Time seemed to stretch endlessly in the cold, unyielding confines of the cave. Sitting on the cool stone floor, I felt the weight of my predicament pressing down on me, an unspoken dread mingling with an aching curiosity. The shadows danced on the walls, cast by the flickering embers of the dragon's last breath. The air was thick with the mingled scents of ash and decay, a stark reminder of the fierce battle that had raged in the cavern. My heart pounded in my chest, not just from the physical trauma but from the profound uncertainty of what lay beyond the rough-hewn rock walls that imprisoned me.
I sat there, trembling, my fingers absently tracing the uneven surface of the stone beneath me. The darkness seemed to close in around me, an oppressive void that swallowed up any hint of light or hope. Yet, amid this cold, unforgiving darkness, one thing stood out: the strange artifact that had been left in the aftermath of the dragon's demise. It was a small, unassuming box, its surface marred by the ravages of time but still adorned with intricate runes that glowed faintly with a mystical light.
When I had first laid eyes on it, a shiver of both fear and fascination had run down my spine. It was one of the dragon's most prized possessions, the eyes that had seen countless battles and had been the source of its immense power. Now, it lay before me, a beacon of hope amidst the ruins.
As I reached for the artifact, a blue screen shimmered into view, its ethereal glow casting a strange light on the jagged stones around me. The screen floated in midair, suspended like a window into another world. Words materialized on it, written in a language both foreign and familiar, like the ancient runes I had seen on the box.
Are you confused?
The question hung in the air, almost mocking in its simplicity. I stared at it, my mind a whirl of questions and uncertainties. I had just emerged from a coma, been thrust into a fantasy world that seemed torn from the pages of a storybook, and now faced with the immense power of the dragon's eyes.
"I mean, I guess I am a little confused," I muttered, the sound of my voice strangely hollow in the cavernous silence.
I can help you.
The response was almost too calm, too composed, as if it were speaking from some detached vantage point. The disembodied voice did not reassure me but only deepened my sense of dread.
"Could you tell me how to use the 'Dragon's Eyes' skill?" I asked, my voice quivering with a mix of desperation and hope. How could this thing, this unseen entity, help me navigate this strange new reality?
First, take out the artifact from the storage.
I hesitated, my fingers trembling as I reached into the empty void of my storage space, pulling out the Dragon Eyes. They were exquisite, their surfaces reflecting the dim light of the cave with an otherworldly gleam. The eyes were encased in delicate crystal orbs, their deep, golden irises swirling with a mysterious, almost hypnotic energy.
Anxiety gnawed at me as I stared at the Dragon Eyes, the weight of the decision ahead pressing down on me. How could something so beautiful hold the power to change my fate, and at what cost?
Another blue window materialized before me, this one resembling a Status Page. It was a familiar sight, like those I had seen in countless games and stories, but this one bore the weight of reality. The text was stark and unyielding, laid out in neat rows:
Name: Adrienne Kincaid
Level: 23
Title: Dragon Slayer, 1st Tower Ascender
HP: 3700/3700
MP: ∞/∞ (LOCKED)
Strength: 16
YOU ARE READING
I Became a Ranker Before Rankers
Fantasy(REWRITING ALL CHAPTERS) Suddenly, I could see bright white lights creeping quickly towards me, so quick that I could only see what it was right before the impact. My weak body was no match for the large transportation bus that would not let anythin...
