Only I Awaken The Forbidden SSS-Rank Dragons

While Aleron was having an internal struggle with the system, outside, within the azure skies that carried a strange green hue, all was calm. Then, without warning…

A crack appeared in the sky. The rupture spread far and wide, blotting out the horizon. For a moment, the sky dimmed ominously and a pitch-black portal began to take shape.

It hovered silently, exuding a heavy, unnatural stillness. The portal was eerie, almost malevolent, and it radiated a dense aura of death.

The citizens below looked up. Instantly, a wave of dread passed over the crowd. People gripped their chests, with many feeling as though the mere pressure would be enough to choke them to death.

"What is this feeling? What is happening?" someone muttered from within the gathering crowd, his eyes wide with fear as he stared at the slowly rotating portal above.

"I… I don't know. It feels like this is the end. Has the apocalypse finally arrived?" another voice replied, this one belonging to a young man with a gamepad still clutched tightly in his hand, signifying his identity as a gamer, which was why he first thought of this conclusion.

The people were still trying to process what they were seeing when something began to emerge from the portal.

A massive hand stretched out from the swirling darkness. It was so large that it blotted out the clouds behind it. The moment it appeared, everyone instinctively knew, resistance was impossible.

Those with weak willpower immediately collapsed to their knees, their legs unable to support the crushing weight of fear.

The hand extended further, its palm opening wide. A thick aura of death rolled across the land, it was dark and suffocating. Then, from the open palm, figures began to descend.

Dozens. No, hundreds of strange figures…

Grotesque creatures of all kinds poured from the giant hand. Their shapes were monstrous, alien, and twisted. 

While none matched the terrifying scale of the hand that released them, each one was still several times larger than an average human.

A thunderous roar shook the skies.

A high-pitched hiss followed, as if the very air was being torn apart.

The environment changed drastically. Animals ran for cover, and even the clouds scattered as the oppressive aura deepened.

The citizens, snapping out of their initial paralysis, reacted quickly. All around the city, people began summoning their contracted beasts from their summoning spaces, with desperation written across their faces.

The enormous hand, having delivered what it came to deliver, slowly began to retreat into the portal.

It did so without urgency, as though it viewed the humans below as so insignificant that they were not worth its attention.

It seemed to disdain the idea of even dirtying itself with such weak creatures.

…

Inside the house, Aleron sensed a sudden shift in the atmosphere. His frown deepened as he turned toward the window.

He quickly noticed that there was chaos outside, people were running in panic, and most of their faces were twisted in terror.

What just happened? He narrowed his eyes and rushed outside. Whatever was going on, he had to see it for himself and determine whether it posed a threat to him.

Dad, something's wrong! I feel something that is making me uncomfortable. Ashkar's voice echoed in his mind, tinged with tension.

Aleron paused in his tracks, startled. He turned to the dragon at his side and asked, Can you tell exactly what you're feeling?

No. I only know that I… I want to eat them all. Ashkar's jaws twitched slightly as drool formed at the corners of his mouth.

Aleron thought for a moment, then gave a light nod. In that case, let's head outside. If it turns out to be something useful, you can eat as many as you want.

Pushing aside thoughts of the curse and the couple who had died, Aleron focused on the danger at hand. He burst through the door with Ashkar following close behind.

Outside was chaos incarnate.

People ran deeper into the city. Some were screaming, others wounded, their bodies mangled, and some of their limbs were twisted, with blood staining their clothes.

Aleron immediately activated his Infernal Eyes to assess the situation more clearly. During that time, his origin energy had recovered quite a bit.

His pupils shifted into burning slits as his vision transformed. Everything within a three-meter radius became hyper-clear. The moment the new vision took hold, Aleron froze in shock.

What are those? He muttered under his breath. These were not ordinary creatures and were unlike anything he had seen.

Unlike the usual reddish heat signature of living beings, these emitted a dense pitch-black hue.

System, what are those?

Though he was still frustrated at the system for withholding answers earlier, Aleron no longer blamed it.

The system had not refused him; he simply lacked the strength and origin energy to gain access to the answers.

[Host, the answer will require a large amount of origin energy.]

You know what? Forget it. Aleron cut off the inquiry. The system always seemed eager to drain him of energy at every opportunity.

He dashed ahead, darting between buildings, while avoiding the creatures with black auras as best he could.

He needed a cover to observe safely. After a few tense minutes of racing through buildings, he found a narrow alley.

Peering from behind the wall, Aleron spotted the grotesque creatures swarming the city. They were engaging in combat with several Rank 2 beasts.

Five Rank 2 creatures? Aleron muttered grimly. His eyes scanned the battlefield, his mind racing.

Ashkar, are these the things you're talking about?

Yes, Dad. I feel excited and hungry just looking at them. The dragon's voice carried an unsettling thrill.

Can you swoop in and kill two of them in a single attack? Aleron asked as he quickly formed a plan.

I think I can. Ashkar sounded uncertain but still nodded in response.

Good. Then do it. Aleron shifted his gaze toward the system interface.

I still have 18 origin energy left. That should be enough. He crouched and began scanning the area for anything he could use as a weapon.

Soon, his eyes landed on a rusted metal rod lying near the corner of the alley. Without hesitation, he grabbed it and stood up. Ashkar was already taking flight.

Now! Aleron shouted mentally.

In an instant, he launched himself toward the creatures. His speed was far better than before, and his movements were sharper and more focused.

Though he was no speedster yet, his agility had improved significantly.

The rod glinted in the light as he aimed for one of the abominations. It was the same one Ashkar had locked onto.

As the creature raised its arm to defend, it sensed heat surging behind it.

Before it could react, Ashkar descended with blazing force.

But Aleron had misjudged.

He had underestimated the abominations gravely…