"Holy hell, that's a big spider," Luo Zhen breathed, a mix of awe and caution in his voice. As his eyes locked onto the creature, its stats shimmered into existence in his mind.
Name: Black Widow Venomspider
Type: Beastkin
Strength: Level Five Beast
"A Level Five," Luo Zhen mused, his forked tongue flicking the air. "Same as me." He stayed perfectly still, a coiled shadow on the tree trunk.
The spider moved with an unnerving familiarity, scuttling onto a massive neighboring tree. It was only then that Luo Zhen noticed the landscape was draped in its handiwork: thick, white webs stretched between the ancient trees like ghostly linen.
Trapped within them were the grisly remains of the forest's inhabitants—the desiccated husks of large birds, lizards, and other unfortunate creatures. He realized with a jolt that even the tree he was clinging to had a massive web stretched across its bark.
So this is its territory, he thought. No wonder it moves like it owns the place. This is its personal buffet.
He watched, fascinated, as the spider went to work.
It skittered across a web holding a large, struggling bird. With a few swift, brutal movements, the spider bit down, silencing it forever before starting to feast. It was a gruesome, efficient process.
Minutes later, nothing was left but a scattering of feathers. Still hungry, the spider moved on to the next trapped beast and began to tear into it with the same savage gusto.
Luo Zhen couldn't help but feel a sliver of envy. Life was simple for a spider. You just had to build a trap and wait for some poor bastard to stumble into it. After that, it was just a matter of collecting your prize.
He'd seen enough. Shaking his head, Luo Zhen prepared to slip away.
But the bark was slick with moss. He shifted, his tail accidentally brushing against the edge of the web. The rustle of leaves was like a dinner bell.
The web was no match for his strength; a simple twist, and he was free. But it was too late. The sound had drawn the spider's attention.
Screeeech.
Across the way, the spider froze mid-bite. Its beady black eyes swiveled and locked onto him. In a single, fluid motion, it launched itself from its perch, leaping across the gap between the trees.
"Hssss!" Luo Zhen coiled instantly, his body a taught spring, issuing a clear warning. Beasts didn't have language, but they understood intent. His posture straightened, and he knew the spider had received the message.
"Hssss!" he repeated, slowly backing away. He didn't want this fight.
But the spider was relentless. Screeeech. For every inch he gave, it took one, its body language shifting from territorial to predatory.
Luo Zhen's patience wore thin.
He kept his eyes locked on the creature as he retreated. Suddenly, the spider's mandibles gaped open, and it spat a glob of white slime. The goo exploded mid-air, unfurling into a massive net that shot directly toward him.
Luo Zhen's reflexes were lightning-fast. He dropped from the branch, dodging the web as it slapped against the tree trunk. A foul, acrid smell filled the air as the webbing sizzled into the bark, corroding a shallow pit into the wood.
Rage flared through him.
He had tried to leave peacefully, to show he wasn't a threat. And this thing dared to attack him.
Fine. We're both Level Five. Let's see who's tougher.
He stopped retreating. His narrow pupils fixed on the spider, his body coiled high, every muscle primed to strike. It was a fair fight, and the outcome was anyone's guess.
The spider tensed, its gaze turning him from a trespasser into a meal. A string of foul-smelling drool dripped from its jaw.
After a tense standoff, the spider broke the silence. It leaped, hurtling through the air toward him while simultaneously spitting another web.
Luo Zhen didn't hesitate. He let go of the tree, dropping to the soft earth below. The web sailed harmlessly over his head, but the spider's assault was far from over. It hit the ground, bounced, and used the momentum to launch itself at him again.
"You've got to be kidding me!" Luo Zhen snarled, a mix of fury and disbelief in his hiss.
This time, he met the attack head-on. His body uncoiled like a whip, wrapping around the spider's bulky frame in a crushing grip.
The snake's ultimate weapon: Constriction.
The spider was completely immobilized, bound tight in its coils. It thrashed wildly, but it was useless. As a last resort, it lunged forward, sinking its fangs deep into Luo Zhen's side.
The Black Widow Venomspider has attacked you!
[Thick Scales] has been activated!
Trace amounts of venom have entered your system!
The system notifications flashed in his mind. Shock and rage burned through him. Without thinking, he struck back.
You bite me, I bite you.
You're poisonous? So am I.
He injected a massive dose of his own venom into the spider. The creature shuddered violently as he squeezed harder, tightening his grip until he felt its exoskeleton begin to give way.
CRACK! SNAP!
A series of sickening pops echoed through the clearing as he crushed the spider's legs, its poison sac bursting under the immense pressure.
"Screee... scree..." The spider's cries became weak, its body trembling in agony.
Luo Zhen didn't let up. It was him or the spider. There was no other way this ended.
Two minutes later, its struggles ceased. With one final, violent tremor, the Black Widow Venomspider went still.
You have slain the Black Widow Venomspider!
+30 EXP Gained!
Experience has reached the threshold. Level up?
The system's voice was distant, unreal. He couldn't respond. The world was spinning, black spots dancing in his vision as weakness flooded his body.
Damn it, the poison, he realized. I have to hide. Now.
He forced his exhausted muscles to move, desperately searching for shelter. Just as he felt himself slipping into unconsciousness, he found it: a small, abandoned burrow. He dove inside, and the world went black.
Sunsets and sunrises bled into one another.
When Luo Zhen finally awoke, the first thing he did was check his body. Aside from two small puncture wounds and a lingering feeling of exhaustion, he was fine.
I made it?
Right. The system said [Thick Scales] activated. My hide saved me, keeping most of the venom out.
A wave of pure, unadulterated joy washed over him. He was alive. If not for his tough scales, he'd be rotting alongside the spider right now.
After a moment, he focused his thoughts and accessed the system.
You have slain the Black Widow Venomspider, gaining 30 experience points. Experience has reached the threshold. Level up?
"Yes," Luo Zhen sent the command without a second's hesitation.
Consuming 90 experience points... Level up successfully!
Congratulations! You are now a Level Six Beast!
A surge of raw power flooded his veins, washing away the last traces of weakness. He watched in amazement as the two puncture wounds on his side sealed themselves, leaving smooth, new scales in their place.
"Level Six," he hissed, lashing his tail with newfound strength. All the hunting, all the grinding—it had all paid off. He wasn't just another creature in the Foggy Swamp anymore. He was one of its apex predators.
Calming his racing heart, he checked his attribute panel and saw another notification waiting.
The Black Widow Venomspider dropped a random item: Pouch of Corrosion!
Accept the Pouch of Corrosion?
"Yes."
A small, black sack materialized in front of him, radiating a sharp, venomous scent. He eyed it for a moment, tilted his head, and then swallowed it whole.
It was a gamble. But he was a creature of venom. It only made sense that another's poison could make him stronger.
You have absorbed the Pouch of Corrosion!
You have gained the Corrosive Poison attribute!
Your poison affinity has increased. You have automatically evolved into a Corrosive Serpent!
Corrosive Serpent? He'd always assumed evolution only came from consuming his own kind. This changed everything.
Wait... the system never actually said that, he realized. That was just my own assumption. The spider wasn't a snake, but its poison was a similar attribute.
Devouring things with the same attribute can also trigger an evolution.
I really need to pay more attention to how this system works.
As if reading his thoughts, the system chimed in again.
You now possess two distinct poison abilities. Synthesize [Fierce Fangs] and [Corrosive Poison]?
"Synthesize," he commanded instantly.
Synthesizing...
Synthesis successful!
Congratulations! You have learned the skill: [Venom Dart]!
Venom Dart?! A thrill shot through him as he pulled up the description.
Venom Dart: Fire a concentrated, arrow-shaped bolt of black toxin. Inflicts both piercing and corrosive damage.
"An active skill," he whispered in delight. "Finally."
He brought up his full status, a sense of triumph swelling within him.
Name: Luo Zhen
Race: Serpent
Species: Corrosive Serpent
Bloodline: Unawakened
Innate Skill: Venom Dart
Passive Skill: Thick Scales
Experience: 17/110
Realm: Level Six Beast
System Note: Every major realm breakthrough offers a chance to awaken a dormant bloodline or trigger a new evolution.