Raven sped swiftly between the trees, almost invisible under the shadows of the forest. His new body a black wolf with fur that seemed to merge with the darkness of night darted silently. Each step felt light, full of power ready to be unleashed at any moment. He had already grown accustomed to this body, mastering its movements with the precision that could only be achieved by those who had long survived in a brutal world.
The deeper he ventured into the forest, the atmosphere changed. The air grew thicker, and a foul odor began to waft, like soil soaked too long in dirty water. The moonlight, which had still managed to filter through the leaves earlier, gradually disappeared, absorbed by an even denser darkness. The trees here were larger, with roots jutting above the ground, twisting like the claws of a giant monster ready to ensnare anyone careless enough to step wrong.
Raven knew he was nearing the Cursed Forest, the place mentioned by the system as the lair of powerful creatures. Not just any creature could survive here. Only the strongest could withstand the oppressive negative energy that pulsed with each step he took.
...[Quest: Infect a High-Powered Creature]...
...[Location: Cursed Forest - 300 meters south]...
...[Reward: Special Skill - Devour]...
Raven smiled inwardly. The Devour skill was what he needed to take a significant leap in his evolution. With that ability, he could permanently absorb the power of his host, making it part of himself. No longer just controlling living creatures, but truly mastering their essence.
He kept moving, following both his instincts and the system's guidance. In the distance, he heard strange sounds low growls and loud roars echoing through the trees. The creatures here seemed to be fighting each other to defend their territory, which meant they had strength worth consuming.
Soon, Raven reached a narrow valley surrounded by steep cliffs and densely growing trees. In the center of the valley, a small river flowed with pitch-black water, emitting an even sharper stench. There, by the riverbank, Raven saw three large creatures battling fiercely. Two of them were bears with matted fur and glowing red eyes, while the third was a giant snake with dark purple scales that reflected faint light from the water.
The fight was brutal, every claw and fang moved with lethal intent. The bears worked together to pin down the snake, but the snake agilely dodged, writhing and striking back with its sharp fangs. Black blood flowed from wounds on their bodies, creating pools that made the ground even more muddy.
Raven observed from behind the bushes, analyzing the situation. He knew that if he moved too soon, he could end up crushed by one of those creatures. But this was also the perfect opportunity to strike while they were weakened. In his mind, a strategy began to form. He would wait until they exhausted each other, then slip in and take control of the strongest one.
As he continued to watch, flashes of memories from the wolf he had infected earlier surfaced in his mind. In those memories, he saw how the creatures in this forest often fought until they were drained, leaving themselves vulnerable to attacks. Raven understood that patience was the key to winning in such a situation.
After several minutes that felt like hours, the battle reached its climax. One of the bears managed to slash the lower body of the snake, causing blood to gush out profusely. The snake screeched in pain, its body coiling stiffly around the tree roots. But the victory was short-lived, as the attacking bear also received a fatal bite from the snake's sharp fangs. Both creatures collapsed on the ground, writhing in deep agony. The second bear, severely wounded but still standing, staggered forward, ready to finish off the snake.
This is the moment, Raven thought.
With movements as swift as a shadow, he launched out of hiding, heading straight for the wounded but still strong bear. He infiltrated through the coarse pores of the creature's skin, spreading rapidly through its bloodstream. Instantly, Raven felt a surge as he began to take over every cell, every tissue. But the bear did not surrender easily. Its survival instincts triggered a strong resistance. Raven felt the counterattack from the bear's immune system trying to fight him off, but he kept pushing forward, crushing all resistance.
As he delved deeper into the bear's body, the creature's memories opened up in his mind. He saw the forest through the bear's perspective how it had grown into a feared predator, the brutal hunts it had undertaken, and the survival strategies it had learned. Each memory provided valuable insights into this terrain, the surrounding enemies, and potential dangers that might arise.
Slowly but surely, Raven gained full control over the bear's body. The bear's movements became smoother, more controlled. It was no longer just a wild beast it was now a predator with incredible physical strength and sharp intelligence. He felt the immense power coursing through the bear's muscles and the ability to charge and crush anything in his path.
...[Infection Successful]...
...[Skill Acquired: Berserk Roar - A roar that temporarily boosts physical strength]...
...[Evolution Points Gained: 15]...
...[Quest Completed: Special Skill Devour Acquired]...
Raven felt a significant change within him. The Devour skill allowed him not just to infect and control but to absorb the essence and power of the creatures he faced, making them a permanent part of himself. This wasn't just about taking over a body it was about merging strengths and creating something superior. He could feel the growing energy inside this bear's body, energy ready to be unleashed at any moment.
But before he could fully relish the victory, his focus was interrupted by swift movement on the other side of the valley. The snake that had been dying was still alive, though barely. Raven felt a strong urge to finish it off, but this time, it wasn't just about survival. With the newly acquired Devour ability, he could fully absorb the snake's power.
With heavy yet confident steps, Raven approached the writhing snake on the ground. The reptile's eyes gleamed with fear as it saw the large bear closing in. But before its fangs could strike again, Raven activated the Devour skill. A powerful surge of energy flowed from the snake's body into the bear's. It wasn't just physical strength but also the snake's unique magical abilities that began to be absorbed into him. Raven could feel changes occurring within him. His body grew stronger, and awareness of magical power began to awaken in his mind.
As the snake's energy was fully absorbed, it disintegrated into dust, leaving only the last traces of its essence, now fully integrated into Raven. He could feel the increased strength and speed within him. The snake was not just prey it was a stepping stone to achieving a more powerful form.
Raven now stood in the middle of the valley with a robust and powerful bear's body. His breathing was deep, each breath filled with energy and vitality he had never felt before. He was no longer a mere beast relying on instinct he was a predator combining human intelligence, physical strength, and magical prowess. Years of experience as an assassin in his previous life merged with the wild instincts of the creatures he now controlled. It was a perfect combination, transforming him into a lethal threat in this world.
Raven took a few steps forward, getting accustomed to the new bear body he had just taken over. Every muscle felt limber and brimming with power. In an instant, he activated the Slither Movement ability, allowing him to move with surprising speed and agility for a creature of that size. The normally large and heavy bear body now glided smoothly, like a snake, slipping through trees and underbrush without making a sound.
When he activated Poisonous Mist, a thin, toxic fog began to spread from his mouth, enveloping the surrounding area in a deadly aura. Raven felt deep satisfaction. This skill granted him an additional weapon he could use to strike from a distance without engaging in direct combat. It was no longer just about physical strength; he now had the ability to intimidate, manipulate, and destroy his opponents in more varied ways.
However, there was one aspect even more important to Raven: access to the memories and experiences of every creature he infected. The memories from the giant snake earlier didn't just reveal the locations of other strong creatures but also provided knowledge of the forest's various secrets. He could see visions of hidden places filled with magical energy, dark tunnels underground that served as lairs for terrifying creatures, and even the location of ancient ruins concealed deep within the forest.
In one of these memory flashes, Raven saw a group of humanoid beings hunting at night, wielding primitive weapons like spears and knives. They were not human but rather a type of tribe that seemed to have lived in the forest for centuries. They emitted an aura of significant power, not in the form of magic, but through physical abilities and honed combat skills. From this memory, Raven realized that this forest was not just home to wild creatures but also a place where hidden civilizations lived and thrived.
"Interesting," thought Raven. He now saw a huge opportunity to learn more skills and abilities from various sources. That primitive tribe could be his next target not just to absorb their strength but also to leverage their knowledge and combat techniques that might be unique and useful.
Raven directed his bear form toward the location he saw in the memory. The tribe seemed to live in a secluded village deep within the forest, surrounded by rough wooden walls and guarded by several armed warriors. In his mind, Raven began crafting a strategy. He couldn't attack directly. Although his physical strength had increased significantly, facing a large group head-on would be too risky. What he needed was a smart infiltration and a subtle infection.
After some time traveling through the forest at an almost unimaginable speed for a bear, Raven arrived at the outskirts of the village. From behind thick trees, he could observe the life happening within the wooden walls. The tribe lived a simple life they hunted, farmed, and worshiped natural forces that seemed to grant them protection. In the center of the village stood a stone altar surrounded by totems that looked ancient and were carved with depictions of strange creatures and primitive gods.
This observation piqued Raven's interest even more. He could sense magical energy emanating from the altar, although the power felt raw and not fully harnessed by the tribe. If he could seize that power, it would become a valuable resource to accelerate his evolution.
Raven watched the warriors standing guard. They were tall, muscular, and moved with an elegance unusual for a primitive tribe. Each warrior was equipped with a long spear and sharp stone knives, simple yet deadly weapons in their skilled hands. In the center of the village was a large hut, heavily guarded by two warriors. From within, a low sound could be heard, like the murmuring of prayers or chants uttered with deep conviction.
"This is the perfect entry point," Raven thought. He wouldn't attack outright; instead, he would infiltrate the body of one of the tribe members, access their memories, and learn more about the power they worshipped. But for that, he needed a host who could move freely within the village without arousing suspicion.
Patiently, Raven waited until the night deepened. As darkness reached its peak and the guards grew weary, he noticed a young hunter leaving the village and heading into the forest, perhaps to hunt or check traps. The young man moved quickly and nimbly, wearing animal skin clothing with a cloth tied around his head. Raven knew this was his chance.
He slipped into the darkness, approaching the young man silently. Once close enough, Raven reverted to his viral form and infiltrated the young man's skin. The youth felt a slight itch but didn't suspect anything. Raven quickly spread through his bloodstream, infecting every vital organ and beginning to access the youth's memories and consciousness.
As the infection deepened, flashes of memories began to open in Raven's mind. He saw the harsh training the young man underwent, spear-fighting techniques involving high speed and precision, and the youth's important role in his group as a skilled hunter. But what intrigued Raven the most were memories of the ritual performed at the stone altar in the center of the village. During the ritual, they summoned the power of nature spirits, believed to grant protection and additional strength to chosen warriors. This tribe relied on a mystical connection with nature, and Raven saw an opportunity to exploit that.
With full control over the young man's body, Raven returned to the village, moving confidently as if he were part of the tribe. No one suspected him he had fully blended with his host. As he passed the guards, he directed his host's body toward the large hut in the center of the village, where the chanting he heard earlier originated. There was something there stronger than anything he had felt so far, and he was determined to take it.
Inside the hut, he found the tribe's leader praying in front of a roaring fire. The leader was an old man with long white hair, his body adorned with strange tattoos that glowed faintly. Those tattoos seemed connected to the power they worshipped something mystical and ancient.
Raven held back. He knew this was a crucial moment. If he could infect this leader, he would gain access to the tribe's deepest secrets, as well as full control over their power. Slowly, he approached with the intent to infiltrate and take control. But before he could act, the tribe leader suddenly opened his eyes and stared directly at Raven with sharp, wary eyes.
"You are not one of us," the leader said in a deep, trembling voice. "I can sense your presence, foreign creature."
Raven was startled. This old man could detect his presence despite his careful concealment. But instead of retreating, Raven smiled inwardly. "Interesting," he thought, "perhaps you're more useful than I anticipated."
A mental and magical battle began between two entities a fearless virus and an ancient spirit that had long protected this tribe. Raven knew that if he won this battle, the hidden power within this tribe would become entirely his.