Only I Awaken The Forbidden SSS-Rank Dragons

He scanned his surroundings in the direction of the whooshing sound, trying to pinpoint where the assassin was hiding.

Then he moved. However, just as he shifted, a sharp bullet tore into his arm.

It had been aimed at his heart, but Aleron's sudden movement had altered the trajectory.

A wave of dizziness swept through him. The bullet was coated in poison, just like before.

In that instant, something deep within his body stirred.

His terrifying devour ability surged to life, and the dizziness vanished as quickly as it came.

The poison was absorbed?

Aleron's eyes flickered with surprise, but after a moment's thought, he found it plausible.

His pace did not slow for even a heartbeat. With renewed determination, he rushed toward the young man standing not too far away.

Through the scope of his sniper rifle, the man from the Genesis Coil watched Aleron's rapid approach.

His eyes widened in shock. "He's unaffected by my tranquilizer? What is going on?"

"How is he at the Origin Adept realm? Did you not say he was at the Origin Initiate realm before?" a calm voice asked from behind him.

They had been stationed in this city to gather information on Aleron, but they had not anticipated his strength to grow so drastically.

The sniper's voice trembled. "I do not know how his beast and he are evolving so quickly, but we have to kill him now, or he will become a true terror to the Genesis Coil."

The young man beside him was fair-skinned, his slightly darker hair falling loosely around a face speckled with faint freckles.

He nodded at the sniper's words. "There is something strange about 1317. Returning from the dead, then rapidly becoming this strong… there must be a great secret hidden within him. We should inform headquarters immediately."

Before he could continue, the sniper raised a hand to silence him.

"You are always eager to please the upper heads of the Genesis Coil. Have you considered becoming one of them yourself? You do realize that the people in power now were once at our level, correct? They clawed their way up until they possessed the strength they now wield."

His gaze shifted to the fast-approaching figure of Aleron. "If they could do it, why can't we? Why not uncover his secret ourselves? It could be the key to reaching the top."

The freckled man hesitated for a moment, then his eyes gleamed with intrigue.

Before he could respond, a loud crashing sound erupted nearby, drawing their attention.

Aleron had arrived.

For a moment, they had forgotten all about him.

The dust began to clear, revealing a half-human, half-dragon figure. His scales gleamed faintly under the dim light, and a suffocating wave of heat radiated from his body, making the air shimmer.

Not far away, a dragon who had been silently observing the scene felt a ripple of excitement in her heart.

How cool.

"I told you," Aleron's voice rolled like thunder, hoarse and powerful, vibrating in their chests, "the next time we meet, I will kill you."

Mello stared at him, recalling the vow he himself had made. He had promised to kill Aleron upon their next meeting.

"This should be our third encounter. I must apologize for not introducing myself until now." A faint smile curled his lips.

"My name is Mello. It is a pleasure meeting you…?" He extended his hand politely toward Aleron.

Aleron was momentarily taken aback by the man's mannerisms. His gaze turned cold. He had not come for pleasantries.

With a sharp movement, he slashed his claws toward Mello's outstretched hand. His strike was so swift it cut through the air like a blade.

Mello, however, had anticipated the attack. His hands darted behind him, retrieving two sleek, black weapons.

He moved faster than Aleron by a fraction, drawing twin guns and aiming them with practiced precision.

Without hesitation, he pulled the triggers.

The bullets fired were unlike ordinary ammunition. They were products of the Genesis Coil's latest research and technology.

Aleron felt a wave of discomfort the moment they flew toward him. Two rounds pierced through his scaled hand, sending a jolt of sharp pain through his arm.

A frown crossed his draconic face. Something about these bullets felt wrong.

There is something inside them.

Determined not to give Mello any advantage, Aleron lunged forward with a powerful flap of his wings.

Whatever the bullets contained did not hinder his movements in the slightest. His fused form's enhanced regeneration was already repairing the damage.

In the blink of an eye, he was before Mello, claws slicing toward the man's neck.

Mello's body moved with uncanny agility. He sidestepped the strike effortlessly, evading the lethal blow.

Seeing this, Aleron's eyes narrowed. He activated his Infernal Eyes.

A searing wave of heat erupted outward, engulfing Mello in an instant. The air rippled under the oppressive temperature, and the ground beneath them began to blacken.

Mello's expression shifted, but he channeled his Origin Energy toward his summoning space.

The air beside him split open, and a creature stepped forth — a dog-like beast reinforced with visible technological enhancements embedded in its body.

The moment it emerged, a powerful jet of water burst forth, slamming into Mello and extinguishing the flames.

When the steam cleared, Mello stood unharmed.

"I have studied you for a while," he said evenly. "Your summon's ability revolves around fire. That is why I prepared a fireproof suit, in case I faced you. It appears my preparation paid off."

Aleron's instincts screamed that something was wrong. Why did Mello seem so intent on conversing during battle?

He did not like it.

"It is time to end this," Aleron said in a low, dangerous tone.

His Origin Energy surged as he activated his ability — Metal Control.

Around them, scattered metal fragments trembled… then fell still.

They lay motionless, dull and lifeless.

Aleron's eyes widened slightly.

What was happening? Was this an aftereffect of using Metal Control as the Origin Devourer?

He tried again, but nothing happened. His Origin Energy was being drained, yet the ability refused to activate.

A deep frown formed on his monstrous face. His steps faltered for a brief moment.

Mello's eyes gleamed with satisfaction.

"So, you have noticed. What do you think of this? The Genesis Coil's newest creation. It is still in the research stage, but we have found a way to nullify one's Origin Ability."

"The Genesis Coil is one step closer to ruling this world."

Aleron's eyes narrowed. "Nullify one's Origin Ability? What?"