The first rays of the sun filtered through the dense canopy, casting a faint, golden glow on my cave's entrance. I stretched, feeling the soft purple grass beneath me, and couldn't help but smile at the comfort of my makeshift bed. The sense of belonging I felt here was undeniable—this cave was more than just a lair; it was my lair.
Curiosity tugged at my mind as I thought about the system's prompt from last night. The idea that hoarding could actually enhance my abilities was both intriguing and slightly amusing.
“So, I'm supposed to collect shiny things? From glorified lizard to magpie, tastes like promotion to me!”
I mused, letting out a chuckle at the thought.
Determined to experiment with this new mechanic, I ventured out into the forest, my eyes peeled for anything that might contribute to my hoard. I immediately noticed a difference in the way I scanned my surroundings. Somehow I grasped many more details, I knew exactly where I came from, I could see faint footsteps from the baboon horde the day before and I could even tell which rocks I should step on and which were unstable.
I am guessing this is my Trailblazer ability at work huh… Pretty neat.
I started small, picking up a variety of objects: brightly colored fruits, unusually shaped rocks, and even a few feathers from what I assumed were some of the forest's more exotic birds. Each item I found, I brought back to my lair with a sense of anticipation, wondering if this would be the one to trigger some kind of response from the system.
One by one, I placed my collected items around the cave, watching closely for any indication of change. To my dismay, nothing happened. The fruits remained just fruits, and the rocks and feathers were as mundane as they could be.
Perhaps it's not about quantity but quality.
I thought, my gaze wandering to the more mundane items in my collection.
Frustration began to set in as I realized that perhaps I was missing a crucial piece of the puzzle.
I started wandering again, a slight pout beginning to form on my face. It wasn't until I stumbled upon a small, sparkling stream that a new idea struck me. Nestled among the pebbles at the bottom of the stream were tiny, gleaming stones that caught the light in a way that made my heart skip a beat.
Now, these look promising.
I thought, a surge of excitement running through me. I collected a handful of the shimmering stones, their cool, smooth surfaces glinting in the sunlight. There was something undeniably special about them, a kind of latent energy that resonated with the dragon part of me.
Eagerly, I returned to my lair and placed the stones in a small pile at the center of my cave. I held my breath, waiting for some sign, some indication that this was what the system had in mind.
For a moment, nothing happened, and my heart sank. But then, almost imperceptibly, the air around the stones began to shimmer, a subtle glow emanating from the pile. I quickly opened my status, my hands trembling with anticipation.
Dragon’s lair
Current hoard value: Sparse (0.5%)
Body
+0
Reflexes
+0
Mind
+0
Cool
+0
Mysticism (racial)
+0
A grin spread across my face as I read the updated status. It worked! The shiny stones were indeed the key to enhancing my lair, even though apparently a 1% increase was not enough to boost my stats.
The realization filled me with a sense of wonder and a renewed determination to explore every corner of this forest. If these small stones could have such an effect, what other treasures lay hidden, just waiting to be discovered and added to my hoard? I felt a strange but natural excitement at the thought of my own treasure pile increasing.
I was never a materialistic person in my past life… could this be in my nature as a dragon? Seriously, a dragon that wants to collect shiny things… How stereotypical can this world get.
As the day drew to a close, I sat at the entrance of my cave, gazing out at the forest bathed in the golden light of sunset. The possibilities seemed endless, and for the first time since I'd woken up in this body, in this world, I felt a deep, unwavering sense of purpose.
If I am destined to collect shiny things then so be it, I shall have a pile so bright that it will be the envy of the world.
Content with the day's discoveries, I curled up in my grassy bed, the soft glow of the lumishrooms casting gentle shadows on the walls of my cave as I drifted off dreaming of piles of gold and shiny jewels.
---
The first light of dawn had me stirring, filled with a renewed sense of adventure. My hoard had begun, albeit modestly, and it sparked a curiosity in me about what other wonders the forest might hold. If tiny stones could make such a difference, what impact would more significant treasures have?
With that thought propelling me forward, I decided to explore deeper into the forest, beyond the familiar paths and into territories unknown. The Trailblazer ability made me more confident in navigating the dense underbrush and tangled roots. Each step felt surer, each decision more intuitive. The forest, once a maze of green and shadow, now felt like a puzzle I was slowly learning to solve.
After a few more trips to collect shiny pebbles from the stream, I now sat proudly in front of a small pile of glowing bright blue rocks.
Dragon’s lair
Current hoard value: Sparse (5%)
Body
+0
Reflexes
This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
+0
Mind
+0
Cool
+0
Mysticism (racial)
+0
I closed my lair panel, I guess 5% was still too low.
I sat on my bed and sank into thought.
I can’t be collecting shiny pebbles for the rest of my life, I need to find something better, something more precious.
At this point, It’s not like I could do much else other than explore. This time though, I didn’t go towards the stream, I decided to explore in another direction.
I wandered the forest for a while, not finding much other than the quiet and rustling sounds of the underbrush. I did come across a couple crabs but I kept my distance and skillfully avoided their detection.
As I ventured further, the forest began to change; the trees grew denser, their trunks gnarled and ancient, their canopies weaving a thick tapestry above that dimmed the light below. It was as if I had stepped into a different world, one that whispered of old magic and hidden secrets.
I found the change in scenery quite intriguing, it was like this part of the forest was more ancient, untouched. I pushed on, drawn by an inexplicable pull that seemed to guide my steps. My heart raced with anticipation, every sense heightened by the promise of discovery. And then, amidst the shadowed quiet of the forest, a glimmer caught my eye.
A gem, not just any gem, but one that radiated with an inner light, pulsating softly like the heartbeat of the forest itself. It was lodged in what appeared to be a mound of earth, partially obscured by the underbrush.
That’s a big one!
I thought as I approached, my mind racing with thoughts of adding this treasure to my hoard. This was it, the significant find I had been longing for.
But as I reached out, the ground beneath the gem shifted, and the earth itself seemed to come alive. I stumbled back, my heart pounding, as the 'mound' unfurled into a giant, camouflaged lizard, its scales blending perfectly with the forest floor. The gem was not lodged in the earth but embedded in the creature's tail, which now swung menacingly like a club, the gem gleaming ominously at its tip.
The lizard hissed, a low, guttural sound that vibrated through the air, its eyes fixed on me with predatory intent. I had disturbed its rest, and now I faced its wrath. The realization hit me like a physical blow—I was in its territory, and the gem was part of its very being.
Adrenaline surged through me as the lizard lunged, its massive body surprisingly agile. I dodged, calling upon my reflexes and my newfound Explorer abilities to keep one step ahead. The forest floor erupted where the gem-club tail smashed down, sending debris flying.
What kind of creature has a gem for a tail! It’s like it is made exactly to bait greedy dragons like me!
I turned to look at my enemy and readied my stance to pounce at a moment’s notice. The lizard was roughly the same size as me, if not a bit bigger. Definitely the largest creature I had found so far in this forest.
Drawing deep into my Phytomancer abilities, I reached out to the vines and roots around us, I felt them, their location, thickness and length. My mind turned into a map of the underbrush and nature stood ready to strike at my call.
Suddenly, the lizard sprung into action. I waited patiently as I watched it enter my vine’s striking distance. I commanded the plant to coil around the lizard, and so it did, trapping its legs to the ground. For a moment, the lizard looked surprised and somewhat startled, but after a moment to collect itself it regained its footing and tore through my vines with brute force, undeterred.
I dodged its charge and tail smash, and continued to evade in a deadly dance of evading and striking. While the creature was fast, it was no match for my current agility.
The lizard’s resilience was astounding, it kept attacking relentlessly, the gem-club tail, a beautiful yet fearsome weapon, swung with terrifying precision, each near-miss sending a shiver down my spine, but I kept dodging, my movements getting more accurate and refined.
I realized brute force wasn't going to win this battle. I needed to be smarter, to use the environment to my advantage. The dense forest, once a hindrance, now offered me a glimmer of hope. If I could just maneuver the lizard into a less favorable position, maybe I could tip the scales in my favor.
With a plan forming, I darted towards a particularly dense thicket, hoping to lead the lizard into a trap of my own making. The beast followed, its heavy body ungracefully crashing through the underbrush with surprising speed. I wove through the trees, my heart pounding, as I led it into a narrow clearing surrounded by thick vines and heavy branches.
As the lizard charged, I leapt aside, using all my strength to pull down a heavy branch with my Phytomancer abilities. The branch crashed down between us, momentarily blocking its path and giving me precious seconds to act. I seized the opportunity, urging the vines and roots beneath it to entangle the lizard's legs once more, anchoring them to the trees around the clearing, making it harder for the creature to break free.
The lizard hissed in frustration, its tail swinging wildly behind it trying to break free. I didn’t waste my chance and prepared to strike. I realized I had another weapon at my disposal other than my Phytomancer abilities and sharp claws.
I squared off against the front of the creature and charged on. The lizard stopped trashing and looked surprised at my sudden attack. I had kept dodging and running the entire fight, so it probably wouldn’t expect me to charge it head on.
As I reached top speed I lowered my head, pointing the top of my tiny dragon horns towards my prey.
The impact was more jarring than I anticipated, but my horns found their mark, piercing through the lizard's tough scales. The creature let out a pained roar, its eyes flashing with shock and anger. I quickly backed away, feeling a bit light headed as recoil from my ram attack. I quickly regained my footing and readied myself for another charge, but the lizard was quicker than I gave it credit for. My attack had dislodged and broken some of my own vines, and the lizard was quick to realize it.
With a powerful flick of its tail, it broke free from the vines' grasp, the gem at the end of its tail catching the sunlight and sparkling menacingly. It lunged towards me and suddenly spun around. I was too late to realize what was about to happen as I saw the gem impact on my side, blowing the air out of my lungs.
Condition: Bruised (major)
I got launched a few meters and tumbled back in pain until hitting a nearby tree. I groaned as I struggled to regain my footing
Damn, that hurt.
I took a deep breath and quickly looked back at the wounded lizard who was now charging again, albeit at a slower pace than before.
The dance of death between us resumed, a deadly ballet of attack and dodge. But now, I sensed a shift in the tide. The lizard, though still formidable, was slower, its movements hampered by the wound I had inflicted. I knew this was my chance. If I could just land a few more strikes, I might be able to defeat this beast and claim the gem.
Every time I moved I could feel the pain coming from my side, but I gritted my teeth.
I circled around, keeping my distance, waiting for the right moment to strike. The lizard, wary now, watched me with keen eyes, its tail swishing back and forth in anticipation. It was a standoff, both of us measuring the other, looking for any sign of weakness.
Then, without warning, I charged again, this time aiming not for its body but for its tail, where the gem was embedded. The lizard seemed to anticipate my move, turning to meet my charge with a counterattack of its own. But I was quicker, fueled by a mix of desperation and determination.
I sidestepped the lizard's lumbering charge, narrowly avoiding another devastating blow from its gem-encrusted tail. The pain from my side fueled my determination. I couldn't afford to be hit like that again.
I darted in close, using my agility to stay just out of reach of its deadly tail. I aimed for its underbelly and sides, where the scales were softer, less protected. My claws found their mark, tearing into flesh with each successful strike.
The lizard roared in agony, thrashing wildly in an attempt to dislodge me. But I was relentless, driven by the instinct to survive and claim my prize. With each slash of my claws, I could feel the beast weakening, its movements becoming more sluggish, more desperate.
Can’t get me with your tail if I am this close to you.
In a stroke of luck, it managed to push me away, but I didn’t relent.
With a powerful leap, I launched myself onto the lizard's back, avoiding the lethal sweep of its tail. I dug my claws deep, anchoring myself as I aimed for the base of its neck, a critical point I hoped would end the battle.
The lizard bucked and writhed beneath me, but I held on, delivering the final, decisive blow. It let out a final, mournful cry before collapsing onto the forest floor, its body going still.
Phytomancer - Experience +200
First Gemtail slayed, experience has been doubled
Explorer - Experience +75