God, Help Us All [Monster Evolution/Progression/LitRPG]

"Disrupt the flow of essence?" I echoed, my voice growing sharp. "What do you mean?"

"The Apocalyptic Dragon is tied to the essence of the world," James explained quickly. "When it awakens, it devours the ambient essence to fuel itself. That means every creature, every realm, every leyline will be drained. Your evolution will stop. Your Codex—"

"Enough!" I roared, my aura flaring with sudden intensity. The air around us distorted, rippling as though reality itself bent to my will. James staggered back, his sparrow letting out a panicked chirp as it circled erratically above him.

The silence that followed was deafening. I let it stretch, watching as he struggled to compose himself. My third eye narrowed, scanning him for even the faintest sign of deception.

He's desperate. But he's not lying.

Interesting.

I folded my arms, my tail swishing lazily behind me. "Let's say I believe you," I said, my voice calm now but no less menacing. "Why should I care? What do I gain from helping you?"

James hesitated, and for a moment, I thought he might break. Then, to my surprise, he straightened his back and met my gaze. "Because if the apocalypse happens, it will interfere with your path to godhood."

I blinked, my molten pupils narrowing. "What did you say?"

He took a deep breath, his hands twitching nervously at his sides. "The Day of No Sun doesn't just unseal the Apocalyptic Dragon. It disrupts essence flow across all realms."

My tail stilled, the air around me growing heavier. If what he said was true... No. He's bluffing. He has to be.

But the way his eyes burned with conviction told me otherwise. And that irritated me more than I cared to admit.

"So," I said slowly, my claws flexing at my sides, "you've come here to plead for my help, thinking I'd just bend to your whim because of some vague threat?"

James shook his head. "I'm not asking you to do this for free. I know how this works."

My interest piqued. "Oh? Enlighten me."

"I can offer you resources," he said quickly. "Rare essence artifacts, hidden knowledge, and... access to the Central Human Kingdom. That's where this war will begin, and that's where we'll find the elves' plans."

That caught my attention. I let out a low growl, my aura dimming slightly as I took a step closer. "The Central Human Kingdom, you say? You're playing a dangerous game, human," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "If you're lying, I'll rip that pathetic little sparrow apart and feed it to you piece by piece."

The sparrow chirped indignantly, its mechanical wings fluttering as if it understood the threat. James didn't flinch this time, his resolve solidifying under the weight of my words.

"I'm not lying," he said firmly. "The elves have already started their movements in the region. The humans are struggling to hold them back, and the king himself has requested aid. That's why I'm here. If we don't stop them, the kingdom will fall—and with it, the last line of defense against the Day of No Sun."

I stared at him, my molten pupils boring into his very soul. His heart raced, his breathing uneven, but he didn't look away.

Brave. Or stupid.

Finally, I let out a low chuckle, the sound reverberating through the desolate landscape. "Fine," I said, my grin widening. "But let's make one thing clear, human. This isn't a partnership. It's not even an alliance. You follow my orders, you do as I say, and you don't question me. Understand?"

James nodded, relief flickering across his face. "Understood."

"Good." I stepped even closer, towering over him as I reached out and tapped a claw against his chest. The sharp tip pressed just hard enough to make him wince. "Because if you cross me, James, you'll wish the Apocalyptic Dragon had devoured you first."

The sparrow chirped nervously, circling above us as if to break the tension. I straightened, folding my arms once more as I watched James exhale shakily.

"Now," I said, my tone all business, "how do we get there?"

James pulled a small device from his belt. A holographic map projected between us, glowing faintly in the dim light. My third eye scanned it instantly, memorizing every detail. My gaze narrowed as the Central Human Kingdom materialized on the projection—a sprawling metropolis surrounded by layers of fortifications, rivers, and farmland. Beyond its borders, however, the markers of war were evident: elven battalions, scorched fields, and scattered human defenses barely holding the line.

"There," James said, pointing to the capital at the map's heart. "The king has gathered what remains of the human army, but they're outnumbered. The elves are deploying their demi-gods to crush resistance, and without your power, they'll fall."

I smirked, my tail flicking behind me. "The mighty human kingdom, begging for help. How quaint."

"It's not begging," James retorted, his voice sharp. "It's survival. And it's not just humans who'll pay the price if they lose. You said it yourself—the Day of No Sun will affect everyone, even you."

I said nothing, my gaze lingering on the map. The human kingdom... A place of politics, deceit, and desperate people. If this war is as bad as he says, it might actually be entertaining.

"Fine," I said, breaking the silence. "But make no mistake—this isn't about saving your precious kingdom. It's about ensuring that my plans aren't derailed by some idiotic elven ambition. Lead the way, James, and try not to slow me down."

He hesitated for only a moment before nodding. "The capital is two days' journey from here if we move quickly."

I chuckled darkly, unfurling my massive wings. "Two days? You really think I'm walking?" Without waiting for a response, I grabbed him by the arm and launched into the air, my wings slicing through the smoky sky like blades. James yelped, clutching at my arm as the ground vanished beneath him.

"Could've given me a warning!" he shouted over the wind.

"Why?" I called back, a grin splitting my face. "You'll live—probably."

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