After grinding for two straight days, I finally hit 10% compatibility with Death Sense. This was the maximum I could reach before obtaining my class. I recalled the requirements to unlock a class:
Level 10. And 10% compatibility with every skill unlocked.
My bloodline had granted me a skill tree, and one of the unlocked skills had already reached the maximum percentage I could attain before class awakening.
This skill tree had another skill, which I couldn't learn by staying only here. Echo recall.
Also, Diamond was my Symboint. He would grant me another skill tree. For it to unlock, I had to become level 1, and that was only possible by hunting monsters outside.
Somehow, just thinking about hunting innocent monsters for my own power made me a little angry.
I would much rather hunt humans… oh no. What's happening to my thoughts?
That's when I remembered Zane's purpose in the manhwa.
'Fight for the liberation of her kind…'
The author hadn't explained her purpose clearly—just hinted at it. But that was enough for me to vaguely guess its contents.
The real purpose would only be revealed when someone unlocked their class. So technically, my purpose wasn't fixed. At least for now.
But the author had already planned it. In the words of Diamond, the design was already crafted. So whatever choices Zane had made, her end result should've been same. Unexpectedly, now she wasn't the one with choices.
Now it was me who had the choices.
The purpose itself couldn't be changed, but the way this purpose was interpreted could be altered by following a few steps. Just like how the MC tweaked his.
The actions I would take at the initial levels might be the deciding factor for my purpose. The old Zane must've done something that made her opposite humans and thus, her purpose became the protector of monsters, by turning humans into enemies.
It was true that humans were disgusting, worthless pieces of shit… but there wasn't a need to make them my enemies.
Dragon damn… I cursed silently. It seemed like my thought process was being affected by my instincts.
Within a few days as a dragon, I had already developed a dislike for humans. The funny thing was, I used to be human myself.
Not anymore. The simple realization that I lived inside a human shell darkened my mood.
Again, what the hell was I thinking? I grabbed my hair in frustration.
"Diamond, tell me. Is this normal? Am I losing my real self?" The mere thought of becoming completely her scared me.
When someone's thoughts and emotions were overwritten by another's, they ceased to be the same person.
Just imagining myself becoming someone unrecognisable made my chest tighten.
"Master, you're worrying for no reason. It's not that your self is being replaced by someone else, rather that you are taking over what was supposed to be yours…"
His words didn't help. Noticing my growing restlessness, he continued again.
"What I'm saying is—you aren't being rewritten. You are rewriting. So don't fret over something already absolutely under your control. Use that energy on your current problems…
Also, I'm sorry to say this… but you're a harbinger of death. Someone who answers the call of the dead. No living being can truly be your kind. So, ehm… your imagination about your purpose might need a slight tweak."
That familiar warmth returned—the one that steadied me when I panicked—easing most of my fears.
Yes… how could a dragon feel indignant about the fate of creatures it considered mere snacks?At best, it might be angry that someone spoiled its food. That's it.
Besides, there was no need to worry about things within my control. My current priority should be unlocking my Symboint skill tree.
Only then could I completely grind my skill compatibility up to 10% and unlock my class at level 10.
I had to plan my actions thoroughly, so that the purpose I was going to receive would never cross swords with the MC.
Diamond was right… I had far too much to do for me to lose myself in a problem that was never real to begin with or not worthy of my tension.
Death Sense allowed me to share the perspectives of a large number of monsters in this area. I was currently deep inside the continent of Dragaerun, near the Apocalyptic Fracture.
The manhwa hadn't yet reached the point where the author explained its details, so my knowledge about it was limited.
Most of the monsters on the continent had either accepted the corruption of the Void, were being hunted by corrupted beings (Voidlings), or targeted by human-level farmers.
"Master, you've mentioned manhwa and main characters many times. Could you explain what they are to me? That way, I can help you analyze your future plans more effectively," Diamond spoke up once I had settled my emotions.
"The manhwa is about a man named…" I began, explaining the whole story and how the stupid author created this novel—making sure to throw shade at the author here and there.
After I finished ranting about the novel, Diamond fell silent for a few moments.
I could feel gears moving in his brain—well, not like he had a brain—possibly analyzing the data I gave. Having a personal analyst was too helpful. My brain could rest while he worked overtime.
My attention shifted back to my appearance and gender. I couldn't help but let out a whistle at my reflection.
Dragon damn… I'm too hot. Why did that bitch reincarnate me into her? I should've just been her boy toy instead.
"Master, what are you thinking?" Diamond's question made me feel guilty for a moment.
Looking at me, he continued, "Why are you blushing at the eggshell? Do you want to eat it? Honestly, they're useless now, but if you want to, you can eat it. It's perfect for skin."
Cough… Diamond's ignorance helped me cover the real reason for my blush. Thanks for that. Still, my comment was valid. Anyone else might've thought the same if they were in my situation.
"What did you find?" I tried to change the subject, noticing the growing doubts in Diamond. His skeletal head studied me in confusion. Then, after hearing my question, he lit up with excitement.
"Mostly, Crafts are published outside only when the laws and principles of the world are fully cemented. From your words, it seems this Craft is already accessed by other life forms… That means the laws and principles of the world are about to be affected by the expectations of viewers…"
Diamond paused, then continued, "Since the viewers follow the protagonist's point of view, their expectations for him will be higher. So will their hopes."
"How is this going to affect the world… more importantly, me?" I tapped my fingers together.
"The expectations become laws or principles. A simple shift in these might rewrite the supposed events into an entirely new trajectory.
In simple terms—what they think will happen… will happen. And what they hope to happen will also…" Diamond finished the sentence emphatically, "HAPPEN."
"So them having a favorable impression of the MC helps him, while me—with their unfavorable impression—will suffer. Right?"
Diamond's silence answered my question. Now I understood why that bitch said I should continue the plot. She literally sent me here to get killed.
That bitch…
"But Master, you aren't without other options… I would even say, your options are more vast than anyone else's. Because you're the only one here with knowledge about this world.
About it being a Craft. And you're the only one who could twist the expectations of the viewers… Let me explain some of my plans…"