The spider flew to a series of jumps, maneuvering through the trees with extreme precision. It jerks up its legs everytime it leaps and is getting closer and closer by the second, skittering its peldipalps as if irritated.

"Damn, I can't shake it off!"

Apparently, mantids aren't suited for marathons as the body lacks the capability to sprint properly . I've been running on six legs, using my claws instead of my tarsus for sturdier balance and footing. Even so, it did not mean that I was getting away, the difference in speed is far greater than I expected, still the terrain made it so that I could put up some resistance.

It's been minutes since the chase began, and I think I ended up somewhere east of where I was supposed to go, running and climbing branch by branch , the path finally ended up in a cut off by the river - I'd be damned if I moved sideways! The spider would be fast enough to intercept me!

I was on tenterhooks as I decide what to do. My body started twitching nervously and my instincts thinks I'm a cornered prey, my forelegs became restless , already wanting to claw the eyes of the spider responsible for making me feel such emotions.

"What do I do , What could I do, What must I do" I murmured to myself as I think of means to escape.

The spider is approaching and if I do nothing in a quarter of a minute, we'll be at kissing distance.

In a magical world full of disgusting looking creatures and massive fucking trees isn't where my life is supposed to end.

My instincts screams that I must use it here, I draw out the strong hidden power within the nerves of my body. I can feel it being unleashed, an immense strength that can be dangerous if used incorrectly.

"Power of Magic! Please Help me! I don't want to die again!" I screamed, but all I heard was a horrifying screech.

That magic fully manifested in my limbs, overflowing with power that the vessel shouldn't have been able to exert. I flexed it and ran towards the air , widening my legs like a parachute as I was propelled forward.

"DASH."

I looked back at the spider as my body was flying astir. My abdomen curled upwards , my front legs and hind legs rotated in which they exchanged angular momentum at different times and in different combinations. It felt weird for my body to perform such tricks but it's something that'll never hate .

The spider did not follow, it merely stared for a few seconds hanging on a branch as I escape to the other side. Then , turned back as if I wasn't worth it to begin with.

"Thump!"

I hugged the trunk of the massive tree but it's obviously too wide to get both ends. I think I was damaged from that landing, my velocity was fast enough so I'm sure of it. At the very least, I wasn't washed away by the river or became someone's dinner for today. I gripped the tree with my tarsal claws in my hindlegs , making sure I won't fall and can crawl up to safety

"I was only lucky , it could've been worse."

I said as I hid in the leaves to make sure nobody can attack me anymore.

The sun is falling and the leaves sways as noisy as ever. The stream of water from the river bubbles as it hits the rocks. Strangely enough, the tall grass besides it glows luminously and as the dark settles in, the night was filled with more lucent plants that lits up the the entire forest.

"That encounter took a toll on me."

Seriously, how can I be so stupid? Not only did I wander like an idiot , I was also seen by a predator. My camouflage should've worked, but I made too much movement. I let my curiosity get the best of me, and just now I almost died.

I looked at my body with sorrow, the thin legs that I was born with felt powerless, the barbs on it are too small too cut anything bigger than my size. Indeed, it is weak, but am I supposed to give up now? Everything that I am, everything that I may become will be lost. Can I live to see through the end of this lifetime?

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

I couldn't sleep, I felt like something is watching me again. Terror flooded my nervous system and I carefully spun my head around to make sure -

A mantis tried to sweep me from behind but I quickly parried the blow. It was too strong, clearly an 'ability' . I lost my footing from the recoil but regained it just as quick.

"This bastard!" I let out a deafening screech and gathered all of my courage to overcome this hurdle.

This one is just as big as me, probably from the same egg. He must've been here longer than I was and only engaged me in the dead of the night. Sneaky for sure, but I'll rip that face off your fragile neck!

"Grapple!"

Our forelegs was locked in each other, and he began to pull and attempt for another sweep. But my grip was too firm for him to break free, he even tried to include his own weight to increase the force of the pull.

This is clearly getting nowhere. I advanced, charging at the mantis with a frenzied attack.

"Bite!"

I used an ability to munch off his eye, gradually tearing off until I reach his brain and in the heat of the moment, he flexed his legs and began to force me off the tree.

"Thud!"

We both fell into the ground , dazed of what happened. I stood slowly, clearly shaken . I didn't feel pain in spite of my damaged abdomen, but I think I'll lose consciousness if I don't end it here.

"Time to end this!" I pounced on him and finally aimed for the neck.

"Slash!"

Green fluids gushed out from the mantis' neck as I severed the head with a piercing blow. It's body fell like a sack of potatoes or like a doll whose strings have been cut off.

Maximus Mantodea

Level 1(^)

HP: 14/35

Stamina: 6/30

Mana: 10/10

STR : 8

DEF: 3

INT: 1

AGI: 6

Abilities

Dash

Bite

Slash

Grapple

"God fucking damnit!" I was flushed in anger on what the gods have thrown at me. It's kill or be killed, enemies are coming one after another.

Now is not the time to whine about such things, another one of this monsters may come out. I carried the dead body with my claws and climbed the tree where I've fallen off.

So this is how it's gonna be, if you think I'll die without having a fight then you're hugely mistaken. I'll devout this body into making sure every enemies that gets in my way will be obliterated.

My mandibles munched the mantid's body without remorse, devouring it like I haven't eaten for days. The fluid spills as I bite, leaving a gory mess after I ate. I never knew insects have that much blood, wait, is blood even a correct term? Whatever this is, I think it's exclusive only to this world.

I looked at the sky , feeling an emotion that seems familiar to me as if I have forgotten something important. The moon was blue and the stars were beautifully scattered around with dazzling brightness .

"I think I'm sleepy, so mantids really do need to sleep after all." I murmured , my body feeling limp as I rest on the secluded part of the tree.

I could only hope that this is just a dream, that everything would go back to normal. Because this world is unforgiving, and I literally felt like the whole world is against me.

"Mom, Dad."

Oftentimes, you never know how lucky you are until you realize how easier it was back then . But there is no use in looking back to the past unless it helps me shape the future.

I drooped downwards as my mind became drowsy and my vision fades into the darkness.

Maximus Mantodea

Level 2

HP: 60/60

Stamina: 50/50

Mana: 20/20

STR: 12

DEF: 5

INT: 3

AGI: 9

Abilities

Dash

Bite

Slash

Grapple

Pounce

I woke up feeling refreshed like I was bathed in cool spring water and my mind gained better clarity to my perception of the surroundings. No, not just that. I think all of my senses improved, I can hear the soundwaves much clearer than before.

"Is this magic?" I asked myself, looking at my body.

My abdomen was fully healed, and I also noticed my skin becoming harder. How did it heal so fast? The only explanation is magic, hence a full recovery. That's just my guess though, I still don't know much about this world, much less how it functions or what rule applies to it.

"If I kill, do I get stronger?" I said with a hint of malice in my mind.

There is nothing wrong with gaining power, I should only pursue it for the sake of my safety. Yes, I'm only doing it for protection.

I looked around to explore this area of the forest. Nothing unsual, only the sound of trees and wind can be heard. However, the mantid's head from yesterday was bitten in half probably when I was asleep. Alarming, of course but kind of expected, there is no place in this forest where enemies aren't lurking.

I inspected it more clearly and saw the trails that was left behind. Feet, not just any other feet, a humanoid's feet. Judging from the size , it's certainly too small to be an adult.

"Maybe I should check it just in case, if I am strong enough to deal with it, then why not give it a try?" I rambled to myself, feeling confident with my new 'ability'.

The stats , the numbers , I don't need to see how much it is . Even after only seeing it for a couple of times, It's already imprinted in my mind. It is something that is already a part of me, like say, the back of my claws.

Climbing to the direction of the trail, the surroundings felt a bit more lively. This area seems to be abundant of fruit. Like, that apple over there! It might be a good idea to stash away a dozen of those but I don't feel like eating, or rather my other half tries to convince me that it isn't food.

The trail led me to a group of goblins , only wielding wooden clubs , wearing ragged leather completely covered in dirt. They were sitting under a tree gathered around the bones of a small monster. They look completely satisfied, most likely having the time of their lives. Their stomach doesn't look like they're full though, so maybe they're just lazing around.

"Five, weak and skinny." I said, ready to pounce at the unsuspecting prey.

Then I don't need to worry about the size difference, since these once are just a foot taller than I am.

Pounce, Slash, Dash , Grapple, Bite .

I've used everything I have as the cowards sprawled before fighting back.

"Too late, I've already cut your teammates in half."

This weaklings are too easy or maybe I'm just built different? That's right, only the strongest will survive and I'll spend my life making sure that I am at the top.

I was delighted when I heard the sound of level up as I finish off these creatures.

" I NEED TO GET STRONGER , I NEED LEVELS!"

I savoured the taste of victory, taking in as much flesh as I could before grinning mentally to myself and exploding into a maniacal laughter.

The inaudible noise continues as I widened my forelegs embracing the heat of the sun.

"I will be strong! Strong enough that no one can threaten me!"

Henceforth, the days were spent slaughtering the weak, gradually leveling up and facing stronger monsters.