Are you kidding me?

The cave trembled beneath the Komodo dragon's massive feet.

Just how big or great was this dragon?

Looking around for any hiding place. He came across the trickling water, it fell from the slight hole, presumably leading up where they had come from.

It was too high, but if he could pile the rocks on the ground and set them high. He would get a chance.

And if that failed, something else should work. Biting his lips he studied the cave more attentively.

The Komodo dragon could smell a disturbance in its lair. It's hatched eggs were in there, it ran, its tail swishing left and right.

It's claws stained with blood, its massive body covered the entrance. It's eyes immediately zooming on the intruder.

Ethan shrank internally, his eyes on the massive claws blood filled on it. Massive chest and the rest were dead no doubt.

The Komodo dragon, with its thick skin filled with enough keratin, opened its mouth and charged.

Going left, Ethan escaped the charge and bent down in time, for the massive claws which swiped at him, making a whistling sound.

He made a dash to go behind it, but the tail swapped at him, nearly sending him into a permanent coma.

Then he realised that it was a good thing, Because the Komodo dragon's body blocked the entrance.

And he would have been cornered and maybe. . . Smashed under the claws.

Taking a deep breath, he watched as a pair of powerful wings emerged from the dragon.

It opened its mouth again and out came a stream of fire.

It wanted to burn him, Ethan thought. He got up and ran to the area of the trickling water.

The Komodo left its position close at Ethan's heels, it swiped again but scraped the walls of the cave instead.

The small intruder and prey used its small size to pass the space created by it, standing right under its underbelly.

It couldn't get the prey, so it decided to drop its weight on it, but the annoying thing with short legs ran, so fast from under it.

It had been tricked, it was unable to get back up because of its massive weight. Using its wings it began to prepare to get up, but the place was now smaller.

There was not enough air to lift it and so the large wings caused some cracks on the cave's wall.

Turning to the prey which tried to lift rocks from the ground. It threw them at it, but it bounced off like a beam with a tang sound.

This time it conjured up a scorching heat flame from its deepest part, opening its mouth to end the prey.

Ethan could climb now, quick thinking before he would be roasted like meat.

He bent down to lift a massive rock which brought all the veins never seen on his body.

Teeth clamped together, his face twisting like he was about to excrete out very stubborn waste material from his rear.

Uhnun, finally well-balanced, he could feel the flame drying up the little hairs on his skin. He had to throw it now and he prayed it would go well.

The rock flew as the stream of fire made its way to the dragon's mouth. Disappearing into it as the flame broke and came towards Ethan.

Bad!

He watched, mouth agape as the rock melted but managed to enter the dragon's body.

He had not to let that fire touch him. The hairs on his neck screaming obscenities if they could speak, but Ethan remained standing.

That had agitated the dragon as the burning rock entered in its cavity.

But it would later regenerate its health, but the prey would not get away with this.

It rose hitting the rock above and sending them down like hail flew at Ethan, rocks flying here and there.

Ethan bent down and frantically railed the rocks at the incoming dragon, but it was futile.

it was nearer now, and Ethan was done for.

Water still trickled in.

He picked another and another, aiming at the open flame sitting on the mouth of the Komodo with excellent precision.

For someone who had never been that excellent in throwing.

One after the other it slightly melted, but some were able to go in, the dragon brought out more flame steaming the place in response to every attack.

Too hot.

His heart raced madly, he left the small rocks and with everything in him, carried the second-largest rock and threw it. Adrenaline now fueling.

The rock pistoned towards the Komodo. The rock was its mouth size and successfully blocked its entrance.

Ethan could see the dragon breath turn, dark gray and coming out of its nostrils.

It was burning internally, but it came at him. It's movement sending chills down his spine.

It's scales, now burning bright yellow, its eyes a fury of pain. It made its finally movement descending on him. Ethan felt his vision go black.

Would his name ever get to the history books?

***

The panel beamed, stunning Ethan with its striking structure.

[Congratulations host, you have successfully gained the beast transformation system]

[ Would host like to accept this system?

Ethan gaze locked unto the panel, his mind reeling with confusion and disorientation.

Was he not dead? or was this some kind of twisted limbo? Did that come from his head? What the hell was a beast transformation system?

It came again

[This beast transformation system allows its host to tap into the primal power of wild tier beasts, granting access to enhanced physical abilities, elemental resistances and unique skills]

What the hell? I didn't kill this beast just to get "beast transformation system of all systems if there was any?

[ Host is heavily injured, would like to proceed with the system or die]

Ethan chuckled lightly before wheezing in pain. Ok, so if he wasn't dead then—

This … Host agrees. He didn't know what the hell he was saying because if he were he would have not accepted.

[ Host accepts. System would like to merge with host. Does host agree?

Ethan grumbled weakly, ' stop asking questions, I already accepted.

[ Merging will now take place so that host regains consciousness]

[ Merging: 20]

[ Merging process: 50]

[ ..... 100. Merging with host is a success. Congratulations host, you may call me ferarum mutatio system aka beast transformation system]

Ethan ignored the monotone voice of the pleased system as his body filled with vitality, the pain easing until he felt it no more. His eyelids didn't feel lazy.

But he was sleepy, too weak to get up and think about this system stuff, but a thank-you enough would soothe the system to leave.

He drifted off to a system telling him about metamorphosis.

He wasn't in a biology class.

**

He awoke with a loud yawn, the Komodo dragon like black ash on him. Ethan was hale and healthy.

He didn't see any panel so he assumed it was all in his head. He stood up to see the panel materialized in front of him.

Ugh… Ethan pinched the bridge of his nose, it had been real. ' Look am grateful for what you did, don't have anything to thank you but. . . Here's a thank you from me.

[ The thank you was greatly received, but I am stuck with you]

Ethan stilled. Pointing to himself, You are stuck with me? How?

[ We underwent a merging process when you were almost dead]

Ok, I get it but don't need that system, pity me, please.

[ Host has been given a system that super speeds human capabilities, why does host disagree]

' Beast system of all systems, you just made my life more miserable. Ethan complained, trying to get the system off his face.

[Why then did host agree?]

You appeared when I was dead, it was that dead Ethan, not thus one that accepted.

[ System laughs at host at what he says. Says host is quite funny, but system wasn't going anywhere]

Ethan huffed in annoyance and went out of the cave.

[ System would like to begin metamorphosis to unlock your true abilities, then we can go home and kick their asses]

Ethan stared at the screen. I'm not in biology class, spare me.

But maybe show me what it looks like. Putting his hand under his chin in curiosity.

The system beamed.

[Metamorphosis initiated. Rearranging biological structure to optimize comparability …. 10% complete]

Ethan almost bit his tongue in his flurry of words, looking at the 10 like he wanted to bat it off the screen.

When did I agree to you rearranging my biological structure? Stop it now! He commanded it.

"30% complete… Cellular realignment in progress."

Ethan felt his cells vibrate, membranes dissolving as the transformation's energy permeated his body. Cellular structures breaking down, releasing genetic material. DNA helices unwound, reforming into new, hybrid configurations.

Microtubules reorganized, guiding the flow of cellular resources. Mitochondria swelled, energizing the transformation. Ethan's body became a crucible of molecular rearrangement.

''Said stop it, Ethan said through gritted teeth, no way will they accept him looking like …

["50% complete… Energy matrix integration."

A lattice of glowing, silver lines emerged, weaving through Ethan's body. This energy matrix synchronized his cellular activity, harmonizing the transformation. The lines pulsing.

Bioenergetics pathways illuminated, as Ethan's body harnessed the essence. His cells resonated with the dragon's frequency, integrating its power.

The system still continued rearranging whatever was necessary.

["80% complete… Neurological upgrades."

Ethan's brain shimmered, neural connections rewriting. Synapses multiplied, forging new pathways. Neurotransmitters surged, amplifying cognitive functions.

His mind expanded, incorporating the dragon's instincts and knowledge. Ethan's consciousness merged with the Beast Core, granting access to ancient, primal wisdom.

The system didn't stop there, he was being remade.

Proteins refolded, forming novel structures. His body forging new tissues, reinforcing his skeletal framework. Muscles reorganizing, amplifying strength and agility.

His skin transformed, scales emerging as a composite of keratin and dragon-scale proteins. The scales shimmered, reflecting the silver light of the energy matrix.

[100% complete. Metamorphosis successful.

As the metamorphosis completed, Ethan's body had grown in height, his teeth a sharp pointed edge, fingers like claws. Wolfish ear, green scales as a skin.

That process had made Ethan perspire so much his clothes were drenched, he thanked mother earth that he couldn't see his appearance.

[This is the first step in your transformation, called the awakening. It will grant you a 10% increase in strength, agility and endurance]

His eyes went wide, this was just one of the transformations? How many were they?

[This first transformation would be called feralis( beast mode) which would make it possible for you to transform into any type of beast, adapting to situations]

[Here's your stats]

Name: Ethan

Level: 1

Health/ transformation bar: 100

Agility: 10

Endurance: 10

Strength:10

Beast core: Komodo dragon

XP: 0/ 500

New attributes unlocked : enhanced strength, scaled armor, earthquake stomp!

[New abilities : enhanced senses, including night vision, acute hearing, breathing fire.]

Ethan watched the multiple notifications flash across him with a slight movement in his jaw.

An urgent message flashed on the panel: Critical Nutrition Alert, primary food source depleted.

Acquire 10–15 kilograms of fresh deer meat for the side effects of the transformation

Ethan stared at the system as if it had gone mad. All the animals have become extinct, where did it expect to find such?

And if I don't?

[Host will be greatly dehydrated, starved and an increase rate of injury with a greatly reduced XP which of course you have none.

Well, Ethan didn't have the system to lose it, he would have to look for it in his hideous form or starve.

[Good luck on your search]

Hey! But the system had already gone silent. No direction given? Not helpful at all. Ethan scowled, his mouth felt different because of the fangs.

Huffing and getting up, he just went straight ahead from where they had come. Bodies cut into two, massive chest hands still clutched his gun, though dead.

His scales shimmering, he made his way to the ship and climbed in, there was no one, not a single soul.

The corpses of the soldiers gone from the honey site.

Going into the ships' kitchen, he ransacked the contents for deer meet, damn the system.

Finally, he pulled the meat from the ship's cold room, cut it, his face scrunched like he had beaten on mold.

He hesitated, eyeing the meat warily, before taking a tentative bite

[Breech of rule. Food source must be healthy, young and not hours dead]

Thought you had gone offline, nice to meet you back, as you can see, I am having a hard time here, don't add to it.

Ethan took the meat, closing his eyes imagining delicious food he had eaten in his planet, chewed.

Yuck.

A while later he was done, then he called out.

'Alright what's next.

[Intense dehydration would soon begin, no water would be able to quench your thirst. To last 1 hour and 30 minutes]

The system shut down itself.

Ethan sprang from his chair. ' Are you kidding me!