The constant shaking disorientated Quinn. All he knew was that he was going somewhere.
'Why, why is this happening to me. Why'
Quinn got a shudder. He didn't know why. All he knew was that it was happening. And in response he considered his options.
'When dealing with these relative giants, I need to pick the safest option.'
What Quinn needed was information and an exit route. So he headed over to where he came in. Sticking his little head out, he activated [Pheromone detection].
'Blood, blood, blood'
He couldn't sense anything over the sickening scent of blood.
His body started aching. His head went back into the body, and he curled into a spiral. Unbelievable pain coursed through his body.
[Evolution available]
Quinn conceded to the pain. He opened up his status.
[
Name:Quinn
Species: Lesser Earthworm(Lvl:10)(Evolution)
Exp:[6]
Strength:4
Agility:5
Vitality:4
Intelligence:3
Arcane:2
Skills: [Appraisal(Lvl:3)] [Mana Sense(Lvl:1)]
]
Besides being surprised by the levels next to his skills, Quinn focused on the evolution part. The pain dispersed, and the window displayed him a tree hoisting 4 options;
[Earthworm]
[Roundworm]
[Flatworm]
[Bloodworm(Blood Factor)]
Without any thought, Quinn chose the bloodworm.
He didn't know what a blood worm was. All Quinn knew was that he didn't want to be a parasite nor a basic earthworm anymore.
Fixating his attention on bloodworm, it presented a description.
[Species:Bloodworm
Race:Annelid
Description: Bloodworms are carnivorous invertebrates that can grow up to 8 inches(20.3cm). They have 4 large proboscis(teeth) that are used to inject venom to kill their prey.
Racial skills: [Venom] [Copper fangs] ]
[No Racial skills will be lost]
[Do you wish to evolve? [Yes] [No] ]
'Pfft like I have a choice in the matter. You just forced my hand with pain'
With that, Quinn fainted.
Inside Guymar's dead body. A little earthworm grew fangs. Its colour changed from a dirt brown to a pale red, and it increased in size
The newly born bloodworm feasted on the body. And when the body was put down in a pile of bodies, the worm travelled from body to body to get a taste. The worm was beyond full, yet somehow it kept eating.
'Hahhhahhaha... Who knew that I'd get small amounts of Exp when I eat blood'
With the new evolution came new mechanics.
Quinn was reset to Lvl:1. But it seemed that a Bloodworm(Lvl:1) was stronger than a lesser Earthworm(Lv:10). Not only that, but the new [Racial traits] made Quinn gain Exp when he consumed blood.
But by eating a lot of blood, he realized that the same blood gave less and less Exp. Quinn tried other humans' blood, seeing a slight increase in Exp only to return to a base line.
'I gotta keep going. I'm nearly Lvl:2. with 2 more Exp. Quinn tried taking another bite only to regurgitate more than what came out.
Well, it looks like I have my new storage room in for the making.
With nothing else to do, Quinn focused on [Mana Sence]. He calmed down and recalled the feeling he woke up to. The vibrant colours. Even though brown wasn't very vibrant, it was to him who saw only a gradient of black and white.
Quinn was on the verge of sleeping when he saw the colours. It made sense that a new environment hoisted a new array of colours.
'Hmm, I guess this kaleidoscope of every colour except purple and violet is just the residual mana in these bodies. But so much red. I guess blood magic is a thing.'
It was warm due to the residual body temperature of the fresh bodies. However, the temperature should've started to drop by now. It wasn't, though. On the contrary, it was heating up.
'Why is there so much red. Agh... why is getting so hot? I'm trying to figure out this red mana'
An increase in red. The red started to consume the other colours. When Quinn put two and two together, he panicked with fear.
Quinn dug, and he weaved. The temperature was increasing at an alarming rate. He only had one option he could come up with to survive.
Digging down into the ground.
It was a race against time. The heat increased as Quinn pushed himself further and further.
The red was spreading. It was surrounding him. If only he was faster, he could make it. If only he realized red was in fact fire magic. If only he didn't hesitate. He wouldn't have wasted his 2nd chance like this.
[Skill Levelled up
[Dig]Lvl 4 --> [Dig] Lvl 5
Exp: 9]
[Level up]
[Exp:7/55]
More speed is what he needed. More speed is what he got. A new hope reset his mentality, and his mind bore the fruits of optimism.
'I got isekai'd. I'm special. I'm not gonna die here.'
In a life or death situation, many cases of humans surpassing the limits of physical ability have been recorded. This phenomenon is known as hysterical strength. But this isn't a solely human experience. An ape can do it. A bird could do it. And even a worm could do it.
But not Quinn he's too dumb. Being too slow, the red caught up to him. The heat coursed immense pain through his body. Luckily, flames couldn't be set due to the absence of oxygen. But the heat as well as the pain still remained.
His body felt weak. finally piercing the top soil. He was on the last straight. Before finally, the flames caught up to him. the fire burned enough to expose his location to oxygen, hence resulting in Quinn's tail going up in flames.
Thinking on his feat, he remembered his experience with the flatworm.
[ [Fragmentation] Activated]
He lost his tail, but he was safe. But more importantly, he lost his endless food supply.