Scorching Ascension - [Progression Litrpg Apocalypse]

The ground rumbled as the drake's powerful form sprinted toward him, its clawed legs sending large chunks of soil behind as it huffed while its throat began glowing with a deep, ominous red and orange glow.

Ethan didn't move. He stood still, a dagger held in his right hand and knees bent, and he waited as the copper-scaled monster grew larger in his sight.

The drake jumped, forelimbs stretched forward, black claws gleaming in the blue-lit clearing. Its outline was backlit by the fires it had set behind it and Ethan had to admit, it was an impressive sight, but he couldn't really afford to admire it much and already, he was moving, briskly repositioning to the side as he gripped the dagger harder.

The air shuddered about him, and a powerful smell of sulfur and charcoal filled his nostrils as the creature barely missed him. Ethan felt like he just dodge a speeding car, but that had always been the goal. As the monster flew past him, a rumbling snarl echoing out of its throat as its jaws clicked shut on empty air, Ethan drove the Harvester's Dagger in its thigh, tearing into the scales. He felt something twist in his hand, and as the monster continued past him, he hoped he hadn't damaged the dagger.

The drake went skidding past him, claws digging deep grooves into the soil as it came to a stop and when Ethan saw the blue glow where the dagger had barely cut through the tough scales, he threw the dagger close to a fallen mushroom-tree right as the lizard spat out and orb of flames at him.

Ethan raised and let out a column-wide gout of flames to counter it. The two spells met, and the drake's orb instantly and violently expanded, spreading its reddish flames wide and when it saw its attack countered, the drake growled, and a second set of horns appeared above its head.

Oh?

They were larger, and they curled forward, as if they'd been made to gore the monster's opponents. But Ethan couldn't stare at them for long as the next attack was coming.

A deep glow quickly built up in the monster's throat, and another ball of concentrated fire shot out. This one was significantly brighter, and it slowly grew in size as it approached.

"Fireball it is, then."

A small ball of intense swirling flames materialized in front of his chest scales, and with a flick, he sent the spell flying up at the oncoming attack right as the drake lunged forward once more.

Smart, Ethan thought. It was distracting him with the flames.

The drake crossed the distance fast, intent on capitalizing on its empowered attack, and it was halfway to Ethan when the fireball impacted the drake's own flame orb.

There was a crack as his spell went off, and Ethan's own fireball was quickly swallowed by the the drake's as the orb erupted in a wave of flames that got to him in a second, bathing the whole space in a red and yellow inferno.

With his horns summoned, Ethan surrounded himself with his own empowered flames, wrapping the element all around him in a tight cocoon that he kept feeding as the red fire ate into his own. Ethan grit his teeth and pushed more mana into [Scorching Enhancement] flaring his flames stronger until finally, the wave of fire was expended.

The drake was visible once more, still running at him, unhurt by its own flames, and Ethan lunged to the side in a roll, barely dodging in time, sweat beading down his brow as he grinned. "Come on, big guy. Is that all you got?"

The drake growled at him and began circling while Ethan watched. He had an idea, but he had to get the timing right, so for now, he waited and stole a glance behind him. The others were finishing up the lizardlings and, as far as he could see, things seemed to be under control.

Aside from the growing wildfire, that is.

Ethan faced the drake once more and took a step back, hoping that'd trigger some hunting instinct in the giant lizard. "Come on, you coward."

The drake huffed, slowed, then broke out into a sprint once more.

Ethan stood still as a predator as tall as he was and many times as heavy sprinted toward him.

It's about to jump.

Ethan swallowed. His muscles were tense and his eyes unblinking. He couldn't make his move until it did or it might stop, so he waited, teeth bared, and held his breath.

Then it jumped.

Ethan summoned his lance, willing it to grow as large as it could. The black and red metal stretched until the weapon became nearly ten-feet tall, and holding it with both arms, Ethan shouted as he went down to one knee and propped the lance against the ground, aiming the tip at the creature as it flew down at him.

The drake flailed its limb and tail gracelessly, but its momentum was dictated by its powerful jump. Ethan braced, a manic grin on his face as he armed an explosive charge.

Ethan shook when the point of the lance impaled the falling monster. It sunk deep into the tough defenses, shoving Ethan and the butt of his weapon further back and into the ground.

Blood sprayed, and the drake flailed, screeching in pain while Ethan erupted his scales with defensive flames. He had to get out from under the monster, but before he did, he had one last thing to do.

Ethan detonated the lance, and the monster shuddered as a might rumble echoed from under it scales. Surprisingly, it only made it wail harder, while Ethan kicked and pushed to get himself out from under the beast.

The explosion must have done some good damage, but if Ethan were to guess, it must have had some decent defenses against fire, or it should have been burnt from the inside out.

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Makes sense… it literally has fire in its name.

Ethan worried that if attacked the drake with fire, it would heal or be empowered, and he resolved to get some more elements under his belt. This would be were thunder or water spell would come in handy.

The monster roared, clawing at the lance impaling it as Ethan got up to his feet. It glared at him, throat glowing, then screeched once more as its movement pushed the lance deeper in its chest.

In response, Ethan summoned his claws and rushed up onto the back of the drake, which instnatly distracted from its injury for a short moment as it tried to twist and grab him, but Ethan had already drove his left claws into its scales for a better grip, and he wound back his right, activating [Extending Enhancement] as he did.

Ethan stabbed, driving the 16-inch talons of his right claw into the back of the monster's neck. The drake roared, bucking and trashing to get him off of its back, but there were enough ridges for him to get a good hold with his feet, and not to mention, his two claws were deep into the creature's back.

Suffice it to say, it wasn't throwing him off anytime soon.

Ethan sliced and tore into the creature with his claws, blood splattering on his scales as he triggering the extending modifier over and over again. At some point, the lance broke, and Ethan groan of pain had escaped him as it had felt as if something had sucker-punched him in the heart. Ethan had felt woozy for a short second, but it quickly faded, only leaving a sore feeling in his chest as he continued his assault on the ever weakening drake until finally, once nearly only the bones were left intact, he got the death notification.

Wrenching himself off of its back, Ethan panted and took a look around then back, feeling at the odd soreness in his chest. Extending his awareness to the lance's mental trigger, he sensed he could reactive it, but he was pretty sure it wouldn't be comfortable.

I guess that's what happens when a spellform breaks, huh.

He resolved to test that a bit more later, or at least, pay attention to it. For now, Ethan called out to the others as he saw their form approaching. "Are you guys okay?"

Liz waved back. "We're okay! But we gotta get out of here."

Ethan exhaled. The fire was spreading, clinging and setting the mushroom trees on fire all around, but thankfully, the way down was still clear. While he waited for them to get to him, Ethan pulled up his notifications.

You have defeated [Fire drake (I) - Level 43]

Arcanum of the Fire Elemental: 119 fragments collected.

Still breathing fast, Ethan stepped around the dead creature and found what he was looking for. The dagger wound was pulsing with magic, and Ethan giddily opened and closed his hand. "Come on. Give me something good!"

He waited, hoping and after a few too-long seconds, a thin, red filament began floating out of the light.

"Yes!"

A few more moments later, Ethan picked up a small red gem from the churned soil.

Assimilate [Primagem of Fire (low-grade)]

Ethan grinned. "Don't mind if I do."

He was sure Ember would have loved this, but that little rascal didn't miss an opportunity to sass him, so he was keeping the primagem to himself. After all, he needed the power-ups as much as her.

She is telling us a lot, though. And protecting the others. I better get her something eventually, he thought.

Ethan hummed. Maybe he could give her the fifth primagem he'd get. Or the tenth. Depending on if she's got a way to get them herself, that is. Because if she does, she can get them for her own damn self.

With his loot collected, Ethan eyes the drake for a moment, considering cutting off its tail, then realized he had nothing to cut with.

Then again, they won't have the time for any cooking, considering the state of this cave.

The fire were spreading fast. This area—at least this sub-cave—was probably done for. Ethan hoped the small natural barrier between caves would be enough to prevent the fire from filling the whole first layer, but it might be time to head down or find another spot.

Ethan went and picked up his dagger from a nearby fallen, crackling mushroom-tree, then looked up to find the others approaching. Amelie looked pale, while Audrey was limping. Some of her hair had been burnt away as well, and while the smoke situation as getting dangerous, it wasn't too bad just yet, thanks to the large space and their heightened stats.

They looked around as they closed in toward him, eyes lingering on the dead drake. Ember was ahead of them, and Ethan noticed some blood on her fur. Near the back. "Your blood?" he asked.

"[No,]" she answered before letting herself fall on her side in a typical cat fashion, completely unbothered by the growing flames around them.

Ethan eyed the four agitated companions. Amelie was approaching Audrey to heal her leg, fretfully looking around, but the taller woman gently but firmly pushed her sister's arm down. Liz looked worried at the fire all around them, while Gerald just stared grimly at the encroaching flames. This area was more of a clearing, so they weren't about to burn down, but it was still a terrifying sight.

Looking toward the way day, Ethan clapped his hands, surprising the four. Ember just flicked her ears. "I think it's time we move down to the larger cave," said Ethan, and he saw a few nods at that. "We can rest for an hour or so in the tunnel, then we get back to work."

More nods. Then it was quiet. Amelie blinked, slowly turning toward him with a raised brow, and Gerald asked, eye wide. "We?"

Audrey tilted her head, and Liz smiled wide. Ethan nodded. "We. I'll hang around for a bit. I wouldn't mind the backup down there."

It was both gratifying and uncomfortable seeing their expressions, and Ethan didn't think he deserved it. Thankfully, it stopped once Liz asked a question. "Where are your clothes? Did you leave them back there?"

Ethan grimaced. "Forgot I was wearing them when I woke up. Not much of them left."

Gerald chuckled, while Audrey gave her sister a sidelong glance, as the latter seemed to be about to say something, but when she caught her sister's eyes, she faltered and with a huff, she shoved her sister's protesting arm and worked on healing her leg.

It should be fun down there, especially with some company, he thought. And with that, they started walking.