"Each egg can provide one bio energy point? Doesn't that mean, as long as I swallow these four eggs, I will evolve?"
Hearing the system's prompt, Fang Yun's mood immediately brightened. These days, because of the constant pressure of survival, his emotions had always been weighed down, but now he finally felt some genuine relief. It was a small but significant victory in his struggle to exist in this harsh jungle where every day was a challenge.
If he evolved again, his physical attributes would leap forward, which was absolutely vital to surviving in this dangerous and unforgiving jungle. Every small advantage mattered when life and death were separated by such a thin margin, when a single mistake could mean the end.
Especially his body size. That was perhaps the most important change, the one that would determine his place in the food chain.
After his previous evolution, his length had grown from ten centimeters to twenty centimeters. After this evolution… how much would he improve? Thirty centimeters? Or even longer? The thought filled him with a keen sense of anticipation, a longing for the power that came with increased size.
In any case, a larger size would make him appear more threatening to potential predators. If he was unlucky enough to encounter a natural enemy, his increased size could make them hesitate, wondering if he was worth the risk of an attack. Size meant respect in the animal kingdom, and respect could mean the difference between being hunted and being avoided.
With that thought, Fang Yun eagerly swallowed all four sparrow eggs into his belly. He consumed them quickly, one after another, not wanting to waste a single moment. The nest was instantly emptied, leaving behind nothing but a hollow of twigs and grass, a silent testament to his raid.
"Now that I think about it, I've just eaten another creature's children. When the parents return… will they cry in despair?" The thought surfaced unbidden, a flicker of his human conscience that had not yet been entirely erased by his reptilian existence.
It sounded cruel, but Fang Yun felt no guilt. This was the law of the jungle, an unbreakable rule where the strong devour the weak. Perhaps, one day, he himself would become a meal for some larger bird, just as he had stolen these eggs. It was the cycle of life here, brutal and honest, and there was no room for mercy.
Besides, in the past ten days, he had swallowed many living creatures. The guilt and disgust he'd once felt on the first day were long gone, worn away by necessity. Though he didn't want to become cold hearted, he had no choice but to adapt. Sentimentality was a luxury he could not afford, not when his own survival was on the line every moment.
"Everything is for survival," Fang Yun thought, reinforcing his resolve, hardening his heart for the tasks ahead.
After swallowing the eggs, Fang Yun quickly climbed down from the tree. Staying any longer risked discovery by the returning sparrows, and while sparrows weren't the strongest opponents, his defense was still weak. A furious parent was a dangerous thing, regardless of its size, and he did not wish to test his luck.
As dusk settled deeply over the land, the jungle grew chill. A gentle wind scattered fallen leaves across the ground, and one dry leaf landed on his back, making Fang Yun flinch nervously. His nerves were always on edge, every sense alert, every sound a potential warning.
Everything in this forest felt like a potential threat, every shadow hiding a possible predator, every rustle a hint of approaching danger.
His bloated belly slowed him further, forcing him to crawl at a sluggish, awkward pace. On the way back to his nest, he even spotted a few cockroaches scurrying in the undergrowth. Each was worth half a bio energy point, but with his stomach full and his speed hampered, he had no chance of catching them. He could only watch them go, a minor frustration in the grand scheme of things, a reminder that opportunities were often missed.
After several painstaking minutes of slow progress, he finally returned to the familiar safety of his nest, the one place where he could let his guard down slightly.
The dark, narrow den wrapped him in a comforting sense of security. He curled deep inside the earthy cavity and waited for his substantial meal to digest. The world outside could wait, its dangers held at bay for now.
Two hours later, a chime echoed in his mind, pulling him from his rest.
Ring! "Host has successfully gained five bio energy points."
The system's voice rang in his head, snapping him out of his rest. His eyes brightened instantly, all drowsiness vanishing at the promise of progress.
As expected, another prompt followed without delay, the next step in his journey.
Ring! "Bio energy threshold reached. Evolutionary conditions met. Evolution will take ten minutes. Host must ensure safety of current environment. Begin evolution?"
Fang Yun didn't hesitate for a second. "Evolve!"
A familiar warmth rushed through his body, soothing at first, but soon it burned hotter and hotter, like fire spreading under his scales. The pain became intense, then unbearable. Fang Yun clawed against the ground, writhing as the sensation consumed him. It was a trial he had to endure for the sake of growth, a necessary suffering for greater power.
Minutes dragged on in pure agony. Finally, the searing heat faded, leaving a strange coolness in its wake. His whole body felt lighter, as if a heavy burden had been shed, leaving him renewed, stronger than before.
"It's finally over…" Fang Yun gasped, immensely relieved. The struggle for evolution was cruel. It took immense effort to gather energy, only to endure torture when the reward arrived. If not for his willpower strengthening each time, the pain might have destroyed his consciousness already. He was growing tougher in mind as well as body, each trial forging him into something more resilient.
As he calmed, he noticed loose skin near his tail. Another shed. His body was already outgrowing its previous form. "Barely ten days since I hatched, and I've already molted twice… I might be the only lizard in nature like this," Fang Yun thought with a trace of pride. His journey was extraordinary, defying the normal pace of nature.
Just then, the system chimed again, its tone clear and prompting, announcing new possibilities.
Ring! "Host evolution successful. Level upgraded to three. Reward: two skill points." "Skill points sufficient. Do you wish to view available skills?"
Excitement flared in his chest. Last time, he hadn't been able to see the skill list. Now he finally could. It was a milestone, a gateway to new powers.
"Show me," Fang Yun ordered, eager to see what new abilities he could unlock, what tools would be added to his arsenal.
A light curtain appeared, glowing softly in his mind's eye, displaying two options, each promising a unique advantage.
Available Skills:
Discoloration Camouflage. This is an active skill. The host may alter skin pigments to blend with surroundings, creating effective camouflage. The upgrade cost is three points. Current Level is zero out of five.
Venomous Saliva. This is an active skill. The host's salivary glands mutate, producing toxic enzymes. Fangs adapt with hollow channels to deliver venom. This increases attack power and lethality. The upgrade cost is three points. Current Level is zero out of five.
Fang Yun blinked, processing the information. "Venom… through my saliva?" It was a startling concept, something out of the ordinary realm of lizards.
The system elaborated, its voice calm and informative. "This mutation converts part of the host's salivary glands into venom glands, which are linked to newly hollowed fangs. The venom is weak at Level one, but can evolve in potency, volume, and variety as the skill upgrades." The potential was clearly laid out, a path to becoming a true predator.
Fang Yun's eyes shone with understanding. This was beyond natural evolution. It was a forced mutation, something no ordinary lizard could ever achieve. He was being reshaped by a power greater than nature, guided by a system that defied the natural order.
Although he had half expected more fantastical abilities, both these skills were undeniably practical and useful. Camouflage would let him avoid predators and sneak up on prey with greater ease. Venom would grant him a critical offensive edge, turning his bite into a real threat, something that could deter larger enemies.
But with only two points, he could choose only one for now. It was a strategic decision, a choice that could define his next steps.
After a moment of careful deliberating, Fang Yun made his choice. Offense felt more urgent than stealth. "Activate Venomous Saliva."
The moment he spoke, an odd itching spread through his jaws and the glands in his neck. His fangs tingled strangely, feeling hollow inside, like tiny channels waiting to carry something lethal. He instinctively knew. If he willed it, venom would flow. The connection was now part of him, a new weapon at his disposal.
The amount was limited, the toxicity still weak. But the potential for growth was enormous. It was a foundation he could build upon, a starting point for greater deadliness.
"Good. With this… I won't be so helpless next time." Fang Yun exhaled slowly, satisfaction blooming in his chest. He felt a new sense of capability, a growing confidence in his ability to face this world.
He then opened the property panel, eager to see his new stats and assess the full measure of his growth.