As Shivay sprinted through the dense forest, the wind whipped past his face, filling him with exhilaration. The freedom of an unrestrained run, weaving between trees and leaping over roots, was something entirely new. When he had been human, his body had never allowed such agility or speed. Now, as a Primal Ape, his enhanced form felt powerful, unbound by the limitations of his former life. Every movement felt precise, his senses sharp, the primal energy coursing through him like never before.
While reveling in this new freedom, Shivay continued exploring the various features of the system linked to him. The system wasn't like those he'd seen in anime or novels—it had a consciousness, and it could guide him, hold conversations, and even offer advice. It also had a wide array of functions: Skill Shop, Weapons, Bloodlines, and more.
At that moment, Shivay was in the middle of a conversation with the system.
"Hey, system, do you have a name or some kind of ID?"
"I don't have a name," the system replied, its voice smooth and mechanical, "but I was assigned the identification number 000, as I am the first of my kind."
"000? That's... kind of cold. How about I give you a name? It'd be weird to keep calling you a number."
"I would appreciate that," the system responded, "but I have a request. Can the name have something to do with zero?"
Shivay thought for a moment. "How about... Shunaya? It means 'zero' in Sanskrit."
"Shunaya. A beautiful name. I accept it gratefully. Thank you, Shivay."
Just as Shunaya finished speaking, a series of notifications appeared in Shivay's vision.
[Hidden Quest Complete: Name the System and Evolve its Consciousness]
Quest Type: Hidden/Bonus
Status: Complete
Reward: Evolved Consciousness, System Avatar, Devour Function
Penalty: None
Immediately after, a soft, feminine voice sounded in his mind, much more lifelike than before. "Hello, Master. I am Shunaya, and I am here to guide and assist you."
Along with the voice came a miniature avatar, hovering beside him. The avatar took the form of an elegant elf with silvery hair and glowing eyes, dressed in ethereal robes. Shivay blinked in surprise. He had named the system for convenience, but he hadn't expected it to evolve and gain a more vivid personality.
"Wow," Shivay muttered, "I didn't see that coming."
As he processed this, he realized that he didn't know what world he had been reincarnated into, so he decided to ask Shunaya.
"Shunaya, what is this world called, and what races exist here?"
"This world is called Eldoria, Master," Shunaya replied smoothly. "It is a vast and diverse land, home to many races. The most powerful among them are the Elves, Demons, and Humans. While many other races exist—dwarves, orcs, goblins, and more—the balance of power revolves around these three. Eldoria is steeped in ancient magic, and its very ether fuels the lands and its people."
Shivay nodded, taking in the information. Eldoria—so that was the name of this place. It was a world much like the fantasy settings he had read about, yet somehow more real, more dangerous. He processed the names of the dominant races, thinking that he might soon come across them.
"Shunaya, can you tell me more about the Devour function?"
"Of course, Master. The Devour function allows you to absorb the stats of any beast or human you kill. You may also draw energy and ether from your surroundings. Furthermore, it enables you to acquire the talents and skills of your enemies, selecting what to keep or discard without any limitations."
Shivay's heart raced. This was a powerful ability—one that could potentially allow him to grow without bounds. But before he could dwell too much on the possibilities, he remembered he hadn't checked his stats yet.
"Shunaya, show me my stats."
[Host: Shivay]
Race: Progenitor Primal Ape (Unique Species)
Level: 1
Health: 1200/1200
Mana: 800/800
Strength: 150
Agility: 130
Endurance: 140
Vitality: 120
Intelligence: 110
Perception: 105
Skills:
Primal Roar (Active): Unleashes a roar that stuns enemies and boosts allies' morale.
Beast Sense (Passive): Heightened senses of hearing, smell, and sight.
Regeneration (Passive): Heals wounds gradually over time.
He scanned the stats, impressed but not overwhelmed. His abilities were strong for a starting point, but they didn't make him invincible. He'd have to fight smart. And speaking of fighting...
"I need to hunt," Shivay thought aloud. He needed to test this Devour ability and acquire new talents. From his memories, he knew of a shapeshifting creature in this forest called a Morphis Lynx—a cunning predator capable of blending into its environment. If he could gain its shapeshifting ability, he'd be able to conceal his new species from others.
He opened the system interface and activated the "Search" function, typing in the name of the creature.
[Search Active: Target – Morphis Lynx]
Results: One Morphis Lynx located 500 meters northeast.
With a grin, Shivay set off in the direction the system indicated.
Within minutes, Shivay reached a clearing in the dense woods. His eyes scanned the surroundings, but there was no sign of the creature. The Morphis Lynx was a master of stealth, capable of hiding in plain sight.
"Shunaya," Shivay whispered, "activate Beast Sense."
His heightened senses kicked in, sharpening his vision and amplifying the sounds around him. There—a faint rustle in the underbrush to his left. Without hesitation, Shivay crouched low and moved in silence.
Suddenly, a shadow lunged from behind a tree—a blur of fur and claws. Shivay rolled to the side just in time, the Morphis Lynx barely missing him. The creature's body shimmered, its form flickering between different shapes, but its base form resembled a large lynx with shimmering fur and piercing yellow eyes.
Shivay stood his ground, focusing on the battle ahead.
The Lynx pounced again, and this time, Shivay was ready. He dodged the attack and countered with a powerful swipe, his claws raking across the Lynx's flank. The creature hissed in pain, its form distorting as it tried to shift into something else.
"Now," Shivay muttered. He lunged forward, grabbing the creature by the throat, and with a swift motion, snapped its neck.
[Morphis Lynx Killed – Absorb Skill?]
Available Skills: Shapeshifting (Limited), Enhanced Stealth, Night Vision
Select which skill(s) to absorb.
"I'll take Shapeshifting and Stealth," Shivay said, feeling the new abilities settle within him.
As he stood victorious over the fallen creature, Shivay felt a surge of power. He had gained his first abilities through the Devour function, and this was only the beginning.
With his newfound powers and knowledge of Eldoria, Shivay's journey had truly begun.