Chapter 4: | A skill can evolve ?
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My teeth sank deep into my kin's flesh, tearing through scales and muscle.
It retaliated frantically, its fangs digging into my fin, but its bite was weak.
Pathetic.
I was already twice as strong as this bastard.
How could I possibly lose in a battle of strength?
Clenching my jaws tighter, I ripped through its flesh.
The rich, metallic taste of blood filled my mouth, and I licked my lips with satisfaction.
It howled and thrashed, desperately trying to shred my fin, but its fangs weren't sharp enough.
It wasn't strong enough.
It would never be strong enough.
With a brutal twist, I used my weight to slam it into the seabed.
A sharp crack echoed through the water.
The commotion drew the attention of five nearby Wharks.
Shit.
My maw dug deeper, tearing into its insides as it let out a final, dying wail.
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[You have slain.]
• Stage 0 Tier 1 Level 1 [Whark]
[You have gained 23 EXP.]
[You have gained a level.]
• Level +1
• Health +1
• Stamina +1
• Physique +0.01
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I grinned.
Before the others could react, I surged upward, fangs bared.
I latched onto another kin's skin, clamping down on its gills, and twisted violently.
Using my weight, I dragged it downward and slammed it into the seabed.
It was helpless.
Pathetic.
But then...
The remaining four pounced.
Their fangs sank into me all at once.
Clever.
They were targeting the strongest.
And that was me.
I commend your quick thinking.
Smart move.
But intelligence means nothing without the strength to back it up.
I ignored the pain, my teeth clenching as I carved deeper into my prey.
Its life seeped out from its body.
And then, the hologram hovered.
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[You have slain.]
• Stage 0 Tier 1 Level 1 [Whark]
[You have gained 13 EXP.]
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Idiots.
Then.
I twisted sharply—rippling the water around me—as one of their grips loosened for just a moment.
And that moment...
Was enough.
I lunged.
My maw snapped forward, ripping through flesh, muscle, and bone.
It screamed, its body convulsing as I tore into its insides.
The remaining three sensed the danger.
Their movements turned more aggressive.
Adrenaline surged through their veins as they gnashed with renewed fury.
I glanced at my status.
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[HP: 13/16]
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Heh.
I twisted again, another lost its grip.
Then, for a brief moment, our eyes met.
Its pupils shrank in fear.
I lunged.
My fangs sank straight into its skull.
One crunch.
Then, nothing.
Its head collapsed inwards.
Crushed.
The last two Wharks panicked.
They knew.
The tide had turned.
Tails thrashing like frightened pups, they fled, swimming fast, desperate to escape.
I let out a low growl.
As if I'd let my food get away.
I bolted forward, tackled its tail fin, and slammed its head into the ground.
It didn't move again.
The last one?
By the time I looked up, it was gone.
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[You have slain.]
• Stage 0 Tier 1 Level 1 [Whark]
• Stage 0 Tier 1 Level 1 [Whark]
[You have gained 31 EXP.]
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Hmmm.
None of my skills had leveled up.
As expected.
I grinned, munching on the remains of my fallen kin as a satisfied laugh escaped my throat.
How could they taste this good?
I glanced at my status.
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[EXP: 50/200]
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Tch.
Leveling up again was going to take much longer.
Minutes passed as I devoured every last scrap, my hunger finally subsiding.
Then.
Burp!
Damn.
I'd eaten too much.
A nauseous wave crept up my throat.
Urk...
I nearly vomited.
Clenching my jaw, I held it back.
No.
Let Bronze Stomach do its work.
Exhaling deeply, I maneuvered southward, pushing through the vast cavern.
What awaited me was... unexpected.
A massive forest of kelp and seagrass stretched before me, their long stalks swaying eerily in the current.
I slowed, taking in the haunting beauty.
Towering strands of kelp reached all the way to the cavern ceiling, forming a dense, maze-like canopy.
Strange, bioluminescent plants dotted the landscape, casting a dim, eerie glow.
It was unsettling.
Like a swampy forest from a nightmare, the kind whispered about in legends of man-eating bog trolls.
Just thinking about it sent a shiver down my spine.
Then, I saw it.
A hole, nearly invisible beneath the vegetation.
A hiding place.
Gliding down, I entered cautiously, senses on high alert.
To my relief, the interior wasn't completely dark.
Bioluminescent plants lined the walls, casting a soft, ghostly light.
Perfect.
I let out a satisfied sigh and curled up, finally allowing myself to rest.
And then, the awaited notifications appeared.
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[You've successfully devoured:]
• Stage 0 Tier 1 Level 1 [Whark]
• Stage 0 Tier 1 Level 1 [Whark]
• Stage 0 Tier 1 Level 1 [Whark]
• Stage 0 Tier 1 Level 1 [Whark]
• Stage 0 Tier 1 Level 1 [Whark]
[You have absorbed some of their stats.]
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• Health +7
• Stamina +3
• Physique +0.9
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[You have gained skills:]
• Bronze Stomach x3
• Enhanced Teeth x2
• Scaled Hide x1
[You already possess:]
• Bronze Stomach
• Enhanced Teeth
• Scaled Hide
[Your existing skills have been strengthened.]
• Bronze Stomach +3
• Enhanced Teeth +2
• Scaled Hide +1
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[Your skills have reached their maximum level.]
• Bronze Stomach [Level 5]
• Enhanced Teeth [Level 5]
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[You may now evolve your skills.]
[Evolve now?]
[Yes] / [No]
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A slow smile spread across my face.
Finally, skill evolution.
Hmmm.
Based on the knowledge etched into me, the hologram is called the Dimensional Record, a presence that exists across the universe, passively integrating world after world under its influence.
According to that knowledge, once a skill reaches level 5, it can evolve to the next tier.
After that, the requirements increase:
Level 10... then 15, 20, 25, and so on.
Since all of my current skills are unevolved and basic, it's no wonder their power is limited.
After all, every lifeform starts with rudimentary abilities, unless you're born from powerful parents.
Still, it doesn't matter.
Because now, my skills are about to ascend."
Without hesitation, I opened the evolution menu.
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[Enhanced Teeth – Tier 1 Evolution Options:]
1. Sharpened Enhanced Teeth – Your teeth become finer and more efficient at cutting.
2. Reinforced Teeth – Your teeth grow denser and more durable, making them harder to break.
3. Jagged Bite – Your teeth develop small, irregular serrations, improving grip on flesh and bone.
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[Bronze Stomach – Evolution Option:]
1. Iron Stomach – Your digestive system becomes tougher, increasing resistance to toxins and enhancing digestion of dense materials.
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I pondered my choices.
Did I want sharper teeth, ones that could slice cleanly through flesh?
Or reinforced ones, less likely to break?
Maybe the jagged bite... for maximum tearing damage?
No.
Reinforced Teeth was useless.
Even if they broke or dulled, they'd regrow quickly enough.
That left sharpness versus grip.
Cutting power or control?
Both had merit.
But for now, sharpness took priority.
As for Bronze Stomach, only one option was available.
Decision was made.
I selected Sharpened Enhanced Teeth and Iron Stomach.
The moment I confirmed.
A hologram appeared.
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[Your skills have successfully evolved.]
• Iron Stomach – Level 1 [Tier 1]
• Sharpened Enhanced Teeth – Level 1 [Tier 1]
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Then, pain.
A sharp, excruciating ache tore through my jaw.
My teeth loosened.
Then fell out.
One by one.
I thrashed, agony wracking my body as new teeth erupted from my gums, sharper and deadlier than before.
Damn it!
Before I could recover, my stomach twisted violently.
A ripping sensation surged through my core.
I choked, nearly vomiting all the food that I devoured, but clenched my jaw tight, refusing to spill a single scrap.
Tears welled in my eyes, but I refused to give in.
This pain?
Nothing.
Not compared to what I've already endured.
I gritted my teeth, what was left of them, and endured every agonizing second until...
Finally.
The pain faded.
A slow, relieved smile spread across my face.
My teeth were razor sharp.
My stomach had expanded.
I could devour at least ten more Wharks without struggle.
Perfect.
Now... time to test this power.
I slipped out of the hole, gliding westward.
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Hours passed in the blink of an eye.
The kelp forest thinned, and the dim bioluminescence faded, replaced by an ominous silence.
The cavern ahead felt more hostile.
Then, I saw it.
Massive rock formations jutted from the seabed, twisting toward the ceiling like jagged fangs.
Deep scars marred the walls, signs of countless battles.
And within this stone labyrinth... Wharks were brawling.
A smirk curled my lips.
I could feel it.
There was a strong one at the center.
Licking my lips, I surged forward.
Time to hunt.
One revealed itself, an unsuspecting Whark drifting beneath me.
I bolted downward, my new fangs gleaming.
They clamped onto its flesh as I dragged it at high speed toward the seabed.
It howled in pain, thrashing wildly, trying to dislodge me.
But it was far too late.
I twisted violently, spinning us through the water.
Then.
CRASH!
Using my full weight, I slammed its skull into a jagged rock.
Its screams stopped.
Blood bloomed in the water as the notification appeared.
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[You have slain.]
• Stage 0 Tier 1 Level 2 [Whark]
[You have gained 21 EXP.]
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