I was lying on the dungeon floor, still smoking.
Not from embarrassment, but literally... smoking.
My body felt warm, like I'd just been ironed. But in my heart (if eggs had hearts), I smiled in satisfaction.
> [Active Skill Available: Rotten Flame LV.1]
> Description: Emits flames from the egg's surface. The burning smell confuses enemies between hunger and trauma.
"Nice... very nice."
But I needed practice. I couldn't just burn enemies at random. I needed control. I needed... style!
I tried activating it slowly.
> "Activate: Rotten Flame!"
SREEET!!
Suddenly, my body lit up like an Olympic torch. Small flames flared across the shell of my egg-body.
It glowed orange-red, with a hint of burning... and fermentation.
I rolled slowly.
The flame still burned. I looked like a meteor crashing into a kitchen.
I tried a little hop. With the heat and pressure building inside, I—BLETAK!
I launched into the air!
> "Waaa! Am I… FLYING???"
A little. Then I fell.
But still: I had just flown using the fire from my own body!
> [Potential Subskill: Fiery Jump – Locked]
I was beginning to realize... this power wasn't just for burning.
It could be used to escape, to attack, maybe even to fly for real someday.
Suddenly, a heavy sound echoed from the hallway.
DUG... DUG... DUG...
A massive creature appeared — a Stone Golem. Its body was like a tower of boulders. Eyes glowing blue-green. Heavy. Slow. But strong.
I reflexively activated my fire again. Flames lit up! But… the golem wasn't fazed. He wasn't the hungry type — he was the smash-first-ask-never type.
"Welp... time for an elegant escape."
I activated my flame skill, rolled backward, bouncing from rock to rock, my body ablaze like a chili egg in the devil's wok.
And in the middle of my escape, I laughed inside.
> "Watch me, world… I, the rotten egg, now wield fire."
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To Be Continued…