The darkness was overwhelming, and I felt the cold creeping across my skin. I didn't know where I was or how I had ended up here. I only remembered being human... and now everything was different. I slowly opened my eyes, and the sight that greeted me was terrifying. I was in a vast cave, with sharp rocks and shadows that seemed to move all around.
My body felt strange, larger, stronger, but not entirely beastly. I looked at my hands, now covered in scales of a deep black color, shimmering with a bluish hue under the dim light. I managed to get up with some difficulty, feeling how each movement was more fluid and powerful than my old human body allowed. I wasn't a full dragon, but I knew I was no longer human either.
What am I now? I thought, looking at my reflection in a polished rock nearby. My eyes glowed with a turquoise color, and my height... was immense, about three meters, as if I were a being between human and dragon. My skin and limbs were thicker, with sharp claws, and I felt a latent power coursing through my veins.
A bright light suddenly appeared in front of me, projecting what seemed to be a kind of interface.
**Abyssal Domain System**
- **Protagonist Name**: Lu Ming
- **Level**: 1
- **HP (Health)**: 100/100
- **MP (Mana)**: 100/100
- **Strength**: 15
- **Agility**: 12
- **Resistance**: 13
- **Experience**: 0/100
- **Abilities**:
- *Abyssal Dragon* (Level 1): Complete transformation into an Abyssal Dragon. Significantly increases strength, resistance, and size, but consumes a large amount of energy.
- *Abyssal Roar* (Level 1): A roar that instills fear in nearby creatures. Reduces their morale and can weaken enemies.
- *Shadow Flight* (Level 1): Allows flight in darkness with speed. Improves evasion and mobility.
- **Forms**:
- *Dragonian Form*: My current form. A humanoid body of three meters, with great strength and agility.
- *Abyssal Dragon Form*: A 10-meter-long being. Absolute power at the cost of a great amount of energy.
- **Inventory**: Empty
Dragonian... and Abyssal Dragon, I murmured. My voice echoed in the cave. I knew this form gave me flexibility, but the other... the other would be pure destruction. However, the complete transformation into an Abyssal Dragon seemed to be something I couldn't take lightly. It would cost me a lot of mana and energy to maintain.
My thoughts were interrupted by the roar of a creature. The sound reverberated through the cave walls and reached me. My muscles tensed immediately, as if my natural instincts were warning me of an imminent threat.
I decided to explore. I moved quickly toward the cave exit, noting how agile my new body was. Each step was firm and quick, my claws echoing against the stone as I slid over the terrain. As I stepped outside, the landscape that presented itself was desolate: rivers of lava flowed between rocky hills, while the sky was covered in dark, reddish clouds.
In the distance, I saw shadows moving. I felt that this world was full of dangers and that, from now on, everything would depend on my new abilities.
I closed my eyes for a moment, trying to feel the flow of energy within me. The *Abyssal Dragon*... a powerful ability that would turn me into a true beast. I decided to reserve that transformation for later. I wasn't ready yet. Instead, I activated one of my current abilities, the *Abyssal Roar*.
I opened my maw and let out a roar. The sound reverberated throughout the area, resonating like thunder, and in the distance, I saw how the shadows lurking retreated in fear. Some smaller creatures fled, but others remained in the gloom, watching me.
**MP: 80/100**
Using the *Abyssal Roar* had consumed part of my mana, but not as much as I had expected. It was clear that I would need to learn to use my abilities more precisely if I wanted to survive here.
As I explored the area, I noticed a disturbance in the air. Something was coming toward me. I crouched instinctively, flexing my legs, ready for whatever might appear. From the shadows emerged a gigantic creature, a deformed beast with sharp fangs and blood-red eyes. It was a **Pit Beast**, about four meters tall, much larger than I was in my current form.
This is going to be tough, I thought as my heart raced.
The Beast lunged at me with surprising speed for its size. I rolled to the side just in time, avoiding its claws, and counterattacked with my own claws, slashing its side. My strike made it roar in pain, but it didn't stop. With a quick movement of its tail, it struck me in the chest, sending me back several meters.
**HP: 85/100**
I won't be defeated so easily.
I jumped back, gaining some distance as my mind worked quickly. I needed to find a strategy to defeat it without wasting too much energy. Using the *Abyssal Dragon* at this moment would be a waste, but my Dragonian abilities would give me the agility I needed to win.
I used *Shadow Flight* to lift myself for a moment and dodge another attack from the Beast. From the air, I observed its movements. It was fast, but predictable. I took advantage of an opening in its defense and swooped down, striking its neck with my claws. This time, the strike was deeper, tearing through flesh.
The Pit Beast roared furiously, but its strength was starting to wane. Without giving it a chance to react, I circled around it, attacking its flanks repeatedly. My agility was my greatest advantage. With one final leap, I positioned myself behind it and sank my fangs into its neck, tearing through the flesh until its body stopped moving.
**Pit Beast defeated.**
**+20 Experience Points.**
**You have received: 5 Gold Coins.**
The system appeared before me again, notifying me of the reward. I watched in surprise as several gold coins floated in the air before falling to the ground. I collected them carefully, storing them in my inventory. Although I didn't yet know their purpose, it was clear that these coins would have some use later on.
My HP was now at 70/100. The battle had been intense, but I was not gravely injured. I took a moment to recover and surveyed the surroundings. This world was merciless, filled with dangerous creatures, but each battle made me stronger. I knew I would have to keep fighting to survive, and soon I would find the opportunity to use the power of my *Abyssal Dragon*.
This is just the beginning.
I headed back to the cave, knowing there was still much to discover about this strange world and my new self.
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