"Malsa show me my new stats." Robin said as he was following the The dark circular object in the forest.
—
[ System Panel ]
Level: 2/12
Energy: 0/20000
Energy Types: Life Energy/ 1 /2000, Dark Energy / 2 / 0
Skills: Healing Magic, Gluttony, Weak Dragon Bloodline
Body Level: Junior Knight [ Available! ]
Mana Level: Junior Mage, Magical Circle 2
—
Robin examined his new stats and was stunned to find that he had reached a higher level. The surge of strength and magical energy coursing through him filled him with renewed confidence for the upcoming battle.
"Malsa, could you explain the two new skills I've just acquired?" he asked.
Malsa began to explain. "Certainly. The first skill, Gluttony, allows you to absorb different forms of energy directly. At your current level, you can only absorb basic elemental energies, such as fire, water, wind, and earth. As you grow stronger, you'll be able to absorb higher-quality energies. Additionally, you can use Gluttony in place of my processing abilities to absorb familiar energies I've processed before.
"The second skill, Weak Dragon Bloodline, enhances your physical capabilities and grants you minor regeneration. You'll also be able to consume skills directly to increase either your physical or mana levels."
Robin nodded, feeling the weight and potential of his newfound abilities settling within him, ready for the fight ahead.
He had followed the dark, swirling sphere deep into the heart of the forest, where it suddenly halted. A cold, menacing voice echoed, "I thought I'd have to hunt you down, but it seems you underestimate me!"
Without warning, bones began to rise from the earth, assembling into a twisted, humanoid form. In an instant, the eerie silence of the forest was broken by the haunting howls of wolves, drawn by some dark force. They raced toward the shadowy figure, which laughed ominously.
"You should feel honored, brat," the voice sneered. "You're about to face the Dark Dragon himself. The heavens won't let you grow any further."
Robin watched in horror as the wolves, wild with frenzy, lunged at the skeletal figure, tearing at its bones. But instead of breaking it down, the entity absorbed the flesh of each wolf, the essence of their bodies melding with the bones, ripping the wolves apart as they were devoured.
Robin wasn't exactly shocked—more stunned, really. The world he'd known, one of predictable logic and science, now felt distant and irrelevant. Here, in this twisted, brutal landscape, reality seemed to bend and writhe like a creature itself, and he was left grasping for understanding. Moments before, he might have tried to rationalize what was happening, to apply some theory or principle to make sense of it all. But now, as he watched bones claw their way from the earth and grotesque creatures meld into forms beyond his nightmares, he realized that logic had its limits here. His genius was reduced to an ember in the face of forces that defied any science he'd ever known.
He had entered this world brimming with confidence, armed with knowledge from Earth. But now, as magic twisted reality itself and creatures defied the natural laws he had once trusted, Robin realized that adaptation—not intellect—might be his only hope of survival.
"Finally, I'm done. And thank you for being so patient, brat. Let me reintroduce myself—Gustavo, the High Dark Dragon," the entity announced, emerging from the pile of thousands of mangled wolf bodies.
It was a grotesque sight: Gustavo had a long mane of human-like hair, two curved horns jutting from his head, sharp fangs gleaming under the forest's dim light, and a lean, almost human physique covered in dark, jagged armor. His clawed hands flexed as he looked down at Robin with an unsettling grin.
Robin clenched his fist, steeling himself for the battle. His six-year-old frame might have looked fragile, but he was no ordinary child. Gustavo wasted no time, lunging at Robin with ferocious speed. Instinctively, Robin crossed his arms to block the blow, bracing for impact. The force of the attack sent him hurtling back, slamming into a tree.
Thanks to his Junior Knight's enhanced body, Robin absorbed the impact with ease. His small frame was already beginning to heal, the faint power of his dragon bloodline mending his bruises almost instantly. He exhaled, his gaze hardening as he prepared to face the monstrous entity head-on.
"Malsa, can you analyze his levels immediately?" Robin asked, urgency in his voice.
"Yes, Master," Malsa replied. "But you'll need to hold him off for at least five minutes."
"HOW DARE YOU, BRAT! You dare take and use my inherited powers?" Gustavo roared, feeling the insult like a dragon's wound. His fury was palpable as he charged forward, relentless and merciless.
But this time, Robin was ready.
Being the wealthiest man on Earth had its perks—he'd hired top-tier instructors in every martial art he could access. Without thinking, his instincts kicked in as he shifted into Krav Maga, the swift and efficient style known for its quick reflexes and counterattacks.
Gustavo's clawed hand lashed out like a striking snake, aiming for Robin's head. Robin stepped inside the swing, deflecting the strike with his forearm and delivering a sharp elbow to Gustavo's ribs, momentarily staggering the dragon.
The beast let out a snarl, launching another barrage of brutal strikes, his claws swiping the air in furious arcs. Robin's mind was calm, focused—each move calculated. He sidestepped, pivoting to avoid a sweeping strike, then countered with a sharp knee to Gustavo's torso, using the dragon's own momentum against him.
Gustavo roared and swung wildly, but Robin's Krav Maga training allowed him to turn every dodge into a counterstrike. Quick jabs and well-placed strikes peppered the dragon's exposed limbs, each hit precise and efficient. Robin's defensive maneuvers allowed him to stay just out of reach while keeping the pressure on, never letting Gustavo recover fully.
The seconds ticked by, and with each one, Robin grew more confident. Malsa's analysis was close to complete, and as Gustavo's attacks grew more erratic, Robin sensed he might just survive this brutal test.
— SYSTEM PANEL —
Name: Gustavo
Race: Dark Dragon ( alias given by system )
Body Level: Silver Knight
Mana Level: Arch Mage
——
"No wonder I'm able to keep up with him in close combat. But if he shifts into mage mode, things will get ugly," Robin thought, bracing himself.
With a powerful shove, Robin pushed Gustavo back a few meters, creating a brief, much-needed distance. Despite being a Junior Knight, Robin's weak dragon bloodline allowed him to close the gap in physical strength to about seventy-five percent of a full Silver Knight. The rest he made up for with sheer martial skill and precision.
"HOW DARE YOU, HUMAN! I WILL DESTROY YOU!" Gustavo roared, his voice trembling with rage. Suddenly, a violent burst of dark energy erupted from his body, filling the air with a suffocating aura. The ground quaked beneath Robin's feet as he steadied himself, watching Gustavo's form darken and swell with raw, ominous power.
Meanwhile, King Lion and Luke leapt from tree to tree, following the echoing sounds of the fierce battle unfolding in the distance. As they approached, King Lion caught sight of the fight—and couldn't believe his eyes. Robin was holding his own far better than he'd expected. A complex mixture of pride and shock stirred within him; watching a six-year-old stand toe-to-toe with a monstrous entity was nothing short of astonishing.
Gustavo, meanwhile, had grown tired of playing games. The beast decided to unleash his full strength, determined to break Robin's spirit in close combat. But this child was unlike anything he'd encountered. Robin's movements were quick and precise, his instincts honed to an abnormal level, each attack met with a flawless counter or dodge. It wasn't just his raw power; it was the way he fought—with the skill and grit of a seasoned warrior.
"Brat, don't tell me this is unfair—you're clearly an abnormal!" Gustavo bellowed, laughing maniacally. "I'll remember this day!" With a sneer, he raised his hand, summoning dark, crackling energy. The air grew dense as he launched a barrage of shadowy missiles straight at Robin.
Robin braced himself, narrowly dodging the first missile as it whizzed past, grazing his arm with a scorching heat. Just as the second missile bore down on him, a flash of silver cut through the air.
King Lion had arrived.
He appeared in a blur of motion, his figure descending like a thunderbolt from the treetops, sword drawn and gleaming. With one powerful swing, he struck the dark missile mid-air, deflecting it with a blinding arc of energy. Landing smoothly beside Robin, his gaze locked onto Gustavo, fierce and unyielding.
"You've done well, Robin," King Lion said, a proud yet determined glint in his eye. "But let's even the odds."