Are you kidding me!
= = =
Ethan raked his hands through his hair, cursing in frustration, his throat parched. The system was becoming too strict for his liking.
Going out of the ship's kitchen, a thought flashed across his mind, raising his lips in a grin,
He went into the kitchen again pulled the two tanks of water reservoir and plunged his face into it, gurgling rapidly and almost choking.
Ok, that was enough, he pulled his head out, glanced at his now bulging stomach, a smile presently on his face. He rubbed his stomach.
'System, situation report?
[Warning. 1:10:00 dehydration level 15%]
Cocking an eyebrow, he still felt like he hadn't gotten any water through his system. He was growing thirsty.
' I wasn't expecting that.
[Me neither. Host should know that with every ten minutes your dehydration level increases]
Thanks for the system report. Cut in Ethan, his ears were now hurting from that small info.
Slumping on a chair, his bulging stomach mocked him. He pinched his temples, carried himself up. Went out of the ship.
No amount of water would be able to cure his thirst now. So was he going to die? The system couldn't be that cruel.
The time ticked on.
He ventured back into the island, he would take a look of how this place was in case and maybe search for the deer meat and water.
Health: 60%
After a while, he felt he was going into circles, stopped and checked his system
[System will be lenient. Host can now focus on getting the deer meat.]
So nice of you, how can I find this deer? Ethan drawled. Because basically none is seen anywhere.
A human settlement two kilometers from here, houses such animals, to avoid detection.
And the dehydration stuff? I don't want my vessels' pathway having problems. His voice something like a sigh.
[When host gets the deer, it would be shown what to quench its taste]
Clever, very clever. Ethan nodded his head slowly. Thought I might abscond once I get my dehydration level down.
Severe warning, dehydration level: 75%
Health:40%. Host should be fast to be able to transform.
Once health reaches 20, transformation would not be possible.
Ethan had to move fast. He wanted to ask the system if he could change now instead of not being able to transform later, he hoped it would say something good.
[Host would be able to transform, but changing back to human form would not be possible, because host has not done the task]
This was messed up, he wondered briefly what he had done to deserve this. Sighing with resignation, initiate Komodo dragon beast mode.
[Initiating… Done. Transformation would now begin.]
Ethan released a harsh breath, his bones, and body rearranging, his vision changing.
A large tail sprouting from his rear, claws emerging as his body took the form of the Komodo dragon.
Hus sense of smell heightened, he tested a tentative movement of his massive feet, thinking of how much energy would be used for that.
He was surprised to notice no weight at all, he took another and another. Tongue flicking out of his mouth, his thoughts fused with that of the Dragon.
Onward movement of the settlement began, the ground vibrating underneath. He had only made it far before getting irritated at the always flicking tongue.
Just remain in a place.
The system then came back to add more. [host should let go of his human self and mind for easy flow]
Thank you very much, but I want it to stay, just do a thing about this flickering tongue. will you?
. . .
Ugh! You're insufferable. Maybe I should just test the wings then. With that Ethan focused and conjured it up.
Heart racing with anticipation, took a try to fly, but didn't even move a distance so much from the ground.
The monotone voice came again, this time laughing [let your mind free and link it to the Komodo dragon]
Would his mind also be taking. Ethan was giving up his human self? But he had to do it.
Alright.
= = =
Its sense of smell brought it to the laboratory zoo. But it couldn't read, what he knew was that delicious food was in there.
It walked tail dragging on the ground, brought the obstruction from his path clattering to the floor, passed over it.
Multiple food was there, some more confusing than the others, they were different sections for them all.
It located what it had come for, moving towards them as they backed away, long legs prancing to give more space.
The young deer reeked of wariness and abstract fear, the little artificial forest was now a hindrance to them. It blocked their entrance. forked tongue out, to taste it before it caught one.
Hum, chomp, blood dripping on the floor. It went for another and another, its hunger slightly abated.
After a while, it was satisfied, and the number of food had depleted, and the few left stood frightened to a spot. It had no need of them again.
It turned its tail dragging the end of a table which it smashed, turned and started going back the way it had come, noises now coming from the animals in cages.
Furthermore, it didn't care, it had to leave immediately before those things on two legs came. The crescent sun stood up shining brightly, it walked tons shade beside the building.
[Congratulations, you have been granted 200 XP for killing prey and staying unnoticed by the humans. Locate a muddy water and drink two gallons of it]
Somewhere behind it, it cursed vehemently at the system, what was the use of this punishment? Having a good water only to be asked to drink muddy water.
Proceeding to locate the source of water, it heard a loud alarm, but it could not recognize what it was. It reached the place, lapped and lapped. It's thirst diminishing.
[+50XP granted. Warning! Sonic alarm would soon go off, leave premises.]
But Ethan wasn't able to react fast, already preoccupied with glaring hard at the number, too small for a nonsensical task.
The alarm blared so hard, and It felt it go down, it's legs unable to support it. The two people onlegs came at it, but we're very many, thick ropes were thrown on him.
Something shot into him, and It felt itself go limp, it tried to summon up its fire but was too weak. The system flashed but was blurry.
[You have been hit with a weakness. Sonic alarm, Health: 20]
It dropped it's head, going into a black void, but not after trying unsuccessful to bring out flames.
= = =
Dr. Elara at 32 was Vedra's scientist, a thriving planet based mainly on biotechnology and was looking for a way to make the human body super seed it's limitations.
So this came as a surprise after months of failing, and now this.
Her gray eyes widened as the massive beast twitched its scales as skin receded to reveal a handsome male with red hair and beautiful freckles.
Impossible, she whispered, short of breath. A human transformation into a creature? The boy's DNA had been able to merge with the dragon without complications.
Fascinating, she subconsciously licked her lips while she studied the male's features.
His eyes twitched under their lids, grogginess etched on his face.
His eyes fluttered open.
"Who…." he stammered.
Stepping forward hands outstretched at this marvel, if she presented this to the council of Vedra. They would worship her.
And she would make them pay for all the disrespect they had thrown at her face. And with the upcoming war, between the voltran aliens.
They would have a chance. She would enhance him and he in turn would do only her bidding.
A grin stretched her almost wrinkle free face.
"I am Dr. Alara vex. You are one hell of a remarkable specimen"!
Ethan stared hard at the woman, she was equally crazy. He, a remarkable specimen? For heaven's sake. She should spare him.
She continued blabbing, but Ethan had his focus on the panel in front of him.
[Health bar: 70%]
[Host has been captured by Vedra's scientist and would be advised to stay in this place]
He returned the gaze to AlaraSorry, what were you saying? It had come as a shock to him as she fawned over him. Raising his hands up, dropping it, turning his face and squealing.
"I just gave you a term of agreement, she replied, beckoning another man in a coat.
Make sure he is treated properly. Hun, you are such a god sent.
Ethan's eyes ping ponged from A to B.
" Relax, something like this has never been seen in Vedra and this is something Dr. Alara had been trying to work on for years.
"Charlie! Cut the chitchat and give him the terms, Dr. Alara bellowed at the mustache man with a warm look.
"Yes. So you would be given a limited but good privileges as a Vedra citizen, medical supplies, modern amenities and the likes. In return, you must work for us and only do our bidding.
"And this is non-negotiable as you're breaching the role would be published as a feral man roaming the country and be hunted.
"Yeah, Dr. Alara chipped in as well as protection from the government, anything you want would be provided to you.
"Sounds fair, right? She arched her brow at him, eyes twinkling too bright. "You gain, I gain.
"This was excellent, at least he wouldn't be hunted. He would live with them like a normal human being, with doing tasks just for them. How had can that be?
If that's all, I accept.
"Told ya. Alara patted Dr. Charlie on his back, teeth now on full display. " I would help you unlock boundaries, and together we would show the world what we are capable of.
= = =
Ethan woke up, his body heavily satiated by the good sleep and great food. The bed was great and soft, he could lie on it forever.
Yawning, he got up to see the door open and Dr. Alara entered a big small plastered. " You did have a great and enjoyable rest, right?
Ethan nodded. A medium - height girl came from behind her, her black hair in a ponytail, she dropped something on the bedside table.
"Pick it and see if you like it, she gestured.
Ethan bent down and retrieved the package, opened it and let out a whoosh. A handsome suit with a Zodiac print on it.
"Thought so, it's handsome right? Suits you, she said, placing her hands under the fair yet handsome chin.
'It looks great but why the print?
Dropping her hands, "I would like to put you in an institution for astral hunters as that is the dynamics for Vedra.
"You would have to do everything to be able to blend, but we would keep your transformation status a secret.
Her eyes had lost their smile as she said that.
"I would give you the ability to channel all the zodiac energy and top all in that institution, failure non-inclusive. You would be my informant as well as student.
'Ethan hummed, if she would give him that it would be nice and with the system noone would ever bully him again.
'Bring it on then, when do I start?
" Love the spirit, Alara commented and holding his hands led him out of the door. Let's go have you taken care of, Hun.
Ethan found himself going red, his cheeks flushed. Was she going to supervise his bathing exercise?
She led him to a massive bathroom, and Ethan's eyes almost bulged out of his sockets. Too good! He would be better off sleeping here.
"I would be waiting for you.
Ethan nodded. She would wait for a long because he wasn't going to come out any time soon. This was too great.
The system had not popped any messages yet, and so he was pleased. Maybe he had gotten rid of her. That would make him double pleased.
" How dare it asks him to drink mud water?
[Sorry, I woke up late, and it's so nice hearing that you are concerned about me. I want you to be triple pleased to have me back]
Ahhhh!
The black girl in a ponytail rushed in fear vivid in her face. Ethan flashed a crocked laugh at her before noticing he was naked.
The grin broadened, the girl's eyes grew wider and flew from the bathroom murmuring apologies.
[Was that my doing?]
Shut up!