The dim light filtering through the cave entrance painted soft shadows on the dirt walls as Jannet studied Rose's injured leg. Her massive form sprawled across the cool ground of the living room chamber, her dark scales shimmering faintly in the low light. Rose’s leg, though healed on the surface, bore the evidence of an improperly set break. The twisted alignment of the bone made her movements awkward and strained. Her hunting was hampered, and with her size and strength, she was vital to the group's ability to thrive. Leaving her in this state wasn’t an option. Jannet’s reptilian instincts warred briefly with his human memories. The lizard part of him wanted to leave it, let nature take its course. But the echoes of his former life, his human mother’s care and determination to always do right, pushed him forward.
Jannet clicked his jaws softly, drawing Rose’s attention. Her tongue flicked in the air as she gazed at him, her golden eyes calm but cautious. She was still adjusting to the idea of trust, even after months of partnership.
Jannet moved closer, projecting calm and care through their tenuous bond. The morphic resonance between them pulsed gently as he shared his intent: “This will hurt, but it’s necessary. Trust me.” He repeated the thought, interspersing it with soothing images of warmth, comfort, and shared meals.
Rose let out a low hiss, her body tense, but she didn’t lash out. Her gaze darted to #1, who lingered near the entrance. Jannet turned toward him, flicking his tongue in a sharp motion: “Watch, but don’t interfere.”
Jannet surveyed the situation, focusing on the tools he’d need. The sticks scattered around the cave were sturdy enough for his purpose. He nudged two into position with his claws and began shaping them with the precision granted by Toolmaster’s Insight. It didn’t take long to create makeshift splints—extremely crude and simple, yet sturdy. A caveman was a master artisan in comparison but it would work.
He returned to Rose, clicking softly to reinforce his intentions. His claws hovered over her leg as he projected soothing thoughts, this time pulling from memories of his mother’s gentle care. He remembered her comforting touch after a scraped knee, her patient whispers of encouragement. He pushed these emotions toward Rose, wrapping her in a mental blanket of reassurance.
Rose settled slightly, her tail flicking in an almost nervous rhythm. Jannet took a deep breath and hooked his claws into the splints. With a sharp pull, he realigned the bone with a sickening crack. Rose let out a piercing hiss, her body thrashing instinctively. #1’s head shot up, his posture bristling with alarm, but Jannet remained focused, his claws steady.
The system voice chimed in his mind, breaking the tension:
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ACHIEVEMENT: THE HEALING HAND
Where others hesitated in the face of mortality, you steadied your hands and defied the impossible. This moment will inspire healers and save lives for generations to come.
ACHIEVEMENT DESCRIPTION:
"With knowledge, precision, and courage, you performed the first surgical procedure ever recorded. Where others saw an impossible challenge, you saw a chance to preserve life and open the path to advanced healing. Your work will be remembered as the turning point in the art of medicine."
Requirements:
* Successfully perform a surgical procedure, saving the life of a creature, NPC, or ally where traditional healing methods would fail.
* Resolve a critical condition, demonstrating innovation and skill in the face of a life-threatening challenge.
Achievement Rewards:
* Title Unlocked: "Lifeweaver" (+5 Dexterity, +10% to healing actions’ effectiveness).
* Skill Unlocked: Surgical Precision (Active Skill).
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SKILL: SURGICAL PRECISION
* Lifesaving Expertise: When an ally is below 10% health, heal them for 30% of their maximum health and remove debuffs (poison, bleeding, paralysis).
* Pain Suppression: Temporarily grants the target immunity to pain effects and reduces incoming damage during recovery.
* Medical Training Aura: Allies taught by the Skill User gain +10% increased healing proficiency.
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Jannet didn’t waste time savoring the achievement. He activated Pain Suppression, the warmth of the skill flooding into Rose’s trembling form. Her frantic thrashing subsided, and her breathing slowed as the pain dulled. Jannet’s memories of his mother surged again, and he channeled them into soothing memes: soft reassurances, protective care, and the unconditional love he’d once known.
Rose calmed, her golden eyes fluttering shut as exhaustion took over.
In the days that followed, Jannet, #1, and Rose fell into a new routine. Jannet ensured that Rose stayed still, the splints holding her leg in place as it began to mend properly. #1 was reluctant to share food at first, often returning with nothing but a distended belly. Jannet, however, refused to let him off the hook.
He projected his displeasure forcefully, using Reptile Memetics to convey frustration and expectation. Gradually, #1 began to understand, though not without the occasional hiss of protest. By the end of the week, he was bringing back prey, albeit grudgingly. The shared meals fostered a growing sense of unity among them.
Rose’s recovery progressed steadily, her leg showing signs of proper alignment. The system chimed periodically, updating Jannet on her status:
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STATUS UPDATE: ROSE
* Injury: Healing Progress: 40%
* Pain Suppression Active: Recovery Speed Enhanced
* Bond Strengthening: Trust Level Increased
The quiet moments of care and shared survival forged a deeper connection between Jannet and his companions. Rose’s trust in him grew, her once-defensive posture softening. She would often nudge him with her snout, a gesture that felt almost affectionate.
Jannet marveled at the transformation—not just in her, but in their group as a whole. They weren’t just surviving anymore. They were thriving. Together, they were building something greater than the sum of their parts.
One evening, as the group lounged in the living room of the cave, Jannet’s thoughts wandered. He gazed at Rose, her leg propped carefully on the soft moss bed he had arranged. #1 rested nearby, his powerful body coiled protectively.
This is just the beginning, Jannet thought. For the first time since his rebirth, Jannet didn’t just feel like a survivor. He felt like a leader.
Time passes with the routine taking care of Rose it does wonders for her leg. Then one day Jannet lounged near the entrance, his scales glinting faintly in the dappled sunlight. Beside him, #1 and Rose rested in a comfortable sprawl, the cave now a true home after months of survival and growth.
As Jannet’s gaze swept over his companions, the familiar glow of the system filled his vision. This time, however, the text was different. It shimmered brighter, more vivid, and carried a sense of significance that made him immediately sit up straighter.
STATUS UPDATE
Species: Varanus komodoensis
Level: 6
Stage: Hatchling → Hatchling Prodigy
Age: 1 year
Congratulations!
"You have reached a milestone: 1 year of age. The achievement conditions for Prodigy Hatchling Stage have been met. This marks the culmination of exceptional growth, adaptation, and survival instincts. Your potential has surpassed the norm, and you are now recognized as a Hatchling Prodigy."
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The glow intensified as Jannet's profile unfolded before his eyes, the details laid out with cold precision:
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STAGE:
* Komodo Dragon Hatchling → Komodo Dragon Hatchling Prodigy
Growth Modifier:
* Hatchling: Standard rate of stat increases per level.
* Hatchling Prodigy: 1.2x faster stat growth across Strength, Agility, and Perception.
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UNIQUE FEATURES
1. Traits
* Hatchling:
* Venomous Bite: Inflicts a debuff on enemies, reducing health regeneration and stamina recovery.
* Ambush Predator: Bonus damage (+10%) when attacking from stealth.
* Hatchling Prodigy:
* Enhanced Venom: The venom also applies a stacking Weaken effect, reducing enemy damage output by 5% per stack (max 3).
* Prodigious Instinct: Increased XP gain (+10%) from combat and exploration.
* Ambush Savant: Deals +15% bonus damage from stealth and gains a brief speed boost after attacking.
2. Abilities
* Hatchling:
* Basic Bite: A standard attack with moderate damage and venom application.
* Climb: Allows traversal of vertical surfaces with moderate stamina cost.
* Hatchling Prodigy:
* Predator’s Lunge: A powerful, leaping bite attack with increased damage and guaranteed venom application on hit.
* Adaptive Survival: Temporarily boosts defense or speed based on the last type of damage received.
* Silent Prowler: Greatly improved stealth capabilities, reducing the chance of detection by enemies.
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ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED: PRODIGY HATCHLING
"You have transcended the boundaries of a standard hatchling through unparalleled growth and adaptation. This stage unlocks hidden potentials for your kind, making you a rare and exceptional example of evolutionary brilliance."
This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.
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The glowing text faded, leaving Jannet stunned. For months, the system had been a constant companion, offering updates and rewards with detached neutrality. But this—this was different. The system’s cold voice didn’t even acknowledge him by name, referring to him only by his species: Varanus komodoensis.
Jannet’s claws flexed against the dirt as he processed the revelation. The Prodigy Hatchling stage wasn’t something he had chosen or even known about—it was a hidden potential, a secret goal buried within the system. And now, he had unlocked it.
The realization sent a thrill through him. Each new trait and ability felt like a piece of a puzzle clicking into place. Predator’s Lunge promised devastating attacks, while Adaptive Survival hinted at a flexibility he hadn’t known was possible. And then there was Silent Prowler—a skill that would make his stealth nearly undetectable.
But the most significant revelation was the enhanced venom. The stacking Weaken effect added a new layer of lethality to his attacks, turning his bite into a tool not just for killing but for weakening even the strongest foes.
Jannet glanced at #1 and Rose, who were still resting. Did they have hidden potentials too? The thought stirred his curiosity. If he had this level of growth locked within him, perhaps his companions did as well.
The detached nature of the system lingered in his thoughts. It had guided him, rewarded him, and now unveiled this new stage of evolution. Yet it never addressed him as an individual—never as “Jannet,” never acknowledging the human mind that drove this reptilian body.
Am I just an experiment? A piece in some larger puzzle? The thought was unsettling, but he pushed it aside. For now, the focus was clear: survival, growth, and the path ahead.
Jannet’s claws scraped the dirt as he rose to his feet, his body humming with newfound strength and potential. The air felt sharper, his surroundings more vivid. The system’s upgrade had given him more than just stats—it had sharpened his instincts, heightening his awareness of the jungle around him.
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The midday sun poured through the cave entrance, illuminating the walls with a soft, golden glow. Rose lay in the living room of their home, her injured leg stretched awkwardly as she rested. The faint hum of insects and the occasional rustle of leaves outside filled the otherwise quiet air. Her boredom, however, was palpable. Her tail twitched lazily, and her tongue flicked out with barely concealed irritation.
Jannet watched her from his usual spot near the entrance, his own tail resting still against the dirt floor. Rose’s restlessness stirred a memory deep within him—one from a life long past.
It was his mother. Not Walter or Richard, but her—the one bright spot in his childhood. He could see her now, kneeling beside a much younger Jannet at the kitchen table, her warm hands guiding his tiny fingers over a piece of paper. She had taught him to draw, patiently encouraging him as he fumbled with crayons and pencils. Art was their escape, a sanctuary from the cold rigidity of Richard’s rule. She had called it their secret language—a way to express the things they couldn’t put into words.
The memory lingered as Jannet turned his gaze back to Rose. An idea sparked in his mind, and he rose to his feet, claws scraping gently against the dirt floor. If art had brought him peace in his human life, perhaps it could do the same for Rose. It would give her something to focus on, a way to pass the long days of healing—and, perhaps, a way to connect more deeply.
He moved closer to her, his body language calm and non-threatening. Rose tilted her head, curious but cautious as he began to project thoughts and images through Skill Memetics.
Images of drawing filled her mind. Simple lines in the dirt. Shapes becoming pictures. The sensation of creating something new, something that could last longer than a fleeting moment. Jannet layered the thoughts with emotions—calmness, focus, and the joy of expression. He shared fragments of his own memories: his mother’s loving encouragement, the pride he had felt when he completed his first drawing, the quiet joy of creating something uniquely his.
Rose’s tongue flicked out as she absorbed the ideas, her claws flexing slightly against the dirt floor. Her tail stilled, the earlier boredom giving way to curiosity. Slowly, she shifted her weight, her injured leg tucked carefully beneath her as she focused on the wall beside her.
Jannet guided her with a low hiss, demonstrating the technique himself. He raised a claw and dragged it gently through the soft dirt of the cave wall, creating a simple line. Then another, crossing the first to form an X. Rose watched intently, her head tilting as she processed the unfamiliar action.
With a flick of her tail and a soft grunt, she raised her own claw and imitated the motion. The line was jagged and uneven, but it was there—a mark made with purpose. Jannet clicked his jaws softly in encouragement, projecting images of more shapes and patterns. He gestured again, this time drawing a rough circle beside the X.
Rose hesitated for a moment, then tried again. Her claws moved with more confidence, carving a shaky but recognizable oval into the wall. She paused to inspect her work, her tongue flicking out rapidly as if tasting the air for approval.
Jannet projected a wave of warmth and pride, the same feelings his mother had given him so many years ago. He added another layer to the memetic connection: the joy of storytelling. He showed her how drawings could capture moments, emotions, and even ideas. Through their shared bond, he encouraged her to add more—to make the wall her canvas.
The hours passed as they worked together. Rose’s initial hesitation gave way to growing enthusiasm, her claws carving increasingly complex patterns into the dirt. Jannet joined her, demonstrating new shapes and symbols, layering the process with feelings of calm and satisfaction. #1 even wandered in at one point, his curiosity piqued by the strange activity. Though he didn’t participate, he watched closely, his tail swishing in slow arcs.
By the time the sun began to dip lower in the sky, the once-bare wall of the cave had transformed. Simple lines and shapes gave way to crude but meaningful images: the outline of a horned rabbit, a jagged representation of their home tree, and even a wavy pattern that might have been meant to represent water.
Rose sat back, her injured leg still awkwardly stretched, but her posture radiated satisfaction. Her tongue flicked out lazily, her earlier boredom replaced by contentment.
The glow of the system filled Jannet’s vision once again, its detached voice breaking the quiet triumph of the moment. Achievement Unlocked: A Stroke of Unity
Achievement: A Stroke of Unity
Description:
"In a world where creativity speaks louder than words, you have introduced the art of pictorial expression to a species or race for the first time. Your efforts have given rise to a new language of emotion, storytelling, and identity, forever changing their culture."
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Requirements:
Successfully teach or inspire a species or race to create their first piece of pictorial art.
This could involve demonstrating drawing techniques, providing materials, or guiding their expression of emotions or stories through visual mediums.
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Achievement Rewards:
* Title Unlocked: "Visionary Artist"
* Grants a +5 boost to creativity.
* Increases crafting speed for artistic tools and decorative items by 15%.
* Skill Reward: "Canvas of Connection"
Skill Unlocked: Canvas of Connection (Active)
Cooldown: Moderate
Effect:
1. Inspiring Mural: Temporarily boosts allies’ morale and restores stamina when in the vicinity of the artwork.
2. Binding Sigil: Creates an artwork that weakens or immobilizes enemies who step into its area of influence.
3. Cultural Catalyst: Boosts the cultural or emotional development of the species that interacts with the artwork, unlocking unique storylines or skills for them.
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The glow faded, leaving Jannet with a profound sense of accomplishment. He turned back to Rose, who had begun adding another pattern to the wall—a crude representation of the three of them, side by side. The simplicity of it tugged at something deep within him, a reminder of what art had always meant: connection, expression, and the power to create something lasting.
For the first time in months, Jannet allowed himself a moment of quiet pride. The cave wasn’t just a shelter anymore. It was a home—