That light… did not belong to this forest.
Nolan stood still for a few seconds—not out of fear, but because he was listening to the forest itself.
The forest, already silent, had become even more so—eerily, oppressively quiet.
No insects.
No wind.
No life.
Only that flickering light—
Pulsing like a heartbeat.
"…This is not good."
Nolan muttered.
By normal logic, anything glowing like that deep in a forest fell into two categories:
Treasure.
Or a deadly trap.
"…And with my luck…"
He let out a sigh.
"…it's definitely the second one."
Yet he still moved forward.
Not out of courage—
But because he had no choice.
"Staying here means death."
"Moving forward might mean… a faster death."
A faint smile formed on his lips.
"Yeah. Makes sense."
Nolan advanced deeper into the forest, step by step—slow, steady.
His body still ached, but his wounds were gradually healing.
Thanks to .
Not fast—
But undeniable.
"…My recovery's improving too…"
he murmured.
This was no longer normal power.
It felt like something that was… evolving.
The light grew clearer.
Until finally—
Nolan stopped.
Before him lay an open clearing.
A perfect circle of land, devoid of trees.
At its center—
A floating object.
A crystal.
Suspended in midair, emitting a faint blue glow.
Its outer surface appeared transparent.
But within—
Something was moving.
"…Beautiful."
Nolan said softly.
But his gaze remained sharp.
"…And dangerous."
The moment he took another step—
An invisible pressure descended.
"—!!"
Nolan dropped to one knee.
"…What the hell—?!"
The air—
Had grown heavier.
As if—
Space itself was rejecting him.
"…So it won't let me get closer…"
Nolan gritted his teeth.
Then—
He smiled.
"Then that just makes it worth trying."
He stood up.
It stirred.
A flow of energy coursed through his body.
The pressure began to ease.
"…Alright."
He stepped forward.
One step.
Two steps.
Three.
Each step felt like his body was being crushed.
But he did not stop.
"…If this is the key to survival…"
"…then even if it's hell—"
"I'll walk into it."
Only a few meters remained.
The crystal—
Began to react.
Its light flickered violently.
"…Hm?"
A sound echoed.
Not from outside—
But from within his mind.
"…Bearer of the Echo…"
Nolan froze.
"…Again?"
The voice—
The same as before.
But clearer.
"…You… have arrived."
"…Who are you?"
No direct answer.
Only images—
Memories flooding into his mind.
"Kh—!!"
Fragments shattered through his consciousness.
An ancient world.
Colossal dragons.
War.
Destruction.
Ten entities—
Standing above all.
"…Ten dragons…"
The voice echoed again.
"…Creation…"
"…Dragon… Creation…"
Nolan's heart pounded.
"…Dragon Echo…"
"…is connected to them?"
The crystal trembled.
Light surged.
"…Choose."
"…Inherit… or be devoured…"
"…A threat?"
Nolan smirked.
"Heard that one before."
He reached out—
And touched the crystal.
In that instant—
The world stopped.
Space froze.
Light exploded.
BOOOOOOOOOOM!!!
A massive surge of energy flooded into his body.
"AAAAAAAAAAAA!!!"
Nolan screamed.
His body felt like it was being torn apart from the inside.
Blood.
Mana.
Dragon Echo—
Everything merged.
"…I can't hold this—!!"
But—
He didn't let go.
"…If I let go…"
"…I'll definitely die."
CRACK!!!
Something—
Inside him—
Shattered.
A limit.
Broken.
BOOOOOOM!!!
The pressure vanished.
The light faded.
Nolan collapsed onto the ground—
Gasping heavily.
"…What the hell just happened…"
He paused.
Feeling his body.
Different.
Stronger.
Sharper.
And not just that—
Something had appeared in his mind.
A system.
[Dragon Echo Synchronization: 3%]
[Skill Unlocked: Echo Sense]
[Skill Unlocked: Mana Flow Control]
"…A system?"
Nolan blinked.
"…Am I playing a game or something?"
He chuckled softly.
"Well… at least it's convenient."
But—
That moment of relief didn't last.
The ground trembled.
"…Again?"
From the edge of the forest—
Something emerged.
Not a spider.
Not a wolf.
Something bigger.
A humanoid monster—
Over three meters tall.
Bulging muscles.
Gray skin.
Deep crimson eyes.
"…An ogre?"
Nolan tightened his grip on his sword.
"…Or something even worse."
The creature roared.
And charged.
"…Perfect timing."
Nolan stood up.
Feeling his new power.
"…Might as well test it."
He closed his eyes.
Activated .
The world changed instantly.
Everything slowed.
Mana flows.
Heartbeats.
Weak points—
All became visible.
"…Found it."
Nolan opened his eyes.
Smiled.
"Now then…"
He dashed forward.