After devouring the 3-star core, I suddenly found myself staring at my status screen, where countless notifications popped up.
[Congratulations, you've leveled up][Congratulations, you've leveled up][Congratulations, you've leveled up][Congratulations, you've leveled up][Congratulations, you've leveled up]
[You've reached the level cap: 5/5][Evolution process initiated]
The moment that voice faded, my entire body began to convulse. Agonizing pain shot through me as my muscles twisted and tore. Though it only lasted a second, it felt like an eternity. When it was finally over, I glanced at my status and realized it had changed.
[--------------------------------------------------Name: XarkRank: 2-StarLevel: 10/25Species: Jade ScorpionTitle: Little ScorpionSkills:(Escape)(Poison Sting): able to pierce and poison opponents(Bite)(Appraisal)
HP: F+Attack: BSpeed: FDefense: F+--------------------------------------------------]
My stats had clearly improved. Feeling satisfied, I couldn't help but grin.(Hmm… I should take advantage of that bear meat.)
Xark enjoyed a feast of raw bear flesh, tearing off chunks to store for later in the cave. Now that his body had grown from 30 cm to nearly a meter and a half, carrying the bear's carcass was much easier. Once finished, he closed his eyes and waited for morning to come.
At dawn, Xark ventured outside and stumbled upon three goblins—two males and one female, all 2-Star rank.(I'll need to pick one off first.)
He waited until one wandered toward a small stream for water. Then, in a sudden lunge, Xark struck. The goblin cried out in shock and hurled small stones at him, but Xark's larger body barely flinched from the hits. With his pincers, he seized the goblin and drove his stinger deep into its flesh, ending its life. With some effort, he dragged the body into the bushes.
[chik… chik] The other two goblins muttered to each other. Though Xark didn't understand their language, he saw one approaching. With a swift strike of his claw, he pushed the goblin's arm into the brush, revealing himself. The last thing the creature saw as it peeked in were Xark's pitch-black eyes before the stinger pierced its back.
The remaining goblin, horrified by the scene, bolted without even trying to help. Xark bit into his prey, and a notification appeared:
[You've acquired the skill "Goblin Language"]
(Looks like I'll need to kill sixty, maybe a hundred of these goblins just to level up.)
He stored the bodies of his victims, then hunted more goblin groups until nightfall. Checking his status, he felt close to another level-up but chose to rest in his cave.
The next morning, Xark continued his routine of hunting and devouring weaker monsters until he was full. While wandering, he noticed a trail of prints leading into a massive cave.
Suddenly, a thunderous roar echoed—and a lioness stepped inside.
Annoyed that she had intruded on his territory, Xark retreated into the shadows, careful not to be seen. (I'll use Appraisal. Better not get overconfident just because I've killed a few goblins.)
[-----------------------------------------------------------]Species: Three-Eyed LionessLevel: 5/50Rank: 3-StarTraits: Low defense, high agility and attack. Extremely territorial.Skills:(Slam)(Bite)(Thunderous Roar)[-----------------------------------------------------------]
Seeing she was a 3-Star beast, Xark knew he couldn't fight her. The lioness sniffed out the meat he had stored, cautiously sampling it, while Xark slipped out of the cave.
Outside, at the entrance, he noticed two lion cubs barely able to stand, watching the darkness with both fear and curiosity. Without revealing himself, Xark made his decision. With his pincers he seized them both, swallowing them whole before they could even cry out for their mother.
[You've devoured a Lion Cub Core (Rank: 1-Star, Max)][You've devoured a Lion Cub Core (Rank: 1-Star, Max)][You've learned the skill "Thunderous Roar"][Your skill "Thunderous Roar" has evolved into "Fearsome Screech"]
As the ability settled in, Xark realized its potential: when unleashed, enemies within a short range would be stunned for a second—just enough to turn the tide of battle.
Though it pained him to abandon the cave and his food, he was thrilled about his new skill. Xark wandered far until nightfall, where he found shelter beneath a rocky outcrop and fell asleep.
When he woke, his updated status appeared before him:
[--------------------------------------------------Name: XarkRank: 2-StarLevel: 11/25Species: Jade ScorpionTitle: Little ScorpionSkills:(Dodge)(Poison Sting): able to pierce and poison opponents(Appraisal)(Fearsome Screech)(Goblin Language)
HP: F+Attack: BSpeed: FDefense: F+--------------------------------------------------]
Though his stats hadn't changed much, Xark wasn't discouraged. Improvement would come in time.(This is going to take forever to level up… My defense really isn't the best.)