Re: Turning
The Awakening

Shinnichi opened his eyes again. His sight was blurry, but he could understand that he was still inside the cave. He wakes up, feeling a little groggy.

"Ughhh!"

Once his consciousness returned, Shinnichi groaned. He held his stomach. The pain attacked his stomach. He starved.

Didn't I eat this morning? It shouldn't hurt this much.

Shinnichi did not understand. He touched his throbbing head. "How long have I fainted?"

"About four or five hours."

"!?"

Shinnichi looked over and there. Find the source of the voice that answers it. He didn't find anyone there.

"Halusination?"

"No, stupid. I'm in your head."

"... I'm getting crazy already." Shinnichi held his head back and smiled weakly. Screaming slightly.

"After what happened to you? I'm not surprised."

Shinnichi. Realize that the voice is not just his shadow. He could hear that voice from inside his head.

"Quite calm, huh? Well, you're a world traveler so it's commonplace." The voice commented back in his head.

"How did you know? Whoareyou? Why are you in my head?" A row of questions came out of Shinnichi's mouth. Filled with curiosity and alertness.

"Do you have no manners? Someone will introduce himself before asking someone else's name."

Shinnichi was silent. A little annoyed by the nature of the voice inside his head. He chose to obey.

"... My name is Shinnichi" he replied briefly.

"I already know."

Why are you asking!? Holding the curse, Shinnichi wanted to hit something.

"Then? Who're you?"

"I? Schwarz, the Dark Lord. The inhabitants of this world call me the Dark Dragon Emperor." In a snobbish tone, Schwarz introduced himself. To think Shinnichi would be fascinated by his great title.

Instead, Shinnichi scrunched his forehead. "What kind of name is that? You're chuuni huh?"

"W-what? You're not impressed by my great name?"

"Absmacked? You crazy?! How could anyone be amazed by such words!"

Shinnichi was still frowning. He remembered the past. A dark time in his era of life. Second grade SMP.

At that time, Shinnichi liked to wear black gloves and his father's robe. Do not forget the sentences that can make anyone embarrassed like "Destiny has tied us up!" and "The mysterious power of my past appears!"

"Argh! Kill me! Help me!"

Shinnichi held his head while rolling on the ground. His past trauma was more painful than his hunger.

"O-oi! Don't overdo it!" Schwarz rebukes Shinnichi. Sounds a little overwhelmed.

"Shut up! You made me remember it!"

"O-oh, sorry."

A young man scolded a Dragon. What an absurd sight. No one would believe it if they didn't see this in person.

❂❂❂❂❂❂

"Are you better?"

"Sorry, I'm fine now."

After a few minutes, Shinnichi finally calmed down. After drinking a few sips, he felt better.

"So, what now?" Shinnichi asked. Feeling a little awkward.

"Well, before your little 'action', I wanted to explain how I got inside your head" Schwarz said. Sounds relaxed. "But I think you already know, don't you?"

"That magic stone?" Shinnichi guess.

"Exactly" replied Schwarz. "That magic stone is my 'core'; the Soul Stone. One of the six Philosophers' Stones."

"Well, I found something dangerous,"

"You should be grateful. I gave you a little bit of my power. You're much stronger now."

"really?"

Shinnichi looked at his body. There's nothing different. But, other than hunger, he did not feel any more pain. The throbbing sensation in his right hand also disappeared. Wounds healed.

Shinnichi stands. It almost fell. His balance is disturbed. His field of view is also different. His height increased by 12 cm. From 164 cm to 176 cm.

Shinnichi touched his chest and stomach. Strenuous. He hit her a few times. Like hitting a rock. His muscles are also growing.

"It's different. My body feels lighter."

"I have to adjust your body in order to receive my strength. Although it was only a little, it could not be underestimated."

"Huh, is that it?" Shinnichi moved his legs. Getting used to the changes in his body. "Ah, my status card."

Shinnichi. He reached into his vest pocket. Take a black plate.

"Hmm? The inhabitants of this world are now using magic tools to see their own status huh? It's so funny."

Shinnichi ignored Schwarz. He focused Mana onto his status card. Waiting for the card to display information.

"What-what!?"

However, before it could see its status, the black card suddenly cracked. Break into pieces before turning into ashes in Shinnichi's hands.

"... Why?"

"This is why I don't believe in magic tools. The creation of old Xerc is indeed unreliable. Use your [Appraisal]."

"... Don't peek at my abilities, damn it." Shinnichi grumbling. He raised his arm. Mumbling "[Appraisal]," Shinnichi's status window appeared.

『Name : Kurobane Shinnichi

Level 13

Race: Half - Demonic Dragon

Class : [None]

Stats

Agi 278

Atk 263

Int 383

Vits: 276

Skill

[Appraisal lvl.5] [Self-Magic Manipulation lvl.1] [White Magic lvl.3] [Dark Magic lvl.1] [Soul Eyes] [Draconic Wrath] [Language Comprehension]

Title

[Other World Traveler] [The Dreamer] [Observer] [Heir of Schwarz]』

"Huh!? Wh-what's this?!" Shinnichi blinked his eyes many times. Can't believe what he saw. "It's a lie!"

"It's so rude." Schwarz grunting. "It's a blessing from me. You should be grateful."

"Don't joke! I'm not human anymore!" shinnichi. Still looking at his status.

"Oh? Are you worried about that?" ask Schwarz. "Then why are you smiling?"

"!?" Shinnichi immediately cupped his mouth. I just realized that he was smiling earlier. "I-i'm smiling?"

"really. You're happy aren't you?" Schwarz's voice sounded seductive. It's good to see Shinnichi's feelings come out unbeknownst to him. "You don't care where it came from. To gain power, you're even willing to sell your soul to Hell, aren't you?"

"...."

"Not to be ashamed. You sold your soul to me. Accept me as part of you. Then you'll get everything."

"... I can use it? This power?"

"certain. Consider it the first payment for your body. Use my power as much as your heart. For whatever you want. However," Schwarz pauses. "As I said, you have to accept me."

Shinnichi. His wish materialized. His greatest desire; strength.

Schwarz's offer sounds so sweet. Promising a bright future. Shinnichi wants to take it straight away, but he knows. Everything has consequences.

Heart's wobbly. Schwarz's helping hand tempted him to accept it. Heart's pounding. Heart whispered.

'Receive that power and save Fiona.'

This is the opportunity he has been waiting for. The request he always hoped for. His chance to change and seize what belongs to him.

Shinnichi. "... All right, I take it."

✾✾✾✾

Living things do not change easily. Plant eaters cannot turn into meat eaters in an instant. And vice versa.

The pressure from outside forced them. Forcing them to make tough decisions. Kill or be killed. The rule of life that Shinnichi never met suddenly ensnared him.

Shinnichi's fed up.

Tired of losing to others. Fed up of giving up. He was tired of taking everything for granted. With his new strength, he will fight back.

✾✾✾✾

Shinnichi's stomach rang. Take out a request to eat.

"Ugh, I've never felt this hungry before." Shinnichi stroked his stomach.

"Ah, that will happen often in the future. You better find some food first." Schwarz gave me advice.

"Where?" ask Shinnichi. Little confusion.

Shinnichi checked Schwarz's room. For a long time this room has not been touched by living beings. Any food can no longer be consumed. Nor does he know what food a dragon consumes.

"There's an exit behind the bookcase. Just push it."

Shinnichi follows Schwarz's direction. As he said, a path opened up behind the closet. Dark hallway illuminated by green crystals.

"Oh. Useful as well."

Shinnichi walked right through it. Despite the minimal lighting, Shinnichi could see the road easily. Shinnichi didn't think much of it, his mind focused on foraging.

After a while, he came out of the row of rocks on the edge of the underground river. Not far from where he fell. Shinnichi could even see the same waterfall.

"Follow downstream. You can find food there." Schwarz returned to give instructions.

Shinnichi nodded. He began to walk down the river. Hope not to meet monsters along the way.

❂❂❂❂❂❂

Shinnichi kept walking for a while. The hunger in his stomach increased along with his footsteps. He could only hold it and occasionally drink river water.

He's been walking for a few hours. Passing through several waterfalls and hundreds of light crystals. Slowly, the interior of the cave changed. From the stone and gravel floor, into grass and plants.

Shinnichi went out into the open room. It was about half a kilometer wide and was filled with grass, green trees and a faint fresh scent. He could see dozens of rivers running from all directions merging into one. It forms a large lake in the middle. Illuminated by the crystal, the "room" looked like it had a small sun. Gave warmth to the cave dwellers.

From the corner of his eye, Shinnichi could see some unique animals. A group of long-beaked deer-like animals are foraging on the lake shore. Comb the water with their beaks. Reminds Shinnichi of a group of flamingos.

A group of animals combined between a tapir and an elephant graze in the corner of the room. Pulling the grass and banging it against their bodies. Clean it from sand and soil before eating it.

The bright feathered birds perched on the side of the wall, occupying hundreds of existing holes. Hundreds, even thousands of insects swirled around the moth-like crystals attracted by the light of the lamp. Many of them became bird food, but more replaced them.

Several pairs of bush-shaped creatures launched their curls at each other like a whip. The fight over territory seems to be.

Shinnichi was glued to his place. Looking at the surreal beauty before him. He realized that this was no ordinary cave.

"Hey, Schwarz," call Shinnichi. "Where are we really?"

"Hmm? You are currently on the 79th floor of the Great Dungeon Gram."

Schwarz's casual answer surprised him. "Huh? I must have heard wrong. I heard of the Great Dungeon Gram."

Great Dungeons. An ancient labyrinth whose size exceeded an ordinary labyrinth. Only two are known to the inhabitants of this world. That said, this Dungeon was created by the Goddess while creating a world to train its inhabitants in order to protect themselves. It was said that anyone who conquered it would gain unimaginable power. However, other than that only little was known about the Great Dungeon. Since the power required to pass through the Dungeon's middle floor must be great, not many could know the contents and history of this labyrinth.

Then, how could someone seem to be inside the deepest floor of a labyrinth? A Great Dungeon anyway. Only heroes in fantasy stories could enter a mystical Dungeon like this.

Shinnichi convinces himself that he misheard. Although Schwarz easily broke it.

"Your brain is broken or are you deaf? We are indeed on the 78th floor of the Great Dungeon Gram."

".... In the Ronzi Continent?"

"Where else is it?"

Shinnichi said nothing more. He walked back. Clenched his hand.

"Is there a way out of here?"

".... There's."

"Bagai—"

"Focus on what's important first."

".... Fine."

Shinnichi wants to protest Schwarz. But what he said was true. He must eat first. What good would it do if he died from not focusing?

"Now, let's hunt."

"wait. A hunt? We're not catching fish or looking for plants?" Shinnichi asked again.

"Don't be stupid. Look carefully at the lake."

Shinnichi followed Schwarz's words. He looked at the lake. Calm, like glass. Occasionally, the long-beaked deer make ripples with their feet. Then.

"GROOANS!"

"Kraa! Kraa!"

A huge black shadow leaped out from the water. Caught a deer in his mouth. Suddenly, the other deer ran in droves. Instinct tells them to stay away from water.

Shinnichi could not see the figure clearly. Before he realized that the black figure was a giant crocodile the size of a school bus. In his mouth, dozens of sharp teeth pierced the body of the poor deer. The convulsions try to escape from the prison of death.

The crocodile clenched its jaws harder. The sound of cracks could be heard from far away. Ensuring that its prey was dead, the crocodile retreated back into the deep water.

Shinnichi swallowed his saliva. Thalassophobia has returned. He reminded himself not to approach the lake no matter what.

"Y-well, at least the bush animals have fruit."

Shinnichi turned his gaze to the group of plant animals. He could see purple-colored fruits around their bodies. Looks fresh and mature.

"I wouldn't advise you to approach them. The explosion from Methanosian was quite painful."

"explosions?" Shinnichi did not understand Schwarz's words. But, he must have been exaggerating. Where plants might cause an explosion.

Shinnichi saw that pair of bushes or Methanosian monsters. Still whipping each other. If one ignores that they are actually plants, nothing is too strange.

Then, one of them pulled some fruit from his body. He threw three purple fruits at his opponent. Strange, Shinnichi thought. He finally realized that around them there were dozens of craters. Then.

BUUMS! A huge explosion shook the cave. Coming from the fruit he threw, the Methanosian that received the blast was destroyed with nothing left. The other Methanosians flew away due to a large shockwave. Dropped some fruit and created another burst streak. Destroying the landscape and blowing up the other animals that were in its path.

"... Schw—"

"Don't ask. I don't understand it myself either." Schwarz sighed. "For the time being, you're just hunting down that phylbrum."

Shinnichi nodded in understanding. The beaked deer looks like the best target. But, there's one problem.

"I don't have a gun" said Shinnichi. "An idea?"

"... Man is really dumb as it turns out." Schwarz muttered. Sounds a little frustrated. "You have my powers. Use."

Shinnichi remembers the power he got from Schwarz. [Soul Eyes] and [Dark Magic]. From the name, he could guess which skill to use.

"So, what's the spell?"

"Cantera? Come on, you got [Self-Magic Manipulation]. You just have to imagine it."

"Close your eyes." Schwarz began to give his directions. "concentration. Focus your Mana on the right hand. The shape, the way it moves, the taste. Imagine and defend."

What the hell does that mean? Shinnichi wondered. He followed the orders of the dragon emperor.

He began to imagine his hand. The bones, the flesh, the muscles that make it up. Arms, palms, fingers. The warmth covered his hands.

Shinnichi opened his eyes. A pitch-black hand was where his original hand was. Shinnichi tried to move it. Closing fists.

"Great.." he murmured.

The colors and sensations are different. Hand's back. Really back.

He touched it; it was cold. He tried to hold it; his left hand pierced through it as if it were fog. Shinnichi tried a few things. Transforming his hands into several shapes; sword, sickle, kama, claw, axe, nutmeg flower before turning them back into hands.

"Hoh, I can't believe it. You're talented."

Shinnichi thanked himself in the past. Studying guns because they want to look cool helps.

"I think I can use this." Shinnichi turned his hand into a black sword. Swung it a few times.

"Coptery name...." Shinnichi examined his black sword. "Blackstar! Hows it? I took it from Reu—'s iconic sword"

"Speak what are you? The name of the magic was [Abyssal Mist]. Don't change it."

"Tch, whatever." Shinnichi grumbling. He was upset because his expectations were not met.

Shinnichi turned his gaze back to the front. Looking at a phylum in the distance. He was destroying the Abyssal Mist. He whispered. "You'll be my first target."

Shinnichi kicked the ground. Dropping at speeds above normal. He widened his eyes.

Since when can I move so fast!? Shinnichi cried out in his heart. Can't stop, his feet are stumbling.

"Ah."

Shinnichi fell down. His face smelled the ground. Dust clouds fly because of it.

"...."

"...."

"You should be la—"

"Shut up."