The narrow crevice was dark, damp, and suffocating, but for now, it was a sanctuary. Adrian leaned against the cold stone wall, his hollow chest rising and falling in uneven, unnecessary breaths. He could still hear the skittering of the Crawlers outside, their sharp legs scratching against the stone as they searched for him.
His hands trembled, not from fear but from something more primal. A deep, gnawing hunger clawed at his insides. It wasn't the hunger he had known in life—this was far more insidious. It burned in his veins and gnawed at his mind, a relentless urge to devour.
---
[System Alert]
[Hunger Level Critical: Feeding Required to Maintain Functionality]
[Mission Updated: Consume 5 Lesser Dungeon Crawlers]
[Reward: Basic Skill - Consume Essence]
---
Adrian's eyes darkened. The system wasn't just a tool—it was a curse, one that demanded he act like the monster he had become. But the logic was clear: he needed power, and power came through feeding.
Peering through a crack in the crevice, he spotted the Crawlers still scuttling about. Their glowing red eyes illuminated the darkness like malevolent fireflies. Adrian flexed his decayed fingers, his claws twitching as the hunger sharpened his focus.
One at a time. No mistakes.
He pushed himself out of the crevice, his movements slow and deliberate. The closest Crawler hadn't noticed him yet. Adrian crept closer, his body surprisingly quiet despite its state. When he was within reach, he lunged, his claws driving into the creature's exposed underside.
---
[Critical Hit! Lesser Dungeon Crawler Defeated. XP gained: 5.]
---
Adrian wasted no time. He grabbed the lifeless creature and bit into it, tearing through its shell with grotesque ease. The taste was revolting, like rancid meat soaked in acid, but the moment he swallowed, a wave of energy coursed through him.
---
[Essence Absorbed: Strength +2, HP +10]
[Hunger Level Decreased]
---
The effect was immediate. His senses sharpened, and his body felt sturdier. The system was cruel, but it delivered on its promises.
Another Crawler noticed him and screeched, charging with its mandibles wide. Adrian sidestepped the attack, his movements more fluid than before. With a swift slash, he ended the creature and fed again.
---
[Lesser Dungeon Crawler Defeated. XP gained: 5.]
[Essence Absorbed: Physical +1, Mana +2]
---
Adrian's decayed lips twisted into a grim smile. The power was intoxicating, but it wasn't enough. He needed more.
The remaining Crawlers hissed and began to swarm, their instincts recognizing him as a predator. Adrian backed against the wall, his mind racing. He couldn't take them all head-on—not yet.
Think, Adrian. Use your advantage.
He spotted a cluster of bioluminescent fungi growing on the wall. An idea struck him. Adrian grabbed a piece and crushed it in his hand, smearing the glowing residue across his body. He ducked into the shadows, the faint glow of the fungi camouflaging him against the cavern walls.
The Crawlers hesitated, their simple minds confused by the sudden disappearance of their prey. Adrian used the moment to strike.
Emerging from the shadows, he attacked with feral precision, taking down one Crawler after another. Each kill brought more strength, more clarity.
---
[Lesser Dungeon Crawlers Defeated: 5/5]
[Mission Complete: Basic Skill - Consume Essence Unlocked]
[Skill Gained: Shadow Step (Lv.1)]
[Level Up! Current Level: 2]
---
As the last Crawler fell, Adrian stood amidst the carnage, his body heaving with effort. He had survived, and more than that, he had grown stronger.
---
[Menu Status Updated]
[Name]: Adrian Setiawan
[Race]: Zombie
[Level]: 2
[Rank]: F-Grade Undead
[Evolution]: None
[HP]: 50
[Mana]: 15
[Physical]: 20
[Senses]: 10
[Strength]: 15
[IQ]: 120
[Skills]: Bite (Lv.1), Decay Touch (Lv.1), Consume Essence (Lv.1), Shadow Step (Lv.1)
---
Adrian examined the new skill he had unlocked.
[Consume Essence]: Devour the life force of defeated enemies to absorb their attributes and recover HP.
[Shadow Step]: Blend into the shadows to move unseen for 5 seconds.
The possibilities made his undead heart beat faster. He was no longer just prey—he was a predator.
But the dungeon wasn't done with him yet. A deep growl echoed from the shadows, louder and more menacing than anything he had faced so far.
Adrian turned to see a hulking figure emerge—a mutated Dungeon Crawler, its body twice the size of the others and covered in spiked chitin. Its glowing eyes locked onto him, and Adrian felt a chill run down his spine.
The system chimed again.
---
[New Mission: Defeat the Mutated Dungeon Crawler]
[Reward: Evolution Path Unlocked]
---
Adrian clenched his fists. The hunger was still there, but now it was accompanied by something else: a desire to conquer.
"Let's see how far I can go," he muttered, stepping forward to meet the beast.
End of Chapter 2
Would you like me to detail Adrian's fight with the Mutated Dungeon Crawler in Chapter 3?