Chapter 7: Unleashing New Power

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John's evolution had left him feeling like a completely new creature. Every part of him was larger, stronger, and more powerful, from his gleaming black scales to the enormous wings that now spanned twelve meters. For the first time since waking in this world, he felt truly like a dragon, not just a hatchling trying to survive.

After a few hours of flying through the skies, reveling in the feeling of the wind against his scales, he decided to return to the clearing that had become his home. He needed to get a better sense of his new abilities and push himself even further.

The forest seemed smaller from his new perspective. Trees that had once towered over him now looked like mere saplings beneath his massive form. He landed with a thunderous crash, shaking the earth beneath him as his claws dug deep into the ground. His landing was far more controlled than before, and he felt a rush of pride at how much he had grown.

"Alright," he muttered to himself. "Time to test this new strength."

John turned his attention to the forest in front of him. A large boulder, half-buried in the earth, caught his eye. In his old form, moving something like that would've been impossible, but now… He dug his claws into the ground, crouched low, and sprang forward, his powerful limbs launching him toward the boulder. With a swipe of his front claws, the stone shattered into pieces, fragments flying in all directions.

The sheer power behind his strike stunned him. "That… was easier than I thought," he said with a grin, flexing his claws. "I really am getting stronger."

John felt the power surging through his body as he roared into the open sky. It echoed through the forest, a sound of dominance that sent flocks of birds scattering in fear. But he wasn't done. His new form came with more than just physical strength—his magic had evolved as well, and he was eager to see what it could do.

"Dark Flame," John muttered, summoning the new power he had gained during his last level-up.

The moment he spoke the words, a deep, black fire erupted from his maw. The flames crackled with intense heat, but they weren't like the ordinary fire he had used before. These flames were darker, more intense, infused with shadow and magic. They coiled and danced, spreading across the forest floor, leaving scorched earth in their wake.

John marveled at the destruction his Dark Flame wrought. The power of the flame wasn't just in its raw heat—it burned with a sinister energy, continuing to smolder long after the initial blast. Anything that touched the fire seemed to wither and blacken, consumed by the shadowy magic that lingered within it.

The flames spread further than he had intended, and John quickly realized he needed to control this new power before it caused more damage than he wanted. With a swift flick of his wings, he took to the air, flying above the spreading flames.

"Alright," he muttered, "let's try this again, but more focused."

He flew lower, hovering just above the treetops, and summoned the Dark Flame again. This time, he focused the flames into a narrow stream, directing them toward a fallen tree. The black fire shot out in a controlled burst, hitting the tree directly. Within seconds, the tree was reduced to ash, the dark flames consuming it entirely.

"That's more like it," John said with satisfaction. He could feel the power flowing through him, raw and untamed, but with each use, he grew more adept at controlling it.

He landed once more, his wings folding neatly against his back. As the dark flames died down, John felt a deep sense of accomplishment. His evolution had not only made him physically stronger but had also unlocked new magical potential that he had only begun to explore.

Just as he was about to relax, the system chimed in, its voice echoing in his mind.

[New Quest Available: "Territorial Dominance" – As a dragon, claiming territory is essential to your survival and growth. Establish dominance over a portion of the forest and defend it from rival creatures. Reward: 50 Experience Points, 2 Stat Points, 1 Skill Point.]

John's eyes narrowed as he read the quest. Territorial dominance… He liked the sound of that. After all, this forest had become his home, and it was about time the other creatures knew it.

"Looks like it's time to take control," John said with a grin. "I'm not just surviving anymore. I'm ruling."

With a flick of his tail, John moved deeper into the forest, his mind already formulating a plan. There were plenty of monsters in the surrounding area—he had fought a few, but there were surely stronger ones lurking nearby. If he wanted to claim this territory, he would have to defeat anything that stood in his way.

As he walked through the dense forest, the sound of rustling leaves and snapping branches caught his attention. Something was approaching—something big.

John crouched low, his muscles tensing as he prepared for battle. From the shadows of the trees, a massive creature emerged. It was a bear-like monster, but much larger, with thick fur and glowing red eyes. Its claws were sharp, and its growl echoed through the forest, a clear challenge to John's presence.

"So, you think you can challenge me for this territory?" John growled, his wings flaring out behind him. "Let's see if you can handle a real dragon."

The bear-monster roared in response, charging toward him with surprising speed. John waited, his eyes narrowing as the creature closed in. Just before it could strike, he leaped into the air, using his wings to propel himself upward. The bear crashed into the spot where he had stood, but John was already diving back down, his claws outstretched.

His claws raked across the bear's back, leaving deep gouges in its flesh. The creature roared in pain, turning to swipe at him with its massive paw, but John was too fast. He dodged to the side, his wings giving him an advantage in both speed and maneuverability.

"Time to end this," John said, his mouth opening wide as he summoned the Dark Flame.

The black fire erupted from his maw, engulfing the bear-monster in a torrent of shadowy flames. The creature let out one final roar before collapsing to the ground, its body consumed by the dark fire.

John landed beside the smoldering remains, his chest heaving with exertion. The fight had been quick, but it had proven one thing—he was the true ruler of this part of the forest.

[Quest Progress: 1/3 Enemies Defeated]

John grinned as the system's message appeared. "One down, two to go."

He turned his gaze toward the deeper part of the forest, where stronger creatures surely awaited him. The thrill of battle surged within him, and he spread his wings wide, ready to continue his conquest.

This was his territory now, and he would defend it with everything he had.

**The world of Terraxos had no idea what kind of dragon had just been born.**