Congratulations:

You have killed 3 level seven humans, 5 level eight humans, 4 level nine humans, 6 level ten humans, 8 level eleven humans, 3 level twelve humans, and 1 level twenty-three human.

With the death of members of the Collective, their slayer obtains experience based on their strength and credits in their possession. You have ownership rights of all possessions of killed individuals; you are required to collect them on your own.

Rewards:

3,624 experience

521,241 credits

Congratulations:

You have consumed the lifeblood of a water dragon. Your Divine Dragon bloodline has strengthened. Through your conquest, you have upgraded your bloodline related abilities.

Draconic Reflex - Duration Increased

Divine Dragon’s Celestial Mantle - Duration Increased

Draconic Shift - Cooldown Time Reduced

Quest Update: Path of Evolution (Divine Dragon)

Congratulations, you have taken your first step on the path of evolution. But this is not the end, unless you allow it.

To advance to the next stage of your evolution, you must gather the following items.

Core of an Elemental

Heart of a Dragon

Tears of an Angel

Whisper of the Abyss

Ice from an Ancient World

Fire from the Forge of the Gods

Reward:

2nd Evolution

+20 to all stats

Quest Status: In Progress

Derek grappled with his actions. He had taken the lives of thirty people, and for what? Their pursuit of self-preservation over the collective good? The aftermath brought strange relief. It was always said that people who pursue revenge should dig two graves. Whether that was literal or figurative, it didn’t matter. Derek was satisfied with the vengeance.

He would be whatever he had to be to protect his family. Even if he gave up his humanity. Their happiness was more important than his soul. Fortunately, Marie was his beacon of hope. She might have the answers, the means to help him navigate this storm within.

The world outside seemed to mock his turmoil. The sun shone brightly. The day was clear and beautiful, in stark contrast to the storm raging within him. With heavy steps and a heavier heart, he continued his slow journey home.

Derek stepped into the house, immediately sensing the somber atmosphere. Everyone had gathered, their faces a reflection of the weight of recent events. Marie had taken the lead, guiding them through a group discussion in the living room. Derek, needing a moment, quietly made his way to the kitchen for a cup of water.

From the living room, Marie’s voice reached out, gentle yet insistent. “Derek, please join us.”

He took a deep breath, feeling the coolness of the water wash away the metallic taste of blood, and settled in front of the cold fireplace. The room was bright from the sunny day outside. It contrasted with the grim atmosphere of the room. He met the eyes of each person present, seeing a mix of fear, anger, and turbulence.

Carson, breaking the silence, asked, “Did you kill them?”

Derek’s reply was measured. “Only the combatants. The rest fled before getting caught in the crossfire.”

Marie, sensing Derek’s internal turmoil, ventured, “How do you feel about that?”

Derek hesitated, searching for words. He ran a hand through his hair, exhaling slowly. “I’m okay. If the world needs a ravager, then I’ll be The Ravager.”

A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

Marie nodded understandingly. “It’s hard to come to terms with betrayal, especially from those we considered allies. In these trying times, we must lean on and support one another.”

She paused, letting her words sink in, then added, “Revenge, even when seemingly justified, carries a heavy burden. It’s crucial we act with reason, not emotion.” Turning to Leroy, she gently prodded, “Would you like to share your thoughts?”

“I can’t stop seeing them running away to leave us to die. I never thought people would be so heartless. We are supposed to help our own people. Especially now, when everything is trying to kill us. I can’t believe they did that. I say ‘good riddance’.”

“Let’s take a moment and consider what we were feeling in the moment before it happened. Candace, would you care to share what you were experiencing?”

Candace, her voice shaky, admitted, “I thought we were done for. I trusted in you, Marie and in Derek’s strength, but could he save us all? The urge to flee was overwhelming. James kept me grounded, giving me tasks, keeping my mind occupied.”

James, in a show of support, reached for her hand.

Marie, ever the comforting presence, reassured, “Fear is natural, Candace. But abandoning family isn’t. You showed courage.

Marie rose, signaling the end of the discussion. “Let’s take a break for today. Reflect on your feelings, seek out someone to talk to if needed. Remember, I’m always here, even if it’s just for a comforting hug.”

Derek escaped to the bathroom to clean up before anyone could stop him.

----------------------------------------

Derek stepped into the nearly finished building, heading straight for the basement training room. He began the arduous task of emptying every storage device he collected, resulting in a sprawling pile of items. The music blaring in the background added an oddly comforting rhythm to his otherwise chaotic task.

You have received Small Storage Bracelet (Growth Type). Would you like to merge it with your current bracelet?

yes / no

Warning: Contents of this storage device will be forcibly ejected prior to merging.

Just as he merged the bracelets into his own, increasing the dimensional space, a knock interrupted his focus.

Come in!” he shouted over the music, turning it down slightly.

Marie entered, her fatigue clear, and her pregnancy advanced. She moved with the deliberate care of someone pregnant, settling into a chair with a sigh. Derek paused, watching her with a mix of concern and curiosity, noting the way her hand instinctively rested on her belly. She was bigger than expected. At this stage in her pregnancy, she should barely be showing.

Surveying the pile, Marie asked, “Is this everything?”

Derek nodded. “I thought it best to sort through it now.”

“You’re leaving?” Marie asked.

Derek nodded. “Yeah, tomorrow or the day after.” His eyes glanced out the window showing the bright fall day. “It’s time. I can’t get any stronger and everyone should be strong enough now that you don’t need me.”

Marie’s eyes searched his. “Thank you. For protecting us. Me and the baby. The family. Without you, I’m afraid we would have died by now. I know you fear what you’re becoming, but let your love ground you.”

Derek nodded, accepting her advice.

“I can go with you, you know.”

“You know you’re not going.” Derek said. “Why ask?”

“Because I love you and want you to be safe. You might as well ask you have on your mind. You know, the one you will refuse to ask me for days and it will eat you up inside.”

“Then if you already know…”

“You have to say the words.” She said, putting on a smile that didn’t reach her eyes.

“Have you been manipulating me?”

“Yes, I’ve been guiding events. Mauro, the horde, our assault on Girdwood… all necessary steps. I needed you to kill Mauro. I needed you to eliminate the horde. I needed you to take everyone to Girdwood. Just like I manipulated Sarah into joining the raid, even though three of the five people she took died. Her husband is a key to the city’s survival. The military needed to get their head out of their asses and start using their brains. Our combatants needed to evolve so that they can survive without you. Mauro would have been a distraction that would have gotten several hundred killed, including five of our own family. You needed the experience from the horde to even have a chance at surviving your trip… I’m still not sure if you will or not. As much as I hate being an Oracle, it was the tool we needed to survive. I wish I could have dumped it on Michele, she would have made a much better Oracle. And please do not tell anyone about what I’ve told you, it causes the timeline to diverge on a path that I can’t easily control.”

Derek moved closer, kneeling before her, seeking solace in her presence. He took her hand, feeling its warmth, and murmured, “I’ll miss you.”

Marie’s voice was soft, “And I you. But it’s the only way for our child to live and grow up happily.”

“Will they live if I die?” Derek asked.

“No.” She lied. “If you want our child to live, you have to live as well.”

“Do you know the gender?”

“Yes,”

“What is it?” Derek asked, looking up at her.

She smiled for a moment, like she was debating on whether or not she should tell him. Just as Marie was about to reveal their child’s gender, the door banged open. Phil, bursting with energy, stopped short, taking in the intimate scene.

“Did I… interrupt?” he asked, a hint of mischief in his eyes.

Marie, ever the tease, replied with a sly smile, “Just a chat.”

Derek, realizing he’d been played, exclaimed, “You planned that!”

Marie’s laughter echoed as she left, her steps light and playful despite her condition. Derek watched her go, a mix of admiration and sadness in his heart. Phil gave him a knowing look, and Derek couldn’t help but smile.

“So what happened?” Phil asked, as he handed Derek a beer.

Derek looked at the bottle skeptically, turning it around in his hands to inspect the surface for any flaws.

“What?” Phil asked, trying to figure out what was wrong.

“I’m checking to see if your chicken sausage caused an infection,” Derek replied with a smirk.

“Oh, my god,” Phil said, slapping his palm to his forehead.

Derek pried the bottle cap off with his fingers and took a slow sip. The smooth, dark beer hit his tongue with the familiar pleasure he always enjoyed. “Not as good as the real thing, but close enough.”

“Enough stalling. Spill the beans, jerk.”

With a mischievous glint in his eye, Derek began his tale, embellishing for effect. “…and then, I ripped his heart out and ate it.”

Phil rolled his eyes. “You seriously need to work on your storytelling. Is there an ability for that?”

“You’re the bard here,” Derek shot back. “But seriously, don’t eat a heart. It’s disgusting and needs to be slow-cooked.”

Phil paused, his face a mix of disbelief and horror. “Wait, you actually ate his heart? You weren’t joking?”

Derek shrugged nonchalantly. “Apparently, our bloodline gets stronger when we eat another dragon’s heart. Who knew?”

Phil shook his head, still trying to process the information. “I can’t decide if you have the world’s worst luck or if you’re the luckiest guy alive.”

“Definitely the former,” Derek replied with a sigh. “Any moments of good fortune are just the gods’ way of making up for cursing me.”

Derek gestured to the cluttered training room floor. A mix of weapons, gear, and various oddities scattered about. “While you’re here, help me sort out this mess, will you?”

Derek set his beer down and began to sift through the pile, picking up a particularly intricate dagger. “You know, despite everything, it’s moments like these that make it all worth it.”

Phil glanced at him, a small smile tugging at his lips. “Yeah, I guess you’re right. As long as we have beer and a good story, we’ll be fine.”

Derek chuckled, tossing the dagger back into the pile. “And maybe a dragon heart or two.”

Phil laughed, the sound echoing through the training room. “Just promise me you’ll stick to the beer from now on, okay?”

“No promises,” Derek smirked, clinking his bottle against Phil’s. “Here’s to surviving whatever comes next.”