The evolved body exceeded all expectations.
Hunting, which had required utmost caution at every moment, now felt effortless thanks to the upgraded rank of Stealth and the boosted stats.
It wasn't just simple ambushes anymore. Now, even a Horn Rabbit could be taken head-on.
Of course, without any proper attack skills yet, it was still just brute force overwhelming them—but even so, the tangible gains from evolution were crystal clear.
Though this forest was still teeming with creatures far stronger than me.
...A Silent Wolf. Does it live around here?
The piercing buzz of Crisis Detection made me hide immediately.
Just beyond the nearby bushes, a single brown wolf prowled.
An E-rank monster one step above me—the most common sight in the Forest Zone.
No matter how much I've evolved, those guys hunt in packs.
Rank aside, the size difference alone was daunting. While I was barely 1.5 meters long, that thing was monstrous, bigger than any large dog.
And above all, they move in groups.
I couldn't see them yet, but others were likely nearby. My tongue already picked up scents of two or three more.
...Better take a detour.
I veered off course, moving carefully to avoid detection.
Today—finally evolved—I'd set out to explore deeper into the forest as planned before.
But running into those so soon reaffirmed my place here.
One step up, sure—but I was still at the bottom of the food chain.
If this were the Upper Zone, I could've strutted around with some pride....
Unlike the Upper Zone dominated by goblins and kobolds, this Forest Zone with its diverse ecosystem was brutally harsh for me.
And the main species here are even worse than those wolves.
Silent Wolves might flex a bit in this forest, but compared to the true rulers, they were nothing.
Starting at E-rank minimum, top specimens rivaling mid C-rank... Lizardmen.
Those were the real overlords of the Forest Zone.
Good thing there's no sign of them nearby, so probably outside their territory....
They lived near the swamps, so they weren't common in this denser woodland area.
But that just means even more variety of monsters overflowing instead.
Shiii───
I slipped into the bushes.
At the same moment, a shadow dropped from the tree above.
A clueless Horn Rabbit munching grass met a sudden end to the ambush.
Red Spider. F-rank monster... Damn, it stole my prey....
Shiii───
A displeased hiss escaped me involuntarily, but the damn spider ignored it completely.
Instead, its red eyes flashed, glaring at me.
Back off my meal—or else.
I clicked my tongue briefly, but there was nothing more I could do.
With a grumpy hiss, I turned away.
Still too weak for a fair fight.
Shiii───
I glanced back.
The spider had wrapped the Horn Rabbit's corpse in silk.
Then it climbed back up the web, vanishing into the trees—just like before.
That silk held its own weight plus the rabbit's effortlessly. No contest head-on.
Of course, an ambush would be different....
Probably the same for that spider.
It couldn't guarantee victory in a straight fight either, so it just warned me off.
Had I seemed any easier prey, it would've pounced.
I would've done the same.
This labyrinth, the 18th floor forest, was pure survival of the fittest.
G-rank weaklings like before were structurally doomed to be eaten.
Without Crisis Detection or my human intellect, my fate would've been no different.
No—even F-rank was risky.
Stronger monsters were everywhere.
Knowledge reveals more dangers, huh....
Evolution made it hit home harder.
To survive, I had to grow stronger.
I redoubled my hunting efforts.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Day 10 Complete
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Survival Day 11
Tried a head-on fight against a G-rank like the Horn Rabbit.
It nagged at me, that spider encounter—even if I tried not to dwell.
Results were good.
Gained the skill Charge G.
A new attack skill.
Thrilled.
Durability rank rose too.
Finally, all stats except mana hit F-rank.
Extremely satisfying day.
Day 11 complete.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Survival Day 13
Agility stat refuses to budge.
Felt like it was due soon, but still nothing.
Stamina rose instead.
Why?
Happy, but bittersweet.
Day 13 complete.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Survival Day 14
Snake (monster) life hits two weeks.
Fully adapted now.
But no room for complacency.
Ambush and Constrict ranks rose.
Endurance and Regeneration unchanged.
Maybe no use for them lately?
Need to find ways to train them.
Day 14 complete.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Survival Day 17
Charge rank up.
Close call.
Underestimated Silent Wolves' detection.
By the time I noticed, they were right there.
True to 'Silent,' huh?
Lucky they ignored me, or I'd have been prey.
Never underestimate a dog's nose again.
Stealth and Crisis Detection ranks rose.
Day 17 complete.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Survival Day 19
Fought a spider.
Ambushed it from behind while it gorged under a tree.
Fierce struggle, but I won.
Stats and skills rose as expected.
Different individual from before, but didn't matter.
Overjoyed.
Day 19 complete.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Survival Day 20
Gained skills Predation and Gluttony.
Seems from digesting yesterday's spider.
Effects unclear, but digestion-related, probably.
Didn't know I could climb trees.
Tried on a whim—did it effortlessly.
One more attack route now.
Day 20 complete.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Survival Day 22
Fought another spider.
Now I get why people do extreme sports despite the danger.
Thrilling rush.
Risk aside, the victory high is unforgettable.
Stats rising nicely too.
Future prey targets shifting.
Day 22 complete.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Survival Day 23
New discovery.
Unlike G10 hitting a wall before, F-ranks go beyond.
Agility now F12. Strength F11, Stamina F10, Durability F9.
Durability catching up fast.
Means I've taken a lot of hits, right?
Feels unfair.
Day 23 complete.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Survival Day 24
Regeneration rank to D.
Thought Ambush would rise first. Nope.
Normally thrilled, but can't be happy now.
Means I've been hit a ton.
Still unfair.
Day 24 complete.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Survival Day 27
Found human tracks.
Thought Lizardmen at first, but blurry vision confirmed: human footprints.
Scales bristled all over.
Calmed down, thought rationally.
...This is the outskirts of the 18th floor.
Reborn into an egg via SS-rank Soul Separation, not far from there.
So position roughly gauged.
Made it all the more suspicious.
Normal hunters don't hunt outskirts.
Center has plenty of monsters, and close enough for backup if trouble hits.
Our raid was unusual; normally impossible.
Why come to outskirts?
For what?
Pondered long, no answers.
Too little info.
Lay low till more intel?
Want to scout actively, but odds bad.
Even with Stealth and Crisis Detection, too risky....
Opponents are hunters. Superhumans conquering labyrinths.
Saw their skills up close as porter.
Detection skills would shred me like before.
Once admired their prowess; now pure danger.
...Never get close. Leave no trace.
Maybe overly cautious, but better safe.
Than careless death like before— a thousand times better.
So, stick near nest for a while.
Day 27 complete.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Survival Day 29
Current hunt style: Use Stealth and Crisis Detection to find prey, Ambush and Charge to close, Constrict to finish.
Don't know other snakes, but feels very snakelike. Confident.
Works on most, but tough ones leave me wanting.
Wish for fangs with venom....
Not full lethal, just threat level.
Should be basic for snake monster, right?
Will a skill pop up...?
Shiii───
Watched the Lesser Wolf twitch and weaken, pondering quietly.
How skills appeared before? Some from actions, some innate unknown.
Dig right, maybe new skill....
Fangs physical trait? Too much?
Then aim via evolution—but can't choose form, no way now.
Pray it works in selection.
More importantly, next evolution when?
Nearly a month as snake. Last at day 10, so due soon.
Recent stat growth slowed—definitely nearing.
Please, let it bring fangs.
Prayed fervently for unknown timing.
And evolution came sooner than thought.
Day 29 complete.