Dancing on the golden ashes

"Hold on tight!" Malrang's voice echoed urgently through our connection. Her body erupted in purple flames, enveloping the two of us in a protective blaze. My focus wavered, and the connection to the gem was severed.

"I'll hold on as much as you need… but please make haste," she added, her voice tinged with desperation.

Through the veil of flames, I saw the dragon closing in fast, its massive crimson wings tearing through the air with ferocious power. Its mouth began to glow, a molten red like heated metal reaching its melting point.

WHOOOSH!

A massive fireball, at least ten meters tall, hurtled toward us, its heat rolling in waves as it threatened to cook us alive. My instincts screamed at me to act, but I placed all my trust in Malrang.

A moment later, a concentrated blast of hellfire burst forth from her, violet flames streaking through the air to meet the fireball head-on. The collision created a dazzling explosion, crimson and violet flames spiraling together in a chaotic dance. The clash painted the sky in brilliant hues, momentarily blinding the dragon as the flames scattered.

Our bodies were blown away by the force of the explosion, tumbling uncontrollably through the air. The dragon, however, kept creeping closer, closing the distance to just a few meters. My heart sank as I realized we were falling toward a lava pool with no escape in sight. Desperation surged within me, and I was ready to summon my scythe—when Malrang interrupted me.

"Focus on what you need to do now! I can still fight! I'm not the weak Foxterit I was when we first met!"

Her aura flared to life, an overwhelming surge of power radiating from her. The sheer intensity made the dragon hesitate, its predatory gaze faltering as fear crept into its eyes. It quickly turned, increasing the distance between us. Yet, even as it pulled back, curiosity and doubt lingered in its expression.

"Overlord…" The word rumbled from its maw, its ancient, rough voice vibrating in the air. "You are too weak to be an Overlord… How is this possible…"

The dragon flapped its massive wings, hovering effortlessly in the air. Its expression was wild, filled with an insatiable hunger, as if its desire to consume us had only grown.

"Perhaps, if I kill you…"

I knew it... The dragon's greed was fixated on Malrang's passive power. Who wouldn't be? Even people would kill each other for the chance to become Rulers or Kings in this world. And animals were no different.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

The primal ferocity radiating from the dragon was deafening, its intent clear. With a bone-chilling roar, it rushed toward us again, its massive form barreling through the air. Just as the beast closed the distance, Malrang landed firmly on her feet, her determination blazing as fiercely as her flames.

"Woo!" Malrang screamed, her body enveloped in violet flames as she danced gracefully across the lava, her speed increasing by leaps and bounds, dodging the dragon's attack with ease. The beast's massive form missed us by only a few meters, diving beneath the molten surface. Lava erupted in all directions like splashing molten metal, scattering violently around us.

Then, silence came. The battlefield grew eerily still, with no sign of the dragon.

"He's under the lava… what is he planning?" Malrang's voice echoed through our connection, trembling with fear.

I could feel our bodies being lifted once again.

"Run!" I screamed at the top of my lungs. The massive dragon burst out of the lava, its molten body radiating heat and fury, just as Malrang leaped to safety.

But it didn't end there. With terrifying speed, the beast plunged back into the molten liquid, vanishing beneath the surface once more.

"You'll need to keep dodging, Malrang. I need to finish absorbing this core!"

"I'll do my best!" I could sense the uncertainty in her voice, but I didn't blame her.

Shutting out everything else, I focused on the gem in my charred palm. It vibrated gently, radiating an aura of mystery. Carefully, I channeled my soul energy into it. After about thirty seconds of concentration, I felt my mind being pulled away.

The next moment, I found myself in an entirely new place. The world around me was ablaze, flames dancing wildly, while the space shimmered as if it were made entirely of gems. Am I… inside the gem? I thought, awe washing over me. It was the very core I had been holding just moments ago.

I looked around, unsure of what I was supposed to do next. I walked aimlessly, the fire dancing all over me, yet it refused to burn me. How mysterious.

"System, help!" I called out, hoping for guidance. However, I was met with something that had never happened before.

Silence.

"Cough... Cough..." A sickly cough echoed from the distance. I quickly turned toward the sound, my eyes darting in its direction. All I could see was the shadow of what appeared to be an elderly woman.

"How can somebody else be in here?!" I exclaimed, rushing to see who it was. "Elder, are you okay? Why are you here?" I said in a casual tone.

"Cough... Cough..." The woman didn't respond, her coughing continuing in ragged bursts. As I got closer, her appearance became clearer. She had crimson hair, now disheveled and dulled with age, its former luster and shine long gone. Her back was arched as she sat on the ground, coughing incessantly.

But her face... her face was surprisingly youthful. Was I wrong? I wondered. She sounds old, yet her face is still beautiful and young, as if she were in her twenties…

I got closer, yet kept a slight distance. After all, I didn't know who this person was or why they were here. I needed answers… even if it meant resorting to violence.

As if reading my thoughts, the woman smirked, her coughing ceasing entirely.

"I see I've found a good successor. I love your determination, young one," she said, her voice suddenly youthful and enchanting, with a teasing, wild edge. Her back straightened as she rose to her feet, placing a hand on her hip and revealing her striking curves. She looked at me with interest—but unfortunately for her, I wasn't interested in women.

"Sorry, I'm not into whatever kink you've got going on. If you don't mind, I'll be leaving now…" I said, turning away. This person is too much for me to handle. If this turns into some R18-rated situation, I swear I'll kill her instantly.

"Tsk…"

Did she just click her tongue at me? What audacity…

"I'm already connected to you through the core you're holding. I can hear all of your thoughts," she said with a smirk, her wild, untamed gaze scanning me from head to toe.

"Hey!" I shouted, trying to summon my scythe in anger, but nothing happened. I felt a sudden, terrifying disconnection from my powers.

"The system doesn't work here," she said casually, her eyes continuing to dart over me, as if trying to uncover all my secrets. "In this place, you're just the mere mortal you once were…"

"What do you mean?" I asked, my voice trembling. For the first time since entering this world, I felt utterly powerless. Useless.

"Don't worry," she said, her tone dripping with amusement. "Your body outside still retains all of the system's powers as you are currently refining this gem—and me, of course. As for your little friend… she'll be fine for the time being." Her lips curved into a mischievous smile. "The great Scaelvorix is merely toying with the both of you… hehe…"

"Is that the dragon's name? Why doesn't it show up on the system?" I asked curiously, while slowly moving away from her.

"Hehehe," she giggled in an eerie voice. "We exist outside the system, way before that shitty _____ trapped us here."

I couldn't hear his name… even if this place was outside the system, his identity was still hidden from me.

"I see..." the woman said with disdain.

"What is it?" I asked, sensing something off about her gaze.

"You're deeply connected with him... I guess he treasures you highly. Well, that's even better for me. I can feel your killing intent whenever I mention that existence. It relieves me. I want to kill him as well. And you, Lee Gaon, will be the perfect person for that!" Her voice echoed through the entire space, suddenly becoming loud and energetic, threatening to shatter this place.

I could feel my heart race. The thought of escaping the system and killing that god was one of my deepest desires right now.

"What is your name? And why exactly are we here? If you answer that for me, I will gladly aid you in killing that shithead." I smiled wildly.

"Good..." she said seductively, her gaze scanning my body.

Annoyed, I quickly covered myself and dashed about ten meters away from her.

"I said I'm not into women!" I shouted, my frustration boiling over. What is wrong with this person?

She sighed and, in a mere blink, closed the distance between us.

"I'm Agnia… the previous goddess of fire of this broken world..." she whispered, her voice laced with sorrow, the words brushing past my ear.