I Became a Ruined Character in a Dark Fantasy

He felt no pain. Instead, his vision dissolved into gray, and all other senses vanished instantly, as if washed clean. But his mind remained sharp.

Thrum... thrum...

In that moment where time seemed frozen, he felt only a faint, internal pulse. A strange sense of floating followed, but Ian didn't panic. By now, such phenomena were almost familiar.

Then, the texture of the grayness filling his vision changed, becoming like rolling waves. Beyond them, he sensed an immense presence, its form indistinct, and felt its gaze upon him. A gray, cross-shaped light shimmered like a mirage in the distance.

It was a familiar gaze. It was the Confined Wildness, Kruxica.

Are you satisfied now?

Ian thought, meeting the gaze calmly. Though only a thought, a low rumble answered, like the breathing of a colossal beast.

Ian pressed, Then give me something.

Kruxica let out another inscrutable sigh and languidly closed its eyes. The image of a massive, gray, nine-tailed beast curling up flickered like a dream.

Instantly, Ian's consciousness plummeted as if thrown.

Rumble, rumble, rumble!