First, he checked his health just to see how close he came to dying.
[HP: 107/3174]
And that’s with the level-up health restore. I don’t feel good. He sat on the ground, taking out the hobgoblin's spear and clutching it strongly as his health started regenerating slowly.
“This was supposed to be a simple hunt for food, huh?” He hugged Nera, “Sorry, we almost died.” He collapsed against the scorched cave wall, lungs heaving like bellows. His hands trembled as he stared at the blood dripping from his fingers, pooling in the ash. The smell of burnt flesh clung to him, his flesh. He had survived, but only barely.
If that last flame had hit a second sooner… I’d be gone. Just gone. No second chances. Nobody to help me. It would’ve all ended here. His jaw clenched as the thought clawed deeper. Would anyone even remember me? Boridus would laugh. Father would curse my name. And Mother… His throat tightened. She died for me. And here I am, playing dice with death every damn day.
He spat into the dirt, rage simmering beneath the fear. “Why? Why does shit like this always happen!?” His voice cracked, echoing in the hollow cave.
The glowing blue pop-ups flickered at the edge of his vision, promising rewards, power, progress. Corvin stared at them, hollow-eyed. You keep feeding me strength, but at what cost? Every level drags me deeper into this madness. Every skill makes me feel like I’m growing, but then…. He laughed bitterly, the sound jagged and broken. “It all always comes crushing down.”
He exhaled and hugged Nera once more before checking all the pop-ups.
[One of the Beast’s skills will randomly be rewarded to the User]
[+5 Stat Points]
[Firebending Ruby Ring (Unique)]
Ring created by merging a lesser fire elemental with a volcanic crystal heart.
Contains the skill Firebend.
Effects: By activating the lesser fire elemental within the ring, redirect a fire attack once per day or summon flame whips to attack your enemies.
When attacking, there is a 20% chance to set the target aflame.
Intelligence +10, Magicka +10
*** Hidden Quest Activated: On track of evolution. ***
Investigate the source of the beast’s evolution and uncover the secrets hidden within.
Reward: Will be calculated depending on the completion.
Recommended level: 100
High Fire Resistance is needed.
“The rewards are insane, better than what we got for killing the Chief. I guess the more danger we get in, the better the rewards. I can’t believe a beast weaker than the alligator and the Chief almost killed us. What a world…” Corvin muttered as Nera stared at her wounds. I guess levels are not a true show of power, after all, I’m killing all these monsters with half their levels…
He then smiled warmly at wounded Nera, “Come here and say ‘Aaah.’” He pulled her closer and began pouring in the last of his healing potions. Corvin could restore his vitality over time by holding the spear, but Nera couldn’t. Her wounds would take days to heal naturally, and they didn’t have that kind of luxury in this world.
Nera protested at first but eventually gave in, swallowing the healing liquid. Her scales shimmered as they began to regenerate.
“There, now you’re as good as new.” He smiled warmly, though her cold heart ached as she stared at his own battered body.
Corvin slipped the ring on and instantly felt his Magicka Root expand, drawing in more mana. His mind sharpened, thoughts flowing faster, while a new skill settled within him. I feel great mentally, even though my body’s still a mess. And this skill… this will be useful.
Okay, next, I’ll put the five points into Strength. I feel like I’m lacking damage. I need to hit harder and faster, end them before they even get the chance to end me. His body glowed faintly as it adapted to the surge of power.
“Well then, let’s see what we get. I hope it’s that last skill he used.” Corvin muttered as he opened the final pop-up.
[One of the Beast’s skills will randomly be rewarded to the User]
Bing!
*** Skill Unlocked: Infernal Hide Lv. 1 (Active) ***
When activated, surround yourself in flames for 30 seconds, dealing fire damage to enemies within a two-meter radius.
While activated fire resistance is raised to the maximum.
Cooldown: 3 minutes
Duration: 30 seconds
Mana Cost: 150 Mana
“Well, I wanted that exploding fireball skill, but this will come in handy.” He smirked. “Okay, let’s grab that bear for lunch and figure out what triggered the hidden quest.” He was about to enter the cave when he remembered his empty potion storage, and something even more important.
“Wait a second, Nera.” He stopped and looked down. “…I forgot I lost my pants. Damn it! No wonder I felt a draft around my personal area.” He blushed and opened the Market.
“System, exchange Chief’s corpse for points,” Corvin ordered.
[Lizardman Chief Warrior’s Corpse (Rare) Exchanged for 10,000 Points]
Nice! Let’s stock up. He bought seven Regular Healing Potions, four Lesser Mana Potions, and a simple pair of pants and a shirt. After slipping them on and tightening his cuirass, he sighed in relief. Much better. This makes me feel a bit more comfortable. He smiled as they stepped into the cave once more.
You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.
***
Within the shallow cave lay the corpse of a massive, red-furred bear. Corvin examined it, but aside from its crimson coat, nothing seemed unusual. He stored the body away, planning to feed the lizardmen and Nera once they returned.
“Nera, help me investigate this place. The quest says there’s something here tied to its evolution, whatever that means. Gods know…” He grumbled, feeling once again forced into something unexpected by the system.
The cave was dark and charred, but their senses, adapted to dark environments, made it easy to see. Still, there was nothing inside except old bones burned to a crisp.
Nera slithered across the warm earth, enjoying the heat, until her body suddenly plunged through a massive hidden hole.
A loud thud echoed. Corvin spun around to see a three-meter-wide tunnel entrance, previously concealed by branches and dirt, now shattered thanks to Nera’s heavy body.
From below, Nera hissed and thrashed her tail, clearly upset about the fall.
Corvin chuckled and leapt down beside her. “Let’s see what’s hidden down here and stop with the hissy fit; it could’ve happened to anyone. Just be more careful next time, okay?” He patted her slick head and led the way into a dark tunnel that stretched deep beneath the nearby mountain range.
***
The two traveled deeper into the tunnel, Corvin, using Echolocation whenever possible. Each use sharpened the skill, pushing it to level five, its range expanding, its feedback growing more detailed.
After twenty minutes, the air grew hotter and hotter. Their bodies slowed under the oppressive heat, sweat soaking Corvin’s clothes. Nera, who had initially enjoyed the warmth, eventually froze in place, her scales drying and cracking.
“Why is it so hot in here? What in the nine hells is this?” Corvin cursed, gripping his spear as it slowly restored his health. “Nera, stay here. It’s too hot for you. My resistance is higher, and I’ve got that new skill. Stand guard in case something comes from behind, okay?” His tone softened, hoping she’d agree.
She hissed but nodded reluctantly. The heat was unbearable; even moving had become agony. Corvin handed her his last apple before pressing forward.
At first, the heat was tolerable. Then every breath burned his lungs, every step felt like dragging lead. His body screamed for water, but his supplies were gone. Just as Echolocation came off cooldown, he detected a bright light about a hundred meters ahead.
Okay… just see what’s there. I’ll come back stronger next time, he promised himself, activating Infernal Hide.
Flames erupted across his body like a second skin, making him look like a living inferno. As he stared at his burning hands, a flicker of darkness flashed in his vision, the flames briefly pitch black, before returning to crimson. That was… odd, he thought, but pushed on.
The heat became pleasant under the skill’s protection. Corvin exploded forward with Dash, activating Echolocation again.
The tunnel opened into a cavern far larger than the old Boa’s lair. A massive lake of magma dominated the space, rivers of molten rock snaking through the chamber like veins. At its center, a rocky island floated above the inferno, crowned by a crystal that pulsed like a beating heart, radiating waves of heat as it fed on the burning lake below. Beside it lay the corpse of a serpent-like creature with a fish-like tail, jagged spikes all over its back, and a draconic head.
Corvin quickly used Appraisal, feeling his skill timer ticking down.
[Heart of an Obsidian Cinderborn Leviathan (Legendary)]
Still-beating heart of one of the ancient beasts of fire.
Due to unknown reasons, the heart continues to feed on eternal flames.
[Obsidian Cinderborn Leviathan Lv. 783] [HP: 1 / 615,089] [MP: 0 / 70,278]
Status: Deep Sleep
Legendary beast born in the burning depths of the world. Rumored extinct.
Damn… if that thing wakes up, I’m dead instantly. This must be the source of the bear’s evolution. But why isn’t the system saying anything?
Just as Corvin turned to leave, the magma rippled. Something surged from the lake and slammed onto the shore, a massive black turtle with a crimson shell blazing like magma.
[Igneous Terrapin Lv. 287] [HP: 83069 / 83069] [MP: 3000/3000]
The beast roared, charging an attack.
“Nope!” Corvin shouted, bolting back through the tunnel as his flame shield expired. He triggered Dash, grabbed Nera, and sprinted as a colossal wave of fire erupted behind them.
She stared in shock at the massive flame approaching fast. Corvin used Iron Lungs, giving his body more power to sprint faster as he jumped through the tunnel entrance and rolled on the ground while still holding Nera, as the flame attack exploded from the hole, hitting the cavern’s ceiling, heating it until it was molten red.
***Skill Unlocked: Sprint Lv. 1 (Active)***
Increase movement speed when activated, proportional to Agility (0.25% per point).
Current boost: 7%
Duration: 10 Minutes
Cooldown: 30 Minutes
Mana Cost: 30 Mana
Yay… a skill for cowards. Fitting. He cursed inwardly, feeling the bitter sting of reality. Every time he thought he was growing stronger, the world reminded him how powerless he truly was.
With a heavy exhale, Corvin stood. “Nera… let’s go back. We’ll return when we’re strong enough.” Slowly, they left the cave, Nera slithering behind him, her pride shattered. Today had been one close call after another. For a proud serpent, this was worse than the Earth Drake, a humiliation that burned deeper than any flame.
***
The sun blazed high as Corvin and Nera returned to camp. Two lizardmen stood watch in the crude tower Corvin had built, their eyes sharp yet wary.
“That’s it! Keep at it!” Corvin called, flashing a thumbs-up. The pair stiffened, still fearful of the towering warrior.
Without ceremony, Corvin pulled the massive red bear from his storage and dropped it in the center of camp. The lizardmen gathered, their eyes widening with awe and a flicker of respect, as Corvin butchered the beast with practiced precision. He stripped the pelt, claws, and anything useful for crafting or trade, laying them neatly on the large table he had summoned the day before. Then he dressed the meat, organizing each cut until nothing remained but the crimson-hot monster core.
At the sight of the core, the lizardmen’s throats rippled with hunger. Seven males stared greedily, eyes burning.
“You want this? Are you crazy? Do you know how much a mutated monster core is worth? In your dreams!” Corvin barked, sending them scurrying back. Then a thought struck him. Wait… why do they want the core? Same reason Nera eats them? Hmmm…
He eyed them again. “Look, I can’t give you this one. But maybe… something else.” He rummaged through his storage. Hobgoblin cores… the rest are rare or their own kind. Let’s not do that. He shook his head and, with a reluctant sigh, pulled out two hobgoblin cores.
“Here. You two, take these.” He handed them to the smartest-looking pair. They accepted with trembling hands, then swallowed the cores whole, to the sorrowful groans of the others.
A few moments later, light flared. Their bodies stretched and thickened, scales darkening and hardening. Muscles bulged, tails sprouted jagged spikes.
[Lizardman Warbringer Lv. 61] [HP: 3896 / 3896] [MP: 140 / 140]
[Lizardman Warbringer Lv. 63] [HP: 4012 / 4012] [MP: 155/ 155]
[Congratulations! You have influenced the evolution of a lizardman onto a new path.]
[The new lizardmen will obey the user without question.]
*** Skill Unlocked: Lizard’s Tongue Lv. 1 ***
Allows vague communication with lizardmen. The higher the level of the skill, the better the understanding between the two races will be.
The two newly evolved warriors knelt, heads bowed in reverence. Shock rippled through the tribe; their kin had grown stronger before their eyes. Fear began to melt into awe.
Corvin grinned. “Hah! That was insane! Damn… now I want to use the other cores.” He shook his head. Calm down, Corvin. Let’s hunt different monsters for the next few days, this way we can strengthen the rest.
“Hahaha! I’ll make the strongest lizardman tribe the world has ever seen!” he roared. The two Warbringers cheered, their voices rough but understandable. The rest followed, realizing they could now grasp his words.
“Well then! Time for a feast!” Corvin clapped, gathering every pot in camp. He lit a fire with Ember, cooking a rich bear stew that filled the air with mouthwatering aroma.
That night, they feasted together for the first time. The more they learned about Corvin, the more respect bloomed. He wasn’t just a hunter; he was a provider. Even some lizardwomen began to look at him differently.
Corvin shivered at the sight of blushing, winking lizardwomen. Ew, holy shit. I’m not that desperate. He shuddered again.
“Alright, eat up and clean up. You two,” he pointed at the Warbringers, “need names. Hmm… Hobfang and Hobscale. Not bad, right?” He thought the names fitting. Nera shook her head, glad that her own name was better.
The two bowed gratefully.
“Tomorrow, we hunt stronger beasts. We’ll feed your other five friends, too!” Corvin chuckled, retreating to the Chief’s tent. Tomorrow promised an interesting day of evolution.
Hehe, just watch me build a crazy-strong tribe and clear out this damn tutorial… Corvin chuckled as he threw himself on the bed, unaware of just how unrealistic his plans were.
Skills Unlocked: Lizard’s Tongue Lv. 1, Infernal Hide Lv. 1, Sprint Lv. 1, Firebend Lv. Max
Skills Leveled Up: Echolocation Lv. 4 > Lv. 5
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