Alister took a deep breath and called out to the system. “Open the Rift.”
The system processed his command, and moments later, a golden rift materialized before him, glowing radiantly. The air around it hummed with energy as the tear in reality widened.
Without hesitating, Alister stepped through slowly. As he emerged on the other side, he was greeted by a dark and haunting landscape.
Standing on what seemed like the ruined structure of a skyscraper, Alister gazed down at a ruined city that stretched out before him, bathed in the crimson glow of a massive red moon that hung ominously in the sky. Looking at this, Alister’s thoughts raced.
‘The moon is red?’
‘It wasn’t that way back at the megacity…’
‘… although I had read books back at the academy that suggested when the apocalypse hit, the Earth grew nearly ten times in mass, and other celestial bodies could be seen around it as well…’
‘Perhaps this “red moon” is one of those bodies…’
The structures of the old world were now overtaken by dense vegetation, with vines crawling up broken buildings and twisting around shattered debris. In the distance, flames still burned, sending up columns of black smoke that obscured parts of the skyline.
But what immediately caught Alister’s attention were the figures moving in the ruins. Dozens of them-humans twisted and emanating some kind of dark energy-stumbled through the streets. Their bodies were overrun by vines, flowers blooming grotesquely from their skin, and their faces seemed frozen in a moment of pain and rage, perhaps the last expression they made before they died.
But they weren’t humans of the old world; no, Alister could tell due to the items and equipment many had on them. They were Awakened individuals from guild-clearing teams, turned into plant zombies, a fusion of life and death, nature and decay.
Some of them were putrid skeletons in armor, rusted and busted, barely clinging to their skeletal bodies.
Alister’s gaze narrowed as the system’s voice echoed in his head.
[Notice! Analyzing surrounding entities…]
Monster: Vined Horror
Size Class: Large
Class: Plague Brute
Total Combat Power: 54,070 (A-Rank)
Talent: Thorned Regeneration (B-Rank) – Regains 10% HP every turn while within vine- infested terrain.]
Monster: Deathbinder
Class: Soul Harbinger
Size Class: Medium
Total Combat Power: 47,000 (B-Rank)
Talent: Soul Harvest (B-Rank) – Absorbs 5% of an enemy’s mana to restore its own as long as it inflicts damage.[]
Monster: Verdant Wretch
Class: Corrupted Guardian
Size Class: Large
Total Combat Power: 53,500 (A-Rank)
Talent: Nature’s Wrath (A-Rank) – Gains increased damage output when surrounded by nature-based attacks.[]
[Warning The entities present in this area are significantly more intelligent and powerful than previously encountered threats. Caution is advised.]
Alister clenched his fists, his dragon eyes gleaming as he focused on each of them.
‘How peculiar… They have actual talents.’
‘Perhaps it’s due to the fact they were once human, but…’
‘The possibility that each of them possessed a talent related to nature before their deaths is very unlikely…’
‘Perhaps the plants that infested them modified their talents somehow.’
‘A monster that can modify talents to suit its needs…’
‘Indeed, it will be a truly intelligent life form.’
“Good,” he muttered, a cold look appearing on his face as his black hair waved in the wind and his yellow eyes shone brightly.
“I could use the challenge.”
His eyes scanned the horde of plant zombies and corrupted husks as they shuffled toward him, their twisted bodies.
Alister took a deep breath and called out, “Cinder, Terra, Draven!”
In an instant, the three emerged from rifts behind him, in their combat forms, each radiating their Draconic aura around them.
“We pay our respects to our lord,” they said as they proceeded to bow before him.
“Guard my body,” Alister instructed. “I’ll be performing another summoning-two this
time.”
“Understood,” they replied in unison, their voices echoing.
Alister’s expression hardened. “Also… I’ll be picking my sharpest fang today.”
At his words, a tense silence enveloped them, and the three responded, “Understood,” their resolve forming in the face of his intent.
Crouching down, Alister closed his eyes and focused. ‘Open the mind space.’
[Opening the mind space]
Suddenly, Alister found himself in the mind space, hovering in a vast cosmic void, the stars twinkling around him, and before him, the massive stone doors with dragon skulls.
The emptiness felt both comforting and somewhat empowering, a reminder of the limitless potential within.
“Open my inventory,” he commanded, causing a yellow window to materialize beside him. He glanced at his summoning conduits, wondering which one to choose.
“I should save the best for last.”
Reaching into the inventory, he pulled out the Azure rock summoning conduit, its crystal-like surface shimmering with a radiant blue glow. Holding the conduit in his hand, he said, “Time to proceed with the summoning.”
As he prepared, Alister mumbled to himself, wondering what emotion he should channel. “Fear? No, too unstable. Anger? Too chaotic…”
He closed his eyes, delving deeper into his thoughts, searching for the right emotion. Finally, he decided on Resolve-a burning desire to protect and conquer.
“Let it be… Resolve,” he whispered, feeling the intensity build within him as he focused the emotion into the conduit.
With clarity, Alister began the summoning, channeling his mana through the Azure rock, causing it to shine brightly.
A brilliant beam of light shot forth from the Azure rock conduit in Alister’s hand, surging through the air with blinding intensity.
The beam raced forward, slamming into the massive stone double doors that loomed before him. It held its energy for what felt like an eternity before finally dissipating.
The doors began to groan and creak, their heavy frames slowly parting as they revealed the golden glow coming from within.
Alister was already used to this sight by now, having summoned before, but the anticipation
still coursed through him.
As the doors opened wider, deep sounds of footsteps echoed through the void, shaking the
very ground beneath him.
Each thud reverberated in his chest, announcing the arrival of something massive. Suddenly, the system materialized with a notification that echoed in his mind: [Congratulations to the player for summoning the Sky Dragon Alzuring Von Azure-Void (S
rank).]
From the blinding light emerged a colossal blue dragon, its scales shimmering like sapphires with hints of white interspersed throughout its body.
The dragon had a majestic pair of white horns that curved elegantly upwards, nearly forming
a circle before suddenly pointing sharply into the air. Alzuring’s deep blue eyes glowed brightly as its massive wings unfurled, casting a shadow
that enveloped the surrounding area. The air crackled with its mana as the dragon surveyed
Alister, its presence both awe-inspiring and intimidating.
“Greetings, young lord,” Alzuring spoke, its voice echoing like thunder across the void.
“I have answered your call. What is it that you seek?”
Alister met the dragon’s gaze. “I seek your strength and support. Come serve under me as my
general,” Alister said as he extended his left hand in a welcoming gesture, narrowing his dragon eyes as he gazed at him, allowing his aura to emanate around him.
Clearly trying to show he was a competent leader, Alzuring narrowed his gaze, leaning
forward slightly.
“I’m impressed with your confidence and prowess; the aura you possess is no less
intimidating than mine. I would be more than proud to serve you, young lord.”
Alister’s face lit up slightly at the compliment, his heart swelling with a touch of pride.
However, Alzuring’s tone shifted as he continued, “But first, you must tell me: what are your ideals, the laws you live by that you would not break under any circumstance?”