The cavern walls trembled as Lin glided through the water. His body felt different now — faster, heavier, stronger. His claws sliced through the currents like blades; his tail propelled him forward with ease.
> [System Update: Stats Unlocked.]
A transparent blue screen flashed across his vision.
---
[Status Screen]
Name: Lin (Former Human)
Species: Juvenile Sea Drake
Stage: 2 – Juvenile Monster
Level: 2
Evolution Points (EP): 40
Health: 310/310
Strength: 42
Speed: 38
Endurance: 35
Abilities:
– Hatchling Burst (Improved)
– Predator Sense (Passive)
– Water Surge (New: Short dash burst through water – 5s cooldown)
---
Lin's dorsal plates flickered with blue light as he swam deeper. "This is insane… I'm a monster with a game HUD. If I keep hunting, I can keep evolving."
But his instincts whispered something darker: he wasn't alone.
The cave opened into a massive trench that stretched into utter blackness. Faint echoes pulsed through the water — sonar clicks that didn't belong to him. Lin's new Predator Sense tingled.
> [Warning: High-Level Lifeform Approaching.]
[Threat Level: Unknown.]
A silhouette glided out of the abyss, wings folded like a manta ray's but lined with crimson membranes. Two glowing orange eyes opened, locking onto him.
Lin froze. He'd seen this creature before — not in this life, but on a cinema screen back on Earth.
A juvenile M.U.T.O.
It wasn't full-grown, but even at its current size it dwarfed him. Jagged limbs twitched, scraping sparks off the rock walls. Its maw split open with a hollow hiss.
> [Predator Detected: Juvenile M.U.T.O.]
[Threat Level: Very High.]
Lin's mind raced. If it's here, then this isn't just a random monster world… it's really the Godzilla universe.
He felt the current shift as the M.U.T.O. began to circle, its claws cutting through the water. Each movement sent pressure waves slamming into Lin.
> [Emergency Quest: Survive or Escape the Juvenile M.U.T.O.]
[Reward: Titan Instincts (Skill).]
His dorsal plates glowed brighter, his claws flexing. "If I can't run… I'll have to fight."
The M.U.T.O.'s wings flared open, red veins pulsating with energy. A piercing screech shook the trench. Smaller creatures fled in terror.
Lin's system chimed again, rapid-fire:
> [New Skill Available for Unlock: Energy Pulse (Cost: 30 EP).]
He flicked open the menu in his mind, hovering over the skill as the M.U.T.O. lunged. His claws twitched. Do I spend my points now… or risk everything?
The trench around them began to crack under the pressure of the M.U.T.O.'s approach. Rocks rained down, creating a cloud of silt. Through it, two orange eyes glowed like fire.
Lin's dorsal plates lit up with a blue pulse. His instincts screamed at him to act — now.
He selected the skill.
> [Skill Unlocked: Energy Pulse.]
Power coiled in his chest, rising like a storm. The M.U.T.O. was almost on top of him.
Lin opened his jaws.
And then—
To be continued…