Chapter 45: Dragon Form and Dusk.

I made my way over to the everlasting dragon fellow once again. This time remembering to grab the tome for {Great Magic Barrier}. After taking a bit due to having to avoid the massive hydra I reach the everlasting bastard's crib.

I simply stood in front of the dragon and held my hand out while looking at the dragon with a petty expression. And started emptying my inventory of scales. Sending them crashing to the floor one by one.

< You have received the {Dragon Torso Stone }>

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<Dragon Torso Stone>

Stone imbued with the power of the dragons. Rite of apostles of the ancient dragons. Gain torso of dragon. Roar like a dragon.

The dragon apostles seek transcendence of life itself, attainable by transformation into an ancient dragon. This rite is only one step, but it cannot be reversed until death.

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I damn near shed a tear when I saw those scales get offered to the dragon but I had finally completed my job here.

Not skipping a beat I dipped back to the shrine the moment I got what I came for. If I see another stone scale I swear will probably puke blood. After moving to the small hut in the Firelink shrine I made for myself, I stripped down to my underwear.

Then I brought out the dragon stones. And focused on creating a connection between myself and the stones. Pushing focus and soul sight to the limits I managed to create a connection and use it.

The moment I confirmed, black and white most came out of my hands and started enveloping the dragon stones. And after they completely covered the stones they retreated back into my body as I felt new paths being carved into my soul.

< You have acquired the {Dragon Form Lv.1} >

Nodding internally I activated the skill as white flames covered my body and started transforming me into a humanoid dragon. Fur and bonelike plates grew out of my body. My muscles and skeleton changed. My head elongated and became that of a dragon along with a tail sprouting out of my lower back.

This form felt quite... awkward.

Yes, the feeling of all of my stats being enhanced is there along with a lot of other things. But that doesn't change the fact that this form felt incomplete and clunky. It just didn't feel like a dragon, just a cheap, pale imitation of one. This form is far too inconvenient for me to use in actual combat. Not to mention the weird proportions preventing me from wearing armor.

And I vehemently refuse to look like the accursed lovechild between a velociraptor and chicken got fused with a human. I canceled the transformation and my draconic form reverted to a human one once again. Now it was time to put the Dragon Form to the test to see how far I can push it since it is now a skill and can be leveled up.

Proof that I can influence it was that I could cancel the transformation unlike what the item description said. This makes me wonder if I can influence the transformation with form shift since the dragon form was still my own body.

This time, when activating the skill I focused on the process in which the skill transformed my body. Repeated that until I was familiar enough with the process and then tried it for real. As my body was getting transformed into that of a dragon I forcefully stopped the process midway. Then I used focus and form shift to their limit to continue the process while I changed the final result to a form that suited myself.

I made some changes to the transformation that it desperately needed. First of all, I canceled the transformation of my head mostly. It reached my throat and a bit of up my cheeks. Still allowing me to use dragon breath. As well as enhancing eyes.

Next up. Got rid of the fur, it's just annoying and does nothing else. Hell, it doesn't even feel nice it just feels like a coarse rug. I also turned my chicken feet back into normal feet with some dragon aspects. For stability's sake.

You bet your ass I didn't forget to remove the useless tiny wings just dangling off my back. I didn't remove the tail though, it could prove useful. Along with those I also tweaked the little things like claw and appendage shapes and it was finally complete.

A dragon form that fits in my armor(thank Gwyn I made it flexible enough) and is compact while barely sacrificing any power. Plus it did not look like dogshit which is always a plus in my book.

Now it was time to test out my new specs.

...

I did a few runs in the valley and I must say I am quite satisfied with the capabilities of this new form.

My claws were strong enough to cut through a hollow soldier shield with relative ease and the claws didn't even get affected.

My durability has been enhanced as well except for lightning resistance which gets tanked when I use my dragon form thanks to the aversion to lightning all dragons possess.

Alongside that, all of my physical capabilities are enhanced too. And the most destructive part was the dragon breath.

It consumes no focus, only stamina. It is significantly hotter and more powerful than fire surge. The problem was using it though, it leaves a lot of openings and impaired your vision when you use it but it is still incredibly powerful.

It also boosted the power of my pyromancies but not to the extent of power within. Still noticeable though.

The biggest problem was that this form basically neutered any ability I have relating to lighting when I use it. But other than that this form is a significant upgrade to my base power without needing any resources to maintain it.

Anyway, now I should head for my next goal: Acquiring Oolacile sorceries. I kinda skipped over them while I was killing the hydra. I wonder how strong the golden crystal guy will be, the blue ones were pretty annoying to kill.

...

Turns out, it wasn't that stronger. Or I was that much stronger. With my new and upgraded Dragon King Axe and my dragon form combined, all it took was one {Dragon Shockwave}(Which is what I decided to name the ability of the dragon weapons) for the crystal-man to be crystal-gone.

*Plop* *Splash*

And out of the former crystal man dropped a woman in royal-ish attire. Seeing that she hadn't woken up yet I nudged her side with my greaves. And finally, she woke up. After regaining her bearings from her sudden release she expressed her gratitude.

She looked very pretty(I guess) with fair, almost pale skin and blonde hair with light amber eyes paired with her ornate dress made her a sight for the sore eyes. I could see why Artorias chased after her.

''So, it is thou who rescueth me? Most gracious, I am deeply obliged. I am Dusk of Oolacile. I cometh from an age long before thine...I can not stay here for long.

So, before I disappear, allow me to ask one thing. My home, Oolacile, is the home of ancient sorceries. My hope is to pass this profound knowledge to thee, with thine approval. Would this be of assistance to thee?''

*Nod* *Nod*

''My heartfelt thanks. I am pleased beyond words. Then, I shalt engrave my signature. If thou art in need, pray summon me from my signature. It seems that my time is done. May the great flames guide thee.''

*Poof*

Then she just... faded away? How did she do that? Is she a phantom? Then how was she trapped in a golem? Ugh, whatever I don't have enough energy in my body to care. Literally, the only things operating my body are the FaP and cloranty ring as well as the grass crest shield strapped to my back(which I nabbed after I killed the hydra).

I moved over to where she put her summon sign and summoned her into my world once again.

''I am Dusk of Oolacile. It is an honour to see thee again. I shall follow thine wishes. Are thee here to learn the sorceries of Oolaccile? If thou desires so, I would be much overjoyed.''

*Nod*

''Very well then.''

...

''The sorceries of Oolacile differ from the magic of thine age. It is difficult to explain...Oolacile sorceries are, what doth one say? They are somewhat... of an approximation. Thine sorceries are more straightforward, negating all but thy self. Dost thou not find some fascination in these discrepancies?''

As she said Oolacile sorceries were much different than the conventional soul sorceries that car seat the beltless invented.

Pyromancy was the art of shaping life and flame from focus.

Miracles were the art of actualizing phenomena through focus

Soul Sorceries was the practice of shaping ''soul'' through the use of logic and focus.

And following this pattern, Oolacile sorceries were the art of changing and augmenting the environment through the mind and focus. It allowed you to do things like blend an object into the environment to obscure it from view and create spots of light out of thin air. Even mending objects is possible with it. And some

But I found something much more fundamental about the sorceries of Oolacile. It is light magic. It is a unique sorcery that focuses on the manipulation of light. This made me ponder sorceries a lot more. It seems that sorceries are a lot more varied than I thought. The more I research the more I feel like a more fundamental form of sorcery.

I spent over a week with Dusk, learning the Oolacile sorceries and listening about things from her homeland to gain more insight about the sorceries. The time spent with her was indeed pleasant but something about it bothered me.

If it was me from when I first reached the shrine then I would basically be drooling over Dusk, a pretty and kind lady. But now I don't feel like that. Don't get me wrong I enjoy interacting with someone like her but it just feels... underwhelming.

In fact, I feel myself gradually finding it harder to enjoy things. Positive emotions feel a lot more subdued compared to before when I'm either not fighting and or relying on /it/. Most things just feel numb. Even more, is that I just feel tired, I can't sleep. Normally dying resets that need but I hadn't died in a while and it was piling on. And committing suicide would leave a very bad taste in my mouth.

The things that gave me the most joy were improving myself and learning new things as well as triumphing over challenges. Everything else just tiring and bland. I can't drink. I can't sleep. I can't enjoy life. The only mundane thing left that I enjoy is interacting with the others in the shrine.

Gerald was like a mentor. Albeit a very depressing one. He was pessimistic yet still guided others. He thought me how to wield the blade and to persevere in this world.

Solaire was just Solaire. An undying beacon of positivity and encouragement. He had a way of lifting your mood in even the worst of places. Even for someone like Gerald, it was hard to dislike Solaire. He thought me miracles and tales of this world as well and helped me conquer mighty foes.

Griggs was a funny nerd. He would often ramble about sorceries and his theories about them. I enjoyed listening to his immense ramblings about sorceries and tales about his mentor.

Laurentius was a patient and helpful teacher. He thought me many things about pyromancy and how to use it. And always welcomed me seeking advice from him for even the most mundane things.

Quelana was my strict tsundere(what does that word mean..?) teacher. I loved joking around with her as well as teasing her. Her insight into magic and pyromancy basically helped develop half my combat strength and my insanely powerful pyromancies.

They are basically the only reason I haven't thrown myself off the edge to Blighttown and not gone hollow. And for that reason, I have to keep going.

So next on my agenda is...

Shit, I didn't want it to come to this. That is the last place I want to go to but I have to go back there. Well, it seems it is really time for me to confront my demons.

*Sigh* next up is...

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The Undead Asylum.

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