[The Omega LV. ??? has been defeated!]
[Platinum Achievement Unlocked!] It's been a Long Time Coming
[Rank Up!] SSS-Rank
"That achievement's an understatement!" laughed SpamLikely22, a legendary mage player, glancing over at his best friend. "A whole damn week fighting that overpowered piece of shit. Ain't that right, Keyris?"
Keyris sighed with relief, leaning back as the credits rolled. Unlike Spam, he used his real name in-game, which felt like a badge of honor now. "Hell yeah, Spam. I thought we'd never see the end of it." He scanned the empty surroundings of their once-crowded team chat. "Looks like we're the last two standing."
Spam let out a low whistle, eyeing the loot scattered across the ground. "More loot for us, then! Look at all those legendary weapons, armor, and—wait, is that…"
"The Nirvana…" they both murmured in unison, voices filled with awe.
[The Nirvana]
Grants a rare blessing to those who defeat The Omega.
[Players Keyris and SpamLikely22, please place your hands on the Nirvana.]
"Are you seeing this? Let's go, Key!" Spam shouted, practically bouncing as he hurried over to the corpse. "Come on, come on! We need to see what this does!"
Keyris grinned, striding over to join his friend. "You ready for this?"
Spam flashed a wide smile. "Since the day we heard about this in those gaming forums."
Nodding, Keyris placed his hand on the Nirvana. The two of them waited, anticipation buzzing in the air. Then… nothing.
Spam's grin wavered. "Don't tell me this is some kind of pran—"
Before he could finish, a blinding flash of light exploded around them, bathing everything in swirling hues. Keyris felt his entire body go weightless as they were pulled through the light.
[Blessing has been granted.]
When his vision cleared, Keyris snapped open his now silver and gold heterochromatic eyes, blinking against the bright sun filtering through dense green leaves above him. His surroundings were unfamiliar, but then recognition struck.
"The… Eldergloom Forest?" He looked down, breath catching at the sight of his arm—a powerful, draconic limb covered in onyx scales and tipped with deadly claws.
[Welcome, Player Keyris! The Nirvana has transmigrated you into your character's body. Congratulations!]
"This shit is actually real..no way.." Keyris whispered, his voice filled with wonder as he took in his new form. "Does that mean I'm actually…"
[Indeed, Player Keyris. Fortunate, isn't it?]
The rush of sensations, powers, and the sheer reality of it hit him like a wave. Dropping to his knees, he clenched his head, trying to steady his breathing. It was overwhelming.
Then, suddenly, he remembered.
"Wait… Spam!" He looked up, shouting at the system. "Is he here too? Tell me where he is!"
[That, Player Keyris, is for you to discover.]
"Dumbass game why can't you just te-"
"Um… are you alright?" A soft voice interrupted his thoughts, snapping him back to his surroundings.
Keyris turned, finding himself face-to-face with a stunningly beautiful elf. She had long, wavy white hair that cascaded down her shoulders, bright red eyes filled with curiosity, and black attire suited for hunting, with a bow slung across her back and a short sword at her side.
[Analysis LV. (MAX) has been activated]
[Sia LV.7]
[Age] 21
[Race] Elf
[Rank] D-Rank
[Description] Sia is on her way back to her village after hunting for food in the forest.
"Yeah… yeah, I'm good." he replied, standing up to his full height. Now that he noticed, she was actually quite short compared to him. He extended his hand. "Name's Keyris, but you can call me Key."
She eyed his hand, then took it with a small, polite smile. "Sia. Nice to meet you, Key. For a second there, I thought you'd gone crazy, talking to yourself."
Keyris scratched the back of his head, letting out a sheepish laugh. "Yeah… just woke up here with no idea how I got here. Guess that threw me off balance for a sec."
Sia looked at him with a mixture of sympathy and curiosity. "Well, if you're lost, I can lead you back to my village. We're always happy to help newcomers."
"Seriously? I'd appreciate that, Sia." He smiled, and for a second, he thought he saw her cheeks tint with a hint of pink.
Sia cleared her throat, trying to play it cool. "Right! Follow me, then! Sia the fearless leader!" She laughed, her voice full of warmth and humor as she turned and started leading the way.
Keyris chuckled as he walked alongside her, glancing around the lush forest. "So, Sia…"
She glanced up at him, her eyes bright with curiosity. "Yes, Key?"
"Where exactly am I?"
His memory was a haze on what exactly this place was earlier in the game, he just needed to refresh it.
She laughed softly, looking slightly amused. "Well, the Eldergloom Forest, of course. But if you mean further, we're in Erendell, land of the elves."
"No kidding…" He murmured, looking around with new eyes, realizing this was more than a game now. "And what brings you out here alone?"
"I was just hunting for my family." she said, gesturing to a satchel full of herbs and some small game. "Not every day I run into a dragon hybrid wandering around here. Where's your home?"
Keyris slightly hesitated. "Home? Ah, I don't really have one.." he replied, keeping his voice casual. "I just go wherever the adventure takes me."
"No home?" she asked, surprised, glancing at him with wide eyes. "How do you survive?"
Keyris grinned, playfully shrugging. "The basics. Hundred push-ups, hundred sit-ups, hundred squats… ten kilometers a day. You know, the usual."
He'd always wanted to say that.
She let out a small laugh. "That actually works?"
Before Keyris could answer, he tensed, catching the sound of slow, measured footsteps rustling through the undergrowth. Sia froze, her hand immediately going to her short sword. Her expression shifting from amusement to alertness. Her eyes narrowed, scanning the shadows between the trees.
"Stay close to me." she whispered, her voice barely audible but carrying an edge of urgency.
Keyris activated his Sense skill, his vision sharpening as translucent outlines began to form, flickering through the thick undergrowth. His gaze settled on the red-eyed, shadowy figures lurking just beyond their line of sight—twenty, maybe more. They were unmistakable: Shadow Hounds, warped by Abyssal Energy, their bodies emitting a sinister, smoky aura.
He took a steadying breath. "Sia," he murmured, his tone cold and calm, "step back. Now."
Without needing further instruction, Sia took a few cautious steps back, though her hand remained tightly gripped around her sword. Her eyes darted between Keyris and the encroaching hounds, clearly torn between curiosity and fear.
Keyris extended his clawed, draconic hand, feeling the fiery energy gather within his veins. "Activate Flame Wave."
[Active Skill Flame Wave has activated.]
An intense wave of flames erupted from his hand, blazing outward in a wide arc. The inferno sliced through the forest, scorching the earth and enveloping the Shadow Hounds in a searing blaze. Their pained howls echoed through the trees, some disintegrating into plumes of dark smoke, others retreating, yelping as they stumbled back, wary of the deadly flames.
The wave of fire died down, leaving charred ground and silence where the hounds once prowled. Keyris lowered his hand, exhaling slowly as he felt the last traces of power recede.
Sia's mouth hung open, her red eyes wide with awe and disbelief. "You… just wiped them out in seconds…" she breathed, struggling to find the words. She looked at him with a mixture of admiration and shock. "That was… incredible!"
Keyris allowed himself a small smirk but kept his tone serious. "We can talk about it later. If those were just scouts, there's a good chance more of them will be back soon—and in larger numbers." He nodded toward the path. "We need to get you back to your village. Fast."
Sia nodded, her face still flushed with awe as she tightened her grip on her supplies. "Right. This way, then. It's not far."
They set off at a brisk pace through the forest, Sia leading the way with quick, nimble steps. She glanced back at him every so often, her curiosity clearly bubbling beneath her calm exterior.
"So, Key…" she began after a moment, her voice tentative. "That power… is that normal for a dragon hybrid?"
Keyris chuckled, catching her gaze. "Guess you could say I'm not your average dragon hybrid." He offered a wink, trying to ease her tension. "That flame attack? Just a little trick I picked up along the way."
She gave a small, nervous laugh. "Well, you make it sound so casual, but I've never seen anyone fight like that… not even the strongest elves from my village."
"Stick with me, and you might see a few more surprises." His voice held a playful edge, though there was a genuine warmth there as well.
As they neared the edge of the forest, the towering walls of a small elven village came into view, nestled between the trees with structures built seamlessly into the natural landscape. Villagers went about their day, glancing up as the two approached, their eyes widening at the sight of Keyris.
"Just a heads-up," Sia whispered as they approached the gate. "Most elves aren't used to seeing a dragon hybrid. They might… stare a bit."
Keyris gave her a reassuring nod. "I can handle a few stares. Besides, I've dealt with weirder looks before."
Sia smiled, relaxing a little as they entered the village. True to her warning, several elves paused, murmuring amongst themselves as they observed the towering, draconic figure walking alongside their fellow villager.
As they walked through the village, a group of children spotted them and immediately crowded around, their eyes wide with fascination. One particularly bold child tugged on Sia's sleeve. "Miss Sia, is he a dragon?"
Sia chuckled, ruffling the child's hair. "Sort of. His name's Key, and he's… well, he's a friend."
Keyris crouched down to the child's level, flashing a warm smile. "Don't worry. I don't bite." He gently raised his clawed hand, letting the child reach out and touch it with a mix of fear and excitement.
The child's face lit up in awe, glancing back at the other children. "He's real! Look!"
Sia chuckled, nudging Keyris. "You're already a celebrity."
He straightened up, smiling as he looked at her. "Comes with the territory, I guess."
Their playful exchange was interrupted by an elder elf approaching, his gaze cautious but respectful. "Sia, is this… your guest?"
Sia nodded. "Yes, Elder. This is Key. He saved me from an attack in the forest—Shadow Hounds."
The elder's eyes narrowed, studying Keyris carefully. "Shadow Hounds? That close to the village…" He shook his head, clearly troubled, before looking at Keyris with gratitude. "Thank you, Key, for protecting one of our own."
Keyris inclined his head, offering a respectful nod. "It was no trouble. Just glad I could help."
The elder's face softened. "Please, feel free to rest here, Key. Any friend of Sia's is welcome in our village."
As they were led toward the center of the village, Sia leaned in close, whispering with a grin. "Guess you made quite the impression."
Keyris chuckled, but his mind drifted back to his earlier concerns. Finding Spam, adjusting to this world, refreshing his memory a bit. There was a lot he still needed to process. But for now, he'd earned a moment of respite.