In the same familiar forest, at the edge of the forest, even though it was at the edge, it reeked of blood and slaughter...
A black lizard, whose body seemed to be melting like water, had the expression and look of someone already at death's door, tired of the misery of the world.
Not far from the black lizard stood a giant rabbit beside rotten ashes.
Daniel sighed, looking at the moon in the sky. He felt sleepy; he just wanted to close his eyes and enjoy the comfort of sleep.
Slowly and slowly, he began to close his eyes, and when he did, Daniel found himself in a familiar place once again.
The grey-black wisp was still there, curled up like a lonely soul. Daniel was surprised that he had appeared here again.
He looked at the grey-black wisp and walked toward it. He didn't know why, but he had the urge to comfort this black mist—something he had no idea about.
As Daniel approached the grey-black mist, he could feel its vigilance. He moved closer, while the black wisp tried to distance itself from him.
This continued for some time as Daniel tried sweet-talking the grey-black wisp until it lowered its guard. One thing Daniel noted was that the grey-black wisp felt like an abandoned child.
Finally, Daniel was close enough to give the grey-black wisp a pat, which caught it off guard.
The moment Daniel touched it, he felt something entering his body—but strangely, he felt no harm.
However, the grey-black wisp immediately separated itself, looking at him with worry, as if something terrible was about to happen to Daniel—but nothing did.
Suddenly, the grey-black wisp began to change. In its place appeared a tiny black boy with grey hair and eyes, even smaller than Drax.
But what Daniel didn't know was that the moment he touched the grey-black wisp, disaster was unfolding in the outside world.
Even though it felt like he had been with the grey wisp for days, not even a full minute had passed in the outside world.
The Hopper Rabbit looked at Daniel's lizard body. It wanted to erase this body and get its revenge.
Suddenly, Daniel's lizard form began to emit a grey mist. Everything the mist touched wilted and died. In an instant, the Hopper Rabbit was caught in it.
Its eyes exuded pure terror and fear. It tried to escape, but the more it struggled, the more the grey mist overwhelmed it.
Its body began to wilt and age rapidly, as though its life force was being devoured.
In the next moment, it crumbled into dust, and the wind carried its remains away.
The grey mist continued to spread, and everything in its path withered to death. The beasts nearby, sensing the danger, fled—though some were caught and perished in the mist.
///
Daniel opened his eyes, still seeing the same sky, the same smell of blood. He was still alive, and he knew it.
The last thing he remembered was that tiny grey figure entering his body. He had no idea what it was or what it was doing inside him.
Ding!
[It is detected that the Superior Spirit of Death has formed a pact with the Host.]
[Detecting that the Host's strength isn't enough to come in contact with such power. Sealing the power of the Death Spirit.]
When Daniel heard the system notification, he was confused. "Death Spirit? What the hell is going on?"
Drax appeared beside Daniel in shock. "How did you come in contact with it to the extent that it formed a pact with you?"
Daniel could sense the surprise in Drax's voice. "What is the Death Spirit? I don't think..."
Daniel paused, deep in thought. "Does the Spirit of Death have a grey aura?"
Drax nodded. It was then that Daniel realized what that grey wisp was. Thinking back, he remembered its loneliness, its stillness, and the feeling of abandonment it emitted.
No one likes death or wishes to associate with it. Now he understood why the grey wisp was like that.
Daniel recounted the details of what happened to Drax, making him fall into deep thought.
It was then that Daniel surveyed his surroundings. He was still fearful of the Hopper Rabbit's strength, but what he saw astonished him. He was surrounded by a desert.
"How the hell did I end up in a desert?" Daniel sighed. This day was getting worse.
"You aren't in a desert. Look far away," Drax said, pointing in a direction.
When Daniel looked where Drax was pointing, he felt confused. What he saw were trees.
"This is the result of the Death Spirit's power. From the word 'Death,' you should understand everything," Drax said solemnly.
Daniel looked at the lifeless land surrounding him. Nothing was alive here—only the stench of death remained.
It was then that he realized the horror of the Death Spirit. Had his main character luck finally been activated?
"Your closeness to death itself made you feel death, allowing you to come in contact with it. Normally, anyone who gets too close to it dies as their life is drained away."
When Daniel heard this, he jumped in fright before sighing. Just a moment ago, he had given up on life—now, he was grateful to be alive.
"Don't worry, you're unique. Your Devouring Soul protected you from it. Anyway, I'd advise you to check the system interface," Drax said, leaving Daniel confused.
[System Interface]
[Host has killed a Level 21 Hopper Rabbit. Gained 65 EXP and 35 DP.]
[Host has killed...]
------
Host: Daniel
Race: Dragon
Level: 9
EXP: 1000/1000
Bloodline: Devouring Dragon Bloodline (Currently locked; can only be awakened when Host reaches Level 10)
HP: 150/150
MP: 200/200
STR: 33
AGI: 33
INT: 38
DEX: 33
STA: 33
DEF: 32
Skills: Bite, Claw, Tail Sweep
Inventory: Nil
Stat Points: Nil
-----
Mission: Kill two Level 10 Beasts.
Reward: Level up to Level 10.
Status: Completed.
[Does Host want to level up to Level 10? (Y/N)]
Daniel didn't waste time clicking "Yes."
Ding!
[You have leveled up! All stats increased by two.]
[Commencing the Awakening of the Devouring Dragon Bloodline...]