The clearing looked less like a forest and more like a butcher's shop after a hurricane. Piles of monstrous corpses were strewn about—wolves, giant insects, a few more boars, and things that were best not identified. The air was thick with the coppery scent of blood and the acidic tang of monster innards.
In the center of it all stood Seth, chest heaving, fur matted with gore, and a system interface flashing victoriously before his eyes.
Current DP: 127/100
! DP Limit Exceeded !
Evolution Available. Initiate? Y/N
Catalyst Function: Target Gronk (Razortusk Boar-Kin).
Evolution Progress: 100%
Ready for Forced Evolution.
A laugh, deep, unhinged, and utterly terrifying, ripped from Seth's throat. It was a sound of pure, greedy triumph. "HAHAHA! YES! OVERFLOWING! PERFECT!"
The laughter was so menacing, so full of manic energy, that it seemed to physically affect the environment. Gronk, who was lying face-down in a pile of leaves completely unconscious, actually shivered.
A full-body tremor ran through his massive, exhausted form, a primal, subconscious reaction to the predatory glee radiating from his "trainer."
Seth's work wasn't done. He knelt by the nearest monster carcass, placed a hand on it, and focused. A faint, ghastly light enveloped the body, which then rapidly desiccated, crumbling into dust as its essential biomass was absorbed.
Devour Points (DP) Gained: +15... +12... +8...
Current DP: 162/100
He repeated the process, devouring the majority of the monsters until his DP pool was gloriously bloated, leaving behind only the choicest cuts of meat—a mountain of provisions for the pack. He then turned his attention to the still-unconscious Gronk.
"Oi. Gronk. Naptime's over," Seth said, nudging the boar-man with his foot. No response. He nudged harder. Still nothing.
A dark, playful idea sparked in Seth's mind. He leaned down, his voice a casual, conversational whisper right next to Gronk's ear.
"You know, if you don't wake up, I'm just going to have to drag you over to that Ravager Badger nest we passed. I hear they're always looking for a new, comfy pillow for their pups. You'd make a great one. So warm and squishy."
The effect was instantaneous.
Gronk's eyes shot open, wide with pure, unadulterated terror. He scrambled to his feet with a speed he never knew he possessed, his body screaming in protest. "I'M UP! I'M AWAKE! NO BADGER NESTS, PLEASE!"
Seth looked at him, his manic energy replaced by a look of mild, almost disappointed annoyance. "Tch."
Gronk's mind, still fuzzy with exhaustion, latched onto that single sound. 'He... he disappointed? He made a disappointed click with his tongue? He's disappointed that I woke up? This guy is terrifying!'
"Good. You're finally useful," Seth said, jerking his thumb towards the enormous pile of salvaged meat. "Now, stop standing there like a startled fawn and help me carry all this back. You're the reason we have so much, after all."
Still trembling, but now also deeply confused and terrified of being used as badger bedding, Gronk nodded vigorously. "Y-Yes, Strongest Seth! Right away!"
As he began gathering the heavy cuts of meat, he stole a glance at Seth, who was once again checking his system interface with that unnerving, greedy smile. Gronk shuddered. He had a feeling this was only the beginning of his madness.
Their return to the pack's camp was nothing short of a triumphal procession. Seth and a thoroughly battered, traumatized Gronk staggered into the clearing, dumping a mountain of prime monster meat onto the ground. The sight was so staggering that for a moment, there was only silence.
Then, the camp erupted into cheers and grateful cries. "Seth! Gronk! You've saved us!"
"This is enough for weeks!"
"We won't go hungry!"
Fon rushed forward, her yellow eyes shining with relief and admiration. "Seth... this is... incredible. Thank you."
Seth, as usual, deflected with a grunt and a scowl, wiping a speck of gore (that wasn't there) from his arm. "Don't mention it. It's just my responsibility as the 'strongest', or whatever." But internally, a warm, unfamiliar flicker of satisfaction bloomed in his chest. 'Hmph. Their happy faces aren't... entirely annoying.'
The pack immediately set to work, their spirits higher than they had been in months. They began butchering, salting, and smoking the meat, the air filling with the sounds of joyful industry and the promise of full bellies. It was a scene of genuine community.
Seeing his chance, Gronk tried to slowly, very slowly, back away towards the shadows, hoping to become one with the scenery and finally get some well-deserved unconsciousness.
"Gronk."
The single word, uttered in Seth's flat tone, froze him in his tracks. He turned, a forced, wobbly smile on his snout. "Y-Yes, Strongest Seth?"
Seth's manic grin was back. "Don't think you're off the hook. It's time. Follow me."
Gronk's shoulders slumped in utter defeat. A single tear traced a clean path through the dirt on his cheek. "...Yes..."
Seth led the trembling boar-man to a secluded spot behind a large rock. He pulled up the system interface, his eyes fixed on the Ready for Forced Evolution prompt next to Gronk's name.
He's at 100%, but he didn't evolve naturally. Is something missing? Is it because it's a forced process? Not natural? Seth pondered for a second, then shrugged. 'Meh. Who cares? Theory is boring. Practical application is where the fun is.'
"Alright, big guy. Let's see what you're made of," Seth muttered, his finger hovering over the Y button. "Don't die. It'd be a waste of my DP."
He pressed Yes.
A brilliant, golden light erupted from the system interface and enveloped Gronk. His eyes widened in shock for a moment, then rolled back into his head. He let out a deep snort before his body went completely rigid, then slumped to the ground, falling into a deep, coma-like sleep. A cocoon of faint, shimmering energy began to slowly form around him.
Seth observed the phenomenon with clinical curiosity, nodding to himself. "I see. So it's not instant. It's a hibernation process. Makes sense. Can't have a major biological rewrite happening in seconds. Fascinating."
He poked the energy cocoon with a claw. "Well, sleep tight, my little experiment. Let's see what pops out."
Then, his attention turned to his own status. His DP was massively overcharged, far beyond the limit. The Evolution Available prompt pulsed enticingly.
A catalyst for others, but a direct path for myself, he thought, his greedy heart pounding with anticipation. No point in waiting. Let's see what the 'strongest' can become.
With a thought, he selected the evolution option for himself. A final, triumphant grin spread across his face.
"Time for my upgrade."
He pressed Yes.
Unlike the gradual process with Gronk, a searing, white-hot pain instantly exploded behind Seth's eyes. It was so overwhelming, so absolute, that there was no time to even scream. His vision went black, his mind shattered, and his body hit the ground with a heavy thud, lying completely still next to Gronk's dormant cocoon.
The forest fell silent once more.