In the silent forest, only Lin Feng's ragged breathing echoed. His vision darkened at the edges, black spots blooming like ink in water. Spotting a nearby tree with a hollowed-out trunk, he dragged himself inside and collapsed. Darkness claimed him.
When he awoke the next day, sunlight filtered through cracks in the bark. His body ached, but he was alive. "System," he hissed weakly, "what happened?"
The panel shimmered into view:
[System Notification]
[Because Host's bloodline purity increased from 0.0001% to 0.0004%, the dragon blood reacted to protect you. However, your body was not strong enough to withstand the surge. As a result, you remained unconscious for 14 hours.]
Lin Feng stared at the words, his tail twitching in frustration. "I'm still not strong enough to protect myself… Forget transforming into a human." He sighed, the dream feeling farther away than ever. "Aa… System, what are the requirements for the first evolution?"
The reply came instantly:
[Evolution Requirements
* Level 20
* 200 Scale Points
* Kill a Boss Monster]
Lin Feng's eyes narrowed. "I can handle the level and points… but a boss monster? That's the most troublesome and dangerous part." He shook his head. "Whatever. I can't spend my whole life as a lizard. Time to get to work."
Over the next three days, he hunted relentlessly. Insects, beetles, small snakes, mice, frogs—anything he could catch and devour. Each kill and consumption added modest gains: Scale Points trickled in, XP climbed slowly. From one snake, he absorbed Venom Bite, a new skill that made his fangs drip with paralyzing toxin.
By the end of day three, he had earned 56 Scale Points and reached Level 5. On the fourth day, he called up his status. The familiar blue panel unfolded:
[Host Status
Name: Lin Feng
Race: Normal Lizard
Level: 5
Bloodline: Primordial Dragon God (0.0004%)
[Skills]
Spirit Eye (46%)
Venom Bite (34%)
[Attributes]
Strength: 13
Agility: 9
Defense: 10
Mana: 5]
Satisfied, he ventured out in search of bigger prey. Then—his eyes met a familiar yellow gaze. The silver wolf from day 1."So we meet again," Lin Feng thought, a spark of vengeance igniting. "Let's see your attributes. Spirit Eye."
[Target Analysis
Name: None
Level: 7
Race: Silver Wolf
Rank: Wild
Skill: Cry of Help]
He focused on the skill. A sub-panel appeared:
[Skill Detail
Skill: Cry of Help
Level: 2
Description: In near-death or extreme danger, emit a loud roar that attracts nearby wolves for aid.]
Lin Feng's pupils sharpened. "If I want to kill him, I have to do it in one strike. No chance for that skill."
He climbed a low branch, body low and still, waiting. The wolf padded closer, sniffing the air, unaware. The moment it passed beneath the tree—Lin Feng leapt. He aimed straight for the throat, jaws wide. Teeth sank deep. Venom Bite activated instantly—poison flooded the wound.
The wolf yelped, thrashing wildly, trying to shake him off. But Lin Feng held on, claws digging into fur and flesh. The wolf's struggles slowed. Breaths grew ragged. Eyes clouded black. Veins bulged purple under silver fur as the toxin spread. One final shudder. It collapsed.
[Congratulations! You have killed: Silver Wolf]
[Scale Points +18]
Lin Feng began to devour it whole—fur, meat, bones, everything. When he finished, the notifications flooded in:
[Devour Successful]
[XP +50]
[Attribute Points +2]
He sat back on his haunches, feeling the warmth of growth spread through him once more. Stronger. Closer. But still so far from evolution.