I opened my eyes, dazed and confused, surrounded by complete darkness.The last thing I remember was being at my brother's house, right before tripping over that damn dog that's always in the way.
Am I… in a hospital? Why can't I move?
CRACK. CRACK.
The more I struggled, the more I heard something breaking. Faint rays of light pierced through the darkness.If I keep moving… maybe I can break through and get out.
CRACK. CRACK. CRACK.
Finally, I could see. It looked like someone had buried me underground… but no, I was in a forest.What the hell am I doing in a forest?! All around me was a massive cave, and next to me lay the remains of a huge eggshell—the same size as me. Did… did I just crawl out of that? What the hell is going on? Am I dreaming?
I tried walking, but something felt off. Why doesn't it feel like I'm standing on two legs? Six…? I glanced down at my hands and froze. They weren't hands at all—they were pincers.
I… I'm not human anymore.What the hell am I?
From the edge of my vision, I spotted a tail curling behind me… a scorpion's tail.How is this even possible?!A wave of dizziness hit me, and the world went black again.
Then, a voice echoed—genderless, impossible to locate.
[Welcome to the path of survival, small existence. You are asleep now, but each time you sleep, you may access your STATUS, where all your information will be displayed.]
For a moment, the voice terrified me. I tried to speak, but only harsh, insect-like screeches came out. A glowing screen appeared before my eyes:
[STATUS]Name: XarkRank: 1 StarLevel: 1/5Species: ScorpionSurvival Capacity: Almost none
Skills:
Dodge
Poison Sting: may inject venom into an opponent
Appraise
Bite
Stats:HP: FAttack: C+Speed: F-Defense: F+
[You've got to be kidding me… This is my status? It's pathetic. That voice was right—I'm ridiculously weak. And what kind of useless skills are these?] (Xark)
I forced my eyes open again and left the cave, slowly adjusting to my strange new body. As I approached a stream, I caught my reflection. No human stood there—only a black scorpion staring back at me.
I kept moving through the forest, testing out my awkward new limbs. It didn't take long before I stumbled upon a massive bear, apparently asleep. (Looks like it's hurt… If I sting it with poison, maybe I can kill it.)
But the moment I used Poison Sting, the bear jolted awake and roared furiously. Its eyes locked on me, and it charged.
(Why did I do that?! I should never have attacked it. I want to cry—but an insect can't cry.)
I ran as fast as my legs could carry me until a cliff appeared ahead. Five meters tall. Too fast to stop—I plunged off the edge, the bear falling right behind me.
When I hit the ground, I realized I'd landed on top of the beast. It had cushioned my fall. I survived.(Thank god… If I want to live, I need to be smarter than this.)
[Let's use Appraise on the bear.]
[APPRAISAL]Species: Demonic BearLevel: 5/50Rank: 3 StarsTraits: Low intellect and slow speed, but possesses deadly attack power.
Skills:
Slam
Bite
(That was way too close… What's that glowing orb in its forehead? I'll appraise it too.)
[Beast Core, Rank 3 Stars. Consuming it grants experience and may also allow you to acquire one of the slain opponent's skills.]
(Interesting… its skills aren't much use to me, but if I want to survive, I need this.)
I grabbed the core with my pincers and swallowed it whole.