Transmigrated With A Thrifty System

12 – Don't get yourself killed

More explosions followed, echoing above street levels. It sounds closer than ever before. Brad glances briefly at Aiden asking, "Are you ready to go?"

'That would be no.' Aiden wanted to say but a new message flashed before him.

[Ability ready to use]

[Merit points needed for a grade one ability: 1000]

"Aiden?!!!" Brad calls urgently.

He quickly responds, "sure I'm ready when you are." Then adds sarcastically, "…as always."

They continue walking toward whatever lies beyond those doors. As if following someone else instead of leading the way. They pass countless other groups heading in different directions along various paths winding between buildings.

'Lyris, what ability is grade one?' wonders Aiden silently.

[Ability unlocked – Enhancer Level 1, Grade One Ability available upon reaching the minimum required merit point total of 1000 points. A tradable skill set includes enhanced strength, speed, stamina, agility, reflexes, durability, and healing factor.]

[Would you like to activate enhancement level one, grade one power now, or wait till later?]

'Why would I choose to wait till later?' replies Aiden rhetorically. His mind is already made up about how much longer he needed to survive.

[Select the immediate action button below to begin enhancing the process instantly]

Cautiously clicking on the highlighted option, he feels energy flowing through his body making everything tingle slightly. Energy pulses within his muscles causing them to tighten involuntarily.

Greg's cackles can be heard by his side. Aiden looks to his side, noticing Greg had his skin color changed to match the surrounding environment. Green eyes gleamed brightly against dark brown hair.

"This should be fun!" Greg laughs excitedly.

He goes on one knee, preparing to sprint forward. The ground begins shaking violently underfoot.

Wrrrr! Whoosh!

The air explodes outward sending both young men flying backward several feet, but they manage to get their balance because of their increased physical abilities.

"Greg! That was some shit you did!!" exclaims Brad angrily.

Boom!

They see a large scaly hand emerge from beneath the earth, grabbing hold of another man nearby. With lightning-quick movements, the creature pulls its victim down into the hole opening underneath itself. Its claws rip open flesh and bone alike. Blood spurts forth spraying across the area around it.

Brad winces watching the gruesome sight unfold right beside him. Turning to look ahead, he sees that the same beast has grabbed onto yet another person near the front door entrance. Screaming wildly, blood gushing everywhere, the monster tears off limbs and guts spilling freely.

"It has begun…" whispers Brad quietly.

Aiden has a grin plastered over his face as he questions his system, 'Lyris what are we dealing with?'

[The Borealan Dragon is responsible for these attacks. This species lives underground and feeds primarily on people.]

Aiden and Brad make several backflips to avoid being pulled inside the gaping maw of the dragon.

'This should be fun, I guess my martial arts training isn't going to waste,' thinks Aiden jokingly.

He spots Greg slowly making his way closer to the dragon.

The dragon turns away from two others still struggling desperately trying to escape.

Aiden turns to his system and asks. 'Lyris, do I get some sort of cash or point if I defeat this thing? Or maybe something cool besides bragging rights.'

[If you defeat your first opponent successfully, you earn 100 points plus an additional bonus reward based on difficulty rating: +100 points per challenge category (i.e. combat) completed above average threshold; maximum possible score = 500 points earned during a battle versus a rogue dragon.]

'So points aren't awarded unless something dies… Gotcha!' answers Aiden sarcastically. "I'll take care of business then."

He looks to Brad who nods approvingly. They turn toward the approaching dragon. It stands nearly twenty feet tall standing upright atop massive legs supporting its weight. Thick black scales cover every inch of exposed muscle tissue. Claws extend beyond ten inches long ready to tear apart anything foolish enough not to pay attention.

"Don't get yourself killed now," warns Brad nervously looking at the giant reptile.

With nothing else to lose, Aiden charges straight at the beast. As fast as lightning, he leaps high overhead catching wind currents behind himself like wings flapping rapidly. His momentum carries him directly upward, landing squarely between the nose of the predator.

Boom!

Both hands grab tightly onto the scale of the snarling mouth.

Brad creates a small ball of blue flames within his palm. Holding tight to the edge of the jaw, Aiden nods in approval as he watches Brad throw flames through the gap, causing great pain to erupt throughout the entire body. Flames continue burning even though the jaws have closed shut again.

Greg runs in circles to create a swirling vortex of dust clouds surrounding the beast. The smoke obscures vision momentarily giving everyone precious seconds to escape.

When visibility returns, the dragon lies dead—its head severed cleanly from its torso.

Raising his feet, Aiden stomps hard against the dragon's head sending shockwaves rippling outward. Dust rises skyward creating a cloud of debris covering everything below. When the air clears, they stand side by side staring at their accomplishment.

[Merit+400]

'400 points, huh? That seems low considering how much effort went into defeating one measly creature,' grumbles Aiden under his breath.

[You received help to defeat the enemy due to assistance provided by other teammates participating simultaneously. You were also aided indirectly because many participants contributed to the overall success rate of victory. Therefore, the total number of points available equals 400 received.]

'Fair enough, thanks Lyris,' replies Aiden appreciatively.

Deactivating his cloaking ability, Greg bursts into a peal of laughter, pointing at the squished remains lying beneath them.

"There was no kidding why you were chosen as second in command!" laughs Greg.

They step forward together, raising fists triumphantly.

Brad clears his throat as he turns to Aiden. "I had wanted to say this earlier, but now I can... Please come along."

Aiden raises his brows and folds his hands. "It's best if you give me an idea of where we are headed."

Brad lets out a sigh. "We're heading northeast across the ocean near the border. . . you have been summoned by Him."