The abandonment of the [System] left Quinn with a feeling of hopelessness. The little bloodworm remained just underground in the area beneath the dark pine tree he usually stuck around.
Quinn was in a gut wrenching pain that almost paralyzed his whole worm body. The only thing he could do is periodically use [Pheromone Detection].
'Beetle, moth, Caterpillar ... Cricket'
There was 51 creatures he could recognize in total. But something was off.
'Where are the worms?? Did I lose the ability to sense worms?? Another BS thing, I'm going to starve. I'm going to die. They're right... I'm a failure'
Quinn was Grimacing at his situation. It was hopeless. But he did something that he never thought he'd do. He got used to the pain. As crippling as it was to move, as hopeless as it was to think, in the face of true despair all his complaints, his pain, became useless.
The sword to his throat lost it's edge. All Quinn wanted now was peace. His hearts pulsated with calmness. His thoughts became non-existent. Quinn's being felt contempt that he actually tried.
'I realize now. My mistake was rushing the process. Patience really is a virtue'
The fragmented Vortex materialized around him. The particles of nature became clear. At Quinn recognized certain particles as the a dark pine leaf. Floating above him.
Bait.
Quinn sensed ripples in the earths nature. A ripple here a tremor there. A worm over there. Food at last. Rapidly Quinn's body jolted with instinct. His movements becoming much more fluid. Like a bullet piercing the ground, Quinn's head slammed against the side of the unsuspecting worm followed by his jaws slamming down.
His venom activated more on instinct rather than thought. And through this flow state, Quinn's unlucky victim instantly stopped. A lifeless ready meal for Quinn to enjoy.
Quinn ate calmly but quickly. With tears in his mind. With every bite Quinn felt the claws of hunger loosen and relief washed over him.
'I'm not going to die, I'm not going to die, I'm not a failure'
The same phrase murmured in his head. Like the only thought he could muster up.
With a full stomach Quinn felt comfortable. With this comfort Quinn's consciousness faded into a state of sleep to digest the meal.
And Quinn's last thought was wondering if he got EXP for that or not.
...
The battle for the Dark Pine Leaf was on. The Mana sensitive Worms, caterpillars and critters flocked to every scent, Mana particle and Dark green blog they could find. But this leaf had more mana, more mass and more taste.
Everything was so fixated on the leaf that the sleeping bloodworm wasn't even noticed.
The race was on. With the goals of everything the same. Get their fast and eat fast. Before the [Least Giant Earthworm] dragged the leaf down.
But one Worm in particular knew how important this was. Dark Pine Leaves dropped with an inconsistent amount of mana. A leaf this big with this amount of mana was absurd.
'Ahhg what is this BS?!? I have a [Dig Lvl:10] and I'm still not first. These critters can just jump on it. BS'
My stats need growing
[
Name:(I will reveal soon)
Species:Earthworm(Lvl:9)
Exp:[39/211]
Strength:9
Agility:14
Vitality:8
Intelligence:4
Arcane:7
Skills: [Appraisal(Lvl:4)] [Mana Sense(Lvl:2)]
]
[Species:Earthworm
Race:Annelid
Racial trait: The earth moves around you
Racial skills:[Dig(Lvl:10)] [Tenacious diet(Lvl:2)] [Internal Compass(Lvl:Max)] [Pheromone detection(Lvl:2)] [Expansion(Lvl:2)] [Hermaphrodite(Lvl:Max)] [Fragmentation(Lvl:1)] [Tremor Sense(Lvl:1)] ]
This earthworm began eating. Not just eating but feeling the Mana. The repetition of [Mana Sense] made it feel like a 6th sense. And using this sense, this earthworm could feel the rough whereabouts of every critter and Annelid alike.
Flatworms where using this commotion to suck up their prey easier. A couple of Birds were rummaging through the soil near the leaf. And finally the slow but tense awaking of something Underground.
The Earthworm needed to hurry and get it's fill as it was becoming more impossible to leave then a crazy idea ran though its head.
'AHhahhahhaha... It genius. I'm gonna use that oversized turd as my getaway driver.'
All while Quinn was sleeping in the direct path of the 'oversized turd'.