Michael immediately went home after his frightening discovery.
Once he reached the waterfall, he looked up to admire his handiwork. Michael could see the pulley system he installed on his home base. It took a while but after reading possibly dozens of books worth of information, Michael managed to create a makeshift but usable pulley system on his home base.
After painstakingly finishing the pulley system through trial and error, Michael used it to create a makeshift elevator. He supported the elevator with dozens of thick vines so that it was able to lift heavy animal carcasses or other equally heavy objects. Despite calling it an elevator, it’s more of a bunch of tough bamboo-like sticks roughly stringed together and attached to a lot of vines rather than an actual elevator. If he wasn’t careful, it would all fall apart so Michael planned to improve his machines and tools over time.
I did well but I really need better tools.
Michael then drags the heavy animal carcass on top of the elevator.
There.
Michael then starts to pull the pulley, moving the elevator upward.
~Huff… Huff~
Michael pants and huffs as he continues to work the pulley.
I… I don’t know when I’ll be able to do it… but I’ll install a machine-operated elevator…
He chuckles at the idea of a modern elevator just being installed in the wildlife.
Eventually, Michael reaches the top of the waterfall and ties the pulley to a large wooden stake. The elevator stops as it connects itself to the ground on the top.
Michael pulls the azure-striped cow to stable and safe ground. Taking a look at his elevator, Michael frowns a bit. He notices that the cow’s body causes immense strain. Some of the vines were going to snap.
I need to change some of the materials. It’ll break if I bring something heavier than the cow.
Michael takes out the half-sharpened stone. If he wants to create an axe, he would need to have this stone completely sharpened. Michael drags the animal carcass near the river. Using the half-sharpened stone, Michael cuts the carcass’ neck and lets it bleed out to the river.
Blood starts to trickle down the waterfall as the cow’s neck releases a veritable torrent of blood.
Michael cleans his hand on the other side of the river.
“Okay, once this thing is drained, I’ll try to skin it later. For now...”
Michael’s thoughts return to the evolution of the creatures in the world.
“The log almost completely confirms my suspicions but I want to see it with my own eyes. That way, the log confirms it 100%.”
Michael frowns when he thinks of the danger of confronting an evolved creature.
“Do they keep evolving or does it stop? The muckat is on its 11th evolution. Is 11 the cap? Or was it just a rare case?”
Michael shrugged.
“Probably a rare case… but just to be sure, I want to see the other animals. For now, let’s eat.”
Michael goes through his stockpile of mushrooms, vegetables, fruits, and dried meat. While he’s never tasted a large variety of food on Earth, Michael noticed that the food in Teremarae was more flavorful and energizing. It seems even the flora evolved to become very nutritious and filling.
Michael takes out a small wooden plate. It was a crude wooden plate but it was Michael’s current best work when it came to carved wood. It was flat enough to hold food and concave enough to hold soup if Michael planned on eating soup.
Michael goes to the river and quickly rinses the wooden bowl. Once clean, Michael goes to a stone table. It was something he found by the side. It wasn’t flat but it was wide enough to put stuff on. Taking out a crude cutting board, Michael puts some unfamiliar vegetables, weird-colored fruits, and mushrooms on it.
Looks weird but at least they’re tasty and healthy… or so the log tells me.
Michael pulls out his unfinished stone knife. Using the sharpened part, Michael starts to cut the non-edible parts of the vegetables and fruit. He shaves off the dirty parts of the mushrooms. Michael takes the dirty parts of the fruits and vegetables and puts them in a fur bag hanging by the wall. Michael was saving it for compost.
Michael puts everything else on his wooden plate. He puts some dried meat on his mouth. He starts to chew.
Hard…
Without salt and spices, Michael could only go so far in the aspect of cooking. At least the fruits didn’t need spices.
Add spices to the list of things I need.
Michael starts eating fruits and vegetables.
Delicious… but I’m really getting tired of the taste.
The fruits were sweet while the vegetables felt fresh and healthy. The meat was a good change of taste every once in a while. After his meal, Michael notices that the sun is starting to go down. Michael takes his meal and goes to the edge of the waterfall. He takes a seat and slowly eats his meal as he watches the sun slowly go down.
~Sigh~
Michael marvels at the beauty of this world. It was a silver lining of the cruel and hard situation he’s been thrust into.
Michael chews the fruit. He swallows the chewed fruit as he enjoys the peaceful moment.
Eventually, the sun is gone and Michael is surrounded by darkness.
Michael stands up silently. He goes to his cave bed, which is just a large collection of leaves with some furs placed on top of it.
Lying down, Michael closes his eyes. He would need all the strength for tomorrow. Tomorrow, he was going to hunt again. Then, he remembers the evolving animals.
I need the log to confirm that...
Then, Michael finally goes to sleep.
The morning quickly arrives and Michael finds himself refreshed. Standing up to do his morning routines, Michael plans on finishing the stone knife before he goes anywhere.
Taking a few fruits from his stockpile, Michael eats a light breakfast. Taking a look at his stockpile, Michael realizes that his supply is steadily dwindling.
Hmm… I’m gonna need more fruits… the trees can’t keep up with the amount I eat every day.
Looking at the clear and open plots of land in his area, Michael contemplates planting some trees.
I’ll see if I can get some fruits from the outside.
Once having eaten his fill, Michael takes a seat on a patch of grass and continues to sharpen his stone knife.
It doesn’t take long since Michael already finished half of the knife. Once the knife was complete and satisfactory, Michael stores it in a sheath made of leaves.
Okay… now for an axe but… I still need to go look for those animals.
Michael prepares for the long journey once more. He ties his stone knife in a sheathe by his side. He ties a club on the other side. He brings some fruits and vegetables with him, on the off chance that he has to stay outside. He puts his trusty spear on his back.
Once prepared, Michael goes to the elevator.
Removing the vine holding the elevator, Michael starts to lower himself down. The elevator creaks as Michael slowly goes down.
This is always a workout.
~Huff huff~
When Michael gets down, he isn’t as winded with the cow but he still feels a bit tired.
Hmmm… working out… will working out help me evolve?
Michael checks the log but sees there’s no change.
Nothing. Maybe I need to do it more.
Michael shrugs and stores the log. Looking towards a familiar direction, he retraces his steps back towards the place he first appeared in.
That place was where I was first attacked by that adorable yet vicious three-tailed dog.
Michael’s arm twitches when he remembers that event. Due to some phenomenon that was only possible in this world, Michael’s wounds healed without any scars. Unfortunately, too big wounds, such as the ones he got from the saberwolves, couldn’t heal cleanly. He has a scar on his leg. The wound on his arm from the suicidal saberwolf wasn’t too bad and it would heal without any scars, given enough time.
It was also the place where the super reptile attacked me.
Following the river and following the many landmarks he knows, Michael eventually reaches the area where he first appeared.
The body of the three-tailed dog was gone. Michael shrugged. It was obvious that it would not last there.
Michael took out his log.
The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.
Super Reptile
Classification: Animal (Apex Predator)
Description: A large four-legged reptile with thick scales adorning its muscle-bound body. Its claws are capable of ripping and rending flesh apart with ease. Its mouth is similar to that of an alligator, in that it can make a biting motion with enough force to shatter bone.
Possible Effects: NA
Possible Evolution Number: 1st iteration: ???
You’re my target today.
Michael wanted to observe the super reptile, the most terrifying creature he’s met so far. And if he could, Michael wanted to induce evolution in it
The entire time Michael was there, he was anxious. He felt stressed due to the possibility of meeting the super reptile in a disadvantageous situation. If he did, he would have no choice but to run. Running wasn’t an issue, it was the risk of getting murdered in a very painful way.
Despite being on guard, Michael has yet to see the super reptile. But due to good luck, Michael manages to find some tracks. The tracks were made by feet that had large sharp protruding claws on their fingertips.
This might be the super reptile.
Doing his best to be careful, Michael starts to stealthily follow the tracks. Utilizing every strength and talent his body currently has, Michael moves with almost absolute silence.
~Growl~
Michael’s body stops when he hears the sound of a creature’s growl. He turns his eyes without turning his head. Then he slowly turns his head around without moving his body.
~Growl~
After hearing the 2nd growl, Michael calms down.
Okay… it’s not looking at me. Because if it was, it would have already pounced on me.
Looking around, Michael doesn’t see a creature that is about to pounce him. He just heard the creature’s growl, meaning it was near. Michael looks around for any sign of disturbed foliage.
There.
Seeing a lightly snapped branch, Michael approaches it. After moving through the leaves, he sees his target.
Resting on a large dirt mound, the super reptile was currently resting. Its body seemed larger than before. Its muscles were more well-defined and its claws were a bit yellowish. Michael swallowed the lump in his throat as he admired the creature of his nightmares.
Was… was it always this monstrous before?
Michael looks at his log. Nothing has changed regarding the super reptile.
That means… this thing became this monstrous on its own effort, time, and… environment.
Michael swallowed the building saliva in his throat.
Okay… it never evolved but… how do I know it’s not evolving because of some other reason? I’ve got to see something else evolve.
Satisfied with his observation and terrified of antagonizing the resting super reptile, Michael leaves. The super reptile doesn’t move and Michael slinks away. Once Michael was a fair distance away from the super reptile’s territory, Michael starts to contemplate again.
Can… I artificially force something to evolve… and if I do that, could I manipulate it to fight and kill the super reptile.
A vicious and very risky idea appears in Michael’s mind.
To do that… I would need to pick a creature to evolve.
Michael heard some whimpering. For a moment, Michael felt his skin hair stand on edge.
Looking at the source of the sound, Michael sees a very familiar three-tailed dog. Its eyes were adorable and cute. Feeling a bit of vengeance, Michael grins at the three-tailed dog.
Oh ho ho ho… I’m not falling for that.
Seeing Michael’s smile, the creature seems to take that as a sign to move forward. Looking around, Michael finds that there were small three-tailed dogs watching this one approach him.
Oh… it’s a parent… I can use that…
Michael’s mind received an evil idea. Michael lets the adult three-tailed dog approach him.
Once the creature was close, Michael took out the log to see its information.
Three-tailed dog
Classification: Animal
Description: A small animal that uses its ability to lower the guard of its targets. After taking advantage of an animal’s pity, the three-tailed dog wraps its strong tails around its target’s neck and bites down. Its teeth have small ridges and are used to grind into its target’s flesh, causing incredible pain. It usually clamps down until its target is dead.
Possible Effects: Their salivary gland has a small amount of poison which they use to incapacitate their targets.
Evolution Number: 3rd Iteration: The creature’s tail has become tougher and its teeth now secrete a small amount of poison which helps paralyze its target.
I didn’t feel paralysis last time it bit me… so this is obviously new… Did it evolve because of me or was it already evolving?
Looking at the adorable creature, Michael chuckles to himself.
It has paralysis now… but it would die from one bite from the super reptile despite the super reptile having never evolved before… I need it to be bigger so it can pose a challenge against the super reptile… What would force a creature to evolve its size?... Physical trauma?
Michael shrugs.
Let’s experiment.
Pulling out his club, Michael charges the three-tailed dog. Seeing Michael rush towards it, the three-tailed dog’s face quickly contorts to a monstrous form.
~Thud~
~Crack~
Michael doesn’t give the creature a moment to react. It squeals in pain as the club hits its face and body. It tries to use its tails to grab onto Michael but he was prepared for that.
Each time the dog tried to grab Michael, he would quickly move his arms away and immediately counter with a powerful club attack.
~Thud~
~Crack~
With Michael’s continuous bashing, eventually, the creature started to become weak. Its struggle was becoming weaker and weaker. Michael could hear the creature’s children cry out for their abused parent.
No… don’t kill it. Just enough.
The creature twitched rapidly on the floor. Its breathing was weak. Michael stopped before he could deal the killing blow. Looking at the weakened three-tailed dog and its terrified offspring, Michael thinks.
Now… let’s see if you can survive this and if your children will evolve. Let’s hope, no predator finds you before you evolve.
Once done with his gruesome but necessary work, Michael walks away. The three-tailed puppies approach their parent and whine and try to comfort them to the best of their ability. Michael shakes his head, seeing the heartbreaking scene.
Okay… I don’t know much but if it evolves, then surviving a near-death experience can constitute a requirement for evolution… I just need to wait… I’ll stay here tonight.
Michael looks for a nearby place to hide in. It doesn’t take a while and Michael finds a tall enough tree to tie himself to. Once Michael finds a place to sleep, he makes a noticeable mark on the tree then he goes down to wander the general area.
Let’s look for something to eat.
Michael explores the area and hunts for food. After getting his fill, Michael goes to sleep.
While Michael was resting peacefully, the beaten three-tailed dog crawled back home with its mewling and crying children. Its limping and broken body was bleeding from Michael’s assault. It’s nothing short of a miracle for it to go unnoticed by any predators. They were making adorable squeaking sounds as they tried to call the attention of their weakened parent.
Despite their hunger, the family of three-tailed dogs entered their den. Once inside, the weakened parent hisses at their children.
They quiet down.
Hungry and weak, the three-tailed dog family lies to rest. Their stomachs growl but they have no choice as these creatures know that the night isn’t their time to hunt. If they went out now, they would be slain by creatures that didn’t care if they were adorable or had big soft eyes.
They had to surrender to their hunger for tonight.
Unbeknownst to such simple-minded creatures, a change was occurring inside them. It occurred first in the bodies of the children. The parent’s body was also changing but it wasn’t as quick. The three-tailed dog’s bodies slowly changed as their limbs started to become longer and their bodies gained a large amount of bulk, increasing their size, to accommodate the growing limbs.
Despite the simple evolution, the animals experienced an unbelievable amount of pain. Their bones were forcefully rearranged to compensate for the sudden change. Their muscles rip and shift to accommodate a bigger body. Their organs suffer extreme stress as they either become larger or smaller to meet the needs of the new body.
Their teeth became sharper but in exchange, their paralysis venom became weaker. The bones in their tails become tough and more flexible so they can hold their prey with ease.
Within mere hours, the three-tailed dog family gained millions of years worth of evolution. It was a forced evolution due to Michael’s intervention. Unknown to Michael, human intervention seemed to force evolutions faster than normal environmental action. The family of the three-tailed dog continued to evolve throughout the night. It was a pain-wracked night and the alluring three-tailed dog that was used to tricking its prey slowly changed into a monstrous active predator.
The pain continued but eventually, morning came.
The three-tailed dog family wasn’t hungry, they were ravenous.
They weren’t angry, they were livid.
And now, they were going to hunt.
While his victims suffered throughout the night, Michael had a rather peaceful sleep. He was fortunate enough to not be disturbed. No bone spiders to harass him or creatures to bite his legs.
When he woke up, he stretched and surveyed his surroundings. Looking at his fruit bag, Michael found that he was out of fruit. Hefting his spear and club, Michael prepares for another early-morning hunt.
Michael slides down the large tree and lands on the forest floor.
~Growl~
Michael turns around to look for the source of the growl.
Not here. Where?
~ROAR!!!!~
A deafening roar reverberates across the forest. A large number of birds and other flying creatures rush away from the source.
Oh… That’s my cue.
Michael turns around to leave but the foliage behind him is suddenly disturbed and a large creature bursts out of the trees.
With powerful muscles and a large form tipped with claws, Michael saw the super reptile.
Fudge!
Michael turns to the monstrous creature and readies his spear. Despite getting ready, he quickly noticed that something was wrong.
The super reptile was bleeding.
Its body was pelted with wounds. Seeing the super reptile thrash around, Michael could see the creature’s body being ripped apart by the newly evolved three-tailed dogs that clung to the apex predator’s body.
Michael quickly runs to hide so he can safely observe the situation. The super reptile was still much stronger than each individual three-tailed dog but the four three-tailed dogs were attacking it simultaneously in a suicidal attempt to kill it.
The adult three-tailed dog was now the size of a medium-sized dog. Its young children were slightly bigger than adult cats. The adult was entangled on the super reptile’s neck. It kept attacking the super reptile’s neck, revealing a large gash that continued to spill blood. Michael noticed the super reptile weakening.
It’s… becoming sluggish.
Despite the overwhelming wounds and gashes that the super reptile had, the family of three-tailed dogs wasn’t better off. They were all wounded and bloody. They were only clinging due to sheer willpower.
For them, the situation was a do-or-die state.
Michael’s heart was pounding. This was what he wanted. He needed something to kill the apex predator.
Will they be enough?
The super reptile roared as its experienced pain it has never experienced before. Its mind was clouded with murderous rage. Unlike Michael, the creature could not think rationally in front of this brutal pain.
Instead of finding a solution to its plight, it does the only thing a cornered animal can do.
It thrashed wildly.
Fortunately for the super reptile, its body was absurdly strong and the juvenile three-tailed dogs started to slowly lose their grip on the monster’s body. The parent was holding on strong but without the support of its family members, it would get eviscerated by the super reptile.
Michael gripped his spear.
Should I go in…
Michael felt hesitant. At this rate, either the newly evolved three-tailed dogs would die or the super reptile dies from its wounds. The best outcome would be all of them dying from their wounds.
~ROAR!!!~
The super reptile released a roar and it proceeded to do a desperate move. It started to slam its body into the trees.
Michael lost his balance as the super reptile smashed its body on the tree that Michael was hiding in. Michael dodged to avoid being trampled on.
The super reptile slammed its body on every surface it could. With each powerful thud, a three-tailed dog was removed from the super reptile’s body.
~ROAR!!!~
The super reptile continued to smash its body at the nearby trees, breaking and killing the creatures that were attempting to kill it.
~Thud!~
~Thud!~
~Thud!~
Eventually, the broken bodies of the three-tailed puppies filled the floor.
Now, there was one.
The adult three-tailed dog clung to the super reptile’s neck with all its might. Its eyes looked rabid as it saw its children’s broken bodies but it couldn’t let go now. Despite being strengthened by the forced evolution, the gap between the base strength of the three-tailed dog and the super reptile was too big. Maybe if it was forcefully evolved another time, it could’ve won.
The super reptile knew that it was winning. It continued its tactic of slamming its body into the trees. Each strike weakened the three-tailed dog but the super reptile didn’t escape unscathed. It continued to tear down trees and foliage as it desperately tried to keep itself alive.
Michael continued to move away from the super reptile’s rampage. The super reptile kept crashing onto his hiding spots.
Fudge fudge fudge...
Continuously rushing for safety, Michael eventually senses the super reptile stop. Looking back, he finally sees a victor.
The super reptile stopped moving.
Michael internally sighs as he sees the body on the floor. Then his blood runs cold as he sees the body of the three-tailed dog with its snapped neck.
Then he hears the almost inaudible sound of breathing. Looking at the super reptile’s body, Michael notices that the apex predator was still alive. It was weak but alive.
Michael stands up and starts to move towards the weakened super reptile. Now was the time to kill it. He raises his spear and prepares to stab the super reptile.
~growl~
Michael stops.
The super reptile starts to move.
Michael hesitates. He did not want to die here.
But I can’t let it live!
Raising his spear again, Michael stabs the spear forward.
~ROAR!!!~
An ear-deafening roar comes from the super reptile as if suddenly given a new lease on life. Its body moves in such a way as if its wounds were fake. But they weren’t. The roar seemingly released a powerful shockwave and pushed Michael back. There was no real force but Michael was forced to back away.
Fortunately, the super reptile was focused on something else and had yet to notice Michael.
Forced to back away, Michael observes the super reptile’s body. Its body started to undulate uncontrollably.
Terror seeped into Michael’s mind and he immediately took out his log.
Super Reptile
Classification: Animal (Apex Predator)
Description: A large four-legged reptile with thick scales adorning its muscle-bound body. Its claws are capable of ripping and rending flesh apart with ease. Its mouth is similar to that of an alligator, in that it can make a biting motion with enough force to shatter bone.
Possible Effects: NA
Possible Evolution Number: 2nd iteration: Due to almost dying to creatures that can attack its weak points, its first evolution is to increase its body’s flexibility.
It’s evolving!
Michael gripped his spear and ran towards the super reptile. If Michael would kill it, now was the time.
Raising his spear, Michael aims it at the super reptile’s chest, just where Michael thinks the heart and lungs are.
Just pierce its lungs! Anything would die!
Michael’s vision suddenly changes as he is sent flying.
Huh?
Michael hits the ground breathless. He gasps for air as he feels the force of gravity smashing him into the ground. Struggling to recover his breath, Michael raises his head and sees what hit him.
It was the tail…
The super reptile’s tail was originally only there for balancing its body when it moved but as part of its new evolution, its tail has become fully prehensile.
The super reptile’s body was changing quickly. It raises its head. Its eyes were still glossy but it was now glaring at Michael. The super reptile releases a low and powerful growl which Michael recognized as a threat.
Fudge…
Michael made a mistake.
The creature slowly moved with undulating muscles and a growing body. It started to salivate from the extreme energy cost of evolution. It needed to eat.
Michael felt regret as he realized that his actions might have made something far more dangerous than he expected.
I need to escape.
Before the evolved super reptile could lunge toward him, Michael ran as fast as he could, leaving the monster to evolve on its own.