Crack.
Crack.
Crack.
An ominous cracking sound jolted Adam from the depths of unconsciousness. It echoed in his mind, sharp and insistent, pulling him toward awareness.
His body felt heavy, trapped in a strange, constricting pressure that wrapped around him like a vice. He struggled to open his eyes, but darkness clung to him, thick and unyielding. Confusion swirled in his mind, a storm of fragmented memories and disjointed thoughts.
He remembered being human. A third-year medical student, celebrating the end of a grueling finals week. Laughter, drinks, and the thrill of freedom filled his memories.
He recalled the warmth of his friends' voices, the clinking of glasses, and the buzz of alcohol in his veins. But then—chaos. The screech of tires, the blur of headlights, and a sudden, searing pain. Darkness had swallowed him whole.
"Did I die? Am I dead?" he mumbled, or at least tried to. But when he attempted to speak, no sound emerged.
Crack.
Crack.
Crack.
The sound grew louder, more insistent. Adam fought against the darkness, pushing with all his might. Finally, a fissure appeared, and light poured in, blinding and overwhelming. He surged forward, breaking free from whatever had held him captive.
When his vision cleared, he found himself in a nest, surrounded by four other small, white chicks. They chirped softly, their voices high-pitched and alien. Adam looked down at himself and froze. Feathers. He was covered in feathers. Panic surged through him as he realized the truth—he was no longer human. He was a bird.
Above him, the sky was alien, dominated by three red moons that cast an eerie glow over the landscape. The air was thick with the scent of earth and something metallic, like blood. Adam's tiny heart raced as he tried to make sense of his new reality.
Before he could fully process his situation, a voice echoed in his mind, deep and resonant, sending a jolt through his body.
"Ah, Lastborn of my perfect flock. You have finally awakened and broken free. You, formed by my own divine blood. I wish I could embrace you, but powerful enemies pursue me. Here, in this nest, you are safest for now. Grow. Evolve. Kill. Destroy. Sow the seeds of chaos across the infinite worlds. You and your brethren will carry my highest hopes."
Adam's mind reeled. "Seriously? You had powerful enemies, and you turned me into a bird? Why not make me human?" he shouted internally, frustration boiling within him. "And what's with all this killing and destruction? What a crazy thing to say to someone you've never met!"
A dark, amused chuckle resonated in his mind. "Oh, Abaddon, you will. And in time, you will come to love it." The voice faded, leaving Adam alone with his thoughts.
Just then, a gust of wind swept through the nest, and two large brown hawks landed, each clutching small fish in their beaks. Adam's siblings began chirping frantically, begging for food. The larger hawk—his father—approached, a piece of fish dangling from its beak.
Adam's stomach churned as he watched the grotesque process of feeding. The fish was shoved into his siblings' mouths, their tiny bodies trembling with eagerness. When it was his turn, he tried to resist, but his instincts took over. The fish was forced into his mouth, and despite his disgust, it tasted incredible.
[Ding]
[Evolution System Initiated]
[River Carp Consumed]
[0.5 Evolution Points Gained]
[Unique system granted by the Creator: Its sole function is to assist the host in accelerating evolution and customizing it specifically. Evolution points can be acquired by consuming the flesh of other creatures. The higher the life force and the more advanced the prey, the more evolution points you will gain.]
Adam stared at the notification, his mind racing. Evolution points? Customization? This was like something out of a video game. But it was real. He was trapped in this bizarre reality, and the only way out was to evolve.
Over the next few days, Adam adapted to his new life. He ate when food was brought, accumulating evolution points bit by bit. His siblings grew stronger and more active, but Adam held back, conserving his energy and planning his next move.
[System Interface Activated]
Welcome, Host.
Initializing Status Report…
Core Information:
Name: Adam
Species: Hawk {Albino}
Age: 1 Month
Evolution Points (EP): 6.4
Current Stats:
Strength: 0.1
"Your physical power is minimal. Even a strong breeze could knock you over."
Agility: 0.1
"Your movements are clumsy and unrefined. Practice is essential."
Intelligence: 10
"Your mind remains sharp, a remnant of your human past. Use it wisely."
Abilities:
[Enhanced Vision]
"Your eyesight is superior to most creatures, allowing you to spot prey from great distances."
[Flight Mastery]
"You possess the basic instincts for flight, though your skills are untested."
Evolution Progress:
Points Required for Next Evolution: 50 EP
"Evolution is the key to survival. Gather more EP to unlock your potential."
Potential Evolution Pathways:
Predatory Instincts
"Enhance your hunting capabilities. Unlock sharper senses, faster reflexes, and deadlier precision."
Cost: 50 EP
Physical Augmentation
"Increase your strength and agility. Grow stronger, faster, and more resilient."
Cost: 50 EP
Cognitive Development
"Boost your intelligence. Retain more of your human mind and unlock advanced problem-solving skills."
Cost: 50 EP
System Notifications:
[Warning]
"Evolution is a double-edged sword. Each transformation may alter your instincts and desires. Proceed with caution."
[End of Interface]
The path to evolution is yours to choose. Grow. Adapt. Survive.
Adam studied the interface, frustration bubbling up. Six points. That was all he had after days of eating. If he was the only one left, he could gain more. The math was simple: five chicks meant five shares of food. If he eliminated his siblings, he could claim it all.
He glanced at his brothers and sister, their tiny bodies huddled together. Guilt flickered in his chest, but he pushed it aside. They were just animals. He was human—or at least, he had been. This was survival. Nothing more.
When his parents finally left the nest for the first time, Adam made his move. He focused on the system, willing it to evolve him.
"Sharper talons and beak," he thought, pouring all his intent into the command.
[Host has the minimal points needed for evolution. Due to the low amount, the upgrade will be relatively small.]
A wave of drowsiness washed over him. When he awoke, he felt the difference immediately. His talons were harder, his beak sharper. It wasn't much, but it was enough.
[System Interface Activated]
Welcome, Host.
Initializing Status Report…
Core Information:
Name: Adam
Species: Hawk {Albino}
Age: 1 Month
Evolution Points (EP): 0
Current Stats:
Strength: 0.1 → 0.3
"Your physical power is minimal. Even a strong breeze could knock you over."
Agility: 0.1 → 0.3
"Your movements are clumsy and unrefined. Practice is essential."
Intelligence: 10
"Your mind remains sharp, a remnant of your human past. Use it wisely."
Abilities:
[Enhanced Vision]
"Your eyesight is superior to most creatures, allowing you to spot prey from great distances."
[Flight Mastery]
"You possess the basic instincts for flight, though your skills are untested."
[Slightly Sharper Talons]
"Your talons are now slightly sharper, allowing you to inflict more damage in combat."
[Slightly Sharper Beak]
"Your beak has become slightly more effective at tearing through flesh and bone."
Evolution Progress:
Points Required for Next Evolution: 100 EP
"Evolution is the key to survival. Gather more EP to unlock your potential."
Potential Evolution Pathways:
Predatory Instincts
"Enhance your hunting capabilities. Unlock sharper senses, faster reflexes, and deadlier precision."
Cost: 50 EP
Physical Augmentation
"Increase your strength and agility. Grow stronger, faster, and more resilient."
Cost: 50 EP
Cognitive Development
"Boost your intelligence. Retain more of your human mind and unlock advanced problem-solving skills."
Cost: 50 EP
System Notifications:
[Warning]
"Evolution is a double-edged sword. Each transformation may alter your instincts and desires. Proceed with caution."
[End of Interface]
Adam turned to his siblings. They sensed the danger and huddled together, their chirps frantic. He moved slowly, his heart pounding. With one swift strike, he drove his beak into the eye of the largest chick, killing it instantly.
[Ding]
[+4+4+7+10...]
The points rolled in as he consumed his brother, his guilt buried beneath the thrill of progress. One by one, he eliminated his siblings, their bodies fueling his evolution. Only his little sister remained, weak and trembling. He stared at her for a long moment, then covered her with his wing.
"Twenty points a day is enough," he thought. "I'll leave the nest in twenty days. Then, I'll hunt on my own."
As the wind rustled, signaling his parents' return, Adam settled into the nest, he had a long way to go, but he was determined to evolve. To become something greater. To survive.
[System Interface Activated]
Welcome, Host.
Initializing Status Report…
Core Information:
Name: Adam
Species: Hawk {Albino}
Age: 1 Month
Evolution Points (EP): 480
Current Stats:
Strength: 0.5
"Your physical power is minimal. Even a strong breeze could knock you over."
Agility: 0.5
"Your movements are clumsy and unrefined. Practice is essential."
Intelligence: 10
"Your mind remains sharp, a remnant of your human past. Use it wisely."
Abilities:
[Enhanced Vision]
"Your eyesight is superior to most creatures, allowing you to spot prey from great distances."
[Flight Mastery]
"You possess the basic instincts for flight, though your skills are untested."
[Slightly Sharper Talons]
"Your talons are now slightly sharper, allowing you to inflict more damage in combat."
[Slightly Sharper Beak]
"Your beak has become slightly more effective at tearing through flesh and bone."
Evolution Progress:
Points Required for Next Evolution: 100 EP
"Evolution is the key to survival. Gather more EP to unlock your potential."
Potential Evolution Pathways:
Predatory Instincts
"Enhance your hunting capabilities. Unlock sharper senses, faster reflexes, and deadlier precision."
Cost: 50 EP
Physical Augmentation
"Increase your strength and agility. Grow stronger, faster, and more resilient."
Cost: 50 EP
Cognitive Development
"Boost your intelligence. Retain more of your human mind and unlock advanced problem-solving skills."
Cost: 50 EP
System Notifications:
[Warning]
"Evolution is a double-edged sword. Each transformation may alter your instincts and desires. Proceed with caution."
[End of Interface]