"Strange spatial fluctuations, unusual forces..."
The black dragon raised its fearsome head and looked to the north. Its immense eyes, imbued with a hint of curiosity, whispered in a low, rumbling voice.
What could it be?
It pondered silently.
Nearby, a tiny elemental sprite, curious, nudged against the dragon's heavy black scales. The overwhelming fire energy within the dragon intrigued it.
"Little one, are you not afraid of me?"
The black dragon, though fearsome in appearance, was not violent. It seemed to sense something, lifting its gaze downward.
Compared to its mountain-like bulk, the small fire sprite was insignificant—smaller even than a single scale.
Despite its tiny size, the dragon could see it clearly. The two contrasting figures faced each other in an oddly harmonious scene.
The dragon opened its mouth, revealing a smile that was more imposing than friendly, and spoke softly.
Flames flickered from its mouth, its voice laced with the pride and authority of a ruler.
"Roar~ Roar~"
With a slight movement, the dragon could transform the environment, sending gusts of wind and dust swirling. The small fire sprite was tossed about, its flames flickering wildly, making soft, kitten-like noises that were rather endearing.
In the dragon's eyes, however, everything was different. A panel appeared beneath the cute fire sprite, visible only to the dragon.
Name: Volcano Elemental Sprite (Capturable)
Level: 81
Skills: Elemental Body (Passive), Flame Frenzy, Explosive Fireball, Volcanic Rain, Hot Wind, Self-Destruct
Description: An elemental sprite formed from the purest fire elements of nature, awakened with the naive intellect of a child. Extremely rare, it only inhabits the perilous southern reaches of the continent. It provides its master with significant fire attribute enhancement and resistance.
In this wondrous world, even fire can come to life.
Such a phenomenon would have shattered his worldview in the past, defying even Darwin's theories.
Yet, compared to the fantastical occurrences in his own life, it seemed less extraordinary.
"Level, skills, description... Is this a game world? Or a data-driven reality? And what exactly am I?"
He raised his fearsome head, gazing at the smoke-filled sky tainted by volcanic lava, sighing as if bearing the weight of ages.
Indeed, within this colossal dragon, another soul from a different world resided.
Ethan Drake, once a young man living in a concrete jungle under the shining red banner of the new century. Handsome, but otherwise ordinary, he was merely a cog in the machine of everyday life, destined to see nothing but mundane scenery.
He was supposed to continue his ordinary existence day by day.
However, one day, he woke up.
The familiar, shabby rental apartment was gone, replaced by this hellish landscape of burning earth.
And his somewhat unhealthy human body had transformed into this mountain-sized, powerful dragon form.
Born in the flames, existing beyond the world's rules.
He could feel the terrifying power within him, the power to turn the world to ashes.
But at the beginning of his journey, he hadn't yet grasped the full extent of his situation.
The dragon's immense power and boundless knowledge overwhelmed his fragile soul.
Thus, he fell into a deep slumber to recuperate, assimilate memories and knowledge, and nurture his soul.
The dragon's slumber lasted for a millennium, oblivious to the passage of time.
The world outside changed with the tides—wars waged, civilizations rose, new species emerged...
But none of it concerned him.
The fearsome dragon lay quiet, like a slumbering child, undisturbed by day or the falling sky.
No one could venture into the most dangerous and scorching southern wastelands to disturb his century-long dream.
Until today, strange spatial disturbances stirred him from his sleep, gradually rousing him.
In the depths of his being, he sensed an inexplicable feeling.
The world was about to change!
"Roar~ Ha~~"
Any intelligent species has a sense of impending danger.
So, when Ethan Drake awoke from his slumber, the surrounding elemental sprites scattered in fear.
But this little, adorable sprite remained unafraid.
It nuzzled against his time-worn, sturdy scales, making sounds like a playful kitten.
It eased some of the loneliness in Ethan Drake's heart.
He paused, about to speak.
Then, he sensed something and squinted his eyes.
"Great Lord of Catastrophe, Endbringer Dragon, your magnificence, your strength, your power to destroy everything, your ability to end destinies, to trample on gods, and your invincibility in the world!"
"How foolish the world is, listening to the deceit of petty gods!"
"Heroes? Saviors? Who can match your power!"
"You deserve immortality, you deserve to be celebrated!"
"Respected Supreme, allow me to be your devoted follower!"
"Let me compose the epic of your glory!"
Amid the fervent whispers, a different scene and an unfamiliar face appeared before him.
"Mm?"