I stared at the notification floating in my vision, its faint glow casting a strange light over the walls of my burrow. My entire body felt frozen, the gravity of the decision before me pressing down like the weight of a mountain.
[Maximum Level Reached. Evolution Possible.]
[Proceed: Yes/No?]
For a long moment, I couldn't breathe. Evolve? Change? Was I ready for that? Did I even have a choice? My instincts screamed at me to press "Yes," to move forward, to grow stronger so I wouldn't end up as some predator's midnight snack ever again. But the thought of what came next filled me with dread.
"What happens if I press yes?" I muttered aloud, staring at my trembling paws.
"What happens if I don't?"
The orb in my chest pulsed faintly in response, like a heartbeat in sync with my own. It wasn't exactly reassuring. If anything, it felt like it was urging me forward, whispering, you can't stop now. You've already started.
"Yeah, no pressure, right?" I muttered, my ears twitching nervously.
"Right?"
The forest around me remained unnervingly silent. No rustling leaves, no chittering squirrels, no distant howls. Just the suffocating quiet of the unknown pressing in on all sides. I couldn't stay here forever. Not in this state. I had to do something.
My eyes flicked back to the notification. [Proceed: Yes/No?]
I raised a paw, hesitating for what felt like an eternity.
Finally, I took a deep breath and muttered,
"Screw it. What's the worst that could happen?"
My paw hovered in the air for just a moment longer before I mentally willed the answer.
[Yes.]
The instant I chose "Yes," the world around me seemed to blur. The walls of my burrow shimmered like heat waves, bending and twisting into strange, unrecognizable shapes. My body went stiff, my muscles locking up as a wave of energy exploded outward from the orb in my chest. It wasn't pain—not exactly. It was more like… pressure. Like my entire being was being unraveled and re-stitched together all at once.
My vision swam as a new notification blinked into view.
[Preparing Evolution Path…]
[Analyzing Species Data…]
"Wait, what? Analyzing? What are you analyzing?!"
I shouted, my voice echoing unnaturally in the shimmering void.
Then came the choices.
[Choose Your Evolution Path:]
[Lesser Horned Rabbit]
[Greater Rabbit]
[Red-Eyed Lop]
[Lesser Mana Rabbit]
[Hidden]: Additional Requirements needed.
I stared at the options, my brain stalling. Horns? Magic? Red eyes? Was this real? Was I actually about to pick how I evolved? And why were some of these paths locked? My eyes lingered on "Hidden," and a cold shiver ran down my spine. The orb in my chest pulsed faintly, as though it has a faint recognition of what lies beyond it.
"Yeah, no thanks," I muttered, shaking my head.
"I don't even know what that means, also "Additional Requirement needed" Do you want me to say it again Orby?"
I read through the remaining options again, trying to make sense of what would be the smartest choice.
"Let me see, can I get some more information?"
The instant that I thought of it, the orb pulsated and the descriptions for each evolution choice expanded.
"Nice, now we're talking, let's see, first let's read about [Greater Rabbit]."
[Greater Rabbit]
[Description]
[Physically bigger and stronger than the base rabbit form. Notable for its incredible reflexes and heavy hits. Intimidates their enemy with their large frame.]
"This looks…good?"
Well, it's basically just a bigger version of a normal rabbit but with enhanced feet. Let's see, since I mainly fight by kicking, I think this would actually be beneficial for my survival since my main method of attacking enemies is my feet and the rapid directional changes in midair is a great addition to my abilities.
Although it looks great it looks kinda plain also which means boring. Do I just wanna become a bigger rabbit?! Well, no of course not. If the other choices don't satisfy me then I'll think of it then, but for now let's see the others.
Let's check [Lesser Horned Rabbit]
[Lesser Horned Rabbit]
[Description]
[A more aggressive and physically durable form. Notable for its sharp, protruding horns and enhanced combat abilities. Often described as battle-hungry.]
Now that's more like it, it looks cooler than the previous one. The addition of the horn is a plus, I think that I'll be able to deal more damage rather than just kicking my enemies with my hind legs.
If that's the case, then that would be really useful in the long run for my survival. Besides, now I can make skewers mwehehehehe. That sounds so stupid not gonna lie.
Now moving on, time for the [Lesser Mana Rabbit]
[Lesser Mana Rabbit]
[Description]
[A path for those attuned to magic. This form grants an expanded mana pool and the ability to manipulate basic magical elements.]
It looks kinda interesting, does it mean that I'll be able to use magic when I pick this? Yes? Well looks like it.
Seeing that they might have the ability to use magic, fighting through means other than close combat opens up. This would really help me with my survivability since it seems that I'll be able to do some hit-and-run tactics instead of going head-to-head against my enemies like I always did.
It's a good choice for sure, besides, I'll also finally be able to use magic, watch me throw a fireball at their balls.
Let's see, now for the final one the [Red-Eyed Lop]
[Red-Eyed Lop]
[Description]
[A rabbit that's able to influence the mind of its enemy. This form grants an increase in mental strength and agility.]
Now this is an interesting one, could I say that it's a rabbit that manipulates its enemies? It's quite tempting considering that it seems really cool not gonna lie. If possible, I could confuse my enemy and push it off a cliff, now that's a nice idea. Or maybe make them kill themselves…. Well, that's an idea for sure. A nasty one, but an idea.
Now let's try seeing what's [Hidden]
[Hidden]
[Description]
[Unable to view]
[Requirements are not met]
[Additional Requirements needed]
No luck huh, Oh well. I'm satisfied with my range of choices now, so it doesn't matter actually.
"Okay, think. I'm small, squishy, and everything in this forest wants to kill me. Do I want to become a bigger rabbit, a rabbit with horns, a rabbit that can do magic, or a rabbit that can confuse them?"
My ears twitched as I weighed the pros and cons.
A Lesser Horned Rabbit sounded useful. With extra durability and horns, I'd be harder to kill in close combat. But did I really want to go around headbutting everything like a pissed-off goat? Greater Rabbit sounded great, especially considering how much I relied on [Bounce] and dodging to survive. But something about Lesser Mana Rabbit called to me. The idea of manipulating magic, of having something other than just my legs and teeth to fight back… was tempting.
But still, the moment I saw it, the moment I read what it is. It called to me.
"Manipulation," I muttered. "Let's go with Red-Eyed Lop."
What's my reason? Well, the reason is… cause it sounds so cool that's what! Do I even need to explain myself?!
I focused on the Red-Eyed Lop, willing the system to select it. The moment I made my choice, a new notification appeared.
[Confirmed: Red-Eyed Lop.]
[Beginning Evolution Process…]
"Oh crap," I whispered as the shimmering void around me began to pulse and shift.
The Pain and the Power
The moment the evolution process began, I understood why so many creatures in this world never made it past their first evolution. Seeing that I still haven't seen a single magical creature in my vicinity, assuming that I'm not the only one who can evolve. It wasn't just uncomfortable—it was excruciating. My entire body felt like it was being stretched, reshaped, torn apart, and rebuilt. My fur bristled as waves of heat and cold coursed through me, my muscles spasming uncontrollably.
The orb in my chest burned like a miniature sun, its rhythm growing louder and faster until it felt like my entire body was vibrating in time with it. My vision blurred, colors and shapes blending together into an incomprehensible swirl.
"This sucks," I gasped, gritting my teeth—or at least, I thought I still had teeth. It was hard to tell when my entire body felt like it was melting and reforming at the same time. "This really, really sucks!"
Then, just as suddenly as it began, the pain stopped.
I collapsed onto the ground, panting heavily as the world slowly came back into focus. My body felt… different. Lighter. Stronger. The air around me felt charged, tingling faintly against my fur. And the orb in my chest? It was still there, but its pulse had softened, its presence less overwhelming.
A new notification appeared.
[Congratulations! You have evolved into a Red-Eyed Lop.]
[New Skills Unlocked: Hypnotic Gaze Level 1, Blood Sight Level 1.]
[Level Up! [Bounce] Level 3 → 4]
[Level Up! [Danger Sense] Level 1 → 2]
[Level Up! [Kick] Level 3 → 4]
[Stats Increased.]
[Level Reset: 0/30 EXP.]
[Status Updated.]
[No Name]
[Red-Eyed Lop]
[Level 0 [0/30 EXP]]
[HP: 25/25]
[Mana: 30/30]
[Active Skills: Bounce Level 4, Blood Sight Level 1, Kick Level 4, Hypnotic Gaze Level 1]
[Passive Skills: Danger Sense Level 2]
I blinked at the updated status, my mind racing as I tried to process the changes. My HP and mana had both increased significantly, and the new skills…
"Hypnotic Gaze? Blood Sight?" I muttered, testing the words.
As if on cue, while I was looking outside of my burrow, my vision suddenly shifted and began to see some weird red vague shape on the bushes outside as if it seemed to be in the shape of a caterpillar. I tried to focus my eyes more on the figure since I was quite curious about it and suddenly I was hit with a hot sensation.
"Ouch!"
It seems that focusing on it came with a price, but I was also surprised to see that when I focused my eyes it seems that the shape became clearer and became fine lines, I wonder what it means? Well, I have to explore it later, I guess.
Hmm, can I turn it off? Seems not. I guess this is what the eyes of a normal Red-Eyed Lop usually see.
I also felt a sensation in my mind, it's kind of like hmmmm, how can I actually describe this feeling? Well, it's kind of having my mind fortified? If that's the right word for it. I can't actually explain…NO! If you can't understand it then you're just dumb then. It's your fault, not mine! Hmph!
"Whoa,"
I whispered, glancing down at my paws. They tingled faintly, and a soft red light formed in the shape of my paws. I guess it seems that my eyes have some heat-seeking function now? Like one of those radars, I supposed. Let's try focusing my eyes again then.
"Oh shit, shit, shit, shit!" I yelped, hurriedly closing my eyes.
I saw lines on my paws like a vein. My eyes felt hot to the point that it feels like it's about to burst. I guess it seems like I won't be able to use this skill much. Even then, what is the point of seeing their veins? What's the use of it? Not a single clue from my end.
"Hypnotic Gaze… Damn, that's cool!"
Am I able to hypnotize them to give me their grass?! What about I hypnotize them to gather carrots for me? I'll be stinky fucking rich! Eating carrots won't be a dream anymore. Grandpa Rabbit, I'll be able to fulfill your dreams for you, and I'll be able to eat carrots on behalf of our family, Grandpa! Ancestor! I'll be able to fulfill the dreams of our family!
Well, that was dramatic, but finally, finally…
As the adrenaline from the evolution began to fade, a new feeling settled over me—excitement. For the first time since waking up in this world, I didn't feel completely helpless. I was still small, still vulnerable in a lot of ways, but now… now I had options. I wasn't just a rabbit anymore. I was something more.
But with that excitement came a sense of unease. The orb in my chest pulsed faintly, its presence a constant reminder that my journey was far from over. Whatever had been watching me before, whatever shadows lingered in this forest… they weren't going to stop just because I'd evolved. If anything, I had a feeling that things were only going to get more dangerous from here.
"Well," I muttered, stretching my new and improved legs.
"Bring it on. I'm ready for whatever this world throws at me."
Or at least, that's what I told myself.
As I stared out at the darkened forest, a faint rustling sound reached my ears, followed by the soft hum of [Danger Sense]. My heart skipped a beat as I crouched low, preparing for whatever was coming. But this time, the [Danger Sense] was just a false alarm, the humming stopped suddenly.
I've always felt uneasy whenever [Danger Sense] finds something, but this time I'll be ready, I wanna be ready.
Tomorrow let's test my skills.