Scorching Ascension - [Progression Litrpg Apocalypse]

Ethan narrowed his whole existence to a single task: keep pumping fire into the lord of the lagoon's skull. No matter how many painful tail-whips he'd gotten hit with. No matter how many water-jets from the countless smaller monitors. And no matter how hard and wildly the lord bucked and tried to get him away from its head.

He wasn't stopping.

For a moment, he thought he saw a few flashes of fire in the distance from the corner of his eyes, and he guessed it was Ember who was peppering the small monitors to keep their attention away from him, but he couldn't afford to look anywhere but at the monster below him. He really couldn't afford the distractions.

Ethan just had to keep burning the lord from the inside out. As fast as possible. Thankfully, the creature was too panicked and in pain to head back to the water but at any time, it could regain reason and head to the lagoon and then, Ethan would be screwed.

Just don't let up. Keep burning it.

Ethan was getting lightheaded from the stupid amount of mana he was burning, and the tail smacks weren't helping. Still, he kept going, filling its skull and brains heat and fire to the point where the damn bones of the creature were turning to ash but somehow, it was still bucking around.

Damn tier-2s. But it's almost there, he thought as the lord began to slow, and after a handful more seconds, Ethan got the notification before the lord even hit the ground.

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

A strident chorus of call instantly filled the air as Ethan panted for air, still hanging on to the mostly black, charred head of the lord. Scorching Ascendency had run out a while ago, but as he took in the oncoming swarm, his lips stretched into a smile.

They were going to be a nice cool down exercise.

***

Ethan could finally let himself drop on his back, breathing hard. He lifted both of his arms and stared at the black, blood dripping claws as they contrasted against the clear blue sky.

It was done. He won. Kind of.

Rift challenge: Defeat the three lords (3/3)

The riftcore can be claimed.

One custom trait awarded.

Warning: Claiming the riftcore will result in the breakdown of the rift within a short period. Willing exit of the rift is STRONGLY recommended.

Ethan had already sensed it, ever since the lord had died. It felt like a thread tied to his mental finger, and at any time, he could pull on it and the riftcore would show up. He just hadn't bothered paying any attention to it until he'd dealt with the smaller lizards, which had done wonders to his levels and wallet.

Shardpurse: 3267 fragments.

Essence: 36

"Good stuff," he said to himself. "Still need a bunch of Essence for the tier-3 upgrade of the Prime Arcanum, but this is progress."

Next, he checked the level-up notifications.

You have reached Level 66. 1 stat point awarded.

…

You have reached Level 69. 1 stat point awarded.

Damn. Only four levels?

He was so close to finishing up the side quest. Sitting up, Ethan glanced around but saw nothing moving aside from the waves and tree-tops.

"Maybe I'll find some giant frogs or lizardlings when I get back. Through that…thing."

A few paces away, he could see it. The exit. It looked just like the tear in reality that had gotten him into the rift, and now, it was waiting to take him out.

He hoped it'd be back to the real world but most likely, he was going to find himself back in the caves. After all, the main quest was still ticking.

Main Quest: Gain access to the tutorial's exit within 2 days, 19 hours, and 01 minutes.

Ethan stood back up, and igniting his hands, he made the fire cover his body to nurse and speed up his healing. Everything was sore. But while he could head out already, he wanted to take a moment to recover and go through a few things. Who knew what else the damn system was going to throw at them next?

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

Reaching into the dimensional pouch, Ethan pulled his well earned spellcores. He'd also gotten a few more [Reptilian Scales], [Breath Glands] and primagems of Water, but those could stay in the pouch. Hopefully he could trade them out for something useful.

Assimilate [Elemental Crown (Tier-3)]?

Ethan accepted it and felt the spell add itself to his little growing collection, after which point he tapped it in his interface.

Elemental Crown (Tier-3): Summon up to three instances of the same elemental projectile spell above your head to be used at will.

Ethan whistled as he read the description.

"This is a modifier… Right? They really are worth it, I guess. Didn't know something like this could hide in there."

Though there was still a question nagging him. This said three of the exact same spell, but the lord had used the water orbs differently.

"The only explanation I can think of is that the spell itself allowed it to increase the pressure and concentrate the spell… or maybe it's something like my own unique trait for fire manipulation."

"[You won. Congratulations.]"

Ethan looked back to find Ember sitting on her haunches. But unlike the many other times she'd shown up, she seemed to be looking at him intently. Which weirded him out a little.

"What?"

The cat flattened her ears then sat forward, and she made him think of a sphinx. "[Nothing. I'm just… impressed. Maybe even a little proud? Don't make a big deal out of it. Have you claimed the riftcore yet? If not, tell me before you do. We'll have to leave before this all collapses on us.]"

Ethan blinked a couple of times, then smiled. "Thanks. And no, I haven't claimed it. Wanted to to recover a bit before we head out. Plus I think I can get a couple of upgrades done before that so I might as well, right."

"[Wake me up when we're going, then,]" she said, resting her head on her forepaws before she closed her eyes.

What a weird cat.

"[I'm not weird.]"

"Whatever you say," Ethan said with a shrug before he sat down and crossed his legs and turned his attention to his spells.

Now… What can be upgraded? [Sapping Scales] probably, [Draconic Claws] are a maybe, and [Scorching Enhancement]?

Looking at the three, he found his eyes lingering on the scales first. The simplest and best upgrade would be to make it draconic as well, but was he guaranteed such an upgrade?

I did get that with the claws upgrade even though I had no primagem which would allow the transition, so it's a definitive possibility. Plus, I've got plenty of primagems. I'm sure if I let them be added to the mix I'd get a few decent options.

Ethan looked down at the red scales covering his body and dismissed one of the claws. Running his bare finger along them, he focused on the feeling. Their texture. The way he felt them draw at the magic around them. Then he resummoned the [Draconic Claws] and pictured his whole body covered with the same powerful black scales. Scales that were inherently more magical, with a better conductivity for magic and in a way, the [Sapping Scales] were already a step toward that goal. He just needed an extra push.

I already have three Draconic spellforms. If that doesn't earn me more, what could?

As if agreeing to his logic, something clicked in his mind, and a prompt popped up.

Congratulations. Sapping Scales (Tier-2) can be upgraded. 500 fragments are required.

"Gotcha," he said, a grin on his face.

Do you wish to alter the unlocked options with low-grade primagems?

Ethan agreed, and the option unrolled in front of him.

Select one of the following upgrades for Sapping Scales (Tier-2):

Option #1: Costs 2 primagem of Water, primagem of Hardening

Scales of the Sea Serpent (Tier-3): Summon smooth and powerful scales that provide great affinity toward water, empowering the user's spell and giving them control of water in their range. The user's water-type spells gain a draining effect toward most magics. Form Bonus: Spirit, Toughness

Option #2: Costs 1 primagem of Crystallization, 1 primagem of Hardening

Scales of the Crystal Drake (Tier-3): Summon sharp and unbreakable crystalline scales that can absorb magic and occasionally reflect it back. Form Bonus: Spirit, Toughness

Option #3: Costs 1 primagem of Lifeforce, 3 primagem of Water, 1 primagem of Hardening

Scales of the Bronze Dragon (Tier-3): Summon powerful metallic scales to shield you from physical and magical attacks. Magical attacks will be weakened, and a portion of their inherent magic will be used to restore the scales and body faster. The scales will provide an affinity to water and healing. Form Bonus: Spirit, Toughness

Ethan read through the options and of course, his choice was already made. But he couldn't help but glance at the other options. They were still great, but there was no beating the last one. Still, one thing bugged him a little bit.

I wanted to branch out toward lightning and thunder, but it seems like I might need to pick up something with water as well…

Well. That was a great problem to have, he thought. Then he made his selection.