(Sam's POV)
It had been a long day of slithering, fighting, and nearly getting torn apart. But my patience was paying off. My skills were improving, and the more creatures I faced, the stronger I became. Today, though, I needed a break.
Unfortunately, this forest didn't believe in giving breaks.
I had barely rested for a few minutes when I caught the scent of something new. Something… dangerous.
I flicked my tongue, testing the air. The scent was sharp and distinct—venom, but not like my own. This was something different.
'Great. Just what I needed. Another venomous predator,' I thought, rolling my eyes internally.
I moved quietly through the underbrush, keeping my body low as I approached the source of the scent. The trees were dense here, and the shadows seemed to stretch unnaturally long. Perfect hunting grounds for something stealthy.
And then I saw it—hanging from a web in the trees, its eight legs stretched out, watching for prey. A Fang Spider. Its black, glistening body was covered in fine hairs, and its fangs dripped with venom, waiting for something—anything—to wander too close.
[Status Inspection Lv 3 activated.]
[Fang Spider]
[Level: 21]
[Rank: F]
[Skills:]
– [Venomous Bite Lv 4]
– [Web Creation Lv 3]
– [Quick Dash Lv 2]
[Traits:]
– [Poison Affinity (Basic)]
[Status: Unaware]
I stared up at the spider, my mind racing. This thing was stronger than I expected. Its Venomous Bite was at Lv 4, meaning its venom would likely be more potent than mine. And with Poison Affinity, its control over poison would be far superior.
'Oh, this is going to be fun,' I thought sarcastically, already regretting my decision to investigate. But there was no turning back now. I had faced tough creatures before, and if I wanted to level up, I had to face them head-on.
I slithered into the shadows, using Stealth to get closer. If I could ambush it, I might be able to take it down before it even knew what hit it.
[Stealth Lv 3 activated.]
Moving through the darkness, I positioned myself under a tree, waiting for the right moment to strike. The Fang Spider hung motionless, its web swaying gently in the breeze.
'Patience. Just wait for the perfect—'
Suddenly, the spider leaped from its web, its fangs bared, coming straight for me.
I recognized the speed from the Quick Dash skill I saw in its status window. The spider was fast, and I barely had time to react.
I twisted just in time, avoiding most of the attack, but not completely. Its fangs grazed my side, injecting venom. I hissed in pain as the poison spread through my body.
'That wasn't good,' I thought, feeling the heat of the venom coursing through me. But it wasn't as bad as it should've been.
[Poison Resistance (Basic) activated.]
The venom's effect was duller than I expected, and I could feel my body suppressing the poison. My Poison Resistance was kicking in, slowing the venom down enough for me to stay in the fight.
'Not today, spider.'
I darted forward, aiming for one of its legs, sinking my fangs in deep.
[Bite Lv 6 activated.]
[Venom Lv 6 activated.]
The spider hissed and flailed, but I held on, injecting as much venom as I could. It twisted, trying to shake me off, and for a moment, I thought I had it.
Then it used Quick Dash again, pulling away from me with surprising speed. I barely had time to react as it leaped toward me, fangs bared once more.
'This thing's too fast. I need to end this.'
I lunged forward with Tail Whip, knocking the spider off balance.
[Tail Whip Lv 3 activated.]
The spider staggered, giving me just enough time to close the distance. I aimed for its abdomen, biting down hard.
Suddenly, I felt a surge of energy in my fangs—a new strength. My teeth seemed sharper, stronger, more lethal.
[Enhanced Fangs Lv 1 activated.]
My fangs tore through the spider's tough exoskeleton like butter, and it let out one final screech before collapsing, its body twitching in the dirt.
[You have defeated Fang Spider (Lv 21).]
[You have gained 90 XP.]
[Bite Lv 6 → Lv 7.]
[Venom Lv 6 → Lv 7.]
I slithered back, panting slightly. That had been harder than I expected. But the new skill—the Enhanced Fangs—had made all the difference. Without it, I wasn't sure I could have pierced the spider's exoskeleton in time.
[Devour Lv 1 activated.]
[You have gained the skill: Quick Dash Lv 1.]
'Now that's more like it,' I thought. Quick Dash would be useful. A skill that let me move faster in battle? Definitely something I could use.
I checked my status window to see the results of the battle.
[Name: Unnamed]
[Species: Predator Snake]
[Level: 20]
[Rank: F]
[Skills:]
– [Bite Lv 7]
– [Venom Lv 7]
– [Slither Lv 4]
– [Stealth Lv 3]
– [Status Inspection Lv 3]
– [Devour Lv 1]
– [Harden Lv 2]
– [Burrow Lv 4]
– [Frenzy Lv 1]
– [Fire Breath Lv 1]
– [Tail Whip Lv 3]
– [Charge Lv 1]
– [Enhanced Fangs Lv 1]
– [Quick Dash Lv 1]
[Traits:]
– [Cold-Blooded]
– [Predator's Intuition]
– [Enhanced Sensory (Advanced)]
– [Enhanced Physical Strength (Basic)]
– [Heat Resistance (Basic)]
– [Basic Regeneration]
– [Poison Resistance]
– [Pain Resistance]
[Status: Focused]
[Hunger: 40%]
I flicked my tongue again, tasting the air. The forest was calm, at least for now. But I had a feeling it wouldn't last.
'Better keep moving.'
With my fangs sharper than ever and a new skill to rely on, I slithered deeper into the forest, ready for whatever came next.