Dancing on the golden ashes

My heart was pounding, the power radiating from me overwhelming. My soul energy had drastically increased, yet my stats remained the same. Still, I knew one thing with absolute certainty—if I faced the Fallen King now, I could easily kill him in just a few exchanges.

My luck is shining brightly in this world. I feel unbeatable. Nothing will ever stop me!

I wanted to scream, to let it all out, but something deep within me held me back. Then, the memory of Malrang fighting alone snapped me back to reality.

As if it were second nature, I circulated my soul energy and returned to my body, finding myself once again seated on Malrang's back.

"Malrang!" I shouted, my heart sinking at the sight of her bleeding body.

"I'm okay… Are you done—? Who are you!?"

She nearly threw me off as she froze mid-run, her confusion clear.

"It's me, Gaon… are you okay?" I asked, baffled by her reaction. Why was she accusing me of being someone else?

"Your smell… and soul… they feel different…" She sniffed the air warily, but before I could answer, she was forced to dodge again. A claw narrowly grazed her, leaving another wound.

"That bastard!" I growled, glaring at the dragon with pure rage. It had gone too far—this creature would pay for everything it had done to us.

"I'll explain later," I said, patting Malrang gently on the head. "I will always be me, but I've grown stronger. My soul has transformed. That's all you need to know for now."

Without hesitation, I jumped off her back, landing directly on the lava as if it were the most natural thing in the world. The fire in my soul and my newly reforged body made me immune to mere heat. I control everything around me—and my own fate!

Let's see just how much stronger I've become. I could feel my fire skills brimming with newfound power, ready to be unleashed.

Wings materialized behind me. They were small, nowhere near the size of the goddess of fire's wings from the vision, but they burned with an intense, dark heat. I tried flapping them experimentally, but the sheer force sent me hurtling backward.

Damn, this is harder to control than I thought...

The dragon charged at me, its massive jaws wide open, ready to swallow me whole.

Watch out, Gaon! Malrang's voice roared in my mind as her body moved instinctively to shield me.

"I'm okay! Rest!" I called out, stopping her before she could reach me. My eyes locked onto the dragon's, and I activated Superior Space Distortion, vanishing in an instant.

So annoying…

I summoned my scythe, gripping it tightly as I slashed at the dragon with all my might.

Fire Slash!

FWOOOM-SSHHHH-ZZZZ

A concentrated ray of black fire burst forth, slicing through the air and warping the space around it as it traveled.

BOOOOM!

The ray struck the beast's neck, erupting in a massive explosion. A deep gash carved through its scales, and chunks of flesh were ripped away in the aftermath of the blast.

"SKRAAARRGH!"

The dragon roared in pain, its thick blood splashing everywhere, staining the molten landscape.

This is my power now? That goddess said the flame wouldn't be very powerful... but this... this is amazing!

I flapped my wings again, this time with slightly more balance, combining them with Superior Space Distortion. Each step left a blackened mark on the lava's surface as my agility and speed surged to unimaginable levels. I'd never felt this fast before—it was as if an airplane engine had been strapped to my back.

I had to learn to fly immediately, while the beast was still reeling and disoriented. My body blurred as fiery afterimages, mixed with dark trails of heat, danced across the battlefield. I darted around the dragon, weaving through its massive form, and slashed upward with my scythe, cutting from its neck to its tail.

A deep wound tore open across the dragon's belly, and its insides threatened to spill out. Yet its skin was too thick—impossible to fully disembowel it in one strike.

"Human... your soul is powerful, but it is not my time to die yet," the dragon rumbled, its wounds closing in the blink of an eye. Its piercing gaze locked onto me, filled with curiosity.

"The goddess of fire chose you, and I am no longer permitted to kill you…"

It paused, its massive frame looming over me.

"Listen well, little one. This world is boundless, and you have yet to see its true colors—or the truth about 'that person'. Keep yourself safe and do not engage in meaningless fights like this… because—"

His words cut off abruptly, and a crushing wave of pressure descended upon me. I gasped for air, feeling as though my chest might cave in. The dragon exuded an overwhelming amount of killing intent and power, forcing every fiber of my being to shiver in response. My legs threatened to buckle, to collapse and worship this monstrous being, but I stood my ground. My aura flared defiantly, refusing to falter.

Malrang, too, held firm, though I could see the strain in her trembling body. Her fiery eyes glared at the beast, filled with battle intent, even as her paws barely held her upright.

"Hahahaha!"

The dragon's laughter thundered through the air, so loud it made my ears bleed.

"Good. She chose a fine successor. I'm pleased." His voice softened slightly, but the weight of his presence never wavered. "Now leave, you foolish worms, and don't waste your lives fighting someone who can end them in an instant. Hahahaha!"

The metallic timbre of his laughter grated against my nerves. I hated it with every fiber of my being, yet I had no choice but to endure.

The pressure dissipated, and my body nearly collapsed to the ground. I finally felt free again. I'm still too weak… but one day, I will be the one laughing!

"Leave now, before that thing notices something strange," the dragon warned, its voice oddly soft—an unsettling tone for such a monstrous creature. "I've managed to keep this place hidden for many years, but your transformation was far too flashy for the being above your understanding."

"I will return one day and repay you for the humiliation I've suffered today. I don't care if you're friend or foe—you need a good beating!" I roared, the frustration boiling within me.

"Good... I'll be waiting for your return, little one. Farewell!"

With that, its massive body plunged into the lava, sending waves splashing in all directions. Then, silence. It was just me and Malrang now, standing on the molten expanse, still trying to process what had just happened.

"Let's get out of here," I said, turning to walk. "I found a great treasure—I'll tell you about it as we go."

But then it hit me. The path that had been here before was completely destroyed. Where the hell am I supposed to go? This place looks the same in every direction…

"Gaon, I can smell the exit. But before that, I need to grab one tiny thing from here."

"Ah?"

Before I could react, Malrang's body darted away, shooting into the distance with incredible speed.

"Great..." I muttered, crossing my arms. I couldn't blame her, though. I had received a great reward, while she only got a beating. I'd be upset too.

While I waited, I decided to focus on the new fire swirling within my soul. How marvelous... this feeling is something I could never have imagined in my past world. I... I don't even know how to describe this. I love it!

But as I concentrated, something caught my attention. "Wait… what is that?"

Focusing my mind deeper into my soul, I scanned the mingling fire and darkness, watching them spiral together. Only then did I notice the reason for their movement—a small golden flame, barely visible, had taken root at the very core of my soul.

"How do I control you?" I whispered under my breath, mesmerized.

"Gaon!"

Malrang's voice broke my concentration. I looked up to see her running toward me with a small fruit in her mouth. It resembled a strawberry, but where the hull should have been, a tiny flame burned gently. It was both beautiful and captivating.

"What's that?" I asked, curiosity burning within me. I needed to know what this strange fruit was.

Inspect!

[Fire Strawberry]

[Epic grade fruit]

[Greatly enhances the ability to control flames]

"Let's share!" Malrang barked, looking up at me with affection.

"It's fine. Eat it yourself. This will help you greatly." I wanted to say yes, but I couldn't bring myself to take it. I had already grown so much without giving anything back to this adorable fox. Her pure-hearted expression… it would feel like stealing candy from a child.

"Okay..." Malrang sounded slightly disappointed, but without hesitation, she swallowed the strawberry in one gulp.

"So sweet!" she squealed, sounding like a teenage girl trying a delicious ice cream for the first time.

I chuckled softly as the flames around her flared briefly in a radiant purple glow before calming.

"How do you feel?" I asked, slightly concerned.

"Great! I wish I could eat these all day!" Malrang laughed mischievously, her playful nature shining through.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

I sighed with relief. This world was still so new to me, and I couldn't trust every fruit or food I encountered. But seeing her enjoy it put my worries at ease.

"Jump on my back! I'll lead us out," Malrang barked happily, her upbeat demeanor infectious. Whether she was trying to cheer me up or it was simply her natural charm, I didn't care. As long as I felt this happiness—so different from the emptiness of my previous world—I was grateful.

It took about ten minutes for us to find the correct path out. Just as we left, the fiery entrance behind us vanished, replaced by the solid tissue of an ordinary tree.

I sighed inwardly, knowing we'd need to find shelter for the night. Too much had happened at once, and I was utterly exhausted.

"Hey, Malrang... let's conquer this world someday, you and me!"

"Woo!" she barked enthusiastically, her tail wagging as I summoned Space Shatter and opened a rift. In an instant, we were teleported back to the top of the mountain.

This world is mine to take...