Only I Awaken The Forbidden SSS-Rank Dragons

At the same time, the system came to life, and a notification appeared in his line of sight.

[Level Up!]

[You have slain a Rank 1 Abomination.]

[Congratulations. You have received 2000 EXP.]

[Origin Initiate Level 7: 600/3200]

Aleron glanced at the notification for a moment, then smiled. He could also feel a clear surge in his strength.

He clenched his fists and heard the cracking of his knuckles.

'Dad, I think I'm about to break through...' Just then, Ashkar's voice echoed in his mind.

'So fast?' Aleron was slightly startled.

'System, what's going on? How did his breakthrough come so quickly?'

He quickly turned his attention to the system for answers before replying to Ashkar.

[Host, for every creature your contracted dragon kills, you gain half of the experience. However, the dragon gains the full amount.]

[It is only natural that the dragon would break through.]

The system's matter-of-fact tone left Aleron wide-eyed. Until now, he hadn't noticed this mechanic.

'So in essence, I only receive half the experience my dragon earns? Is there any way to equalize the gains?'

Aleron frowned. If things continued this way, the dragon would grow stronger far more quickly, eventually outpacing him. It wouldn't be them watching each other's backs; instead, it would be the dragon watching over him.

The system's cold reply came.

[Unfortunately, no.]

Just as Aleron was feeling frustrated, the system continued.

[However, if you have two contracted dragons, the experience you gain will be on the same level. What do you think will happen when you acquire all twelve forbidden dragons?]

This was the first time the system had ever asked him a question, and it was one that made Aleron's eyes bulge.

'Doesn't that mean...' His thoughts trailed off.

If he had all twelve dragons, his power would rise exponentially.

'By then, how strong will I become?'

Aleron's breath quickened. He suddenly felt the urge to begin searching for the second dragon immediately.

But now wasn't the time. He frowned and glanced down at the group of Abominations below.

Not only were they difficult to deal with, but he also had no clue where to start looking for the others.

He needed to grow strong enough to explore dangerous areas, perhaps that's where some of the forbidden dragon eggs would be hiding.

'Dad, why aren't you saying anything?'

Aleron had been so deep in thought that he forgot Ashkar had spoken a moment earlier. It wasn't until the dragon called him out of his daze that he turned toward him and smiled.

'Go ahead and break through to the Origin Apprentice realm.'

Aleron was slightly excited. When the dragon broke through, would its size increase?

He was also curious about what kind of abilities the Infernal Eyes would gain...

An upgrade to the Infernal Eyes!

This would certainly boost his strength tremendously.

Ashkar nodded, then curled up to the side. Not long after, a wave of heat began radiating from his body.

The searing temperature distorted the air around him.

Aleron frowned. He hadn't expected Ashkar's breakthrough to create such a commotion.

Wouldn't this attract the attention of the Abominations?

He had a sinking feeling as he glanced around.

Sure enough, the grotesque creatures had started to gather above the surrounding buildings, as though sensing a change in the atmosphere.

"This is bad," Aleron muttered, a headache forming in his mind. He picked up his rod from the ground and stepped to the edge of the tall building.

Looking down, he saw a few Abominations already climbing up with eager, aggressive movements.

'Could they have sensed Ashkar's breakthrough... and the fact that I'll be weakened?'

Was that why they were attacking now, hoping to catch him off guard?

Aleron scowled. His gaze locked onto one of the grotesque creatures ascending the wall, and rage flared in his heart.

Without hesitation, he shouted thunderously, "Get the fuck down!"

His Infernal Eyes activated, narrowing his pupils into reddish slits.

A wave of intense heat surged downward.

Blisters formed on the Abominations' skin. With shrieks of agony, they released their grip on the building and crashed to the ground below.

Aleron exhaled in relief and quickly deactivated his Infernal Eyes.

Looking down again, he noticed the Abominations were now hesitant to climb back up. A faint trace of fear lingered in their movements.

"Serves you right." He turned his attention back to the dragon.

Around Ashkar, the heat distortion had grown stronger.

The dragon's size had begun to increase slowly.

Aleron observed as the reddish scales grew more pronounced, and the pressure exuding from Ashkar intensified.

Even the Abominations below had begun to feel the effects of the pressure.

They roared wildly, trying to resist it.

Their screams echoed through the hollow city, drawing more of their kind from surrounding buildings.

With few people left in the city to resist, it had become a desolate battlefield.

Aleron estimated that, aside from himself and Ashkar, fewer than a hundred people remained.

In the blink of an eye, the number of Abominations encircling him had grown to nearly a hundred.

Fortunately, they were all only Rank 1. Aleron didn't feel overly pressured.

His Infernal Eyes could still keep them in check—for now.

Besides, once Ashkar completed his breakthrough, everything would change.

The boost in power would turn the tide.

So he waited, tense but patient, as time ticked forward.

It felt like the longest wait of his life.

Then, a sound rang out like a war drum.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

'His breakthrough is complete?' Aleron's eyes lit up, and he turned eagerly to look at the dragon.

But to his surprise, Ashkar was still mid-breakthrough.

Then... what was that sound?

Aleron's eyes darted toward a new figure.

Looming in the distance, something far more monstrous than any Abomination he had seen stood tall.

It towered like a small mountain.

Its body was gaunt and deformed, and its pitch-black eyes stared directly at Aleron and Ashkar.

Aleron's heart skipped a beat.

His breath caught in his throat as an overwhelming pressure descended upon him.

The creature began moving forward slowly.

'I'm dead.'

That was the only thought Aleron could muster.

Then, just as the monstrous creature inched closer, a deep, guttural roar erupted from the abomination's throat.