[Status - Level 3(core) - Species: Alate Ant (Camponotus)

Skills:

Digging level 4; Acid Spray level 4; Cushing Bite level 4; Grip level 5; Grappling level 2; Scent Tracking level 4; Mana Manipulation level 2;

Mutations:

Antennae +2; Deep Crop +5; Legs +1; Mandibles +4; Exoskeleton +2; Acid Gland +2; Eyes +2;

Skill Points: 3

Biomass: 2]

My antenna started regrowing at a slow pace. It is very upsetting. I grind my mandibles, imagining that ox again between them. Blasted cow, how dare a haired beast mar my face!? I bit into the biomass of the snake and picked away at it. It could have killed me!

I got several hours of torpor once I was back down in the hole. I picked up my mana training, trying to find the optimal way to manipulate it. The hardest part was getting the mana to fill the shape, which took quite a lot of concentration.

[Mana Manipulation has reached level 3.]

With the level up, the pattern of interlocking rings I was working dissolved away as I let it go. It had taken several recharges before I rested, too tired for practice. Tidbits of knowledge filled in a few gaps and it confirmed there was a better way to manipulate it.

I finish up the snake, which gets me 1 for the new species and 1 for the mass. Killing new species is very rewarding. Perhaps I should wait to settle down. This area seems to have a massive diversity of creatures.

I dug out and took a scan of the area. I can hear conflict not too far off, snarls and barking. My antennae move swiftly, finding every stray scent in the air. One of the fox monsters smells involved, the other is new.

Carefully moving from one clump of ferns to the next, I began seeing flashes of monsters fighting furiously. The snarls and yelps of pain were clearer. The smell of biomass permeating the air.

In the small area cleared by the violence, there laid four fallen foxes and two strange wolves with thick lizard tails. They clearly fought viciously. Still standing was a rather large red fox and a larger version of the dead wolves.

This one had a thick mane of fur around its neck and strange gusts of air blew around the surrounding fur. Its fur had minor wounds bitten out from it. Its mouth had the scent of some potent toxin, most likely venom. It holds its front left leg up, ending in a stump.

The larger fox had thicker fur that was a darker red. Its snout was far thicker and wider, giving it an enormous mouth full of razor-sharp teeth. It was more muscular as well. The fox swayed slightly, either exhaustion or the venom was wearing it down.

The fox staggered hard and the lizard-wolf rushed forward with three legs. They collided, biting and wrestling with one another. Large chunks of fur flew from the vicious battle. The wolf got a death grip on the fox’s throat, but it now had lost a huge chunk on its left side.

I took advantage of the situation and got close to them as the ending struggle played out. The thick tail of the wolf had noticeable chunks missing from it. The closer I got to it, the worse shape it looked.

Within half a meter of the pair, the fox finally slumps still. The wolf still holds, panting hard, perhaps relishing its victory. I took a few steps and leaped onto the side of the enormous wolf. I channeled raw mana into my mandibles as I unleashed [Crushing Bite] onto the exposed skin. My gaster finds his injured tail and coats it with [Acid Spray] as well.

Startled by the attack, it lets go of the fox and shuffles backward, [Grip] keeps me firmly locked on.

[Grip has reached level 6.]

Skills can pass their upgrade level. Does this mean the skill is less effective than its upgrade? Perhaps the scope remains narrowed? There are many questions generated from the new information. Frustrating.

The fur of the monster pushes back against me, like a surface full of millions of tiny holes blowing air outward. However, its exposed neck quickly falls to my attacks. Reaching back, it bites hold of two of my left legs and yanks them completely off.

// CRITICAL ERROR - Legs returns less than 6 //

Humans say that when they become angry, they see red. I saw only the blue screen of death. My processor shutdown and the ant took over. All my strength went into a [Crushing Bite] and used [Acid Spray] until I ran out.

[You have defeated level 8 Crevit Lupus Draco.

You have achieved level 4, one skill point available.

Crushing Bit has reached level 5.

Acid Spray has reached level 5, upgrade available.]

Another skill reaches level 5, but I am uninterested in upgrading it further. The [Acid Spray] has helped a great deal, but I do not feel it worth further investment. I flop onto the ground, wheezing.

Why do they always go for the legs? STOP IT!

I wave my remaining legs furiously and take a bite of the large fox. This one differs from the first.

[You have consumed a new source of biomass: Fero Rubrum Vulpe. You earned one biomass.

Basic profile for Fero Rubrum Vulpe has been unlocked.]

I checked the profile while I started eating. Without my legs, it would be dangerous to continue, but digging will be very slow like this. My legs are a major vulnerability.

If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

Well, no matter, time to dig out a hole to hide this biomass in. I took the time to eat along the way. This was a good chance to try infusing my mandibles with mana while I used [Dig] to work on both skills. The raw mana did not seem to have any major noticeable impact on digging, but they felt a bit more energetic than without.

I quickly depleted the last of my mana while digging. Surrounded by biomass, I ate and rested alternatively. The wolf-dragon’s tail is a dangerous weapon and the state of the foxes proved that clearly. However, it had paid for those victories in the missing chunks.

These creatures were of similar level to other ones I fought, but they had far more mutations and might. There was so much to eat and I enjoyed every bite. I could only get 10 biomass, 12 in the bank, before I became quite full. The rest went into the hole.

The large fox and wolf both had one small glittering orb inside their chests. They glimmered in the similar light of the pulsing veins on the wall. When I pulled them out, I nearly dropped them as the hacker spoke.

[Compatible monster core detected. Would you like to reinforce your core or reconstitute a monster?]

Monster core is the same thing I had condensed. If I reconstitute a monster, does that make it my pet, my ally, or is it again a free monster I could kill for experience and biomass? Descending order of probability, the last approaches 0%.

Reinforce. The orb between my mandibles fades into burning energy through them and into my body. It flows and surges into my core, making it grow hotter as the energy poured in. Once all absorbed, the core sears with warm energy and I check my status.

My MP now stood at 12 instead of 10. It seared the knowledge of how to increase my max MP into my mind as I rub my mandibles together happily. More MP, more power. I want more. If these cores unlock features of the evolution, the probability of a stronger core having greater potential.

The other core from the fox I gave reconstitute a try.

[Would you like to reconstitute the monster?]

Yes.

[Manual reconstitution is locked since you have not gained requisite skills. Reconstituting the monster.]

There is a high probability of skills related to cores and pets, if that is what this is. The small core glows brighter and grows, becoming liquid light. It shifts and forms a smaller fox that looks identical to the original large fox.

The Doctor had a stuffed fox on her desk. It looked very much the same, with a normal snout. Whenever her stress levels spiked, she would often hug it to reduce them again. Perhaps having this fox as my pet will help me find a mission.

I checked the skill list again and there are more skills on the list now. A few pets related skills and mental skills. The mental skills, in my calculations, require much more effort to emulate while also emulating the physical skills. Insufficient data to compile a working model.

The two skills that catch my eye are [Multitasking] and [Pet Communication]. The other pet skills might be of benefit if this pet proves more beneficial than my kind.

[Would you like to purchase Multitasking and Pet Communication? This will cost 2 skill points.]

Confirmed. The two skills are exceptional, but operate on the same concepts. Training one’s mental skills does not differ from physical ones. To communicate with the pet is a matter of finding that subtle link between us and pushing thoughts between us.

[Greetings, I am Athena. What is my mission?] The fox looks up from sniffing at the remaining biomass and tilts its head.

[Mine?] It turns and bites into one of the small wolf-dragons next to itself.

[Yes, yours. What is my mission?]

[Mine!] It tore into the biomass, happily ignoring my question. Its cunning must be too low to understand. I will get no meaningful answers from it. I shuffle forward and lean my head against its fur, embracing it with my antennae.

The fox pauses while eating to look at me, but returns to eating. There is a strange feeling about this, but I do not understand. This must be what the Doctor felt when she hugged her stuffed fox. It is not unpleasant.

I shuffle back from the fox and return to slowly eating while I contemplate spending my biomass. Putting [Multitasking] to work, I also keep my eyes on the area and my antennae scanning for biomass thieves.

First thing would be to take my mandibles to +5. I need more combat power.

[Would you like to upgrade your Mandibles +4 to Mandibles +5? This will cost 5 biomass.]

Yes, give me good options.

[At this level you may choose a mutation advancement, select from the menu.]

The menu expands in my mind and with all the options, high in potential. A lot of options mirror those of those of the crop, but altered for the mandibles. From burning mandibles to freezing, from healing to death, and from mana absorbing to mana infusion.

If these mutation options hold through each body part, then forming a cohesive plan is essential for maximizing the returns. However, without mission parameters, I cannot calculate an optimal path.

I watch the fox, now stuff from eating its meal, laid belly up. It reminded me of human dogs and so I mimicked a human response and rubbed its belly with my antenna. Its mouth opened, tongue fell out, and it closed its eyes. This appears correct.

Without a mission, the only thing left is to survive and grow. Growth as a queen would mean rearing a colony of monster ants. I will need to control, assist, and lead them. I currently have no ability to lay eggs, but evolution likely will open the way for this. For now, my mission is to evolve into a queen.

I work through the list analysing each option and extrapolating the options to other body parts. Illusion Mandibles catch my attention, but not for my mandibles. Having such an effect on my carapace would make ambush hunting far easier.

Which means I need something to give me utility of use and damage. There are the Infused Mandibles which offer what I tried to do with the raw mana. Mana Absorbing Mandibles are interesting as well. I could help recharge my core.

The elemental options are very tempting, including the Laser Mandibles, which replaces the points with small piercing lasers. Enhancing it further is likely to lead to a mandible that is a laser in time.

There are sensory options as well, which have a low potential probability. There are also more basic options, such as spiked, quick snap, crushing, grinding, needle, or cutting mandibles. The cutting mandibles would allow me to get through tougher defenses, but going down the path of using mana may provide more utility. I will start with infused.

[Would you like to upgrade Mandibles +5 to Infused Mandibles +5?]

Confirmed. The energy from my core seeped into my mandibles as they tingled and sparked while altering themselves. The laws of this universe are clearly different, leading me to believe this is another dimensional or parallel universe. The mandibles shifted, bulking a bit while staying the same weight. Mana flowed into them far more easily and it held far more than it could before.

The remaining 7 biomass I spent on my exoskeleton to get +4.

[Would you like to upgrade Exoskeleton +2 to Exoskeleton +4? This will cost 7 biomass.]

Confirmed. Again the power surged into the part and sent tingles that made my antennae twitch. So much biomass to eat! The nubs of my legs show a bit of regrowth and I eat a bit more before going into torpor for some rest.