Lizarius emerged from the cave, the sun bathing the forest in its golden light. Sunlight filtered through the canopy of trees. Let's see what these wings can do, he thought, turning invisible.
He leaped into the air, flapping his wings with enthusiasm, only to come crashing down into a tree, his invisibility abruptly ceasing. It's harder than I thought, he grumbled, scrambling onto a branch. "I can't fly. Looks like I have to take this step by step."
He began practicing, flapping his wings and leaping from tree to tree.
After a while of persistent effort, Lizarius finally took flight, soaring through the thick branches and gradually ascending into the clouds. I'm so high up, he thought, a thrill of exhilaration coursing through him. I'm still not proficient, but I'm doing great.
He attempted to fly higher, but his wings wouldn't carry him further. "Looks like I can't fly any higher than this," he muttered. I'm not that fast either. I need to be faster.
An idea sparked in his mind. If I use the Lightning gene, I can probably fly faster. He charged his body with electricity, his wings crackling with power, and tore through the wind.
I'm five times faster than before! he realized, a surge of adrenaline pumping through him. After flying for some time, Lizarius stopped, hovering in the sky. Looking down, he spotted a swamp nestled within the vast forest. A swamp? This forest is bigger than I thought.
He flew closer, and a frog as big as a dog emerged from the murky water. The frog fixed its gaze on Lizarius, then spat a stream of green liquid towards him. Lizarius, still hovering in the air, dodged the projectile. The acid struck a tree, and the bark began to dissolve and decay before his very eyes. Lizarius stared at the ravaged tree in shock. "System, what kind of beast is that?"
Acid Frog. A Rank 3, Late Stage beast. They mainly attack using acid, the system replied.
Lucky I dodged that, Lizarius thought.
And they are known for living in groups, the system continued.
"What do you mean, groups?" Lizarius asked, a knot of unease tightening in his stomach.
As if on cue, multiple frog heads began poking out of the swamp, their eyes glinting menacingly. Lizarius, now sweating nervously, breathed, "That's what you mean."