'Hunting for dinner in the middle of a death forest. This is definitely not how I imagined my afterlife. But hey, at least I'm not shopping for instant noodles anymore.'
My belly was only half full, and that meant back to hunting. Which also meant risking my life in this nightmare forest where everything probably wanted to turn me into snake sushi. But hey, progress, right?
I cautiously slithered out from under the tree roots, my tongue flicking the air, tasting the faint scents that drifted by. Every time I did that, I couldn't help but think of the status window:
[Enhanced Sensory (Basic) activated.]
[Tracking: Small creatures nearby.]
'Thanks, GPS. If only you came with a 'Guaranteed Safe Routes' option.'
The air was filled with the earthy smell of dirt and leaves, but there were faint hints of something else too. Tiny creatures moving about. Bugs? Maybe more mice? I wasn't picky. Right now, if it moved and it wasn't about to eat me, it was on the menu.
As I slithered along, moving through the tall grass, I started to notice something strange. The ground here felt different. There was a vibration, a steady thrum beneath me. I froze in place, my instincts screaming at me to stay still.
'Oh no. Is this the part where I get crushed under some massive monster's foot? Please tell me this is just my snake senses being overly dramatic.'
I flicked my tongue again, trying to taste the air for any sign of danger.
[Warning: Large creature detected. 20 meters north.]
[Level ???]
[Status: ???]
[Name: ???]
'Of course. It's another mystery monster, and I can't see its stats. Great. Just great.'
I stayed as still as possible, hoping whatever it was would pass by without noticing me. The vibrations got stronger, heavier. I could hear the faint rustling of something moving through the undergrowth, something big.
Thud. Thud.
Each step made the ground tremble. I dared not move a muscle. My brain was screaming don't breathe, don't breathe, which, as a snake, wasn't exactly hard since I barely had lungs to speak of.
I slowly craned my head to get a better view through the grass.
And then I saw it. Or at least, part of it.
A huge, hairy leg. The size of a tree trunk, covered in thick bristles. It moved in slow, deliberate steps. I couldn't see the rest of the creature, but from the size of that leg, I didn't need to.
'Oh, heck no. That thing looks like a spider on steroids. A spider the size of a bus.'
My instincts kicked in hard. There was only one strategy here: Do. Not. Move.
Thud.
Another leg, closer this time. My whole body tensed. I had to fight the urge to bolt, but running would make me a very obvious target. My snake brain was screaming at me to just stay low, stay hidden. That was the only way I was going to survive this.
The vibrations passed over me, the creature moving deeper into the forest, unaware of my tiny existence.
'Oh thank God. Crisis averted. I've survived yet another day.'
[You have evaded a higher-ranked predator.]
[Stealth bonus: 10 XP]
'Stealth bonus? You mean I get points for hiding like a coward? Sweet.'
I waited for a few more minutes to make sure the coast was clear before cautiously continuing my journey through the grass. The faint scent of small creatures was still there. The spider was gone. For now.
'Okay, back to business. Just focus on the little things, Sam. You're too weak to deal with the big stuff right now.'
I found my next meal a few minutes later. It was a small bug-like creature—something resembling a large beetle—crawling on a fallen log. It was only slightly bigger than the mouse I had devoured earlier, so I figured it was a safe target.
[Enhanced Sensory (Basic) detects: Beetle. Level 2.]
'Level 2, huh? That's within my range. Let's do this.'
I crept closer, moving as quietly as possible. The beetle seemed oblivious to my presence, just going about its bug business. When I was close enough, I struck, sinking my fangs into its hard shell.
[Bite Lv 2 activated.]
[Venom Lv 2 activated.]
[Beetle has been poisoned.]
[Target's health decreasing.]
The beetle let out a weak screech and tried to scramble away, but it was no match for my newly upgraded venom. Within moments, it slowed, then stopped moving altogether.
[You have defeated Beetle.]
[You have gained 15 XP.]
[You have leveled up.]
[Level: 3 → 4]
[Hunger decreased by 30%.]
'I could get used to this. Hunt, level up, eat, repeat. I'll be OP in no time.'
As I devoured the beetle, I couldn't help but wonder when my first evolution would happen. The status window mentioned Lv 10 for a basic evolution, but I had a feeling there was more to it. I could still feel the Special Evolution Paths locked away, like some hidden treasure waiting to be unlocked.
I opened the Evolution Tree again, hoping for more clues.
[Standard Evolution Path:] Basic Snake → Adult Snake (Lv 10 required)]
[Special Evolution Paths available:] Locked. Conditions not met.]
[Hint: Special Evolution can be unlocked by feeding on unique creatures or obtaining rare items.]
'Feeding on unique creatures, huh? So basically, I need to hunt something more interesting than bugs and mice. Got it.'
Suddenly, a new message appeared in front of me, and it wasn't something I expected.
[Quest Unlocked: Predator's Challenge]
[Description: Survive in the Duskwind Forest for 7 days without being hunted by higher-ranked creatures.]
[Reward: Special Evolution Path Hint.]
'A quest? Oh man, this world just keeps throwing surprises at me. But a special evolution path hint? Now that's interesting.'
The Duskwind Forest was clearly a death trap for anyone my level, and surviving here for seven days sounded like a nightmare. But the reward was tempting. If it meant unlocking a special evolution, it might just be worth it.
I was about to slither off in search of more prey when I heard rustling behind me. My heart skipped a beat.
'Please don't be another giant spider. Please.'
I turned slowly, and what I saw wasn't a spider. It was worse.
A snake. Just like me, but bigger, and by the look in its eyes, I was prey.
[Enemy detected: Snake (Lv 5)]
[Name: Unknown]
[Rank: Unranked]
[Status: Hostile]
'Well, crap.'