Yuto lay still, cradled in the corpse of the Spitter Larva, shivering from more than just exhaustion.
His entire body pulsed with unfamiliar warmth. Not pain this time—but something… else.
Power.
[Level Up Confirmed.]
[New System Functions Unlocked.]
[Evolution Tree Available.]
Would you like to view your Evolution Paths?[YES] / [NO]
There was no hesitation.
YES.
The world flickered.
In his vision, a semi-transparent window unfolded, displaying a branching network of grotesque and fascinating creature silhouettes, each labeled with a name and a string of requirements.
At the center was a glowing point labeled:
[Current Form: Abyss Broodling (Lv 2)]
From it, two paths extended:
1. Venom Fang Larva
A predatory evolution specializing in poison and stealth.
Requires: 2+ successful poison kills (✓)
Bonus: +Agility, +Poison Resistance
Skills: Stealth (LV1), Paralytic Spit (LV1)
2. Acid Maw Crawler
A tankier, acid-based form designed for aggressive survival.
Requires: Acid resistance acquired (✓)
Bonus: +Endurance, +Acid Defense
Skills: Corrosive Bile (LV1), Shell Harden (LV1)
Yuto stared at the two glowing options.
Poison and stealth, or acid and defense.
One meant staying small and slippery. The other, bulkier and built for frontal attacks.
Nyx finally chimed in, voice cool and informative:
[Observation: Based on current survival rate, Venom Fang Larva presents slightly better odds for evasion-based survival. However, Acid Maw Crawler offers greater durability if you plan to absorb stronger prey soon.]
"So I can either be a ninja bug or a tanky acid monster," Yuto thought.
He took a deep breath—if he even had lungs—and made his choice.
"I want to evolve into... the Venom Fang Larva."
[Confirmation Received.]
[Evolution in progress… Warning: Pain Level - High.]
The system didn't lie.
Agony unlike anything he had ever felt exploded through his body. His exoskeleton cracked open. His limbs twisted. New glands burned into existence beneath his carapace. Venomous sacs formed in his mouth. His tiny form shed its skin like wet paper.
He was changing.
He was becoming.
[Evolution Complete.]
[You are now: Venom Fang Larva (Lv2)]
[New Skills Unlocked:]
Stealth (LV1) – Slightly reduces detectability while stationary.
Paralytic Spit (LV1) – Can briefly paralyze small or equal-rank creatures.
Venomous Spit upgraded to LV3.
[Passive Trait Gained: Minor Agility Boost]
Yuto dragged himself out of the Spitter's corpse and stared at his new, sharper claws. He could feel the difference.
He was still small. Still weak compared to this world's true monsters.
But now...
Now he had teeth.
Suddenly, the ground trembled beneath him.
Distant screeches echoed through the caverns—high-pitched, hungry, chaotic.
[Warning: Predator-class entity detected nearby.]
[Status: Hunting.]
Yuto froze.
Whatever it was, it was stronger. Much stronger than anything he'd faced.
And it was coming this way.
"No time to celebrate," he growled, slinking into the shadows.
His newly unlocked Stealth ability kicked in, cloaking his presence just enough to blend with the shadows.
His heart—or what passed for it—pounded.
He was stronger now.
But so were the monsters chasing him.
And the Abyss?
The Abyss had just stopped playing.