Shai clutched her narrow form tighter, strangling around a copper-ranked lizard, her fangs injecting deadly poison into its neck. The corrupted creature only possessed higher physical prowess and remarkable recovery attributes. Shai had tussled with it for a while to tire it before she finally made her ultimate move.

With the venom taking effect, it could barely struggle against her. She would just need to carry on strangling it for a little more.

After feeling no resistance from the reptile, Shai let go, hissing frantically. She slithered across from its body to come in face to face with the dying creature, waiting for Grandpa to voice out the good news.

It took longer than Shai imagined. By the time Grandpa announced its demise, Shai was ready for her reward, getting into a meditative state.

[You have slain a Skink (Copper) - Twisted Infantile Level 33.]

[You have achieved two small breakthroughs. Your path has grown to Favoured Hatchling Lvl 25. +1 to all Primary Attributes, +1 Unallocated Point.]

[Congratulations! You have reached the first hurdle of the Way.]

[You have reached the step of the Way within four weeks of your birth. You have gained the Mark of Wayseeker.]

[You have completed the first step of the quest: Advancement I. You can access the rewards anytime.]

[Next step of the quest: Advancement II is available to you.]

Shai was unable to keep her focus on the voice, as a deep source of power blossomed within her, surging through her very core, wrenching the most livid hiss out of her. Even while gaining levels, or other marks, she hadn’t gained the sheer amount of essence.

Then again, it wasn’t completely essence. Something else was there, changing her through the very bones and spirit, adding something to her path. A new mark to her strength, a part that would always be hers, and hers alone.

It was as if someone was writing on her entire body with a damnable flame-nibbed pen at that. Shai was unaware of how long it was, but steadily her power rose, and her pool of energy widened to accommodate more essence. Even her body grew as the energy transformed into an ethereal ectoplasm combined with herself, expanding her size by almost a couple more feet.

The pain slowly wafted off from her being, leaving only mild soreness and an overwhelming sense of intoxication over the power she just gained.

Wait, I haven’t checked what I gained.

Whoa, 10 whole points! Shai’s eyes swelled in delight, though it was only for the primary attributes. The other title thrilled her even more.

[Wayseeker (Novice): You have comprehended a concept and reached the first step of the Way.

+5% to all Primary Attributes.]

That 5% boost barely gave only about 2 points and something more to an attribute now, but it would be a lot more when her numbers were higher. It was a numbers game all along, and she barely started winning in it.

Letting out a deep sigh of relief, Shai quickly checked her surroundings for the elder spider.

Solace had many places to be, and some were too dangerous to bring along baggage. So when Shai asked to let her go to hunt on her own, Solace agreed with no complaint, though she put some kind of empathic brand on her. Shai could barely detect it with the help of [Golden Eyes], but it would supposedly tell Solace of her position. The elder spider sounded as if she was doing her a favour, as it could save her life if she was in any danger.

Shai couldn’t even flee even if she attempted. Of course, the elder spider’s warning could all be a hoax to frighten her into staying, but she didn’t really need to go that far, considering what she saw of her. Solace literally killed an Iron-ranked kin with her mind. There could be so many insidious tricks Shai wasn’t aware of. No need to take chances for now.

Regardless, Shai’s rewards didn’t end with the mark. There was another reward for completing the Advancement quest: insight into the paths. That was bound to hit hard. No, literally, it would definitely hit hard on her mind, no matter how much her Mind had grown.

Along with that, she also received another quest, which seemed suspiciously important, even though it seemed fairly easy. The reward was almost a freebie, like [Wayseeker].

[Quest: Advancement II - Perfect Advancement

Only one among a hundred can achieve the perfect advancement to Copper rank.

Requirements: 50+ points in all Primary attributes before advancement.

Reward: Peerless Foundation.]

With 16 unallocated points stored, Shai could complete this quest right now, but she feared this might trigger something… might possibly be her Advancement to Copper. It was better to be prudent. She would rather glimpse into the insight first, and then ask Marvel about her advancement.

I wonder what the reward is, though. Peerless Foundation just can’t do something like the containment she received on her very first quest. Thoughts for later.

There was still the Apex Predator Quest to complete. In the last couple of hours, she had hunted down two, which left three more. It didn’t seem difficult at all anymore.

Making sure the area was clear, Shai looted the Skink into her Inventory and all the other smaller counterparts she had left on a trail. Her eyes searched for a place where she could cash in her hard-earned insight.

Insight into the Paths. Would it lay bare all the secrets of advancement to her? Shai couldn’t wait to find out. After securing herself safely in a crevice on the wall, Shai prepared herself, reaching into a sublime meditative state.

Okay, gramps, you can begin now.

Shai prepared her mind for the influx of information. Even when she was prepared, she let out a painful hiss as the pain stuck her, along with the flood of information. There was no end to it.

Within a moment, Shai found herself amid a grand interwoven string, a lot like the empathic spider’s webs, but far more ethereal and majestic. Each one of the strings represented a path. Most of them weren’t available for her, but Shai would knock herself out countless times, even if she were to interpret the strings available for her.

Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.

Thankfully, Grandpa coloured the ones free for her in golden, so she wouldn’t have to waste time with the barred paths.

There were so many paths, though, weaving in endless interwoven webs, each one leading to a path she could take. Some of them were even so far away that she had no way of reaching. Some branched out into different paths, while others joined with others to form a new path at the next advancement.

Heart filled with anticipation, Shai touched the very first web closest to her as information about the path came to her mind.

[Ambitious Fledgeling: Uncommon

This path is for those who possess a burning ambition to rise to greatness. Ambitious Fledgelings are driven by their aspirations, dreams, and a thirst for power or knowledge. They exhibit a combination of innocence, curiosity, and persistence as they strive to make their mark on the world.

Requirements: 25+ All Primary attributes

Speciality:

+2 Physique, +2 Spirit, +3 Mind, +1 Recovery, +2 Free Attribute Points per Level.

+8 in All Special Attributes on Advancement.

Boosted Mastery of All Essence-Related Skills.]

Whoa, Ambitious Fledgeling, Shai mused, this doesn’t sound bad. The only problem was that it didn’t have any speciality.

This path was pretty straightforward, even she could see just by glimpsing at the string. Thankfully, it wasn’t her only option. There were literally dozens of options laid bare before her eyes. All she needed was to find the right one within the time limit.

Crap, the time limit. How did I forget about that? Grandpa gave no specific time limit for her to choose a path. However, that didn’t mean she could examine all the paths indefinitely. Even if she had the desire to do it, her Mind couldn’t endure it.

The path [Ambitious Fledgeling] intertwined with many other strings far ahead, so for the next turn, Shai chose a relatively free string, only intertwined with a few other webs.

[Baleful Viper: Elite

The Baleful Viper is the ultimate hunter. They thrive on the thrill of the hunt and excel in eliminating targets with brutal precision. These predators have high agility, keen senses, and the ability to seamlessly blend into their surroundings. Whether in pursuit of dangerous monsters or cunning foes, they are masters of the art of the hunt.

Requirements: 25+ Points in All Primary Attributes. Mark of the Predator.

Speciality:

+4 Physique, +4 Spirit, +2 Mind, +2 Recovery, +2 Free Attribute Points per Level.

+12 Evolution, +8 Insight, +8 Fortune on Advancement.

Stealth-Related Ability.

Baleful Poisonous Aura.

Boosted Mastery in All Combat-Related Skills and Abilities.]

This one is so much better, though only related to combat. Let’s see what’s more there.

One by one, Shai singled out the more specialised paths and reached for their web string. More information about those paths came to her mind. Each of them was related to some of her traits, be it the Mark, abilities, skills, or the Concept.

[Mystic Adder (Novice): Elite*

Requirements: 50 Mind, 50 Spirit. Spellforging (D)

Speciality:

+2 Physique, +6 Spirit, +6 Mind, +4 Recovery, +3 Free Attribute Points per Level.

+16 Evolution, +16 Insight, +12 Fortune on Advancement.

+30% Effectivity to Mind and Perception.

Boosted Mastery in Crafting and Spellforging-Related Abilities and Skills.

P.S: This path is completely unique to your species.]

Elite paths are different beasts altogether, Shai concluded. Unfortunately, elite paths are extremely rare as well.

[Tainted Bane: Elite]

Requirement: Hunger.

Speciality…

Wait, what the hell is this here, Grandpa? She cursed and ignored it completely. Nothing could tempt her into this path. Not after what she had seen, and experienced.

[Dungeon Constrictor: Uncommon]

[Snake Supreme: Uncommon]

[Kin Devourer: Uncommon]

[Artful Garter: Uncommon]

[Mystic Wyrm: Uncommon]

[Way Dreamer Serpent: Uncommon]

An impaling pain stabbed into Shai’s mind as she carried on with the paths. Most of these offered similar benefits according to their rank and speciality. However, none of them interested her as much as [Mystic Adder (Novice)] did.

Shai wanted a specialised path, but not those types of specialisations. Honestly, [Mystic Wyrm] and [Way Dreamer Serpent] seemed more interesting, where the former was all-rounded and the latter more studious. But they didn’t have the same reach in specialisation as an Elite path.

After some deliberation, Shai ignored all paths but the Elite ones. She was only given a few of them, not that she was aware she would meet all their requirements.

[Serpent of Avarice: Elite

Born of hunger, they devour.

This path embodies your insatiable hunger for power. With the Concept of Hunger at its core, the Serpent of Avarice is driven by an overwhelming desire for everything.

Requirements: 200+ points in total primary attribute points. [Concept of Hunger]

Speciality:

+6 Physique, +6 Spirit, +2 Mind, +4 Recovery, +3 Free Attribute Points per Level.

+24 Will, +12 Insight, +12 Fortune on Advancement.

+50% Effectivity in Digestion and Growth.

+50% in Regeneration.

Boosted Mastery of Hunger-Related Abilities.]

The next one was actually a burning white string.

[Divine Touched: Sacred

Path of the divine chosen.

Requirements: Touched by Divinity.

Speciality:

+6 to all Primary attributes, +25 Free Secondary Points per Level.

+24 Will, +24 Insight, +24 Fortune on Advancement.

+20% Effectivity in All Attributes.

+20% Effectivity in All Skills and Abilities.

Blessing.

Boosted Mastery in All Skills and Abilities.]

Shai momentarily paused as she came to this path. Was it related to the blessing of Kismet? That seemed more like it, and by far, this was the best path, even though it lacked a specific speciality.

Even still, Shai checked on the remaining two elite paths.

[Infant Naga: Elite

A mythic race of serpentine creatures. Nagas have a serpentine lower body and a humanoid upper body. They can be both benevolent and malevolent, though they tend to be the latter more often. They are associated with water, fertility, fortune, and protection.

Requirements: 200+ points in total primary attribute points. A Concept. Sapience.

Speciality:

+4 to all Primary attributes, +4 Free Secondary Points per Level.

+24 Will, +12 Insight, +12 Fortune on Advancement.

Boost in Poison Affinity.

Boosted Mastery in All Skills and Abilities.]

A snake with a human head? Immediately, a figure of such a form appeared in Shai’s mind. It had her humanoid upper body with two arms, but the lower body was in her current serpentine form.

Shai’s mouth remained hung open for several seconds, almost forgetting the prickling pain in her mind. A deep surge of wrongness washed over her, as in no way or form she would like to become something like this.

No way!

Imagine crawling around in a dark, deranged place with a human upper body. Thank Grandpa, for your concern, but this isn’t for me.

Well, that concluded all possible paths for her, and she had managed to survive with her sanity intact. Now all Shai needed was—

It wasn’t the last viable choice, actually. There was another burning white string available in the chaotic mess of the strings. The only problem was that it was woven amid almost all the other paths’ strings. So, not a specialised one?

Although it hurt to even look at it, Shai pulled herself together to check it. The previous golden string was sacred. She couldn’t wait to see if any other great deity was interested in her.

[Eye of the Crusaders: Sacred]

Her eyes swelled with desire as she checked the class. She was literally awestruck, looking at the requirements. It was the only path whose requirement she didn’t meet, but accessible to her because of her A-rank aspect [Golden Eyes]

Shai’s mind whirled in excruciating pain, bringing her to the verge of losing consciousness. Yet she held on, etching every detail of the class into her mind.

“Aye, Little Snake, you’re feeling alright?” A voice interrupted her thoughts abruptly, as Shai let go. “I’m getting a terrible pull in the brand I left you with. Do you need help?”

Shai didn’t even hear the elder spider clearly as she lost consciousness.

Knowledge does take a heavy toll on the chosen.