Charlie spent the following few days in a strict routine. He would wake up, stretch, check his bodies recovery, spin his mind about what he had learned the day prior, and then venture out for a bit to explore the lizards cave. There were a few times where he found himself almost in trouble, but sticking close to the river, he was able to escape into its watery depths unscathed.

Upon return to the rocky alcove, Charlie would then spend the rest of his day focusing on sensing and interacting with his internal Mana - and Charlie was making great progress. It felt like he could sense his Mana quicker and quicker every day, needing less time to focus to the point required to perceive it's ephemeral nature. At one point, it almost felt like he was effortlessly in tune with the energy flowing inside of him - but it didn't last for long.

Though, progress was progress, and Charlie was happy with the time spent in his alcove, hidden beneath the impenetrable stone. Except that changed today, Charlie's stomach had woken up, and it was time to leave the relative safety of his makeshift camp to appease the "great" and ravenous master.

Breaching the waters surface, Charlie scouted the surroundings and found a small clearing, free of the pesky lizards.

The time spent training was more fruitful than Charlie initially thought it would turn out to be. After a measly couple of days, Charlie was able to somewhat sense the ambient Mana all around him. The ability was still in its infancy, but it gave him a new perspective, and a tool he could use.

And a tool he could abuse.

Being able to sense the ambient Mana allowed Charlie to develop a sort of alternative sense that ignored almost all other physical requirements. If he were close enough, Charlie could even perceive, not only his own, but the Mana that the lizards naturally emanated.

It seemed everything let off a small trickle of Mana, and it had always been there, tickling the back of Charlie's mind with hints. The connection with the shadows was the biggest clue Charlie had been able to work through, and it's what guided him to be able to sense the surrounding Mana.

It's range was still pitiful, as even his sight was better, but it had other advantages that kept it relevant, even with how awkward it was to use. For instance, if a creatures camouflage was good enough to fool his eyes, Charlie would still be able to sense their presence, to sense the Mana they naturally let off.

It was inaccurate and vague at best, but it was better than venturing forward blindly.

Charlie had spent a considerable time hidden away from the lizards, observing their patterns, learning their routes and formulating a plan. The lizards were creatures of routine, thankfully. They slept at the same time every day, walked out of the cave in search of food at the same time and even relieved themselves at the same time.

They were the perfect subject to study, as there were almost no changes to their daily life.

Almost.

Whilst the lizard Charlie encountered was bigger than most others that inhabited this cave, there was still another, one much, much larger.

Charlie didn't know what it was exactly, but it looked almost like a parent standing before their children. It's body was much larger, almost reaching the caves ceiling while on all fours and with its towering figure. It's maw was even more horrific, lined with boulder-seized teeth and a nightmarish excuse for a tongue, Charlie didn't want a closer look if he could help it. It's claws, while still incredibly menacing, were simply larger.

The worst part, though, was the poison that veritably poured out of its vicious maw. Pools of the vile liquid formed wherever the mother lizard walked, and Charlie could see it's toxic nature linger long after it left.

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Even the little insects that mistook it for simple water, died trying to cross the poisonous lagoon.

Whenever the mother, or father, lizard arrived, the cave turned into utter chaos, almost like the lizards were both terrified and elated to see the titanic creature. Some ran to hide in dark nooks, while others ran up to their mother and performed some strange act of obedience.

The mother lizard had laid down and crossed her front legs, creating a cushion to rest her head on and simply waited for the queues to start. A plethora of her children lined up before her, and presented their venerable mother with their regurgitated meals. Half-digested carcasses and pools of unknown liquid were slurped up with glee by the disgusting giant.

Though she only showed up once, it left a deep and an unsettling image in his mind. It was going to be a long time before Charlie would forget the grotesque giant. He could have looked away, but found himself simply unable to. It was like watching two idiots fight - you know you should stop their squabble, but you can't help but watch the shit show unfold.

Barring the surprise return of the Mother Lizard, Charlie was ready to leave the cave and find some food. Whether he would return to the cave for shelter or not, was yet to be decided, but if he made no progress on the outside, Charlie would try to come back.

Taking the path of least resistance, Charlie silently maneuvered over the vast swathes of rock, vegetation and miscellaneous debris. Charlie timed his exit for when the lizards were in their most relaxed state, giving Charlie a short window before they would get ready to sleep in their self-made nests. It was the optimal time to proceed, and with having prepared so thoroughly already, Charlie made it out into fresh evening air without a scratch.

The cool air was wonderful, if not a bit too cold. Still, Charlie much preferred the bite of a chill wind to the unbearable heat of the sun. He's had enough of it for one life already, and didn't want to spend his second one dealing with it again.

Scanning his surroundings, Charlie was alone and ready to find some food. Armed with his newly developed Mana sense, Charlie felt confident in his success - for once.

Charlie slithered out and onto the dry, cracked ground - still warm from baking in the sun all day. Just like the last time, the air smelled almost sterile, there was a vague scent somewhere in there, but it was too weak to pick out.

During the day, the smaller lizards and creatures that could camouflage themselves would be almost imperceptible when still, but now that it was night - Charlie had even less hope in finding anything with his sight.

Yet, even if he was blind in both sight and scent, Charlie was not entirely useless anymore.

Charlie turned his focus in on himself and was able to quickly connect with the Mana flowing inside, and the Mana that permeated the world at large. It's range was pitiful, barely a few meters in all directions, and Charlie still couldn't move while using it at the same time - but it was more than enough for tonight's mission.

Charlie simply stuck to the walls, slithered forward for a while and would stop for a few moments to sense the surrounding Mana. It was almost like a radar, connecting with the world like a receiver and absorbing the information with greed. After finding nothing, Charlie just moved on and continued his search.

Like this, Charlie methodically checked almost a mile of solid rock wall before he received exciting feedback.

Charlie picked up a weak Mana signature from behind a nearby boulder. The strength of the Mana that leaked out was nothing when compared to the lizards, but it was detectable, it was there. Charlie silently celebrated and felt a deep sense of accomplishment vigorously stroke his ego - he had finally succeeded. Charlie started to doubt his ability for a while there, but couldn't help but feel ecstatic when he finally found something.

Quickly calming himself, unwilling to accidentally give himself away, Charlie resumed his silent and deadly approach.

Under the bright moonlight, Charlies black and glossy scales shined with a beautiful glimmer, but the moment he stepped into the boulders shadow, it was like the light evaporated and melded with the darkness.

The bright and lonely moon hanging in the sky cast deep shadows, giving Charlie plenty of room to remain unseen and ample preparation to sneak up on to the unsuspecting prey.

Silently rounding the boulder, Charlie finally laid his eyes on the creature, or at least he thought he did. Just to be on the safe side, Charlie used his Mana sense to quickly get confirmation - and sure enough, it was indeed a creature slumbering quietly. Under the silver light of the moon, the sleepy little thing was indistinguishable from any of the surrounding stone.

Well I'll be damned, these things are pretty good at hiding.

Without another thought, Charlie unleashed a deadly [Hollow Fang] right into the center of the rock, and for the first time, felt resistance.

Not enough resistance to stop Charlie's strike, but enough to make his teeth hurt.