Scorching Ascension - [Progression Litrpg Apocalypse]

It didn't take long for Ethan to realize that black wings against a clear blue and sunless-sky were very conspicuous and that everyone who so much as looked up would see him come from a mile away. While he usually wasn't one for stealth, he knew he didn't need to blare his presence to his enemies before he even managed to find them. They were expecting, sure. He was aware of that. But it'd be better for him to at least try to be discrete, after all, even the smallest element of surprise could make a difference between a successful ambush or a drawn out slog of a fight where he'd have to wade through everything Edwin and his lackeys had prepared for him. So, with that in mind, he decided to land on the space between the swamp and the rocky shore of the clear blue lagoon. A stretch of dirt-covered, rocky soil where moss and broken, dry trunks of wood fought for control, and where both groups of monitors refused to approach, as if neither wanted to risk leaving the protection of the lords they followed.

Ethan landed with a crunch, sending dust and twigs flying, and immediately, the monitors of both sides began rumbling in their throat, a warning tune to keep him off their territory. But none approached as he eyed both groups.

I don't want to deal with the dirty water, he thought as he eyed the swamp monitors and after a couple of seconds, he took a step toward the lagoon. Sparing a glance beyond the now agitated water monitors, Ethan watched the small waves lapping at the shore. He hoped the lord wouldn't show up. He guessed it was in there. Deep underwater. Sleeping or doing whatever it was giant lizards like to do but until it was home, Ethan was going to get some exercise done.

He turned his attention to the first approaching monster and cracked his knuckles. For a moment, he considered summoning the Prime wand, but decided against it. The fireball spell was loud, and who knew, maybe the explosions would attract the lords. He didn't need those to show up just yet. He had to put a few levels under his belt before then and in any case, he still had some frustration to work through. Plus, he was waiting for Ember to find him so might as well get busy.

A guttural hiss filled his ears as one of the larger creatures came forward, separating from its pack like the largest and dumbest goon in a classic action movie. The water monitor stepped closer, giant tail swaying, confident in its ability to deal with the interloper that dared step on its territory.

[Water Monitor (I) - Lvl 61]

The blue-scaled lizard's throat glowed for barely an instant before a pillar of concentrated water shot at him. Ethan couldn't tell if his reflexes had gotten better or if he'd been unconsciously expecting it, but he was already moving, dodging to the side before he rushed forward into the mist of water spraying around the attack. His claws ignited as he ate through the distance separating him from the reptile, and from the corner of his eye, he saw another reptile's throat glow so without stopping, he extended an arm and triggered his newest spell.

A five-inch long bit of raw, clear crystal shot through the air and considering the angle, Ethan would have missed. But the homing modifier was applied to the spell, so at last second, the projectile swerved, reflecting the glimmering blue lights of the lagoon on its multi-faceted surface before it lodged itself through the shoulder of the monitor. The sharp bit pierced easily into the scales, but the impact was intense enough for the remaining bits to break, sending more shards into the creature's flesh while the rest fell to the ground.

Ethan couldn't observe what happened next as he was coming up on the larger monitor, but he had only one thought as he swung his claws forward to meet the monitor's charge. From behind, he could hear the crack and the hiss of pain that followed.

Shards of glass under their scales. Nasty, he thought his claws raked through the lord's neck, tearing superficial gouges through the scales. The fact that the [Crystal Dart] could break on impact meant he should definitely be careful on whom he used it.

Too dangerous for friendly sparring, he noted as he slipped past the powerful jaw that snapped on the empty patch of air where he'd been a second ago. He swept his claws up under its outstretched neck, and the fire brightened around his talon as they doubled in size. He expected to tear the lizard's throat open, but the lizard had more tricks prepared. A thick-layer of sapphire-blue scales suddenly appeared, and his claws skidded against the summoned scales. Ethan cursed and jumped back, dodging away from the sharp fangs that tried to cut into him once more, only for the monster to whip its head back, and Ethan realized what was happening a beat too late.

The tail slammed into the side of his arm as if a giant just swung a tree into his side, and Ethan was sent skidding and rolling against the jagged dark grey rocks, only managing to stop at the edge of the lagoon. A bit of stone and dust fell into the water as Ethan pulled himself back on his feet, wincing at the pulsing pain in his shoulder.

I can't wait to get something for my weight. But heavy or not, that would have still hurt.

Ethan glared at the creature as it waddled toward him, summoned-scales glowing with blue magic, and Ethan looked behind him at the rippling waters of the lagoon, then back at the prowling lizard.

The only way out is through, he told himself, and this time, he felt it. Something stirred in his chest, just like it had in that mysterious state he'd been trying to re-capture. Ethan exhaled, arms at his side, and after making sure no attack was coming at him, he spared a second to close his eyes, then took a step forward. Not to run. Not to lunge. Just a step. A simple step. But it echoed in his mind and spirit.

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

Unfortunately, in his excitement at having successfully recaptured the state after nearly a dozen failed tries, the spike of surprise seemed to destabilize it, right as a new jet of water flew out of the monitor's mouth.

Shit!

Ethan raised his arms and summoned his wings right before the attack slammed into his forearms and sent him flying over the lagoon, and Ethan was barely a few inches off of the surface when he managed to regain his balance, and with a beat of his wings he flew up.

That was too damn close, he thought as he gazed down into the clear waters. Unsurprisingly, it was a lot easier to see the lord from this angle. And the lord had an easier time seeing him.

The surface broke as a giant, smooth-scaled monitor surged out of the water, maw wide open and ready to gobble him up.

[Lord of the Lagoon (II) - Level 75]

Like a giant crocodile reaching upward, the monitor's massive tail churned the water as the creature propelled itself up in the air, dangerously shortening the distance between them, and Ethan realized he was screaming as he beat his wings as fast as he could. Wings beating furiously, Ethan shot fireballs behind him, and he only dared to take breather when the momentum of the creature died out and as it began falling back down.

"That was too damn close!"

Hovering above the lagoon, a chuckle escaped his lips, which quickly turned into outright laughter. That had been both terrifying and exciting in equal measures. There was something primal about being targeted by a giant sea monster, and as he flew back to shore, he didn't dare look away from the sinking creature. The yellow eyes glared at him for a moment, and then they disappeared under the clear blue waters.

Still watching to make sure he didn't get sniped as soon as he looked away, Ethan made himself glide back toward the first monster who'd almost got him killed. It hissed at him as he approached, and Ethan—finally comfortable looking away from the lagoon and the lord hiding within it, summoned the lance and dive-bombed his first opponent.

***

Ethan wrenched his claws out of the last challenger and watched as the remaining water monitors slipped into the lagoon, one by one, and he took a second to look around him. All in all, six water monitors had died and curiously, in all fights, he was rarely interrupted by others. Only a couple of times did one of the younger monsters take a potshot at him, and every time, the offender got a tail-slap for its effort. It was as if he was fighting them for dominance. For their territory. And now that he managed to kill six of their strongest individuals, the rest retreated to the territory Ethan couldn't contest just yet. The lagoon itself, where the highest-level being was waiting.

How was he going to actually drag that monster out? Because there's no way in hell he was fighting under-water.

"[Having fun?]"

Ethan turned, wincing as his whole body contested the movement, and found a mud-covered, flat-eared Ember staring at him.

"You said you could find me. So I waited for you."

Ember prowled forward, ears flicking back and forth and without pause, she began biting into one of the torn necks, tearing strips of red bloody meat and then chewed. "[I found your humans. All three of them.]"

Ethan stilled for a second, then approached one of the dead lizards and with his claws, he tore a piece of tail out and began roasting it.

"Good. A quick break then we go. We'll catch them before they move."

The flesh cooked quickly, and once it had a good sear, he bit into it and as he chewed, he asked Ember. "[Did you also get the rift challenge reward?]"

Ember's ears flattened. "[That's how people usually get them]," she groused. "[We don't just get handed traits for reaching arbitrary levels.]"

Ethan chewed quietly as the cat went on on another tirade, keeping the smile off of his face. While he could absolutely understand where she was coming from, there was still something funny about how worked up the subject could get her. Especially ever since she had learned that side quests had not only been for little tier-1 spells.

At least we'll still have rift if the system stops giving them out, he thought as he sent out a thin spray of flames for the fire cat to nibble on. That usually cooled her off.