*SWISH*
The sound of an arrow being loosed reverberated through the air. A young boy, bloodied and scarred, watched as his arrow missed the large hawk by a mere feather's length.
*Flap*
The hawk screeched and flew away, angered that its meal had been interrupted. *SMACK* A hand slapped the back of his head. "You idiot! Why are you wasting arrows? We still have battles to fight against the baron's men," said a gruff-looking, more experienced archer.
Arthur, who had just been slapped by his uncle, felt wronged. "But uncle, this damn bird has been following us for weeks! It keeps eating our fallen men. I mean, what kind of hawk eats corpses like a crow? It's strange!"
"So what if it eats corpses? It means it's a smart bird, though really strange. Anyway, go pick up the arrows, and let's see if we can find someone good among the dead bastards."
With that, the boy and his uncle left to loot the dead bodies, unaware that the hawk was watching them with resentment.
"Fucking bastards! I know what you look like. Just wait," grumbled Adam resentfully in his heart.
[System Interface Activated]
Name: Adam
Species: Hawk {Albino}
Age: 97 days
Evolution Points: 6,450
Special Titles:[KinSlayer: Grants 20%damage boost againstfamily members]
Stats:
Strength: 4
Agility: 6
Intelligence: 10
Abilities:
[Enhanced Vision][Flight Mastery][Slightly Hardened Talons]
[Slightly Sharper Beak]
Points Required for Minimal Evolution: 150 (increases with each evolution)
Potential Evolution Pathways:
Predatory Instincts: Enhance hunting capabilities.
Physical Augmentation: Increase strength and agility.
Cognitive Development: Boost intelligence
[Warning: Evolution is a double-edged sword. Each transformation may alter your instincts and desires. Choose wisely.]
Looking at his points, Adam realized he had enough to completely transform into his first dinosaur form, the Deinonychus. It was a pity to lose the ability to fly, but he had barely managed to scrape these points; a hawk is very eye-catching and can't dig for dead bodies since the fallen soldiers are buried after looting.
"System, I want to evolve to the Deinonychus."
[Calculating the required evolution points... Evolving to the chosen form will require 5,500 points, calculated as follows: 5,500 points for transforming and adding various body parts.]
Adding Parts:
Forelimbs to Arms: The hawk's wings will shrink and transform into shorter, more robust arms with three fingers, each equipped with sharp claws. This change allows for better grasping and manipulation of objects, as well as improved hunting capabilities.
Hind Limbs: The hawk's legs will become more muscular and robust, allowing for bipedal locomotion. The feet will develop into strong, clawed digits suitable for running and grasping prey.
Tail: A Deinonychus has a long, muscular tail that aids in balance and agility. The transformation will add this tail, which will be essential for maintaining stability while running and maneuvering.
Head: The skull will expand to accommodate a larger brain, enhancing cognitive abilities and sensory perception. The beak will become more pronounced and powerful, suitable for a carnivorous diet.
Plumage: Larger feathers will be added under the front arms, on the legs, and on the tail, used for gliding when jumping from high places onto unsuspecting prey.
Removing Parts:
Wings: The hawk's wings will shrink significantly, losing their primary function of flight. Instead, they will evolve into arms that are more suited for grasping and balance.
Feathers: The hawk's feathers will be replaced by scales, which are more typical of reptiles. This change reflects the transition from a bird-like creature to a more dinosaur-like form.
Body Structure: The hawk's lightweight body will become more robust and muscular, allowing for greater strength and endurance. The overall shape will shift from a streamlined avian form to a more powerful, bipedal dinosaur form.
[THE HOST IS REQUIRED TO FIND A SAFE PLACE FOR EVOLVING AS THIS IS A FUNDAMENTAL EVOLUTION. IT WILL TAKE APPROXIMATELY 6 HOURS.]
"Fine," mumbled Adam before flying to a nearby cliff. "Start the evolution." With that, he felt a wave of drowsiness wash over him immediately, and he fell asleep.
[Somewhere Else]
Outside the baron's castle, in a nearby forest, the baron's gamekeeper came to a stop under a certain tree. His name was Olaf, and he had been the baron's gamekeeper for 40 years now.
Three months ago, when he first came here, he discovered the fresh skeletons of three red-tailed hawks chicks, all eaten down to the last sliver of meat and discarded. At first, he thought the parents had killed them, but then he saw the mother still bringing food, and the birds were adults that would leave the nest in two to three weeks.
So, he thought he would come back and catch them to present to the baron on that date. Shockingly, when he returned, he found two adult hawks also eaten in the same manner, leaving only one left in the nest—scrawny and unable to fly for some reason, despite being healthy.
The manner of death was bizarre to say the least; it was as if the hawks had raised something in the nest that had eaten them and then left. What was stranger was that it had spared one.
This was strange, but not serious enough to disturb the baron with. Still, something told him he should report it. He could also gift the last one to the baron as an excsuse.
[At the Baron's Personal Study]
Baron Orwen was a competent military man in his late thirties, ambitious and driven. He had earned his barony through acts of military service, but he knew that was the most a man like him could achieve without being born into a noble family.
His dream of becoming a count, lording over thousands and directly controlling five or six barons, felt increasingly distant. The reality was that he and his fellow barons fought like dogs over meager plots of land, scraps that their master watched them squabble over.
The only way he could hope for promotion was if a large number of nobles and barons suddenly died—a prospect harder than becoming a king. He didn't want to die a baron; he wanted to die a count and leave a legacy of greatness for his children, all of them competent and strong, unlike the noble brats who squandered their inheritances.
Knock, knock, knock.
"Who is it?" Orwen called, his voice steady.
"My lord baron, it's me, Olaf. I have something to report," came the aged voice from outside.
"Come in," Orwen replied, his curiosity piqued.
The old gamekeeper entered, bowing respectfully as he held a cage. Inside was a beautiful red-tailed hawk, a bit scrawny but still striking in its appearance.
"My lord, while I was checking the forest, I found this hawk and thought to gift it to you. It will make an excellent hunting raptor," Olaf fawned, his voice dripping with flattery.
"It's nice," said the baron, inspecting the cage with a critical eye. "You said you had something to report?"
"Ah, yes, my lord. Three months ago, when I first found the nest, I discovered the fresh skeletons of three red-tailed hawk chicks, all eaten down to the last sliver of meat and discarded. At first, I thought the parents had killed them, but then I saw the mother still bringing food, and the birds were adults that would leave the nest in two to three weeks.
So, I thought I would come back and catch them to present to your Excellency on that date. Shockingly, when I returned, I found two adult hawks also eaten in the same manner, leaving only one left in the nest—scrawny and unable to fly for some reason, despite being healthy." He then proceeded to unwrap a cloth, revealing the skeletons of the three chicks, their bones bleached and picked clean.
The baron frowned, annoyance flickering across his face. "And? What does that have to do with me?"
"My lord, it's just unusual!" the keeper insisted, his voice rising slightly in urgency. "The manner of their deaths is strange. It's as if something is preying on them, something that spares only one. I thought it might be worth your attention."
Orwen waved a dismissive hand, his interest waning. "I appreciate the gift, Olaf, but I have more pressing matters to attend to than the peculiarities of hawks. If it's a good hunting bird, I'll take it. But I don't have time to ponder the mysteries of the forest."
With that, he turned his attention back to his maps and plans, unaware that this decision would come back to bite in his face him later on.