Transmigrate to another world

So far I have completed six tests. I would feel more at ease if I could know how many I have left to face. Before continuing, I decide to rest a bit, sit down and have a bite to eat. Then, I approach the next door and begin to decipher the words inscribed on it.

- Seventh test: Heart!

Heart? What could that possibly mean? It seems unrelated to the previous tests, which were more physical or mental. Perhaps this is the last test, and if it is, it will surely be the most difficult of all.

The only interpretation that comes to mind about "heart" is courage, the courage to face something really scary. But, on second thought, I'm not sure I want to find out what it means in this context. Still, I have no choice; I'm already here, caught up in this challenge. Somewhat reluctantly, I push the doors open and pause for a moment, hoping to find some clue that will prepare me for what's to come.

When I enter, I notice right away that this room is gigantic, at least ten times bigger than the previous ones. And it is not empty. In one corner, a creature is curled up, asleep. It is huge, it must measure about ten meters from snout to tail, and although it looks like a dragon, it lacks something essential: it has no wings.

Is it a dragon? Maybe it's a draco, a close relative but without wings, just as powerful and intelligent. That's what I remember from creature books. Looking at its size and its red scales, which indicate a type of fire, I realize that I'm probably facing a formidable adversary. Maybe using Blitz, my weapon, will give me some elemental advantage, but even so, I'm not sure I can beat it as I am now.

I'm beginning to understand why this test is called "heart": just to walk into this room, seeing that beast, takes a lot of courage. Why couldn't they have just put more shadow demons? This... this is terrifying. I can't remember the last time I felt so afraid of a fight.

I've always admired dragons, the most majestic creatures in existence, and now... now I have to face one, or almost. In theory I know how it moves, I know its weak points, but none of that takes away the fear that invades me.

There is no other way. It's kill or be killed. I take a deep breath, enter the room and let the doors close behind me. The draco, alert, opens his eyes and jumps up before I can even take a second step. It's faster than I imagined, and a pang of alarm shoots through me: I'm in serious trouble.

Wasting no time, I draw Blitz and move into combat stance. Instead of attacking me immediately, however, the draco paces around the back of the room, watching me with terrifying intelligence. His eyes seem to analyze me, measuring my every move. I am insignificant compared to him, but that doesn't seem to make him underestimate me.

This is not good at all. This creature is more cunning than I imagined; if it is capable of understanding and using tactics, I am in serious trouble. As I watch him, he studies me as well, moving with the elegance and fluidity of a panther, but with enormous strength. He already has several advantages over me, and he knows it.

I quickly analyze his possible attacks: front claws, a bite, a tail and, probably, a fire breath. I, on the other hand, only have Blitz and the zap ability. My attack options are limited and, if its scales are as tough as they seem, I'm going to have to focus exclusively on its weak spots.

As I consider my strategy, the drake seems to decide it has had enough observation. It begins to move forward, and I do the same, but cautiously. I don't want to risk being cornered against the wall. We move all the way to the center of the room, and in one swift movement, the draco's long neck stretches out toward me, lunging in a bite. I dive to the floor just in time, narrowly dodging its jaws.

I quickly regain my footing and leap backwards to avoid the claws that are trying to reach me. Their speed is impressive; the bite was much faster than I expected. For now, my priority is to dodge, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. I know this fight won't end soon; impatience would only lead to certain death.

Finally, an opportunity presents itself. I manage to move to its side and, in an attempt to catch me, the drake makes a wide sweep with its tail. I seize the moment and leap over the tail, striking with Blitz just above its hind legs. As I feared, Blitz barely manages to scratch its scales, causing no real damage.

When he raises one of his forelegs to attack me, I take advantage of the opening and duck, plunging Blitz into the exposed joint. The sword penetrates deeply, as the claws pass within inches of my head. I've managed to give him the first wound. I release Blitz quickly and drop to the side, dodging his bite that comes down hard from above.

The impact of his head against the floor makes the whole room shake. The power of this being is incredible; if it manages to hit me directly, I'll be in big trouble.

I decide to concentrate on dodging and attacking only when its weak points are exposed, especially the joints of its legs. This will not be a quick battle, but a test of endurance. However, I begin to notice that I spend much more energy dodging than the drake uses attacking. Although I am faster at the moment, when I get tired and my speed decreases, my chances will be drastically reduced.

I can't win this fight with Blitz alone. I need to use something else. So I wait patiently for it to try to bite me again. This time, when it lunges at me, I don't move too far away; instead, I reach back and touch its head.

'Zap!'

DP: 400/410

The draco roars in fury and pain, indicating to me that my attack has been effective. However, I don't have time to celebrate; I move quickly, dodging a swipe of its claws that tears the air inches from my face.

The zap attack has caused him a good amount of damage, equivalent to my intelligence level, which is currently one hundred and twenty-four. Not bad considering it only costs ten points of demonic power.

I quickly think about my options. If I decided to use all of my demonic power in a series of zap attacks, I could rack up just over four thousand points of damage in total.

However, the big problem is that I would have to manage to touch the draco forty times, and I have already noticed how he has increased his wariness now that he knows I possess another attack.

Also, I have no idea how much health this creature has, so I don't know if those four thousand points of damage would be enough to defeat it.

Just then, the draco rises with a mighty swing, lifting its body towards the ceiling before falling to the floor with an impact that shakes the entire room.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

The force of the tremor catches me by surprise; I lose my balance and stumble, forcing me to take a couple of steps backwards to avoid falling. Looking up, I see the draco inhale deeply and a strange red light begins to glow at the bottom of its mouth.

My eyes widen as I realize what is about to happen. His head tilts towards me and, before I can react, a fiery mass of flame shoots out in my direction.

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In 2 more hours there will be two more chapters.