Six months later
A crimson javelin tore through the air, piercing a white rabbit, pinning it to the snow-covered ground. A figure draped in a pitch black cloak walked toward the rabbit, picking it up and stuffing it into the red bag on his waist, now filled to the brim. Adam walked a fair amount before reaching the cave, placing the red bag on a crude wooden table before letting it melt away, absorbing the red liquid and revealing three dead rabbits.
Taking one of the rabbits, Adam skinned it, butchered it crudely, skewered it with a shadow manifested stick, and placed it over a pre-prepared fire.
"Eve."
[Yes, Adam?]
The ethereal voice echoed in Adam's head as she spoke.
"Don't you think it's about time we explored the deeper parts of the cave?"
[Although I still get an eerie feeling from the deeper parts, I believe you are now skilled enough to handle it]
turning the roasting rabbit, Adam looked into the darkness of the deeper cave and said, "I will go in the morning, I want to practice a little before leaving."
[Alright.]
After eating, Adam rested until night, dismissed his shadow manifested cloak and shirt, then did a few simple exercises, push-ups, sit-ups, and squats, 50 sets each. After finishing, Adam sat cross-legged, resting his hands on his legs.
' After going through the harrowing experience of eating that wretched fruit and gaining my powers, I practiced them for the whole day. The next day, I found a great hunting spot, a clearing nearly overflowing with animals and, strangely enough, no predator animals, so I was able to hunt freely. The third day, with my basic needs taken I took interest in the cave and tried exploring it, but was stopped by Eve.
Heh, that was the first and last time I ever heard Eve startled.
She told me that she had a bad feeling and that I should get stronger before trying to explore. The fourth day, I practiced my [Hypno] and [Subordination] abilities for the first time, hypnotizing a deer and feeding it my blood to subordinate it, gaining me a loyal companion.
From what I gathered at the time, I am able to use my abilities instinctively, but have to train and practice to use them in unique and skillful ways.
On the fifth day, I drank blood for the first time. Although it was the best tasting thing I have ever had, I didn't feel stronger or different; even my abilities were the same. I assumed it was because it was a weaker creature.
This is definitely the case as of currently, as [Feeding enhance] has increased my overall ability by at least 30%.
The days after that were a repetitive concoction of Eating, hunting, training, and sleeping.
And that's about it, Surprisingly. I assumed that I would have to fight, hide, and run from all sorts of creatures, but I have not gone through even one truly dangerous situation, or even seen a dangerous creature.'
This was highly suspicious, which is why, though nothing has happened, he wants to explore the cave to find another exit and leave the area to find a human settlement.
Sigh... 'I'll deal with this later, let's just focus for now.'
Clearing his mind, Adam focused his senses outward, connecting them to the shadows, causing them to darken and surge toward him. Adam then shifted his focus onto himself, imagining himself merging with the shadows while activating his [Transformation] ability partially. When the shadows contacted Adam's body, which was being dispersed into a swarm of bats, they combined and melted. Adam became the shadows; he heard through them, he saw through them, he felt through them.
'HAH! I actually did it! Hell yeah!'
Adam wanted to exclaim, but his thoughts stayed thoughts and did not leave his mouth as it was no longer there. realizing this, Adam dismissed his [Transformation] and dispersed the shadows, causing him to shoot from the ground and fall on his behind.
"ow...
Sigh... I need more practice."
Drawing his attention was the cold nose of an animal. Adam turned quickly to see a crimson-eyed deer standing before him, its deep, blood-red eyes glistening in the moonlight.
"Oh! Little moon! I almost forgot about you." He said with a nervous tone.
The deer jerked its head backwards and took a step back as if offended.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, here." Adam slit his wrist with a manifested knife from shadow and placed it in front of the deer.
Little Moon blew air and licked the blood from Adam's wrist, still annoyed.
Adam walked to the makeshift bed he had created, casually mentioning, "We will be exploring the cave tomorrow."
Little Moon perked up, excitedly walking to the bed and lying with Adam.
~~~
Adam stood, staring into the cave, the early morning light failing to reach deeper into the cave. He nervously stretched and checked to see if the red bag on his waist was fastened properly. Taking deep breaths to calm himself, Adam spoke.
"Well, this is it. You ready?"
The little deer nodded and took a step forward, followed by Adam as they finally entered the darkness.