Limitless Evolution: I’m The New Dragon God?

Irina stood nearly 20 meters above them now, the mist swirling around her like a veil. She raised her hand and pointed toward a faint silhouette in the distance. "I see a structure. Could be Blackhall Station."

"Already?" Rudos said.

"Guess we're moving," Luthor smiled. "Let's go, before she starts laughing at us slowpokes."

The group picked up the pace, Irina leading from above like a celestial guide, her steps echoing faintly in the air.

After trekking through thick foliage and weaving between mist-covered rocks, the group finally reached the foothills. Irina descended lightly from the air, her feet touching the ground with barely a sound.

"There it is," she said, pointing ahead.

Between the trees and jagged cliffs, a structure slowly revealed itself. At first it looked like a mere shadow in the fog, but as they approached, its outline grew clearer. A tall iron gate stood half-open, vines coiling along its rusted frame. Beyond it was a slope of stone steps leading to a large, fortified station built directly into the mountain.

Blackhall Station.

The building's walls were dark, almost pitch black, as if soaked in smoke. It had no windows, only narrow slits that looked like defensive arrow holes. Old banners fluttered faintly in the breeze—worn symbols of the Blueguard Authority, though most were too faded to recognize.

"This place gives me chills," Felix muttered, gripping his weapon.

"Same," Irina agreed. "It doesn't feel abandoned. It feels like something's watching us."

Ryuzen walked ahead, his golden-slit eyes scanning every detail. The stone beneath their feet was cracked but sturdy. Footprints—fresh ones—lined the path. Not human. Not beast. Something in between.

"Keep alert," he said. "We're not alone."

The group moved into the station cautiously. The main hall was wide and cold, lit only by faint sunlight seeping through the ceiling gaps. Dust floated through the air in thick beams. Empty weapon racks lined the walls. On one side, a cracked map board showed the entire mountain zone with faded ink—marked routes, patrol paths, emergency exits.

"This was a proper military outpost once," Luthor murmured. "And now... a ghost nest."

They explored deeper, finding storage rooms filled with rotting crates, abandoned bunkers, and signs of a last-minute evacuation.

Venus ran her fingers along the wall.

"These claw marks…" she said. "Whatever attacked here wasn't just some wild animal. Maybe the hollows are here somewhere."

But after looking every nook and crany, they found no signs of hollows.

Whum!

Suddenly, a mechanical whir echoed from the upper level.

Everyone turned instantly, weapons half-drawn.

But it was just Luthor coming down from the upper Chamber.

"No hollows or Hollowfied creatures," he said. "We can set up base here. Then at dawn, we scout the farming land. Let's find out where the Hollows are."

Irina nodded. "I'll take first watch." Though her ruby eyes never left Ryuzen. He was calm, not a trace of fear in his eyes. Only calm resolve.

And so, beneath the looming mountain and a red-stained sky, their mission truly began.

They cleaned the place, settled their supplies, and make sure their surroundings was clear.

Meanwhile, Ryuzen walked up to a cliff sitting down at a safe distance.

The air was crisp, carrying the scent of pine and cold stone as the sun bled into the horizon. The mountains glowed in hues of crimson and amber, their jagged peaks casting long, majestic shadows across the valley.

His eyes reflect on his mistakes of his past life, Maya's presence, then his future plans.

"Why are you here, Ryu? It's very dangerous for you to be alone."

The voice was sharp, filled with concern, and unmistakably hers.

Venus stepped out from behind a tall boulder, arms folded, her brown hair rustling in the wind like shimmering golden silk.

She wore a light armor set that glimmered faintly under the red dusk. Her brow was furrowed, but not out of anger — it was worry.

Ryuzen didn't turn around, but he spoke.

"I just needed to breathe."

She walked closer and sat beside him, leaving just enough space between them to be respectful, yet close enough to reach out if needed.

"You shouldn't wander off alone, not here. This entire mountain could be crawling with corrupted beasts."

"I know," he said quietly.

After that silence settled between them.

Venus didn't know much about him, other than the version he let others see — honest, cheerful, always carrying a smile. But that smile often felt... off. As if it had been stitched together to hide something broken underneath.

If he had ever truly smiled from the heart, she doubted anyone had seen it.

"Do you want to know about me?"

Ryuzen's voice broke the silence, calm and steady, though his eyes never left the blood-red sun sinking behind the fog-shrouded mountains.

"Eh...?" Venus blinked, caught off guard. "It's not like I'm curious or anything!" Her voice softened, "but... If you want to talk, I'll listen."

She crossed her arms, trying to sound indifferent, but her eyes betrayed the concern beneath her usual tsundere facade.

Ryuzen continued, unbothered by her tone:

"I was once extremely ordinary. Just like any commoner in this world. But even they had it better than me. I was cursed. Bedridden for years. I suffered in silence. My mother had died. My father... he didn't care. I wasn't lucky like you, Venus."

He paused, voice calm yet hollow.

"My only family, my own father, didn't even look at me. For a long time, all I wanted was to die."

The atmosphere turned heavy, and his words made Venus's heart tremble. She could hear the sorrow laced in his voice. He didn't cry, but he looked heartbreakingly fragile.

Right now, he wasn't a powerful evolver. He was just a boy — an ordinary boy weighed down by scars no one could see.

Her eyes were already shimmered with tears that she couldn't release.

"But then," Ryuzen continued softly, "the curse became a blessing in disguise. I got a second chance. I became stronger. I was given a new life... and now, here I am. Trying to find a little happiness in this chaotic world."

He smiled — but it wasn't a joyful smile. It looked closer to crying.

"Still... I know I'll never feel a mother's warmth. A father's care. I never asked for power. I just wanted a family. A peaceful, happy life... even if I had to stay ordinary for the rest of life for that."

Though his words were vague and unclear, Venus felt her heart getting squeezed. His quiet, aching confession unraveled something deep inside her.

Maybe... this was the moment her entire impression of him began to change.