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System 2

Alex, gripped by hesitation, carefully considered his options in the dimly lit space, realizing there was no apparent escape from the confines of his current underground location. Slowly, he advanced, his movements marked by a cautious deliberation. Each step resonated on the eerily silent descent as he navigated a two-step staircase at the entrance.

Abruptly, he halted at the precipice of the second staircase, just before reaching the obsidian floor below. His discerning gaze surveyed the ground, revealing a mosaic of black and brown rocks meticulously arranged to mimic the distinctive pattern of a zebra's skin. As he squatted to the ground, a subtle revelation caught his attention—subtle variations in elevation, where some rock patterns subtly rose higher than their counterparts, creating an almost imperceptible irregularity.

Contemplating the intricacies of the floor, Alex mused aloud.

"I should have foreseen the presence of traps guarding something of this nature, enticing the Gins to seek it out." His eyes shifted from the perplexing floor to the focal point of the room—a book resting in the middle.

Intrigued yet cautious, he scrutinized the disparities in the rock patterns, where the black and brown undulations met. It was an intricate dance of subtle elevations, almost teasingly elusive to an untrained eye.

"Let me conduct a test and unravel this mystery," Alex muttered to himself, reaching into the folds of his attire. After a brief search, he retrieved a small bottle from his uniform's pocket. This unassuming container held the enhancer liquid, a substance that had aided him in a previous encounter with rattle dogs. Alongside it, a communicator device, a relic from a mission gone awry, nestled within his grasp.

Undeterred by the absence of a signal in the subterranean depths, Alex's disappointment was eclipsed by a determined resolve. He proceeded with his experiment, choosing a section of the floor where the brown rocks rose imperceptibly higher. With a practiced motion, he hurled the bottle onto the designated spot, anticipating the outcome with a blend of apprehension and curiosity.

In the subterranean gloom, Alex, grappling with hesitation, meticulously weighed his options within the dimly lit confines. Trapped with no apparent escape, he treaded cautiously down a two-step staircase, each footfall resonating ominously in the stifling silence of the underground chamber.

As he reached the precipice of the second staircase, his movement abruptly ceased. The obsidian floor below unveiled a meticulous arrangement of black and brown rocks, replicating the intricate patterns of a zebra's skin. Squatting, Alex scrutinized the ground, discovering subtle irregularities where certain rock patterns imperceptibly rose higher than others.

Voicing his inner thoughts, Alex mused, "Foreseeing traps to guard an object of value is almost a given, bait for the Gins seeking it out." His gaze transitioned from the cryptic floor to the focal point of the room—a solitary book resting in the middle.

Intrigued yet wary, Alex navigated the uneven rock floor, a choreography avoiding sections where the patterns subtly elevated. Upon reaching the front of the podium, the book revealed itself—an ethereal red tome with gold-trimmed edges. An eye, reminiscent of a serpent's, stared back at him, its scales extending gracefully over the eyelid, with a central slash giving it an otherworldly allure.

"It looks amazing," Alex murmured, his eyes sparkling with a rare fascination. Gingerly, he lifted the book, unveiling cryptic words beneath the captivating eye.

"To gain the road to power, you must have to sacrifice your hum..."

The rest of the message blurred into obscurity, a deliberate mystique that hung in the air. Undeterred, Alex expressed, "That's strange. Sacrifice for power, yet the details elude me. Nonetheless, strength is within reach." He opened the book, expecting revelations, only to be met by pages of emptiness, a stark void that irked him.

Frustration fueled by curiosity, Alex contemplated discarding the enigmatic book. Yet, the eye on the cover began to radiate an intense red glow. A transformative metamorphosis ensued—the book liquified into a viscous black substance, ensnaring Alex's arm in an inescapable grasp.

Desperation clawing at him, Alex's screams resonated through the tunnel. Miraculously, he avoided the traps, writhing in pain as the black liquid penetrated his skin, breaking down bone and tissue. Amidst the torment, a series of cryptic notifications inundated his consciousness.

[Merging humans DNA with dragons DNA... complete]

[Analyzing...]

[Congratulations, you have acquired the Red Dragon system]

[Berserk mode activated]

[Transformation now in progress]

In the throes of unconsciousness, Alex's eyes snapped open—a fiery red, reflecting a newfound and unsettling rage.

...

Inside the cavern, the clash between the Gins and Alex's team unfolded in a chaotic symphony of battle. Dust filled the air, a testament to the intensity of the ongoing struggle. Zine and his comrades lay strewn across the floor, their attempts to rise evident in their shaky hands as they peered through the haze towards their assailants.

Amidst the lingering echoes of the confrontation, heavy footsteps resonated, signaling the approach of a formidable adversary—the Gin with the unmistakable red eyes. A sinister smile played on its face as it advanced, the dust settling in its wake, revealing its menacing form. Witnessing the impending threat, John, fueled by determination, declared, "I am not going to stay here doing nothing. I am not weak. I still have some energy to fight!"

With swift resolve, John rose, retrieving his sword from the ground, its blade emanating a vibrant yellow light. He dashed towards the approaching Gin, ready to face the looming danger. As he swung his sword towards the adversary, the Gin, equally poised, lifted its arm to intercept the attack. The clash resonated with a metallic clang, the force of the impact felt throughout the cavern.

Before John could launch another assault, the Gin's razor-sharp claw arced towards his neck. Despite his desperate attempt to block, the blow landed with fatal precision, claiming his life in an instant. His lifeless form crumpled to the cavern floor, eliciting a collective cry of despair from Zine and the remaining teammates, who, though filled with grief, found themselves too depleted to rise.

"Hmm, that was fun. It's time to get this over with," the Gin remarked with a chilling smile, preparing to advance towards its next target. However, as it poised to take the next step, a thunderous roar, deep and ear-piercing, reverberated through the cave. Heavy footsteps accompanied the roar, causing the very walls of the cave to quake.

"Rooarrrrrrrrr!!!!"


Hey, everyone! 😊 I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Please share your thoughts, and your support means the world to me. 😁

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