To become a human. Quinn didn't know how to, but he guessed that following the progression of the system might lead to it.
And he could lead a somewhat normal life. Now more determined than ever, Quinn began to eat.
When he was full, he would dig to drain stamina. Quinn didn't know if this was effective, but he couldn't bring himself to just do nothing.
Another matter was the soil. The soil was too bad for him to eat. So his diet consisted of surfacing and selective eating leaves that were safe enough to eat.
Quinn knew he was close to the dark pine tree, which hosted great benefits but also many risks. Namely, the constant attempts at his life from birds looking for a quick meal.
'Damn birds. It's always me. Finally, I'm trying to go somewhere, and these birds are trying to stop me. Mark my words, when I get big, I'm going to kill every bird I see.'
Quinn was pissed off. The leaves boosted his growth rate. But because of the birds, he couldn't eat as much as he would've wanted. So he had to come up with a plan.
'Am I forgetting something?? Status'
[
Name:Quinn
Species:Earthworm(Adolescent)
Growth:99%
Satiety:93%
Strength:2
Agility:3
Vitality:2
Intelligence:2
Arcane:1
Skills:[Dig] [Appraisal] [Tenacious diet] [Internal Compass] [Pheromone detection] [Expansion] [Hermaphrodite]
]
'H-Hermaphrodite?!?? Ahhh, man, am I a woman. No, wait, I'm both. I can have sex with myself??
Isn't that just masterbating with extra steps??'
Curious, Quinn Activated [Pheromone detection]. The smell of a mate didn't linger. It might be because worms are out of season.
'That means it definitely was a trap. Wait... this is'
The familiar blank pheromone was felt. This time, it was insanely intense. Like the source was right in front of him.
So Quinn dug forward only to be met with the same skin as him.
[Appraisal: Flatworm]
[Skill Levelled up
[Appraisal]Lvl 1 --> [Appraisal] Lvl 2
Exp: 22 ]
[Exp: Locked]
'Hmm, it seems as though I still can't see the current level of my skills though my status'
Quinn made a mental note to do that later, but for now, he was focused on his kin in front of him.
Quinn sniffed and noticed the vibrations in the ground he acknowledged that the graceful worm turned around to greet him.
'Oh high buddy'
[Conditions met Growth Skill Unlocked [Temor sense]
With an unexpected reward, Quinn was satisfied. Until the flatworm ran into his side.
'I guess worms gotta be a bit more touchy due to our sight'
As if to spite Quinn's assumption, the flat worm sucked his body into its mouth.
'This bastard is trying to eat me!!'
Quinn tried to activate [Dig], but it was no use. The flatworm had already trapped the worm in its mouth.
'AHHH!!! You fucking bitch'
Quinn struggled flailing about. He ended up ramming his head into the flatworm. But all to no avail.
Time was running out. Quinn was ready to accept death.
'I guess being a worm isn't really that safe'
As if becoming a beacon of hope, the system rang out.
[Growth progresses ...]
[You have Aged:
[Adolescent Worm] --> [Lesser Earthworm] ]
[Growth Complete]
[Aged body hosts new skill:]
[Growth Skill Unlocked:
[Fragmentation] ]
[System Update Available Check Status]
'Use, Use, Use'
[ [Fragmentation] Activated]
Quinn's body grew. But he didn't care. With the activation of [Fragmentation], the parts in the beast suddenly detached.
Both Quinn and his tail made a dig for it. With his tail more chaotic than Quinn's straight line path.
Going for the closest food, the flatworm went for Quinn's tail. Allowing him to escape.
'Ow ow ow!!! Everything is on fire. It burns'
Torn in half, Quinn was losing energy. His wounds weren't exposed more like the feeling of getting bit into was still lingering.
Quinn only had two things on his mind.
One, Revenge.
Two, the system update.
'It seems that the system always saves me, Status'
[
Name:Quinn
Species:Lesser Earthworm
Growth:Complete[System Update]
Satiety:24%
Strength:3
Agility:3
Vitality:3
Intelligence:2
Arcane:1
Skills:[Dig] [Appraisal] [Tenacious diet] [Internal Compass] [Pheromone detection] [Expansion] [Hermaphrodite] [Fragmentation]
]
'Hmm, so how do I activate the system update'
Quinn also skimmed over his skills. He didn't know what [Fragmentation] exactly did. By focusing his curiosity on the skill, a system window presented itself.
[Fragmentation(Lvl1):Ability to separate a part of the body to become an entirely new entity]
'I can reproduce. Heck, I can see skill descriptions?!?!?'
Quinn finally realised what he had been missing out on.