Darius Johnson had always been an ordinary guy. A 26-year-old office worker with a love for anime, video games, and the occasional trip to the gym, Darius lived a life that could best be described as mundane. Little did he know, fate had a much stranger plan in store for him. One evening, after a long day of work, Darius collapsed onto his bed, and for reasons he couldn't understand, he felt an overwhelming sense of dizziness. His vision blurred, and within moments, he lost consciousness.
When Darius awoke, he was not in his familiar room. The air was thick with moisture, the ground was uneven and rugged, and strange sounds echoed in the distance. He blinked several times, trying to make sense of his surroundings. Was he dreaming? But then the truth hit him like a wave—this wasn't a dream at all.
The world around him was unfamiliar. Towering trees stretched high into the sky, their trunks twisted in odd shapes, and vibrant, multicolored plants were scattered across the landscape. The ground beneath him was soft, like moss, but with an unnerving quality. He had no idea where he was, but one thing was immediately clear: he was not in his old world.
Before he could panic, he realized that something was terribly off. As he tried to move, his body felt... wrong. For a moment, he simply couldn't figure out what was happening. He tried to stand, but his legs wouldn't cooperate. His entire body felt different, smaller, and yet somehow stronger. He looked down and nearly screamed.
Where his human body once was, now there was the sleek, muscular form of a large black panther. His fur was midnight black, glistening under the pale light filtering through the dense foliage. He was in shock, staring at his own claws, his tail swishing nervously behind him. Was this a dream? No, the hunger gnawing in his stomach felt too real.
"Wait... this is not a dream," he muttered aloud; his voice—if it could even be called that—was now a low growl.
Darius, or whatever remained of his human self, felt the fear of his situation seep into his mind. He had no idea how he had ended up here, or why. But one thing was certain: he was not the same person he had been before. He was... an animal. A panther. But it didn't stop there. His memories flickered with fragmented images—images of a world filled with powerful beings and soul beasts. Douluo Dalu. The name came to him like a whisper, resonating deep within his psyche. The world of "Douluo Dalu," a place known for its Spirit Masters and Spirit Beasts, was real—and he had somehow been reincarnated here.
As he tried to make sense of his new existence, a strange voice echoed in his mind.
"Welcome to the Evolution System. Congratulations, host. You have been chosen for a unique opportunity. As a spirit beast in the world of Douluo Dalu, you have the potential to evolve into a being of great power. Your journey starts now."
Darius blinked, feeling a wave of unfamiliar information surge into his consciousness. Evolution System? Spirit beasts? Power? It sounded like something straight out of a fantasy novel. He had read enough light novels and manga to recognize the setup. Reincarnation, a system, and the potential to grow stronger. But it felt so real.
"System Activated. Current Form: Black Panther (Rank 1 Spirit Beast)."
The voice sounded monotonous, yet it carried a certain weight that made Darius's fur stand on end. He had always liked the idea of leveling up in RPGs, of growing stronger and unlocking new abilities. But this? This was different. His entire body was the avatar, and the stakes felt too real to ignore.
"Evolution Path Available: Carnivorous Evolution. Unlock by consuming sufficient soul energy. Recommended Target: Small and medium-sized creatures."
The message appeared in his mind as clearly as if it had been spoken out loud. The idea of hunting down other creatures for their soul energy wasn't exactly appealing, but Darius had little choice. Survival came first.
With a low growl, Darius began to move cautiously through the jungle, his new senses sharper than anything he had ever experienced as a human. The scents in the air were overpowering—every tree, every plant, every animal; they all had distinct odors that told him exactly where they were and what they were doing. His hearing was acute, picking up sounds that were far beyond what he could have heard as a human. Even the slightest rustling of leaves sent his ears twitching.
His first test came soon enough. A small creature, resembling a rabbit but with blue fur and faintly glowing eyes, hopped across his path. His instincts took over, and without a second thought, he launched himself forward with the speed and precision of a predator. The rabbit barely had time to react before Darius was on top of it, his claws sinking deep into its flesh.
As he tore into the creature, the Evolution System's voice sounded in his mind once more:
"Soul Energy Collected: 0.5 units. 1 unit required for next evolution."
With the first taste of success, Darius felt a strange rush of power flow through him. He hadn't just killed a creature for food; he had gathered the very energy that would fuel his evolution. The hunger in his stomach receded, but his mind felt more alert, more aware. This world, and his place within it, was opening up before him.
"Evolution Status: 0.5/1.0. Additional soul energy required."
The hunt had only just begun.
Darius's mind raced as he scanned the world around him. He was no longer human, but a predator in a world full of dangers and opportunities. He could evolve, grow stronger, and perhaps even carve a name for himself in this new world. But the path was unclear. How long would it take to evolve? What kind of creatures would he face along the way? Would he ever be able to regain his human form?
For now, survival came first. But there was one thing he knew for sure: this journey, his journey, had only just begun.
And in a world like this, power wasn't just a luxury—it was the key to survival.