Gideon's body contorted and shifted within the inky abyss he now found himself in. Gone were the traces of his former humanity, replaced by a small and fragile frame, covered in spiky fur—a body of a hedgehog. He wriggled, his body caked in earth, and his elongated nose twitched as if testing its newfound sensitivity. The sensation of his claws was strange, yet intriguing. "I could get used to this," he muttered, his once-human voice now a squeaky, rubbery sound.
His transformation, however, did not monopolize his thoughts for long. Gideon adapted with an eerie ease, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. The apathy that had developed during his previous life had turned him into someone capable of adjusting effortlessly to any occurrence that might stump others.
Gideon's beady hedgehog eyes wandered to the Status Board hovering before him, its information beckoning. He didn't need to touch it; his mind was attuned to it, allowing him to check the details without physical interaction.
*Passive Skill: Spike Armor.*
*Day Form: This passive skill bestows upon you thousands of razor-sharp spines covering your back. These spines can deflect incoming physical attacks, albeit at the cost of losing some in the process, depending on the attack's power. Each spine regenerates after three days.*
*Night Form: The superior spines negate both physical and magical attacks, inflicting corrosion upon contact. These spines regenerate instantly, completely eliminating the day form's weakness, safeguarding you as long as attacks strike your back. Once the Night Form takes effect, all the lost spines from the day are instantaneously restored.*
*Active Skill: Dig.*
*Day Form: Burrow into the ground using your claws.*
*Night Form: Dive into the earth, propelled by your superior claws, moving at remarkable speed. Any enemies caught in your path are mercilessly slashed. Upon resurfacing, all units above you face the same fate. This skill applies corrosion upon contact.*
*Active Skill: Claw Attack.*
*Day Form: Employ your claws in offensive maneuvers.*
*Night Form: Execute a slashing attack with your superior claws. If the enemy is within sight but beyond reach, you'll teleport behind them. This skill applies corrosion upon contact.*
*Active Skill: Roll.*
*Day Form: Transform into a spiky ball, with your spines pointing outwards...and that's about it.*
*Night Form: Assume a devastating battle formation. Roll your body into a sphere of destruction, with your superior spines jutting menacingly outward. While in this form, charge forward at breakneck speed, causing damage in your wake. Upon impact and stoppage, your spines impale the target. This skill applies corrosion upon contact.*
Gideon blinked, absorbing the information. His new form came with extraordinary abilities that seemed otherworldly, even in this bizarre situation.
Gideon nodded, his claw gently caressing his cheek as he contemplated the stark contrast between his Night Form and Day Form. "The disparity is as clear as day and night, quite literally," he mused. His circular body shifted slightly, his sensitive spines prickling his awareness. "These spines provide formidable defense, but they leave my stomach utterly exposed. I must exercise caution not to reveal such vulnerability to anyone."
His consciousness took hold of the Status Board, and his eyes honed in on the statistics displayed. "This array of attributes bears a striking resemblance to the status boards in those RPG games I used to play at the computer rental shop back in my hometown," he remarked. "Now, a momentous decision awaits."
"All my current skills are of the physical type, but they will transform into dark magic once night descends," he contemplated aloud.
"I could allocate the majority of my stat points to magic, and while being immensely potent during the night is enticing, I'm averse to becoming ineffectual during the day. Striking a balance is imperative. Moreover, physical strength is indispensable in everyday life," he ruminated, speaking to himself. "All my stats hold tremendous importance, especially considering the substantial boost they receive at night. Thus, distributing my points evenly seems the prudent course."
He began allocating his available stat points, totaling 20, distributing four points to each attribute, striving for a well-rounded set of stats.
After completing this task, he moved with deliberate slowness toward the entrance of the burrow, drawn by the faint glimmer of daylight. As he poked his elongated snout through the opening, the gentle caress of the sun's warmth and the towering canopy of trees greeted him. He found himself beneath the massive root of a tree, his small, round ears twitching as they absorbed the unfamiliar sounds of distant roars and laughter that clearly did not belong to humans. The cacophony hinted at the danger that surrounded him.
The daylight cast a harsh glare upon Gideon's weakened eyes, rendering his vision limited to the immediate surroundings. His sight fixated on the parched, brittle leaves scattered on the ground, their earthy brown hues crunching beneath his cautious steps. Thin blades of grass swayed in the relentless wind, creating a soft, rhythmic rustling that filled his ears. Nearby, ancient rocks and twisted roots bore the burden of their years, their surfaces obscured by the slimy veil of algae. But beyond this close proximity, the world blurred into an indistinct mosaic of shapes and colors.
In the distance, rapid-moving shadows danced before him, their movements elusive and tantalizing. Gideon strained his weakened senses, desperate to discern the nature of these enigmatic figures. Yet, his visual acuity, compromised in this unfamiliar form, granted him only a fleeting glimpse of their ominous silhouettes. These colossal creatures, towering giants when compared to his diminutive stature, loomed ever closer, and in their presence, Gideon felt like nothing more than a minuscule insect in the grand scheme of things. The realization hit him like a tidal wave, flooding his senses with a primal instinct to retreat.
Gideon, slowly withdrew into the safety of his burrow. "No," he murmured, his decision firm. "I shall wait for nightfall. Daylight is disconcerting."
Hours passed, and Gideon nestled in the darkness of his burrow. As twilight approached, the forest outside transformed. The once-familiar sounds of daylight were replaced by eerie rustlings and mysterious whispers in the night.
The hunt was about to begin.