Noir looked at the hesitant creature and, of course, didn’t miss the opportunity. His claws carved out a small crater.
The little dragon darted to the side just as the creature reacted. Its jaws slammed into the rock, sending shards of stone flying.
Noir felt a chill run down his spine.
’That would have definitely hurt!’
He rolled awkwardly across the floor and struggled to regain his balance. His legs still wouldn’t move the way he wanted them to; it was like trying to control a borrowed body.
The creature let out a harsh growl. It had stopped trembling, and its yellow eyes were fixed on him once more, with no sign of hesitation.
’Okay... let’s stay calm. I’m a dragon.’
Noir could feel his draconic senses continuing to react. While the monster was dangerous, it was not invincible.
He flexed his claws; his breathing grew heavy as he tried to think. The creature was no longer moving so frantically.
It was more cautious now, but Noir could sense its unease; that gave him hope that he could defeat it.
And suddenly, an idea popped into his head.
’What if I use "Dragon’s Breath"?’
It was one of his racial skills. The problem was... he had never used it; it was the only ability he hadn’t tried yet.
’Well... it can’t be that hard, right?’
Noir focused all his attention on his chest, and a sensation of heat began to rise, as if something were about to burst.
He opened his mouth slightly.
But before he could make sense of it... the creature charged.
’Shit!’
A burst of flame shot from Noir’s mouth, but it missed completely; he tried to move to dodge the attack, but it was too late.
The monster’s front legs slammed into him, and they both rolled violently—a sharp pain shot through his small dragon body.
A rock struck his side, knocking the wind out of him for a moment, just as he dodged the jaws that swept dangerously close to his neck.
Noir let out a frustrated cry, which came out as a small roar.
And he attacked with his claws, using all his strength.
Slash!
A harsh, pained screech echoed through the tunnel. The creature recoiled, leaving several drops of blood staining the floor. Three reddish marks ran across its snout.
Noir looked at the creature, and then his black claws glowed faintly in the cave’s bluish light. The creature stared at him with anger and a touch of fear.
And then... he sensed something.
The metallic smell grew stronger, completely overwhelming his senses.
He looked down and saw the monster’s blood on his claws. Noir stared at the creature’s bleeding face.
And, to his surprise... something inside him reacted.
Hunger and a sense of superiority, just from seeing the creature wounded by an attack he himself had carried out.
Noir felt his throat go dry. And, for the first time since he had been reincarnated... the thought of devouring something alive crossed his mind.
The monster growled again. The wound on its snout didn’t seem serious, but it had clearly enraged it. It lowered its body, and its muscles tensed like a spring.
The creature charged once more.
This time, Noir reacted first. His paws pushed off the ground, and he leaped to the side just as the monster’s jaws snapped at thin air.
CLACK!
The sound sent a chill down his spine, and the monster spun around with surprising speed, lunging once more.
Noir dodged it again, but he had noticed something: it seemed to rely too heavily on charging attacks.
Watching the monster close in faster and faster, he didn’t move quickly; instead, he waited.
His instincts screamed at him to run, that the attack was deadly. But Noir forced himself to stay still.
Just before the impact, he twisted his body.
Slash!
His claws pierced the monster’s snout once more.
The screech echoed through the tunnel.
But Noir paid the price. One of the monster’s legs struck him in the side.
BAM!
The little dragon was sent flying and rolled down the rock—a sharp pain shot through his body.
’Damn...!’
He struggled to get back on his feet.
The creature was injured now, too. It was bleeding from the snout and breathing with difficulty.
For a few seconds, they stared at each other.
Then Noir noticed something.
The monster was growing tired. Its breathing was ragged, and blood continued to pour from its wounds.
And that strange hunger inside it... was growing.
The creature charged for the third time.
But it was already slower.
Noir stepped forward. The monster opened its jaws, and it struck first; its claws came down.
Slash!
The wound on its snout gaped wider, and the monster screamed.
And before it could back away, Noir bit down. His small fangs sank into the creature’s neck.
A metallic taste filled his mouth; for a moment, nothing happened.
Then...
[The unique Skill Devourer has been activated.]
A wave of heat surged through his jaw.
The monster shook violently. Its gray plates began to crack.
Noir felt something flowing into his body. It was energy, information, and instinct; the whole process made him feel a little dizzy, but he held his ground.
His bite grew stronger, like that of a turtle that won’t let go of its prey until it hears something snap.
The creature screamed, its body thrashing about the tunnel with the little dragon hanging from its neck like a tick or a bloodsucker that refuses to let go.
In the midst of the struggle, Noir felt his body grow slightly stronger, and the information kept flooding into his mind, though at a slower pace.
Then, the monster finally ran out of strength and collapsed to the ground, lifeless.
Silence.
Noir released his grip and slumped down, panting. This was the first time he had taken a life in his two lifetimes... and he didn’t feel bad about it.
’Could it be? Because it isn’t a human?’
His gaze fell on the monster; he had the basic information: it was a Stone Maw that fed mainly on bones. And all the stone scales covering its body were a skill.
Pushing his thoughts aside, Noir set about devouring the Stone Maw’s body.
***
After devouring the monster, Noir let out a satisfied sigh; his stomach felt full. He never would have thought monster meat could be so delicious.
Then a system notification popped up in front of him.
[The Stone Maw monster has been completely devoured...]
[Biological traits analyzed...]
[Skill Fragment acquired...]
[Stone Hide.]