The harsh light tore at her eyelids.
Jinra's eyes snapped open, her heart pounding, her skin cold with sweat.
She sat up, gasping. The images of the dragon, the screams, the blood... it all still twisted in her skull.
— Calm down. You're safe.
A deep, steady voice vibrated near her.
Through the blur of her tears, Jinra made out a massive figure, half-submerged in shadow: gray hair, a face ravaged by scars, piercing blue eyes.
— Who... who are you? she stammered.
The man gave a brief smile.
— Leonardo Cain. Head of the Hunters' Association.
Jinra's eyes widened, her breath caught in her throat.
— You're... THE Leonardo Cain? The S-Rank... "the Butcher"?!
A mocking glint passed through his gaze.
— Well-informed, kid.
(He crossed his arms) Now, tell me how you survived.
Fear twisted in her stomach again. Jinra took a deep breath, searching for her words.
— I saw... a dragon. Its scales... shone like crystal. Its mana... it was...
(Her voice broke.)
So toxic I felt my organs being crushed...
She lowered her eyes, her fists clenched on the sheets.
— It talked about "Guardians." I didn't understand anything. And then... it massacred everyone.
Without mercy.
I couldn't move. Paralyzed. Like I was dead.
Leonardo remained silent for a moment, his gaze heavy on her. Then he sighed.
— Tonight, ten portals were detected. Maybe more.
All the survivors tell the same story: a dragon, an overwhelming mana pressure...
He approached, his steel gaze fixed on hers.
— If any other memories come back to you, even a detail, come see me directly. Understood?
Jinra nodded, trembling.
She hesitated, then whispered:
— Before I lost consciousness... I heard a voice.
Leonardo froze.
— A voice?
— It said... that I had received a "forced implantation"...
Silence fell, heavy, suffocating.
Leonardo narrowed his eyes, then straightened up.
— Thank you, Jinra. Rest. The nurses are coming.
He turned away.
Panicked, Jinra reached out.
— What about Ethan?!
A tired smile briefly crossed the man's face.
— He made it. He fought for you.
His father... less so. (A grimace) They didn't spend a dime on your care.
Before going through the door, Leonardo murmured into his earpiece:
— Did you hear that?
A grating voice immediately replied:
— Affirmative. Dragon confirmed. But she's the only one talking about implantation.
Leonardo growled, almost inaudibly:
— Dig into that. Now.
And he disappeared.
As soon as the door closed, two nurses entered, their smiles as strained as they were professional.
— So, princess, sleep well? one of them said, pulling the curtains.
Jinra gave an awkward smile.
— I guess...
— And your Prince Charming? the other one chuckled.
(They exchanged a knowing look.)
Jinra blushed to the tips of her ears.
— He's... just a friend!
— Ethan, huh? The handsome guy with the green eyes? the first one snickered.
They laughed softly, but the atmosphere quickly changed.
— All your burns are gone. — No scars. — Your heart is stable.
They exchanged a serious look.
— Normally, it would have taken three years to heal from injuries like yours.
Jinra blinked.
— Three... months...? she stammered.
— Exactly three months.
And the mana that touched you... it was S-Rank.
A long shiver ran down her spine.
— Rest. You'll be out soon.
The two women slipped away, leaving her alone.
Silence fell over the room.
Three months...
S-Rank...
Her heart sped up.
Without thinking, Jinra leaped out of bed, stumbled, climbed onto the windowsill, and jumped into the void.
The shock was brutal. Branches, pain, cold sweat.
— Damn it... she grimaced.
She staggered to her feet and ran into the night, barefoot, her hospital gown flapping in the wind.
— Sorry! she cried to the shadows. I'll repay... someday!
No one answered.
Only distant sirens and the frantic beating of her heart filled the air.
She ran until exhaustion. Then collapsed, panting, in a dark alley.
Where am I...?
She spun around, disoriented.
And suddenly - a translucent blue interface opened before her.
> [Hello, Guardian.]
[I am your Assistant for your Ascension.]
Jinra jumped back.
It's... it's not real.
She waved her hand to dismiss the screen. In vain.
> [Define your ideal.]
For a moment, she hesitated.
Then the image of the dragon returned - immense, invincible.
Tears in her eyes, she whispered:
My ideal... to become a dragon. To fly. To burn the sky.
To crush those who crushed me.
The interface blinked.
> [Analysis in progress...]
[Probability of achieving this ideal: 0.00000000000000001%.]
A nervous laugh shook Jinra.
Not zero... So it's possible.
> [Evolution path: extremely difficult.]
Another window opened:
> [Current Status:]
Name: Jinra Voss
Species: Human
Level: 0
Class: Guardian (Unknown)
Strength: 5
Agility: 3
Endurance: 3
Intelligence: 1
Skills: None
She stared at the numbers, disheartened.
Damn... I'm really a wreck.
But a spark was born in her eyes.
Weak, flickering.
But indestructible.
One day, she would fly.
One day, she would crush them all.
No matter the cost.