Chapter 1: WHY NOT A DRAGON

Chapter 1: WHY NOT A DRAGON

In the dim corner of a narrow alley, a boy lay curled up on the cold ground, his clothes covered in dust, his nose running. Three older boys stood over him, their fists clenched, their breathing heavy. They had been beating him mercilessly. Bruises were already forming on their own knuckles—evidence of his desperate attempts to resist.

"Now you're not looking so smug, huh?" one of them sneered. "We told you to stay away from Emmy, but you just wouldn't listen..."

"The watchman is coming!" a boy at the mouth of the alley suddenly shouted.

The leader of the group gave one last, brutal kick to the boy on the ground.

"Remember this—don't ever let us see you near Emmy again, or else."

With that final warning, the three bullies fled, disappearing into the night.

The boy on the ground, still trembling, pushed himself up, dusting off his tattered clothes. He spat out a mouthful of blood, his expression blank. Without a word, he turned and walked away.

Von University had strict rules against student fights. He had no intention of reporting this.

His name was Sam Martin, a second-year engineering student at Von University. But the trouble had only started when Emmy, a new student, had joined their class.

She had once asked to borrow his notes, and from that moment, they became friends. But their friendship had caught the attention of Roy, a senior who apparently had feelings for Emmy. Unable to handle his jealousy, Roy had started bullying him.

It wasn't the first time, and Sam doubted it would be the last.

His life had already been difficult long before this. His parents had passed away when he was a child, leaving him in the care of his grandfather. But even his grandfather had died midway through Sam's first year of college.

Now, he was alone.

A Night of Change

Entering his small dorm room, Sam locked the door behind him and sat heavily on his bed.

The room was modest—a single bed, a wooden table, a foldable chair, and a few belongings stuffed under the bed. A faded photograph of his younger self with his family sat on the desk, the only remnant of his past.

Lying down, he closed his eyes, exhaling deeply.

He didn't know that in just a few hours, the entire world would change.

"Help! Help!"

BAM!

BOOM!

Sam's eyes snapped open at the sudden sounds outside.

Knock, knock! "HELP!"

He sat up, confused.

"Did I miss some campus event?" he wondered.

Curious, he walked over and opened the window.

What he saw outside sent chills down his spine.

Screaming students were running in every direction. Some were begging for help. Others—were attacking each other.

A group of students was biting someone.

Cats and dogs, their eyes glowing eerily, were chasing people through the streets.

Sam's heart pounded. Only one word came to his mind—ZOMBIES.

Panic surged through him. He slammed the window shut.

But he didn't realize—something had already noticed him.

The First Kill

As he backed away from the window, his mind raced. I need to barricade the door.

SHATTER!

Glass exploded behind him.

Sam whipped around, instinctively grabbing his foldable chair and holding it up like a shield.

THUMP!

Both he and the attacker crashed to the ground.

Dazed, Sam looked up—and saw a crow. But not an ordinary one.

It was larger than usual, its black feathers pulsing with an eerie glow. Its beady eyes locked onto him.

The crow flapped its wings, preparing to strike again.

Adrenaline surged through Sam. Without thinking, he swung the chair down with all his strength.

CRACK!

The crow screeched but didn't stop moving.

Sam kept swinging, his blows fueled by fear and desperation.

Finally, the crow twitched one last time—then fell still.

DING! Killed Level 5 Evolved Crow

DING! Leveling up

DING! Leveling up

DING! Leveling up

A robotic voice echoed in his head. But Sam barely reacted.

His breath came in ragged gasps. His body trembled, but he forced himself to move.

First, he shoved the table against the door. Then, noticing his luggage bag, he pushed it against the broken window, sealing the opening.

The muffled screams of students still filled the air outside.

Sam took deep breaths, trying to calm himself.

Then, his mind replayed the voice from earlier.

"That voice… What was it?"

He clenched and unclenched his fists.

"Killing that thing… gave me power?"

He focused. The messages appeared before his eyes again.

DING! Mana Integration Complete

DING! Initial Reward Received

DING! Killed Level 5 Evolved Crow

DING! Leveling up

DING! Leveling up

DING! Leveling up

DING! Allocate Free Points

As he processed the words, his eyes caught something glowing beneath the dead crow—a small green orb, pulsing faintly.

Sam hesitated, then reached for the chair and poked the orb cautiously.

Nothing happened.

Swallowing, he picked it up.

It felt incredibly light—like cotton.

He squeezed it slightly, trying to figure out its properties—when suddenly, it transformed into light particles.

Startled, Sam opened his palm.

A silver chain now rested in his hand.

He stared at it for a moment before stuffing it into his pocket.

Then, something else caught his attention.

Lying on his bed was a white card, marked with an infinity symbol.

Frowning, Sam picked it up and tried to rip it—but the card vanished instantly.

And then—PAIN.

A burning sensation flared across his wrist. It lasted only a few seconds, but his body shook violently. Sweat dripped down his forehead.

When the pain finally faded, he looked down.

A black circle had appeared on his wrist.

Then, the voice spoke again.

DING! Gained Pet: "Metal Slime"

Player can use 5% of its abilities.

Sam's mind raced.

"A pet? Like in games?"

He had read plenty of novels featuring summoned creatures.

But his expression darkened.

"A slime? Why not a dragon?"