Hitting Level 10 wasn't just a milestone; it was a threshold, one that every fiber of my being knew would change everything. I could feel the energy swirling inside me, my body buzzing with newfound power. This was it—the point where I could finally evolve.
I slithered into the shadows of a large tree, coiling myself tightly to rest. My senses were heightened, every sound, every movement in the forest seemed to vibrate around me. The air itself felt different. I had survived long enough, hunted enough, and now… I was ready.
Status Window:
[Name: Unnamed]
[Species: Baby Snake]
[Level: 10]
[Rank: Unranked]
[Skills:]
– [Bite Lv 5]
– [Venom Lv 5]
– [Slither Lv 3]
– [Stealth Lv 1]
– [Status Inspection Lv 1]
– [Devour Lv 1]
[Traits:]
– [Cold-Blooded]
– [Enhanced Sensory (Basic)]
– [Enhanced Physical Strength (Basic)]
[Status: Satisfied]
[Hunger: 10%]
I knew from instinct that evolution was possible now. I had been on the hunt long enough to feel the subtle pull toward change, the promise of becoming something stronger, more dangerous. But I wasn't exactly sure how to evolve or what I needed to do.
'It's not like I got a manual for this when I woke up as a snake.'
My thoughts swirled around the possibilities. Evolving meant growing more powerful, but how would it happen? Would my body just change automatically? Or was there something specific I had to do?
As I pondered this, something strange happened.
[You have reached Level 10. Special Evolution Path unlocked.]
[Predator of the Forest: Conditions met.]
[Evolution available.]
There it was. The system telling me what I already felt—evolution was waiting. But this Predator of the Forest thing… was that my evolution path? I had no idea how these paths worked, but if it made me stronger, I wasn't going to question it.
'Predator of the Forest… I like the sound of that.'
I could feel the energy building in my body, a tightness in my muscles that promised transformation. I just had to let go and let it happen. But something was holding me back.
'Should I evolve now?'
My instincts told me yes, that I had earned this. But another part of me, the part that had been human, told me to wait. Evolving here, in the middle of a dangerous forest, might not be the best idea. For all I knew, I could be vulnerable during the process, and if something—or someone—attacked me while I was changing, I might not survive.
'Patience, Sam… just a little longer.'
I slithered deeper into the shadows, finding a small, hidden crevice between two large rocks. It was quiet here, safe. I could evolve without worrying about being ambushed. I coiled myself up, letting the world around me fade into the background.
[Evolution beginning...]
A strange warmth spread through my body, like a fire igniting in my veins. My muscles tightened, my vision blurred, and everything around me seemed to shift. It wasn't painful—more like being stretched in every direction at once. My scales felt heavier, denser, like they were shifting under my skin.
It was happening.
I felt my body growing, changing. My scales rippled with energy, and for a moment, I thought I saw them flicker with a dark hue. Was this the start of the Black Scales I'd heard about? The thought sent a thrill through me, even as the transformation continued to reshape me.
[Your body is evolving.]
The sensation intensified, and I could feel my venom glands pulsing with new strength. My fangs grew longer, sharper, and my muscles tightened, becoming more responsive. Everything felt more alive, more dangerous.
And then, as quickly as it started, it was over.
[Evolution complete: Predator of the Forest.]
[You have gained new abilities.]
The air around me felt sharper, the forest more vibrant. I moved slightly, testing my new form. My body had grown larger, more muscular, and my scales had darkened—almost black but with a sheen that caught the light in strange ways. I wasn't just a snake anymore.
'Whoa… This is something else.'
I felt stronger, faster, and more attuned to my surroundings. My venom felt like it had been supercharged, ready to take down stronger prey. My senses were sharper, picking up the faintest sounds and smells in the forest. I had truly become a predator now.
But there was something else too. A new power coursing through me. I could feel the presence of other creatures around me more clearly than before—almost like I could sense them without even seeing them.
Status Window:
[Name: Unnamed]
[Species: Predator Snake]
[Level: 10]
[Rank: F]
[Skills:]
– [Bite Lv 5]
– [Venom Lv 5]
– [Slither Lv 4]
– [Stealth Lv 2]
– [Status Inspection Lv 2]
– [Devour Lv 1]
[Traits:]
– [Cold-Blooded]
– [Predator's Intuition]
– [Enhanced Sensory (Advanced)]
– [Enhanced Physical Strength (Basic)]
[Status: Focused]
[Hunger: 15%]
'Predator's Intuition?'
The new trait pulsed through my mind, and I immediately understood it. I could sense danger more acutely now, like a sixth sense that warned me of nearby threats. It was almost like a survival instinct taken to the next level. I wasn't just reacting to danger anymore—I could anticipate it.
'This… this changes everything.'
I uncoiled and moved through the forest, faster and quieter than before. The transformation wasn't just physical—my entire being had been reshaped. I could feel it in the way I moved, the way my body responded to the environment. I had become something far more dangerous than I had been before.
But I wasn't the only one who had changed.
I could hear them again—the adventurers. They were closer now, their voices carrying through the trees.
"We should head back soon. The sun's setting, and we haven't found anything."
"Yeah, but I heard some of the higher-ups at the guild were planning to come out here next. We might not get another chance to hunt in this area."
I froze, focusing on their voices. If they found me now… no, I wasn't ready to take them on yet. I might have evolved, but I still didn't know how strong these adventurers were. My instincts told me to avoid them for now, gather more strength before confronting them.
I slipped into the shadows, using my Stealth to blend in with the undergrowth. The adventurers passed by, none the wiser to my presence.
'Not yet. But soon…'
For now, I had more hunting to do. I wasn't going to stop at Level 10. This was just the beginning.