The forest was alive with the sounds of battle—clashing steel, desperate cries, and the occasional twang of a bowstring. The air was thick with the metallic tang of blood and the acrid smoke of burning grass. Amidst the chaos, a lone figure stood out: a young boy, no older than fourteen, his face streaked with dirt and blood. His name was Arthur, and he was an archer in training, though his skills left much to be desired.
SWISH
The sound of an arrow being loosed reverberated through the air. Arthur watched as his shot missed the large hawk by a mere feather's length. The bird screeched in anger, its piercing cry echoing through the trees as it flapped its wings and soared away.
Flap
The hawk disappeared into the canopy, leaving Arthur frustrated and embarrassed. SMACK A heavy hand slapped the back of his head, jolting him from his thoughts.
"You idiot!" growled a gruff voice. Arthur turned to see his uncle, a grizzled veteran with a face like weathered leather. "Why are you wasting arrows? We still have battles to fight against the baron's men!"
Arthur rubbed the back of his head, wincing. "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!"
His uncle sighed, shaking his head. "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 two of them set off to loot the battlefield, unaware that the hawk was watching them from a nearby tree, its sharp eyes gleaming with resentment.
Adam perched on a high branch, his feathers ruffled in annoyance. "Fucking bastards!" he grumbled in his mind. "I know what you look like. Just wait."
He had been following this group for weeks, scavenging what he could from the fallen soldiers. It wasn't glamorous work, but it was efficient. The constant battles provided a steady stream of evolution points, and Adam wasn't about to let some brat with a bow ruin his meal.
[System Interface Activated]
Welcome, Host.
Initializing Status Report…
Core Information:
Name: Adam
Species: Hawk {Albino}
Age: 97 Days
Evolution Points (EP): 6,450
Special Titles:
[Kinslayer] : Grants a 20% damage boost against family members.
Current Stats:
Strength: 2
"Your physical power has improved, but you're still far from formidable."
Agility: 2
"Your movements are quicker, but you're not yet a master of the skies."
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 Hardened Talons]
"Your talons are now slightly tougher, 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: 150 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: 150 EP
Physical Augmentation
"Increase your strength and agility. Grow stronger, faster, and more resilient."
Cost: 150 EP
Cognitive Development
"Boost your intelligence. Retain more of your human mind and unlock advanced problem-solving skills."
Cost: 150 EP
System Notifications:
[Warning]
"Evolution is a double-edged sword. Each transformation may alter your instincts and desires. Proceed with caution."
Adam's gaze lingered on the boy and his uncle as they moved through the battlefield, picking through the dead. He had seen enough. It was time to evolve.
"System, I want to evolve into the Deinonychus," he commanded.
The Evolution
[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.]
Adam flew to a nearby cliff, a secluded spot where he could evolve undisturbed. "Start the evolution," he commanded. A wave of drowsiness washed over him, and he fell into a deep, transformative sleep.
Meanwhile, in the baron's castle, a different kind of curiosity was brewing. Olaf, the baron's gamekeeper, stood in the study, holding a cage containing a scrawny red-tailed hawk. The bird's feathers were dull, and it looked almost pitiful, but Olaf knew it was special.
"My lord," he began, bowing low. "I found this hawk in the forest. It's the last of its nest. Something strange happened there—something unnatural."
Baron Orwen, a man in his late thirties with a sharp mind and sharper ambitions, leaned back in his chair. "Unnatural, you say? Explain."
Olaf recounted the tale of the nest, the eaten chicks, and the mysterious predator that had spared only one. The baron listened, his expression unreadable. When Olaf finished, Orwen waved a dismissive hand.
"Interesting, but I have more pressing matters. Keep the hawk. If it proves useful, I'll consider it a gift. If not, well…" He trailed off, his attention already returning to the maps and plans spread across his desk.
Olaf bowed again and left, unaware that the strange events in the forest were far from over.