When the message appeared, Strax's face froze for a mere second, but it was enough for him to be hit.
The blow was so powerful that it completely shattered the scales enhanced by his assimilation with Tiamat, and it also... severed Strax's arm.
"Uuugghhhtt!!!" he screamed in pain, gritting his teeth to endure it as he assessed the overall situation...
'This isn't going to work!!' he shouted internally, seeing that not only was he injured, but Beatrice, Monica, and Samira also had some wounds. Rogue and Veronica were relatively okay, but their mana was dwindling with each passing second.
[Danger!!]
"KRRRIIIIIII!!!!" With the scream of the Demon Spider, a wave of dark, pulsating energy emanated from its body, throwing everyone against the rocky walls of the cave.
The impact was brutal; the creature's murderous aura began to seep into their minds and spirits, causing everyone to tremble in fear.
'Ouroboros! Grant me the manipulation of Black Ice; I will seal it!' Strax shouted to his Dragon, who could do nothing but agree...
[Ice Manipulation evolved into Black Ice Manipulation]
"She... she entered Berserk mode!" Samira gasped, forcing herself to rise despite the pain. But Strax completely ignored her.
'Maybe I won't make it out of here alive... pff... I was arrogant... at least you all survived...' Strax thought as he saw the image on his system screen...
[Global Class Demon Boss: Buer, The Twelve-Legged Demon Spider]
"You all... get out of here," he ordered, his voice unyielding, though he struggled to control the pain coursing through his body. His black ice arm slowly took shape, hardening to replace what had been lost.
"No! Strax, we're not leaving you here alone!" Samira shouted, the pain evident in her eyes but her determination unwavering. Beside her, Beatrice and Monica refused to retreat, even with their strengths depleted and their bodies injured.
Experience new worlds on M-VL-em|p,yr
"Strax, stop this! Don't even think about sacrificing yourself!" Rogue interjected, her eyes blazing with indignation.
But Strax was already resolute. With a swift movement, he raised his hands and summoned the magic of Black Ice he had just mastered, forming dark crystals around them. "Forgive me. This is the only way to ensure you stay alive."
Before any of them could react, the black ice spread like roots, enveloping each of the warriors in icy cocoons. Their resistance was palpable, but the black ice seemed to absorb their energy, dulling their efforts until they were completely sealed.
"You need to live," he murmured, his voice heavy with emotion, as he watched them finally immobilized but safe.
Now, alone, he faced the Demon Spider, which advanced with the destructive energy of a being in Berserk mode. The creature wasted no time in launching one of its deadly legs toward Strax, who narrowly dodged, focusing on channeling the manipulation of Black Ice into his swords.
[You have obtained three dragon lineages, merging them into the Demon Dragon Physique]
[Lineage evolved to = Demonic Physique of the Three-Headed Dragon]
With each new update, Strax's transformation was completing.
When Strax felt the intense changes in his body, a new surge of power coursed through his veins. The black ice arm that had once replaced his lost limb began to crack and fragment. Each piece fell slowly, revealing the flesh beneath—not an ordinary arm, but a rejuvenated, stronger, vibrant arm, covered in a reddish hue and scales that shimmered with a dark glow.
The system continued sending notifications, but he barely registered the words. The transformation was just beginning.
[Initiating transformation]
His body began to expand, every muscle fiber strengthening, bones cracking and growing.
He felt a pressure in his chest, as if his heart had become an uncontrollable furnace.
Suddenly, his skin was replaced by black scales with crimson edges, each one shimmering in the light of the Infernal flames that erupted from within him. It was as if he were being remade, each cell of his body recreated to withstand an ancestral, brutal, and relentless force.
His eyes, once human, now burned with an intense gold, the sclera completely black. As he opened and closed his eyes, he saw more than he had ever thought possible—he saw beyond shadows, beyond illusions. For the first time, his senses reached the level of a complete dragon.
Strax felt his teeth grow, sharp and pointed like blades. A powerful jaw that he knew could crush rocks and bones with a single bite. As he ran his tongue over these new teeth, he tasted his own demonic blood, strong and bittersweet, fueling this new form.
His claws grew, sharp and menacing, each one like an unyielding blade, capable of cutting through anything in his path.
He felt... so good...
Ouroboros, with a sharp and teasing smile, crossed her arms and assessed Strax's draconic form. "Now this is what I was talking about. This is the true greatness of a dragon." She winked at him, proud, and gave a light punch to his scaly arm, which didn't budge an inch.
Tiamat, on the other hand, watched him with an intense and ravenous gaze, her eyes fixed on Strax's black and red scales. She took a deep breath, and Strax noticed the husky tone in her voice as she murmured, "You are... absolutely magnificent." She crossed her legs and let out a moan that mixed desire and pride; the crossing of her legs was to hide something simple...
She was completely soaked! And it wasn't just her who was intoxicated, thoroughly excited.
Ouroboros was trembling with arousal, briefly closing her eyes to keep from losing her composure, allowing herself to feel the pulsing energy that filled the cave. His scent, now intensified by his new form, was irresistible; an aroma that blended power, masculinity, and a subtle ferocity.
"That smell... is... intoxicating," she murmured, her voice trembling as she moved closer to Strax. The excitement was palpable in her body, causing her to move more boldly; she was still an animal... seeing such a well-developed male... she was melting inside with the urge to mate. Each step she took toward him was loaded with clear intention, a need that could no longer be ignored.
Ouroboros looked at Strax with burning eyes, admiring his black and red scales that reflected the light in a nearly hypnotic way.
"You are no longer just a man, Strax. You are a dragon... and that is everything I've ever wanted," she said, her rapid breath revealing just how excited she was about his transformation.
"Fuck this shit of a body, when this is over you're going to fuck me even if it's in spiritual form! I need you inside me NOW! FINISH THIS QUICK! AND FUCK ME FOR MILLENNIUMS!" She shouted, the sound reverberating throughout the space.