Those crimson eyes were as large as I was. Apparently, the beast was lying down; even though it saw me, it didn't flinch. Is it going to eat me? I couldn't quite make out its full size, but if that other monster fled, it meant this one must be even bigger. I tried to leave slowly without showing hostility, but that seemed to alert it because it stood up. A light tremor shook the earth as it rose. I was stunned, and any urge to run vanished.

  When it stood on its feet, I couldn't even breathe. It was so gigantic that it towered over the trees; I looked like an ant in front of it. The shimmer of its skin left me hypnotized; it had scales that looked like metal. Vibrant feathers—shades of red, orange, and yellow—adorned its limbs and its neck.

  Not even in fantasy movies had I seen something like this, although it resembled the dragons from that throne series. I looked closely for its... wings? I searched for them, but it didn't have any; it wasn't a dragon. What is it then? I wasn't given time for more questions; the being lowered its head and placed it right in front of me.

  —Who are you, little beast?— A majestic, deep voice echoed in my mind.

  —Who is talking to me now?— I asked, looking everywhere.

  —So you understand me, little creature...— the voice replied with curiosity.

  It wasn't the System, nor was it that sinister voice that wanted my body.

  —Do you know I'm about to die?— I blurted out, still processing the situation.

  —Calm down, I am not going to eat you.

  —I don't think it's you who's going to eat me... I have a dinosaur right in front of me,— I said, pointing at the mass of scales.

  —Hahahaha, so that's what those of your kind call me. You aren't the first I've met, but you are the first who understands me.

  —How?

  —I am the one speaking to you. I am the "dinosaur".

  —You can talk? And what do you mean I'm the first who understands you?— I said, trying to get my legs to stop trembling.

  —I have observed many creatures for too long. They are pure instinct, but...

  It leaned in and sniffed me; I could feel the hot breath emanating from its jaws.

  —You are different; you can think and hold a conversation. Could you be an Envoy?

  Envoy? What is that? Now that I think about it, what am I supposed to be? Damn it, someone explain! My head started to ache.

  —It seems you don't know what an Envoy is; I see it in your eyes. I am going to trust you,— it moved back and kept a certain distance from me. —I am Uuk. What is your name, little creature?

  —My name is Samuel, a pleasure,— I tried to offer my hand, but there was no response on its part.

  —So, Samuel. A good name for a little ant.

  —You're not going to eat me, right?

  —Hahahahaha,— it began to laugh out loud. —You wouldn't even work as an appetizer. I feed on much larger prey, like the Shockpinfinder. So, stop being afraid.

  —What is that?— I asked, puzzled.

  —What thing?

  —The Shopin-whatever-it-is.

  —The Shockpinfinder? It's the thing that was chasing you; they are tasty if you cook them.

  I froze. It talked so lightly about an animal that nearly sent me to hell.

  —Why are you talking to me?— I questioned with genuine doubt.

  —Why wouldn't I talk to the first being who understands me in millennia?

  I was impressed. Was it that old?

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  —You are also the first one I can talk to,— I admitted, captivated by its imposing figure. —I have so many things to ask you.

  —But first... have you seen a female of my kind? She is an adult and has fur a bit darker than mine.

  —Perhaps. Why are you looking for her so urgently?

  —She is my mother.

  Uuk didn't say another word. He began walking toward a nearby cave, and I followed him without hesitation. Upon reaching the back, I saw her: my mother was there, fast asleep.

  —I suppose it is her,— Uuk said.

  I approached and hugged her tightly. An immense relief washed over my body; the mission was accomplished. My father, though he had escaped like a coward, was safe, and now my mother was too.

  —Did you help her?— I asked, looking up at him.

  —She was escaping from the Shockpinfinder, and I decided to intervene.

  —Thank you,— I replied with sincerity.

  Just after, Uuk’s expression changed. His crimson eyes glowed with a different intensity, and his tone became deathly serious.

  —Tell me one thing... how is it that you can speak, Samuel?

  I froze. What would happen if I confessed I came from another world? Would he see me as a threat? I decided to answer cautiously.

  —I am... special,— I said simply.

  —Is that why you can communicate like I do?— the pseudo-dragon replied, narrowing his crimson eyes.

  —Let's say yes.

  —It surprised me that a Liva would talk; that's why I became serious. You have no reason to be nervous.

  Apparently, my species is called "Liva." Curious—finally, I have something to call them; "Viktors" was too weird.

  —Hey... do you know anything about a voice? Something called the "System"?— I hoped to get some information.

  —Hmm, I have no idea what that is. Is it a food or something?— he replied with disinterest.

  —It's something that talks to me sometimes.

  —Interesting. You are too small to ask such strange things.

  —It's just that I'm very curious,— I half-lied.

  —Truthfully, I enjoy talking to someone. If you want, stay tonight.

  I accepted the offer. Feeling calmer, I curled up next to my mother and closed my eyes. Immediately, the blue glow appeared:

  [Side Quest completed]

  [Penalty nullified]

  [Coming soon: Main Quest]

  With the duty fulfilled, I fell into a deep sleep; all the pressure and anguish vanished. When I opened my eyes, I thought I would see the sunrise, but I was somewhere else. It was a place shrouded in thick mist—white, empty, with no end in sight. I noticed my perspective had changed; I was... taller? Then I looked at my hands: they were human.

  I observed my body carefully; I was human again, and I was naked. Everything was the same: I had the same belly and even my glasses. I touched my head and bitterly remembered I was bald.

  I walked through that infinite space, and in the distance, I spotted a cabin. What the hell? I approached cautiously and entered. Inside, it looked empty; there was only a chair. I suppose I should sit. As soon as I did, I heard something.

  —Welcome,— a female voice said.

  —Who are you? Where am I?— I asked the void.

  —How rude. You should introduce yourself first.

  —I'm Samuel,— I replied, moved by habit.

  —Lying so soon already... Frido?

  I shuddered. Did she also know my real name?

  —I'm sorry. It's been a long time since I heard that name. I'm Frido, a pleasure. Who are you?

  —I am ????, the pleasure is mine.

  For some reason, her name sounded like static noise in my ears.

  —What is this place?— I questioned, avoiding the topic of the static.

  —You are in ????. I have brought you here to ask a favor of you,— again, there was static.

  —What favor? And you know nothing is free, right?— I told her, regaining my human cynicism.

  —Don't worry, I will pay you. I need you to go to the nearby lake and kill the Leviathan.

  A Leviathan? Do those legends exist in this world too?

  —I'm tiny right now. How do you expect me to kill a beast like that?

  —Don't worry... I know you will do it, Frido,— she whispered. For a second, I felt she pronounced my name with a flirtatious tone that made my skin crawl.

  Before I could protest, everything vanished. I woke up abruptly in Uuk's cave. It was already morning.

  The System lost no time, and its letters filled my mind as soon as I opened my eyes:

  [Main Quest assigned]

  [Objective: Kill the Leviathan]

  [Time limit: 6 years]

  [Reward: Guaranteed Evolution and Special Skill]

  Six years. The deadline surprised me, but I suppose it makes sense; trying to kill a legendary creature with my current size would be like trying to knock down a building with headbutts. I needed to grow, to prepare, and above all, to survive.

  —Good morning, Uuk,— I greeted my colossal friend while stretching.

  —Hello, little Samuel. Are you alright?— Uuk asked, lowering his large head toward me.

  —Why do you ask?

  —You were shaking while you slept,— he replied with a tone of genuine curiosity.

  I guess the encounter with that entity in the world of mist was too much for this Liva body. I felt sore and even my bones felt heavy, as if I had run a marathon while sleeping.

  —I guess it was just a nightmare,— I replied, trying to downplay it.

  —What is a 'nightmare'?— Uuk tilted his head, confused.

  —It's like... a terrifying dream.

  —And what is a 'dream'?— he asked again, this time with much interest.

  —How to explain it? Dreams are like images, stories, or memories you see in your mind while you are asleep.

  —Oh...— Uuk remained silent for a moment, processing the information. —So that's what the things I see when I rest are called.

  At that moment, my mother woke up. Without much ceremony, she grabbed me by the scruff of the neck with her teeth and started walking toward the exit. It was time to return to our reality.

  —I guess I have to go now, Uuk. I promise to come visit you.

  —Very well. I will be here,— the giant replied before settling down again.

  And so I left that cave, leaving behind the peace provided by my new colossal companion. As my mother carried me back to the nest, a single question hammered in my head: How the hell am I going to kill a Leviathan? I don't know.