Awakening: Embrace of the Demon Lord System

The deafening sound of a gunshot echoed through the alleyway, and the bullet found its mark in the back of Amire's head. His body crumpled to the ground, lifeless. The shooter, overwhelmed by guilt and horror, dropped the gun and fled. As it hit the ground, the gun discharged once more, its echo a chilling reminder of the irreversible act.

Memories flooded Amire's mind, fragments of his life flashing before his eyes. His grandma's words resonated in his thoughts, "You never know the value of something until it's gone." How right she was. I wish I'd cherished life a bit more before this happened.

Is this really how it ends? Is this the culmination of my existence?

As darkness threatened to engulf him, a mysterious voice pierced through the void.

[Congratulations, host. You have unlocked the Demon Lord System.]

Confusion and disbelief washed over him. What is this voice? What does it mean by 'Demon Lord System'?

[Think 'yes' if you accept the system.]

Hesitation gripped him. Think 'yes'? Is this even real?

[You have unlocked and obtained the Demon Lord System. Since you're dying, would you like me to change your name?]

Anxiety and disbelief battled within him. Why is this happening? Why now?

[No answer. Does that mean 'yes'? If so, I have a good name for you: ZAIRE EL HUNTER.]

The world around me grew darker, my senses fading away. I couldn't see or hear anything anymore, but somehow I'm still alive. It felt like days, even though I couldn't feel or move my own body.

Out of nowhere, I start to hear that voice again.

[Daily quest: Absorbing sunlight completed.]

[Reward: 5 Exp points]

[Current Exp: 5/100]

It's that voice again. What is this daily quest, and what are exp and points? This sounds like a video game thing. If I'm getting sunlight, why the hell can't I see?

[Level up]

[Congratulations, host. You have learned the passive skill: Dragon's Essence and the active skill: Life Force Surge.]

Dragon's essence? What does that mean? Don't tell me I'm not a human anymore. Don't tell me I'm a dragon. If I am, then I'm happy and freaking out. This is so cool if I'm a true dragon. But what if I'm not human? What is a skill? If I'm a dragon, can I talk? I can hear myself thinking, so I must be able to talk, right? 

[Day 20]

The warm rays of sunlight caressed the egg's surface, marking the completion of another daily ritual.

[Daily Quest: Absorbing Sunlight Completed.]

[Reward: 5 Exp Points]

[Current Exp: 100/250]

[Level Up]

With a soft hum, a voice echoed, [Congratulations, host. You have gained 10 Aura Points. You've learned the passive skill: Eggshell Barrier and the active skill: Eggshell Reinforcement.]

It's been a while since I learned a skill. What is this 'aura' thing? Zaire pondered, feeling a subtle energy coursing within.

[Day 30]

The cycle of absorbing sunlight continued, each day feeling a little different yet strangely familiar.

[Daily Quest: Absorbing Sunlight Completed.]

[Reward: 5 Exp Points]

[Current Exp: 150/250]

[Level Up]

[Congratulations, host. You have gained 10 Aura Points. You've learned the passive skill: Dragonkin's Intuition and the active skill: Eggshell Restoration.]

As the voice faded, Zaire felt a subtle shift in his perception. Emotions, once muted, began to take shape, forming a mosaic of sensations and feelings.

In the quiet confines of the egg, Zaire's thoughts wandered. every 10 days I gain more skills. I wonder what these skills really do. He felt a growing connection to the skills he was acquiring, a deeper understanding slowly unfolding within him.

[Day 40]

The familiar warmth of the sun greeted Zaire once again, but today, something was different. A newfound awareness tingled at the edges of his being.

[Daily Quest: Absorbing Sunlight Completed.]

[Reward: 5 Exp Points]

[Current Exp: 200/400]

[Level Up]

[Congratulations, host. You have gained 10 Aura Points. You've learned the passive skill: Life Force Absorption and the active skill: Magical Perception.]

Zaire's senses sharpened, the world outside his egg becoming more vivid. I can feel my body now, he realized. It feels like I have a tail or something, but I still can't see or hear anything. However, I can feel.

Zaire starts to feel around.

It feels like I'm in a container or something. If I'm a dragon, then this would be an egg, right?

Curiosity piqued, Zaire began to explore. His fingers, or what he sensed as fingers, brushed against the smooth interior of the egg. A container? An egg? If I'm a dragon, then this would be an egg, right?, he thought, his instincts guiding him.

Gathering his newfound energy, Zaire focused. With a burst of Life Force Absorption, the egg began to break down, its nutrients flowing into him, fueling his growth.

[Level Up]

[Level Up]

[Level Up]

[Level Up]

[Level Up]