Returning to reality, I exhaled slowly. My breath stirred the fine dust of shattered cyan gemstones at my feet.
Strength. That was all that mattered now. Every second wasted was a second my enemies grew stronger.
I found shelter between two towering crystal formations, their smooth surfaces humming with latent energy. Sitting cross-legged, I closed my eyes and reached inward, summoning the dormant power slumbering in my core.
Black and silver flames erupted across my skin, spiraling around each other like rival serpents. The heat was intense—but painless. Familiar.
Above my head, a yin-yang halo formed, its steady rotation sending ripples through the charged air.
*Good. My control is intact. At least my Traits remain at the Emperor level.*
The swirling energies condensed into a dual-colored core—obsidian and silver—pulsing in harmony. As it sank into my chest, warmth spread through every nerve. My body lifted off the ground, suspended by raw, concentrated force. When the flames finally receded, I landed softly, muscles tingling with renewed energy.
A shard of cyan crystal caught my eye. I raised a hand, focusing my will.
The fragment trembled—then zipped into my palm.
"Telekinesis," I murmured, examining it. "A decent start."
---
"Tina!"
My voice echoed across the alien wilderness.
Silence. Then—movement.
From the underbrush, a serpentine creature burst forth. Its emerald scales glinted like polished jade, and it moved with fluid grace—somewhere between a snake and a lizard.
Within seconds, it slithered up my arm, wrapping itself around my shoulder. Its forked tongue flicked the air before it nuzzled gently into my palm. Intelligent, ancient eyes stared into mine.
"Let's go," I said, stroking her smooth head.
---
The forest ahead pulsed with bioluminescence. Towering flora shimmered, roots twisted like coiled serpents, and the air was rich with the scent of damp earth and metal.
Then I saw it.
A horned black rabbit, crouched in the clearing. Larger than a boar, its muscles bulged unnaturally, and a single spiraled onyx horn glinted in the dim light.
"This should be easy prey."
Cil materialized in my grip, the crimson blade humming with anticipation.
I stepped forward silently—
Snap.
The rabbit's head snapped up. Blood-red eyes locked onto mine—feral, calculating.
Then it *charged.*
Fast.
Too fast.
I barely dodged, swinging Cil in a wide arc. The blade missed by inches. The beast skidded to a halt and pivoted with terrifying agility, lunging again.
Gritting my teeth, I hurled Cil like a spear.
The katana spun through the air—
Shatter!
It cleaved off the beast's horn, then pierced its skull with a wet, final thunk.
> Level Up!
> Level Up!
---
I didn't waste time skinning or cooking. Dropping to my knees, I tore into the rabbit's flesh. Blood filled my mouth—hot, thick, and metallic.
Tina joined in, her tiny jaws working furiously beside me.
Only when we'd gorged ourselves did I finally check the notifications:
* **+2 Agility**
* **+1 Dexterity**
* **\[Air Steps Acquired]**
> **\[Condition Met.]**
> **\[Race Change Commencing.]**
> \[Keep Your Mind Sane. Do Not Pass Out.]
> \[Good Luck.]
"Ahhh—!"
The pain was instant.
Every bone **shattered**, then reformed—again and again. My muscles tore themselves apart, rebuilding with each agonizing pulse. Blood streamed from my nose, ears, even my eyes.
Tina curled against me, radiating warmth. Cil lay nearby, humming faintly, a steady presence.
Then—footsteps.
A woman stepped through the trees. Elegant. Cold. Lethal. Her black hair framed a face carved from marble, her ice-blue eyes sharp and assessing.
Awakened Realm.
The pressure she exuded made the air thick and oppressive.
Her gaze landed on Cil.
In one smooth motion, she bent to seize it—
Cil thrashed, vibrating violently. She gasped and dropped the blade.
"What is this?" she hissed, reaching again.
I roared, grabbing her wrist. My grip crushed flesh and bone.
"Don't. Touch. My. Sword."
Cil floated back to me, humming louder.
"Store." The katana vanished into subspace.
"You brat—!"
Then the pain reached its peak.
My spine shattered. Vision blurred. I screamed as my body began to **evolve.**
Bones stretched. Skin burned away. New flesh knitted over the old.
The woman stumbled back, her confidence cracking.
"Is… is he dying?"
And then—
Black flames erupted from my body.
Star-dotted and hungry, they consumed the air around me. They tore away weakness and remade me.
The last thing I saw before the darkness swallowed me—
Were her wide, terrified eyes.