreatening. "Let me see what's wrong," I murmured, inching closer. My heart ached to see her like this, so different from the playful, loving dog I knew. Her transformation, whatever had caused it, was clearly causing her distress. I reached out, carefully, watching for any signs of discomfort or aggression. Crystal remained still, her eyes following my every move. I gently stroked her fur, now crackling with faint static. It was softer than usual, but it felt thicker and warmer, almost as if she were radiating a low heat.
As I continued to pet her, she seemed to relax further, the tension slowly draining from her body. She let out a soft whine, her eyes finally showing a glimmer of recognition. My heart swelled with relief, but I knew we weren't out of the woods yet. Whatever had changed her was still present, an invisible barrier between us. I needed to find a way to help her, to understand what was happening and how to make it right.
Obediently, Crystal's whimpering quieted, and she shifted from her tense sitting position to lie on her side. She seemed to be struggling but was willing to trust me, her eyes reflecting a mix of pain and vulnerability. I knelt beside her, my heart aching as I gently ran my hands over her body, feeling for any signs of injury or discomfort. Her fur, although still soft and silky, had an unusual warmth to it, and it felt slightly denser under my touch.
As I continued to examine her, it became clear that something was different. Her size had inexplicably doubled, a transformation so sudden and dramatic it left me bewildered. Her once manageable frame was now more like that of a large wolf, imposing and powerful. I tried to make sense of it, but there was no immediate explanation for her physical change. The transformation was both awe-inspiring and disconcerting.
Just as I was beginning to lose hope of finding anything useful, a glint of light caught my eye. I focused on Crystal's mouth and saw a small, shiny object nestled between her teeth. I extended my hand toward her, making a gentle, encouraging gesture for her to release whatever she was holding. Crystal hesitated for a moment, her eyes shifting from me to the object, then she carefully lowered her head and dropped a small jewel into my palm.
The jewel was unlike anything I had ever seen. It was radiant and ethereal, almost glowing with an inner light that seemed to shift and dance. Its surface was smooth and polished, reflecting the dim light in a spectrum of colors. The jewel had an otherworldly quality, with intricate patterns embedded within it that seemed to move subtly, as if alive.
I examined the jewel closely, a sense of wonder and confusion mixing within me. It was clear that this was no ordinary object. Its beauty was striking, and it seemed to pulse with a quiet energy, hinting at a significance beyond my current understanding. The presence of this jewel in Crystal's mouth, combined with her sudden transformation, hinted at a deeper connection to the cosmic events that had unfolded earlier. I needed to figure out what this jewel was and how it related to everything that had happened.
As I held the jewel up to the light, I could feel a faint warmth emanating from it, as if it were somehow connected to the strange new energies that had enveloped our world. My mind raced with possibilities, each more intriguing and mysterious than the last.
The System's sudden chime made me jump, breaking the tense silence. I looked at the Mana Diamond in my hand, its radiance seeming to pulse with a life of its own. The System's message was clear and direct:
**[This is a Mana Diamond, an incredibly rare item with a one-in-a-trillion chance of being found. It holds immense magical power and can provide substantial benefits.]**
A sense of triumph surged within me. Despite the System's earlier skepticism, it seemed I had stumbled upon something truly extraordinary. My initial excitement was tempered by concern for Crystal. I turned to the System, hoping for more insight into her condition.
"Hey, System, can you tell me what's going on with my dog?" I asked, casting a worried glance at Crystal, who was now much larger than before and still showing signs of discomfort.
**[Your dog attempted to consume the Mana Diamond but couldn't handle its immense power. The transformation you witnessed is a result of this failed attempt. It's advised that you consume the Mana Diamond yourself to harness its power and stabilize the situation.]**
The System's suggestion was both surprising and unsettling. My eyes drifted back to Crystal, who lay on the floor with her fur still shimmering under the room's light. The massive increase in her size was one thing, but seeing her in pain and distress was deeply troubling. The System's words implied that consuming the Mana Diamond was not just a choice, but a necessary action to correct the imbalance caused by Crystal's attempt.
With a deep breath, I weighed my options. The Mana Diamond could potentially grant me immense power, but the immediate priority was to ensure Crystal's well-being. If consuming the diamond would stabilize her and possibly offer benefits that would help both of us, it seemed like the logical step to take.
I carefully placed the Mana Diamond in a safe spot on the table and approached Crystal. "I'm going to do something that might help us both," I said softly, my voice filled with resolve. "Just hold on, Crystal."
With a mix of revulsion and curiosity, I picked up the jewel from the table and eyed it skeptically. "This better not be a joke," I muttered.
I went to the bathroom and meticulously washed the jewel with soap, scrubbing away any remnants of dog saliva. Once it was thoroughly clean, I took a deep breath, steeling myself. Swallowing a jewel seemed ludicrous, but I had little choice if I wanted to harness its power. Closing my eyes, I threw it back and swallowed.
The moment I swallowed the Mana Diamond, an immediate and excruciating pain surged through my body, unlike anything I had ever felt before. It was as though my entire being was being torn apart and rebuilt from the inside out. My vision blurred, and a sharp, searing sensation coursed through every nerve, making it almost impossible to stay upright.
I gasped for breath, my legs buckling beneath me. Desperately, I grabbed onto the dresser for support, my knuckles whitening as I tried to remain on my feet. My heart raced, pounding in my chest with an intensity that matched the pain. Each breath came in ragged, desperate gasps, my body overwhelmed by the sheer force of the transformation.
The agony felt like it lasted an eternity, but gradually, the excruciating pain began to subside. It ebbed away slowly, leaving me panting heavily, drenched in sweat, and trembling from the residual strain. I stood there, clutching my chest, trying to steady my breath as the last vestiges of pain faded.
My mind struggled to process the intensity of the experience. The transformation had been far more brutal than I had anticipated. I took a moment to steady myself, forcing my shaking legs to hold me upright. My vision gradually cleared, and I looked down at myself, trying to gauge any changes.
As I caught my breath and tried to calm my racing heart, I felt a subtle but unmistakable shift within me. There was a new, vibrant energy coursing through my veins, a sense of power and vitality that I hadn't felt before. The Mana Diamond had clearly left its mark, but I needed to make sure that Crystal was okay.
I turned to look at her. She was still lying on the floor, but there was a noticeable change. Her fur had regained its usual luster, and her breathing had steadied. Her earlier distress seemed to have diminished, and she looked up at me with eyes that were once again bright and filled with recognition.
Breathing a sigh of relief, I slowly approached Crystal. "Are you okay, girl?" I asked, gently petting her. Her tail wagged weakly in response, and she nuzzled against my hand, her expression much calmer than before.
I took another deep breath, trying to calm my own nerves. The Mana Diamond had clearly been a powerful and transformative force, and I could feel its effects resonating through me. The pain had been immense, but if it meant that Crystal was stabilized and that we had gained an edge in this chaotic world, it was worth it.
With Crystal appearing more stable, I took a moment to assess myself. The Mana Diamond's power had clearly integrated into my system, and I could feel a newfound strength and clarity. The world outside was still in chaos, but now, with this new power and the renewed determination to protect Crystal, I felt better prepared to face whatever came next.
"Stupid System," I exclaimed, "what was that? Are you trying to kill me? I want a refund! There has to be another System out there because at this rate, you're going to get me killed!"
**[There is only one System. Now, let me inform you of the benefits you've gained from this ordeal.]**
**[First: You have acquired a second elemental ability.]**
**[Second: You now receive double experience points for all activities, including skills and levels.]**
**[Third: You can have ten active skills, with five being the normal.]**
**[Fourth: You can possess up to twenty passive skills, with ten being the normal.]**
**[Finding more Mana Diamonds will enhance these perks, but the accompanying pain will also increase. The path to power is not without its challenges.]**
"Okay, but I heard an alert during all this. What was that about?"
**[The Mana Diamond's effects include making skill acquisition easier. You've gained the 'Tamer' skill due to your close bond with your dog and your dominance over her in her weakened state. Normally, acquiring this skill would have taken more time and effort.]**
**[Tamer - LVL 1: Allows taming and training of various creatures. They will show absolute loyalty once tamed. The best time to tame is when the creature is in a weakened state. 1/2]**
"Now that I've seen my own stats, can I view Crystal's stats too?"
**[Status]**
- **Name:** Crystal
- **Race:** Beast
- **Breed:** Husky
- **Lvl:** 0 **Exp:** 0/100
- **Ability:** Lightning
- **Health:** 110
- **Mana:** 70
- **Attack:** 130
- **Defense:** 75
- **Strength:** 13
- **Speed:** 18
- **Vitality:** 11
- **Intellect:** 7
- **Luck:** 12
- **Charm:** 11