'This is it. Time to see if this Mana Strike is the real deal,' I thought, coiling my body tighter as the heavy footsteps drew closer. The magic from the mana core surged through me, buzzing like an overcharged battery. I could feel it pulsing in my muscles, itching for release.
The ground trembled with each step of the approaching creature, and the familiar, dreadful feeling of facing something far above my level washed over me. But this time, I wasn't running.
[Enhanced Sensory (Basic) detects: Large creature approaching, 15 meters south.]
[Level ??? detected.]
[Name: ???]
[Status: Hostile.]
'Right. No idea what I'm up against, but it's time to gamble.'
The creature finally emerged from the shadows of the trees, and when I saw it, my scales tingled with both fear and excitement. It was a boar-like beast, towering over me with thick fur and tusks that looked like they could skewer me in one swipe. Its red eyes locked onto mine, its breath huffing as it prepared to charge.
[Enemy detected: Blood Boar (Lv ???)]
[Rank: Unranked]
[Status: Hostile.]
'Okay, that thing looks like it's about to turn me into a snake kebab. Focus, Sam. You've got this.'
The boar let out a low growl, lowering its head as it prepared to charge. My heart raced, and I felt the magic from the Mana Strike building in my fangs and muscles, urging me to strike first.
[Mana Strike Lv 1 ready.]
'Now or never!'
The boar charged, its massive hooves pounding the ground as it barreled toward me with terrifying speed. I waited, holding my position until the last possible moment.
Then I struck.
[Mana Strike Lv 1 activated.]
My body coiled and launched forward like a spring, my fangs glowing with the power of the mana I had absorbed. I aimed for the side of the boar's neck, hoping to land a critical hit.
My fangs sank deep into its thick hide, and the moment they did, the mana surged out of me like a lightning bolt, blasting through the boar's body with a force I'd never felt before.
[Critical hit!]
[Mana Strike dealt massive damage.]
[Enemy health: 60%.]
The boar roared in pain, its body trembling from the shock of the magical strike. For a moment, it stumbled, its legs buckling as it tried to shake off the effects of the attack. But it wasn't down yet.
[Mana Strike deactivated.]
'No, no, no. Come on! It's not enough?!'
The magic faded from my body as quickly as it had come, leaving me with only my basic skills to rely on. I slithered back, trying to put some distance between myself and the now-enraged boar. Its red eyes glowed with fury, and blood trickled from the wound I'd made on its neck.
The boar snorted, lowering its head again. It wasn't giving up. It was coming for me, and this time it was angrier—and faster.
[Enemy health: 40%.]
[Warning: Enemy preparing charge attack.]
The ground shook as the boar charged again, this time moving even faster than before. I barely had time to react. My body instinctively slithered to the side, but I wasn't fast enough. One of the boar's tusks grazed my side, cutting through my scales with a sharp sting.
[You have taken damage. Health: 80%.]
'Ouch! Okay, that hurt. But I'm still alive. Focus!'
I couldn't afford to take another hit like that. I needed to end this quickly. The boar turned around, readying for another charge. I could see the blood still flowing from its wound, but it wasn't slowing down.
'Gotta be smarter, Sam. You can't go toe-to-toe with this thing. Use the environment.'
I quickly scanned the area. There wasn't much cover nearby, but I spotted a large rock formation off to the side. If I could lure the boar into charging at the rocks, maybe I could make it crash and leave it vulnerable.
[Enhanced Sensory (Basic) detects: Rock formation, 10 meters west.]
'Perfect. Time to use those big, stupid tusks against it.'
I slithered toward the rocks, moving as fast as I could without drawing too much attention. The boar, still seething with rage, followed me immediately, its hooves thundering behind me.
I reached the rock formation just as the boar charged again. This time, I was ready.
At the last possible second, I veered to the side, and the boar slammed headfirst into the rocks.
[Enemy has crashed into an obstacle. Enemy stunned.]
[Enemy health: 25%.]
The boar stumbled, dazed from the impact. Now was my chance.
'Time to finish this.'
I coiled up and launched myself at the boar's exposed neck, sinking my fangs deep into the wound I had already created. I pumped all the venom I had left into its bloodstream, hoping it would be enough to take it down.
[Bite Lv 4 activated.]
[Venom Lv 4 activated.]
[Critical hit.]
[Enemy health: 5%.]
The boar let out a final, weak groan as its legs buckled beneath it. Its massive body collapsed to the ground, shaking the earth as it fell. I slithered back, panting from the effort.
[You have defeated Blood Boar (Lv ???).]
[You have gained 200 XP.]
[You have leveled up.]
[Level: 6 → 7]
[Hunger decreased by 40%.]
'Yes! I actually did it!' Relief washed over me as I watched the boar's body grow still. 'I survived. And I took down something way above my level.'
As I caught my breath, another message appeared in front of me, one that made my heart skip a beat.
[You have met the conditions for a Special Evolution Path.]
[Hint: Absorb the essence of the Blood Boar to unlock potential.]
[Devour skill available.]
'Wait... Devour?'
I focused on the message, remembering the Devour skill I had unlocked earlier. But there was still the issue of the Black Scale form. The skill had mentioned I needed to be in that form to fully absorb skills and traits.
But the message wasn't mentioning that this time. Instead, it was telling me I could unlock something by absorbing the essence of the boar.
'Well, no time to second-guess it. Let's see what happens.'
I approached the boar's body cautiously, my instincts telling me to be careful. I sank my fangs into the boar's flesh and began to devour it.
[Devour activated.]
[Absorbing essence of Blood Boar...]
A rush of energy surged through me, different from the mana core but just as intense. I could feel the boar's strength, its raw power, flowing into me. My body tingled with the familiar warmth of leveling up, but this was different. There was something deeper happening. Something transformative.
[You have absorbed Blood Boar essence.]
[New Trait gained Enhanced Physical Strength (Basic).]
[Special Evolution Path unlocked.]
'Yes! I finally unlocked one!' My excitement was almost overwhelming. I had unlocked a Special Evolution Path!
I opened the Evolution Tree, eager to see what my new options were.
[Special Evolution Path: Predator of the Forest.]
[Description: Evolve into a predator designed to thrive in the wild, gaining enhanced physical strength and survival instincts. Requirements: Lv 10, consume two more higher-ranked predators.]
'Okay, so I'm not there yet, but I've finally started down the path. I just need to keep going. Two more higher-ranked predators, and I'll be ready to evolve into something stronger.'
The thrill of progress surged through me, filling me with determination. I wasn't just surviving anymore. I was growing. I was getting stronger. And soon, I'd become something even more dangerous.
'Bring it on, Duskwind Forest. I'm ready.'