The Duskwind Forest was quieter than usual. Maybe it was the stillness of the night, or maybe it was because every predator here was lurking just out of sight, waiting for their next meal. And I wasn't about to become one.
Slithering through the underbrush, I could feel every muscle in my small body tensed. I wasn't weak anymore, not like when I first arrived, but strength alone wouldn't keep me alive. No, this place demanded something else—cunning.
'Survive. Hunt. Evolve.'
That had become the only mantra that mattered. Every creature out here was either trying to eat me, or I was trying to eat them. I had grown stronger, sure, but if I wanted to evolve, I needed to take down something bigger. And that meant taking risks.
I paused, flicking my tongue to catch the air. Something large was nearby—something predatory.
'This is it.'
I recognized the scent almost immediately. A Forest Stalker. One of the top predators of the forest. Strong, fast, and ruthless. This was exactly what I needed for my next step, but also exactly what could end me in one quick swipe if I wasn't careful.
'Think smart, not strong.'
I coiled myself up beneath a thick tree, out of sight for the moment, and pulled up my status window to check my progress. It had become a habit, one that could mean the difference between life and death. Knowing where I stood was important before making any move.
[Name: Unknown]
[Species: Baby Snake]
[Level: 8]
[Rank: Unranked]
[Skills:]
– [Venom Lv 5]
– [Bite Lv 5]
– [Slither Lv 3]
– [Status Inspection Lv 1]
– [Devour Lv 1]
[Traits:]
– [Cold-Blooded]
– [Enhanced Sensory (Basic)]
– [Enhanced Physical Strength (Basic)]
[Status: Cautious]
[Hunger: 40%]
'My Venom and Bite are strong, but this isn't going to be a simple fight.'
Flicking my tongue again, I pinpointed the Forest Stalker's position. It wasn't far now, moving slowly, hunting for prey. But it didn't know I was there—not yet. That was my advantage. If I could outthink it, I'd win. If I tried to go head-to-head, I'd lose.
I began slithering quietly, my Slither Lv 3 paying off as I glided silently over the forest floor. When I finally spotted the Forest Stalker, my heart raced.
The creature prowled through the trees, sleek and muscular, its fur blending with the shadows. It was almost like a giant, predatory cat, but its eyes glowed faintly in the dark. This wasn't prey—this was the real thing.
[Forest Stalker (Lv 10) detected.]
[Rank: F]
[Skills:]
– [Stealth Lv 2]
– [Pounce Lv 2]
– [Sharp Claws Lv 2]
'There it is. Too strong for a direct fight.'
I scanned the area quickly, looking for anything I could use to my advantage. That's when I noticed the dead branch hanging from a tree just above the stalker. It was heavy, thick enough to do some real damage if it fell.
'Use the environment, not just brute force.'
Climbing up the tree, I coiled myself tightly around a sturdy branch. I needed to knock the dead branch loose. If I could crush the stalker under it, I might have enough time to land a killing blow. This was my best shot.
With a quick strike, I sank my fangs into the brittle wood, snapping the connection that held the branch in place.
The Forest Stalker didn't even have time to react as the branch came crashing down, slamming into its back with a heavy thud.
The stalker let out a pained growl, pinned under the weight of the branch, its legs struggling to push it off. This was it—my moment. I slithered down the tree, my body coiling tightly as I prepared to strike.
I launched myself forward, fangs bared, and sank them deep into the Forest Stalker's neck, pumping venom into its system.
[Bite Lv 5 activated.]
[Venom Lv 5 activated.]
The stalker thrashed violently, trying to shake me off, but the venom was already spreading. I could feel its movements slowing, the poison taking effect. But it wasn't over yet. This thing wasn't going down without a fight.
[Enemy health: 60%]
The Forest Stalker managed to free itself from the branch, its glowing eyes locking onto me with fury. It swiped at me with its sharp claws, one grazing my side and leaving a stinging cut across my scales.
[You have taken damage. Health: 70%.]
'Damn, that was close.'
I slithered back, keeping my distance as the stalker circled me, waiting for its next move. My venom was working, but it was too slow. If I didn't find a way to end this soon, it would wear me down.
Then it hit me—this thing was using Stealth, trying to stay hidden in the shadows. But I could do the same.
'It's fast, but if I had Stealth too, I could avoid its attacks.'
I dodged another swipe, barely missing the claws, and coiled up under the roots of a nearby tree. The stalker lunged again, slower this time, the venom clearly taking its toll.
It slammed into the tree, its claws raking the bark, and that was my opening. I struck again, sinking my fangs into its side, injecting more venom.
[Bite Lv 5 activated.]
[Venom Lv 5 activated.]
[Enemy health: 30%.]
The Forest Stalker let out one final, weak growl before collapsing, its body twitching as the venom overwhelmed its system. I slithered back, watching as it took its last breath.
[You have defeated Forest Stalker (Lv 10).]
[You have gained 150 XP.]
[Hunger decreased by 50%.]
[Level: 8 → 9]
I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding. That had been too close. I coiled up under the tree, feeling my muscles ache from the effort, but the thrill of victory was undeniable. I had taken down a L
evel 10 predator.
'That's one step closer to evolution.'
I slithered toward the Forest Stalker's body and began to devour it, feeling the rush of its essence flowing into me. This wasn't just about hunger—this was power. With each bite, I could feel something new forming inside me.
[You have consumed Forest Stalker.]
[Devour activated.]
[Skill unlocked: Stealth Lv 1.]
'Now that's more like it. Stealth. Exactly what I need.'
It made sense—the Forest Stalker had been using Stealth to hunt, and now I could too. This wasn't just about becoming stronger, it was about learning from the enemies I defeated. With Stealth, I'd be harder to track, harder to hit.
But the fight had left me tired, and my health was lower than I liked. This wasn't the time to celebrate. I needed to heal, regroup, and find my next target. One more higher-ranked predator, and I'd finally be ready for evolution.
[Special Evolution Path: Predator of the Forest.]
[Requirements: One more higher-ranked predator needed.]
'One more. Just one more, and I'll evolve.'
The thought sent a thrill through my body, but I wasn't going to rush it. This forest was dangerous enough as it was, and rushing headlong into the next fight would get me killed. I needed to prepare, maybe take down some smaller prey first, recover my strength, and then go for the last big kill.
'Slow and steady. I'll get there.'
For now, I rested under the tree, hidden from sight. My health would recover, and soon, I'd be back to hunting. The next predator wouldn't know what hit it.