Sparks flew through the air as a blade made of pure darkness struck against a sword twice the size. A beastly figure stood, pushing against Natsu, who dug his heel into the ground with gritted teeth. The creature bared its canines, drool slowly dripping from its lips stained with blood.

"You are a real pain in the ass you big mutt!"

The humanoid wolf snarled in a retort, using both its claws to increase the pressure against Natsu. After completing his strength quest, Natsu immediately set out to find more portals that began appearing all over Fiore. Many different fiends emerging with only one goal in mind: kill anything with moves without a purpose. Though, compared to the beasts of his world, these things shared a common intelligence. Some were cold, calculated like the goblins who moved in droves. Others used their brute strength to overwhelm their opponents like the beast man who stood before him.

Natsu engulfed his blade with his flames, coating the shadows that leaked in crimson. The beast man recoiled back, feeling some of its fur burn against the scorching heat. Moving in one swift motion, his blade slashed across its torso, blood pooling out from the wound as the beast let out a pained roar, aimlessly flinging its great sword towards Natsu who curved his body to the side, ducking under the strike with a growl.

His ears perked up, dodging off to the side as a pair of claws carved across his cheek. The dragon slayer flipped back on his feet, sliding back against the ground with a scowl. Blood ran down the side of his cheek as his eyes focused on the threats in front of him. Standing next to the beast man who stood once more, slinging his monstrous blade on top of his broad shoulders; a group of other beast men, or werewolves as they were called, indicated above their heads.

A small chuckle erupted from his lips, trailing his fingers across the multiple gashes across his cheek. "So you have friends, huh?" Natsu asked the large beast with a taunt, grinning ear to ear as the beast snarled with bared fangs, stalking towards him along with the others.

Flames bursed forth from Natsu's body, cloaking over him as he raised Shadow Talon forward. A red ominous glow emanated from one of his eyes that narrowed towards his opponents. "While I do appreciate a new battle scar, there's one thing I can guarantee..." he muttered, clenching tightly onto his blade as his flames grew in strength, engulfing the field around them in crimson flames.

The beasts covered their eyes against the bright flames, growling in annoyance. Lowering its arms, the last thing the beast saw was Natsu like a blur slice across its neck, severing its head with one slice as it rolled across the ground with a gaping maw.

Natsu turned in a slow manner, whipping his blade of the blood that stained it. His crimson eyes pierced into the other wolves with the same killing intent.

"You won't get another chance again..."

Erza stood in anticipation, as did the others in front of a dark blue portal. It practically towered over the group with an ominous aura that sent shivers down their spine. It felt wrong, evil, like for one or another, it didn't belong in this world. Team Natsu sat outfront, Gray leaning against a tree stump with a bored expression, Lucy fidgeting with her skirt nervously, Wendy making small chatter with Carla, while Happy attempted to be apart of it. But Erza... her gaze never left the gate in front of her. Natsu had entered it after slaying the creatures that breached outside.

She had attempted battle with one of the beasts, which ended miserably. Even with the power the scarlet knight possessed, it wasn't enough. These creatures were strong, much stronger than the monster of their world. A fleeting thought entered her mind, biting her lip in despair of the mere thought. Would if Natsu wasn't here? Would if he had died in that mine, and these... things had come. Would they stand a chance against overwhelming odds, especially when the one boost of morale that kept them going had perished. 'Don't be stupid, Scarlet. Those thoughts aren't going to get you anywhere. Natsu is here. He's alive, healthy, and well. Don't be pessimistic.' She mentally scolded herself with a small sigh.

Maybe it was just nerves, the stress, the anxiety of the whole situation.So many lives lost in a matter of moments. Blood staining the once bright cobblestone road of her home. The many bodies they buried, the words they all spoke in remembrance of their fallen community. Magnolia had taken many blows from the past. Phantom, Laxus, and the thunder legion, Tartaros, Alvarez... Erza clenched her hand over her dented armorplate with a frown. When would the fight ever end? When will their finally be peace? She hoped, prayed for a future where Natsu and her could settle down, drop this life of being mages, and live a normal one for once. She smiled at the thought of waking up to her handsome lover, his bright toothy grin as bright as the sun.A pair of children would rush into their bedroom, jumping up on the bed with grins, matching their father's.

"Mommy, Daddy! Get up!" They would exclaim in unison, jumping up and down with a bundle full of energy.

Natsu and Erza would both chuckle to each other, getting out of bed to get ready for the day. The dragon slayer would cook breakfast, the scent of eggs, bacon, toast, and pancake entering the families nostrils, leaving them a drooling mess. But at the end of the night, ending another beautiful day of many; The couple would snuggle up to each other with warm smiles as they would talk about literally anything that came to mind, and bathe in the warmth of each other's presence, knowing another wonderful day was to come.

A dream she wished to be reality, but unfortunately, life wasn't sunshine and rainbows. There was light, but there was dark. A short balance between the two that kept this world going. Their was good. there was evil, but there was justice to punish the bad. Erza's eyes glanced back at the portal, tapping her boot gently against the soil. She was never one to wait. Erza Scarlet had a thin line of patience for anything, especially when it came to Natsu's wellbeing. She had full faith he could take on whatever was inside the portal, but it didn't help her nerves of it all.

"That flame breather is really taking his time in there," Gray, being the first one to break the awkward silence as he turned to the group with a small scowl on his face. "Why are we just standing out here? In fact, why did we come with him to begin with? He's capable on his own now," he lowered his head with clenched fists. "We are just in his way."

Lucy frowned in silence, her grip tightening on her skirt, biting the inside of her cheek. As much as she wanted to protest, deny his claims of them being useless. It was the honest truth, why did they come? Natsu was growing stronger every single day, rapidly growing in power that rivaled one of the ten wizard saints. They were capable mages, but just by one demonstration of his strength, and it paled in comparison. Watching Erza, an S class mage of Fairy Tail, struggle against the creatures with gritted teeth didn't help matters any either.

Erza turned with a side glance, her glare piercing the ice mage who didn't falter against it. "You know why we are here. We are here to support Natsu, keep him on the right path... I.. can't, I won't lose him again, not to death, not to darkness, not to anything!" Her body turned completely to face the team who froze, noticing tears welling up in the corners of her eyes. "Master gave us this task, we cannot fail him. And..." her gauntlets clenched tightly with gritted teeth. "I can't fail Natsu... not again."

Gray opened his mouth to respond, but nothing came. A sigh escaped his lips as he turned away from the night with a small "tch" to follow, clicking his tongue in annoyance of the whole situation. "Yeah... whatever. We act like Natsu is going to turn evil or something."

"Master is just worried about his wellbeing, especially mentally," Erza replied, turning her body back towards the portal with a small frown. "He's been through so much, and now he must face this path whether he likes what comes with it or not. I don't doubt that for one second, Natsu would turn against us. He loves us with all of his heart, so for now... we stand behind him no matter what."

Lucy cracked a weak smile of Erza's passion towards Natsu. They were truly meant to be together as a couple. She once believed that maybe her and Natsu would make a good couple, but with his childish nature, destructive tendencies. He was an older brother who she looked up to, someone that will protect her no matter the cost. Natsu was important to her just as much as he was to Erza.

The moment the pair became a couple, Erza began to be more open. She completely shed her armor away, opening conversating with many members with a bright smile. She was happy, loved, cherished by Natsu and she knew he felt the same.

A frown split across her lips, remembering all too well the conversation that was shares in master's office after Natsu had departed.

"You want us to what?" Erza asked with a bewildered expression on her face as did the others who blinked in confusion of their master's request.

Makarov shook his head with an amused smile. "You heard me, I want all of you to keep an eye on Natsu," he repeated once more with a much more stern tone that left no room for argument.

"Why?"

The master frowned, "I fear Natsu is going down a dark path. A path he can't avoid, nor stop walking it. After what he disclosed to me in this office, along with the many changes he's gone through as a person... his mental health is on a severe decline. The more of these things he does, the farther he strays from the light," he turned around his chair, facing the window, his own frown deepening with a furrowed brow. "I fear if this continues, the Natsu we know and love now will be gone..."

Erza's eyes shot wide open, taking a mental step back as did everyone else.

"But this is Natsu we're talking about!" Gray stepped up with a raised brow, a frown of his own forming along his lips. "Yeah he's done some very questionable things lately, but he's still the same idiot we know."

"But is he?"

They all turned to Makarov as he turned back around in his chair with a deep sigh. "I know you all see it. Natsu has grown... cold, smarter yes but something is.. taking away his humanity. I can feel it. So as your master I beg you to fulfill my request. Keep Natsu in the light, and make sure we don't lose him again."

"Yes Master," They all bowed their heads in unison.

Lucy shook her head of that memory, her eyes focused on the portal in front of them. Suddenly it began to ripple and spark with electricity. They all stood up, their attention focused on the gateway. Erza narrowed her eyes, noticing a spot of black fur. Before they all knew it, their emerged a humanoid wolf creature, standing taller than them on it's hind legs. A growl escaped his lips as it raised it's head to let out a howl into the air.

"You gotta be kidding!" Gray exclaimed, shifting his stance to punch his fist into his palm, reeling back as it built up with an icey blue aura.

"D-did he miss one?!" Lucy screeched, reaching for her belt of keys.

Erza summoned her blade with a deep glare, stepping forward. "Everyone together!"

"Right!"

The beast snarled, taking off on all fours towards the group of mages. They readied themselves with narrowed eyes. Suddenly, like a gust of wind, a black blur flew out of the portal, impaling the beast clean through it's back. Tumbling to the ground with blood leaking from it's maw with wide, lifeless eyes the wolf grew limp on the ground, uttering a pained whimper before it's life was gone in an instant. Everyone's attention turned towards the gateway with wide eyes.

Natsu slowly walked out, watching as the portal behind him rippled violently before abruptly closing. A feral grin made it's way across his lips, admiring his handiwork. "Bullseye!"

Erza released a relieved breath, a small smile forming as she sent her blade away. "Cutting it close there aren't we?"

The dragon slayer chuckled, rubbing the back of his head with a sheepish grin. A big gash could be seen across his right cheek, stopping right at the edge of his eye. Slowly walking over, he grabbed a hold of Shadow Talon, ripping it out of the beast with a sigh. "Now stay down," he grumbled softly. "Damn mutt."

"Natsu are you okay?!" The knight bounded over with wide eyes, noticing his wounds. "You're not badly hurt are you?" Her gauntlets dissapeared as she tenderly touched his gash with a frown.

"I'm okay," Natsu reassured with a confident grin, puffing his chest out in pride. "Nothing I couldn't handle. Let's get moving, still plenty of daylight to take advantage of."

Lucy stepped up the couple with a frown, crossing her arms over her bountiful chest with furrowed brows. "Don't you think you should take a break?"

"I agree with Lucy," Carla walked up to the group, pointing her clawed finger at Natsu with a small glare. "You cannot be recklessly tearing your body apart! You may be much stronger now, but it doesn't excuse your bullheaded nature."

Natsu's smile vanished, slowly turning to face Carla who's eyes widened, slowly stepping back away from him. "Do I look like I can stop?" He walked over to the white feline with a deep glare, the same crimson eyes they feared glowed deep within him. "The time I waste, is the time innocent people are killed! Magnolia lost a lot of people, people we all knew!" He snapped, a crimson aura surrounding his body with a snarl escaping his lips. "So I can't stop... I won't stop, I need to keep leveling up!" Natsu gritted his fangs together, boiling in a rage of flames that erupted from his body, making everyone take a step back. "So I can crush all these worthless creatures!"

"Back the hell off Natsu!" Gray stepped in between the two, shoving Natsu back with a scowl. "What the hell is wrong with you?!"

Natsu's glare focused on the ice mage for a moment, clenching his fists tightly together. They stood there for a moment, a suffocating tension growing between the team of mages who could only watch with wide eyes. "What the hell is wrong with you, Gray?" He asked in a bitter tone, practically throwing daggers at the ice maker who was caught off guard. "I'm trying to save everyone from all of this! And what the hell are you doing? Sitting and twiddling your damn thumbs!"

"ENOUGH!" Erza's commanding tone made everyone freeze, except for Natsu who turned towards his lover with a frown. Tears gently cascaded down her cheeks as his expression grew soft, the crimson glow in his eyes vanishing along with the aura that slowly diminished from his body.

"I... I'm sorry. Let's get moving," Natsu muttered, turning away from his team with gritted teeth. He stormed off, leaving them to lag behind him.

He lifted his palm, crushing a runic stone in his grasp as a blue glow engulfed his whole body before slowly vanishing, leaving Erza and the others to stare at the back of his head. Natsu narrowed his eyes, watching a small screen appear in front of him, a small sigh escaping his lips.

NOTIFICATION

New Skill Aquired: Beastly Howl

Description: The inner animal takes control. Let out a ferocious howl, instilling fear into all who hear it's call. Beasts in a certain radius become your ally for 100 seconds.

'That could be useful in the future' Natsu turned a side glance towards his team. Most of them looked elsewhere except for Erza who stared directly into his back. He felt his chest tighten, swallowing a lump in his throat.

'What is happening to me...'

Erza could only watch the conflicted expressions that ran their course through Natsu's face with a small frown.

'Natsu...'

Roars and screeches filled the air as Natsu carved through the creatures in front of him. They looked humanoid in shape, except for their green scales that covered their whole body along with an elongated neck with snake like frills that rattled like an echo. Crimson slits staring into green, Natsu tore across the ground, narrowing the short gap between them. With a slice, the creature hissed in pain, blood coating his face, before he curved his body, stabbing it directly into the back.

Ripping his blade from it's corpse, it fell to the ground with a thump. Natsu was covered head to toe in scratches and small bite marks as he panted, dropping on his butt with a groan. "Damn it.." he spit out a wad of blood with a sigh. "They just keep getting tougher and tougher."

His eyes scanned over the stone room filled with torches, gently illuminating all the corpses spread through out with blood pools surrounding their bodies. From what he could gather, these portals took him to strange locations of unknown origins. Some were forests, swamps, caves, or where he currently resided, a large castle stone dungeon that bore snake like creatures.

With an annoyed huff, the slayer's thoughts lingered on the argmument between him and Gray. Natsu clenched his fist tightly with gritted teeth. "Why did I get so angry? They are only trying to help, especially.. Erza..." his body sunk against the stone wall, lowering his head. "I.. I made her cry.. again... I'm such an idiot."

A small hiss whispered right next to him with wide eyes. He twisted his body around to see a towering shadow in the darkness, it's yellow slitted eyes piercing through the shadows. A forked tongue stuck out with a small rattle. Before he could even react, a serpent, longer than Magnolia, but as big as a dragon lunged out, snapping a hold of Natsu who cried out in pain being dragged along the cobblestone floor. With a snap of it's tail, his body flung away, smashing through the stone wall that led to a wide open arena. The sun slowly peeked over, highlighting Natsu who rolled across the ground, blood spurting out from his arm that was completely severed away.

"A-AHHHHH!!!"

Natsu roared to the top of his lungs, clutching onto the nub of his arm that bled profusely along the sand filled ground, coating it in crimson. Feeling the ground rumble from beneath him, his shaky gaze turned to the giant serpent that slowly slithered across the ground, baring it's fangs that appeared to be daggers hanging from it's wide open jaw. Deep blue patches of scales littered it's entire body from head to tail, it's giant slitted eyes focused solely on him.

"F-fuck!" Natsu hissed through gritted teeth, trying anything and everything to command his body to move. A cold feeling slowly creeped up his spine, making his body grow stiff as a board. His eyes widened, noticing a small screen appear in front of him. "P-paralysis?!" He exclaimed, watching in horror as the creature grew closer.

Natsu grunted with everything he could to move his body, but to no avail. His arms, legs, everything except for his eyes could move an inch. Blood pooled around his body as he watched his hp slowly plummet, a small ringing indicating he was low. Stopping in front of him, the giant snake hissed, venom dropping off it's fangs. In one swift movement, it's mouth snapped into his leg, whipping his body around like a rag doll, pain filled screams filling the air before his body was forcibly thrown across the ground, rolling into the nearest stone wall with a hard crash, blood escaping his lips.

Corners of black inked around his vision, growing blurry as the serpent stalked him like prey. Natsu lifted his head, raggedly panting as blood dripped from his lips. "Full..." he paused to open his mouth, vomiting out a pond of blood like a putrude bile. "R-recovery..." his head slumped forward, his hair masking his face away from the pleased beast who seemed to stop in it's tracks to admire it's work.

A yellow glow erupted from his body, blinding the serpent who made a loud hiss, squirming it's long body around the sand like a flailing fish out of water. Natsu's eyes shot open, crimson slits replacing onyx as his arm was bathed in a soft glow, slowly regenerating along with the rest of his grievous wounds. Fire erupted from his body, growing in strength as the slayer stood up, glaring daggers at the beast slowly opening it's slits to look at Natsu. He snarled under his breath, patches of scales slowly coating his cheeks, arms and legs. Tearing away his ragged sweater, his chest was covered in patches of red scales, his fangs grew larger in size, his fingers grew into talons, along with a set of wings sprouted from his back.

Natsu's eyes became tight slits, flames violently ripping around his form that only grew brighter. A ferocious roar escaped his lips, making the ground quake and tremble under his power. The Bascalisk as it was called, recoiled under the pressure of heat, hissing out at the slayer who took one step forward. In a blur, and a flap of his wings he flew across the ground, slashing his talons across the snake's scales that only seemed to vibrate with a cling as he was forced backwards with a snarl.

The serpent lunged forward, but Natsu was faster. Using his wings to flap above the creature, he dove down like a bullet, engulfing his talons in flames that smashed Into the it's scales with a small crack. Natsu didn't stop, he continued to punch again, and again, crack after crack forming under the pressure. Wrapped his arms tightly around the snake's neck, he squeezed with gritted fangs. It tried everything to get him to let go to no avail, slithering across the ground with a pained hiss.

"You will regret playing with your food!" Natsu roared, flexing every muscle that he could possibly muster, screaming to the top of his lungs as his flames grew significantly in size. "I've come too damn far to lose to a giant snake! NOW FUCKING DIE!!!" With a vice like grip, watching as the scales cracked entirely under his pressure. Blood spurting out from the creature who crashed against the stone walls, shoving Natsu against them who wouldn't let go.

Natsu continued to squeeze, blood sprayed out of the snake. Narrowing his eyes, his talons shoved deep through the creatures skin, covering his body in crimson. Feeling a solid object with gritted teeth, pulsating in his grasp. Natsu ripped his hand out, holding a still beating heart between his grasp. The serpent froze, it's mouth wide open before it's eyes closed, falling to the ground with a loud thud.

The slayer jumped off it's back still back, glancing down at the beating heart. With a squeeze it splattered like a water melon, coating his face completely in it's blood. "I win..."

Natsu slumped onto the ground, his scales and wings receeding back into his body. The flames that coursed with so much rage, simmered down into smoke. "Fucking hell..." he fell onto his back, staring into the blue sky with a deep sigh. A blue screen made it's appearance.

NOTIFICATION

Items Obtained:

Kasaka's Venom Fang

Venom Gland

1,000,000 Gold

"A dagger?..." Natsu raised a brow, attempting to summon the weapon but before he could, another screen appeared.

NOTIFICATION

The player has reached the required level

Natsu raised a brow with a confused frown. "Required level for wha-"

NOTIFICATION

A Job-Change quest can now be ordered

The screen dissapeared in front of him, leaving him to his thoughts. Now what was the system trying to pull? Was this a new test? A daily quest ontop of his other? He shook his head of those thoughts, laying his head down on the sand with a deep sigh, watching the clouds roll across the sky. Slowly sitting up with a groan, he muttered. "Shop..."

A screen appeared before him, listing off a variety of items. He hadn't used this ability much after waking up from the dead. It made zero sense to Natsu who growled in annoyance. "Where's Erza when ya need her," he grumbled, using his finger scroll the items before picking a couple of healing vials, ontop a bottle of fatigue recovery. "Buy."

As requested, two small red vials appeared in his grasp, along with a bottle of grew squid. Popping off the cork, he dunked both vials down his throat, wincing at the bitter taste as his hp went back up to full. Moving onto the gray bottle, he gulped it down, wiping the excess from his lips with a sigh. The image of that job-change quest resurfaced in his mind, growling in annoyance he stood up off the ground, brushing himself off.

"Give me a damn break..."

Natsu Dragneel

Level: 40

STR: 108

AGIL: 44

VIT: 82

SENS: 30

INT: 30

Current Skills:

Abyssal Slash

Description: Conjure the shadows that enshroud your blade to deliver a devastating wave of darkness

Health And LongevityDash

Description: Run at supersonic speeds around your opponents

Murderous Intent

Description: Paralyze your enemies with a gaze of pure killing intent

Blood Maker

Description: Harness the power of blood maker magic. Bend the properties of blood to your will, including your own.

Beastly Howl

Description: The inner animal takes control. Let out a ferocious howl, instilling fear to all who hear its call. Beasts in a certain radius become your ally for 100 seconds

Weapons:

Shadow Talon [Sword]

Kasaka's Venom Fang [Dagger]

Magic:

Fire Dragon's Roar, Talon, Claw, Wing Attack, Piercing Claw, Sword Horn, Grip Strike, Spiral Flame

Lightning Flame Dragon Mode

Fire Dragon King's Destruction Fist, Roar

Dragon Force

Dragon Slayer Secret Arts: Crimson Lotus Exploding Flame Blade, Crimson Lotus Exploding Lightning Flame Blade, Spiraling Swordhorn

I figured I'd add this to keep y'all caught up on all his current abilities.

So before people jump down my throat, yes, I added the Bascalisk Sung fights in the beginning of the manwha and anime. I also added his iconic dagger, though I prefer Knight Killer. But no hate for Kasaka's Venom Fang either. Personally, all the weapons are badass. Anyway, Natsu has now obtained his job-change quest. I promise it won't be a copy and paste of Igris. It will be fully original, as much as I can make it. I'll just be adding small or major Easter eggs from the anime

I know I've been doing a lot of Natza scenes, not very many fights or just moments of Natsu just being a badass, so I hope this makes up for it, including the moment we've all been building up for. If you are fans of Solo Leveling, you know the single word I speak of.

Next time, struggling with the burden placed upon his shoulders, and now the new quest he's been given. Natsu has a private conversation with Erza, before heading off to his special quest, coming up against a threat that will test his mere limits.

I hope you all enjoyed this chapter, and I'll see you guys in the next one. Later :)

Side Note: Already at over 60 to 70 favorites and follows for this story. I'm glad you guys enjoy my work, makes me continue to keep trying. But maybe a comment or two, feed back maybe? I would severely appreciate it. I know most people read a story, call it a day with a favorite and follow. But comments really make a writers day, whether it's constructive positive. It really makes a writers day, keeps them motivated on continuing their work. That's all for now. Later