Chapter 8 – Zarya's Potential
After a brutal and chaotic battle, Renji stood atop a pile of defeated monsters. His breathing was heavy, sweat dripped down his forehead, and his body ached from the effort. The ground beneath him was soaked with the blood of beasts, and the stench of battle hung in the air like smoke after a fire.
Renji opened his status screen, and the familiar glowing interface appeared before him.
[Status after assigning points]
Name: Renji Costa Nakamura
Class: Druid
Level: 7
Skills: Animal Healing, Memory Sharing, Animal Affinity
Attributes:
STR: 10 | INT: 9 | AGI: 9 | END: 6 | MANA: 6
He looked at the numbers for a moment, evaluating his growth.
"Alright… I'll add four more points to mana, two to agility, and two to endurance. Done."
With a thought, the changes were locked in. He exhaled slowly and looked around. The battlefield was quiet now, except for the soft dripping of blood and the lingering hum of magic. It was over — for now.
His eyes turned to Zarya. She was nearby, her fur slightly singed but her gaze still sharp. She had also leveled up, but only reached level 8 despite all the monsters they had defeated.
Renji frowned.
"So it's like in games… the higher your level, the stronger the monsters need to be to keep leveling up."
He crossed his arms and smiled to himself.
"I bet the guy who made this dungeon watched those anime where the main character kills slimes for a hundred years and becomes a god, and said: 'Not here.' They shut that loophole quick."
The idea amused him, and for a moment, he forgot the pain in his muscles. The system was strict — no shortcuts to power. But in its own way, that made it more fun.
His gaze shifted back to Zarya. She was changing — growing. It wasn't just her level. Her body had become a little bigger, more defined. Her aura was stronger, denser. He noticed the subtle shift in her presence.
He walked toward her.
Zarya tilted her head, her ears twitching as she watched him approach.
— "What is it?" she asked, confused.
Renji scratched the back of his head and smiled.
— "You're getting stronger, Zarya. And it made me think…"
He paused, as if pondering something important.
— "In anime and manga, when animals or monsters reach a high enough level, they usually unlock a human form."
Zarya's eyes widened in surprise.
— "So… I'll get a human form?"
Renji nodded.
— "Exactly. And I thought, in case you end up picking a weird or embarrassing one, I'll share some of my memories with you. Memories of incredible warrior women — strong, cool, and powerful. That way, you'll have a solid base of inspiration to decide how your human form will be."
Zarya perked up immediately, wagging her tail in excitement.
— "Really? That sounds amazing, Renji! Let's do it!"
Renji smiled.
— "Alright, stay still."
He raised his hand and gently placed it on her forehead. A green glow surrounded them as he activated his Druid skill: Memory Sharing. Through the spiritual link, he sent images, emotions, and impressions into her mind.
First, he showed her a powerful swordwoman — dark-skinned, muscular, and confident. She had feline features, sharp eyes, and a deadly calm aura. She came from a world of magic and reincarnations, where strength meant survival. Her presence was intimidating, and her blade, swift and precise.
Then, another image took form. A red-haired captain, with muscles sculpted like a statue. She fought with fire, her fists stronger than steel, and her leadership was unmatched. Her aura burned like a wildfire. In her world, she led elite warriors and fought alongside a loud, explosive dwarf who laughed in the face of danger.
Finally, he sent the image of a fierce warrior woman with bunny ears and dark skin. Her legs were weapons of destruction, built for explosive power. She fought in a world of superheroes, gods, and chaos. Her kicks shattered the ground, and her eyes burned with confidence. A true force of nature.
Renji slowly pulled his hand away, ending the transfer. Zarya remained still, eyes closed, absorbing the memories and sensations.
He took a step back and thought quietly:
"Don't blame me, Zarya… I'm just tired of monsters that evolve into tiny lolis. And with your personality, if you turned into a loli, that would be way too weird."
"Besides… I've always preferred the big-sister type. Strong, tall, muscular… you know how it is."
He smiled at the thought.