The Draconic System: Rise of To Ascendance

Chapter 44: Shadows and Secrets

Raizen and Liana moved cautiously through the dimly lit corridors, the hum of hidden machinery filling the air. The deeper they went, the colder the atmosphere became. Something unnatural was lurking within the facility.

The system pulsed.

[Warning: Energy Spike Detected – Unknown Source]

Raizen glanced at Liana, who had already tightened her grip on her rifle. "You feel that?"

She nodded. "It's not just energy—it's alive."

They pressed forward, maneuvering through the sterile hallways, each turn leading them deeper into the heart of House Valen's research operations. The walls were lined with reinforced glass chambers, each containing a suspended humanoid figure.

Raizen's stomach twisted. "Experiments."

Liana stepped closer to one of the chambers. Inside, a man floated, his eyes closed, his veins glowing faintly with an eerie blue light. The system scanned the chamber.

[Subject: Enhanced Human – Draconic Gene Experimentation Detected]

Raizen clenched his fists. "They're trying to force draconic evolution."

Liana's expression darkened. "This is why they had me. I wasn't just a prisoner—I was their next project."

Before Raizen could respond, an alarm blared through the facility.

[Alert: Security Lockdown Engaged]

Liana turned to him. "They know we're here."

Raizen smirked, cracking his knuckles. "Good. Saves us the trouble of sneaking around."

The far door burst open, and armored enforcers flooded into the corridor, weapons raised.

Raizen and Liana moved simultaneously—she fired off the first shot, taking out the lead guard's helmet, while Raizen closed the distance in a blink, delivering a crushing kick to another's chest, sending him crashing into the wall.

The system pulsed again.

[Draconic Reflex Boost: Active]

Raizen weaved between incoming attacks, his movements sharper than ever. His fist connected with a guard's throat, dropping him instantly. Liana moved like a ghost beside him, each shot precise, each movement calculated.

But they were outnumbered. More guards flooded in, their weapons locking onto them. Then, from the far end of the corridor, a figure stepped through the mist of gunfire, unbothered by the chaos.

Raizen felt his blood stir.

The system pulsed a final time.

[Threat Level: High – Draconic Signature Identified]

Liana's eyes widened. "That's no ordinary enforcer."

Raizen smirked, rolling his shoulders. "Finally, someone worth fighting."

As the figure drew closer, its golden eyes gleamed with predatory hunger. House Valen wasn't just experimenting on draconic bloodlines.

They had already succeeded.